"We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to Anyone" : How to Work with Film and Drama with a Thematic Focus to Improve Students' Oral Proficiency

Abstract: This essay is based on a previous study we conducted during our last internship in the teacher trainee program. We have conducted a a literature study on alternative and possible usage of movies in classroom environments in upper secondary school. The goal has been to investigate how you can use film to acquire English as a second language, in Grade seven at a school located in the southern part of Sweden. Focus has been on improving students' oral skills, and working with ethical questions, which can be promoted by watching films in school. To do this we have chosen to include drama and role-playing as a part of processing the movies. The films this essay focuses on are Zootopia (2016) and Remember the Titans (2000). In our result and conclusion, we state that including drama together with films in the classroom is a motivating factor for the students and an excellent way to make all the students talk and practice their English oral skills. With the selected themes, racism and xenophobia which are treated in both movies, students are given the chance to discuss and reflect about equality and human rights.