LEARN ENGLISH WITH FILM

A complete 12-week English course combining licensed feature films, language preparation and conversation

Movies streamed direct to Classroom *
12 week course—spring & Autumn

* Currently only available in Germany

How it Works

FILM GUIDE

Students receive a Film Guide six days in advance to prepare for the film

CHECK HOMEWORK

Students compare their homework in class for 15 minutes before the film

WATCH FILM

Students watch the complete film together in class

DISCUSS FILM

Students discuss the film in pairs for 15–20 minutes

———-OUR FILM SELECTION———-

A curated selection of acclaimed classic and contemporary films

“We didn’t know a single film before, have seen great British and American films, and will definitely continue with this magnificent course.” – Christine and Dierk

The Film Club Experience

Preparation.         Shared Viewing.      Real Conversations 

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Our 12-week blended English course brings learners together through feature-length films, combining two complementary learning environments: individual preparation outside the classroom and shared experience in class.

Six days before each screening, learners receive a detailed Film Guide and work at their own pace with the film’s dialogue, vocabulary and idioms. This preparation gives B1+ learners the confidence to approach a full-length feature in authentic English.

In class, learners first compare their homework in pairs, in English, immediately putting the language into use. They then watch the complete film with English subtitles, recognising language they have already encountered in written form and experiencing it in context on the big screen. After the film, they discuss the movie in pairs.

It is this combination of preparation, shared viewing and real conversation that makes the Film Club Experience work

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OVERVIEW

A complete 12-week blended course for adult learners.

  • Weekly home study, in-class film viewing, and paired discussions.
  • Students receive a Film Guide six days before each screening, allowing them to prepare at their own pace.
  • Licensed feature films screened directly in your classroom.
  • Ready-to-use lesson plans, articles and supporting materials for teachers and students.
  • A carefully curated selection of classic and contemporary films across a wide range of genres.

LEARNING IMPACT

Turns language learning into an immersive, integrated experience.

  • Strong engagement beyond the classroom:  More than two-thirds of learners reported spending 80+ minutes per week on homework, with over half exceeding 100 minutes, showing strong engagement beyond class time.*
  • Multi-skill learning: Reading dialogues, completing vocabulary and idiom exercises, watching feature length films, taking part in paired discussions.
  • Incidental language acquisition outside the classroom: (via weblinks embedded with each Film Guide)
  • Develops English language skills: Develops vocabulary, idioms, listening, reading, and discussion skills in a single, integrated programme.
  • Builds confidence and fluency:  Students practice structured discussion in a motivating setting.
  • Authentic English in context: Learners encounter natural spoken English, different voices and accents, and cultural references within the context of a feature film.

* Based on 74 responses collected during a four-week learner engagement survey in Spring 2026.

BENEFITS

A distinctive film-based programme that attracts learners, supports teachers and adds variety to VHS provision.

  • Distinctive course offering: A film-based English programme provides an engaging alternative to conventional language courses
  • High learner engagement: The six-day preparation period encourages substantial independent study between weekly classes.
  • Reduced teacher preparation: Ready-to-use Film Guides, lesson plans and supporting resources.
  • Authentic English:  Licensed feature films bring natural spoken English, culture context and contemporary media into the language classroom.
  • Supports B1 + language development: Comprehensive reading, listening, vocabulary idioms, and paired discussions
  • Complete 12-week programme:  A curated film selection provides a clear structure for a full course while giving learners a reason to return each week

Why Film Works

Authentic Language Immersion

Moving to a country where the language is spoken is widely regarded as one of the most effective ways to learn because it surrounds learners with constant, meaningful exposure. However, this is not practical for most students. Film provides the next best alternative, offering authentic English, natural speech patterns, and cultural context in an engaging, realistic format. With the support of a Film Guide, learners from B1 to C2 level can approach a full-length feature film with confidence, experiencing 90–120 minutes of sustained immersion in English, followed by 15–20 minutes of meaningful discussion, which would otherwise be challenging for many language learners.

Prepare – Watch – Discuss

Students begin with a Film Guide six days before each screening, giving them time to study key dialogue, vocabulary, idioms, and background materials at their own pace. In class, before the movie, they compare answers with a partner, encouraging preparation and active participation. During the screening, students encounter the same language again through subtitles, speech, and visual context. Afterward, they discuss the film in pairs. This cycle of preparation, repetition, listening, reading, and speaking helps reinforce vocabulary, improve listening comprehension, and build fluency step by step.

Benefits for Adult Learners

Film makes language learning feel natural, engaging, and memorable. Adult learners improve their listening and reading skills, strengthen vocabulary and idioms in context, and gain confidence through structured peer discussion. Because the material is authentic and entertaining, students are more likely to stay engaged and spend meaningful time on course activities outside the classroom. The aim is not simply to watch films in English, but to use the film as a structured environment for language learning—combining preparation, watching, listening, seeing language in context and conversation.

STUDENT FEEDBACK

What learners say

Learners describe the Film Club as an authentic and enjoyable way to develop their English. They highlight the combination of film, dialogue and discussion, and report greater confidence in speaking, listening and understanding everyday English, as well as improved vocabulary and idioms. The Film Club is relaxed, engaging and fun.

Bernd

“For me it is always a little bit exciting and a nice moment to open the e-mail and get to know what will be the next film.”

“The English film club is a great possibility to stay in contact with the English language… to meet and speak with very nice people.”

Christine and Dierk

“We were very enthusiastic about it from the start!”

“We didn’t know a single film before, have seen great British and American films, and will definitely continue with this magnificent course.”

Dagmar

“The film club is really a relaxed activity –the combination of words and images… helps to remember them.”

“When I go home on Friday evening, I will have seen, read and heard the new words and idioms 4-5 times, and perhaps used them in the discussion after the film.”

Ellen

“Diese Art der Sprachvermittlung gefällt mir, weil ich so die Alltagssprache lerne, die mit Lehrbüchern schwerer vermittelt werden kann.”

“Im Laufe der Zeit spreche und verstehe ich Englisch immer besser, was sich in meinem Alltag zeigt, wenn ich englischsprachige Musik höre oder Texte lese”

 

Heidi B.

“I was interested in using English in a more authentic way.The Film Club has offered me just that.”

“The authentic dialogues and interviews are far more engaging than typical textbook exercises.”

Heidi S.

“The film club is the ideal way for me to keep my English skills active in an enjoyable way.”

“The subsequent discussion in small groups is very important to me.”

“But the most important thing is: it’s really a lot of fun.”

 

Maria

“My English vocabulary has expanded, my reading and listening comprehension and especially my ability to express myself in English has improved significantly. .”

“The English Film Club is a perfect approach to the English language.”

Uwe

“ I would recommend it to anyone with a bit more then basic knowledge in any foreign language”.

” I appreciate the well chosen youtube clips about the movie that are included at the end, a small hint about what to expect”.

A STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE

SUSANNA

“Man taucht ins Englische und in die Filmhandlung ein, ohne es zu merken.”

PREPARATION

“Ein paar Tage vor dem Film bekommen wir per Mail sehr gut ausgearbeitete Unterlagen. Diese kann man, je nachdem wie viel Zeit man hat, mehr oder weniger detailliert durcharbeiten.”

Dialogue, background, vocabulary, idioms and cultural context help Susanna engage with, discuss and understand the film..

AUTHENTIC LANGUAGE

“Man begibt sich gleich auf die richtige Sprachebene (Slang und Ausdrucksweise) und da das von Englisch zu Englisch geschieht, denkt man automatisch in Englisch.”

Learners work with authentic film dialogue, vocabulary, idioms and everyday expressions in English, helping them understand the language they encounter in the film.

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

“Wie im ganzen Kurs wird nur Englisch gesprochen. Außerdem geschieht das in Zweiergruppen, sodass man immer aktiv mitmacht, weil man entweder gerade zuhört oder spricht.”

Preparation and pair work encourages everyone to listen, speak and actively take part.

CONFIDENCE

–”Mir hat es übrigens sehr geholfen, dass ich hier die Angst verloren habe, Fehler zu machen.”…..“Es spielt keine Rolle, dass die Englischkenntnisse unterschiedlich gut sind.”……..“Der Film Club macht mir keinen Druck.”

A supportive, low-pressure environment helps learners overcome their fear of making mistakes and speak English more freely.

LEARNING WITOUT PRESSURE

“Dadurch lernt man die Begriffe und versteht später den Film sprachlich besser.”
“… denkt man automatisch in Englisch.”
“Man eignet sich Englisch und Filmwissen an, ohne direkt zu lernen…”
“…taucht ins Englische und in die Filmhandlung ein, ohne es zu merken.”

Susanna develops her English and film knowledge without feeling like she is studying.

Movies in your VHS

The English Language Film Club combines licensed feature length films,
structured learning, and meaningful discussion
to create a distinctive learning experience for adult learners.

What Next ?

Would your educational institution like to offer the English Language Film Club? If so, get in touch today!

Running a Film Club is a rewarding experience for both language learners and teachers, and getting started is surprisingly easy.

If you represent an educational institution in Germany and are interested in offering the Film Club to your students—or if you would like to find out more—please use the contact form opposite.

Please note: The English Language Film Club is exclusively available to educational institutions in Germany.

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