Contextual Language Method

The exercises I have developed for students target three specific areas: vocabulary, sentence structure, and using context to facilitate developing an ear for a language.  All three of these areas lead to an improvement in conversational skills.
Using video clips from popular "sitcoms" (regularly aired comedy programs) key vocabulary is extracted from the clip and explained, as it is pertinent to grasping the general meaning of the scene.  Idioms are often included in these vocabulary explanations, which are common obstacles in becoming conversational or fluent in a language.
Questions to develop listening skills are asked, and students are encouraged to watch the video clip as many times as possible to come up with the answer.
As students become familiar with the storyline of the program, as well as the characters (people), they are often even able to anticipate what someone will say, or guess the essence of what is being said or discussed.  Even if someone doesn't know or understand every word in the clip, being able to grasp the context of what is being discussed can be rewarding, helping them to progress at a faster rate.  Taking an interest in understanding something is profoundly compelling in accelerating the learning process.
This method is effective, providing students do their homework.  Of course practicing with me and discussing the exercises online makes it even more effective!  Contact me for online lessons today!  silvaenglishonline@gmail.com

ANSWERS- Cosby S4 E14

1.     What is Theo trying to move the glass with?

The energy from his mind

2.     What does Theo say Vanessa broke?

His concentration

3.     What does Vanessa say Theo looks like?

A mad scientist

4.     What does Theo say you can move with your mind?

Objects

5.     In the book Theo is reading he read about a guy from where?

Iceland

6.     What can the guy do?

Break telephone polls in half just by thinking about it

7.     Vanessa asks if who gets mad at him?

The phone company

8.     Why does he say Vanessa is laughing?

Because she’s ignorant

9.     Theo tells her she won’t be laughing for long and shows her the book he’s reading.  What’s the name of the book?

“Your Psychic Potential.”

10. How much of people’s brain power do they use?

10 percent

11. Theo says that if we tap into the other 90 percent what can we have?

Mental power beyond belief

12. What can a guy from the Himalayas move?

Giant boulders

13. He says because he’s new at this he’s starting with a glass.  What does Vanessa suggest he start with?

A feather

14. What does Vanessa say Theo is using this to get out of?

Doing his homework

The Cosby Show S4E15

(1:03-2:41)

Vocabulary

Broke my concentration- interrupted my thought process and prevented me from being able to concentrate

Mad scientist- a term used to label someone who may be researching something strange

Psychic potential- ability to use mental power

Tap into- utilize, draw upon a resource

Beyond belief- above our normal expectations

Giant boulders- very large rocks

Get out of- avoid doing

Questions

1.     What is Theo trying to move the glass with?

2.     What does Theo say Vanessa broke?

3.     What does Vanessa say Theo looks like?

4.     What does Theo say you can move with your mind?

5.     In the book Theo is reading he read about a guy from where?

6.     What can the guy do?

7.     Vanessa asks if who gets mad at him?

8.     Why does he say Vanessa is laughing?

9.     Theo tells her she won’t be laughing for long and shows her the book he’s reading.  What’s the name of the book?

10. How much of people’s brain power do they use?

11. Theo says that if we tap into the other 90 percent what can we have?

12. What can a guy from the Himalayas move?

13. He says because he’s new at this he’s starting with a glass.  What does Vanessa suggest he start with?

14. What does Vanessa say Theo is using this to get out of?

Idioms- He's onto us

(0:41) "He's onto us."  He knows we have done something wrong and he's coming after us.

ANSWERS- I Love Lucy S1E25 Pioneer Women

Questions

1.     Where is Ricky?

In the living room

2.     What can Ethel hardly wait for?

To be a member of the matrons of Society League

3.     What is it Ethel can’t see how Lucy got the nerve up to do?

Send in the application

4.     Lucy says it’s just what?

Another club

5.     Ethel says it’s what?

The cream of society

6.     Lucy assures Ethel that they’ll fit in perfectly.  What is Ethel worried about regarding the society type husbands?

That they’ll try to kiss their hands

7.     What does Lucy say they’ll get if they kiss her hands?

Dish pan lips

8.     What does Lucy try to calculate?

How many dishes she’s done since they’ve been married.

9.     How many dishes a meal does she wash?

20

10. How many dishes has she washed since they’ve been married?

Two hundred and nineteen thousand dishes

11. Lucy tells Ethel they are going to revolt.  How are they going to do this?

Demand their husbands buy them electric dish washers

Silva English Online online - Explicações de Inglês

I Love Lucy- S1E25- Pioneer Women

 (0:99-2:05)

Vocabulary

Society Matrons League- a club (league) for upper class (society) married women (matrons)

Got the nerve up- get the courage to do something

Cream of society- the best of society

Fit in perfectly- they’ll be comfortable and well accepted

Society type husbands- high class husbands

Dish pan lips- dish pan hands are the kind of hands a person gets after washing a lot of dishes, so Lucy says they’ll get dish pan lips if they kiss her dish pan hands

No kidding- really?

I’m with you- I’m on your side, I agree with you

Questions

1.     Where is Ricky?

2.     What can Ethel hardly wait for?

3.     What is it Ethel can’t see how Lucy got the nerve up to do?

4.     Lucy says it’s just what?

5.     Ethel says it’s what?

6.     Lucy assures Ethel that they’ll fit in perfectly.  What is Ethel worried about regarding the society type husbands?

7.     What does Lucy say they’ll get if they kiss her hands?

8.     What does Lucy try to calculate?

9.     How many dishes a meal does she wash?

10. How many dishes has she washed since they’ve been married?

11. Lucy tells Ethel they are going to revolt.  How are they going to do this?