Sample Formal Lesson Plan:

Speaking:
Movies
Bruce Lawrence

Objectives: Students will learn various phrases and vocabulary about movies. They will
also learn how to describe movie stars: both appearance and personality.

Prerequisites: Students should have a basic knowledge of western actors and actresses
and Asian actors and actresses.

Level: Beginner-Intermediate.

Duration: 2 hours

Materials:
• Charades blank sheets
• Movie star pictures and profiles: 1
• Reading the Stars Questions: 1 per pair

Set up:
• Charades (3 teams)
• Reading the stars (pair work)
• Star Search (same pairs)
• Movie scripts (3 groups)

Anticipated problems:
Charades: Students might not know the movie, so they can choose one they do know.
Star Search: Students might not be interested in movies, so mock them for being geeks!
Warm up:

<General Qs>
T: What did you do on the weekend?
S: Went shopping/watched TV/saw a movie/various answers.

<Specific Qs: movies>

T: Did anyone watch a movie?
S: Y/N
T: What movie did you watch/What’s your favourite movie?

<Anecdote>
T: I love movies. I even like bad movies. I especially like really old Kung Fu movies!
When I was in Korea I rented old Kung Fu movies that were filmed in Cantonese and
subtitled in Korean! It was great! I didn’t care if I didn’t understand. I could still follow
the story.

<building interest>
T: OK, today we are going to learn about movies and movie stars. Do you know any
Holly wood stars? Who? Who is this? (point to picture)
Ss: Halle Berry. Arnold Swartzenneger. Jackie Chan. Etc.

Teaching:

T: So, here’s some vocabulary you need to know (choose a few and elicit)

star mime
actor agent
actress People magazine
top dog land a part
Planet Hollywood acting troupe
gig guest appearance

<eliciting>
T: Does anyone know “top dog”?
Ss: Y/N/silence
T: Do you know the word “top”? (Yes) How about “dog”? (Yes). Well, what do you think
they mean together? Weak or strong? Best or worst?
Ss: Strong! Best!
T: Right, so who is top dog in Hollywood right now?
Ss: Various guesses.
Main Activity I: Charades

<instructions>
T: We’re going to make three teams. You will get one piece of paper, and on it I want you
to write your favourite film. For example, I’m going to write “The Gods Must Be Crazy”.
It’s called “Bushman” in Asia. (Collect in hat). OK, now one person from this team is
going to take a title from the hat and act a little from that film. You can’t say the name of
the film. You just have to act one part of it as best as you can.

<example>
For example mine (act out looking at a coca cola bottle and making click noises).
Whoever guesses the name of the movie first gets a point for their team. (As the Ss guess,
write the titles on the board)

<concept checking>
T: So, Tinny will go first. Can she say the name of the movie?
Ss: No!
T: What does she have to do?
Ss: Act!

<closure>
T: OK, who has the most points? This team! Yay! Who starred in this movie (point)?

Main Act II: Reading the Stars

<instructions>
T: OK, now we are going to learn a bit more about some of Hollywood’s famous actors
and actresses. Find a partner. Now, with your partner, you are going to find the answers to
each question on this sheet. The answers are posted around the room on each of the Star
Profiles.

<example>
T: For example, let’s do the first one together. What does it say?
Ss: When and where was Sean Connery born?
T: OK, so I look and I find Sean Connery’s profile and look and find his birth place and
date: August 25, 1930 Edinburgh, Scotland. OK? Go and find the rest.

<closure>
T: OK, what’s the answer to number 1, 2, etc.?

Main Act III: Star Search

<instructions>
T: OK, now you might have noticed that there is only one Asian star up there, and where
was she born? Queens! So, now I want you to choose your favourite Asian star and go on
the internet and read about them. Print a one page profile, like the ones you see here and
make three questions about that star. Make sure your profile has that information.

<example>
T: For example, Tinny who is your favourite Asian star?
Ss: Jackie Chan!

<concept checking>
T: So, So what does Tinny have to do?
Ss: Make a profile!
T: How many pages? / How many questions?
Ss: One! / Three!
T: Right! You got 10 minutes! Go!

<closure>
T: OK, Chun Luk, who’s your favourite Asian star? What’s question number one?

Wrap up:

<review Qs>
T: What new vocabulary did you learn today?
Ss: top dog, gig, etc.
T: What is gig? (choose someone)
Ss: (tries to give definition)

<common problems>
T: OK, pronunciation, try: “Schwarzenegger”!
T: What is the difference between “plot” and “story”?

Contingency Plan: Movie Scripts

• Get into groups of 3 – 4

• Think of a movie you have seen
• Choose a scene
• Write out the script (as best you can)
• Act!!!

Competition:
0 points = No one understood; no one knew the movie
1 point = Everyone understood; everyone knew the movie
2 points = Everyone understood; no one knew the movie

Homework:

Easy: Go home watch a movie.

Difficult: Go home, watch a movie and write a movie review.
Brad Pitt
Age: 41
Born: December 18, 1963
Shawnee, Oklahoma

Did You Know?

• Brad wasn't always a top dog - he dressed as a chicken for his job at El Pollo
Loco when he first moved to Hollywood.
• He reads rather than writes now, but in college, Brad was a journalism major.
• Brad once modeled for Levi's.
• Brad is married to actress Jennifer Aniston.

Actor Credits

1. The Assassination of Jesse James 18. Fight Club (1999)

(2006) 19. Being John Malkovich (1999)
2. Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005) 20. Meet Joe Black (1998)
3. 21 Jump Street: The Complete 21. The Devil's Own (1997)
Second Season (2005) 22. Seven Years In Tibet (1997)
4. Ocean's Eleven / Ocean's Twelve 23. The Dark Side Of The Sun
(2005) (1997)
5. Ocean's Twelve (2004) 24. Sleepers (1996)
6. Troy (2004) 25. 12 Monkeys (1995)
7. Star Power Pack (2004) 26. Seven (1995)
8. Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven 27. Interview With The Vampire
Seas (2003) (1994)
9. Boiler Room / Sleepers (2003) 28. The Favor (1994)
10. Ocean's Eleven / Hear (2003) 29. Legends Of The Fall (1994)
11. 2 Fast 2 Furious / Spy Game Set 30. True Romance (1993)
(2003) 31. Kalifornia (1993)
12. Confessions Of A Dangerous 32. A River Runs Through It (1992)
Mind (2002) 33. Cool World (1992)
13. To The White Sea (2002) 34. Johnny Suede (1991)
14. Ocean's Eleven (2001) 35. Thelma & Louise (1991)
15. Spy Game (2001) 36. Across The Tracks (1990)
16. The Mexican (2001) 37. Too Young To Die? (1990)
17. Snatch (2001)
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Age: 58
Born: July 30, 1947
Graz, Austria

Did You Know?

• Arnold's nicknamed "Austrian Oak."

• Guinness Book of World Records calls Arnold "the most perfectly developed man
in the history of the world."
• He became a US citizen in 1983.
• You can find a soccer stadium named after him in Austria.
• Arnold sold his Planet Hollywood stock and is no longer a partner in the
restaurant chain.
• Arnold loves hogs...he owns several Harley Davidson motorcycles.
• After coming to the United States in the sixties, Arnie started a brick laying
business to support his body-building career. He named his company Pumping
Bricks.

Actor Credits

1. Terminator 3 / The Matrix 17. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Reloaded (2005) (1991)
2. Conan: The Complete Quest 18. Kindergarten Cop (1990)
(2005) 19. Total Recall (1990)
3. Around The World In 80 Days 20. Twins (1988)
(2004) 21. Red Heat (1988)
4. Schwarzenegger Collection 22. Predator (1987)
(2004) 23. The Running Man (1987)
5. The Rundown (2003) 24. Raw Deal (1986)
6. Terminator 3: Rise Of The 25. Red Sonja (1985)
Machines (2003) 26. Commando (1985)
7. The Conan Set (2003) 27. The Terminator (1984)
8. Collateral Damage (2002) 28. Conan The Destroyer (1984)
9. The 6th Day (2000) 29. Conan The Barbarian (1982)
10. End Of Days (1999) 30. The Jayne Mansfield Story
11. Batman & Robin (1997) (1980)
12. Jingle All The Way (1996) 31. The Villain (1979)
13. Eraser (1996) 32. Pumping Iron (1977)
14. True Lies (1994) 33. Stay Hungry (1976)
15. Junior (1994) 34. Hercules In New York (1970)
16. Last Action Hero (1993) 35. Hercules Goes Bananas (1970)
Johnny Depp
Age: 42
Born: June 9, 1963
Owensboro, Kentucky

Did You Know?

• When Johnny was a child, he would have nightmares about clowns and is still
afraid of them.
• His mother gave him his first guitar when he was 12. Five years later, he started a
band, "The Kidz of Florida." The band opened for popular bands like The Talking
Heads and The Pretenders.
• Johnny quit school his junior year. He lived in a car, worked as a construction
worker during the day and played gigs with The Kidz at night.
• His former wife introduced him to Nicolas Cage, who liked his scruffy looks and
introduced him to his agent. He got a small part in "Nightmare On Elm Street."
• He was engaged to Winono Ryder and after they broke up Depp had his tattoo that
once read "Winona Forever" laser-altered to read "Wino Forever."
• Johnny owns one of the hottest clubs in Hollywood, The Viper Room.
• Johnny has a daughter. "Anything I've done up till 27 May 1999 was kind of an
illusion, existing without living. The birth of my daughter, gave me life."
• He hasn't given up his love for rock music. Johnny plays in a band called "P."

Actor Credits

1. Pirates of the Caribbean 3 (2007) 17. Blow (2001)

2. The Pirates of the Caribbean: 18. Chocolat (2000)
Dead Man's Chest (2006) 19. Before Night Falls (2000)
3. The Rum Diary (2006) 20. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
4. The Libertine (2005) 21. The Astronaut's Wife (1999)
5. Corpse Bride (2005) 22. Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
6. Charlie And The Chocolate (1998)
Factory (2005) 23. The Brave (1997)
7. Finding Neverland (2004) 24. Donnie Brasco (1997)
8. 21 Jump Street: The Complete 25. Dead Man (1995)
First Season (2004) 26. Don Juan DeMarco (1995)
9. Once Upon A Time In Mexico 27. Nick Of Time (1995)
(2003) 28. Ed Wood (1994)
10. Pirates Of The Caribbean (2003) 29. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
11. Lost In La Mancha (2003) (1993)
12. Don Juan DeMarco Set (2003) 30. Freddy's Dead: The Final
13. One Hour Photo (2003) Nightmare (1991)
14. Deep Cover (2002) 31. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
15. From Hell (2001) 32. Platoon (1986)
16. The Man Who Cried (2001)
33. A Nightmare On Elm Street
(1984)
Sean Connery
Age: 75
Born: August 25, 1930
Edinburgh, Scotland

Did You Know?

• Sean entered the Mr. Universe contest in 1953. He finished third.

• He was voted People's "Sexiest Man Alive and "Sexiest Man of the Century."
• Would James Bond be the same if he were balding? Just in case, Connery wore a
toupee for all of his Bond roles. He was already losing hair by the time he was 21.
• Watch closely and you can see his two tattoos on his right arm. He had "Scotland
Forever" and "Mum and Dad" inked on at 16 when he enlisted in the British
Navy.
• Sean was a nude model for the Edinburgh Art College before he turned 20.
• Steal from the rich to pay the poor...he did just that with his salary from 'Robin
Hood: Prince Of Thieves.' He donated it all to charity.
• Recipient of the 22nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime contribution to
arts and culture, presented by President Clinton in Washington DC, Dec. 5, 1999.

Actor Credits

1. Indiana Jones 4 (2007) 22. Never Say Never Again (1983)

2. The League Of Extraordinary 23. Time Bandits (1981)
Gentlemen (2003) 24. Outland (1981)
3. Finding Forrester (2000) 25. Meteor (1979)
4. Entrapment (1999) 26. The Great Train Robbery (1979)
5. The Avengers (1998) 27. A Bridge Too Far (1977)
6. Dragonheart (1996) 28. The Next Man (1976)
7. The Rock (1996) 29. Robin And Marian (1976)
8. First Knight (1995) 30. The Wind And The Lion (1975)
9. Just Cause (1995) 31. The Man Who Would Be King
10. A Good Man In Africa (1994) (1975)
11. Rising Sun (1993) 32. The Terrorists (1975)
12. Medicine Man (1992) 33. Murder On The Orient Express
13. Robin Hood (1991) (1974)
14. Highlander 2: Quickening (1991) 34. The Red Tent (1971)
15. Hunt For Red October (1990) 35. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
16. The Russia House (1990) 36. You Only Live Twice (1967)
17. Indiana Jones I, II, III 37. The Hill (1965)
18. The Presidio (1988) 38. Thunderball (1965)
19. The Untouchables (1987) 39. Goldfinger (1964)
20. Highlander (1986) 40. From Russia With Love (1963)
21. The Name Of The Rose (1986) 41. Dr. No (1962)
42. Operation Snafu (1961) 44. Lilacs In The Spring (1955)
43. Tarzan's Greatest Adventure
(1959)
Catherine Zeta-Jones (1969 - )

Catherine Zeta-Jones was born in Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales, in the UK, the
daughter of candy factory manager, Welshman Dai Jones and an Irish mother Pat Jones.
She grew up in the little village town of Mumbles, located along the coast of Wales.
Catherine Zeta-Jones was the middle child, between an older brother and younger
brother.

Catherine's singing and dancing talent emerged early and she achieved local stardom
before she was 10 years old! She had the opportunity to perform in show productions,
organized by a Catholic congregation in the area, which sponsored an acting troupe.

Catherine's ability and talent soon won her the roles in the stage plays, ANNIE &
BUGSY MALONE & THE PAJAMA GAME. Her big break on the stage happened when
she as the second understudy got the chance to perform as the lead in the British revival
of 42ND STREET. She did so well that the producer let her continue to be the lead
throughout the run of the play. She was 15 years old!

Her popularity as an actress grew throughout the United Kingdom in the early 1990's
because of her performance in the hugely popular TV comedy/drama series, THE
DARLING BUDS OF MAY.

In 1996, she landed the part of the spirited Elena in the film, MASK OF ZORRO, holding
her own against Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins, which really got her noticed
outside the United Kingdom, and she found herself being hired to perform in big budget
films, such as ENTRAPMENT, THE HAUNTING and TRAFFIC, a film which many
believed she should've been nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Catherine Zeta-Jones married Michael Douglas on November 18th, 2000, shortly after
giving birth to their son. They had a second child, a daughter, born on April 20th, 2003.

Catherine Zeta-Jones' other films include:

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: THE DISCOVERY

SPLITTING HEIRS
BLUE JUICE
THE PHANTOM
HIGH FIDELITY
AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS
INTOLERABLE CRUELTY
THE TERMINAL
OCEAN'S TWELVE
SMOKE & MIRRORS

In 2005 look for Catherine Zeta-Jones in LEGEND OF ZORRO.

Halle Berry (1968- )

Halle Berry was born on August 14, 1968 in Cleveland, Ohio, the younger daughter of
Jerome and Judith Berry, who divorced when Halle was four. Her mother, a psychiatric
nurse, raised her. Halle won the 1985 Miss Teen USA at 17, representing the state of
Ohio. The following year, she the first runner up in the 1986 Miss USA Pageant. She
moved on to become a model, until 1989 when she landed a part on the TV Series,
"Living Dolls."

Her first breakthrough film role that got her noticed was her portrayal of a drug addict, in
Spike Lee's film, "Jungle Fever." Throughout the nineties, she portrayed a variety of
characters. She likes to "live" her roles and stays in character during the duration of the
filming, both on and off the set.

Halle Berry won a Golden Globe award for Best Actress, for her portrayal of Dorthy
Dandridge, in the made for cable 1999 movie, " Introducing Dorthy Dandridge," a mini-
series about the first Afro-American to be nominated for an Academy award.

Halle Berry is a diabetic, and suffered a partial hearing loss in one ear due to an
altercation with a boyfriend, in the early nineties. These physical problems haven't
stopped her one bit in reaching for her dreams.

Her Other Film Credits Include....

STRICTLY BUSINESS
THE LAST BOYSCOUT
BOOMERANG
FATHER HOOD
THE PROGRAM
THE FLINTSTONES
LOOSING ISAIAH
EXECUTIVE DECISION
RACE THE SUN
THE RICH MAN'S WIFE
BULWORTH
WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE?
X-MEN
SWORDFISH
DIE ANOTHER DAY

THE COLOR PURPLE

NICOLE KIDMAN (1967 - )

Though Nicole Kidman was born in Honolulu Hawaii, her parents Anthony and Janelle
Kidman, were actually citizens of Australia. Right after Nicole was born the family
moved to Washington D.C.. After 3 years, the family moved back to Sydney, Australia,
where Nicole and her little sister Antonia grew up.

As a child Nicole Kidman loved and excelled in ballet, mime and drama. In her teen
years, she focused on drama, becoming active in the Philip Street Theater. After dropping
out of high school to concentrate on acting on a full time basis, she got her first film role
in BUSH CHRISTMAS in 1983, which was not only a smash hit, but a springboard into
TV roles and a mini-series. Her portrayal as the "schoolgirl-turned-protester in the
miniseries Viet Nam earned her an Australian Film Institute Award.

In 1989 Nicole Kidman was hired in her first American film, DEAD CALM. IN DAYS
OF THUNDER, Nicole Kidman was the love interest for Tom Cruise, and then fell for
each other in real life. They married on December 24th, 1990.

Her film that got her noticed as a leading lady was her role in TO DIE FOR (1995).
Kidman showcased her impressive acting range and comedic timing, which earned her a
Golden Globe and some other awards for her efforts.

Nicole Kidman won another Golden Globe for her performance in the musical, MOULIN
ROUGE! (2001)

While building her film career, she and Tom were also expanding their family, adopting
two children. They took the role of being parents very seriously, and continued to do so
even when their marriage broke up because of their career conflicts.

Nicole Kidman's other films include:

MALICE DOGVILLE

MY LIFE THE HUMAN STAIN

BATMAN FOREVER COLD MOUNTAIN

THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY THE STEPFORD WIVES

EYES WIDE SHUT BIRTH

THE OTHERS

In 2005 look for Nicole Kidman in THE INTERPRETER, BEWITCHED, and THE
PRODUCERS.
Lucy Liu (1968 - )

Lucy Liu was born on December 2, 1968 in Queens, New York.

In 1975 Lucy Lui was the first Asian-American female to host SATURDAY NIGHT
LIVE.

Liu had a guest appearance as a waitress on BEVERLY HILLS 90210 (1990). That
performance led to more walk-on parts in shows like NYPD BLUES (1993), ER (1994),
and THE X FILES (1993).

In 1996 Lucy Liu first appeared on the big screen as an ex-girlfriend in JERRY
MAGUIRE.

Lucy Liu's other notable credits include...

KILL BILL - VOL I (2003)

CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE (2003)
CHICAGO (2002)
CHARLIES ANGELES (2000)
SHANGHAI NOON (2000)
ALLY MCBEAL (1998-2002 TV series)
JERRY MAGUIRE (1996)
 Reading the Stars Questions

1. When and where was Sean Connery born?

2. What was his first/your favourite film?
3. What did he wear in the James Bond films?
4. When and where was Brad Pitt born?
5. What was his first/your favourite film?
6. What did he wear in his first job?
7. When and where was Johnny Depp born?
8. What was his first/your favourite film?
9. What instrument does he play?
10. When and where was Arnold Schwarzenegger born?
11. What was his first/your favourite film?
12. What does he love?
13. When and where was Nicole Kidman born?
14. What was her first/your favourite film?
15. Why did she win a Golden Globe?
16. When and where was Catherine Zeta Jones born?
17. What was her first/your favourite film?
18. Who did she co-star with in The Mask of Zorro?
19. When and where was Halle Berry born?
20. What was her first/your favourite film?
21. What did place in the 1986 Miss USA Pageant?
22. When and where was Lucy Liu born?
23. What was her first/your favourite film?
24. What was she the first to do?

Extra question to consider while waiting for others to finish:

How does Hollywood affect our minds?
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