Movie English and exemplar-based learning: Based on the movie Push

Lee, YunJoon Jason

doi:2020.21.3.47

J Eng Teach Movie Media > Volume 21(3); 2020 > Article

Article

Journal of English Teaching through Movies and Media 2020;21(3):47-72.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.16875/stem.2020.21.3.47 Published online August 31, 2020.

Movie English and exemplar-based learning: Based on the movie Push

YunJoon Jason Lee

영화영어와 Exemplar-Based Learning

이연준

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is three-fold: 1) to suggest a way to effectively teach movie expressions in the EFL classroom; 2) to explain why movie expressions should be taught; and 3) to show how to select the expressions. Two concepts were imported: exemplar-based sequences and the idea of a speech community. In usage-based linguistics, actual expressions (exemplars) are a starting point for language acquisition. Such expressions should be used in a speech community. In this paper, a movie was regarded as a type of speech community. The American superhero film, Push (McGuigan, 2009), was selected. This paper shows how EFL teachers can conceive of Push as a speech community. All members of the Push community had psychic abilities. Expressions were grouped according to these psychic aspects. This process is believed to create a community of psychics. After the grouping activities were done, each expression serves as a reminder of the psychic world. This paper also shows that language development can take place when EFL students learn grouped expressions. According to exemplar-based sequences, language development can move from actual expressions or exemplars to the abstract schema. We believe that EFL teachers can teach movie expressions systematically and coherently with the help of exemplar-based learning and the idea of a speech community.

Key Words: exemplar;exemplar-based sequences;speech community;usage-based linguistics;movie English