Spanish Prof. David Gies has created an interactive Web site which uses authentic Spanish films to create an interactive environment for high school students learning Spanish.
Gies, who has been working on the project "Cine con Clase!" for three years on a $250,000 budget, said the site will be launched around Sept. 15. This is the first year it will be implemented into high school curriculums.
"Cine con Clase!" will include video clips about two minutes long and scripts of the films, with words from the scripts linked to a dictionary for additional reference. Some resources available to teachers will include the name of the film director, the script writer and a synopsis.
Inspiration for the Web site came from Gies' Spanish conversation cinema class at the University, Gies said. When his students saw a film, he did not have to pressure them to talk, he explained.
"[The film] provoked them ... and they [wanted] to talk about it," he said.
In addition to high school students in the Commonwealth, students at the University will also be able to use the password protected Web site.
Gies said he plans to hold a demonstration of the Web site Oct. 3.
According to Ruth Ferree, assistant professor of foreign language education at the Curry School and a member of the "Cine con Clase!" project, the site will help students to develop their understanding of the language.
"If you can hear it and then also see the actual dialogue, [it is] a way of checking your comprehension."
Ferree added that in addition to improving language skills, this access to movie clips will expose students to cultural interactions that can not be learned from audio material alone.
Michael Tuite, head of the Digital Media Lab and "Cine con Clase!" Web site engineer, aided in the programming of the database and underlying infrastructure of the program. He also integrated the graphics component of the Web site with the help of outside graphic designers.
"The argument made by many is that the more exposure students can get to media other than [in] the language lab or [from] the instructor, [the more it] engages students' interest and helps them to learn better," Tuite said. "Part of the motivation is that students learn in different ways and some of them learn better from film."
Read More
Hashmi and Jones win Democratic primaries for Lt. Gov and AG, before general election
By Nicolas Biernacki | 8 hours agoFor the first time, Charlottesville implemented a ranked choice system of voting.
ResetUVA, Wahoos4UVA express polar views on University leadership
By Grace Little | 2 days agoThe groups emerged after a tumultuous year for both higher education more broadly and the University community.
Two measles cases confirmed in Charlottesville this spring
By Nicolas Biernacki | 3 days agoVirginia’s first case was confirmed in April, with the patient being a child under the age of 5 and from the Northern part of the state.
