Of course English is important, we all know that. But in this epic fail it’s a matter of life or death!

Check out this video and you’ll see why: Learn English (really funny commercial)

Use It!

And then, why not use it with your TEFL class?

Set up the scene. Show the first 10 seconds, pause the video and ask:

• Who are these men?
• What are their jobs?
• What is happening?

NB you want to try an elicit the relationship between the two men: the old hand and the new employee there for his first day on the job.

Then play it until 30 seconds and pause.

• Where is the message from?
• What are they saying?
• What is happening on the other end of the line?

NB you want to elicit from the class that there’s a ship sinking and they’re calling “mayday” – the international distress signal.

Then the young man speaks.

• Who is he?

NB you want to elicit that he is from the German coast guard.

Finally try to get some ideas from your students as to what the young man is about to say.

Enjoy!