Sample Multilingual Activity Type Two

 Audio & Video

Learners watch a film in one language and present an oral or written report in another language.
 
A number of television programmes and films can be used for this purpose. Many television programmes are available now in English as well as in Hindi or other regional languages. One simple way of using them may be to watch it in one language, follow up with classroom tasks wherein the information is shared through group work and pair work activities, games and quizzes and then watch the programme in another language to consolidate.
 
Learners could also be asked to translate part of the programme and compare it with the one telecast. For example, in Star Plus, the serial 'Ji Mantriji' was telecast. It is a translated version of the BBC serial 'Yes Minister' which is available in print in 'The Complete Yes Minister' edited by Jonathan Lynn & Antony Jay. If we want to use this in our classes we can make the learners read parts of the book related to the serial and then ask them to view those parts and read the book again. We can give the passages of the book in a jumbled order, ask them to watch the programme and then rearrange the parts. We can give two or three chapters of the book and ask them to identify which section relates to the parts they watch. We can ask the learners to compare parts of the dialogues or idiomatic expressions from both the languages, prepare a report and present it to class. If both the Hindi and English versions are available for viewing we can have a number of activities based on them including the cultural differences expressed by the participants dresses, expressions, dialogue delivery, choice of words, etc. Similar activities could be planned for a number of serials like 'Small Wonder' in Star Plus and 'Flinstone' in Cartoon Network which would enrich our classroom work and make it enjoyable. 
 
Learners listen to a conversation in one language and participate in a debate in another language. Learners listen to a conversation where two or more people are caught in a controversy or are discussing a debatable issue. For example, it may be a conversation between a girl and her parents where the girl wants to study further or take up a job while the parents want her to get married. This can lead to a debate on a number of issues ranging from whether girls should work or get married, whether children should do what they want or obey their parents, priorities in life and so on. Learners could be asked to take up the roles of the people in the conversation and try to convince each other their point of view. They can do this in their mother tongue first and then in English.