Portuguese Video Descriptions
language laboratory catalog
Black Orpheus
1/2" VHS color videocassette; 1959 Academy Award-winning ("Best Foreign Language Film") film starring Breno Melo and Marpessa Dawn; here Director Marcel Camus retells the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice with the slums and carnival of Rio de Janeiro as its backdrop; Orpheus is here a streetcar conductor; Eurydice, a shy, country girl pursued by a man whom she thinks wishes to kill her; features the colorful costumes, samba music and general celebratory ambiance of Carnival contrasted wtih the sinister atmosphere of Rio's slums; in Portuguese with English subtitles; 1 hour 43 minutes. [Close Window]
Bye, Bye Brazil
1/2" VHS color videocassette; 1979 comedic film written and directed by Carlos Diegues; when the Caravana Rolidei rolls into town, a young man and his pregnant wife Dasdô join the carnival; the young man, an accordion player, falls in love with the hardened Salomé, dancer and queen of the carnival, who does not return his love; after the birth of his daughter, the man realizes his responsibility to his family and leaves behind the caravan and Salomé; in Portuguese with English subtitles; 1 hour 55 minutes. [Close Window]
Central do Brasil (Central Station)
1/2" VHS color videocassette; Inside the clamor and chaos of Rio de Janeiro's Central Station, a retired schoolteacher meets a young boy, Josué, whose mother has just died in a car accident. The two are an odd pair but grow to love and trust one another as they search together for Josué's father in the northern region of Brazil. The two share a heartwarming relationship as they teach one another lessons never before encountered; in Portuguese with English subtitles; 1 hour 46 minutes. [Close Window]
A Class Act
1/2" VHS color videocassette (©1987) about teachers and foreign language teaching as a career; professionally filmed with practicing teachers and former teachers in the workplace; aimed at recruiting foreign language teachers for the future; in English; 15 minutes. [Close Window]
Collaborations: Meeting New Goals, Realities
1/2" VHS color videocassette produced in 1997 by the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in conjunction with the 1997 Northeast Conference Reports volume; presents examples of classroom scenarios that each focus on one of the five goal areas (listed below) of the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning; series of accompanying discussion questions available; 54 minutes.
Goals
- Communication Goal: Meaning Making through a Whole Language Approach
- Cultures Goal: Using Video to Explore Perspectives, Practices, and Products of Guatemalan Culture
- Connections Goal: Making New Connections through Interdisciplinary Lessons
- Comparisons Goal: Using Linguistic and Cultural Comparisons to Help Students Succeed in Learning
- Communities Goal: Using a Foreign Language to Connect with the Community
Cultural Literacy and Interactive Language Instruction
1/2" VHS color videocassette (1988) narrated by Marlies Mueller of the Dept. of Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard University; illustrates a variety of activities designed to teach language through literature: (1) discussion of ideas via simulated news broadcasts and interviews with famous people, (2) vocabulary study, (3) grammar activities, (4) student dramatizations, (5) oral testing; begins by illustrating negative classroom techniques; ends with student discussion (in English) of the "language-through-literature" classes; all illustrations are from elementary and advanced French classes; narration in English; 55 minutes. [Close Window]
From the Inside: Ethnographic Interviews in the Language Classroom
(© 1997 National Language Resource Center, San Diego State University) 1/2" VHS color videocassette intended to promote and teach ethnographic interviewing techniques as a means, according to Dr. Gail Robinson-Stuart, of "getting the inside perspective" on persons of other cultures; features clips from actual student interviews and teacher training sessions; in English; approximately 21 minutes. [Close Window]
Going International
four 1/2" VHS color videocassettes designed to help the traveler develop cross-cultural skills required for a successful international experience; in English.
- Bridging the Culture Gap - contrasts one's own unconscious cultural values/habits with those of the diverse cultures of the world; explains cultural taboos and accepted standards of behavior; 30 minutes.
- Managing the Overseas Assignment - shows how cultural misunderstandings can affect the traveler's ability to accomplish goals in such diverse countries as Japan, Saudi Arabia, England, India and Mexico; includes explanation of what went wrong in each situation and proposes ways for improving results; 30 minutes.
- Beyond Culture Shock - for the family or the individual moving abroad; explains the psychological phases of the adjustment process; provides practical suggestions for making life abroad a positive experience; 30 minutes.
- Welcome Home, Stranger - focuses on the unexpected problems of returning home and how to overcome the difficulties of "re-entry" into the workplace, community and school environment; 15 minutes
Heinle & Heinle Satellite Videoconference #2: On Mentoring Foreign Language TAs, Lecturers, and Adjunct Faculty
1/2" VHS color videocassette of the 10/25/00 second annual national videoconference on issues in language program direction sponsored by Heinle & Heinle Publishers and broadcast from the Georgia Center for Continuing Education; based on the AAUSC (American Association of University Supervisors, Coordinators and Directors of Foreign Language Programs) volume Mentoring Foreign Language TAs, Lecturers, and Adjunct Faculty edited by Benjamin Rifkin; videoconference moderated by Robert Terry (University of Richmond) with featured speakers: Elizabeth Bernhardt (Stanford University), Tom Blair (City College of San Francisco), Lara Lomicka (Penn State University), Susan Navey-Davis (North Carolina State University), Rebecca Oxford (University of Maryland); in addition to delivering formal presentations and participating in discussions on the topic of mentoring, speakers respond to viewers' questions; 2 hours. [Close Window]
Heinle & Heinle Satellite Videoconference #3: Teaching in Today's Multilevel Classroom
1/2" VHS color videocassette of the 2/6/02 third annual national videoconference on issues in language program direction sponsored by Heinle & Heinle Publishers and broadcast from the Georgia Center for Continuing Education; videoconference moderated by Robert Terry (University of Richmond) with featured speakers: Kerry S.G. Driscoll (University of Iowa and Coe College), Jean-Louis Hippolyte (Kansas State University), Patti J. Marinelli (University of South Carolina), and Kimberley A. Sallee (University of Missouri-Columbia); in addition to delivering formal presentations and participating in discussions on the topic of placement in the multilevel classroom where students of varying abilities/backgrounds in the target language come together, speakers respond to viewers' questions; 2 hours. [Close Window]
Hour of the Star (Hora de Estrela)
1/2" VHS color videocassette; 1986 award-winning film directed by Suzana Amaral and starring Marcella Cartaxo and José Dumont; story of a young woman named Macabea who moves from the countryside of northeast Brazil to the city of San Paolo in search of fortune; poor and uneducated, she finds a menial job as a typist but finds happiness in her fantasies; in Portuguese with English subtitles; 1 hour 36 minutes. [Close Window]
Interact '89
1/2" VHS color videocasette of the satellite teleconference, "Using Technology in the Modern Language Classroom", from California State University at Chico (May 10, 1989). Participants include: Frank Otto of Brigham Young University, Rick Altman and James Pusack of PICS, Lee Ann Stone of UC at Irvine; their discussion includes task-based activities for the language lab, use of video and authentic foreign television programming and the availability of videodisc; in English; 90 minutes. [Close Window]
The Jew
1/2" VHS color videocassette; story of Antonio da Silva, a very popular 18th century Portuguese writer accused of heresy; Da Silva was actually a hidden Jew who had converted to Catholicism but when he is tried before the Inquisition and given the choice of admitting to being Jewish or being executed, Da Silva must choose between the Church hierarchy and the monarchy; in Portuguese with English subtitles; 1 hour 25 minutes. [Close Window]
Languages at Work
1/2" VHS color videocassette (1989) narrated by Marlies Mueller of the Dept. of Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard University; illustrates a variety of activities for the language classroom: warm-up, grammar-related, role-playing, group work, warm-down activities; illustrations are given in French, Italian and Spanish by Harvard faculty members in elementary-level language classes; narration in English; 35 minutes. [Close Window]
McGraw-Hill Satellite Teleconference #1: From Theory to Practice: The Natural Approach
1/2" VHS color videocassette of a 2/23/94 McGraw-Hill satellite teleconference (from California State University at Long Beach) on second language acquisition theory and how to apply it to the classroom; program, moderated by Dr. Gerard Ervin of Ohio State, features presentation by Dr. Stephen Krashen and panel discussion/questions-answers with Jeanne Egasse, Erwin Tschirner, Mary Rogers, Magdalena Andrade and Elías Miguel Muñoz; topic of discussion = Tracy Terrell's Natural Approach to language instruction; available = multiple copies of teleconference handout containing biographies of conference panelists, outline of Krashen's presentation and Natural Approach theory; 2 hours. [Close Window]
McGraw-Hill Satellite Teleconference #2: A New Look at Authentic Materials
1/2" VHS color videocassette of the 2/15/95 second annual McGraw-Hill satellite teleconference (from California State University at Long Beach) on second language acquisition theory and practice; program, moderated by Dr. Gerard Ervin of Ohio State, features presentations by Dr. Wilga Rivers (Harvard University) and Dr. June Phillips (Weber State and ACTFL), and panel discussion/questions-answers with Drs. Robert Blake (University of California, Davis), Robert Di Donato (Miami University), Raymond Elliott (University of Texas, Arlington), L. Kathy Heilenman (University of Iowa), and Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku (University of California, San Diego); topic of discussion = use of authentic materials in the foreign language classroom; features videotaped examples of teachers using realia, authentic readings and video in the classroom; available = copy of teleconference handout containing outline of program; 2 hours. [Close Window]
McGraw-Hill Satellite Teleconference #3: Integrating Technology into the Language Curriculum
1/2" VHS color videocassette of the 10/23/96 third annual McGraw-Hill satellite teleconference (from California State University at Long Beach) on second language acquisition theory and practice; program, moderated by Dr. Gerard Ervin of Ohio State, features presentations entitled The Role of Technology by Dr. Robert J. Blake (University of California, Davis) and Technology and the Communicative Language Classroom by Dr. Bill Van Patten (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) followed by panel discussion/questions-answers with Drs. Gail Robinson-Stuart (San Diego State University), Richard Kern (University of California, Berkeley), Christopher M. Jones (Carnegie-Mellon University), James P. Pusack (University of Iowa), Karen Price (Harvard University); topic of discussion = attempt to answer the following 4 questions: What is technology good for? Where does technology live? What is the process for integrating technology? How does the language instructor get good materials?; 2 hours. [Close Window]
McGraw-Hill Satellite Teleconference #4: Grammar in the Communicative Language Classroom
1/2" VHS color videocassette of the Fall 1997 fourth annual McGraw-Hill teleconference (from California State University at Long Beach) on second language acquisition theory and practice; program, moderated by Dr. Gerard Ervin of Ohio State features presentations by Dr. Diane Musumeci (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) and Dr. Michael H. Long (University of Hawaii, Manoa); also includes panel discussion/questions-answers with Drs. Elizabeth Bernhardt (Stanford University), Patsy Lightbown (Concordia University, Montreal), Theodore Higgs (San Diego State University), and Bill VanPatten (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign); topic of discussion = attempt to answer the following 4 questions: Should grammar be explicitly taught in the communicative language classroom? Does grammar instruction make a difference in the acquisition of a second language? If so, what are the effects? What approach to grammar instruction should be followed?; 2 hours. [Close Window]
Portugal and the United Kingdom: The Alliance Revisited
1/2" VHS color videocassette that explores the alliance between Portugal and the United Kingdom through an array of artwork, science, and literature; historical perspective on the relationship between the two countries beginning in 1372 with the Peace Treaty of Tagilde and ending with the present day (1994) and paintings of Rego; in English; 38 minutes. [Close Window]
Português Básico Para Estrangeiros (de Oliveira Slade) (PO 1.004)
1/2" VHS color videocassette; video component of the updated and expanded Portuguese language learning program of the same name; features native Brazilian Portuguese speakers who play the role of on-screen teachers modeling the pronunciation of vocabulary and introducing grammatical items; includes dialogues based on everyday situations and two songs: Cidade Maravilhosa and Tristeza; also available = 4 audio CDs, textbook, workbook, and teacher's manual; 60 minutes. [Close Window]
Quilombo
1/2" VHS color videocassette; 1984 film written and directed by Carlos Diegues chronicling the 17th-century settlement of escaped slaves in northeast Brazil known as Palmares; based on fact, this story tells of the 1650 revolt of plantation slaves who flee to the mountains and are subsequently led by the chieftain Ganga Zumba and later by a warrior named Zumbi; in 1694 the latter attempts to protect the free Blacks from an assault by the Portuguese; in Portuguese with English subtitles; 1 hour 54 minutes. [Close Window]
Romance Languages and Literatures Teaching Fellow Workshop (March 23, 1990)
1/2" VHS videocassette; four 15-20 minute presentations by Teaching Fellow members of the Boston College Department of Romance Languages and Literatures on topics related to teaching techniques suggested for use in the foreign language classroom; in English; approximately 75 minutes.
Topics:
Adapting Oral Proficiency Interviews for Classroom Use
Music in the Classroom
Effective Interaction Using Groups and Teams
Writing Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Romance Languages and Literatures Teaching Fellow Workshop (February 28, 1992)
1/2" VHS color videocassette; five 15-minute presentations by Teaching Fellow members of the Boston College Department of Romance Languages and Literatures on topices related to teaching techniques suggested for use in the foreign language classroom; in English; approximately 75 minutes.
Topics:
Fill'er Up: Quick and Easy Space Fillers (activities to focus students' attention)
Snap to It (Rassias drilling method)
Action, Camera ... and Cut (student-produced videos)
Playing It Safe (games)
Instructor Exit Stage Left (student-centered activities for conversation initiation)
Romance Languages and Literatures Teaching Fellow Workshop (February 23, 1996)
1/2" VHS color videocassette; six 10-15-minute presentations by Teaching Fellow members of the Boston College Department of Romance Languages and Literatures on topics related to teaching techniques suggested for use in the foreign language classroom; in English; approximately 75 minutes.
Topics:
A Bag of Magic Tricks
Listen Up!
Everyone's a comic
Wanted: Dead or Alive!
Inspired Writing: Getting the Best from Students
Please Pass the Pumpkin!
Romance Languages And Literatures Teaching Fellow Workshop (February 14, 1997)
1/2" VHS color videocassette; five 10-15-minute presentations by Teaching Fellow members of the Boston College Department of Romance Languages and Literatures on topics related to teaching techniques suggested for use in the foreign language classroom; in English; approximately 75 minutes.
Topics:
Hey! What happened? (part I: Intermediate Spanish; part II: Elementary Spanish)
It's in the bag! (Elementary French)
Classroom Classics (Intermediate French)
It's transparent! (Spanish CCR)
E Dio creò la Nutella (Italian CCR)
Scola
1/2" VHS color videocassettes containing live or near-live international news broadcasts received daily via cable TV from Satellite Communications for Learning headquartered in McClelland, Iowa; broadcasts generally are 30-60 minutes in length and cover regional, national and international news stories; some broadcasts occasionally include other cultural programming, such as advertisements, mini-documentaries; currently videotaped broadcasts emanate regularly from the following countries: Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Korea, and Spain; additional SCOLA programming may be accessed via BC Cable TV, channel 14; excellent source material for exposure to target language and culture; off-air video recordings deleted from Language Lab collection after 45 days. [Close Window]
Speak Easy
1/2" VHS color videocassette of 14 short mime sketches in which two characters interact in real-life situations; sketches move from service-related interactions between strangers, to encounters between strangers, to more personal situations involving close friends or members of family; for all levels of language student; a Teacher's Manual is available; each sketch runs 3-5 minutes; 60 minutes (total time).
Titles:
| Greetings | Flat Tire |
| New Shoes | Library |
| Cab Ride | Wallflowers |
| Influenza | Moving In |
| Truck Stop | Phone Call |
| Chez Vincent | Argument |
| Airport | The Lesson |
Technology: Tool or Method?
1/2" VHS color videocassette recording of a "Baker's Dozen Roundtable" discussion broadcast 4/12/01 via satellite from Duke University and sponsored by the Charles E. Culpeper Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in collaboration with Washington and Lee University and Duke University; 13 experts in applied linguistics, pedagogy and technology discuss (1) theory and practice in technology, (2) expected and assured outcomes with technology use, (3) changes in knowledge acquisition as it pertains to the technological interface, (4) technology as a transparent tool and/or method; discussion participants = Ms. Pegge Abrams (Duke), Dr. Bryan Alexander (Centenary College of Louisiana), Dr. Robert Blake (UC, Davis), Prof. Miriam Carlisle (Washington and Lee), Dr. Lise Desmarais (Canadian Foreign Service Institute), Dr. Robert Fischer (CALICO), Dr. Nina Garrett (Yale), Dr. P. Richard (Dick) Kuettner (Coordinator and Host, Washington and Lee), Dr. Jerry Larson (Brigham Young University), Dr. Jimmie Purser (Millsaps College), Dr. Clare Tufts (Duke), Prof. Ken'ichi Ujie (Washington and Lee), Dr. Clara Yu (Middlebury); 60 minutes. [Close Window]
Travessia (PO 1.005)
twelve 1/2" VHS color videocassettes corresponding to the twelve units (Parts 1 and 2) of the Travessia textbook by Jon M. Tolman, Ricardo M. Paiva, John B. Jensen and Nivea P.Parsons (©1988 Georgetown University Press), a fully integrated video and text program for learning Portuguese and for the study of Brazilian culture; videos include presentations of grammar, cultural information, short documentaries, skits, music video clips featuring popular Brazilian songs, and the teledrama "De Pernas Pro Ar"; average timing per unit = 34.5 minutes; total time = 6.9 hours. [Close Window]
The World Says Welcome
1/2" VHS color videocassette (c. 1987 Monterey Institute of International Studies); a fast-paced, informative video program using real-life interviews with young Americans living and working throughout the world; designed to stimulate interest in foreign language and to provide expert advice on how to prepare for an international career; accompanying materials include: teacher's guide, counselor's guide, suggestions for use in classroom and an international careers bibliography; approximately 27 minutes. [Close Window]