Media Literacy and the ESL Classroom

In today's media driven world, our students are constantly being impressed upon by visual and verbal messages through magazines, video streaming, the internet, cable television, satellite networks, and advertising. In order for students to really embrace their cultural learning experience, teachers are enhancing classroom activities with movies, and authentic materials from TV documentaries, radio talk shows, and news reports. What better way to challenge our students to use their critical thinking skills to get a clear view of Canadian culture, our values, symbolic messages, cultural taboos and social norms than through encouraging media literacy?

BCC's very popular Video Production / Media Literacy Course is offered to the more advanced ESL student with a keen desire for a unique, demanding, hands-on learning opportunity. Students investigate the history and influence of media on society and the values reflected in visual and verbal messages in advertising and the field of entertainment. Our students feel better informed and empowered as they continue to master the English language and develop an expanded concept of literacy. Students take on various roles including editor in chief, journalistic photographer, news reporter and script writer. At BCC our students become well versed in technical skills necessary to use the latest software programs including Media Studio, Flash, Photoshop, and Microsoft Publisher. Instructors and students are proud of "High Five" our weekly video production, shown every Friday to the entire student population.

"The View" is our bi-monthly school newspaper, also produced by our media class. Students gain confidence in interviewing skills, writing and editing, and layout and design. It's clear that by providing our students with a host of language learning opportunities, we continue to stay at the threshold of an ever-changing ESL learning environment!