Ludmila Karavanova

This article explores the pedagogical potential of English-language videos at English classes. The relevance of the study is due to the general trend towards the use of polycode texts (films, songs, computer games) in modern secondary and higher education. The theoretical significance of the work lies in the review of domestic and foreign literature on using feature films in the considered context. It is established that they increase the level of motivation (through psychological comfort, positive emotions), develop various mental functions (first of all, attention and memory), play a certain role in improving linguistic skills, contribute to forming communicative situations and expanding students’ knowledge in history and culture of the respective country. It is noted that it is important to take into account the duration of the video and to work with it in three stages: preparatory (before watching), demonstrational (during watching) and final (after watching). Then the article presents the content of the method developed by I.S. Samokhin, associated with showing feature films at schools and universities, which reflects the practical significance and novelty of the study. The next section presents the tasks for the episode from the film “That’s What I Am”, along with the results obtained after demonstrating this fragment to a group of Intermediate level students who are studying within the specialty “Psychological and pedagogical education”. It is emphasized that they basically coped with the oral part (filling in the gaps, answering questions and discussing the episode) and did not cope with the written one (film review). Summing up, the authors of the paper caution teachers against the excessive use of assignments based on films, songs and other polycode texts, noting that more traditional exercises should play a leading role in the educational process. According to the authors, polycode texts primarily enhance the diversity effect, due to which the students have pleasant memories of the lesson.