Appendix 3 Case Study 2 – Al Ain, United Arab Emirates Topic: English Language Films - location: Al Ain Men’s College - Interviews 'In the Video Shop' 22.1.2000 and 11.6.2000 (Case Study 2.1) The following notes were given to my students at the beginning of an English speaking test practice and the situation was explained verbally. The students’ conversations were recorded with their permission, but they were not made aware (the only time this happened in this research) of the secondary use I was putting the recordings to. This was because I felt that answers were sometimes different when the topic was explicitly ‘the role of western films in Arab society’. The scenarios did not provide ‘realistic’ examples of domestic talk about, or use of video, but provided an opportunity to rehearse opinions and describe experiences in a shared, peer-group context. I hoped that this would provide insights that might not emerge in a more formal ‘focus group discussion’. The transcripts are usually only of part 2 but where part 3 and 4 provided interesting answers these were included too. Speaking Test (Practice) Part 1: In pairs. Identify yourself. Listen to the teacher’s questions. Then you will briefly ask each other questions about personal details, family, home town, schools, jobs etc Part 2: Simulated situation. Making plans, agreeing and disagreeing, asking for and giving opinions. You are at the video shop and there are 6 English language videos to choose from. Decide together on two videos that you would like to see. Give reasons for and against each video if possible. Decide how/where/ when you will watch them. Part 3: Describe (in detail) the covers of the two videos you have chosen. If you have seen the film you may want to talk about it, or you can talk about similar films that you have enjoyed. Part 4: General conversation (based on the video covers). Talking about one’s likes and dislikes, expressing opinions. Talk to each other about English language films or videos you have watched. How do you watch these – with the family, with friends, alone? How often do you watch them? What do you think of them? Role Play Stimulus
Colour photocopies of video covers were made for the following films, which were borrowed from the college library:
Transcripts for Case Study 2 Interview 2 Transcripts (Case Study 2.2)
David: You are in a video shop and these are the videos which are in the video shop, okay? You can describe the pictures and then you can decide which of the videos you want to watch. So you can talk together about these videos, [a student picks up one of the colour copies] but put them down so you can both see them. So, if you [to Saeed Ali] maybe describe these ones and you [to Abdul Majid] describe these ones and decide on which video you want to watch. Saeed Ali: This one, it shows a lady and two mens, it shows like the policemen. David: This is ‘Bad Boys’. Saeed Ali: It shows that it’s a police story. It’s action, there will be thief running with [from] the police, following each other, shootings… Abdul Aziz: Should we rent this film from Jackie Chan. It’s a nice film, I think because this star is too [very] famous, and he’s joking. He’s jokey movie. He’s joking for every film. And he’s er, fighter film and joking film. David: [providing language] Mmm, it’s a funny film, it’s a comedy, yeah. Abdul Aziz: It’s funny. Saeed Ali: Okay, how about if we get this one here, the ‘Air Force One’. It’s like the army story. Abdul Aziz: Yes, I saw this one before, I want to change. [they laugh] Saeed Ali: Okay, lets see this one here. It shows this funny man, it shows he’s standing on the crocodiles, maybe it’s a story about the ship, I think it’s a story about a ship, or maybe old story about… Abdul Aziz: Yes, my friend told me about – I think it’s a very nice film and this man, I think he’s joking… David: [helping] He’s a funny man, he’s a comedian. Abdul Aziz: He’s a funny man, he’s a comedian man. I like it. [looking at another video] This is a cartoon film. David: ‘Toy Story’. Abdul Aziz: ‘Toy Story’, yeah. Saeed Ali: Oh, I love it. Abdul Aziz: Toy Story. It’s very nice. Saeed Ali: It’s nice after lunch. Abdul Aziz: They are speaking as the people but they are toy. Saeed Ali: Okay, we can get that one because I like to watch it especially at the weekend after lunch. Abdul Aziz: And we can show it to our children. It’s a film for the family. Abdul Aziz: And this is the last one [‘The Matrix’]. I don’t like it. Saeed Ali: Why? Abdul Aziz: It’s as the army or the war. This is for war I think. David: ‘The Matrix’ Abdul Aziz: ‘The Matrix’, yes. Saeed Ali: Maybe it’s just about the gangs. Abdul Aziz: I cannot understand this film. Saeed Ali: I like this kind of movie. It’s very good to see. Abdul Aziz: It’s only shooting and.. Saeed Ali: Killing and.. Abdul Aziz: Fighting, yes [they laugh]. David: Have you seen this film? Abdul Aziz: No. Saeed Ali: Have you seen this film, Saeed? Saeed Ali: Never. David: What about this one here? ‘Legend of the Fall’? Saeed Ali: Oh, romance. You will learn how to love [laughs]. Abdul Aziz: I don’t like the romance films. David: Really? Why not? Abdul Aziz: I don’t like it, I don’t like the..[searches for words] Saeed Ali: [smiling] He goes to Indian films, always India films, Indian films. David: You prefer Indian films do you? Abdul Aziz: No, not Indian, I like funny films, er, war films. David: If you like war films, maybe you’ll like this [pointing to ‘The Matrix’]. There’s lots of action in ‘The Matrix’. Abdul Aziz: This is action, but this is, I don’t like the woman at [in] the film [points to woman on the cover]. David: [laughing] You don’t like women in action films? Abdul Aziz: Yes. David: Why not? [long pause] Saeed Ali: [helping] She always get in troubles, the people have to help her. [pause] David: You prefer it just with men? Abdul Aziz: Yes. David: To watch the action. Abdul Aziz: Yes. David: So which film are you going to watch then? Abdul Aziz: I think ‘Toy Story’ is better for us. Saeed Ali: Yes, it’s better for us. Abdul Aziz: We can show it to our family and its not any something wrong inside it. David: Good. Right, fine, thank you…
Interview 2: B: Jasem and Suleiman
The interviewer introduces the task but there is some misunderstanding of the situation. The interviewer is asked for clarification and it is given. These students have a lower level of English than the previous students, for example. Suleiman: What do you think about ‘Air Force One’? Did you see it before? Jassim: No. Suleiman: Er, what about ‘Bad Boys’? Jassim: ‘Bad Boys’? I didn’t, I don’t see it. Suleiman: I think it’s nice because I saw it before. It’s action film. Jassim: Can you describe it? [they laugh a little] Suleiman: It’s about, er, a home boy he was [born?] and he was smoking and [laugh] and after that he took drugs and after that he died. Jassim: mmm [silence] David: Jasim, what films have you got over there? [long silence] David: For example, this one? [‘Legend of the Fall’] Jassim: I didn’t see that. David: Okay, come on then. Jassim: Because I think it’s romance, er, love and [nervous laugh]. Describe the picture or..?[to me] David: Anything, just talk about the videos. Jassim: It’s about two mans. Maybe he’s er, father [laughs] or colee-gee[?] David: His colleague? His what? Jassim: Colleague or? Policia? Maybe he works in the police, er. [struggling] David: So, do you want to see the romance film? Jassim: Yes. David: Why? Jassim: Because it is romanci [romantic]. David: You like romantic films. Don’t you want to see this film ‘The Matrix’? Jassim: no. David: Why not. Jassim: I didn’t see it. I think I saw… Arabic film [laugh]. David: You usually watch Arabic films? Jassim: Sometimes I saw [see them]. David: Any other films you’d like to see. Suleiman: I want to see this ‘Diamonds are Forever’. David: Why? Suleiman: Because I like action films and this I think is about crimes. David: Do you think this is a new film? Suleiman: Yes, I think. David: Okay, what about this last one. Suleiman: ‘Ace Ventura’ David: What sort of film do you think that is? Suleiman: I think it’s a comedy, I think. David: Why? Why do you think it’s a comedy? Suleiman: It’s er, showing a boy, he’s wearing a blue trousers, a yellow trousers and a blue t-shirt. He’s smiling.. David: Yes, what’s he standing on? Suleiman: Standing on two animals I think. David: yes, two crocodiles. So, come on, which films are you going to watch? Suleiman: Okay, about ‘Bad Boys’ I saw it before, it is a very, very boring film. David: It’s boring, yeah? Suleiman: Yeah, let’s going to see ‘Diamonds are Forever’. Jassim: I think I prefer that films [pointing to ‘The Legend of the Fall’ because I think it will be beautiful. David: So, you’re going to get two films, then ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and ‘Legend of the Fall’. Good. Suleiman, at the weekends, do you normally get videos out? Do you normally watch films at the weekend? Suleiman: No. David: What about you, Jasim? Jassim: Er, no. David: What do you do at the weekend? Jassim: I visit my friends. David: Do you do anything else? Jassim: No, I tell you, I told you before, I am sick. David: You’re sick. No, but ‘normally’, ‘normally’ ‘what do you do at the weekend’ means usually, every weekend. Jassim: I visited my relatives and er,I er, meet my friends. Suleiman: I go with my friends shopping centres and er parks, sometimes I’m staying in the house and, er surf the Internet. David: Do you watch, um, television? Suleiman: Sometimes. David: Not very much? Suleiman: Not very much. David: And you Jassim? Jassim: Not very much. David: Good, that’s it [the interview continues on other topics]
Interview 2: C: Faisal and Ahmed Said Faisal: I think this film about er, crime film. David: What’s the name of the film? Martin… David: No, down here. Faisal: ‘Bad boys’ There is two mens from police and one girl. Behind him there is a car. Maybe it is for police, police car. David: Good, have you seen this film before? Faisal: No, I didn’t. David: Ahmed, talk about one of your pictures. Ahmed: It’s a film about the…. It’s called er, ‘Matrix’. There is a film, there is three mans and one woman. I think they are, er, they are thieves. David: Why do you think they are thieves? Ahmed: About, er, thems face. David: The way they look? Ahmed: Yes, and they have guns. David: you don’t think, they’re.. you think they’re bad people, not good people? Ahmed: Yes, I think they’re bad people. David: So, come one, you have to talk together – ask each other some questions, talk about the film. Faisal: How about to see ‘Bad Boys’? It’s a crime film. Ahmed: It’s an action film, or? Faisal: Yes, action film and it will be in Masa video. Ahmed: And what about the ‘Toy Story’? It, er, for a cartoon. Faisal: This is for children. Ahmed: But is funny. Faisal: (laughs) I don’t like children film. Ahmed: I think it is funny and it is imaginative. Faisal: Mmm, I don’t agree [laughs]. David: What about these ones here? Faisal: What about to see? David: ‘Ace Ventura’ it’s called. Ahmed: This it’s about what? Faisal: Like er, it will be dangerous film, like comedia film. Faisal: Maybe. David: Why do you think it’s a comedy? Faisal: Because I see this man in a few film. David: And he was a comedian? Faisal: Yeah. David: Okay, what about this film? Ahmed: What about this movie? ‘Mr Nice Guy’? David: What do you think its about? Faisal: What about it? Ahmed: It’s an action movie I think. Jackie Chan, always he like er, action. David: What can you see in the picture? Ahmed: There’s two people is fight. David: Okay, which films are you going to watch then? Faisal: I like this film [‘Ace Ventura’]. Do you agree? Ahmed: I like ‘Toy Story’? David: Well, maybe you can get the two films, ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Ace Ventura’. Right, good. Can I ask you, at the weekend, do you usually go to the video store, or do you watch a film on television, Faisal? Faisal: Sometimes I go with my friends. David: To the cinema, or the video store? Faisal: To the parks, or coffee shops. David: What do you do at the weekend? Ahmed: I went to the cinema. David: You go to the cinema sometimes. Do you prefer to go to the cinema or do you prefer to stay and watch… Ahmed: No, I prefer to go to cinema. David: Why? Ahmed: Because it’s okay in the…you feel you are in the movie [smiles]. David: That’s good, right, fine… [the interview continues on other topics]
Interview 2: D: Anwar Salah and Mohammed Salah
Mohammed: Excuse me Anwar, how about we choose this film? I think its action, it’s James Bond. Anwar: Do you like this film? Mohammed: Yes, it’s nice – it’s old but it’s very nice film. Anwar: What this film? Mohammed: It’s er, action film, action and story. Anwar: What’s the story this film. Mohammed: I think it’s ‘Diamonds are Forever’. I didn’t see this film, I see it maybe since, er.. David: Five years ago, ten years ago? Mohammed: Maybe twelve years ago. I saw this film, I want this film. Anwar: I see this film, imation, imagine. Mohammed: [helping] Imagination Anwar: Imagination films. Mohammed: This one? ["Matrix’] Anwar: Yes. Mohammed: Science faction. Anwar: Science…? ‘Matrix’ Mohammed: Science Faction films. David: Science fiction, so its fantasy. Mohammed: It’s nice, it’s nice, I, er, see it before but, er, there are another film here I think this is for Jackie Chan. Anwar: I see this film this is good, this film is about ‘Mr Nice Guy’. It’s action film, very nice this film. David: Why is it nice? What did you like about it? Anwar: Hit, er [laughs] David: lots of fighting. Anwar: Fighting yes. David: Just fighting, or is there anything else? Anwar: Only fighting there. Many fighting. Mohammed: And, er, the thing I like about this actor, he do the dangerous, er.. David: Stunts. Mohammed: Dangerous stunts, without any comparts [effects/stunt doubles?] or anything like this. David: And he’s quite funny as well isn’t he? Anwar & Mohammed: Yes, he’s funny. Mohammed: Yes, but I recommend this film, no, this film ‘Bad Boys’. I saw it before two years. David: No, [correcting] ‘I saw it two years ago’. What’s it about? Mohammed: It’s about two cops and er, they ,er, chase a big criminal. David: Fine, good. So, which film are you going to watch tonight? Mohammed: How about this film [‘Bad Boys’]? It’s okay. Anwar: Yes. David: Good, that’s decided. Do you usually watch a film at the weekend, Anwar? Anwar: Yes, usually. David: And where do you watch it? Anwar: In my home. David: Do you get a video from the video shop, or.. Anwar: Yes, from the video shop, I rent. David: And do you watch American films or do you watch Indian films, or Arabic films? Anwar: I like American films and they not have American films new - I rent Arabic films. David: Do you do this every week? Anwar: Yes, every week. David: What else do you do at the weekend? Anwar: I visit some friends. I visit me relatives [struggles with word]. I go now with my father to the souk [market] to buy something for my home. David: What about you Mohammed? What do you do at the weekends? Do you watch films? Mohammed: yes, I watch films. David: On television or on video? Mohammed: No, on the video. Sometimes if I have time I go to the cinema, but usually I rent video films. David: Do you get Arabic films, American films or Indian films? Mohammed: Not really I like Arabic because there are the same stories. David: They copy the stories? Mohammed: Yes, they copy the stories but in the English or American shows there are a new stories and it help me to prove my English. David: Okay, good. What else do you do at the weekend when you’re not watching films? Mohammed: Sometimes I go to, not usually, but sometimes I took my family to, er, to the desert, to the valleys here in Oman. David: Nice. Mohammed: Sometimes we go in Dubai to buy shopping. Sometimes I take my children only and we go around the city. David: Right! [the interview continues on other topics] Interview 2: Salem Qarn and Masoud Ali from class C8Y David: Imagine you are in a video store, you’re friends, you are discussing these six videos. Off you go. Masoud: What about this film? I saw this films, it’s a very nice film. It’s ‘The Lost World’. Salem: What’s the film talking about? Masoud: It’s talking about dinosaurs and the life of dinosaurs. Salem: Is it a good film? Masoud: Yes it’s an interesting film. But I think this is better than that film because there is..you see ‘The Rock’. Salem: Action, er what kind…? Masoud: Action, I think from the picture it’s an action film. Salem: Did you see it? Masoud: No, I didn’t see it. What about you? Salem: How you talking about a film you didn’t see it? Masoud: No, I saw this film I said. I saw this film [Lost World] but we are talking about this. What do you think about this [The Rock] film? Salem: You don’t talking about something you didn’t know about it. Masoud: So, we’ll borrow this film and we’ll see it. Salem: [teasing Mausoud] How can I talk about you if I didn’t know you and didn’t know your age… Masoud: How old are you? Dave: He’s your friend. You’re friends, so your have to decide… Salem: I think this looks like action, er it will be interesting. Masoud: What about this one? ‘Shakespeare in Love’ Salem: This is for the people who like romance, like romance films. Masoud: I think this is bore. Salem: I think this is very nice because I am romance people. [smiling, playful] Masoud: [laughs] David: You’re romantic? Salem: Yes. David: I am romantic [giving correct sentence]. Salem: I am romantic, not like you [to Masoud] only want fighting peoples. [playful again] Masoud: What about this film? Salem: This [laughing].. Masoud: Five academy awards. [looking at ‘Saving Private Ryan’] Salem: Okay, this is for the defence. Masoud: I think this is action also. Salem: …[incoherent]…five academic.[corrects himself]...academy awards. Masoud: I think this is er, ..what do you think, which one shall we take? We’ll borrow two films because we need to see.. David: What about these two here, you haven’t talked about these two. Masoud: Ah these two, yes… what about these two? Salem: Leave them... Masoud: [reading title] ‘Amistad’. Salem:..because I don’t like black people.. black people, yeah. … Absolutely, …absolutely? [checking he has the right word] yes for.. unfortunately? Masoud: [confirms this is the right word] Unfortunately. [pause..then they both talk at the same time so it is difficult to hear] Masoud: What about this .. this kind of film [perhaps covering for awkward silence] Salem: [incomprehensible]…I don’t know Masoud: [with enthusiasm, perhaps due to uncomfortable discussion before] Ah this is the film I think ‘English Patient’ Salem: Winter of.. [misreading ‘winner of’ 9 academy awards on cover]. Masoud: [tries to confirm the title of the movie] English Patient this? Salem: Maybe, yes. Masoud: The English Patient? Salem: The English Patient, yes. Masoud: What about? Salem:..I don’t know.. Masoud: Which film you would like to see tonight Salem: This is action and er.. Masoud: There is action and love stories, romance and life of dinosaurs if you like Salem: Did you saw [see] it before? Masoud: I saw it, but for you if you would like to borrow it. Salem: It’s better when you see the film you didn’t see before because when I want to see I don’t want you to [bother?] me.. What happened, what happened, what happened. You see the film first time, you will er, not talking. Masoud: Okay, what about we’ll borrow this, ‘The Rock’ and er, [reading] five academy awards. Salem: Okay. David: Oh, this one [pointing to ‘Saving Private Ryan’] you want to borrow this one. Salem: Yeah, these two ‘The Rock’ and ‘Five Academy Awards’. David: Okay, this one’s actually called ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Salem: Saving Private Ryan. Masoud: It has five academy awards that means it’s a very good film, I think. David: Do you normally look at that, if it says ‘academy awards’ do you normally take it? Salem: Maybe. Masoud: They are giving awards for these films in this year.. David: So you think it will be a good film? Salem: [reading] Best director 1998. David: It is a good film. Masoud: So let’s take this. Salem: [to David] Did you see this film. David: No, but everyone that’s seen it says it’s excellent. It’s very,er, it’s about the second world war, it’s about the D Day landing, you know the British and American soldiers fighting against the Germans.. Salem: oh yes.. David: And apparently it’s really, really strong. Salem: [reads label on cover] Sir I think it’s for overnight loan only. David: Yes, overnight loan, but from here, it’s for free. So you should try and get it. Salem: We can get it from here? David: Yes, from the library, all of these are from the library. Masoud: Yes, this is an old film or new? David: No it’s new. Masoud: 1998. David: 98, yeah. So, you should go and see it. If you’re in the army, maybe it’ll give you some ideas [laughs] [now they describe two covers in detail. This section has not been transcribed as it was descriptive only and did not throw up any interesting issues other than, again, how films are understood in the first instance primarily as genre and (sometimes) star vehicles] David: ….and the last one now, you normally have to talk generally, from the pictures you have to talk generally. So I’m going to ask you, er, when do you watch English films like this? How often do you watch English films like this, Salem? Salem: I saw, sir, I don’t remember, I saw it.. David: I’m talking about usually - any, any English films. Salem: I saw it last time sir, I can remember, er ‘Batman’. David: Batman was the last film you saw? Salem: Yes sir in England in 198… David: So you don’t normally see any English films here. Salem: I saw here, I didn’t remember sir. David: Right and the films you see here, do you see one a month or one a year or one a week..? Salem: Maybe, one a year sir. David: One a year only. Salem: Yes. David: And where do you see it, at home? Salem: No in cinema, Al Ain cinema. David: Do you ever watch videos? Salem: I watch them at house but Arabic sir. David: you only watch Arabic videos. Salem: Egyptian and have er action film for [from] who that name? David: Van Damme? Masoud: Which one? [they confer in Arabic] David: Chuck Norris? Masoud: Karate. David: So er Japanese or American, whassis name, er Bruce Lee Masoud: New, short one. David: New, Is he funny? Jackie Chan? Masoud: Yes, Jackie Chan David: You like Jackie Chan? Masoud: Yes. David: You like those, Japanese (sic) films. Salem: Not only about… David: Right but you don’t normally watch English or American films. Salem: No sometimes, er like in the weekend I see beautiful, or interesting films David: On television or on video? Salem: Yes on television ART, er like this, NBC. David: So how often would that be? Every month? Once a month? Salem: Maybe, one month. David: Okay, what about you Masoud? How often do you…. Masoud: I saw the last one I think it was before two weeks ago. It was war, er Vietnam. American people. David: Do you remember the name? Masoud: I don’t remember. There was a lot of stuff, I was late, it was on TV. Actually I’m watching the TV in two weeks, one a week, another week watch English video, weekly. David: And why do you watch English films? Masoud: Just to, er.. it nice films and er include that I should understand a little bit English, improve my English more and more. David: So part of the reason is to improve your English. Salem: To catch, sir, some words Masoud: So we can get new words, there, new sentences, that I cannot hear before and new things you can see.. Salem: Maybe you can find sir, or learn English from films, if he interested in films, and understand and rewind something he didn’t understand. And cut it, find it from a dictionary. English dictionary, English-English, not English-Arabic, it’s better for our people who want to learn English. David: And which type of films do you like? Do you prefer, er.. Masoud: I’m not sure. I don’t think there is a special for that. I’m watching action, love stories, others David: History, anything.. Masoud: Anything, yes. David: Are there any types of films you don’t like? Masoud: No there is nothing. David: What about you Salem, are there any types of films you like? Salem: Specialist [especially] for action. David: Right. Salem: English or American movies. For language, Engliah language, to understand some words. David: Right, that’s fine, thanks very much.
Interview 2: F with Abdul Aziz and Ahmed Mohammed - Interview 'In the Video Shop' 22.1.2000
[The students practice some basic conversational questions and then the scenario of the video shop is explained as in the previous interviews] Ah: What kind of films do you like, do you like classic or you like.. Abdul Aziz: I like love story. I think if we can have ‘Shakespeare in Love’. Ahmed: You saw that movies. Abdul Aziz: No, but I think.. Ahmed: It’s good. It’s very nice. Abdul Aziz: You see? Ahmed: I saw it before. It’s about, er, that name is, I don’t know his name. He love this, er,, her name is, I don’t know her name, but she is the Princess of Scotland, maybe. I don’t know. Abdul Aziz: Okay, okay, we are going to take this film, what about, er… Ahmed: But I hate love stories. I like, er, I like ‘The Rock’. Abdul Aziz: Action film? Ahmed: Yes, action film Abdul Aziz: But I saw ‘The Rock’ before and.. Ahmed: Okay, so what about ‘Saving Private Ryan’? Abdul Aziz: I don’t like action films. I like love story and romantic films more than action. Ahmed: Do you have a girlfriend? Abdul Aziz: Yes, I have, er [louder, backtracking] I have a girlfriend before [they are both laughing] before I get married. David: So, your girlfriend is now your wife? Abdul Aziz: No, no [all laughing] David: That’s a different thing. Ahmed: Okay, .. Abdul Aziz: I think we’re going take one love story film and one action. That’s this story [pointing] for me and action for you. Ahmed: Do you like horror movies? Like, er, is not, er.. Abdul Aziz: ‘The Lost World’? Ahmed: Yes. Abdul Aziz: I saw it before when it comes in the cinema. I saw it before. Ahmed: It’s a good film. Abdul Aziz: I think we have to, er, we are going to take two movies, er, Shakespeare in Love’ and, er.. Ahmed: ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Abdul Aziz: er? Ahmed: ‘Saving Private Ryan’ Abdul Aziz: is that the name of the film? Okay, these two we will take. David: Okay, what type of film is this one? Abdul Aziz: I think it is action. David: Right, okay… [they describe the video covers as in the other interviews] David: Now, the last part is a general conversation. We’ve been looking at English language films.. I’d like you to continue the discussion about English language films. I just want to ask you a few simple things: when do you watch English language films; how often do you watch them; why do you watch them? I’d like you to talk about this subject. Ahmed: Er, English.. David: English language films like these American or British films: when do you watch them; why do you watch them; how often do you watch them? Abdul Aziz: Er, we watch these films because we like to learn more about English and learn more word, difficult word, er because imagine in the English version films they talk a lot, they talk too much to understand us, but if you watch action films every time in the film, weaponing [means firing guns]. Ahmed: [makes shooting noise] Abdul Aziz: But there is some films, er they speak a lot in the films. David: So which, so you say you watch films like this to learn more English? Abdul Aziz: Yes. David: You say.. do you want to learn more about America or England, or is it to learn English? Abdul Aziz: To learn English. David: And do you say that something like ‘The English Patient’ is good for this? Abdul Aziz: It’s good for learn English to understand English. Not like ‘The Rock’ – is a lot of bombs [all laugh]. David: Do you think many people in this country watch English films for this reason? Abdul Aziz: I don’t think so. David: You think it’s just a few people? Abdul Aziz: Just for action, a lot of people here like action films. David: Right, Ahmed, how often do you watch English films, films in the English language like these? Ahmed: Not too much. I like to watch not any movies, er, I like to see movies I saw that before – like how I read in the newspaper or magazine. David: So do you watch one, say, one a week, or every two weeks? How often do you think you watch English language films? Ahmed: One a week. David: One a week, and do you watch them at the cinema or on video? Ahmed: If I saw in the movie..in the cinema maybe I bought one for me to my home . David: So if you like a film at the cinema you buy the video? Ahmed: Maybe, but I go to video market and send for or I go to my friend and he tell me that’s movie is good, not good, good. If that is fantastic I bought one. David: And when you say you 'bought one'? Do you rent it or do you buy it? Ahmed: In the video I rent one. I rent two or three because I like to watch movies more because I don't like to go out my home. David: And you said action films, you like action movies. Are there any other kinds of films you like? Just action films? Ahmed: No, er..action films and horror movies. David: Great, thank you very much. Interview 2:C Saleh Hasan, Salem Ali and Raouf Tahar. (after introductions and warm up..) David: Imagine you are in a video store. It's a Wednesday evening, you are three friends and you are choosing from six new videos which are on display. I want you to have a conversation as if you are in a video store. Talk about each video, all six of the videos and say what you would like and what you wouldn't like about each video and then at the end choose two videos. Saleh: The first one - 'The English Patient' - I think it's a love story. A love story or… Raouf: I didn't see it before but I think it's about…er.. Salem: (recovering for him as he struggles for something to say) The look is fantastic Raouf: This is very nice because The title is 'The English Patient' Saleh: And it won nine Oscars, but I think it's a romance and there's no action in it. Raouf: I think that, I agree with you. Salem: I agree Saleh: The Rock is a very nice movie. I suggest you borrow this movie because the whole of the movie action. Raouf: I think this very fasting [fast moving], very.. Salem: [helping Raouf] ..Action. Saleh: And the actor Nicholas Cage is a good actor and Sean Connery. Salem: No no very bad, very, very bad. Raouf: Didn't like action? [turning now to 'Shakespeare in Love'] Salem: Yes I like action, you talking about love story Raouf: Do you love the romance? Salem: No, but I love romance film, but about who you like.. (searches for the word) Saleh: The actor? Salem: Yes the act… Saleh: I think new actor, not very famous. The story's okay, but the actor - don't act very well. And about Saving Private Ryan - it's a very nice movie and very nice director, and I saw it. Salem: You will cry if you see this film. Saleh: You will see one person his eyes take out and his hand cut… (sound of tutting, and 'shit' from other two) Salem: Take away with you Kleenex, when you go okay? Raouf: I didn't see it before. What about.. What's this 'Amistad'? Saleh: I think it's for drug guys. Raouf: No I think it's an old story about the ships and the sea. I think this is about a trip, fighting., and erold fighting. Saleh: Yeah, but you don't have the action in it. Raouf: Yes Salem: What about the last one? Saleh:: This is part 2 of the Jurassic Park. Part 1 was very, very nice and part 2, I think its er, Salem: [offers opinion]Not bad Saleh:..Not bad or, more than not bad. Raouf: It's about dinosaurs eh? Saleh: Dinosaurs, it has good director.. Raouf: I didn't like this kind of films Salem: Fantastic eh? Raouf: I didn't believe it. Saleh: Okay, now I suggest we take this movie. David: 'The Rock'? Salem: Yes. David: Okay and 'Saving Private Ryan' Great… …Now I'd like you to describe this picture in detail ('Shakespeare in Love cover)' Raouf: I see two persons, one man, a nice man - a handsome man. He has short hair, black hair and er… Salem: Describe the woman [conspiratorial, joking] Raouf: Okay (laughs) , jacket is very nice and this is a very, very, very, very, very, very nice lady… handsome.. beautiful lady. It has long hair, she is white (sniff of laughter) she wears the yellow dress and I think she wears the jewellery and some cloud there. And I see a series number for the video…and a small picture of an Oscar. Great..
Interview 2:D Faisal and Humaid David: I'd like you to imagine that you are in a video store and its a Wednesday evening and you've got the weekend ahead of you. There are six new videos in the video store. They are ‘The Lost World’, ‘Amistad’, ‘Saving Private Ryan’, ‘Shakespeare in Love’, ‘The Rock’ and ‘The English Patient’. I'd like you to imagine you are in a video store and have a conversation about choosing one of these videos. Humaid: Which film do you like? Faisal: I like ‘Jurassic Park: The Lost World’ Humaid: I'd rather this film ‘Shakespeare in Love’ Faisal: What's it about? Humaid: I think it's a love story and as you know its the weekend and we need to see a good film, not an action film. I like this film. Faisal: I like ‘Jurassic Park’ because it learns you about the dinsoaurs and life before. Humaid: I think its a good idea to see this film ‘Jurassic Park’. Lets look at the other films as well and maybe try and talk about..What about ‘The Rock’? Faisal: I don't like. Humaid: I think it's an action film Faisal: I don't like. Humaid: ‘The English Patient’ - maybe is better. Have you seen this film before? Faisal: No, I didn't. Humaid: Maybe its a good film but from the cover of this film more exciting. I think ‘The Rock’ its more action, more exciting its better. Faisal: Maybe, What about this one there? David: What about the last one there? Humaid: Okay, which film? Faisal: I like ‘Five’… Humaid: ‘Saving Private’? Faisal: Yeah, er five academy awards, academy awards. Humaid: This is an army film you know? What do you think about this? Faisal: Maybe about American…? Humaid: It’s attractive film I think, it’s maybe good story. Faisal: What about ‘Shakespeare in Love’? Humaid:I think [incoherent]? Faisal: From the logo you can take, you can see the story form the logo [means title]. Maybe about the love, so it’s a really good film. David: Right, so I want you to decide on two films that you are going to take. Faisal: I like the ‘Jurassic Park’. Humaid: And I like to take ‘Shakepeare in Love’ [They are then asked to describe the covers. This continues from 3 minutes, then we move to a more general discussion] David: ….and the last part, now we get into general conversation and talk about what you like and dislike in films generally. We haven’t got very much time so just a couple of minutes. What things generally about English films – when do you watch them? Humaid: We all watch these films sometimes on TV, nearly [sometimes] on cinema. David: So how often do you watch English films – films from America or Britain or.. Humaid: Er, at weekends sometime. David: So, maybe one a week, or more? Humaid: One a week. David: One a week. Humaid: If it’s a good film, if it’s not good we not see it. David: Okay, and so do you prefer to go to the cinema or do you usually watch it on video? Humaid:I prefer to watch it on video because to increase my vocabulary. David: Right. Humaid: So I can repeat it.. David: Right. Humaid:…the film, but at the cinema one time. David: Do you usually rent videos? Humaid: Sometimes. David: Okay, what about you Faisal? How often do you watch English language films? Faisal: Er, maybe two a week. David: Two a week, okay and do you usually rent them? Faisal: No I sometimes rent them and sometimes I see it on the television. David: Okay, which television station do you watch them on? Faisal: Saudi Arabia. David: Saudi Arabian television. Great, okay thank you very much.
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