language film (made in America) adapted from a novel by German author Erich Maria Remarque. The film follows a group of German schoolboys, talked into enlisting at the beginning of World War 1 by their jingoistic teacher. The story is told entirely through the experiences of the young German recruits and highlights the tragedy of war through the eyes of individuals. As the boys witness death and mutilation all around them, any preconceptions about "the enemy" and the "rights and wrongs" of the conflict disappear, leaving them angry and bewildered. This is highlighted in the scene where Paul mortally wounds a French soldier and then weeps bitterly as he fights to save his life while trapped in a shell crater with the body. The film is not about heroism but about drudgery and futility and the gulf between the concept of war and the actuality. Now we are going to listen to a film critic and an extract from the film. Then we will deal with Ex 1 on Page 27.
After dealing with the exercises, ask students to reach the conclusion - common people hate wars and common people suffer most in the wars.
Step III Listening: Situational Dialogue
Listen to a conflict situation between a man and woman. While listening, students should pay attention to the following two questions:
What are the man and woman arguing about?
Who started the argument?
After listening the situational dialogue, have students discuss in pairs and find the best way to deal with the situation.
Step IV Speaking: A Formal Telephone Conversation
Deal with Ex 1 on Page 28.
Play the recording for students to listen and answer the three questions.
T: Have you ever complained about poor service or poor quality to a manager? Look at the picture please? Please predict what they are talking about.
S1: Perhaps the man is complaining something to the woman. The woman may be a manager.