Using cartoons in the classroom
Ghetu Paula Claudia
Because of the new approaches to teaching and learning, teachers nowadays explore new
language teaching methods and recent methodological innovations. Among the innovations
there is the use of animations and animated cartoons in the classroom.
Cartoons, apart from being a young child’s free time friend, can become every young
learner’s school time treasure. Authentic animated cartoons serve for young learners’
characteristics and needs, bringing the real language into the classroom context and
providing authentic use of language.
Why should we use cartoons?
It is interesting and fun
Students can get motivated if they see the colourful and amusing heroes.
Cartoons have the power to develop students’ creativity and imagination.
They are rich in culture and everyday language which are so important in language
learning.
They help the teacher to introduce a topic for discussion.
What can we do with the cartoons?
Cartoons can be great for teaching vocabulary and pronunciation.
We can practice students’ listening skills and if we have subtitles even their reading
skills.
They can be a good start for a speaking exercise and even teaching some
grammatical structures( e.g tenses).
Activities for exploiting cartoons
Exploring the theme of humour
Take one cartoon that depicts absurd situations.
This can be one of those greeting cards using a black and white photo and a funny sentence
which gives a strange twist. Ask students to work in groups and get students to discuss:
Questions to ask:
What does the cartoon mean?
1
Why is it funny?
What techniques are used to make it funny?
Their own sense of humour and national tastes in humour
Use a cartoon to introduce the idea of humour and culture. Take a selection of cartoons and
ask groups to decide what each one means and if they think they are funny. Vote on the
funniest cartoon. Ask students to discuss:
What types of methods are used to make us laugh?
Do people laugh at ordinary situations in their country?
What are the most popular types of humour on TV? ( This can be developed into a lesson
on jokes and the type of jokes they find funny )
Cartoons are powerful teaching tools and can
• Tell a complex story in a few images
• Provide comment and provoke thought on events and issues in the news
• Give an example of vocabulary related to current trends and fads
• Provide easily identifiable characters to form the basis for sketches
• Show culture in action with the ways that men or women are behaving and are
expected to behave
• Comment on and illustrate a whole range of issues like racism, teenage
relationships, sexism, ageism, family relationships.
Using cartoons in the classroom- Activities
VIDEO CLASS:
PART ONE
These are the main characters. Write the adjectives that best suit them. Choose one and
write some sentences.
2
Answer these questions:
Is Gloria fat? …………………………………
Are Marty and Alex good friends? ………………………….
Is Melman thin and very short? …………………………………..
Is Marty angry? ……………………………………………
Can Alex dance well?.....................
Can Gloria run fast? ……………………..
Can Alex fight bravely? …………………….
Watch this part and order the sentences
………… The box is in the river. It gets to New York.
………… Alex’s father is running after the tourists’ jeep.
………… Little Alex is playing with a butterfly.
………… Alex is very small. He is with his father in the jungle.
3
………… People are very happy. They are applauding Alex.
………… Little Alex is in a wooden box.
………… Alex is in the zoo. He can dance very well.
Who said what? Write the name.
MAURICE KING JULIEN MORT ALEX
SKIPPER
“He’s carrying scissors and hand cream!”……………………
“Open the door. I’m outdoors” ………………..
“Ok, boys, launch!” ……………..
“I think I saw Mort on the plane wing” ………………….
“I like laughing. It’s such a nice experience”…………………….
“Can you please go there?” …………………
“I can fly!” ……………..
“I broke your IPod” “It was an accident” ………………………..
Memory game! Watch this part and try to remember. Read the sentences and write “YES”
or “NO”
1- There is a seat behind Gloria. …………………….
2- The old lady has big green eyes. ……………………
3- She is wearing a black skirt and brown shoes.
…………….
4- There are nine people shouting on the jeep. ……………..
5- The old lady has a red bag. There is a cell phone in it. …………..
6- Alex and his father Zuba have a mark in their left hand.
…………
7- Julien and Maurice are riding pink flamingoes. …………..
4
VIDEO CLASS:
PART TWO
What do they eat? Write sentences
PENGUINS_______________________________________________________________
_
ALEX
________________________________________________________________
GLORIA
_________________________________________________________________________
____
MARTY
_________________________________________________________________________
___
MELMAN
_________________________________________________________________________
______
MONKEYS
_______________________________________________________________
5
Complete what the characters say
ALEX: “Makunga, right?
………………………………………………”
MAKUNGA: “Anything for
……………………………………………”
“Go get’em, …………………………………..”
ALEX: “A five,
……………………………………………………………………………..”
ALEX’S MOTHER: “ ………………………………………………………………… Make
mama proud”
ALEX: “oh! Me, me, me! Me , me, me, ………………………………………………, me”
ZUBA: “ How about you? The ………………………., …………………………………..
….one.”
ALEX: “all right, so Teetsi, ………………………….. Let’s
………………………………………….”
TEETSI: “Not “dance” ………………………………..! …………………………………!”
ALEX’S MOTHER: “
………………………………………………………………………………………………?
”
ZUBA: “I know that boy
………………………………………………………………………………………………
…”
ALEX: “I am a king.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………….”
ZUBA: “Then, I’m not longer
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
”
6
VIDEO CLASS:
PART THREE
Watch and match
* The animals in the jungle have a big problem.. the tourists recognize him.
* King Julien has an idea: they want to cook him.
* Gloria saves Melman there isn’t any water.
* The tourists have Alex, to offer a sacrifice to the gods.
* Alex is dancing and … in the volcano.
* Alex and his friends Zuba is the Alpha Lion
again.
* The lions are happy with Alex and destroy the dam.
7
My favorite character
