| Every year during the month of October and at times | | | | so it is short enough to fit well into a 90-minute class |
| into early November, I show my EFL students the | | | | session. I prepare a two-page worksheet to help the |
| Disney animated version of "The Legend of Sleepy | | | | students follow the story and extract key information |
| Hollow". The video serves several purposes both | | | | as they watch. To set the stage overall we talk about |
| didactic and non-didactic. It continues to be popular with | | | | legends in Colombia which may include:o The Three |
| the students regardless of their age, major or | | | | Crosses (Las Tres Cruces)o Chupacabra (like a |
| occupation. | | | | female "Boogeyman")o El Duende (similar to a |
| The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | | | | Leprechaun)o Pata Sola (like a one-legged "Bigfoot") |
| Most of you are probably familiar with Washington | | | | Are you superstitious? |
| Irving's classic American short story, originally penned in | | | | After watching the story and working through the task |
| 1819-1820, based on a German folktale. A transient | | | | sheet, we check answers and responses. We talk |
| schoolmaster, Icabod Crane, arrives in the tiny colonial | | | | about their likes and dislikes which may be similar to |
| burg of Sleepy Hollow situated near Tarrytown, in | | | | those seen in the story. I also ask about their |
| Westchester County of New York state. As he | | | | superstitions and reactions to situations like:o Breaking |
| integrates into the local society, he falls for a wealthy | | | | a mirroro A black cat or black butterfly approaching |
| farmer's daughter, Katrina Van Tassel. The | | | | themo Using a broom to ward off bad lucko Walking |
| superstitious pedagogue battles a local rival for the fair | | | | under a ladder |
| maid's favors. On the night of October 31st during | | | | The activity, in general, is useful for English levels from |
| festivities at the Van Tassel estate ghost stories told | | | | beginner to upper intermediate and beyond. It serves |
| by the guests bring out the worst of Icabod's fears. | | | | to illustrate some aspects of history, culture and |
| One story in particular, that of a Headless Horseman | | | | customs in the USA associated with the fall of the |
| who rides one night each year in search of a new | | | | year. |
| head, terrifies the schoolmaster beyond all else. The | | | | The Worksheet is available |
| hapless schoolteacher later encounters the legendary | | | | If you have access to this particular video and would |
| Headless Horseman and ... Well, if you don't know the | | | | like to have a copy of the worksheet I use, e-mail your |
| rest of the story it's worth a read. | | | | request to me at: and Ill be glad to send you one right |
| Setting the stage | | | | away. |
| The full-color, animated feature runs about 30 minutes, | | | | |