MORAL VALUES PORTRAYED IN THE MOVIE ENTITLED “THE RON CLARK STORY” DIRECTED BY RANDA HAINES

Abstract

This study investigated the moral values portrayed in The Ron Clark Story, directed by Randa Haines, with particular attention to its intrinsic elements and pedagogical implications for English Language Teaching (ELT). Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation and were derived primarily from the film’s dialogues, scenes, and characters’ actions. The findings identified several intrinsic elements, including theme, plot, characterization, setting, and point of view, with education, perseverance, and belief in students’ potential emerging as the predominant themes. The analysis further revealed a range of moral values, including perseverance, responsibility, self-confidence, discipline, empathy, love and affection, leadership, and communicativeness. These values were classified according to individuals’ relationships with themselves and with others, with perseverance and responsibility emerging as the most prominent. From an ELT perspective, the film offers pedagogical potential for developing students’ language skills, enhancing motivation and critical thinking, and promoting character education. These findings suggest that films can serve as meaningful instructional resources that integrate language development with moral and character learning in ELT contexts.