For me, the TES survey of teachers’ 100 favourite films shows the great influence of Hollywood and musicals on today’s culture (“Top billing”, 22 November). If there was less stress in school life, teachers might have the time and inclination to look more at films as a serious medium for classroom learning.

I have found that films are a great way of engaging students with the world around them. For language students, Amelie is interesting from the point of view of discovering contemporary French culture and learning to speak French. Modern classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird provide excellent material for further historical and social research. British film directors such as Richard Attenborough and Ken Loach have made a great impact on modern culture within the UK and internationally. It is right that British children learn about their work.

Shouvik Datta, Teacher of English as a foreign language.