Our Story

FilmArobics began in 1994 as a bold and innovative project by two passionate educators, Judy Sugarman and Nancy Ward. Faced with the challenge of teaching the French film Cyrano de Bergerac without subtitles, they divided the movie into 10-15 minute segments, creating detailed lesson plans for each. This groundbreaking method addressed various learning styles, boosting student engagement and language proficiency. Over the years, FilmArobics expanded to include lesson plans for Spanish, German, Italian, and English, bringing the magic of film into language classrooms worldwide.

Meet Our Leadership

In 2014, Bert and Denise Neumaier took over FilmArobics, bringing their collective expertise and lifelong passion for world language education.

Bert Neumaier

Bert is an award-winning educator with decades of experience in teaching and curriculum development. His notable achievements include:

• Connecticut Teacher of the Year (1987): Recognized for his exceptional teaching and dedication to students.
• Milken Educator Award (1991): Honoring his innovative contributions to language education.
• Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship (1989): Celebrating his groundbreaking work in foreign language instruction.

For over two decades, Bert has trained more than 500 teachers through Connecticut’s Alternate Route to Certification program and served as a French teacher and world language program coordinator at Farmington Public Schools.

Denise Neumaier

Denise is a celebrated French and Spanish teacher, renowned for her expertise in the classroom and curriculum design. With years of hands-on teaching experience, she is a highly skilled practitioner who has supported countless students and educators throughout her career.

After enjoying a few years of retirement, Bert and Denise realized how much they missed the joy of teaching and helping their fellow educators succeed. Driven by their passion for world language education, they decided to reignite FilmArobics and share their proven methods with a new generation of teachers and students.

What We Offer

At FilmArobics, our lesson plans are designed to build essential language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing. Through carefully crafted activities, we ensure a balanced and engaging learning experience.

Our activities include:

• Comprehension: Strengthen understanding through targeted questions and activities.
• Cultural Notes: Immerse students in the rich cultural context of the films.
• Vocabulary: Expand language skills with practical and contextual word-building exercises.
• Communicative Activities: Encourage meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
• Group Work: Foster teamwork with interactive and engaging projects.
• Homework: Reinforce lessons with thoughtful take-home assignments.

By blending these skills and activities, our lesson plans offer a comprehensive approach to language learning, helping students build proficiency while engaging with authentic, culturally rich content.

Join the FilmArobics Community

By incorporating FilmArobics into your curriculum, you’ll not only elevate your students’ language skills but also inspire a deeper appreciation for culture and storytelling. Let’s transform language learning together—one film at a time.