Content from Channel 4 Learning

extr@ is a language education television series scripted in the format of a Friends-esque sitcom which was in production from 2002 to 2004, and is mainly marketed to the instructional television market for middle school and high school language classes. Four versions were made, each in a different language; English, French, German, and Spanish.

In Extr@, four attractive 19–22 year olds are thrown together to play out their romances, life crises and contrasting interests in a familiar sitcom setting. A fundamental complication in their relationship is that one of the four is an outsider, Sam, with only a very basic grasp of Spanish. Sam’s efforts to get to grips with the language provide the central dynamic for the series’ language learning content. What makes Extr@ different is that the scripts have been carefully written so that the language is simple and accessible at all levels. Covering all the main programmes of study, the scripts combine wit, strong character identification and a good dose of physical humor.

This is the story of Sascha and Anna, Sam and Nic, four young adults who are thrown together to play out their romances, life crises and contrasting interests in a familiar sitcom setting. The two girls share a flat in Berlin and Nic is their neighbour. When Sam, with only a very basic grasp of German, comes to visit, everything starts to go wrong. Or right! His efforts to get to grips with the language provide the central dynamic for the series and its language learning content. The scripts have been carefully written so that the language is simple and accessible at all levels.

In Extr@, four attractive 19–22 year olds are thrown together to play out their romances, life crises and contrasting interests in a familiar sitcom setting. A fundamental complication in their relationship is that one of the four is an outsider, Sam, with only a very basic grasp of French. Sam’s efforts to get to grips with the language provide the central dynamic for the series’ language learning content. What makes Extr@ different is that the scripts have been carefully written so that the language is simple and accessible at all levels. Covering all the main programmes of study, the scripts combine wit, strong character identification and a good dose of physical humor.