CATCH ME if you CAN

Learn English through movie scenes.

The Substitute Teacher

Based on a true story, Frank Abagnale Jr. is a brilliant young con artist. After moving to a new public high school following his parents' sudden separation, Frank encounters a classroom bully. Spontaneously capitalizing on a misunderstanding, he assumes the identity of a strict French substitute teacher, successfully deceiving the entire class, the real substitute, and the administration for a whole week.

Frank Abagnale Jr. (Mr. Abagnale) - A cunning teenager pretending to be the new French substitute teacher.

Brad - A student in the French class who initially tests Frank's authority.

The Real Substitute Teacher - An older woman arriving late from Dixon, completely confused by Frank's presence.

The Principal / School Official - The administrator who breaks the unbelievable news to Frank's shocked parents.

Scene 1: In the Hallway
Frank Jr.: "Excuse me, do you know what room 17 French is?"
Student: "Yeah, you freaking killed him! You still owe me encyclopedias!"
(Frank looks at the classroom door as students mock a flustered substitute.)

Scene 2: Taking Command
Frank Jr.: "Quiet down, people. My name is Mr. Abagnale. That’s Abagnale, not Abignalee, not Abagnahlee, but Abagnale. Now, somebody please tell me where you left off in your textbooks."
(The class ignores him.)
Frank Jr.: "Excuse me, people. If I need to ask again, I’m going to write up the entire class. Take your seats. Will you please open your textbooks to... chapter 8, and we’ll get started. Excuse me, what’s your name?"
Brad: "Brad."
Frank Jr.: "Brad. Why don't you get up here in front of the class and read conversation number five."
(Brad complies and reads aloud in French.)

Scene 3: Confronting the Real Sub
The Real Substitute: "They sent for me. They said they needed a sub for Roberta. I came all the way from Dixon! I always sub for Roberta."
Frank Jr.: "Excuse me, why aren't you reading? ... Yes? I'll never come back to Benjamin Jefferson again. You tell them not to call me!"
The Real Substitute: "What do they think, it's easy for a woman of my age and all the money that it cost to travel? I tell you, they don't give a damn."

Scene 4: The Principal's Office
School Official: "Mr. and Mrs. Abagnale, this is not a question of your son's attendance. I regret to inform you that for the past week, Frank has been teaching Mrs. Glasser's French class."
Frank's Father: "He what?"
School Official: "Your son has been pretending to be a substitute teacher, lecturing the students, giving out homework. Mrs. Glasser has been ill, and there was some confusion with the real sub. Your son held a teacher-parent conference yesterday and was planning a class field trip to a French bread factory in Trenton. Do you see the problem we have?"

Listen to the scene and fill in the missing words correctly.

Leonard: We’re watching football. There’s no flu, you know. What is this “sack” statistic they put up there? All I know about Saks is my mother there.

Sheldon: “Sacks.” It’s football for when a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Leonard: Huh.

Sheldon: The line of scrimmage is the imaginary line separating the offense from the defense.

Penny: Oh, Sheldon knows football apparently. I mean, Quidditch sure, but football? Sheldon, how do you this stuff?

Sheldon: I grew up in Texas. Football is in Texas. Pro football, college football, high school football, Pee-Wee football.

Substitute (Sub)
Textbook
Conference
Confusion
Attendance
Lecture
Regret

Useful Phrases

"Left off" means where you stopped doing something or where you paused last time (e.g., *"Where did we leave off in the book?"*).

"Write up" means to officially report someone for misconduct or breaking rules, usually resulting in a formal punishment record.

"Sent for me" means someone formally requested or called for a person to arrive or come to a location.

"I regret to inform you" is a highly formal English expression used to break bad, disappointing, or unfortunate news politely.

How long did Frank successfully manage to pretend to be the French substitute teacher?

What unexpected, highly ambitious activity did Frank plan for his French class before getting caught?

Frank commands authority immediately simply by acting confident and writing his name on the chalkboard. Why does confidence make people believe an identity so easily?
The school administration had a massive "confusion with the real sub." Have you ever experienced a breakdown in communication at work or school that led to a chaotic situation?
Look closely at Frank's father's reaction in the principal's office. Why do you think he looks quietly impressed or amused rather than incredibly angry?