The article dwells upon a method of using a captioned video film in teaching English to Russian students. Having mentioned the great potential of this audio-visual aid in forming students communicative competence, the author points out the problems some foreign language teachers have to face. Many of them seem to be unaware of the amount of preliminary work to have been done before introducing video technologies into TESOL activities. The author believes that any effective application of video materials for language teaching purposes is stipulated by teachers ability to make his/her students ready for receiving video information. A captioned video film presentation should be coupled with a thoroughly thought-out set of previewing, viewing, and postviewing (application) exercises. Suggesting a ready model lesson the author describes some basic techniques of using authentic video materials in TESOL activities, gives possible variants of exercises and tasks meant to complement viewing and speaks on the ways of students progress assessment.