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Preliminary information
Time: 60-75 minutes??
Level: Intermediate upwards
Aims:
To give reading practice - stage 2
To review vocabulary/structure - stage 3
To make stds aware of 'rhythm' - stage 1
To give freer speaking practice- stage 4
Assumptions:
That the stds will be interested in Valentine's Day
That the language in the text will not be too difficult.
Anticipated Problems and Solutions:
Some of the vocabulary may be challenging >> pre-teach
essential items?
Aids:
Valentine's card verse
Cuisenaire rods
Reading text - 'Avoid the great
Valentine rip-off'
Roleplay cards
Procedure
Stage 1- Intro to
Valentine's Day
10-15 mins tch<>stds,
std<>std, tch<>stds
1. Give out the verse & in pairs ask the stds to say them aloud so that they sound
rhythmic - then the stds could represent the rhythm with cuisenaire
rods - see the rods & rhythm page for an idea.
2. Elicit what the connection is between
the rhymes & the 14th February - Valentine's Day - do
they celebrate it? has it been celebrated for many years in
their countries? How is it usually celebrated? Flowers, sending
cards, chocolates, dinner etc...
3. Move on to the financial aspects of the present giving
- worth it? do people spend much? do they?
Stage 2 - Reading - 'Avoid
the great Valentine rip-off'
10-15 mins tch<>stds,
std<>std, tch<>stds
1. Put the headline on the board
'Avoid the great Valentine rip-off' & in pairs
the stds brainstorm what the article might be about - tell
them to write down three ideas.
2. Feedback - you could collate some on the board.
3. Extensive reading - stds read to see which of their ideas
approximates the article most.
4. Read - give a time limit of one minute (?) & stick
to it.
5. Feedback - which ideas fit with the article?
6. More intensive reading -
scanning - stds identify the following numbers - as quickly
as they can.
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What do the following numbers refer to:
39.50
40%
503m
18.6m
35.3m
140m
20
11
35
30
14.99
99
199
349
129
Which of the presents that some of the above numbers
refer to would you like to receive?
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7. Stds compare their answers
in pairs.
8. Feedback - as you go through the answers pick up on interesting
things & elicit/explain some vocab (splash, hamper..)
- get the stds to 'respond' to the text.
Stage 3 - Language focus ideas
15-20 mins tch<>stds,
std<>std, tch<>stds
1. You could then look at the
vocabulary - words connected to romance, words connected to
money & spending, - stds could build up mind maps of the
different areas. Dictionaries could be used with this.
2. There are some clear examples
of conditional, e.g.
- And if you want to send a
Valentine hamper, this will cost the best part of £35.
- ..but if you splash out on
the 'spectacular' bouquet at £59.99, a free box of Belgian
chocolates is thrown in.
In pairs, ask the stds to underline
examples of conditional sentences, look at the difference
with the form/structure & the meaning >> stds write
their own examples on the same theme.
3. The future simple, present
simple & present continuous could be contrasted, using
the same procedure as in 2.
Stage 4 - Follow up activities.
1. Speaking - roleplays:
| A: Your partner has forgotten Valentine's
Day. S/he does this every year & you feel there is
no romance left in the relationship. Talk to him/her -
you're thinking of leaving. |
| B: Your partner doesn't understand you.
You work 10 hours every day to make ends meet. |
| A: Your partner has received a mysterious Valentine's
card along with a huge box of chocolates. You are very
suspicious (& jealous). |
| B: You have received a Valentine's card & a huge
box of chocolates. You are not sure who sent it although
you think it might be from a very brief relationship you
had last month. It's a bit embarrassing with your long-term
partner. |
2. Speaking - debate - for & against
celebrating Valentine's Day.
3. Writing - the debate but
in writing - could be a letter to the editor - a reader who
is 'disgusted' with the commercialism of romance....
4. Speaking - could follow up
on the flirting lessons mentioned in the article & get
the stds to come up with a list of 10 essential things to
do when flirting - vote on the best list - & then put
them into practice by flirting with each other in English!
To the Past Teaching
Tips
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