Witch hunts

13 01 2023

Final project: 

Write an article to present the work of a political artist who used her or his art to denounce a witch hunt. Explain the artwork and the message behind it.

Lead-in: “To what extent is fear part of America’s heritage?” Watch the clip and do these EXERCISES.  

1. Click on the pick to learn more about the ‘We the People’ campaign.

2. What is street art for? Learn more about Shepard Fairey

3. Watch the video and take the QUIZ.

4. Take the QUIZ. What is the link between the posters by Fairey and this video? Read more HERE.

5. Learn more about the “second red scare” and then take the QUIZ

6. Do you know how to spot a witch? Build up your vocabulary HERE.

7. Here’s another street artist’s contribution against scapegoating. Read more HERE.

8. Click below to practise your grammar skills. More exercises HERE.




World in Crisis

9 12 2022

YOUR TASK: Write a cli-fi story. Find out more HERE.

1. How does the song illustrate climate change?

2. Can you sum up the story this trailer tells? Read more HERE.

3. What are the main elements of Cli-Fi? Read more HERE.

4. Can  a dystopian blockbuster movie mobilize people to act on climate change? Find out MORE

5. How can cli-fi help raise awareness about environmental issues? Read more HERE




Fast Food Nation

2 12 2022

1. First try this CROSSWORD. Then watch the clip. How did this quite ordinary guy make it so big? 

2. The same story is told in a great song by Mark Knopfler. 

3. Learn about this fast food story. Read more HERE. Then, why not do a few EXERCISES?

4. What’s the secret recipe for success? 

5. Is McDonald’s food fit for athletes?

6. The Olympic Rings and the Golden Arches are parting ways. Why?

6. Describe and analyse this ad.




Time to deliver?

16 11 2022

YOUR  FINAL PROJECT: You take part in a YOUTH CLIMATE radio programme / podcast / debate about the ecological situation and challenges for humanity. Read more HERE

1. Youth climate conference debate: what can be achieved at a COP? Read MORE.

2. We are in knee-deep waters! What are the threats Tuvalu faces? Read MORE

3. [00: 0300] What is Ajul so scared of? Read more HERE. Write a letter to a personality you respect to ask them to support your fight to help Ajul and other people like him. Find more help HERE.

4. Can world leaders be held accountable?

5. What can be achieved at COP27? Read MORE

 

6. Click on the pick to practise your grammar!




A more inclusive Britain?

19 10 2022

Final Project: For South Asian Heritage Month you take part in a Radio / TV Talk Show about South Asian integration in the UK today as compared with the 1970s. Read more HERE.

1. Watch the short film. What do you think the director is trying to say? Find an interesting review HERE.

2. Bake Off Winner Rahul bakes ginger caramel cupcakes. Learn more about him HERE.

3. Selector Radio broadcasts the best UK music and emerging talent.




Working time

3 10 2022

Your project: “Make a presentation on a company of your own choice.” Find some help HERE and HERE.

1. Can you translate the lyrics? What is the message (focus on the rhymes)? Read the lyrics HERE.

2. Take a few notes to answer the 5W & 1H questions. Read more HERE.

3. Watch the video and pick out the adavantages of working less. Read MORE.

4. Would you like to work for this firm? Read MORE.

5. The best burger in America,? What is the story of In-N-Out and how did they become so popular? Read more HERE.

6. Click on the pick to your language skills. Revise your grammar HERE.




Black Lives Matter

30 09 2022

Your Task: a. Deliver a speech to celebrate a leading African-American figure. Present her/ him to the class and explain the reasons for your choice.

b. This is your magazine’s editorial meeting. Debate is fierce to decide which leading figure of the Civil Rights Movement to profile in next month’s issue.

1. Did Obama ever doubt his ability to get white support to win the presidency? Test your comprehension HERE.

2. Learn more about the movement. Focus on specific dates and names.

3. How old was Starr when she was given the ‘talk’? What else do you learn about her? Read more HERE.

4. What do you learn about the book and its impact? Study a passage HERE.

5. What was ‘Jim Crow’ originally and what did it stand for up until 1954? 

6. How does the clip upend racial stereotypes? Read more HERE.

 7. Click on the cartoon to boost your grammar skills.

8. What makes Rita’s speech convincing? Read MORE.




And girls will be women

7 09 2022

Speaking task – Pair-work presentation:  compare and contrast the two stories below, highlighting the similarities and differences. Use the points you have noted in this  VENN DIAGRAM to shape your response, and aim for a lively and informative presentation style.

1. To what degree is this a more modern version of the original book? Study an excerpt from the novel HERE

2. Observe the painting closely (click on the pic to access a larger version and use either of these two APPROACHES) and listen to the recording (till 01:40). What changed for middle-class girls in the 19th century?

 

3. What happens to the four sisters in this coming-of-age story?

4. What is ‘Visual Literacy’? Learn more with the Toledo Museum of Art.

 




Coming of age

5 09 2022

1. Do you know the story? What are the pros and cons of “never growing up”?

2. Listen to Monika (02:45-04:25) and sum up the film’s plot. Are “coming-of-age stories” your  favorite movies too?

3. What can you say about the narrator of this story? Consider all three narratives presented here.  Can you identify the different steps of coming-of-age stories?




Powerful vibes

4 09 2022

Final ProjectChoose a cause and design a poster/ make a piece of art/ write a poem or a song to defend it.

Alternatively, you can choose one of the two options suggested HERE.

1. Labour or Labor Day? Take the QUIZ.

2. What role did Margaret Thatcher play in Billy Bragg’s career (up to 2:35)? Listen on to fill in the missing words in the song’s LYRICS

3. Who was Joe Hill, the original song writer? Take a few notes and write a short profile.

4. How did The Beatles change the world? Pick out 5 ways they influenced society. Do a reading comprehension exercise HERE.

5. Watch the video and do these ACTIVITIES

6. Click on the pic to work on your grammar (do ex. #1+2).