Upper-Intermediate

TED Talks – Greta Thunberg (2018): The disarming case to act right now on climate change

jmackayLeave a comment

Thunberg

Video worksheet

Introduction

Worksheet based on short TED talk by Greta Thunberg, just as she was coming to prominence as a teenage climate activist.

Summary

Climate change is an extremely topical subject, for good reason. This worksheet is based on a TED Talk by the teenage climate activist, Greta Thunberg when she was just 16. The ppt below can be used to brainstorm learners’ prior knowledge about the speaker. As she speaks very clear, articulate ELF (English as a Lingua Franca), this worksheet could work from B1+ (with subtitles). From C1+, try listening without subtitles first and then checking with the subtitles on the second listening.

Materials

Greta Thunberg intro

Greta Thunberg TED

Greta Thunberg TED KEY

Link to video

 

Advert worksheet: John Lewis, 2009

jmackayLeave a comment

guns n roses

Video worksheet

Introduction

An advert is not just for Christmas! You’ve probably noticed a number of John Lewis ads on this blog and I make no apology for adding another one, even if it isn’t Christmas.

Summary

Video worksheet based on the 2009 Christmas ad. Yes, it’s commercial and portrays an aspirational lifestyle perhaps not in keeping with the times, but I think that can be used as a springboard for discussion: how much has changed in the 10 years since this advert first came out? As for language, I’ve used this worksheet as a way to introduce the indirect object passive at B1 -B2 level (challenging for Spanish speakers as there is no equivalent in their L1). Plus, the song is a classic!

Materials

Ad – John Lewis 2009 Sweet child o mine – Teacher

Ad – John Lewis 2009 sweet child o mine – Student

Link to (ad) video

Link to (music) video

NB – the video has English subtitles. Play just sound first if you want your learners to do the listening practice first.

 

BBC documentary: Trading Ages

jmackayLeave a comment

trading ages

Video Worksheet

This ten-minute clip from the BBC documentary ‘Trading Ages’ can be used to supplement unit 2B in English File Upper-Intermediate (3rd Edition), or can be used on its own as a springboard for discussion about prejudice and ageing.

Image credit: bbc.co.uk

Materials

Video worksheet Trading Ages – student

Video worksheet Trading Ages – teacher

 

Video

Here’s the link to the vídeo clip

Reference: Latham-Koenig, C., & Oxenden, C. (2014) English File Upper-Intermediate. 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press.