BBC documentary: Trading Ages

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.

Ed Sheeran: Castle on the Hill

 

castle-on-the-hill-ed-sheeran

Song worksheet

This worksheet is based on the lyrics of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle on the Hill’. The version of the vídeo with lyrics has animated images which make the text easier to understand. The activity involves listening for detail, first without vídeo, then using the song lyrics to check.

I’ve used this with learners from B2 level upwards. As it deals with the theme of nostalgia and growing up, it works well as a first class activity. Use as a springboard for learners’ personal histories and narratives.

Image credit: https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2017/01/06/ed-sheeran-releases-two-new-songs-castle-on-the-hill-and-shape-of-you/

Video

Here’s the link to the vídeo with lyrics.

Materials

Ed Sheeran Castle on the Hill – Teacher’s notes

Ed Sheeran Castle on the Hill – Student

TED Talks: Jigsaw Listening – Sustainable Development Goals

SDGs pic

TED talks worksheet

Summary

In this activity, students watch two TED talks on a related subject (UN Sustainable Development Goals) and answer different sets of questions. They then share their information and discuss some of the issues raised

Procedure

This activity can be done:

  • as a jigsaw listening, with students in two groups in different rooms
  • as a ‘flipped’ activity: students in groups A or B watch different vídeos at home, do the exercises, then share their information in the next class
  • as a whole class activity (talk 1) and then at home (talk 2)

It also works as a supplementary activity to Headway Advanced (4th Edition, Soars, J & L, & Hancock, P. Oxford University Press) Unit 2.

Videos

Introductory vídeo: Sustainable Development Goals

TED Talk 1: Michael Green (2015)

TED Talk 2: Johan Rockström (2018)

Materials

There is an introductory PowerPoint, a worksheet for each of the two talks and teacher’s notes with key for each worksheet. The vídeo links are included above.

TED talks SDGs intro

TED talks SDGs talk 1 – student

TED talks SDGs talk 1 – teacher

TED talks SDGs talk 2 – student

TED talks SDGs talk 2 – teacher