TESTS

Travelling Around America

Урок-путешествие в 10-м классе

Вряд ли стоит доказывать, что самым надёжным свидетельством освоения изучаемого языка является способность учащихся вести беседу по определнной теме. Именно беседу по изученной теме следует, на мой взгляд, считать завершающим этапом её усвоения. В данной статье я хочу поделиться опытом проведения урока-путешествия по Америке в 10-м классе. В ходе урока использован познавательный материал, ориентированный на развитие активности школьников, вовлечение их в творческую деятельность. Такая форма как урок-путешествие развивает способность к общению, укрепляет межличностные отношения, обеспечивает условия для развития всех речевых умений, так как учащиеся поставлены в условия, когда они вынуждены пользоваться иностранным языком и как средством извлечения информации, и как средством общения. Всё это, несомненно, способствует росту мотивации к изучению языка, а следовательно помогает достижению целей обучения.

ХОД УРОКА

Teacher: We have a fine opportunity to know more about America, because, Pavel – the pupil of the 11th form, who has lived in America for a year – is present at our lesson.

1. You had a task to prepare information about the USA, let’s listen to some pupils:

a) From the history of the USA.
b) Geography and history of the USA.
c) Flag of the USA.

2. Now, we’ll have a short competition “Who knows America best of all?”

a) When did the country become independent? (1776, 1876)
b) How many states were there when it became
independent? (13, 50)
c) How many states does the USA consist of? (50, 40)
d) Who was the first president of the USA? (George Washington, Abraham Lincoln)
e) What is the Capitol? (The seat of the Congress, the seat of the president)
f) Who presented the Statue of Liberty to America? (The French people, the English people)
g) What is written on the Statue’s tablet? (July 4th 1776 or 1886)
h) Los Angeles is the second largest city in the USA. And what is the first? (Washington, New York)
i) What city is the centre of shipbuilding? (San Francisco, Detroit, Los Angeles)
j) What city do Americans call “the city of yesterday and tomorrow”? (Boston, New York)
k) Where can people find exotic food, delicate jewellery, ivory carvings and oriental objects? (Chinatown, Philadelphia)

3. Listen to the record and guess what it is about? (Text “The Statue of Liberty”)

4. Now, it’s time to listen to Pavel’s impressions of America. I suppose you have a lot of questions.

5. The talk about climate, weather. English people like to speak about the weather everyday, everywhere. What about Americans?

6. Talk about the character of Americans. As far as I know Englishmen are very serious people. And what about Americans? Do they like humour?

7. Talk about meals. Listen to the dialogue, which we can hear in cafes or restaurants. (Act out this dialogue!)

a) What shall we have?
b) A three-course meal, I suppose. I’m hungry.
c) Well, you choose.
d) Let’s start with salad, then chicken broth, and fish and chips.
e) I think, I’ll have green peas, fruit and a cup of tea without sugar.
f) Are you on a slimming diet?
g) Yes, I am. I don’t live to eat but I eat to live.
h) As for me, I enjoy good food. My motto is “Eat at pleasure, drink with measure, and enjoy life as it is”.

Will you tell us about meals in America? Do they have the same motto: “Eat at pleasure, drink with measure”?

8. Talk about Love for Motherland. I think you were missing your Motherland, your relatives, friends, weren’t you?

9. Talk about education.

a) What are the names of school terms?
b) What is the programme in American schools?
c) What subjects do they study?
d) What rules do they have?
e) What is the system of rewards in American school?
f) Is there any punishment?
g) What are their uniforms like?
h) Are the pupils streamed according to their abilities?

Pavel has a videofilm about American schools. Let’s see it and then we’ll discuss it.

10. Talk about sport in America. What kind of sport is the most popular in America?

11. Music. Let’s relax. (Звучит песня.) The task: Guess who is the singer?

12. Talk about books. Do the Americans know our Russian writers? Now let’s see how you know English and American writers. Try to use the passive voice.

13. Travelling. How do Americans like to travel?

14. Customs, traditions, holidays, birthdays.

a) What are the most popular holidays in the USA?
b) How do they celebrate their birthdays?

Pavel, thanks a lot for your interesting information. It was a great pleasure “to travel” across America. We really enjoyed it. We had good time.

By Galina Stepanova,
Blagoveschensk