Monday, July 29, 2013

Australian Stories

VPAU 560: Explore a current issue of significance in Australia / Explore a current issue of of international significance
VPAU505.4: Write a descriptive or narrative text



 WRITING:  Watch the video with a friend.

Exercise 1: What is the story about? Who are the characters? When was the video made? What is the attitude to refugees? (Talk about this)

Exercise 2: Watch the video together again and correctly order the sentences and phrases ...

and the Australian way of life.
changed everything.
Ali arrived in Australia nine years ago
before the civil war
Ali's wife...
and dream of owning their own farm.
He once owned his own farm.
Ali and his wife have worked hard...
Refugees...
A new country...
actively contribute
They are saving money...
to Australian communities
makes for new challenges.
to make a new life.
is one of the town's doctors

Exercise 3: Write the phrases into a story (without looking at the video)


GRAMMAR: The First Conditional




Worksheet: Review the FIRST CONDITIONAL (if + present simple + will/may/might

LISTENING / VIEWING COMPREHENSION / DISCUSSION:

Should Quad Bikes Be Banned?



Discussion Questions

1. What was the main point raised in the Quad Bikes story?

2. Most people who ride quad bikes live:
a. Near the beach
b. On farms
c. In the city

3. What are the benefits of having a quad bike on a farm?

4. How many people died from quad bike accidents in Australia last year?

5. Kids of any age are legally allowed to ride quad bikes. True or false?

6. There are no laws saying that kids have to wear __________ while riding a quad bike.

7. Why do some people want to see changes to the way quad bikes are designed?

8. Give some examples of improved quad bike safety.

9. List the arguments for and against making stricter rules for quad bike riders.

10. What do you think should happen next?

Transcript of the video

Download the entire ABC TV Activity Unit - Persuasive Texts

  GIVING AND ASKING FOR DIRECTONS : VPAU 503.3/503.4

                                                                                                          X You are here

Exercise 1: With your teacher or a classmate, give and ask directions using the map

Exercise 2: Complete these online exercises using the same map (from englishonline.org)


GRAMMAR 2 : Something made of/in/from / Something used for (Passives and Past Participles)

Download this board game and play with a friend (you will need dice and a coin) - From ESL Tower




Vocabulary: Crossword Puzzle "What is it made of?" (Download the puzzle and answers)

Monday, July 22, 2013

In the News

VPAU 560: Explore a current issue of significance in Australia / Explore a current issue of of international significance
VPAU505.4: Write a descriptive or narrative text




SPEAKING/WRITING: VPAU560.1: National News (video)

Watch this video in pairs and answer the questions together

1.What is the video about?
2.Who are the two men?
3.What is the Coalition?
4.What is the ALP?
5.What is a poll?
6.Who is the preferred Prime Minister?
7.What percentage of people in the poll said they would vote for the ALP?
8. What was said about women?

 LISTENING: VPAU560.2: International News (audio)
 
LISTENING: Download and print this listening comprehension quiz . Play the audio.

READING: Read the story about the Panda (and check your answers from the listening quiz)

VOCABULARY: Parts of a Newspaper

Last week we played games with the newspaper and learnt to identify parts of the newspaper.

Download this matching exercise, print and check your answers as a class or with a friend.



CLASS DISCUSSION: VIDEO



What is this video about? Is it a national story or an international story?

1) Look at these two graphics. Compare them and discuss.
2) How many arrivals by boat were there in Australia in 2013?





HOMEWORK: 

Find out some more about the issue of Asylum seekers. Watch TV, listen to radio, do an internet search and read a newspaper for the next week. Report your research to the class.

GRAMMAR : IF / IF NOT vs. UNLESS

Watch the video and complete the exercises below



Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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