Where do the Children Play?

VPAU557.3/.4 - Recreational Services in the Local Community


Watch the video. What do you think this song is about? Where do the children play in your community? Where is the closest playground?

Listening/Viewing: Complete this cloze exercise based on the Yusaf Islam song, "Where do the Children Play?"

Check your answers ... complete lyrics here

Try another listening exercise called "This Used to Be My Playground" (by Madonna)

Speaking : Playgrounds - Dangers and Hazards

Grammar : Prediction (going to+verb) / about to+verb (talking about the near future)

Exercise 1 : Look at the picture above. With a friend list the dangers you see. What is going to happen? What is about to happen?

Vocabulary: (verbs) to bite / to fall off / to break / to hit /to hurt / to hit / to step on / to get stuck / to shit /to let off / to cut / to stick out (nouns) swing, slide, carousel, bridge, grass, bottle, rubbish, leash, rope, bin, syringes, pipe, sand

Exercise 2: Can you match the vocabulary and picture on your left?

Reading : Brimbank Park Walk

We have been reading about Brimbank Park in our classes. Walking can be fun and it is good, free exercise. Click here (or above) to find out about Stephen's Brimbank Park Walk.

Exercise 1: Download this worksheet about Stephen's Brimbank Walk and answer the questions.

Writing/Research (VPAU 557.3/.4 Assessment Task)


Exercise 2: Class Project. Think about a walk through Sunshine with your classmates. Where would you take a visitor to Sunshine.

STEP 1 ... As a class discuss and plan ... 1) A brief description 2) Points of interest

STEP 2 ... Ask your teacher to register and CREATE A CLASS WALKING MAP.
(If you prefer, create your own - it's not very hard!)

STEP 3 ... Plan an excursion. Take some photos of the points of interest.

Use Stephen's Brimbank Park Walking Map as your model / look at some other examples too!

FACEBOOK GROUP

What is happening in the Free ESL Facebook Club?


Join Dale Pobega's Free ESL Club Facebook Group today

Visit the ESL 3 Multicultural Walk of Sunshine!



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Cars of the Future / Cars of the Past

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VPAU 503.1 (Listening) - Interpret an Information (Oral) Text
VPAU 505.1 (Reading) - Analyse a Range of Information Texts



Level 3 : Assessment Task (VPAU 503.1) Listening/Viewing

WHAT IF ....?

New Vocab: ... to check on / to switch on remotely / zero emissions / to top up / to power

If you have problems with the form below click here to open it in a new window

Reading (Level 3)
VPAU 505.1

Discussion : What do you know about this car? Where is it from? How is different to other cars?

Reading Text (Simple Wikipedia)


Download and print the Assessment Task

Task only available to DSCH students and members of Dale Pobega's Free ESL Facebook Club)

Bring the task to class or send it to me via email

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DISCUSSION (Level 1 + 2) / READING/WRITING (Level 2 and 3) 

READING

Read the story about the Crushed Car

Download this reading comprehension worksheet (VPAU505.1)

WRITING (Opinion)

SUPPOSE ... = guess / assume ...something 

eg. I suppose they'll come

Online Exercise 1/2/3/4 (English Grammar Lessons)

 "If" CLAUSES

eg. If I were you ... +would/could, etc

Online Matching Exercise (Englisch-Hilfen)

And as usual we need to review our use of Relative Pronouns and Clauses, don't we? (Do this exercise)

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More Instructions, Directions and Getting Things Done

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Listening/Viewing Comprehension - (Level 1&2) VPAU 494, 495, 498, 500,

(i) Watch the video about How to Make the Perfect Bowl of Porridge



(ii) Complete this online exercise about porridge making (from englishexercises.org)

HAIRSTYLES

Introduction : When you go to the hairdresser what do you say ...?



You have been studying instructions this term. 

Let's talk about hair, haircuts and hair styles.

Do you like your hair? Where do you get your hair cut? Would you like a new hairstyle?
Would you like highlights or a new colour? 

VOCABULARY: long, short, medium length, bald, blond, brunette, red head, curly, straight, permed, dye, tint, highlights,shaved, trim, layered, tapered, fringe, side-burns around the sides / on the top / up the back / combed / blow dried / shampooed/

Can you add some more words? Here is a vocabulary list to download (word doc)

READING / LISTENING 1: 

Listen and/or read the story about Susan.

Exercise 1 : Download and complete this comprehension exercise

Exercise 2 : Listen to the story and complete the dictation. (Fold / write / check)

WRITING 

Watch the video below. How does this woman trim her hair. Can you write instructions?

  

GRAMMAR GAMES : (PASSIVE VOICE) 

Having / Getting something done ... (Level 2 /3)

Grammar Notes

Exercise One (Put in Order)

Exercise Two (Mix and Match)

Exercise Three (Complete the sentences)

Other interactive exercises like these are at http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/index.html

SPEAKING : Asking the hairdresser or barber for a haircut

Here are some Level 2 Role-plays about going to the hairdresser

Use the video to help you write your dialogue about going to the hairdresser or barber with a friend 

GIVING AND ASKING FOR DIRECTONS

                                                                                                          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)

LISTENING/VIEWING COMPREHENSION

(Level 3)- Information Text 2 (VPAU 503)

(i) Watch the video about the Lyre Bird
(ii) Complete this online exercise about the video and complete the webquest about Sir David Attenborough (you can also view the video again on this page) (from englishexercises.org)

You in the Community

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This week we begin our first Elective - the Local Community (VPAU557) - which we will be studying for two terms

DISCUSSION : What is a Community?

Where do you live?

What services or facilities are nearby? (eg. schools, shops, libraries, parks, train stations)

READING (Level 2 and 3)  (from Local Stuff - SA Govt)



Vocabulary : to have been down to / to head home / to call into / to log on / to involve the use of / to maintain / to provide / stormwater / drainage

Exercise 1: Use your dictionary or Google Translate to find the meanings of the vocabulary above

Exercise 2: Find your house using Google Maps. Look for nearby services and facilities.

Exercise 3 : Click on the picture of the Brimbank City Council below (or here).

(i) What services are listed in the Community Directory?
(ii) Where would you go to make a request for a service?
(iii) How can you pay your rates?

http://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/Our_Home

Reading Activity: Brimbank City Council Info Hunt

Download the worksheet and use the Brimbank City Council website to answer the questions


LISTENING - Community Places Game (10 - 20 mins) from English Raven.com

Instructions

1) In your book write down the numbers 1 - 10;

2) Listen to the clues Jason reads to you. Write your answers next to the numbers;

3) Ask your teacher to pause the video between the clues Jason reads;

4) Can you remember some of the clues?
 ... eg. a post office is a place where you go to send a letter;

5) Do some of the grammar exercises below about ... where ..., ...who ..., etc.


GRAMMAR : Defining Relative Clauses (...where..., ...who..., ...which..., ...that...)

eg. a post office is a place where you go to send a letter

eg. a Mayor is a person who is the head of a council

Exercise 1: Can you write some sentences about your community with a defining relative clause?

Exercise 2: Try these exercises (Level 1 - ex.1 only)

JOIN DALE, HIS STUDENTS &
OTHERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ON FACEBOOK! (24/7 Discussion!!!)

What are we talking about this week? ... Duke Street's New Community Garden!!!

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Change the World - Happy New Year Students!

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Another year has finished. Congratulations to all Duke Street students and friends! Soon we can start thinking about our new year plans. But first ...

The Duke Street Collection - Best Writing 2012
ESL Access Level 2

Download our book (30 pages, PDF, 4.6 megabytes)

This is a collection of writing by all of the students in the ESL Level 2 class with stories about "A Great Day Out", "Endangered Animals" , "My Suburb - Past, Present and Future" and much more!

OPINIONS: HOW CAN WE CHANGE THE WORLD? 



Download the worksheet and record opinions on SoundCloud

Click the banner or here to join us

What have we been talking about on Facebook? 

NEW YEAR PLANS ...

What are your plans for 2013?

will / plan to / hope to / going to 

Lien : I hope to visit China in Janaury

Khariya: I plan to go Western Australia for a holiday in January

Nguyen: I am going to start a new job in February packing

Huong: I am going to visit my family who live in Sydney during January

Lan : I am going to learn Chinese and Japanese cooking in Box Hill

Nghiep: My plan is to learn more English at Duke St with Dale

Hong: Next year I want to travel around the world

Thi Lang: My plan for next year is to continue learning English, after that, if I have time I will visit my family who live in Europe

Mui : Next year I plan to buy some new property and visit my niece in Britain

Hoai (Mui's husband) : I plan to stay at home and take care of the grandchildren and continue learning English

CHRISTMAS KARAOKE & LANGUAGE EXERCISES


Activities:

Grammar Quiz - The Man Who Wrote "Jingle Bells" 

Christmas Tree Matching Quiz (requires Flash Player)

Listening: Christmas is Coming! (Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab)


STAY SAFE OVER THE CHRISTMAS BREAK STUDENTS ... LOVE ALWAYS ... DALE

Animals - Past, Present and Future (?)

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Level 2 : Write an information text

Watch the video above. It was made on the Japanese island of Okinawa.

What is the animal in the video? Where does it live? What does it eat? What else do you know about it?

Exercise 1: Locating informtion & Organizing Ideas :

Download and print the information sheet about Dugongs.

Work with your teacher or a friend and describe the dugong's ...

habitat .......................................

body .........................................

diet ..........................................

behaviour.................................

Exercise 2: Computer skills (search for information, print a collector's card, send an e-card)

Look at these photos ...

What would you say about the animal above? What is its name? How would you describe its body? Where is it found? Where does it live?


Print this page to find out more and create a Collectors card 
(National Geographic)

Use the information to add to your information text

Exercise 3: Sending Information (E-Cards)

Now you know about the animal above, send an e-card to a friend. Click here

Read about another animal at the same website. Read the facts, watch the video, look at the map, print a collector's card, send a friend an e-card

Exercise 4 : Information text (2)

What do you know about this creature?
What is its name? How would you describe it? Where does it live? Describe its habitat? What do you think it eats? What else should we know about it?

Download, print and complete this exercise

WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ON FACEBOOK?

Join the 38 members of Dale Pobega's Free ESL Club on Facebook now!




Information Texts : Extinct Animals



What do you know about the Tasmanian Tiger?
What other extinct animals do you know about?
Why are these animals extinct?

Read about the Tasmanian Tiger at Simple English Wikipedia. Click here.

CATEGORIES:

*size
*weight
*appearance
*life expectancy
*diet
*location
*environment
*current numbers

Can you write a paragraph about the Tasmanian Tiger using the CATEGORIES above as well as CONJUNCTIONS (but / and / however / although, etc) to join your sentences.


ENDANGERED ANIMALS

Find out about endangered animals, why they are endangered and what we can do by watching this presentation:

endangered animals powerpoint1

See more presentations by Calvin1 | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

OUR CLASS BOOK : ESL ENDANGERED ANIMALS

Click here to download our Simple English Wikipedia Book called "ESL Endangered Animals".

1) Download the ESL Endangered Animals book above.
2) Use the questions / categories we studied to help you write short sentences about one of the animals in the form.

3) CLICK HERE to go to the FORM




Level 1 - Read and write a simple information text

In class we read about the Yellow-Eyed Penguin from New Zealand.

Making questions from Information Words. Finish writing the questions

Height : How tall are they?

Weight: How ___________________?

Age they live to: How long __________________?

Home country: Where ______________________?

Number left: How many _______________________?

Food: What __________________?

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Level 2 - Writing Notes : Don't Forget to Feed the Cat!



Imagine you are going on holiday for two weeks. Here are some things that need to be taken care of:

*garden
*pets
*mail and newspapers
*rubbish bin
*security



Karaoke ... The Tiger (Abba, 1976)



Enjoy this song ... from my childhood! A good way to end this unit

Telling Stories

Assessment Task Access 1 (VPAU 494.3 - Listen to a Simple Oral Text) 

Assessment Task Access 1 (VPAU 494.4 - Give Simple Information)

Level 1

We have been listening to and reading stories and jokes in class this term. Telling a story in another language can be difficult. Here is the simple story telling model we used to help us.

Model

Opening Hello friends, today I'm going to tell you a story about …

Reason I chose this story because … (it is funny / sad / amazing / scary)

It is a good story to tell kids / to tell adults only / to tell anyone

Tell the story eg. A long time ago …. / … in America / Australia / Vietnam ...

Opinion I liked this story because …. / I didn't like this story much because …

Closing Thank you for listening to my story. Do you have any questions?

Remember:

*Keep your sentences short.

*Use the past simple - this is the best tense to use for telling stories.

LISTEN TO A RECOUNT

Here is Hoai's oral recount of a story we read in class (the original comes from the book, True ESL Stories)

GRAMMAR : Past Simple (in songs and stories)

Exercise Using the Past Simple : My Best Holiday

Play the video and follow the instructions ... fun!



FACEBOOK

What is our class discussing on Facebook this week? Join the 38 members of Dale Pobega's Free ESL Club Facebook Group

What do you think? Which Victorian city (apart from Melbourne) is the best? It seems most of the group like Geelong! Join us and give us your opinion.