Ireland - " Emerald Isle"

A SERIES OF LESSONS "ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES". LEVEL A2 - PRE-INTERMEDIATE

LESSON 1

The Subject of the lesson: Ireland - “Emerald Isle”.

The Objectives: to develop p-s’ skills in pair work; to develop skills in extensive reading; to practise speaking skills in sharing opinions about leisure activities in Ireland; to improve habits in writing; to widen p-s' outlook about Ireland.

Equipment: a map of Ireland; a flag of Ireland; photos of Ireland; handouts with activities for pupils.

Procedure

I. WARM UP

What do you know about Ireland? Choose the correct answer.

1) What is the population?

a) 3. 5 million;

b) 13. 5 million;

c) 35 million

2) What language do people usually speak?

a) Irish;

b) English;

c) French.

3) What is the climate like?

a) hot and dry;

b) cold and snowy;

c) rainy and wet.

4) What is the capital?

a) Belfast;

b) London;

c) Dublin.

I. MAIN PART OF LESSON

• Reading

1. Read the brochure about Ireland and find the answers for Exercise 1.

IRELAND

The Republic of Ireland (Eire) has a population of about three and a half million people. The official language is Irish but people usually speak English. People call Ireland the "Emerald Isle" because it is a very green island. It often rains in Ireland. The countryside is beautiful and Irish people are very friendly

Have a great time in Dublin! There are wonderful shops, restaurants, music and night life. Walk around the busy streets, visit the museums or relax in one of the parks. Go to Trinity College Library. In the library, you can see the amazing Book of Kells from the 8th century.

Some of the best writers in the English language are from Ireland, for example, Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and James Joyce. See their portraits and letters in Dublin's Writers' Museum. Go to Blarney Castle and see the famous Blarney Stone. People say this stone has got magic powers and you become a brilliant speaker when you kiss it!

Explore Ireland: drive, walk or cycle around the beautiful coast and the green countryside. Stop in wonderful old towns and villages and visit castles and churches.

Horse riding, fishing, cycling and walking are popular activities. There are fantastic beaches, too. Try surfing or scuba diving— or just have a swim!

2. Read the brochure again. Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)?

1) Ireland is very green.

2) Irish people are not very friendly.

3) There are good shops in Dublin.

4) The stories of Swift, Wilde and Joyce are in English.

5) When you kiss the Blarney Stone, you become happy.

6) There are many historic buildings in Ireland.

7) Skiing is a popular activity

8) The beaches are very good.

» Speaking focus

1. What would you like to do or see in Ireland? Tell the class.

Example. I'd like to go surfing.

2. Complete the sentences about Scotland with these words. There are similar sentences in the brochure.

from, in (x2), of, to

1) Scotland has a population .... about five million people.

2) Have a great time ... Edinburgh.

3) Go... the new Museum of Scotland.

4) There are fantastic exhibits .... the museum.

5) Some of the best inventors are ... Scotland

» Writing

1. Look at the Key Words. Find more positive adjectives in the text.

Key Words: amazing, beautiful,fantastic, friendly, great

2. Write true and false sentences about your country with adjectives from Exercise 6.

Example:

Ternopil has got great beaches.

The parks in Kyiv are fantastic.

• Pair work

Pl reads out his sentences about Ukraine.

P2 tells if it is true or false.

VI. HOMEWORK

Look at the brochure about Ireland. Write a brochure about your country.