Урок англійської мови "Life: past - present - future"
Life: past – present - future
Objectives:
- to practice listening for specific information;
- to train and improve the students’ skills in making a discussion;
- to compare life in the past and life in the present;
- to summarize and analyze information about life in the future;
- to write an article about life in the future.
Materials: Virginia Evans, Jenny Dooley ‘Enterprise 3’, a PowerPoint Presentation, a poem “Will the white man understand”, a song “What a wonderful world”, a poem “Life”.
LESSON PROCEDURE
I. Warm up
Slide 1
Teacher: - Good morning, students. The topic of our lesson today is “Life: past – present – future”. We are going to speak about life in the past, life in the present and life in the future and compare them.
So, let’s start our work. First, read the quotations about life and think of your own attitude to life. Is your attitude to life optimistic or pessimistic? Are you optimists or pessimists?
Slide 2
Quotations:
Pessimists: “Life is a journey, with problems to solve and lessons to learn.”
Optimists: “Life is a journey, with problems to solve and lessons to learn, but most of all, experiences to enjoy.”
Teacher: - Well, if you think your attitude to life is optimistic, take your seats on the first row. You are optimists. And if you think your attitude to life is pessimistic, take your seats on the second row. You are pessimists. (Students take their seats.)
Now, let’s read aloud these quotations as the mottos of your groups. (Students read the mottos in chorus.)
Teacher: - So, you are ready to work. Now I want you to look at the board and revise some expressions and linking words which you should use during the discussion. (The expressions are written on the blackboard. Students read them in chorus.)
Discussion:
Expressions:
- I think …
- In my opinion …
- To my mind …
- Let me say that …
- I agree with you.
- I think you are right.
- Sorry for interrupting but …
- I am of a different opinion.
- I don’t agree with you.
- I don’t think so.
Linking similar ideas: Linking opposing ideas:
- Also … - But …
- Furthermore … - However …
- In addition … - On the other hand …
- Moreover …
- What is more …
II. Main Part
Slide 3
Part I: Life in the past and life in the present
Teacher: - Let’s speak about life in the past and life in the present and compare them.
Task 1: (Exercise 12, p. 46 – D2/13):
Teacher: - Read the table, then listen to the tape and fill in the missing information.
Slide 4
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100 years ago |
Now |
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- people travelled by (horse) and carriage or by (train) |
- we use (cars) and aeroplanes |
|
- most people died before they were (fifty) years old |
- the average lifespan is about (seventy-five) years |
|
- many children had to (work) |
- all children go to (school) |
|
- cities were (smaller) and more people lived in the countryside |
- cities are much (bigger) and full of huge (blocks) of flats |
|
- people communicated by (writing) to each other |
- we communicate by (telephone, fax) and e-mail |
Teacher: - What life was better according to this information: life in the past or life in the present? So, as the information is more pessimistic about the past and more optimistic about the present, I would like to ask pessimists to talk about the past and optimists will tell us about the present.
Pessimists: A hundred years ago people travelled by horse and carriage or by train.
Optimists: But now, we use cars and aeroplanes.
Task 2: (Exercise 7, p. 90 – D3/18):
Teacher: - Listen to the tape and mark the statements about the past true (T) or false (F).
Slide 5
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Teacher: - What life was better according to this information: life in the past or life in the present? So, as the information is more optimistic about the past and more pessimistic about the present, I want optimists to talk about the past and pessimists will tell us about the present.
Optimists: In the past families used to spend more time with each other.
Pessimists: Today families spend less time with each other.
Task 3: (Exercise 9, p. 90):
Teacher: - Use adjectives from the list and compare life today with life in the past. Optimists should make only positive statements about the present. Pessimists should make only negative statements about the present. Write sentences using the comparative degree of the adjectives.
(Students write down the exercise into the exercise-books.)
Slide 6
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Adjectives: dangerous, noisy, relaxed, complicated, quiet, safe, stressed, simple.
Optimists: Life today is less dangerous than life in the past. Pessimists: Life today is more dangerous than life in the past. |
Slide 7
Part II: Problems of the present life
Teacher: - So, you see, some people think that life today is better than life in the past. Other people disagree and think that life today is much worse than life in the past.
Let’s speak about the problems of our planet today.
Task 4: (Exercise 4, p. 79 – D3/12):
Teacher: - Listen to the tape and read the article about the problems of our planet. While listening to the text pessimists must underline sentences which describe major problems of our planet. And optimists must underline sentences which describe solutions to these problems.
Pessimists: - One of the major problems is the destruction of the rainforests. They are home to half the world’s species and to millions of people. Moreover, the rainforests clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen. As a result, birds and animals lose their homes and die. This destruction is also bringing about changes in the climate, air pollution, flooding, drought and famine.
Another big problem is water pollution. Factories are polluting our rivers and lakes with dangerous chemicals. Oil tankers are releasing thick, black oil into our oceans. Tons and tons of industrial and domestic waste are poured into our seas. Consequently, sea life is threatened with extinction.
Air pollution is another important issue. The cars and factories in and around our cities are giving off dangerous fumes. In the past few years, more and more people than ever before have developed allergies and breathing problems. If we don’t do something now, our cities will become impossible to live in.
Teacher: - You see there are a lot of problems with our environment. Are there any solutions to these problems? What are they?
Optimists: - Fortunately, it is not too late to solve these problems. We have the time, the money and even the technology to prepare the way for a better, cleaner and safer future. We can plant trees and adopt animals. We can create parks for endangered species. We can put pressure on those in power to take action. Together we can save our planet. All we need to do is open our eyes and act immediately.
Task 5: (Exercise 3, p.85 – D3/14):
Teacher: - Nowadays genetically engineered food has become another big problem. Now listen to the tape and read the article about genetically engineered food. While listening to the text optimists must underline sentences which describe advantages of genetically engineered food. And pessimists must underline sentences which describe disadvantages of genetically engineered food.
Optimists: - Some people believe that genetic engineering could be the solution to the problem of famine. Plants which grow faster, or cows which produce more milk, can save the lives of starving people.
Pessimists: - The effects of genetic engineering on our health are not known. Many of the genes which are used are not part of our diet so we do not know how dangerous they may be. For example, people can develop allergies to food which has been genetically engineered. The effects of genetic engineering on the natural world may be disastrous. The engineers may create life forms that we cannot control. The new life forms have no natural habitat or home. They will have to find one, fight for one – or kill for one.
Teacher: - As you see, genetic engineering can give us a better, healthier and longer life. On the other hand, it may be a dangerous experiment with nature. Some people say: “The Earth doesn’t belong to us, but we belong to the Earth.” And we must remember that and take care of nature.
Task 6: (Exercise 1, p. 78 – D3/11):
Teacher: - Listen to the Native American poem about the problems of our planet.
Slide 8
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Only when all the rivers have run dry and all the fish in the sea have died Only when all the rainforests have been burnt down and there is no food for the animals Only when all the blue skies have been filled with smoke and the cities of the world have choked Will the white man understand that it’s too late to save the Earth.
(Native American poem)
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Teacher: - You have learnt this poem by heart. So, who wants to recite it to the class? (Some students recite the poem.)
Slide 9
Part III: Life in the future
Teacher: - Our life changes every moment. As they say, we make our future today.
Task 7: (Exercise 3, p. 44 – D2/11):
Teacher: - You are going to listen and read a newspaper article about what our lives will be like in the year 2050. While listening to the text optimists must underline sentences which describe changes for the better. And pessimists must underline sentences which describe changes for the worse.
Optimists: Changes for the better:
- by 2050 robots will be doing the housework
- we might only cook for fun
- man will regularly visit Mars
- there will be no cars in the city centres
- environmentally-friendly electric or solar-powered cars will have replaced the cars we use nowadays
- scientists will use genetic engineering to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS
- we’ll have a much healthier society
Pessimists: Changes for the worse:
- people will make friends through the Internet
- a large number of people will even come across their future husbands or wives through the Internet
- we will become much more isolated
- abilities such as mental arithmetic won’t be necessary
- writing by hand will become a thing of the past
- we will be eating ready-made food
- pollution will continue to get worse and our planet will become impossible to live on
- we will have to pay for clean air
- computers will become absolutely essential
Task 8: (Exercise 13, p. 47):
Teacher: - Read the following predictions and reasons for life in the future and decide which are optimistic and which pessimistic. Then, expand these ideas into complete sentences by joining them with linking words because or as. Optimists should write only positive predictions about life in the future. Pessimists should write only negative predictions.
(Students write down the exercise into the exercise-books.)
Slide 10
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Teacher: - Now use your notes and tell us about what life will be in the year 2050.
Optimists:
- Pollution levels in cities will decrease as scientists will invent environmentally-friendly cars.
- People will live longer because scientists will find cures for many diseases.
- We will be going on holiday to other planets as space travel will improve.
- We will be doing more creative jobs because computers will be doing the most boring jobs.
Pessimists:
- There will be no more rainforests as we will cut them all down.
- People will be living in cities under the sea because normal cities will become too crowded.
- People will become poorer as there will be fewer jobs.
- Crime will increase because more people will be without work.
Task 9: A PowerPoint Presentation “Life in 2050”.
Teacher: - Your home task was to make a PowerPoint Presentation “Life in 2050”. Now present your work to the class.
Slide 11
“Life in 2050”
Slide 12
Plan:
- People and relationships in the year 2050.
- Education and medicine in the year 2050.
- Space exploration and travel on other planets.
- Travel on our own planet.
- Damaging the environment.
- The future of Cyberspace.
Slide 13
People and relationships in the year 2050
I think that friendship – one of the most important human relationships – will have changed dramatically. The world’s getting quicker all the time and we have no time for talking. Because of computers, which will have become absolutely essential by 2050 we will have little real human contact. Even now many people make friend through the Internet because they haven’t them in reality.
Slide 14
We will be living faster, but will we be living better?
Not long ago people believed that in the future we would work less, have more free time, and be more relaxed. But today we work harder, work longer hours, and are more stressed than 10 years ago. We walk faster, talk faster, and sleep less then previous generations. And although we’re obsessed with machines which save us time, we have less free time than our parents had. We’re always trying to do more things in less time and, as a result, our lives are more stressful. So, if we don’t slow down, we won’t live as long as our parents. For most people, faster doesn’t mean better.
Slide 15
Education in 2050
Education will have changed a lot too. Perhaps there will be no more real schools in the future, so we will study near our computers – virtual teachers will be giving the lessons from the computer screen. What is more, certain abilities, like mental arithmetic, won’t be necessary as there will be computer programs for most calculations.
Slide 16
Medicine in 2050
I think a lot of diseases will be cured in the future. If scientists manage to find a cure for cancer and AIDS, we will have a much healthier society. On the other hand, new diseases will have appeared – it’s going to be a balance.
Slide 17
Space exploration and travel on other planets
Space exploration will become increasingly popular. Maybe we will be flying off for a holiday on the other planets like Mars or Venus. To be honest, I don’t think space travel is going to happen for a lot longer.
Slide 18
Travel on our own planet
I think by the year 2050 travel on our own planet will have changed a lot. People will travel more, transport will become faster and cheaper. In my opinion, everyone will have personal car, plane, shuttle or something like this. What is more, because of problem with fossil fuels we might see more solar-powered cars, electric trains, different forms of transport – it will have replaced the cars we use nowadays.
Slide 19
Damaging the environment
By the year 2050 we will have started using cleaner forms of energy and environmentally-friendly cars. In addition, we will have discovered a way to get rid of rubbish without damaging the environment. On the other hand, there will be fewer wild animals and, because of too many kinds of machines, the rivers, lakes and seas will have become too dirty to swim in.
Slide 20
The future of Cyberspace
In the last 30 years, the Internet has grown dramatically. In 1983, there were only 200 computers connected to the Internet; now there are around 50 million and this growth is clearly going to continue.
Slide 21
Some experts are pessimistic about the future. One worry is the activities of cybercriminals. Even now, young hackers can get into the computers of banks and governments. In the future, cyberterrorists may ‘attack’ the world’s computers, cause chaos, and make planes and trains crash.
However, many people are optimistic about the future of the Internet. Already, users can buy books, find out about holiday offers, book tickets, and get all sorts of information from the Internet. They also believe that we will get entertainment from the Net and that television will probably disappear.
Slides 22-23
Virtual reality
Some specialists see our future in virtual reality – the use of computers with sounds and images that make you feel as if you are in a real situation. Moreover, people will be living and working in virtual offices, shop in virtual supermarkets, and we will even study in virtual schools.
Teacher: - I’d like to tell you that life is the best and the most amazing thing on the Earth. And it is our duty to save life on our planet for ourselves and for the next generations.
Now I want you to recite the poem by the outstanding person, Mother Teresa in chain. I hope it will teach you that life must be the most valued thing of all.
Slide 24
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LIFE by Mother Teresa Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is costly, care for it. Life is a wealth, keep it. Life is love, enjoy it. Life is a mystery, know it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.
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IIІ. Homework
Teacher: - So, we have discussed both optimistic and pessimistic predictions for life in the future. Your home task will be to write an article entitled “What kind of life can a child born in the year 2050 expect?” (Exercise 15, p.47) Write your article using ideas from the previous exercises and the plan. Do not forget to use appropriate language to express your opinions (I think, I believe, In my opinion, Furthermore, Moreover, etc. The beginning and ending have been written for you.)
Slide 25
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Article “What kind of life can a child born in the year 2050 expect?”
Plan INTRODUCTION Para 1: How will a child feel when he opens his eyes in the year 2050? I think life will be very different then. MAIN BODY Para 2: state optimistic predictions and reasons Para 3: state pessimistic predictions and reasons CONCLUSION Para 4: In conclusion, whatever the future brings, I believe that children’s lives will certainly be very different in the year 2050.
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Teacher: - Are you satisfied with your work today? Tell me five things you have learnt at the lesson.
Your discussion was interesting and productive. It was a great pleasure to listen to you. I am very satisfied with the work of the class.
Teacher: - Now I want you to listen to the song by the American musician, Louis Armstrong “What a wonderful world”. Listen to the song and put the couplets in the correct order.
Slide 26
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What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white, The bright sunny day and the dark starry night, And I think to myself What a wonderful world. I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you, And I think to myself What a wonderful world.
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow. They’ll learn much more than you’ll ever know. And I think to myself What a wonderful world. Yes, I think to myself What a wonderful world.
The colours of the rainbow so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of the people going by. I see friends shaking hands, Saying, “How do you do?” They’re really saying “I love you.”
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Teacher: - Well let’s read the lyrics of the song. Well done, and now let’s sing this song.
Slide 27
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What a wonderful world I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you, And I think to myself What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white, The bright sunny day and the dark starry night, And I think to myself What a wonderful world.
The colours of the rainbow so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of the people going by. I see friends shaking hands, Saying, “How do you do?” They’re really saying “I love you.”
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow. They’ll learn much more than you’ll ever know. And I think to myself What a wonderful world. Yes, I think to myself What a wonderful world. |
Teacher: - Our lesson is coming to the end. In conclusion I’d like to ask you to take care of your life, enjoy every single moment of your life and admire the wonderful world we live in. Goodbye!
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