What should you do in a lightning storm?

You are going to 

• listen to a short radio interview about lightning
• look at vocabulary connected with storms, thunder and lightning and extreme weather
• do a comprehension exercise

1) Discuss

Public domain

• What kinds of extreme weather do you have in your country?
• What are the most dangerous kinds of weather?
• What is lightning?
• Are you afraid of it?
• Have you ever been struck by lightning?
• Do you know anyone who has been struck by lightning?
• What should you do in a lightning storm?
• Should you swim in the sea?
• Are you safe in a car?
• What are "wellies" and is it OK to wear them in a thunderstorm?
• What happens when lightning strikes a plane?
• Can lightning strike twice in the same place?
• What's a myth? Can you think of any examples?

Suggested examples of extreme / dangerous weather (students may have more).
Highlight below
tornado  hurricane  blizzard  thunderstorm  flood  hurricane  drought  lightning  ice  fog  heatwave  gales / high winds monsoon






2) Listen
Listen to lightning engineer Rhys Phillips on BBC Radio 4's PM program talking about lightning. 
How many of the questions above do you hear the answers to?

listen to ‘Thunderbolts of lightning, very very frightening’ on Audioboo

Listen again.
A) Do the vocabulary match and listen again.
Then do the comprehension exercise below.

B) Now fill in the gaps in the summary.

Download exercises here




3) Discuss

• What other dangerous kinds of weather are there? Think of some examples. 
• What should you do to avoid being hurt?

4) Write
Turn the information about lightning into an advice leaflet.
or
Make an advice or information leaflet about weather in your country.





5) Check Vocabulary
Can you explain the meaning of these words?

More
Weather forecast Elementary, Intermediate, Listening, Upper Intermediate, Weather 

The Truth About British Rain - The Great British W...Advanced, Describing a cycle, IELTS, Life in the UK, Listening, Upper Intermediate, Weather, Writing

Suggestions and Advice (Why don't you...? / Have you tried?) Advice, Intermediate, Modal Verbs, Suggestions

Giving Advice - should / ought to / had better / must / have to / can't. Advice, Intermediate, Modal Verbs, Pre-Intermediate 




More on lightning

What is lightning? https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/science-schools-%E2%80%93-electricity-lightning-workshop-what-lightning

Lightning protection of aircraft https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/science-schools-%E2%80%93-electricity-lightning-workshop-aircraft-design

Making a news report https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/science-schools-electricity-lightning-workshop-making-a-news-report

Giving Advice - should / ought to / had better / must / have to / can't

You are going to

• practise the language of advice, obligation and prohibition
• watch a news clip about online safety and do a comprehension quiz

1) Discuss
A) What language do we use to give advice?
Think of examples...






B) Do you know how to give advice using these words? 

2) Speak
Look at the pictures in the presentation below.
The language is in order of strength - 5. Have to / Can't is the strongest / most urgent.
Make sentences using should / ought to / had better / must / have to / can't

Advice - should / ought to / had better / must / have to / can't from David Mainwood

3) Practise
Fill in the gaps with the correct word from the list.
Ex 1

Fill in the gaps with the correct word from the list.
Ex 2

Printable versions here

Ex 3 - Have To
Now try this Have To word order exercise here






4) Discuss
Online Safety
What online safety advice can you think of for people who use the internet?
Try and use should(n't) / ought(n't) to / had better (not) / must(n't) / have to / can't






5) Watch
Watch a news clip about online safety from CBS News (there is a short advertisement before the news item starts).

• What online activities do they mention? 
• Do they give any advice?

Look at the exercise below and answer the questions.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tips-for-safer-browsing-on-safer-internet-day/

Now do the comprehension exercise.

Printable worksheet here





6) Write
In groups prepare, discuss and take notes to write an advice leaflet or an online guide / webpage giving advice to people called "How to be safe online"






More
Suggestions and Advice (Why don't you...? / Have you tried?) Advice, Intermediate, Modal Verbs, Suggestions

Exposed (CEOP Video - Staying Safe Online) Discussion Activities, Elementary, Exposed - Staying Safe Online, Intermediate, Listening, Present Simple, Writing. Technology

60 Seconds - Things That Happen On The Internet Every 60 Seconds - Things That Happen On The Internet Every Sixty Seconds, Intermediate, Numbers, Technology,  Passive, Upper Intermediate

Cyber Bullying. How safe are you online?

You are going to 

• discuss being safe online and on social network sites
• listen to a discussion about cyber bullying
• do a gap fill exercise
• write a leaflet giving advice to people who use social network sites

1) Discuss
There has been a lot of talk recently about the risks of bullying and abuse on social networking sites. The NSPCC says nearly a fifth of children who use them have suffered a negative experience in the last year.

• Do you enjoy being online?
• Do you feel safe online?
• What bad things can happen on the internet?
• Has anything bad happened to you or anyone you know on the net?
• What can you do if anything bad happens to you online?
• What are trolls and what is trolling?
• What is cyber-bullying? Do you understand the words in the image below?

 

2) Listen
This listening clip is from BBC TV.  Dr Radha Modgil from BBC Radio 1’s The Surgery and the blogger Hannah Witton discuss how safe young people feel on the internet.

A) Listen. Don't worry if you don't understand everything. 
Answer these questions.

• What problems do they talk about?
• What advice do they give?

listen to ‘How safe do young people feel using the internet?’ on Audioboo

B) Now listen again and fill in the gaps in the exercise below.

Printable worksheet here






3) Discuss

• Do you agree with the advice Hannah and Rhada give?
• Is communication the best solution? Should parents and teenagers discuss these issues more?
• Do you agree that it the responsibility of parents to find out about the dangers of being online?
• Do you discuss the dangers of the internet with your friends / parents / children?
• What can we do about people who post anonymously?

4) Write
Using the ideas in the listening and any of your own ideas, write a leaflet giving advice to people who use soial network sites.

• Think of a title
• Use headings
• Think about the kind of language you could use (modal verbs for advice, conditionals, imperatives, suggestions...)
• Write an introduction - say who the leaflet is for and why it is necessary
• Describe some of the problems people can have on social network sites
• Give some advice / solutions

More
Hannah posted about the program on her blog. You can watch it here.
What does she say most people are like online?

Similar posts

Does more technology mean more communication? Communication, Crossword, IELTS, Intermediate, Technology, Upper Intermediate , Writing an argument 
  
Exposed (CEOP Video - Staying Safe Online) Discussion Activities, Elementary, Exposed - Staying Safe Online, Intermediate, Listening, Present Simple, Writing. Technology

Sexting: is technology endangering teenagers? Advanced, Discussion Activities, Health and Safety, IELTS, Listening, Sexting, Smartphones, Technology, Upper Intermediate

Should parents follow their children on facebook? Communication, Connectives, Intermediate, Internet, Linking words, Listening, Social networks, Technology, Upper Intermediate, Writing an argument

What is the weight of the human race?

You are going to

• talk about obesity, eating and health
• read a text and do a gap-fill (with differentiated options for FCE and IELTS students)
• listen to a radio discussion on obesity and do a true / false exercise
• look at / listen to some comments by Jamie Oliver on solutions to the obesity problem and do a gap-fill exercise
• write an IELTS style question on the subject of obesity, food and health
• do a crossword to practise the vocabulary used in this post

1) Discuss

• Do you have a healthy diet?
• What is a healthy / unhealthy diet?
• Do some nations have better diets than others?

2) Watch

In 2009 www.globalpost.com compiled a list of the Top 10 Fattest Countries in the world based on national health surveys WHO compiled between 2000 and 2008.

• What countries do you think were on the list?

Watch the video and find out.

3) Discuss

• Is your country on the list?
• What do you think causes people to become overweight?
• Why are we all getting fatter?

4) Read

The Obesity Epidemic
Why are we getting fatter?
Read the text below and do the gap-fill to find out

Exam options

• Click here if you want to do the same text adapted for FCE practice
• Click here if you want to do the same text adapted for IELTS practice

5) Listen

• What do you think is the combined weight of the human race? If you added all our weights together what would it come to?

Listen and find out

listen to ‘What is the weight of the human race?’ on Audioboo

Listen again and do the true / false exercise

 6) Read

• What solutions can you think of to prevent world obesity?

A) Read these quotes from a speech Jamie Oliver made at TED (or watch the clip below)
What solutions does he give?



B) Now fill in the gaps with the correct word from the list.

C) Look at the sentences again.

1. Which sentences describe the problem?
2. Which sentences offer solutions?
3. What language does Jamie use to emphasize the urgency for solutions? 

Answers - highlight below

1. 1 - 6  describe the problem
2. 8 - 14  offer solutions
3. Urgency - have (got) to, need to, it's (profoundly) important that... , it's time for..., most importantly

If you have time watch the clip.

http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html

7) Write (IELTS)

Plan and write the following essay
Obesity is becoming a serious problem in many countries. 
Explain the main causes and effects of this problem, and suggest some possible solutions. (250 words)

8) Crossword

Practise some of the vocabulary used in this post.

Printable worksheets are here
Crossword here

9) More

More reading and learning activities
Learning Activities

• Obesity http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/0602/060203-obesity.html
• Problems with Food http://www.eslhandouts.com/worksheets/problems-with-food-vocabulary-lesson/
• BBC Learning English - Fit or Fat? http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/britain/fit.shtml
• Supersize Me http://efllecturer.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/supersize-me.html

Reading

• 10 fattest countries
• USA is no longer the fattest country
• Body Mass Index 
• Physical activity guidelines for adults
• www.jamieoliver.com/

Obesity Calculator “Obese” is someone with a BMI of 30 or higher. Use this calculator by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to see how you score http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/efl-esl-resources.php?c=6

 

Air New Zealand All Blacks Flight Safety Video

You are going to

1) Discuss flying and air safety procedures
2) Watch a flight safety video and do some comprehension activities
3) Look at and practise the following grammar points;
   a) the zero conditional with an imperative
   b) "should" and "were to" in conditionals to express improbability eg "If something should / were to happen..."
   c) language for advice, instructions and obligation
4) Write an instruction / advice leaflet
5) Adapt your leaflet into a powerpoint presentation or film

Teacher's notes; 

1. Answers are in the powerpoint presentation at the bottom of the post

2. The All Blacks are the New Zealand rugby team.

1) Discuss

• How often do you fly?
• Do you pay attention to the flight safety demonstrations?
• Do you know what to do in an emergency?
• Make a note of any vocabulary you need to explain what to do. For example; take off, land, exit, signs, seats, fasten, seat-belt, life-jacket, oxygen mask, overhead compartments, evacuate

2) Video 
a) Do you know..?
You are going to watch a flight safety video. How many of these questions do you know the answers to?

1. Where should you store your baggage?
2. What should you do if the seat-belt sign is switched on?
3. If an oxygen mask should drop down in front of you, what would you do?
4. What should you make sure of before you help anyone?
5. If an emergency were to happen during take-off or landing, what should you do?
6. How do you put on the life-jacket?
7. Where can you smoke?
8. How will you find the exit if there is no light?
9. What should you count?
10. What should you do with your mobile phone?

2b) Watch the video to check your answers

Air New Zealand - 'Crazy About Rugby' Safety Video from CDow on Vimeo.

2c) After you watch. How much can you remember? 

Finish the sentences.

1. Even if you fly with us often, please keep your eyes on the briefing.
2. Make sure all your baggage is stored away…
3. Whether you’re in the front row or the back…
4. We recommend you keep your seat-belt fastened throughout the flight, but…
5. If the seat-belt sign is switched on…
6. If an oxygen mask should drop down in front of you…
7. If there are young ones around you…
8. If an emergency were to happen during take-off or landing…
9. If you find yourself needing to smoke on this flight…
10. If you need to find your way out even if it’s All Black…
11. Should we need to evacuate…
12. Mobile phones can interfere with aircraft systems and mustn’t be used in flight unless...

Can't remember them all?

Try the matching exercise below

3) Discuss Grammar

1. What do these sentences have in common?
2. What's the difference between them?

   A) If an oxygen mask drops down in front of you, use it to breathe.

   B) If an oxygen mask were to drop down in front of you, use it to breathe.

   C) If an oxygen mask should drop down in front of you, use it to breathe.

   D) Should an oxygen mask drop down in front of you, use it to breathe.

3. Which 3 are the most unlikely? 

Practise
If + "were to... "  http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/wereto.html
http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/conditional11.htm

Conditionals - Alternative forms http://esl.about.com/cs/advanced/a/gr_cond_alt_2.htm

4) Writing

Use the information from the video to write a flight safety advice leaflet.
or
Write a leaflet advising people what to do in an emergency
For example - A fire
Does your school or college have fire drills?
Do you know what to do and where to go if there was a fire?

Use some of the language from the video

• If the alarm were to ring...
• If the alarm should ring...
• Should the alarm ring...
• Make sure you...
• All students must...
• We recommend (that) you + verb

5) Speaking

Turn your leaflet from part 4 into a presentation or film.
Make a powerpoint presentation
or
direct and act in an instructional film telling people what to do in an emergency

6) Sporting vocabulary

This Air New Zealand video features the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team. There are many sporting expressions in the video. Read the transcript here http://lybio.net/air-new-zealand-crazy-about-rugby-safety-video/travel-events/  or watch the video again. How many can you find?

Make a note of any other vocabulary in the film that you find useful


 
More air safety videos http://www.carhire.org/blog/funny-flight-safety-videos


Powerpoint presentation (containing answers)
Click to start

Air safety from David Mainwood

More

• 3 Things I learned while my plane crashed by Ric Elias, Conditionals 1 and 2, Discussion Activities, IELTS, Listening, Reading, Upper Intermediate, Writing
• The very honest Austrian bus driver 2nd Conditional, Conditionals, Intermediate,
  Upper Intermediate
• What would happen if..? (2nd Conditional) Conditionals, Intermediate, Reading, Upper Intermediate, Webquest 
• What would have happened if..? 10 Inventors Killed by their own inventions (3rd Conditional).3rd Conditional, Advanced, Upper Intermediate Conditionals, Inventions, Inventors, Technology

 

 

8 Secrets of Success

You are going to

1. watch a clip and discuss what makes people successful 
2. match and discuss some quotes about success 
3. think of and agree on a motto or slogan for your class
4. do a quiz to find out if you could be a success
5. write about what makes a successful teacher / manager / student

1) Discuss. 

• What makes someone succesful?
• What do you think are the secrets of success?

2) Watch the clip.  
You are going to watch Richard St John. 
What are his eight secrets of success?




Answer (in black. Highlight here) =  Passion, Work, Focus, Push, Serve, Good, Have ideas, Persist. 



3) Match the quote to the person

Can you remember who said what? Match the quotes to the names on the left.

Watch the video again to check.

You can watch the clip and read a transcript here
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html

4) Discuss

• What do you think of the opinions in the quotes?
• Which do you agree with / disagree with?
• Do you think they are true? Why? Why not?
• What are the secrets of being a) a good student? ) b) a good teacher? c) a good leader / manager?

Read more famous quotes about success http://www.famouslifemottos.org/Success.html



5) Discussion / group work 
Slogans / Mottos. 
Make a slogan for your class or for yourself

Here are some slogans and mottos

·   The pen is in your hand, the rest is still unwritten

·   You only go around once in  this life, so you have to grab for all the gusto you can get.  - Schiltz Beer

·   Be all that you can be. – US Army

·   Just Do It. – Nike

·   Taking Care of Business.

More here  http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Advertising_slogans 

Activity - Work together. Can you think of a slogan or motto for your class? Think of some ideas and choose the best one for your class. Print it or turn it into a poster and put in on the wall!



6) Reading

Try these quizzes to find out if you will be successful 

http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/1AXiEX2/Will-you-be-successful

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Not-Take-The-Success-Quiz-Now?&id=280729

7) Writing 

Choose 1
What do you think are the secrets of being 
a) a good student?
b) a good teacher? 
c) a good leader / manager? 
Give reasons to support your ideas.


And so finally...

Job Interviews: Body Language - Making A Good First Impression

You are going to

• watch a clip and discuss how to create a good impression in a job interview.
• watch a clip with Judi James, one of the UK’s leading body language / behaviour experts, who will give you some advice on good body language
• answer the questions based on the clips, discuss and write an advice leaflet.

Video 1
Discussion - Job Interviews

• What advice would you give to someone going to a job interview?
• Think of some ideas and then watch the video to check. What are their Dos and Don'ts?

Answers in black - Highlight here =  Here are some; Dress well, Good handshake, Give a concise summary of your career and goals, focus and what can be improved about yourself, avoid answering personal questions by emphasising your professional life... and turn off your phone

Video 2

1) Discuss  

• What is body language?

Answer highlight here = Body language is a form of non-verbal communication, which consists of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements.

2) Who is Judi James?

Before you watch. Go here http://www.knightayton.co.uk/female-presenters/judi-james and find out

• Who is Judi James? 

3) Before you watch

Discuss the photos

4) Watch the clip and check your answers.  Then answer the questions below.

1) Make a great entrance
    How many seconds do you have to impress people when you first walk into an interview?
    What should you put on your face? 
    Why should you scan and look around the room?

2) A good handshake
    Why is a good handshake vital?
    What is a good handshake? 
    Where should you look?
    What should you remember to do? 

3) Posture
    What should you practise if you are nervous?
    Why should you sit well back?
    What should you do with your elbows and legs?

4) Hand Gestures
    Why shouldn't you fold your arms?
    Where should you keep your hands? 

5) Mirroring
    What is "mirroring"?
    Why should you do it?

Video link here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akLgnwZ4T_Q
or
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-can-i-make-a-good-first-impression-2

 

5) What can you remember?

Answer the questions in the quiz

Text here  http://www.videojug.com/film/how-can-i-make-a-good-first-impression-2




6) Reading - More information and advice for job interviews

• 10 most frequently asked interview questions 
• James Caan's top 10 tips to get a job
• Preparing for an interview
• http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/

 

 

7) Writing

• Write a leaflet giving advice to someone who is going to a job interview.
• Write a leaflet giving advice to someone who is looking for work.

Don't forget to use language for advice and obligation - You should / shouldn't / ought to / must / mustn't

And make suggestions - Why don't you..?  

See here for more language for advice and suggestions 

http://efllecturer.blogspot.com/2011/05/advice-and-suggestions-why-dont-you_02.html

Suggestions and Advice (Why don't you...? / Have you tried...? / You should...)

You are going to practise the language for giving advice and making suggestions

• Have you tried asking for help?  
• Why don't you see if you can lend a hand?  
• You should have a look at these problems and give some advice and suggestions.

Speak
Look at the presentation and follow the instructions

Language for Advice and Suggestions - why don't you.../ have you tried.../ you should... from David Mainwood