Making Potato Chips - IELTS Describing a process / Passive

1. How do they make potato chips / crisps?
2. You are going to watch a video which shows the process 
3. You are going to write a description of the process using the passive and some sequencing words 

A) Look at these verbs. Check you know the meanings

manufacture / drop / move / take / wash / rinse / sort / peel / slice / fry / salt / shake / dry / cool / pack / seal / transport

B) Do you know the participles?

Highlight below for the answers

manufactured / dropped / moved / taken / washed / rinsed / sorted / peeled / sliced / fried / salted / shaken / dried / cooled / packed / sealed / transported

C) Check you know these words

conveyor belt / chute / tank / oil / packet

D) Using the present simple passive

• The passive is associated with an impersonal formal style. It is often used in notices, announcements and describing processes.
• Check you know how to make the present simple passive with this presentation

Passive present simple from David Mainwood

E) You can use these words to describe the sequence of events

• To begin with
• First of all
• Firstly
• Secondly, thirdly, etc
• Then
• Next
• After that
• Subsequently
• Eventually
• Finally

F) Watch the clip / Writing

• Describe the process using the vocabulary given above. Try and use as many passives as you can.
• Don't forget to say what the process is in the introduction. The video shows ...
• Write a final sentence which concludes the process. The crisps are now ready to be delivered to the shops.

G) Read about the manufacture of potato crisps here

http://www.hyfoma.com/en/content/food-branches-processing-manufacturing/fruit-vegetable-potato/potato/crisps/

H) Related reading for writing task 1 IELTS

• Natural Disasters -  BBC animated guides http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7533964.stm
• Descring a process http://www.ielts-exam.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=44

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...

Rough Guide to... Activity Holidays. Part 1 - Tenerife (Video clip / Online Research / Discussion)

Teachers note; Parts 3 and 4 of this lesson were designed as an online collaborative reading / writing activity. Students read about and choose activity holidays from a webpage and post, read and compare their choices in an online forum on a VLE (eg Moodle). They then vote for the best "class holiday" after reading all the choices. A blog page would also serve for this function. If you do not have these facilities then get the students sit around a table and discuss each other's choices in the normal way.

The Rough Guide to... is a travel series presented by Julia Bradbury and Toby Amies. 

You are going to 

• watch a clip from a holiday TV program and answer some questions
• go onto a website to choose an activity holiday for yourself
• answer some questions about the activity holiday you have chosen and describe it for the others in your class
• compare all your holidays and vote for  the best "class holiday."
• write about a country you would like to visit

1) Introduction / discuss

• What do you like doing on holiday?
• What is an activity holiday?
• How many holiday activities can you think of a) on water b) on land?
• Look at the activites in ex. B (below). How many would you like to do?
• What activities do you think you could do on the island of Tenerife?

Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands (Spain).









Watch the clip. What activities do you see?

 

2)  Rough Guide to Activity Holidays - Tenerife 

Before you watch look at the exercises and read the questions

A) True or false?

1. Tenerife is the largest of the 7 Canary Islands
2. It’s a package holiday dream with year round sunshine
3. It’s a 2 hour flight from the UK

B) Which of the following activities are mentioned?

Swimming	Skiing	Jet skiing	Water skiing	Surfing	Kite surfing
Wind surfing	Sailing	Caving	Cycling	Mountain biking	Mountain climbing

C) Answer the questions

Water- skiing

• Has she water-skied before?
• How much does a lesson with Reg cost?
• What was the water like?
• What does Reg tell her she will never forget?

Paragliding

• How high is the launch site?
• How do paragliders fly?
• What is their altitude?
• What adjectives does she use to describe the experience?
• How does she feel after the experience? What does she say?

Whale spotting

• How much does it cost to hire a yacht?
• What does she spot straight away?
• Does she see any whales? How many?
• How does she describe the experience?

Watch clip 2




Now answer the questions

 

 

 

3) Online reading and research

Now go here http://www.exodus.co.uk/activities-experiences to find out about some activity holidays.

Look at the list in the Activities and Experiences box on the left and choose the holiday activity you want to do. Then answer the questions below.

Answer the questions.

What is the activity?
How old do you have to be? (over 18?)
Where is it? (name of place and country)
How long will you go for (a week, 10 days)?
How much does it cost (and for how many days)?
Why do you want to do this activity? (Say why in 2 or 3 sentences)
Copy and paste the web page address
Copy and paste a photo

4) Group comparison activity

When you have finished copy and paste your answers (with the questions) into an online forum (if you have one) or print them. 

Compare them and find out;

·   Whose is the cheapest?

·   Whose is the most expensive?

·   Whose is the most dangerous?

Now discuss and vote for one holiday which you think would be best for your class. 

5) Writing

You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

Finished? 
Now go here and look at

Rough Guide to Activity Holidays - Laos


Worksheet + Answers

Rough Guide to Activity Holidays - EFL

View more documents from David Mainwood

Rough Guide to... Activity Holidays. Part 2 - Laos

You are going to

1) Watch a clip and do a gap-fill exercise

2) Write about a holiday you have had





This post can be done with
Rough Guide to Activity Holidays. Part 1 - Tenerife 









Watch
Toby Amies in Laos.
Watch the clip and fill in the spaces in the summary below.

Toby Amies in Laos
Toby wrote an article describing his trip. Fill in the gaps.

Write
Use Toby's article to write a description of a holiday you have been on.

• Introduction. Write 2 or 3 sentences to give a general description of the place and say why you went there.
• Main text. Give detailed descriptions of 3 or 4 activities you did there
• Conclusion. Give a recommendation. Explain why the reader should go there (a couple of reasons will be enough)

 
More
Rough Guide to Activity Holidays. Part 1 - Tenerife Discussion Activities, Intermediate, Listening, Reading, Rough Guide to Activity Holidays, Upper Intermediate, Writing

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

Question forms (Beginners > Elementary)

You are going to practise some activities to make questions. 

1) For beginner or elementary EFL students.

Ask the questions
Look at the answer, say the question.
Click the next page to see if you are right 

Question Forms - See the answer / Ask the questions from David Mainwood

2) For elementary EFL students.

Ask the questions
Look at the answer, say the question.
Click the next page to see if you are right.

Question Forms - See the answer / Ask the questions v2 from David Mainwood


 

Katie Melua on the BBC's 'This Week' discussing migration (ADV / IELTS)

Ketevan "Katie" Melua (born 16 September 1984) is a singer, songwriter and musician. Katie made her musical debut in 2003. In 2006, she was the United Kingdom's bestselling female artist and Europe's highest selling European female artist.

Official website http://www.katiemelua.com/

You are going to watch a video in which  Katie Melua talks about coming to live in the UK, migration, integration and being British. 

There are some questions to answer and discuss, and a writing activity (IELTS)

Before you watch
Check you know what these words mean here http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/ 

a) perception
b) fortunate
c) whinge
d) asylum
e) take advantage of something
f) "under one umbrella"
g) positive impact
h) integration
i) politically correct
j) immigrant



Look at the questions

1. Where did Katie come from?
   
2. How old was she when she came to Britain? 
3. Where did she and her family first move to? 
4. Why did they feel fortunate to move to the west? 
5. If she had stayed in Georgia, what did she think she would be doing now? 
6. What are the three different types of immigrants she mentions who come to the UK? 
7. Why does she say immigration should be celebrated? 
8. What does she say older immigrants should do to help integration?
9. What does she say the government should do to help integration?
10. How did she and her family feel when they got their British passports?
11. Why does she get angry with her English mates? 

Now watch



Answer the questions

Discussion

• Why do you think the media puts all the different kinds of immigrants "under one umbrella"?
• What are the positive contributions that immigrants make to the economy and society?
• What are the effects of migration on both the migrants and the natives?
• What can be done to avoid problems in the future?

Writing

To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a social and political issue in the 21st century? (250 words) (IELTS)

• Think about population, work, housing, education, health... What can be done to avoid problems in the future? Also think about culture - what are the effects of migration on both the migrants and the natives?

Reading

You might find these pages helpful for ideas, reading and vocabulary. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/special/migration/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/3523208.stm




Here is another video clip from Time Video which explores the same theme

For Berry

Christian – The Lion cub from Harrods

Teacher's note; This is really designed to be watched in a modern language lab on a computer with headphones however it can also be used in class. It is a long listening activity (22 minutes of a 50 minute documentary) aimed at upper intermediate students with discussion and writing activities to follow.


Available on amazon  Book   DVD

You are going to watch part of a documentary and answer some questions.
The documentary is about a lion cub who was bought as a pet in London and was then returned to the wild in Africa.

1) Discuss

• Would you like a lion cub as a pet?
• Where would you keep it?
• What problems do you think you would have?

You are going to watch a film about a lion cub in London.
Think of some questions you would like to know the answers to. eg
Where was the lion from?
How did he get to London?
etc



2) Watch
Watch the clip (00.00 – 22.25) and find the answers to your questions then answer the questions in the exercises below.

3) Answer

1) Quiz

2) Gap-fill for questions 21 - 30

4) What happened next? 

Do you think Christian survived?
A year later they went back to find out.
Watch what happened here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvCjyWp3rEk&feature=related

or watch the rest of the documentary here above.

5) Reading

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-452820/Christian-lion-lived-London-living-room.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14240681

What additional information about the story do you learn from the texts?
  

6) Discussion

• Do you think animals should be kept in zoos or should they be free?
• Do you think animals should have rights like people?
• Some people say we shouldn't wear animal skins or eat meat. Do you agree?

  

7) Writing

Choose 1

• Are our zoos cruel to wild animals? Discuss.
• Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals in zoos.
• To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?
• Human beings do not need to eat meat in order to maintain good health because they can get all their food needs from meatless products and meatless substances. A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat. Argue for or against the opinion above.
• Forests are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the world's forests amounts to death of the world we currently know. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Worksheet

Christian the lion cub (for EFL students) from David Mainwood

Asking Questions (Pre-Int > Int)

You are going to practise making questions

 




Speak
Ask the questions

• When you see the answer, say the correct question.
• Click the next page to see if you are right.

Question Forms - See the answer / Ask the questions v3 from David Mainwood

Online exercises

Fill in question words - Exercise 1 

Fill in question words - Exercise 2 

How to form questions (answer given) - Exercise 1 

How to form questions (answer given) - Exercise 2 

How to form questions (answer given) - Exercise 3 

Mistakes in questions - Exercise 1 

Mistakes in questions - Exercise 2 

Questions and answers - Exercise

Presentations: How to Present Yourself

You are going to

• discuss giving presentations
• watch 2 videos giving advice on doing presentations
• do some comprehension activities

It's quite common to have to do powerpoint presentations nowadays. You may have to do one for study, work or in a job interview. In some EFL or ESOL exams you may have to talk on a topic for 1 or 2 minutes. It's always best to plan first.  

Watch these videos and answer the questions to help you plan your presentations.

 

1) Discuss - Presenting Yourself

• Do you like giving presentations? 
• How do you feel when you give a presentation?
• Do you have any advice for giving presentations?
• In groups see how much you can find out from each other in a minute
• Write a list of tips. Then watch the clips to check your ideas and answer the questions.

 

2) Watch "Presentational skills" by Doug Jefferys

Answer these questions.
1. What are the top 3 fears?
2. What is interesting about "death"?
    He says that at a funeral "The person giving the eulogy would rather be __ ___ ____.
3. What do we associate eye contact with?
4. Why should we pause?
5. What examples of body language does he give?
6. What does he say about planning effective content?

Answers (in black). Highlight here
1. Speaking to a group of people, heights, insects and bugs
2. Its low place on the list. It's second from bottom.
    in the box
3. Veracity / telling the truth
4. To ingest the last thing you said
5. Don't put your hands in your pockets, rules are broken by people who "can" (= because they have charisma)
6. - 1) Tell them how you are going to bore them.
      2) Bore them.
      3) Tell them how you bored them.

 

3) Watch  "How To Give A Good Presentation"

What are these students' 5 steps to giving a good presentation?
Make notes.

Answers (in black). Highlight here.

1) Planning; make sure you know who your audience is
Is your aim to inform entertain or persuade your audience?

2) Dealing with nerves; you never look as nervous as you think you do, breathe deeply

3) Structure; Intro, Main body and conclusion

4) Body language; eye contact, move around, no hands in pockets, don't speak too loud or too quiet, smile, use appropriate humour

5) Visual Aids; Powerpoint, Video or real objects to make it more interesting. Don't bore the audience 

Can the advice here be used for any other activities you do when studying?  -  
Answer  =   Numbers 1 and 3 can be used for planning writing

Discuss 

What advice the 2 videos have in common?

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