Unit 1 - Lesson 1 |
Wednesday, September 24
Today's Goal: To practice listening and writing. To discuss U.S. culture.
Agenda:
1. Speaking warm-up with the New York Times
2. Practice listening with a clip from Fargo; introduction to dialect map
3. Reading & writing practice to discuss "What makes an American?"
Today's Goal: To practice listening and writing. To discuss U.S. culture.
Agenda:
1. Speaking warm-up with the New York Times
2. Practice listening with a clip from Fargo; introduction to dialect map
3. Reading & writing practice to discuss "What makes an American?"
Warm Up - Headline Chats
Instructions: 1. In pairs, look at today's front page headlines from The New York Times. 2. Discuss the following questions together:
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Activity #1 - 'Fargo' Listening
Topics: U.S. Culture & listening
Clip from Fargo
Let's try to understand a type of American English that may be quite different from the type of English you are used to listening to in class.
Topics: U.S. Culture & listening
Clip from Fargo
Let's try to understand a type of American English that may be quite different from the type of English you are used to listening to in class.
fargotranscript.docx | |
File Size: | 109 kb |
File Type: | docx |
fargo_listening_worksheet.docx | |
File Size: | 104 kb |
File Type: | docx |
American Dialects
People in North America do not all speak the same type of English. The varieties and accents can be so different, that it is sometimes difficult even for a native speaker to understand people from different regions! If you would like to practice listening to different types of "North American English", the button below will lead you to a wonderful website full of many audio files of real speakers from different regions.
People in North America do not all speak the same type of English. The varieties and accents can be so different, that it is sometimes difficult even for a native speaker to understand people from different regions! If you would like to practice listening to different types of "North American English", the button below will lead you to a wonderful website full of many audio files of real speakers from different regions.
Activity #3 - What is an American?
Topics: U.S. Culture, speaking, reading & writing 1. What is the population of the U.S.? |
2. What do you know about the makeup of America?
- For example: ethnic makeup, state distribution, etc.
3. Consider this list of ethnic groups. Quickly draw a pie chart to show roughly how the American population breaks down:
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4. Scan the article “Is Spanish a Measure of Hispanic?” for answers to the following questions:
- When do Patricia Arias and Jorge Ignacio speak English?
- How does Richard Rodriguez describe himself culturally?
- According to the article, what are the two facets of Latinos in the New York metropolitan region?
- Which group of Latinos prefers Spanish, and which group prefers English?
- For whom does this division in cultural identity cause a problem? Why?
Follow-up questions:
- Are there other populations in NYC who may have a similar dilemma described in the article?
- Who are they and what could be the issue?
5. Journal Entry
Throughout the course, the teachers will ask you to write journal entries. These are informal writing samples for you to practice new vocabulary, grammar, and expressing your thoughts. They are also for you and your teachers to see your progress and improvements in English. You may be asked to publish your journal articles on our class blog!
- “What is an American?”
- Consider commonalities between cultures, experiences, etc.
- Can this question really be answered? Why or why not?