"Union Jack. History and legends of the British flag"

Цели: научить учащихся обобщать и использовать на практике в устной и письменной речи полученную на уроке информацию по теме.

Задачи урока:

• расширить и закрепить лингвострановедческие знания;
• познакомить учащихся с историей страны изучаемого языка, ее легендами;
• научить учащихся монологическим высказываниям, научить рассуждать по заданной теме;
• развивать интерес к учебно-познавательной деятельности на английском языке;
• развивать умение учебного сотрудничества на уроке.

Оборудование:

• Мультимедийное оборудование (Презентации: "Saint George, the patron saint of England", "Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland", "Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland")
• Флаги четырех стран и объединенного королевства.
• Плакат "The Making of the Union Jack" (из презентации Приложение 4)
• Герб Росии
• Опорные таблицы и картинки
• Карточки с тестами для проверки.

KEY WORDS:

patron saint - святой покровитель

coat-of-arms - герб

crucifixion - распятие

crusade - крестовый поход

persecution - преследование

martyr - предать мученической смерти

torture - пытка

to plead - просить (в защиту кого-либо)

to profess - открыто заявлять

execution - казнь

remains - останки

hermit - отшельник

sacrifice - жертва

scale - чешуя

sword- меч

Gospel - Евангелие

a saltire- "косой" крест (шотланский термин)

priest -священник

to be abducted - быть похищенным

escape - бежать (от преследования)

bishop- епископ

baptize- крестить

pagan - неверующий

doom - страшный суд

banish- изгонять

paganism - языческий

Trinity - триединство

Father, Son and Holy Spirit - отец, сын и святой дух

1. Before you start

Look at the photos. What do you know about the Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack?

Pupil: The British flag, known as the Union Jack, is a combination of three flags: the Saint George's cross, the Saint Andrew's cross and the Saint Patrick's cross. They represent England, Scotland and Ireland. Wales isn't  represented in the Union Flag: the Welsh have their own flag.

2. Listen to a poem and answer my question: How does the author call Union Jack?

Waving the flag as he fell to the ground -
While the locals rejoiced in liberation.
So take those ice cold islands back -
Almighty Union Jack! A thousand
Victories will be behind you, in royal
Fashion the colonies, the land swept up
In the naval destruction out at sea.
No wire to the U.K. - no moral
Ground can prepare us to die at
Falkland Sound.
So take those ice cold islands back
Almighty Union Jack! A thousand
Victories will be behind you, when will
We learn to cease the fire. My friends
In modern times - we need a better way.

Match the flags to their countries and to their Patron Saints:

Pupil: The Saint Patrick's cross is the flag of Ireland. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland                                                  

Pupil: The Saint George's cross is the English flag. Saint George is the patron saint of England

Pupil: The Welsh flag shows a dragon. Saint David is the patron saint of Wales                                

Pupil: The Saint Andrew's cross is the Scottish flag. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland)

Teacher: Well, today we'll speak about the Patron Saints of Great Britain and how was Britain's history and legends reflected in its flag. Еvery country in the UK has its own patron saint who in times of great peril is called upon to help save the country from its enemies.

Watching and Reading

Teacher: And now you'll watch a Presentation about Saint George, the patron saint of England. 

You'll read the legend in the Presentation. Then I'll give the text where you must:

a) fill in the missing sentences in the legend;

b) answer some questions.

Ex. 1 Reading Test

The Legend of St. George and the Dragon

St. George travelled for many months by land and sea until he came to Libya. Here he met a poor hermit who told him that everyone in that land was in great distress, for a dragon had long ravaged the country.

'Every day,' said the old man, 'he demands the sacrifice of a beautiful maiden and now all the young girls have been killed. (1) The king of Egypt will give his daughter in marriage to the champion who overcomes this terrible monster.'

When St. George heard this story, he was determined to try and save the princess, so he rested that night in the hermit's hut, and at daybreak set out to the valley where the dragon lived. When he drew near he saw a little procession of women, headed by a beautiful girl dressed in pure Arabian silk. (2) The knight spurred his horse and overtook the ladies. He comforted them with brave words and persuaded the princess to return to the palace. Then he entered the valley.

As soon as the dragon saw him it rushed from its cave, roaring with a sound louder than thunder. (3) But St. George was not afraid. He struck the monster with his spear, hoping he would wound it.

The dragon's scales were so hard that the spear broke into a thousand pieces and St. George fell from his horse. Fortunately he rolled under an enchanted orange tree against which poison could not prevail, so that the venomous dragon was unable to hurt him. Within a few minutes he had recovered his strength and was able to fight again.

(4) Once more he refreshed himself from the orange tree and then, with his sword in his hand, he rushed at the dragon and pierced it under the wing where there were no scales, so that it fell dead at his feet.

1. The king's daughter alone remains, and unless we can find a knight who can slay the dragon she will be sacrificed tomorrow.
2. The princess Sabra was being led by her attendants to the place of death.
3. Its head was immense and its tail fifty feet long.
4. He smote the beast with his sword but the dragon poured poison on him and his armour split in two.

Watching and understanding

1. When was St George's emblem adopted by Richard the Lion Heart and brought to England?
2. Where did the king's soldiers wear St George's emblem?
3. How is St George usually depicted?
4. What myth was the legend of St. George and the Dragon derived from?

Grammer

Часть прозвучавшей истории - миф, легенда, вымысел. Отсюда использование слова legend, а также tradition в значении предание. Оборот tradition has it переводим русским по преданию.

Строя предположения, можно использовать глагол believe в значении полагать, считать. Поскольку в текстах о святых покровителях предполагаемые события относятся к прошлому, второй глагол ставится в совершенном времени.

Данная конструкция присуща книжному языку. В живой речи будет проще передать эти мысли с помощью наречий probably - вероятно или perhaps - может быть.

Ex: The story of the Dragon was probably added later.

The story of the Dragon was added later perhaps.

- История о драконе, возможно, была добавлена позже.

In our culture

Teacher: Russia has a Christian saint on its coat-of-arms. Look at it, please. What do you think who is depicted on it? The Russian coat-of-arms is a golden two-headed eagle perched on a red heraldic shield. Above the eagle are three historical crowns of Peter the Great, and in its talons the eagle holds a scepter and an orb, while depicted on a red shield on its breast is a horseman slaying the dragon with his spear. As time went on, more changes were added to the coat-of-arms. The seals of Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible began to display on the eagle's breast an image of St.George the Victorious, the symbol of Moscow grand dukes.

As the official description has it, Russia bears on its coat-of-arms a representation not of St. George but of a mounted lancer smiting a dragon. Significantly, there is no nimbus around the rider's head. He did not begin to be identified with St. George until as late as the beginning of the 18th century. The documents of the 16th and 17th centuries, on the contrary, refer to him as a Rider of Light, and occasionally a Sovereign, Rider or Lancer (kopeishchik in Russian). The kopek coin owes its name to the latter word.

Teacher: What do you know about Andreevsky Flag?

Andreevsky Flag was the main ship ensign of Russian Fleet. It represented the white cloth crossed diagonally by two blue stripes. This explained the Flag's name.

Having become a tsar, Peter I gave much attention to elaboration of flag's designs. From 1692 till 1712 Peter I drew eight drafts of the flag. The last 8th and final version was described by Peter: "Flag is white, across it there is blue Andreevsky Cross for the sake of that Russia was christened by him". Apostle Andrei was the first who was called up by Christ. Because of that he was named Pervozvanny (first-called). Since that time St Andrew has been the Patron Saint of Russia and St Andrew's flag became the symbol of the Russian naval jack

In such form Andreevsky Flag spread above Russian Fleet till November 1917. When communism fell in Russia, and Yeltsin defended democracy, you could see the old tricolor of the flags in the crowds and this one. On January 17, 1992 the Russian Government passed a resolution about returning status to Andreevsky Flag. On the Navy's Day, July 26, there was ceremony of hauling down the Soviet Navy Flag and hoisting Andreevsky Flag on all ships of Russian Fleet.

Teacher: Scotland has its own patron saint - St Andrew. The Scottish flag of St Andrew is the most ancient flag in the world. Let's watch the next Presentation

Watching and understanding

When did Andrew become the patron saint of Scotland?

Who was St Andrew?

What did he preach in Asia and along the shores of the Black Sea?

Listening

Ex. 3 Listen and complete the notes about Union Jack.

Teacher: Listen to the text again and complete the notes about Union Jack.

Scotland was an independent Kingdom, often at war with England (from XIth to XVIth century), until 1603 when King James VI of Scotland (the son of Mary I) became also King James I of England. After James I succeeded to the throne, the Cross of St. George (English flag) was combined with the cross of St Andrew in 1606. King James I ordered that the Union Flag should be flown on the main mast of all British ships, except on ships of war. In 1651 Scotland was united with England and Wales. In 1707 the Act of Union was passed under which Scotland and England became a united part, but the Scots kept their own legal system, religion and administrative systems and still keep them now.

The term Union Jack may come from the 'jack-et' of the English or Scottish soldiers; or from the name of James I who originated the first union in 1603.

 name ordered was combined an independent

soldiers Wales a united part

 Scotland was _______________Kingdom, often at war with England (from XI-th to XVI-th century), until 1603 when King James VI of Scotland (the son of Mary I) became also King James I of England

After James I succeeded to the throne, the Cross of St. George (English flag) ______________with the cross of St Andrew in 1606.

King James I _________that the Union Flag should be flown on the main mast of all British ships, except on ships of war.

In 1651 Scotland was united with England and _______.

In 1707 the Act of Union was passed under which Scotland and England became____________, but the Scots kept their own legal system, religion and administrative systems and still keep them now.

The term Union Jack may come from the 'jack-et' of the English or Scottish __________; or from the ________of James I who originated the first union in 1603.

KEY: 1. an independent; 2. was combined; 3. ordered; 4. Wales; 5. a united part; 6. soldiers, name

Teacher: And now you'll watch a Presentation about Saint Patric, the patron saint of Ireland.

Watching and understanding

Saint Patric's real name was Magonus Saccatus Patricius. Tell me, please, when was he born?

What are his symbols?

What number was the most sacred and magical in Ireland?

When was the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland signed?

Teacher: Listen to the Irish Blessing (благословение) and say why did the Irish choose this plant as the national emblem of their country

'Twas Saint Patrick himself, sure, that set it;
And the sun of his labor with pleasure did smile,
And with dew from his eye often wet it.
It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland
And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

Teacher

Today at the lesson we have studied a lot of interesting information about the UK. Look at the poster "The Making of the Union Jack" please. Let's summarize:

The formation of the Union Flag (Union Jack) came about as the result of the progressive merging of the inhabitants of the British Isles under one throne.

1603 - ?

Pupil: King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne and became King James I of England.

1606 - ?

P: The National Flags of Scotland and England were united for use at sea, thus making the first Union Flag.

1707 - ?

P: During the reign of Queen Anne, the first Union Flag was by royal proclamation made the National flag of Great Britain, for use ashore and afloat.

1801 - ?

P: Ireland was united with Great Britain and the present Union Flag was formed.

Teacher: England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland were all joined together and called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The name was later changed to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland when the greater part of Ireland left the United Kingdom in 1921.

As you see the Union Flag consists of the three heraldic crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patric. The Union Flag is flown on government buildings on days marking: the birthdays of members of the Royal family, Commonwealth Day, Coronation Day, The Queen's official birthday, Remembrance Day and on the days of the State Opening and prorogation of Parliament.

It is also flown on St David's Day (Wales), St George's Day (England), St Andrew's Day (Scotland), and St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland).

But, what do you think why is Wales not represented on the Union Flag?

Pupil: The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with England from the 13th century. In 1536, under Henry VIII, the Act of Union joined England and Wales officially.

Teacher: But what if Wales was represented, what would the flag look like? In November 2007, a Welsh member of parliament, Ian Lucas, asked the Parlament, why is Wales not represented in the Union Jack. Look at Ian Lucas' version of the Union flag with Wales represented.

Does the Union Flag as we know it, have a future?

At the moment, the countries representing the UK, are still united under one flag. How long this will be so, no one knows. Even now, each of the countries which form the United Kingdom, is fighting for its own independence. Will the Union flag be replaced by four separate flags or will all the flags and the Union Jack, be replaced by something else? Only time will tell.

Приложение 1, приложение 2, приложение 3, приложение 4, приложение 5.