Reading for getting information

Разделы: Иностранные языки, Конкурс по английскому языку «Cambridge English Teacher»

Класс: 8

Ключевые слова: английский язык

ФОРМА УЧАСТНИКА КОНКУРСА CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH TEACHER

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Activity title:

reading for getting information

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Skill(s):

reading

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Level(s):

B1

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Exam part:

reading part 4

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Aim(s):

    to develop reading for gist (skimming)
  • inferring

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Materials needed:

Worksheet with a text, pictures which are connected with the text, other worksheets

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Preparation:

    to find a text
  • to find pictures
  • to prepare tasks for pre reading, while reading and post reading,
  • to prepare worksheets for every stage

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Procedure:

Step 1. Dividing into 2 teams.

Step 2. Giving children pictures and ask them to make a story according to the pictures «Crossing the world on a Rickshaw to see the Olympics».

Step 3. Giving them a text and working with unknown words.

Step 4. Reading the text and dividing it into three paragraphs. Choosing one main sentence which describes it and trying to explain a choice.

Step 5. Doing the task on True, False, Not stated.

Step 6. Giving your opinion using basic sentences.

Step 7. Making debates «for and against».

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Variation(s)

Depending on the level of students' proficiency in a foreign language, you can either not write a list of difficult words or write as many difficult words as possible with a translation. Also you can write reference phrase on the board to make a story «Crossing the world on a Rickshaw to see the Olympics».

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Reflections

After completing the task, discuss with the students which step of the task was the most difficult. Also you can ask what was interesting about the text. What was incredible for you? For my students the most exciting stage was debates, where they can give their opinion. There were some difficulties in making a story according to the pictures, as they have now imagination.

Worksheet «On the Rickshaw to see the Olympics»

1. Pre reading

A: Today we are going to read a very interesting story about a young man from China. Why is it interesting? Because he had an amusing travelling. But, before reading it, let's divide into 2 groups. So, you have some pictures. Think it over and try to make a story according to these pictures. It depends on your fantasy. (For weak children I write reference phrase on the board to make a story «Crossing the world on a Rickshaw to see the Olympics»).

B: After the groups have compiled and told their stories, I give the text and ask to work with the highlighted words. You can also write them out on the board or you can prepare cards with them. It is very important to translate by guesswork. That is, the teacher leads the children to the correct translation, and does not give a ready one. For example the word «heard» we can use physical response as touching the ear.

2. While reading

A: This stage makes it possible to focus on the idea of the text. First, you can ask the children to divide the text into paragraphs and find in each paragraph a keyword that gives a description of the entire paragraph: Now read the text. Divide it into three paragraphs. Choose one main sentence which describes it. Try to explain your choice.

B: Now I use the task True, False, Not stated:

  1. The story began in 1998.
  2. Chen Guan Ming was married.
  3. He cycled 90000 km.
  4. When he arrived to London he was alone, because he didn't have friends.
  5. In 2013 he turned back to London.
  6. He put his rickshaw on a ship to Mexico.
  7. Chen Guan Ming now lives in Canada.

3. Post reading

This stage is very important for the development of speech skills. First, we ask the children to express their opinion on the text using reference sentences:

  1. What I found most interesting about this text was ________________________
  2. What I found most boring about this text was ___________________________
  3. What I found most shocking about this text was _________________________
  4. What I found most informative about this text was ________________________
  5. What I found most irritating about this text was __________________________
  6. What I found most incredible about this text was ________________________

Now children are ready to express their opinion. As students work in groups, it is better to have a debate here. You can choose speakers and give them the opportunity to speak. They can also work in groups to prepare a speech. You can work on suggestions (for and against) or you can listen to the performance of each team. Give them a problem for the discussion:

  1. IT IS VERY COOL TO SPEND A PART OF YOUR LIFE ON TRAVELLING LIKE THIS.
  2. IT IS VERY BAD, AS YOU DON'T HAVE FAMILY OR PLACE TO LIVE.