Amani Rogerson Amani Rogerson

Copy of The bigger, better comparatives lesson (cities)
Pre-intermediate (B1) level

Description

In this lesson students will practice forming comparatives in the context of cities. Students will also practice reading for inference during the exposure stage and speaking for fluency during the production stage. To set the context, students will look at photos of two different cities and describe the differences between them. Students will then read a text about a traveler comparing cities. We will then bridge from the text into the grammar of comparatives. Following the grammar highlight, students will review forming the comparatives during a hot-potato-style game. Afterwards, they will participate in several speaking activities, ending with a debate in which they try to convince their partner to travel to a city of their choice by contrasting it with their partner's choice.

Materials

Abc Powerpoint
Abc Fish
Abc Three Cities Text
Abc Powerpoint

Main Aims

  • To provide practice of comparatives in the context of cities/travel

Subsidiary Aims

  • To provide fluency speaking practice in a debate in the context of cities/travel
  • To provide inference reading practice using a text about friendly cities in the context of travel

Procedure

Warmer/Lead-in (3-5 minutes) • To set lesson context and engage students

A Tale of Two Cities: Two pictures of different cities will be presented "This is? Istanbul. This is? My city" Pretend I have never visited Istanbul. Describe Istanbul: How is it different from my city? Describe my city: How is it different from Istanbul? *Try to elicit some comparisons

Exposure (8-10 minutes) • To provide context for the target language through a text or situation

Three Cities Text: Show sts the text: "Please read. What did Tim do?" Discuss with your partner: "Which cities were friendly? Why do you think?"

Highlighting (5-10 minutes) • To draw students' attention to the target language

Grammar of comparatives Which city was friendly? (Rome or NYC) Which city was unfriendly? (Paris) What is the difference between Rome and Paris? "Rome is friendlier than Paris." Break down form --> adjective + than two syllable adj. ending in -y? y-->i + er *Using substitution show: 1. most adjectives? +er 1. adjectives ending in -e? + r e.g. safe (much) 2. one syllable ending in vowel + consonant? double consonant + er e.g hot, big (much) 3. longer words? more/less + adj. + -er e.g. expensive, beautiful 4. irregulars? cover good/better, bad/worse (much) why? "weird" *remember to drill pronunciation/stress

Clarification (5-10 minutes) • To clarify the meaning, form and pronunciation of the target language

1. Show adjectives and elicit comparative form: cheap, cold, new, old, small, big, hot, busy, noisy, beautiful, expensive, 2. Hot(ter) potato: Have the class form a circle Toss the ball and say "hot" Elicit "hotter" and have the student toss the ball Next student chooses another word, tosses the ball Next student says comparative form, etc.

Controlled Practice (8-10 minutes) • To concept check and prepare students for more meaningful practice

***In case of emergency, jettison this activity*** Which hotel? Assign students A or B Students will be shown pictures of two different hotels Tell students: "You're traveling with your friend and you need a hotel." However, As? You don't want to spend much money Bs? You love spending money Explain the difference between your hotel and your partner's "It is bigger than your hotel. It is cheaper than your hotel." etc. Try to convince them to stay at yours

Semi-Controlled Practice (8-10 minutes) • To concept check further and prepare students for free practice

Cocktail party: "You are traveling in NY. You're invited to a cocktail party. The people are very rich, in fact, they are much richer than you. You decide to boast. (mid-instruction ICQ: what is boasting? talk about yourself, proud) Use two students: have them read the script. Tell students: "You will walk around, when you meet someone, say: 1 statement, 1 boast Then move to another person. ICQ: What do you do when you meet someone? Who do you talk to?

Free Practice (8-10 minutes) • To provide students with free practice of the target language

As students move to sit down from last activity, tell them to choose a different seat. A Tale of Two Cities, Encore 1. Ask students to write down the name of a city they want to visit. *"It can not be the same as your partner's" 2. You are your partner are going on a trip together. But you can only go to one city. Explain to your partner why your city is better than theirs.

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