Australia

Syfte

Förstå och tolka innehållet i talad engelska och i olika slags texter, samt formulera sig och kommunicera i tal och skrift. Även reflektera över livsvillkor, samhällsfrågor och kulturella företeelser i Australien.

Lärarens reflektioner

Jag började arbetsområdet genom att be eleverna brainstorma om Australien, vad vet de redan nu? Är det ”put another shrimp on the barbie”, surfare, Sydney eller aboriginer? Vad det än är så skriver jag upp deras påkomna ord/begrepp på whiteboardtavlan och vi reflekterar sedan tillsammans över orden. Ett annat tips om man har mini-whiteboards är naturligtvis att använda dem så att varje elev direkt kan hålla upp och visa vad de vet om landet i fråga.

Introduktion

Efter den inledande övningen går jag igenom arbetsområdets syfte, mål och kunskapskrav. Uppgiften är tudelad (step 1 and 2) och sedan kommer eleverna även få ett test längre fram få skriftligt reflektera kring skillnader/likheter Australien och deras egna erfarenheter emellan.

Uppgiften lämpar sig bra för att i step 1 låta eleverna arbeta i par eller mindre grupp och sedan köra en snabb genomgång så att alla är på banan. Step 2 är bra som individuell skrivuppgift.

Metod och uppgifter

This is a project about Australia where you will get to know the country, its history, culture, tradition and language. You will also get to go on a road trip to explore the country even further. First, you should get to know the country by watching a couple of videos, answering a few questions and reading some texts (step 1). After that you start to observe the country, think about where you would like to go and what to experience, then you embark on your journey (step 2) .

STEP 1

A. Start by watching this video about the top ten favorite destinations:

Then answer these questions – write the answers:

1. How did the man in the video know about all the places?
2. What is the beverage made in the Barossa Valley?
3. How long is the Great Ocean Road?
4. Ayers Rock has another, newer name, what is it?
5. What is Tasmania promoted as?
6. How far does the Great Barrier Reef stretch?
7. What landmark in Australia can be seen from space?
8. What two structures in Sydney are considered iconic?

B. Watch this video

Then answer these questions – once again, put the answers up in the same document as above.

1. What are the names of the territories and states?
2. Which is the most populous state?

C. Let’s learn some Aussie words. Watch this video:

1. What does ”dead set” mean?
2. 2. Explain what a ”cozzie” is.

D. Watch this video about Lawson who attends school of the air:

1. What could a normal school day for Lawson look like? Why is he going to school of the air?

STEP 2:

You are going to embark on a 30-day road trip around Australia. Feel free to go about it anyway you like, but you have to include this – somewhere in your story/travel journal. Feel free to include photos/pictures and you can choose how to present your story/travel journal to the others: either as a verbal presentation, written poster, keynote or video. At an early stage, let me know which presentation you prefer. DO NOT forget to include a list of the sources you have used in your presentation. Include:

1. Size of population
2. Names and basic information about, at least, two big cities
3. The outback – you need to visit a territory
4. Three sights/attractions that are well-known
5. A few Australian words (e.g. slang words)
6. Descriptions of accurate scenery and landscape
7. Climate
8. At least two kinds of typically Australian animals
9. A meeting with an aboriginal
10. Visit at least three states/territories.

START with you arriving at Canberra Airport in the capital of Canberra. Then, feel free to go in any direction, by any means of transportation and with any budget. It is good if you start off making a mind map. Some pages where you can find useful information, Travel guides:

http://www.australian-information-stories.com/travel-to-australia.html
http://www.atn.com.au/
Australian Tourist Commission: http://www.australia.com
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/
http://www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au/
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/australia-facts/

Best of luck!