Use this lesson with secondary and adult learners of CEFR B1 level and above to help them understand and write short academic texts about a city. 

An aerial view of Vancouver

Introduction

This lesson plan offers the teacher and learners the opportunity to develop both content and language knowledge to an appropriate depth over a single lesson or a series of class hours. 

Learners begin the lesson by saying what they know about a city (Vancouver) and predicting language and information that is likely to be in short texts describing the city's geography, climate, population and economy. They listen to and / or read the texts to check their predictions and make notes. They focus on the language used in the texts to write their own academic texts descibing a city. 

This lesson is particularly suited to learners studying content-based subjects in English or as part of a bilingual education programme. It could be used as part of a regional / economic geography or general studies course. Find out more about Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and a framework for CLIL-type lessons.

Teachers can copy a student worksheet and reading text to accompany this lesson. Alternatively, they can use a presentation for a no-printing option. 

Learning outcomes:

  • Develop academic skills i.e. note-taking
  • Identify key information from a short spoken and / or written academic text about a city
  • Use vocabulary related to describing the geography, climate, population and economy of a city
  • Write a text describing the geography, climate, population and economy of a city

Age and level:

13-17, Adults (B1+)

Time:

60-70 minutes plus 30+ minutes writing project

Materials:

The materials can be downloaded below.

  • Lesson plan
  • Presentation
  • Student worksheet
  • Reading text

In addition, teachers can use photos of Vancouver and a map showing the location of Vancouver (optional)

Downloads
Language Level

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