September 1, 2023: Travel Destinations Across Time and Space (DRAFT)

Handout

Objective

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to describe their dream travel destinations, which can not only be anywhere on earth or in the universe, but also at any time in history.

(Of course, a dream travel destination can also be a place you’d like to visit for real.)

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1. Warm-Up (10-15 minutes)

Purpose

• Get the students’ brain juices flowing.
• Set the tone for the lesson.

Activities

• Discussion: Quick round-table where each student shares their last travel experience or a place they wish to visit.
• Game: “20 Questions” – Students have to guess a famous travel destination based on yes-or-no questions.

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2. Presentation (15-20 minutes)

Purpose

• Introduce the new language or concept of describing travel destinations in both space and time.

Activities

• Teacher-led Presentation: Briefly discuss the concept of “destinations through time and space,” using a slide presentation to cover the vocabulary and phrases below related to travel, time periods, and locations.

Travel-Related Vocabulary

1. Expedition: A journey for a special purpose, like research.
2. Intrepid: Fearless and adventurous.
3. Globetrotter: A person who has traveled to many different parts of the world.

Time Periods-Related Vocabulary

4. Medieval: Related to the Middle Ages.
5. Renaissance: A period of art and learning in Europe.
6. Feudal: Related to a system where lords owned the land and others worked on it.
7. Colonial: Related to colonies.
8. Futuristic: Related to the future.

Phrases

9. Off the Beaten Path: A place not commonly visited.
10. Bucket List: A list of things to do before you die.

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3. Practice (30-40 minutes)

Purpose

• Let students use the new language or concept.

Activities

• Pair Work: Students interview each other about their dream travel destinations, including the “when” and “where.”
• Group Work: Students are divided into small groups and each group receives printout with a list of different time periods and locations (real and fictional). They must discuss and choose 3-5 they would most and least want to visit.
• Role-plays: In pairs, one student acts as a travel agent, recommending destinations through time and space, while the other acts as a client with particular interests and constraints.

Time Periods & Locations

Ancient Civilizations

1. Ancient Egypt – Pyramids of Giza
2. Mayan Civilization – Chichen Itza
3. Ancient Rome – Colosseum
4. Ancient Greece – Parthenon, Athens
5. Indus Valley Civilization – Mohenjo-Daro

Medieval Times

6. Medieval Europe – A Castle during a Tournament
7. Feudal Japan – Edo Castle, Tokyo
8. Vikings – Scandinavian Village
9. Islamic Golden Age – Baghdad’s House of Wisdom
10. Byzantine Empire – Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

Renaissance & Enlightenment

11. Renaissance Italy – Florence’s Duomo
12. Elizabethan England – Globe Theatre, London
13. Enlightenment France – Palace of Versailles
14. Colonial America – Jamestown Settlement
15. Mughal India – Taj Mahal

Industrial Revolution

16. 19th Century London – Factories and the Thames
17. American Gold Rush – California Mining Towns
18. Meiji Japan – Tokyo
19. Victorian England – British Museum
20. Tsarist Russia – Winter Palace, St. Petersburg

Modern Times

21. Roaring Twenties USA – New York City
22. Swinging Sixties UK – London’s Carnaby Street
23. Space Race Era – 1960’s NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
24. 1980s Japan – Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing
25. Berlin Wall Era – Berlin, Germany

Futuristic & Fictional

26. Mars Colony – 2100
27. Underwater City – Year 2200
28. A Post-Apocalyptic Earth
29. Starship Traveling through the Galaxy
30. A City in a Forested Moon

Natural Wonders

31. Amazon Rainforest – Present Day
32. Sahara Desert – Sunset
33. The Great Barrier Reef – Snorkeling Experience
34. Mount Everest Summit
35. Antarctica – Emperor Penguin Colony

Spiritual & Mythical

36. Mount Olympus – Home of the Greek Gods
37. Atlantis – The Lost Island
38. Biblical Jerusalem – The Temple
39. Shangri-La – A a fictional place in Tibet’s Kunlun Mountains
40. Valhalla – Norse Afterlife

Special Events & Festivals

41. Rio Carnival – Brazil
42. Lantern Festival – Taiwan
43. Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
44. Running of the Bulls – Pamplona, Spain
45. Mardi Gras – New Orleans, USA

Iconic Cities & Landmarks

46. Eiffel Tower – Paris, Present Day
47. Sydney Opera House – Australia
48. Statue of Liberty – New York, USA
49. Petra – Jordan
50. Christ the Redeemer – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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4. Production (15-20 minutes): Destination Debate

Objective

Students will demonstrate their understanding of describing travel destinations across space and time by participating in a debate. They will employ new vocabulary and language structures learned in the lesson to articulate why their given destination is superior for travel.

Instructions

1. Preparation (3-5 minutes):
   • Divide the class into two groups.
   • Assign each group a different travel destination. These could be real places, different time periods, or even fictional universes.
   • Hand out a few bullet points or fact cards about each destination to help guide the discussion.
2. Research and Discussion within Groups (5 minutes):
   • Each group will have 5 minutes to discuss among themselves. They should focus on:
     • Why their destination is unique.
     • What activities one can do there.
     • Why it would be an enriching experience to visit this place.
   • Encourage students to jot down a few key phrases or talking points, but the focus should remain on verbal discussion.
3. Debate (5-7 minutes):
   • Each group will take turns presenting their arguments. Limit each turn to about 2 minutes to ensure that the activity stays within the time frame.
   • Encourage the use of persuasive language, comparatives, and superlatives, which aligns with the B1/B2 CEFR levels.
4. Rebuttal and Counter-Arguments (3-5 minutes):
   • After both groups have presented, allow each group 1-2 minutes for a rebuttal. This is where they can counter the arguments made by the opposing team.
5. Closing Statements (1-2 minutes):
   • Each group makes a closing statement, summarizing their key points and making a final pitch for their destination.

How Students Will Demonstrate Their Understanding

• Use of Vocabulary: Students should be using new vocabulary and phrases introduced in the lesson. This shows they can apply what they’ve learned in a practical context.
• Clarity of Argument: Students should present their ideas in a clear and organized manner, demonstrating effective communication skills.
• Engagement in Rebuttal: Active participation in the rebuttal phase shows critical thinking and the ability to use language for persuasion.
• Teamwork: Effective collaboration within groups demonstrates social skills and the ability to use language for coordination and planning.
• Persuasive Techniques: Use of persuasive language techniques, like comparatives and superlatives, will demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency, appropriate for CEFR B1/B2 levels.

By the end of this debate, students should have effectively demonstrated their ability to describe, compare, and argue the merits of different travel destinations using newly learned language concepts. This will not only gauge their grasp of the lesson’s objectives but also promote a communicative, interactive, and engaging classroom environment.

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5. Cool Down/Reflection (10-15 minutes)

Purpose

• Reflection on the lesson and consolidation of learning.

Activities

• Feedback Session: Discuss what was learned and any difficulties encountered.
• Quick Quiz: A few questions to recap the day’s vocabulary and concepts.