Search for a history of any other English tradition, connected with the celebrations mentioned below. Make a short covering of it’s main points and share your notes with the group.

· The History of Halloween

· St. Patrick’s Day

· Burns’ Night

· NottingHill Carnival

· BonfireNight

Writing

How to write a Report

You are going to write a report on the visiting some cultural event or performance. Use the outline plan (see Appendix III)

1) Title Section - the front cover can include information including the author(s) and the date prepared. Who was the performance given by? Give some information about the performer.

The concert (performance) was given by...

 

2) Body - This is the main section of the report. You can write about the main events, describe details and your general opinion on the event.

It was a live/open air/sell-out concert

It took place in a stadium/a concert hall/ a field

The hall was full/ packed/ half empty

The audience cheered/ clapped/ shouted

 

3) Conclusion - This is where everything comes together. Make a summary of what have been said and make a conclusion based on your opinion.

 

In conclusion I want to say that...

The performance was brilliant/ powerful/ moving

I felt exited/moved/ happy

Read Stefano’s report on a concert and answer these questions. Divide the text according to the plan given above.

1. Who gave the concert?

2. What sort of singer is he?

3. Where was the concert held?

4. What happened during the concert?

5. Did Stefano enjoy the concert?

 

Last summer I went to a concert given by Vasco Rossi. He is one of Italy’s most famous rock stars and one of the best live artists in the world. He is also a talented songwriter. He writes powerful rock songs and also great love songs. He has many fans in Italy, and every summer he gives four or five concerts in bid Italian stadiums, thousands people go to listen to him there. The concert took place in Rome’s Olympic stadium, there were many people there. All the tickets were sold out. I arrived at the stadium at three P.M. I had to queue for six hours, but I was very excited to see Vasco Rossi. The concert started at nine P.M., it went on for a very long time, maybe three or four hours. When Vasco Rossi started the concert everybody shouted, in the middle of the concert the crowd sang with him, it was very nice. When the concert finished there were many security guards, everybody went home very quickly but without problems. I was very tired, but happy because of the excellent concert.

(adopted from Global Pre-Intermediate coursebook by Lindsay Clanfield)

Write a report on one of the following topics:

1) Visiting a live music performance, musical band or singer concert, opera;

2) Visiting an art gallery, museum or exhibition of classical or modern art;

3) Watching a play or a film in the theater or in the cinema;

4) Visiting the national park, a Zoo, an amusement park.

Study skills

How to Work in a Team

Working in a team is very important while learning a foreign language. Do you know why? Discuss your ideas in group then read the tips how to make a team work more effective. Pay attention to the phrases which can be used at every stage of the team work.

To develop a well-functioning group and to maximize your own learning, it is helpful to know the characteristics of effective groups:

1. First, it is important to find common ground with the other members of the group, understand everyone’s expectations, identify conflicts, and work at resolving them. 

Let’s start with...

I agree/disagree with your opinion about...

What are your suggestions?

2. Second, early on you need to clarify the different roles and responsibilities for each person in the group. This involves setting up ground rules for the group.

Your task is to...

We are going to make.... responsible for...

3. Third, you need to achieve the outcomes on which the group has agreed.

I think that the best way of resolving this problem is...

Let’s consider this opinion...

4. Fourth, it is necessary to reflect on what the group has achieved both in terms of product and process.

As a result we made a...

Our team work was (non)productive because of...

 

(Adapted from Marshall, L. and Rowland, F. (1998) A Guide to Learning Independently)

Every team member must have a role within the group and be able to express themselves and act for their own well-being, as well as the well-being of the group. When working in a team, listen to the ideas and opinions of all members of your team.

Unite in a group of three and take up one of these roles (A,B,C,D). Your task is to make up a list of arguments according to the role and present your ideas to the group. Remember to follow the rules of working in a team.

Role A – Art galley

You think an art gallery is the best place for art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the Internet, the side of a bus or someone's home.

Role B – The Internet

You think the Internet is the best place for art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): an art gallery, the side of a bus or someone's home.

Role C – The side of a bus

You think the side of a bus is the best place for art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the Internet, an art gallery or someone's home.

Role D – Someone's home

You think someone's home is the best place for art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the Internet, the side of a bus or an art gallery.

(Taken from: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1404/140419-banksy).

Reading for Fun