Lesson 52: Unit 192 - Listening / Reading / Speaking
This lesson develops reading, listening and speaking skills through two authentic texts – one about linguistic diversity in the USA and one about travelling traders, described in literary prose.
About this lesson
In this lesson you will work with two authentic texts at B1 level. The first text looks at linguistic diversity in the USA – why Americans have no official language and how immigrants adapt. The second text is a literary excerpt about travelling traders, described in rich and vivid language. You will practise reading comprehension through a multiple-choice test, match words with their definitions and discuss the texts orally. The lesson enriches your vocabulary with expressive words and develops critical thinking in English.
40 minutes
What you'll learn
- Read and understand authentic texts in English at B1 level.
- Answer multiple-choice questions based on a text you have read.
- Match words with their definitions (hawk, exotic, evanescent, baubles, wafting, vagabond).
- Discuss a literary excerpt orally, expressing and supporting your own opinion.
- Recognise and use key vocabulary related to linguistic diversity and life on the road.
Lesson vocabulary
- to assume Most non-Americans assume that English is the official language of the United States.
- language diversity Language diversity has always been part of American culture.
- tongue As early as 1664, 18 different tongues were spoken in Manhattan.
- bilingual Most public offices employ bilingual staff to help non-English speaking members of the public.
- demographic research Demographic research shows a massive shift towards immigrants learning English.
- to hawk their wares The travelers came in late summer to hawk their wares.
- exotic They wore exotic wrap dresses with bright colours that caught the sun.
- evanescent They were evanescent, like the summer, arriving and departing like a gust of wind.
- baubles In the distance we could hear: 'Bracelets, bangles, baubles, beads.'
- wafting They played banjos and guitars, the tunes wafting through open windows.
- vagabond No rough talking little vagabond children came that summer.
- tapestry They had large caravans with pots, pans, tapestries, scarves and linens.
- transient No transients were allowed, they said.
- rickety They always came in rickety caravans draped with shimmering textures.
- minority language Although the number of minority language speakers is increasing, newcomers are learning English rapidly.
In other languages: Български