WEBQUEST- ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES INTRODUCTION : In unit 2 “A World of Many Languages�, you have to learn more about the multilingual and multicultural world we live in, to understand that knowing languages is vital to end linguistic barriers and to permit interventive, autonomous communication. As English is the most widely spoken language in the world, you need to reflect on its importance and why it is necessary to learn it. To broaden your knowledge, we propose that you: 1. Get to know more about some English-speaking countries; 2. Recognise the origin of a set of words used in English, which come from a variety of countries.
TASKS: In groups, you will try to research some English-speaking countries. You will prepare a Power Point presentation, illustrating what your group has found out about the country you have chosen.
PROCESS: Get into groups of two or three. Each group chooses an English-speaking country, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, India etc. Explore the suggested Internet sites and information sources to get information and fill in the chart. http://www.wikipedia.org/Canada http://www.google.com/india http://www.askoxford.com/globalenglish/ http://eleaston.com/world-eng.html
Create and illustrate your Power Point presentation. Present the final product to the class. All the members of the group have to speak in the presentation phase. Evaluate your work and that of your classmates.
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EVALUATION : Your work will be graded according to the criteria and categories below: PowerPoint: (60%)
Content and data organization
Content Accuracy
Appearance
Oral Presentation: (40%)
Individual performance
Group performance
Criteria: 0 – 20 points for each category, distributed in the following manner:
Excellent (18 – 20)
Very good (15 - 17)
Good (11 - 14)
Not so good (7 – 10)
Weak (0 - 6)
CONCLUSION Now that you have had the opportunity to improve your research skills, learn more about English-speaking countries and produce a final product, which you have shared with your classmates, complete the worksheet comparing British English with American English, Australian English and Scottish English. And remember:
“Language exerts hidden power, like a moon on the tides”.
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