A speaking class 1. Pre –task - We Will read a blog post that is part of the on line magazine The Guardian. This popular post is called Spotted by Locals. They choose ordinary people to answer questions about their hometown. Get in a group and predict some of the questions that might appear in the interview. 2. Read the text quickly and check your predictions. Athens! Interview Marilena Last updated: May 8th, 2010 | By: Bart van Poll
Can you tell us a bit about yourself? The first question is the hardest one! I’m 28 years old and I make people travel all over the world (at Salina travel agency I work). If you asked me what you would be when you grow up the answer is radio producer. My best and most loyal friend all these years is music! I cannot live without music, but also not without chocolate and without travelling. I love urban life, urban photography and everything related to Iceland. I hate milk and grouchy people. Why Athens? Because it is chaotic, full of 24hr life. Because you can lose yourself at its neighborhood and discover small beautiful places. For its unexpected spots. Because of its hills where you can climb and enjoy a panoramic view. Because there are lot of events every day. Because there is always a great buzz. For its archaeological sites and its new architecture . What is a must? A cultural walk. That means to find a beautiful, not touristic place, where you can listen to “Rebetika” music. To attend performance of Karagiozis (the hero of “shadows’ theater ) . To enjoy a double Greek cafe at a “Kafeneio” What shouldn’t a visitor to Athens do? Do not go during evening / night to the neigborhood close to Plateia Theatrou (Theatre square) . Do not go to touristic restaurants – find the local ones! They are expensive and with bad quality food. What do you know about Athens what no tourist will know? I know about its great coast line .That no tourists visit because they believe it is far or they do not find it interesting. If you have time to spend just take the tram and visit the area close to Floisvos .Buy an icecream and enjoy a walk next to the waves. What is the most popular neighborhood to live in Athens at this moment? I guess it is Petralona (but please do not spread the word) It is a great combination. As it is downtown (only 5 minutes by train from Monastiraki train station) but it is still quiet. It has kept the characteristics of living in a neighborhood. That means that you can still buy fruits from market, bread from bakery, candies from the patisserie and get to know the people that work there! It is like living in a small village in the center of the city.
Can you describe a perfect day in your city? A perfect day means no work! So I will have time for walking under the sun (I prefer urban trips during the day instead of during the night!) .
I guess my day would start at Glykis – my friends and I would enjoy a conversation and some beers! After that I would like to walk at Plaka area that ends up over the hill at Anafiotika neighborhood where suddenly everything would be quiet and really beautiful.
After being in a quiet neighborhood I would finish at the buzzing streets around Varvakeio area. Taking photos of colorful vegetables and fruits and buying exotic products from its multi cultural mini markets.This perfect walk would end with a glass of cold Ouzo and some olives with it!
3. Discuss: What do you remember about the post? What did you learn about Athens? How would you answer the same questions about your hometown? Tell a partner about a great day you had when you were visiting a place. What places would you like to learn a bit more? Why? 4. Follow up – Choose one of the topics above. Write a short text about it and read to the rest of the group.
5. Reflecting on learning: What did we talk about today? What words did you learn? Did you get any corrective feedback? What skills did you work on today?