FISH & CHIPS – cultural focus
Lesson based on a video
Level(s): (B1/B2) Intermediate/Upper-Intermediate
Aimed at: Teenagers/young adults/adults
Aims: Listening for specific information/ Speaking
Materials: Dictionaries/Worksheet 1/ video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXbMzsi8rOM
Time: +/- 1h
- Have the students work in pairs and answer the following questions (you read out the questions and give them 1 minute to discuss it with their partner):
- What´s your favourite food?
- What did you have for breakfast this morning?
- What is a typical breakfast in your country?
- Are you a good cook?
- What is your show off dish?
- What did you have for lunch/dinner yesterday?
- Is there a dish your country is famous for? Do you know how to prepare it?
- Are you adventurous with food? Do you like to try new food and drinks?
- What food is Britain known for? Have you tried any of the traditional British dishes?
Time +/- 10 minutes
- At this point, students will most likely have mentioned FISH AND CHIPS as one of the most famous British dishes. Tell the students that they are going to watch a video about FISH AND CHIPS. Give out WORKSHEET 1 to the students and ask them to predict the answers in pairs.
Time +/-10 minutes
- Play the video and ask the students to compare their answers.
Time +/- 10 minutes
- Have the students work in groups of three. Ask them to choose one of their traditional dishes and prepare a short presentation on:
- What are its main competitors?
- How is it served?
- What are the ingredients?
- What is the key to its taste?
(Remember to monitor closely at this stage and help out with the vocabulary!)
Time: +/-15 minutes
- Have the groups present their dishes to the class.
(Remember to make notes on the language used for the error correction stage!)
Time: +/- 10 minutes
- Feedback and error correction.
Use the language samples from the previous activity and put them on the board. Have students work in pairs and correct the mistakes.
Time: +/- 10 minutes
Worksheet 1
- What are the main fish & chips competitors in Britain?
____________________________________________
- What does “chippy” mean?
____________________________________________
- How do they often serve fish & chips?
____________________________________________
- What is the most common fish used to prepare it?
____________________________________________
- What is the key to its delicious taste?
_____________________________________________
Answers: 1: Curries and burgers.
2: A British term for a fish & chips shop.
3. Salt and vinegar.
4: Cod.
5: The fish has to be fresh and fried on premises.
Katarzyna Piotrowska
