Unit 5: Forces of nature

This unit is about places around the world where English is the only official language or is one of two or more official languages.

In this unit you’re going to …

  • read what some teenagers said about languages they use
  • listen to some information about how English spread across the world
  • learn about English-speaking countries while playing a game
  • create a fact file about a Swiss canton
  • listen to a radio report about an island with a story to tell
  • write and talk about the languages that you use

Language focus: numbers, imperative (Do this! Don’t do that!), possessive forms of nouns (Canada’s population), expressions for talking on the phone


English TV news clip about a volcanic eruption posing a danger to air traffic. Please note: the clip is no longer online. Instead there are photos showing huge ash clouds.

 

Life's stories

Website of storm chaser Mike Theiss.

 

Focus on skills

Film clip about Yellowstone's Restless Giant (original version of the film; an adapted version is available on the Voices basic 1 Teacher's CD-ROM).

Webquest for more detailed information on the geysers of Yellowstone.

 

Additional information about tornadoes:

Website of US National Oceanic and Atmospherical Administration.

Website of National Geographic Magazine.