ESL WORKSHEET - British culture and history

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

VISITING ENGLAND

LinguaHouse
Oct. 25, 2021

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2-C1)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Travel and Leisure; British Culture; Historical Events; Food and Drink; Entertainment; Visiting Places; Article Based
Publication date: 10/25/2021

This lesson is based on information from the English Heritage and Natural England websites. Students will learn factual information about England's, tourism, politics and history. Exercises will test students’ listening and reading skills and the language point will give students practice in asking for information during a trip to England. There is also an opportunity for students to do some research into planning their own trip. (by Gillian Smylie)

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio only in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Interviewer: So today we welcome James to the studio, who will be talking to us about visiting England. James, could you start by reminding us exactly where England is and what countries it borders?
James: Yes, thank you for having me here today. Well, England is the largest of the four countries in the United Kingdom. It’s situated on the island of Great Britain along with Wales and Scotland, bordering Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. Interestingly, it’s also connected to France by an underground tunnel, known as the Channel Tunnel or the Eurotunnel, where passengers and vehicles are transported on high-speed trains.
Interviewer: I see. That sounds interesting! And roughly how many people live in England?
James: Well, the vast majority of the United Kingdom’s 63.7 million inhabitants live in England. In fact, 53.5 million of them live there, making England by far the highest and most densely populated country in the UK.
Interviewer: Really? And for people interested in taking a trip to England, how easy is it to get there and to get around?
James: London has five international airports, but international visitors can also land in Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, or Manchester. I mentioned the Channel Tunnel earlier, and seaports such as Dover and Hull allow for sea crossings to continental Europe; you can watch ferries and ships dock in these port towns all day long. I must say the cliffs at Dover deliver quite a spectacular welcome! And of course, if you wish to go elsewhere, England’s public transport network provides excellent links between cities and towns.
Interviewer: OK, and which urban areas are popular with visitors?
James: Hmm… I’d like to mention York first. Visitors can take a stroll along the city walls and learn more about its Roman and Viking history. There are also numerous Roman spa towns scattered throughout England; the most famous and possibly the most scenic is Bath. Finally, I would say that Oxford or Cambridge, home to England’s two most prestigious universities, are both well worth a visit too.
Interviewer: And to relax and have a little fun, where would you recommend?
James: Before the days of affordable overseas travel, England’s seaside resorts, such as Blackpool, used to be the destination of choice for English tourists! There are still plenty of attractions in these towns: beaches, rides, and shows to name a few. Liverpool also has lots to offer. If you’re a fan of the Beatles, you might appreciate the several exhibitions dedicated to the group, where you can see thousands of genuine items on display.
Interviewer: We’ve spoken a lot about cities, but I’m sure there are plenty of historical landmarks and natural beauty spots outside the cities too.
James: Of course! Some of the most scenic landscapes are found in England’s 10 National Parks, including the Lake District National Park. There are also 34 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These areas cover about 15% of England’s countryside, and the legal protection they enjoy helps to sustain England’s most important habitats. And what’s great is that around 66% of England’s population lives within half an hour of an AONB, so you don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to enjoy a spot of nature!
Interviewer: OK, thanks James, you’ve given people lots to think about there! Thanks for your time, and I hope everyone listening has been inspired to take a little trip to England.
James: Thank you, see you soon.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/visiting-england. Accessed on May 20, 2024. © 2008–2024 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.