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LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE PHONES

LinguaHouse

Oct. 15, 2024

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2-C1)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Celebrations and Special Events; Beliefs, Religion and Superstition; Behavior, Feelings and Emotions; Ethics and Conduct; Incredible Stories; Controversial Issues; Special Report; Vocabulary Lesson; Article Based; Speaking; 13-15 Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old
Publication date: 10/15/2024

This lesson looks into the many ways in which people try to communicate with the dead. Students will first listen to a short podcast about different methods that are used to contact people who have passed away, and the article that follows introduces the unique idea of Japanese wind phones. Throughout the lesson, students will be introduced to new and interesting vocabulary and there will be opportunities for them to personalize the vocabulary in discussion activities. (by Peter Clarkin)

Note: This lesson is related to ideas of death and includes discussion activities based on this theme.

• 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/listen to the audio 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 in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Speaker: Talking to the dead
For some, the thought of talking to ghosts or spirits is seriously disturbing while for others it offers them a chance to prove that there is life after death. No matter what side of the fence you find yourself on you can’t deny that there is a mountain of ways in which you can try contacting the dead. So, if you are looking to establish communication with the dearly departed, we are going to present to you a few of the most popular ways on today’s podcast and help you on your way.
Often taking center stage in popular teen-horror flicks an Ouija board is something that anybody can try at home with their friends. Quite surprisingly the word “Ouija” was crafted from the French and German words for “yes” and was originally seen up for sale in Baltimore in 1891.
The board often has letters and numbers printed on it with a movable counter placed in the middle. People around the board will place one of their hands on top of the counter (often a glass), and then ask a question to someone in the spirit world. The theory is that the person who has passed away will then guide the counter to the letters or numbers and answer their questions.
In many ways, a séance is similar to a Ouija board, but in others, it is quite different. You can also set this one up at home, but it helps if your friends are spiritually inclined. What you are often asked to do is to choose the room in your house that is thought to be the heart of the home, then sit down together and hold hands.
Before the ceremony begins every participant should’ve prepared some basic questions for the specter to answer e.g. ‘Are you okay?’, ‘Am I doing the right thing by getting married?’, ‘Should I buy a new car?’ It is easier to ask yes or no questions because the ritual often involves a pendulum, and it will swing over the word yes or the word no that you’ll have already written on the floor.
If you don’t trust your friends to get in touch with the dead then you will need a real expert, a medium as they are known in the ghost business. Mediums have been described as functioning as a “voicebox” for the dead. They are said to have the psychic ability to contact the deceased which they do through their so called “extrasensory perception”. Hiring this type of person doesn’t come cheap though with rates going as high as $200 per session.
On the cheaper side of the scale, we have mirror gazing. It all comes from an American named Raymond Moody who after a near death experience created something called a “psychomanteum”. In simple terms, a “pyschomanteum” is created by putting a mirror into a dimly lit room. You should then be able to summon ghosts by staring into the mirror. The process involves emptying your mind and thinking about the person you want to see again. You slowly look into the mirror, ask your questions and then be patient and wait for your answers.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/the-wind-that-shakes-the-phones. Accessed on October 21, 2024. © 2008–2024 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.