Travel broadens the mind. Didactic unit for intermediate ESL learners

1. Do you like
to travel?
What is the
best trip
you´ve ever
made?
What is the
place that
you would
love to visit?
Why?
Skill: Speaking

2. Once you read all the quotations, go
to the one you like the most.
With your group talk about why you
chose that one.

4. Which is your favorite quotation?
“The world is a
book and those
who do not travel
read only one
page.” – St.
Augustine
“Travel is more than
the seeing of sights;
it is a change that
goes on, deep and
permanent, in the
ideas of living.” –
Miriam Beard
“One’s destination
is never a
place, but a new
way of seeing
things.” – Henry
Miller “Travel broadens
the mind”
(Popular saying)
“Two roads diverged
in a wood and I – I
took the one less
traveled by. And that
made all the
difference.” – Robert
Frost

5. “The world is a book and those who do not
travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

6. “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the
one less traveled by. And that made all the
difference.” – Robert Frost

7. “One’s destination is never a
place, but a new way of seeing
things.” – Henry Miller

8. “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is
a change that goes on, deep and
permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam
Beard

9. “Travel broadens the mind” (Popular
saying)

10. MOVIE: EAT, PRAY & LOVE
Speaking.
1) Have you seen this movie?
2) What do you think the movie is about?
3) The title of the movie is connected with 3 countries.
Can you think of those 3 countries? (Think of countries
that are well known for their food, spirituality and
romanticism.
While-watching. Now let´s watch the trailer. Pay close attention to the 3 places the main
actress goes to.
Post-watching: Which are those countries? Have you ever been there?
Skill: Listening

11. Reading. Sightseeing in London
London Calling
Pre-reading.
•Have a look at the following must-sees of London. In pairs, try to match the name with the
picture.
Tower Bridge Tower of London Buckingham Palace
Hyde Park Tate Modern Art Gallery The Big Ben
Changing of the Guard Double-decker bus Picadilly Circus
•Have you ever been to London? Have you seen these places?

13. While-reading:
Must-see London for visitors
Ten things every visitor should do in London to avoid those 'I can't believe you didn't see…'
moments
When you've only got a few days to explore Europe's third biggest city, you have to prioritise. But what
are the things that you'll regret missing when you get home and the water cooler crowd's
retrospective travel tips come flooding in? Here are the main London activities we think you'd be a
fool to miss out on.
18/03/14

14. There's no icon more British than the Queen, so no wonder we're all so interested in visiting her crib. Buckingham Palace is more than 300 years
old and has 775 rooms, and although only 19 of these are available for the public to explore there's always a photo (or three) to be taken in
front of its impressive facade and stoney-faced guards. For a display of British pomp and ceremony, watch the Changing the Guard
Ceremony. This is the guard that looks after Buckingham Palace. All the guards taking part in the ceremony are dressed in traditional red
tunics and bearskin hats, and the ceremony is set to music. Visitors always want to take a photo with these guards...but they are so
professional that they can neither move nor smile!
From Buckingham Palace you can easily walk to the Houses of Parliament, where the government is, Big Ben, the well-known clock, and 10
Downing Street, where the Prime Minister lives. All these great sights are just a stone´s throw from the Palace! Also within walking distance
you may want to see Piccadilly Circus, with its neon lights, stores and romantic fountain displaying the statue of Cupid. In this area you can
also find fashionable stores where you can get some souvenirs!
Obviously after so much walking you need to recharge your batteries in a traditional pub. Enjoy a pint (or two!) and go for some local food such as
Shepherd´s pie or fish and chips, although this last option is usually served better in the small stalls that you will find in virtually every single
street.
There are also plenty of museums to choose from and all of them are free! You could fill months exploring London's art scene, and many of its
galleries and exhibits are iconic. The British Museum is perhaps one of the best ones in the world, particularly if you are into ancient
civilizations, Greeks and Romans. For people who enjoy painting, the Tate Gallery is definitely a must but if science is your cup of tea, then
visit the Natural History Museum. It's definitely the enormous diplodocus skeleton cast in the Victorian building’s stunning entrance hall that
sticks in the memory of visitors of all ages.
18/03/14

15. According to the text, are the following statements true (T) or false (F)?
London is Europe´s biggest city.
The guards at Buckingham Palace are really friendly and always smile for a photo.
You will spend a lot of time visiting the 775 rooms that Buckingham Palace has.
The Prime Minister lives in the Houses of Parliament.
Because London is so big you should catch a double-decker bus to go from Buckingham Palace to the Big Ben Clock.
One of the main commercial areas is near Picadilly Circus.
You can have the best fish and chips in a pub in London.
The most typical drink in a pub is a cup of tea.
For those who love science the British Museum is a must to see.
Get ready to spend a lot of money on tickets for museums because London has a wide variety.
18/03/14

16. Vocabulary: Match the underlined words and expressions in the text with the following definitions:
1) when something does not cost money
2) an emblem
3) not too far away, within walking distance
4) to visit
5) to be interested
6) places
7) to organize things in order of importance
8) to be memorable or unforgettable
9) to get energy
10) to like something a lot
11) serious
18/03/14

17. Follow-up. You are in charge of designing a tourist brochure in order to promote
tourism in the city of Madrid.
Choose 5 places which, from your point of view, every tourist should see
while visiting Madrid and describe them in detail. Do NOT forget to include
accommodation (hotels) as well as good restaurants for your visitors to enjoy
the local cuisine.

18. 18/03/14

19. Read the
following questions
about common
everyday English
customs and try to
answer them.
Share your
impressions with
the class.
In Britain....
1.- What might you say when someone sneezes?
2.- What do you say before a meal?
3.- What do you say when you are introduced to
someone?
4.- Name 3 situations where British people would
queue.
5.- Give 2 alternative ways of saying “good-bye”.
6.- What do you say if you stand on someone's foot.
7.- What do you say before having a drink?
8.- Its your round, what does it mean?
9.- What is the most popular sport in Britain?
10.- Describe a typical British meal.
11.- When you visit someone in their house is it good
manners to take your shoes off?
12.- Name 3 festivals celebrated in Britain.
13.- What would you say to someone who is going to
take an exam?
14.- What would you say if you want to pop the
question (ie. get married)?
Attention to Diversity: Fast-learners
Cultural quiz: “When in Rome do as the Romans do”

20. Attention to Diversity: Students with difficulties
Thanksgiving Halloween St. Patricks
Day
Australia Day Guy Fawkes
Day
Maltese
Carnival
Match the following festivities with the right picture.

21. Reading: Do you really know what the
Spaniards are like?
Learning from the media, we pick up a lot of sterotypes about other nations. Read
the following quotes and say which one do you feel identified with when you think of
the Spaniards…
I think of...
Bullfighting and
flamenco
Good weather and
beaches
Sangria
Cervantes and Don
Quixote
I think of soccer and of
Barcelona and Real
Madrid
Paella
La Giralda
Picasso, Dali, Goya and
Velazquez
Fiesta!!!!
Spanish omelette
“
Siesta or nap

22. Speaking: Cultural stereoypes
Have a look at the following flags from different countries and say at least 3 things
you think about them.
Match the items on the right with the countries they tend to be associated with
THE U.K.
MEXICO
AUSTRALIA
JAPAN
SPAINSPAIN
IRELAND
ITALY
THE USA
CANADA

23. Reading: How to be an Alien
Pre-reading: You are going to read a fragment from a book entitled
How to be an Alien by George Mikes. He was a Polish man who
emigrated to the UK and married an Englishwoman. He writes about
some of the aspects of British culture that he finds strange and
amusing in a very funny way. Circle some of the topics you think he
might mention in his book.
Tea tasteless British food the weather
the Royal Family politeness
punctuality hooligans football
Many students in class may come from different
countries. Elicit their experiences when moving to this
country.
Also, ask students about the differences they noticed in
terms of food, timetables, people, customs when they
have travelled to different places.

24. Reading.
Divide class into 3 groups.
Each group will be responsible for reading one chapter of the book.
Then students will mingle to share information with students from the other
groups.

25. Reading: How to be an Alien
TEA. The trouble with tea is that originally it was quite a good drink.
So a group of the most eminent British scientists put their heads together, and made complicated
biological experiments to find a way of spoiling it.
To the eternal glory of British science their labour bore fruit. They suggested that if you do not drink it
clear, or with lemon or rum and sugar, but pour a few drops of cold milk into it, and no sugar at
all, the desired object is achieved. Once this refreshing, aromatic, oriental beverage was successfully
transformed into colourless and tasteless gargling-water, it suddenly became the national drink of
Great Britain and Ireland - still retaining, indeed usurping, the high-sounding title of tea.
There are some occasions when you must not refuse a cup of tea, otherwise you are judged an
exotic and barbarous bird without any hope of ever being able to take your place in civilised society.
If you are invited into an English home, at five o'clock in the morning you get a cup of tea. It is either
brought in by a heartily smiling hostess or an almost malevolently silent maid. When you are
disturbed in your sweetest morning sleep you must not say: "Madame (or Mabel), I think you are a
cruel, spiteful and malignant person who deserves to be shot." On the contrary, you have to declare
with your best five o'clock smile: "Thank you so much. I do adore a cup of early morning
tea, especially early in the morning." If they leave you alone with the liquid, you may pour it down the
washbasin.
Then you have tea for breakfast; then you have tea at 11 o'clock in the morning; then after lunch;
then you have tea for tea; then after supper; and again at 11 o'clock at night.
You must not refuse additional cups of tea under the following circumstances: if it is hot; if it is cold; if
you are tired; if anybody thinks you might be tired; if you are nervous; if you are gay; before you go
out; if you are out; if you have just returned home; if you feel like it; if you do not feel like it; if you
have had no tea for some time; if you have just had a cup.
You definitely must not follow my example. I sleep at five o'clock in the morning; I have coffee for
breakfast; I drink innumerable cups of black coffee during the day; I have the most unorthodox and
exotic teas even at tea-time.

26. Reading: How to be an Alien
The Language
When I arrived in England I thought I knew English. After I'd been here an hour I
realised that I did not understand one word. In the first week I picked up a
tolerable working knowledge of the language and the next seven years
convinced me gradually bur thoroughly that I would never know it really
well, let alone perfectly. This is sad. My only consolation being that nobody
speaks English perfectly.
Remember that those five hundred words an average Englishman uses are far
from being the whole vocabulary of the language. You may learn another five
hundred and yet another five thousand and yet another fifty thousand and still
you may come across a further fifty thousand you have never heard
before, and nobody else either.
If you live here long enough you will find out to your great amazement that the
adjective nice is not the only adjective that the language possesses, in spite of
the fact that in the first three years you do not need to learn any other
adjectives. You can say the weather is nice, a restaurant is nice, Mr. Soandso
is nice, Mrs. Soandso's clothes are nice, you had a nice time, and all this will
be very nice.

27. I don't drink .....I take ...
my dear
I like my ....... done on one
side
And you can hear it in my
accent when I talk
cos' I'm an Englishman in
New York
See me walking down Fifth
......
A walking cane here at my
side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New
York
whoaa I'm an .....
I'm a legal ......
I'm an Englishman in New
York
whoaa I'm an ......
I'm a legal .......
I'm an Englishman in New
York
If "manners maketh man."
as someone said
Then he's the ......of the
day
It takes a man to suffer
ignorance and smile
Be ........ no matter what
they say
Modesty, propriety can lead to
notoriety
You could end up as the only
one
........., sobriety are rare in this
........
At night a candle's brighter
than the sun
Takes more than combat gear
to make a man
Takes more than license for a
gun
Confront your ....., avoid them
when you can
A gentleman will walk but
never run
If "manners maketh man" as
someone said
Then he's the ........of the day
It takes a man to suffer
ignorance and smile
Be .......no matter what they
say
Be ........ no matter what they
say
Be .......no matter what they
say
While-listening: Fill in the gaps
with these words.
Tea, yourself, avenue, alien, , gentl
eness,coffee, toast,hero, society, e
nemies
Listening: I'm an Englishman in New York
Pre.-listening:
Sometimes when
people go to a foreign
country they may feel
that certain things are
strange. For
example, the food they
eat, their
timetables, etc. You
may feel homesick as a
result and have
“cultural shock”. Think
of at least 3 things that
an Englishman could
miss if he lived in a
different country (eg.
chocolate)
While-listening: Fill in the gaps
with these words.
Tea, yourself, avenue, alien, , gentl
eness,coffee, toast,hero, society, e
nemies
While-listening: Fill in the gaps
with these words.
Tea, yourself, avenue, alien, , gentl
eness,coffee, toast,hero, society, e
nemies
While-listening: Fill in the gaps with
these words.
Tea, yourself, avenue, alien, , gentlenes
s,coffee, toast,hero, society, enemies
Post-listening: Say whether the
following statements are true (T) or false
(F).
a) The Englishman prefers coffee to tea.
T/F
b) This man hates toat T/F
c) He walks down Fith Avenue T/F

28. Writing
1. Stereotype. What does stereotype mean?
2. Can you write down some of the stereotypes of your country?
3. Why can stereotypes be bad? and Which stereotypes of your own
country or region don´t you like?
4. Divide the class into pairs and choose two of the listed adjectives to
describe each nationality. You need to explain your reasons for the
adjectives provided. Choose also two countries on your own to describe:
American/British/French/Japanese/..../....
aggressive
polite
rude
arrogant
ignorant
casual
hospitable
talkative
sociable
serious
quiet
formal
outgoing
nationalistic
well-dressed
humorous
lazy
sophisticated
punctual
tolerant
romantic
respectful
Hard-working
emotional

29. Speaking: The Spice of Life
 Talk in pairs. Discuss about the meaning of the expression
the spice of life. What do we mean when we say that something
is the spice of life?
Role-play. Each of you has a different nationality. You are
going to explain to the rest of the class which the spice of life
for you is, according to your culture and your traditions. Dont
say your nationality; the rest of the class will have to guess it.
Hello, my name is
Felipe Martinez. The
spice of my life is going
to fiestas and playing
the guitar. Where do I
come from?

30. Speaking: Role-play.
• Divide the class in pairs.
Speaker A is given a fact sheet
with some missing information
about an English-speaking
country that speaker B has to
provide. Speaker B, in turn, is
given a fact sheet with some
missing information that
speaker A needs to supply.

31. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker A
• United Kingdom – Fact Sheet
• Official name:United Kingdom of Great Britain and ____________
• Abbreviation: UK
• Capital: London
• Size: 244,101 km²
• Population: 60 million
• Borders: ________ (south of Northern Ireland), ________ (north), North Sea (east), English
Channel (south), Irish Sea (west, but east of Northern Ireland)
• Currency: Pound Sterling
• Official language: English
• Other interesting facts: The terms United Kingdom, Great Britain and England are often
confused. Great Britain comprises England, _______, and Scotland. The United Kingdom also
includes ___________.

32. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker B
• United Kingdom – Fact Sheet
• Official name:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Abbreviation: UK
• Capital: _________
• Size: 244,101 km²
• Population: ___________
• Borders: Irish Republic (south of Northern Ireland), Atlantic Ocean (north), North Sea (east), English
Channel (south), Irish Sea (west, but east of Northern Ireland)
• Currency: ________________
• Official language: English
• Other interesting facts: The terms United Kingdom, Great Britain and England are often
confused. Great Britain comprises ________, Wales, and _________. The United
Kingdom also includes Northern Ireland.

33. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker A
• United States – Fact Sheet
• Official name:United States of America
• Abbreviations:U.S. / U.S.A.
• Capital: _________________
• Size:9,529,063 km² (plus approximately 10,360 km² for outlying territories and other politically associated areas)
• Population:___________ million
• Borders:_____________ (north), Atlantic Ocean (east), _______and _______ (south), Pacific Ocean
(west)
• Currency:US Dollar
• Official language:English
• Nationality / PeopleA person of American nationality is an American.
• Local time:New York: 07:36 EST (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)
_________: 04:36 PST (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)

34. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker B
• United States – Fact Sheet
• Official name:United States of America
• Abbreviations:_______________
• Capital: Washington D.C.
• Size:______________ (plus approximately 10,360 km² for outlying territories and other politically associated areas)
• Population:281.4 million
• Borders:Canada (north), __________ (east), Mexico and Gulf of Mexico (south), __________ (west)
• Currency:_____________
• Official language:English
• Nationality / People: A person of American nationality is an American.
• Local time:_______: 07:36 EST (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)
Los Angeles: 04:36 PST (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)

35. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker A
• Ireland – Fact Sheet
• Official name: _______________
• Irish name: Éire
• Capital: _______________
• Size: 70,282 km²
• Population: ________________
• Borders: Northern Ireland (north), Irish Sea (east), Atlantic Ocean (south, west)
• Currency: Euro
• Official languages: English, _________________
• Nationality / People: A person of Irish nationality is an Irishman or an Irishwoman.
• Local time:12:41 GMT (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)
• Other interesting facts: As Ireland is famous for its green country side, it is also known as the _____________ (=
green island).

36. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker B
• Ireland – Fact Sheet
• Official name: Republic of Ireland
• Irish name: ___________
• Capital: Dublin
• Size: ______________km²
• Population: 3.5 million
• Borders: Northern Ireland (north), _______________ (east), Atlantic Ocean (south, west)
• Currency: Euro
• Official languages: English, Irish
• Nationality / People: A person of Irish nationality is an __________ or an _________________
• Local time:12:41 GMT (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)
• Other interesting facts: As Ireland is famous for its ____________________, it is also known as the “Emerald Isle” (=
green island).

37. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker A
• Canada - Fact Sheet
• Official name: Canada
• Capital: ________
• Size: 9,970,610 km²
• Population: ________ million
• Borders: Arctic Ocean (north), _________ (east), USA (south), USA (Alaska), Pacific Ocean (west)
• Currency: Canadian Dollar
• Official languages: English, _________
• Nationality / People: A person of Canadian nationality is a Canadian.
• Local time: Ottawa: 07:44 EST (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)
__________: 04:44 PST (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)
• Other interesting facts: Canada is the _______ largest country in the world (after Russia). Almost 10 percent
(755,180 km²) of Canada's total area are inland water.

38. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker B
• Canada - Fact Sheet
• Official name: Canada
• Capital: Ottawa
• Size: ________ km²
• Population: 29.1 million
• Borders: ________ (north), Atlantic Ocean (east), USA (south), USA (Alaska), Pacific Ocean (west)
• Currency: Canadian Dollar
• Official languages: __________, French
• Nationality / People: A person of Canadian nationality is a Canadian.
• Local time: __________: 07:44 EST (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)
Vancouver: 04:44 PST (Tuesday, 19th December 2006)
• Other interesting facts: Canada is the second largest country in the world (after Russia). Almost 10 percent (755,180
km²) of Canada's total area are ________ water.

39. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker A
– Australia Fact Sheet
• Official name: _________________
• Capital: Canberra
• Size: ____________________ km²
• Population: 17.8 million
• Borders: ______________; Timor Sea and Arafura Sea (northwest), Torres Strait (northeast), Great
Barrier Reef (northeast), Tasman Sea (southeast), Indian Ocean (south)
• Currency: Australian Dollar
• Official language: _____________________
• Nationality / People A person of Australian nationality is an Australian.
• Local time: _________________: 17:13 WST (Monday, 18th December 2006)
Sydney: 19:13 EST (Monday, 18th December 2006)
• Other interesting facts: Australia is not only a country but also the ___________ continent

40. Speaking: Role-play.
• Speaker B
– Australia Fact Sheet
• Official name: Commonwealth of Australia
• Capital: _________________
• Size: 7.7 million km²
• Population: _________________ million
• Borders: no direct borders; Timor Sea and Arafura Sea (northwest), Torres Strait (northeast), Great
Barrier Reef (northeast), ______________ Sea (southeast), __________ Ocean (south)
• Currency: Australian Dollar
• Official language: English
• Nationality / People A person of Australian nationality is an Australian.
• Local time: Perth: 17:13 WST (Monday, 18th December 2006)
______________: 19:13 EST (Monday, 18th December 2006)
• Other interesting facts: Australia is not only a country but also the smallest ______________

41. Vocabulary
• Geography: Complete the following sentences with these words:
• Ocean mountain country state earthquake river
• temperate is bounded by capital island climate continent coast
• country sea bordering country national park ocean
• lake beach city
 Great Britain is an . ______________
 It's divided into three _____________ : England, Scotland and Wales.
 London is the ___________ of England and the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
 The _______________Thames runs right through the city.
 In summer many British people spend their holidays by the _______________.
 England has some nice holiday resorts with lovely sandy _________________.
 But there are also steep ___________ , like in Dover or Folkestone for example.
 If you want to see Nessie, then you must go to the famous British _____________, Loch Ness.
 It is in Scotland and so is Great Britain's highest ______________ , Ben Nevis.
 If you climb Ben Nevis and the weather is fine, you will have a wonderful view over the ____________ below.

42. Speaking. GAME: TRIVIAL PURSUIT
Post-reading. Divide the class into six groups. Ask
whether they have ever played Trivial Pursuit. Let the
students explain the rules of the game. Now tell them
that you are going to play a special variant of the
game based on cultural stereotypes and traditions.
Each group is going to represent one of the following
countries . The other groups need to get the piece of
cake of the rest of the countries by answering
questions about the weather, food, traditions, cinema
or geography about the country.
COUNTRIES PLAYING:
SPAIN-
IRELAND
BRITAIN
CANADA
AUSTRALIA
THE USA

43. Which is the
river that passes
through London?
Which is the capital
of Australia?
In which state is Miami?
Which is the capital
of Northen Ireland?
Date of the
Battle of Hastings
When is
Independece Day?
Whose lines are these
“Oh, captain, My captain?!
Who wrote
Dubliners?
Name 3 traditions
of Spain
Name the Irish
Terrorist group
Who was
the first US
President?
Who were the
founders of Australia?
Where is the most
famous Opera House?
Where is Oxford
University?
What is the origin of
Thanksgiving?
When did Columbus
discover America?
What is the capital of The
States?
Who is the patron
of Ireland?
Where are you more likely
to find a boomerang?
Who is the president
of the USA?
Where will you
find the monster of the
Loch Ness?
What is the typical dance
of Spain?
Which is “the sunny
state”?
What are the official
languages of Canada?
Who was the main actor in
Notting Hill?
Who wrote Hamlet?
Which president
had an affair with
Marilyn Monroe?
Where is Celine Dion
from?
Who is Antonio
Banderas´ wife?
Who is the
US writer who
was in love with
bullfighting?