Lesson 84

Ireland

Plan

1. warm-up

2. choosing true facts

3. reading: filling in the gaps

4. categorizing

5. dialogue ‘St. Patrick’s Day’

6. reproduction ’Northern Ireland’

7. H.T.

Warm Up: When we think of Irish people we often think of the green color. What do you think the reason for this is?

Task 1 Сhoose the true statements among the pairs of statements about Ireland. In each pair one statement is true and one is false. Discuss the answers in groups.

1. a. Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

b. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

2. a. Ireland is famous for Guinness beer. b. Ireland is famous for wine.

3. a. The currency in Ireland is the Euro.

b. The currency in Ireland is the Sterling Pound.

4. a. Dublin is the capital of Ireland. b. Belfast is the capital of Ireland.

5. a. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland.

b. Independence Day is a national holiday in Ireland.

6. a. Ireland has a coast in the Atlantic Ocean.

b. Ireland has a coast in the Mediterranean Sea.

7. a. People in Ireland like to sit in Pubs.

b. People in Ireland like to go to movie theatres.

Task 2 Fill in the blanks of the paragraph with the correct information

about Ireland.

Last week I went to Ireland, but I was so angry because I brought dollars and not 1._______. I was so excited to be there because it was 2.______________, Ireland’s national holiday. All I wanted to do was sit in a 3._____ and drink 4.________ with the local Irish people. I was even wearing a 5._______ shirt so people would like me. I had only a week to spend in 6.__________, which is the capital of Ireland if you don’t already now. After that I went west to the coast and swam in the 7._______________. I wanted to visit Northern Ireland, but it was too expensive because it is part of the 8.________________.

Task 3 Below is a list of information about Ireland. The problem is that it isn’t organized and needs to be put into categories of Culture,

Politics, History, Weather and Geography.

- If you go to Ireland in July or August you can expect nice warm weather.

- The Irish are well known for their love of people, partying, drinking

and socializing.

- The Irish were once a Pagan race.

- Ireland is a bilingual country with songs both in English and Gaelic.

- The Romans never reached Ireland

- Bertie Ahern is the Prime Minister, Mary McAleese is the President of Ireland.

- Music is the center of Irish culture: in every country pub you'll find someone

playing music.

- During the 8th century Viking raiders began to destroy Ireland's churches.

- The island of Ireland is just 84, 288 sq km.

- Winter weather can be very wet and difficult.

- Ireland is a Democratic state.

- Ireland is for 90% Roman Catholic.

- Potatoes are an important part of Irish food.

- Ireland is considered to be a part of Europe.

FYI

The national sport of Ireland is actually hurling. What is hurling?

Hurling (шотландский хоккей на траве) is the second fastest field game in the world, and so it is very easy to get caught up in all the excitement. That's just one of the reasons why people play.

A person who plays hurling is called a hurler and he must use both a hurley and sliotar to play the game. This sport is played on a grass pitch with the object of the game being to score more goals and points than the opposing team. There are fifteen players on each hurling team.

It is a very physical game and even with rules some serious injuries still occur. Each year a major competition is organized throughout Ireland in which all 32 counties participate. It is known as the All-Ireland Championship. Although hurling is a male sport, there is a female equivalent known as Camogie.

Task 4. Below is a dialogue about St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national holiday.

The sentences of the dialogue are in the wrong order. Put them in the

correct order.

____ a. The United States also celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. What do people

usually do on St. Patrick’s Day?

____ b. On St. Patrick’s Day people usually have lots of parades and drink the

famous Irish beer Guinness in pubs with friends and family. What colors

do people usually wear on this holiday?

____ c. Yes, today is March 17^th, St. Patrick’s Day! Do you know who St. Patrick

was?

____ d. The celebration in Ireland usually lasts for about 4 days. Do you know

what other country celebrates St. Patrick’s Day?

____ e. I think St. Patrick was a slave brought to Ireland in 432 A.D. He saved the

people of Ireland from serpents and monsters. How long do people in

Ireland celebrate this holiday?

____ f. Hello! Do you know what date is it today?

____ g. People usually wear the color green and red. If you don’t wear green

people can pinchyou and if you wear red you will get kisses. Enjoy the

holiday!!

____ h. Thank you! I hope you also enjoy it. Good- bye.

Task 5 Read the dialogue from Task 4 with a partner and exchange the

roles.

Task 6 Reproduce this dialogue.

Why do you think people in the United States celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Task 7 Listen to the text and to write a reproduction based on the plan.