That's English! - Module 8 - Unit 3: Green Issues

This is a very typical topic not only for speaking but also for other exercises such as listening and reading. Let's start with the general questions, as usual:

• Do you recycle a lot or do you do just what it's necessary? What do you do to try to be greener or more ecofriendly?
• What do you do to reduce water wasting in your house? what other things can be made to shorten the amount of water used at home?
• Do you think  your town is an eco-friendly place to live? Give reasons for your answer.
• Do you believe there is a climate change? Is it the same as global warming? Can we do anything to avoid it? Do you think it's possible to do anything yet or is it too late?
• What species in danger of extinction do you remember? Why are they necessary, if so?
• What policies do you know about sources of energy: solar panels, windmills, nuclear power stations, biomass, oil, electricity (renewable and non-renewable sources)?

Activity 1

Do you remember what the 3 R's stand for?  Just in case, they are for the 3 principal actions to save our planet: Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. Work with your partner and try to see how important these actions are for protecting our environment. Give examples.

Activity 2

This is an activity of listening. The task might be too simple for your level, but it's a good example of vocabulary and expressions connected to the environment. Once you've done the exercise go to the script to check the words used. Click here

Activity 3

A talk from TED about environmental issues; let's have a look and we'll discuss about what we've understood. Click here

Activity 4

Try to explain with your own words these terms connected to environmental issues; then say if they are important issues and why they are so relevant:

• deforestation and rainforest
• endangered species
• global warming and greenhouse effect
• climate change and ice caps melting/droughts/floods/heat waves
• carbon footprint/to be eco-friendly
• renewable energy source or non-renewable ones
• some specific vocabulary: dumps, dam or reservoir, debris, trash, garbage or rubbish, etc.

Activity 5 

To work with the vocabulary learnt in this unit, try to do this fill-in-the-gaps exercise: click here

Other exercises of listening connected to environment to practise:

• a pre-intermediate about climate change: click here
• different activities on this topic for teenagers: click here
• a listening from ESL: click here
• climate change: clik here  (taken from a blog - Cristina's blog - with many listening exercises)
• a list of videos about environmental issues: click here