START

1. BRATISLAVA CASTLE: What do you know about Bratislava Castle? How old is it? When was it rebuilt? Where is it situated? What is there to see? Have you ever been there? (You may need to use the internet) Go round the room swapping stories. Change partners often.

2. DICTATION: The teacher will read some of the article slowly and clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again. Self correct your work from page 2 - filling in spaces and correcting mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total number of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!

3. READING: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every paragraph.

4. VOCABULARY: Students look through the article. Underline/highlight any vocabulary you do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out. The teacher will go through & explain any words or phrases you do not understand.

5. EXPLAIN: Explain the following: total reconstruction costs / currently empty / French garden / a recreation of what it used to look like / height of the - Austrian Empire / highly popular / cultural events / capacity / vicinities / unbearable situation / is not counting on

6. FAMOUS CASTLES: Think of 4 famous castles in your country. Compare and discuss with your partner.

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

7. QUICK DISCUSSION:

Regarding no 6 discuss the following with your partner:

Student A                                                                 

1)         Which is the most famous castle?                                                      

2)         Which is the biggest castle?                                                                       

3)         Which one is still standing and actually looks like a castle?                          

4)         Which one is the most crumbled and decrepit?                                         

5)         Which is your favourite and why?                                                                   

Student B                                                                                    

1)         Who do you go with when visiting a castle in your country?                        

2)         Why do you like to visit castles?                                                   

3)         From what period of history were these castles built?                                   

4)         What makes your favourite castle special?                                                   

5)          Do you know of any special events that these castles may lay on?

8. ARTICLE QUIZ: With your partner or in small groups: (1 point for each correct answer. Lose ½ point if you look at the article for help!)                                              

Student A                                                                                             

1)         What is going to close in April?                                                       

2)         Where will the new car park be?                                                      

3)         How many car parking places will there be?                                        

4)         What will the renovated castle attract?                                                    

5)         What will be on the fourth floor?                                                      

6)         What will be for disabled people?                                                            

7)         What will be outside on the northern side of the castle?                                   

8)         Where will the new spotlights go?                                                         

9)         How much has been allocated from the budget in 2008 for the restoration of the castle?        

10)       How much are total reconstruction costs?                                                            

Student B                                                                                    

1)         How long will the castle be closed to the public?                                            

2)         What will visitors see when the castle is completed?                            

3)         What will be on the third floor?                                                      

4)         What will be on the second floor?                                                      

5)         What capacity of people can attend the cultural events?                                 

6)         Where do they want to build a car park?                                                 

7)         Who is the Speaker of the Slovak Parliament?                                     

8)         What is the architect’s response to the car park issue?                          

9)         What could stop the underground car park?                                        

10)         Who are afraid and of what?         

9. I WENT TO VISIT A CASTLE AND I SAW…: Swap partners! Think of 10 things you might see when visiting a castle. Write them below. Compare and discuss with your new partner.

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

10. UN-SCRAMBLE: Put the following into the right order:                                    

Easy                                                                                         

1)         closed Bratislava be to is Castle going                                             

2)         will art floor have third the galleries                                                  

3)         the will floor have fourth collections small                                              

4)         Austria recreations are nearby in similar                                                 

5)         new disabled for a lift is people                                                                       

Harder                                                                               

6)         castle visitors the many will attract new renovated                              

7)         underground will 220 cars there parking be for                                        

8)         castle a see French new the will garden                                                    

9)         the lights around spot castle be new will                                                    

10)         to years reconstruction last four five full will                                               

(Answers are on page 16 – sentences adapted from article)

11. FAMOUS CASTLES WORLDWIDE: Think of 4 famous castles worldwide (not in your country). Compare and discuss with your partner.

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

12. QUICK DISCUSSION:

Regarding no 11 discuss the following with your partner:                                                                          

Student A                                                                 

1)         Which is the most famous?                                                            

2)         Which is the biggest castle?                                                                       

3)         Which one is still standing and actually looks like a castle?                          

4)         Which is your favourite and why?                                                          

5)         Your question                                                                             

Student B                                                                                    

1)         Who do you go with when visiting a castle not in your country?                        

2)         What is your favourite architectural style of castle?                                   

3)         From what period of history were the best castles built?                            

4)         What are most castles made of?                                                          

5)          What surrounds most castles? Why? 

13. BRATISLAVA CASTLE: Think of three advantages and disadvantages of renovating Bratislava Castle. Compare and discuss with your partner(s).

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

14. BRATISLAVA CASTLE: With your partner on the board write as many words to do with ‘Bratislava Castle’ as you can. One-two minutes. Compare with other teams. Discuss together – linking your words.

15. SENTENCES: Choose six/nine of the words from no 12. Write two/three sentences using two/three words in each. Underline your chosen words. The teacher will if necessary correct your work. Students might be asked to read their sentences aloud.

16. QUICK DEBATE: Students A believe building a car park under the proposed French garden at Bratislava Castle is stupid. Explain why. Students B believe it will be OK. Explain why. 

17. CAR PARKS: Think of 4 car parks in your town/city where you can park your car. List them below.

18. PARKING: Regarding no 17 discuss the following with your partner:                  

Student A                                                                

1)         Are they close to your school/college/work?                                          

2)         Are they close to the centre/shops/offices?                                         

3)         How much does it cost to park there?                                                     

4)         Do you park in any of them?                                                              

5)         Do you object to paying exorbitant car parking fees?                            

6)         What should the city do regarding the lack of car parking places?                         

Student B                                                                           

1)         Are some car parks more expensive than others?                                    

2)         Do you think more multi-storey car parks should be built?                       

3)         Should there be a park and ride service introduced?                            

4)          Would you use it?                                                                          

5)         Why do new offices not build enough car parking spaces for their employees?

6)         Are you one of these people who parks on pavements that are meant for pedestrians?

List two places you would like to see a new car park built? Why? Discuss

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: After reading the article guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article:

GAP FILL: READING

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

GAP FILL: LISTENING:

Listen and fill in the spaces.

Bratislava Castle to get facelift

Bratislava Castle is __________________ from the beginning of April 2008 because of reconstruction. It _________________ the public for two to three years. Full reconstruction ___________________ between four to five years. Almost 300m Slovak crowns has been _________________ castles reconstruction in the 2008 budget. Total reconstruction costs are estimated to be between 1500 – 2000 million crowns. When completed visitors _____________________ a new entrance leading to an underground part of the castle together with __________________ the castle that are currently empty. On the second floor there will be some art galleries. The third floor will see an exhibition of the history of the Slovak Republic. On the fourth floor there will be some ____________________ the Slovak National Museum. There will also be a new lift for disabled people.

Outside the northern side __________________ see a new French garden. The garden will be a recreation of ____________________ like during the height of the Austrian Empire when such gardens were highly popular. Similar recreations can be found in nearby Austria. Cultural events with the capacity for about 600 people will take place in the new gardens in an area where horse rides will take place. Under __________________ parking for 220 cars. Part of the reconstruction will see new spot lights placed around the castle walls. The restoration work will be done by Bouda a Masár who have been involved with the reconstruction since 1981. They have 47m skk for the project. A competition for another company to take part in this reconstruction will take place in March. The ___________________ supposed to attract many new visitors. According to its architects that’s why it _________________ car parking.

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)   Did the headline make you want to read the article?

b)   Why would the public want a huge car park to see Bratislava castle when currently the majority appear to walk there and use the entrance on the old city side?

c)    Which entrance did you use when visiting Bratislava Castle?

d)   Do you think there should be more multi story and underground car parks in Bratislava?

e)   Why does the city not have a park and ride scheme?

f)     If they did have a park and ride scheme would you use it?

g)   Will you visit Bratislava Castle after it is reconstructed?

h)   Would you like to see English traditional afternoon tea served in the new French gardens?

i)     How many castles have you visited during the last year?

j)     Have you ever renovated anything? When? Why?

$---------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)   Have you ever been to Bratislava Castle? If yes, when?

b)   What do you think of the renovation ideas for Bratislava Castle?

c)    Have you ever designed a garden?

d)   Have you ever visited castles with large French style gardens?

e)   Do you think more should be done to assist disabled people when they visit cultural attractions?

f)     Regarding the castle car park which idea are you in favour of?

g)   Do you think the proposed underground car park is really more for parliament and offices around rather than Joe Public visiting the castle?

h)   What do you think will be the final decision – an underground car park for 220 cars, 15 parking spaces outside or something else?

i)     Do you ever have problems when parking in your city?

j)     Did you like this discussion?

AFTER DISCUSSION: Join another partner / group and tell them what you talked about.

a.   What was the most interesting thing you heard?

b.   Was there a question you did not like?

c.    Was there something you totally disagreed with?

d.   What did you like talking about?

e.   Which was the most difficult question?

SPEAKING

ORGANISING A CASTLE EVENT: A FEAST /PARTY / WEDDING / BALL / OTHER (YOUR CHOICE):                       In pairs or in teams of 3/4

You work for a big company who have been asked to organise something special at a castle for a big client. In your team prepare some ideas for it. Use the table below to help you.

Present your ideas to the class: Decide which team was best. Tell other teams why their ideas might not be winners.

What ideas are the most exciting?

LANGUAGE: CORRECT WORD: Choose the correct words from a–d below and write them in the article.

Bratislava Castle to get facelift

Bratislava (1)__ is going to be closed (2)__ the beginning of April 2008 because of reconstruction. It will be closed to the public for two to three years. Full reconstruction is expected to last between four to five years. Almost 300m Slovak crowns has been allocated for the castles reconstruction in the 2008 budget. Total reconstruction costs are estimated to be between 1500 – 2000 million crowns. When completed (3)__ will be able to visit a new entrance leading to an underground part of the castle together with some more rooms in the castle that are currently empty. On the second floor there will be some art galleries. The third floor will see an exhibition of the history of the Slovak Republic. On the fourth floor there will be some (4)__ collections of the Slovak National Museum. There will also be a new lift for disabled people.

Outside the northern side of the castle will see a new French garden. The garden will be a recreation of what it used to look like during the (5)__ of the Austrian Empire when such gardens were highly popular. Similar recreations can be found in nearby Austria. Cultural events with the capacity for about 600 people will take place in the new (6)__ in an area where horse rides will take place. Under the garden will be (7)__ for 220 cars. Part of the reconstruction will see new spot lights placed around the castle walls. The restoration work will be done by Bouda a Masár (8)__ have been involved with the reconstruction since 1981. They have 47m skk for the (9)__. A competition for another company to take part in this reconstruction will take place in March. The (10)__ castle is supposed to attract many new visitors. (11)__ to its architects that’s why it needs underground (12)__ parking.

GRAMMAR 1: MIDWAY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

GRAMMAR 2: EASY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

HOMEWORK

1. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on “Why I wouldn’t want to live in a castle” (Minimum 200 words)

2. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on ““The history of Bratislava Castle.” (Minimum 200 words)

3. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on “Solutions to parking issues in big cities” (Minimum 200 words)

4. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on “My favourite castles” (Minimum 200 words)

WRITING: IN CLASS:

1. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on ““Why I wouldn’t want to live in a castle” (Minimum 200 words) You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work.                                                                                                                                                          Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, “You have xx minutes.”

2. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on “Solutions to parking issues in big cities” You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work.                                                                                                             Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, “You have xx minutes.”

3. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on “Why I wouldn’t want to live in a castle” You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work.

Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, “You have xx minutes.”

SPELLING TEST

The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following words that are in the article:     

ANSWERS: 2

13. UN-SCRAMBLED:       (adapted from article)                                         

Easy                                                                                         

1)         Bratislava Castle is going to be closed                                            

2)         The third floor will have art galleries                                                  

3)         The fourth floor will have small collections                                                

4)         Similar recreations are in nearby Austria                                                     

5)         A new lift is for disabled people                                                                       

Harder                                                                               

6)         The renovated castle will attract many new visitors                            

7)         There will be underground parking for 220 cars                                         

8)         The castle will see a new French garden                                                    

9)         New spot lights will be around the castle                                             

10)       Full reconstruction will last four to five years                                                                

ANSWERS: 1

TRUE / FALSE:

SYNONYM MATCH:

PHRASE MATCH:

GAP FILL: Bratislava Castle to get facelift and possible underground parking: Bratislava Castle is going to be closed from the beginning of April 2008 because of reconstruction. It will be closed to the public for two to three years. Full reconstruction is expected to last between four to five years. Almost 300m Slovak crowns has been allocated for the castles reconstruction in the 2008 budget. Total reconstruction costs are estimated to be between 1500 – 2000 million crowns. When completed visitors will be able to visit a new entrance leading to an underground part of the castle together with some more rooms in the castle that are currently empty. On the second floor there will be some art galleries. The third floor will see an exhibition of the history of the Slovak Republic. On the fourth floor there will be some small collections of the Slovak National Museum. There will also be a new lift for disabled people.

Outside the northern side of the castle will see a new French garden. The garden will be a recreation of what it used to look like during the height of the Austrian Empire when such gardens were highly popular. Similar recreations can be found in nearby Austria. Cultural events with the capacity for about 600 people will take place in the new gardens in an area where horse rides will take place. Under the garden will be parking for 220 cars. Part of the reconstruction will see new spot lights placed around the castle walls. The restoration work will be done by Bouda a Masár who have been involved with the reconstruction since 1981. They have 47m skk for the project. A competition for another company to take part in this reconstruction will take place in March. The renovated castle is supposed to attract many new visitors. According to its architects that’s why it needs underground car parking.

LANGUAGE WORK