Ireland - Discussion Questions and / or Web Quest

What images come to mind when you hear the word Ireland?

The island of Ireland is divided into two parts. What are their names? What are some differences between the two?

What is the capital of Ireland?

What are some other Irish cities?

Do you know any Irish people and/or people who have lived in Ireland?

What is your idea of a typical Irish person?

What is the food like in Ireland? What are some typical dishes?

What type of government does Ireland have?

What do you know about Irish politics?

What are some good things and bad things about Ireland?

What is Ireland famous for?

What do you know about Irish history?

What do you know about Ireland’s culture?

Have you visited Ireland? If so, talk about it. If not, would you like to visit it?

Do you think Ireland is a good tourist destination?

What are some famous Irish tourist sights?

What money do they use in Ireland?

What do you think about Ireland?

What has Ireland given to the world?

What languages do they speak in Ireland?

Would you like to live there?

What do you know about Irish music?

What do you know about the economy of Ireland?

Who are the most famous Irish people you know?

How different is Ireland from other European countries?

What do you think Ireland will be like 50 years from now?

Does your country have good relations with Ireland?

What does your country have in common with Ireland?

What things about Ireland do you think Irish people are proud of?

What do you know about Ireland’s geography?

What do you know about Ireland's weather?

What do you know about Irish sports?

Have you ever been to an Irish pub?

Can you describe the flag of Ireland?

What public holidays are observed in Ireland?

Who is Ireland's patron Saint?

What is a four leaf clover and what does it have to do with Ireland? 

Do you know the expression, 'the luck of the Irish'? What do you think it means? 

What is a leprechaun and what does he have to do with a pot of gold?

Ireland is the third largest island in Europe? Which two islands are larger?

What would you like to ask an Irish person about Ireland?

Below are some examples of Irish slang and expressions. What do you think they mean?

How are you keeping?

How's she cuttin'?

Whats the craic?

Grand

Brilliant

Savage

Come here

Deadly

Hole in the Wall

Snogging

Minerals

The guards

A bad dose

Jacks

Knackered

Shattered

Scarlet

Jo maxi 

P.S. If you are in Spain, another question could be, 'What Spanish historical figure had Irish ancestors?' The answer is General Leopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of Tetuan. 

James Joyce - Past simple

Warm-Up: Who are some of your favorite English language writers?

Do you know of the writer James Joyce? If so, what do you know about him?

Read the text about James Joyce and fill in the gaps using the correct tense of the words below.

  move      go      attend      get married      travel     die      leave      have      meet      end up

James Joyce was born in 1882 in the Dublin suburb of Rathgar. He ______ to school in Clane, County Kildare until he was 10. Later he ______________ school in Dublin.

In 1904 he ______ Nora Barnacle. He was 22 years old. They became lovers but did not _____________ until 1931. They ___________ two children, a son named Giorgio and a daughter named Lucia.

In 1905 he __________ to Trieste to teach English. His first book, Chamber Music, a collection of poems, was published in 1907. He wrote five novels, three books of poetry, one short story collection and one play.

In 1920 Joyce __________ to Paris for a week long visit, but he _________ staying there for 20 years. In 1940 he ___________ Paris for Zurich to escape the Nazi occupation of France. He ________ in1941, just a few weeks before his 59^th birthday.

Today, he is considered to be one of the greatest writers of the 20^th century.

Comprehension: Are these sentences true or false? Correct the false ones.

1) James Joyce was born in Clane.

2) He didn’t go to school.

3) He got married at 18 years old.

4) He got married to Nora Barnacle.

5) He had five children.

6) He was an English teacher.

7) He died in 1940

Preposition Check: fill in the spaces with the correct preposition.

1) James Joyce was born ____ 1882.

2) Where did he go ____ school?

3) He got married ____ 1931.

4) He moved ____ Zurich shortly before he died.

Ask questions to go with the answers.

1 When _________________________________________?

He was born in 1882.

2 Where _________________________________________?

He was born in Dublin.

3 Where _________________________________________?

He went to school in Clane and Dublin.

4 When _________________________________________?

He got married in 1931.

5 How many _____________________________________?

He had 2 children.

6 When _________________________________________?

He moved to Trieste in 1905.

7 How many _____________________________________?

He wrote five novels.

8 When _________________________________________?

He died in 1941.

Make notes below about an ancestor, then talk about him / her using complete sentences.

His / Her Name:

Born (Year & Place):

School/Education:

Married:

Children:

Occupation:

Died:

Discussion 

What kinds of books do you like to read? Why?

Talk about the last book you read. What was it about? Did you like or dislike it? Why? Who wrote it? What do you know about the writer?

Do you have a favorite writer? If so, who is it? Why do you like his/her books? What is your favorite book by him/her? What is it about? What do you know about his/her life?

Who are some famous writers from your country? What do you know about their lives? What kind of books do / did they write? Can you talk about some of their books?