Galápagos ecology (1), Ecuador in the Olympic Games (2) - thematic units for SP Intermediate 1

Two culture units. Read, write, speak, think. Please preview.

Unit 1. Las islas Galápagos : Islas extraordinarias

When Charles Darwin wrote his Origin of the Species, his research was based on empirical observations in the Galápagos Islands. It was there that he realized that some species develop singular traits according to their needs. Today the islands are a popular tourist destination where tourists admire giant turtles, warm water penguins, the Galápagos albatross and many other animals. Language study includes not only the animals, but many cognates that begin with ES in Spanish. Discussion topics deal with man, the most dangerous of all animals.

Unit includes:

1. Subject matter: ecology

2. Vocabulary: parts of the body

3. Grammar: prepositions and accents

4. Oral practice: describe a photograph

5. Homework: endangered species

6. Internet: Key word list to facilitate a search

7. Answer key

Unit 2. La participación de Ecuador en los Juegos Olímpicos

If the Olympic medals are always won by the richest countries, should the poorer countries even bother to attend? Find out how Ecuador has fared in the Olympics in the last one hundred years. Decide if the money should be spent sending athletes to the Olympic Games or should be used locally. Many questions don’t have easy answers.

Unit includes:

1. Subject matter: sports

2. Vocabulary: competitive sports

3. Grammar: comparative and superlative

4. Oral practice: television coverage of the Olympic Games

5. Homework: who should participate in the Olympic Games

6. Internet: Key word list to facilitate a search

7. Answer key

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