Gabriel García Márquez (1), Cocaine (2): two thematic units for lively discussion- SP Intermediate 1

Two culture units on Colombia, probably one of the countries that invokes the greatest number of stereotypes. Click on Preview and read both units.

All the Miraflores thematic units include: a level appropriate reading, comprehension, contextualized vocabulary and grammar, oral and writing assignments, Internet key words to further the themes and the answer keys.

Unit 1. Gabriel García Márquez, escritor colombiano

García Márquez was a great Colombian writer and although at this level the students cannot read his novels, they will get acquainted with his work. Many students never make it to the advanced levels, so I like to introduce writers earlier. This unit relates his works to information about Colombia.

Unit includes:

1. Subject matter: literature, culture

2. Vocabulary: literary

3. Grammar: preterit

4. Oral practice: a novel

5. Homework: a novel you have read

6. Internet: Key word list to facilitate a search

7. Answer key

Unit 2. La cocaína, problema de nuestros días

I had no restrictions, so a unit on drugs was fine. Understanding trade, middle men and cartels was fascinating. Sometimes the group discussion about legalization was very heated, other times students were all on the same page, and agreed on what needed to be done. It was also very instructive about what was happening inside and outside of my classroom. The first time I was surprised at the amount of information they all had about where drugs could be purchased, their price and more. I kept my mouth firmly shut when I left the classroom.

Unit includes:

1. Subject matter: daily life

2. Vocabulary: commercial

3. Grammar: preterit perfect

4. Oral practice: drug problems in your community

5. Homework: should some drugs be legal?

6. Internet: Key word list to facilitate a search

7. Answer key

Comprehensible cultural input.