Dealing With Taxes

Objectives:

• The learner will define all lesson vocabulary.

• The learner will use count and non-count nouns in written and verbal sentences with 100 percent accuracy.

• The learner will change singular to plural nouns with 70 percent accuracy. 

• The learner will explain the importance of completing tax returns honestly and completely.

Duration:

    6 hours

Materials:

• Count and Non-Count Flashcards

• Dealing With Taxes Vocabulary Drill worksheet

• Grammar in Context, Sandra N. Elbaum, Heinle and Heinle Publishers, 2001; pgs. 83-87

• English for All student packet (Episode Nine)

• English for All video (Episode Nine) 

• TV

• VCR

• White board and markers

Activities:

NOTE: This lesson requires an English for All video. If a video player and TV are not available, EFA episodes will run on computers equipped with Quicktime. Due to the need to stop and start the video, it is important that the teacher preview it well in advance of the lesson. The English for All student packet also is available to copy from the English for All Web site, located at www.myefa.org. Teachers must register, which is  easy, quick and free. Once registered, go to "Preview Course" and click on Episode Nine, then click again on "Download print materials for this episode." 

1. Teacher defines lesson vocabulary as listed on page 2 of the English for All student packet. Teacher adds "necklace," "boutique," "trinkets," "announce," "giggle," "seductive" and "playful"--words that appear in the story script but are not on the vocabulary list. Teacher explains that learners also will see two idiomatic expressions: "You've got a way with women," and "Give me a sec." Teacher defines and models the use of both.   

2. Teacher plays video, blocking the screen so that students concentrate on the dialogue. Learners read along with the script (pgs. 3-6 and 10-11), circling the vocabulary words. Teacher re-runs the video with both sound and picture. 

3. Teacher assigns each learner one of six roles in the dialogue: Tshombe, Jose, Pat Springdale, Anna/Mrs. Vargas, Cathy/Simon and Yanique/the Wizard. Roles may be adjusted depending upon the number of learners. Learners read their roles in groups while teacher makes note of pronunciation difficulties and correcting where necessary. Learners read the dialogue again, correcting pronunciation errors while emphasizing a natural cadence. 

4. Learners re-group as a class, giving learners opportunities to discuss questions about vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. Class answers comprehension questions 1-10, pg. 5 in English for All student packet . 

5. Teacher reads the segment, "Taxes," pg. 6 in English for All student packet; learners complete questions 1-10, pg. 6.

6. Teacher plays portion of the video that addresses count and non-count nouns, then reviews the related information on pg. 8 of the student packet. Teacher begins with a review of the definition of a noun and establishes the meaning of "count" and "non-count" nouns by giving examples (non-count: light, air, sugar; count: book, table, computer). Teacher uses count and non-count flashcards in a chain drill activity.    

7. Teacher refers students to chart of regular and irregular noun plurals, pgs. 83 and 85 of Grammar in Context.  Teacher says the singular words (regular and irregular) while learners say the plural forms. Learners complete Lesson 3.1, Exercise 1, and Lesson 3.3, Exercises 3 and 4. Learners review and correct exercises as a paired activity, and discuss as a class when completed.

8. Learners complete questions 1-15, pg. 9 in English for All student packet and correct as a class.  

9. Teacher reviews use of "some," "a lot of," "many," "a few" and cardinal numbers with plural count nouns, and "some," "a lot of," "much" and "a little" with non-count nouns by writing the words on the board (words are grouped together as count or non-count). Teacher says a plural count or non-count word chosen from the flashcards and points to a learner. Learner chooses any appropriate word from the correct group. Class continues until all learners have at least three turns. 

10. Learners complete Dealing With Taxes Vocabulary Drill worksheet and correct as a class. 

11. Learners view English for All Episode Nine a last time with both sound and picture.

Assessment:

Teacher monitors verbal and written responses of individual learners, evaluates all written work.