Giáo án A Closer Look 1

Ss activate prior knowledge about English as a language used in the world and get ready for the topic of World Englishes.

T asks Ss to think about English they see or hear in daily life. Key questions: 'Where do you see or hear English in your daily life?' 'Do you know any English words that Vietnamese people use?' Ss write their ideas on sticky notes for one minute.

A list of 4–6 ideas on the board, for example: English songs, social media, product labels, English words used in Vietnamese such as 'internet' or 'smartphone'. Ss see that many words are borrowed words and that English is used in many places.

Ss understand the meaning of eight topic words and use them in context.

Ss read the words and example sentences on the slide and copy them into their vocabulary notebooks: variety (biến thể), accent (giọng), fluency (sự lưu loát), accuracy (độ chính xác), borrowed word (từ vay mượn), official language (ngôn ngữ chính thức), communication (sự giao tiếp), opportunity (cơ hội). Key questions: 'What is the difference between fluency and accuracy?' 'Can you give an example of a borrowed word?' Ss work in pairs to read each example sentence and explain the meaning of the target word in English or Vietnamese.

Ss complete the vocabulary notebook with eight words, Vietnamese meanings and example sentences. Expected answers: fluency: 'Regular conversation can improve fluency.' accuracy: 'Check accuracy when you revise.' official language: 'English is an official language in several places.' opportunity: 'A language can open an opportunity to learn.'

Ss identify and pronounce the stressed syllable in words ending in -ion and -ity.

T explains the rule: words ending in -ion usually have stress just before the suffix (communi-CA-tion, edu-CA-tion). With -ity, stress often falls on the syllable before -ity (a-BI-lity, oppor-TU-nity). Ss listen to the whole word and mark the stressed syllable rather than stressing the suffix itself. Ss practise the words in the Pronunciation Workshop: communication, education, ability and activity. Ss read each word slowly, then in a short sentence, without adding an extra vowel.

Ss mark the stressed syllables: communi-CA-tion, edu-CA-tion, a-BI-lity, ac-TI-vity. Ss say each word clearly, with stress on the marked syllable. Expected sentence: 'Communication needs active listening.'

Ss identify and use defining relative clauses with who, that and which, and know when the object relative pronoun can be omitted.

T presents the language focus: a defining relative clause gives essential information that identifies a person or thing. Example: 'Students who practise regularly often gain confidence.' Ss note: no commas around the clause; who/that refers to people; which/that refers to things; only an object relative pronoun can be omitted. Key question: 'In the sentence Students ___ ask questions can clarify meaning, which word is the subject of ask?' Ss complete Worksheet 2.

Ss write the rules in their notebooks: (1) no commas in defining clauses; (2) who/that for people, which/that for things; (3) only an object relative pronoun can be omitted. Example answer: 'Students who ask questions can clarify meaning.' Who is the subject of ask and identifies students.

Ss consolidate the meanings of topic words, the stress rule and listening for key vocabulary.

Ss complete the following tasks:

• Exercise 1: Match the words with the Vietnamese meanings: variety, accent, fluency, accuracy.
• Exercise 2: Match the remaining words and meanings: borrowed word, official language, communication, opportunity.
• Exercise 3: Write the English word or phrase that means 'từ vay mượn': ___.
• Exercise 4: Which syllable is stressed in 'communication'? A. com; B. mu; C. ni; D. ca.
• Exercise 5: Listen. Which vocabulary item do you hear? A. accent; B. accuracy; C. variety; D. fluency.
• Exercise 6: Listen to the sentence. Which vocabulary concept occurs in it? A. communication; B. fluency; C. official language; D. opportunity.

Answer key:

• Exercise 1: variety – biến thể; accent – giọng; fluency – sự lưu loát; accuracy – độ chính xác.
• Exercise 2: borrowed word – từ vay mượn; official language – ngôn ngữ chính thức; communication – sự giao tiếp; opportunity – cơ hội.
• Exercise 3: borrowed word (Some English words are borrowed words.)
• Exercise 4: D (the main stress is on CA in communication).
• Exercise 5: C (the recording says variety).
• Exercise 6: B (the sentence uses fluency: Regular conversation can improve fluency.)

Ss practise the stress of -ion and -ity words and write sentences that use two target vocabulary items.

Ss complete the following tasks:

• Exercise 7: Say communication, education, ability and activity. Mark the stressed syllable and use two of the words in sentences.
• Exercise 8: Write two connected sentences using 'official language' and 'opportunity'.

Model answers:

• Exercise 7: communi-CA-tion, edu-CA-tion, a-BI-lity, ac-TI-vity. Sample sentences: 'Good communication needs active listening.' 'Education can open an opportunity for a better job.'
• Exercise 8: 'English is an official language in several places. A language can open an opportunity to learn.' Assessment guidance: each phrase used correctly; logical link between the two sentences; correct sentence form.

Ss use topic vocabulary, the stress rules and defining relative clauses to write and present a short description in groups.

Working in groups of four, Ss choose one topic: a person who uses English in daily life, a place where English is an official language, or a borrowed word they use. Each group writes a short description of 5–6 sentences. The description must include at least three topic words and at least two defining relative clauses with who, that or which. Key questions: 'Who uses English in your daily life?' 'What makes this place or word special?' Ss present their description, and classmates check the relative pronouns, the commas and the stress of -ion and -ity words. If time is short, this task can continue at home.

A group description on a small whiteboard or paper, for example: 'My cousin is someone who uses English every day for work. He has good fluency, and he often reads books that are written in English. English is an official language in several places, which gives many people an opportunity to communicate.' Classmates confirm: no commas around the defining clauses, correct use of who and which, and correct stress in communication and opportunity.