Flags and Symbols
Episode of the series Great Stuff
The episode
In this episode, we look at flags and symbols of the UK countries. You will see how the Union Jack flag is a mix of three countries’ flags. We also talk about national animals (like a dragon) and flowers (like a rose and a spiky thistle).
Episode worksheets (2)
- Student sheet In your teacher account
- Teacher sheet In your teacher account
Teaching guide
Objective & content
In this two-voice documentary, the speakers look at the flags and national symbols of the four countries of the United Kingdom. They show how the flags of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland combine in the Union Jack, and why the flag of Wales is missing from it. They then compare national animals and flowers: the dragon, the unicorn, the lion, the thistle, the daffodil and the shamrock. The language focus is describing things with present simple sentences, colours and basic adjectives ("It's white, with a red cross."). The skill is listening comprehension, with cultural awareness of the UK nations.
Materials & prerequisites
- Student sheet and teacher sheet (PDF and HTML versions) from the episode printables.
- Prerequisites: the colours, "it is" sentences, and the names of the four UK nations.
Curriculum alignment
Tagged `c3-child-and-wider-environment` (cycle 3, 6e). The episode targets CEFR level A1-.
Possible adaptations
- Lower levels: Offer segmented listening and additional visual aids.
- Advanced levels: Encourage an oral summary and a debate in English on the theme.
- Large groups: Organise group work with differentiated roles.
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