The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Humans may not be the only ones to use grammar and vocabulary to speak and communicate. Scientists believe dolphins also use words and sentences to speak to each other. We have known for a long time that dolphins can communicate. New research suggests that this communication is similar to the conversations humans have. Scientists say the clicks, whistles and other sounds that dolphins make appear to be sentences that let the sea creatures send messages to each other. The dolphins use their language to identify themselves, have relations with other dolphins, and do things together. Scientists say that one day, we may be able to understand dolphin language and talk to dolphins.

Researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea made the discovery that dolphins had their own language after recording two Black Sea bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins were named Yasha and Yana. The scientists noticed that one dolphin listened to what the other was saying and then replied. Lead researcher Dr Vyacheslav Ryabov said: "This exchange resembles a conversation between two people." He added: "This language exhibits all the design features present in the human spoken language. This indicates a high level of intelligence and consciousness in dolphins." Dr Ryabov said the dolphins' language is, "a highly developed spoken language, like the human language."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www. techtimes.com/articles/177382/20160913/dolphins-talk-just-like-humans-dolphins-speak-in-words-and-complete-sentences.htm
  • http://www. independent.co.uk/news/science/dolphins-speak-language-human-communication-scientists-a7237791.html
  • http://www. natureworldnews.com/articles/28575/20160913/sea-talk-dolphins-recorded-having-conservation-using-sentences-up-five.htm


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. DOLPHINS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about dolphins. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

       grammar / vocabulary / communicate / sentences / similar / whistles / relations /
       discovery / recording / replied / exchange / conversation / design / intelligence

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. ANIMALS: Students A strongly believe we need to understand what animals say; Students B strongly believe we don't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. CONVERSATIONS: What would like to have a conversation about with these creatures (and why)? Discuss this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Dolphin
  • Cockroach
  • Lion
  • Ant
  • Eagle
  • Snake
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. WORDS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "word". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. LANGUAGE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things about language at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • listening
  • speaking
  • writing
  • handwriting
  • vocabulary
  • pronunciation
  • reading
  • grammar

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says humans are the only ones to use vocabulary.     T / F
  2. Research suggests dolphin and human communication are similar.    T / F
  3. Dolphins use clicks and whistles to make what appear to be sentences.    T / F
  4. Scientists say we will never be able to understand dolphin language.     T / F
  5. The research was carried out at Sea World in Florida.     T / F
  6. The research was carried out on bottlenose dolphins.     T / F
  7. In the research, a dolphin listened to another dolphin and then replied.    T / F
  8. A researcher said dolphin language is not highly developed.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. speak
  2. a long time
  3. appear
  4. relations
  5. understand
  6. named
  7. noticed
  8. exhibits
  9. consciousness
  10. highly
  1. awareness
  2. bonds
  3. comprehend
  4. called
  5. observed
  6. seem
  7. very
  8. talk
  9. shows
  10. ages

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. Humans may not be the only
  2. use words and
  3. clicks, whistles and
  4. dolphins use their language to identify
  5. we may be able to understand
  6. recording two Black Sea
  7. one dolphin listened to what
  8. a conversation
  9. a high level
  10. a highly developed
  1. other sounds
  2. between two people
  3. ones
  4. of intelligence
  5. spoken language
  6. themselves
  7. bottlenose dolphins
  8. dolphin language
  9. sentences
  10. the other was saying

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
sentences
messages
known
able
ones
whistles
identify
similar

Humans may not be the only (1) ____________ to use grammar and vocabulary to speak and communicate. Scientists believe dolphins also use words and (2) ____________ to speak to each other. We have (3) ____________ for a long time that dolphins can communicate. New research suggests that this communication is (4) ____________ to the conversations humans have. Scientists say the clicks, (5) ____________ and other sounds that dolphins make appear to be sentences that let the sea creatures send (6) ____________ to each other. The dolphins use their language to (7) ____________ themselves, have relations with other dolphins, and do things together. Scientists say that one day, we may be (8) ____________ to understand dolphin language and talk to dolphins.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
named
discovery
level
replied
recording
developed
resembles
noticed

Researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea made the (9) ____________ that dolphins had their own language after (10) ____________ two Black Sea bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins were (11) ____________ Yasha and Yana. The scientists (12) ____________ that one dolphin listened to what the other was saying and then (13) ____________. Lead researcher Dr Vyacheslav Ryabov said: "This exchange (14) ____________ a conversation between two people." He added: "This language exhibits all the design features present in the human spoken language. This indicates a high (15) ____________ of intelligence and consciousness in dolphins." Dr Ryabov said the dolphins' language is, "a highly (16) ____________ spoken language, like the human language."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) the only ones to use grammar and vocabulary to speak ______
     a.  and communicates
     b.  and communicated
     c.  and communicate
     d.  and communicating

2)  dolphins also use words and sentences to speak ______
     a.  to one other
     b.  to each other
     c.  to each another
     d.  to each others

3)  We have known for a long time that dolphins ______
     a.  and communicate
     b.  ban communicate
     c.  speak communicate
     d.  can communicate

4)  the clicks, whistles and other sounds that dolphins make ______ sentences
     a.  appear to be
     b.  appeal to be
     c.  a pear to be
     d.  a peer to be

5)  The dolphins use their language to ______
     a.  identity themselves
     b.  identify themselves
     c.  identified themselves
     d.  indemnify themselves

6)  made the discovery that dolphins had their ______
     a.  own language
     b.  owner language
     c.  owns language
     d.  owned language

7)  The scientists noticed that one dolphin listened to what the ______
     a.  others was saying
     b.  other were saying
     c.  another was saying
     d.  other was saying

8)  This exchange resembles a conversation between ______
     a.  the people
     b.  two people
     c.  too people
     d.  to people

9)  This language exhibits all the design features present in the human ______
     a.  spoke language
     b.  spoke in language
     c.  speaking language
     d.  spoken language

10)  This indicates a high level of intelligence and ______ dolphins
     a.  conscious nest sin
     b.  consciousness sin
     c.  consciousness in
     d.  unconsciousness in

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Humans may (1) ___________________ ones to use grammar and vocabulary to speak and communicate. Scientists believe dolphins also use words and sentences to speak (2) ___________________. We have known for a long time that dolphins can communicate. New research suggests that this communication (3) ___________________ conversations humans have. Scientists say the clicks, whistles and other sounds that dolphins make appear to be sentences (4) ___________________ sea creatures send messages to each other. The dolphins use their language to identify themselves, (5) ___________________ other dolphins, and do things together. Scientists say that one day, we (6) ___________________ understand dolphin language and talk to dolphins.

Researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea (7) ___________________ that dolphins had their own language after recording two Black Sea bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins were named Yasha and Yana. The scientists (8) ___________________ dolphin listened to what the other was saying and then replied. Lead researcher Dr Vyacheslav Ryabov said: "This (9) ___________________ a conversation between two people." He added: "This language exhibits all the design features (10) ___________________ human spoken language. This indicates (11) ___________________ intelligence and consciousness in dolphins." Dr Ryabov said the dolphins' language is, "a highly developed spoken language, (12) ___________________ language."

Comprehension questions

  1. Who may not be the only ones to use grammar and vocabulary?
  2. For how long have we known that dolphins can communicate?
  3. What two dolphin sounds did the article mention?
  4. What do dolphins send to each other?
  5. What might we be able to understand one day?
  6. How many dolphins did the researchers record?
  7. What did one dolphin do after listening to another dolphin?
  8. What did a researcher say an exchange between two dolphins resembled?
  9. What did the researcher say dolphins had a high level of?
  10. What kind of language did the researcher call dolphins' spoken language?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who may not be the only ones to use grammar and vocabulary?
a) English teachers
b) humans
c) dolphins
d) researchers

2) For how long have we known that dolphins can communicate?
a) since 1933
b) 88 years
c) centuries
d) a long time

3) What two dolphin sounds did the article mention?
a) clicks and whistles
b) sirens and clicks
c) sirens and whistles
d) hisses and whispers

4) What do dolphins send to each other?
a) fish
b) presents
c) messages
d) alerts

5) What might we be able to understand one day?
a) each other
b) dolphin language
c) our own grammar
d) the mysteries of the universe

6) How many dolphins did the researchers record?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

7) What did one dolphin do after listening to another dolphin?
a) turn upside down
b) say "I love you"
c) reply
d) swim away

8) What did a researcher say an exchange between two dolphins resembled?
a) human conversation
b) a rap song
c) a fight
d) a painting

9) What did the researcher say dolphins had a high level of?
a) intelligence
b) fishiness
c) fat
d) vocabulary

10) What kind of language did the researcher call dolphins' spoken language?
a) a mid-Atlantic language
b) an aquatic language
c) a Crimean language
d) a highly developed language

Role play

Role A — Vocabulary

You think vocabulary is most important in a language. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so necessary for communication. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): reading, grammar or speaking.

Role B — Reading

You think reading is most important in a language. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so necessary for communication. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): vocabulary, grammar or speaking.

Role C — Grammar

You think grammar is most important in a language. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so necessary for communication. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): reading, vocabulary or speaking.

Role D — Speaking

You think speaking is most important in a language. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so necessary for communication. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  reading, grammar or vocabulary.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'grammar'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'vocabulary'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • discovery
    • noticed
    • between
    • present
    • high
    • highly
    • ones
    • known
    • similar
    • sounds
    • identify
    • day

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Dolphin language may have grammar

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'dolphin'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How intelligent do you think dolphins are?
    5. What do you think dolphins talk about?
    6. How important are dolphins?
    7. What can we learn from dolphins?
    8. What would you like to talk to dolphins about?
    9. What other animals would you like to communicate with?
    10. What can we do to protect dolphins?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. How might dolphin language differ from human language?
    3. Would you like to do research into dolphins?
    4. How advanced is your grammar and vocabulary?
    5. Are you good at listening to other people?
    6. Are dolphins more intelligent than humans?
    7. Do you think there will be dolphin language schools one day?
    8. How surprised are you that dolphins have a language?
    9. Do you think dolphins can speak to other creatures?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Humans may not be the only ones to (1) ____ grammar and vocabulary to speak and communicate. Scientists believe dolphins also use words and sentences to speak to each (2) ____. We have known for a long time that dolphins can communicate. New research suggests that this communication is (3) ____ to the conversations humans have. Scientists say the clicks, whistles and other sounds that dolphins (4) ____ appear to be sentences that let the sea creatures send messages to each other. The dolphins use their language (5) ____ identify themselves, have relations with other dolphins, and do things together. Scientists say that one day, we may be (6) ____ to understand dolphin language and talk to dolphins.

    Researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea (7) ____ the discovery that dolphins had their own language after recording two Black Sea bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins were (8) ____ Yasha and Yana. The scientists noticed that one dolphin listened to (9) ____ the other was saying and then replied. Lead researcher Dr Vyacheslav Ryabov said: "This exchange resembles a conversation between two people." He added: "This language exhibits (10) ____ the design features present in the human spoken language. This indicates a (11) ____ level of intelligence and consciousness in dolphins." Dr Ryabov said the dolphins' language is, "a (12) ____ developed spoken language, like the human language."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     useful     (b)     using     (c)     useless     (d)     use    
    2. (a)     the other     (b)     another     (c)     others     (d)     other    
    3. (a)     similarity     (b)     similar     (c)     simile     (d)     simulation    
    4. (a)     do     (b)     be     (c)     make     (d)     break    
    5. (a)     for     (b)     of     (c)     to     (d)     at    
    6. (a)     able     (b)     ability     (c)     ably     (d)     abled    
    7. (a)     did     (b)     made     (c)     were     (d)     broke    
    8. (a)     named     (b)     name     (c)     naming     (d)     names    
    9. (a)     that     (b)     what     (c)     which     (d)     this    
    10. (a)     whole     (b)     every     (c)     all     (d)     each    
    11. (a)     height     (b)     highs     (c)     high     (d)     heighten    
    12. (a)     highs     (b)     high     (c)     heighten     (d)     highly

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. use grammar and vocabulary to speak and monueitaccm
    2. words and tennesecs
    3. New research tsssggue that this…
    4. clicks, sltwiseh and other sounds
    5. sea eucarerst
    6. use their language to fdnieyti themselves

    Paragraph 2

    1. made the orcviydse
    2. The scientists cnoetdi that
    3. This exchange resembles a nsavrontocei
    4. isdeng features
    5. This indicates a high level of geeeclinlnit
    6. a highly epvleddoe spoken language

    Put the text back together

    1  )     Humans may not be the only ones to use grammar and vocabulary to speak and

    (    )     make appear to be sentences that let the sea creatures send messages to each other. The dolphins use their

    (    )     Dr Vyacheslav Ryabov said: "This exchange resembles a conversation between two people." He added:

    (    )     noticed that one dolphin listened to what the other was saying and then replied. Lead researcher

    (    )     communicate. Scientists believe dolphins also use words and sentences to speak to each other. We have known

    (    )     to the conversations humans have. Scientists say the clicks, whistles and other sounds that dolphins

    (    )     level of intelligence and consciousness in dolphins." Dr Ryabov said the dolphins' language is,

    (    )     recording two Black Sea bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins were named Yasha and Yana. The scientists

    (    )     "a highly developed spoken language, like the human language."

    (    )     day, we may be able to understand dolphin language and talk to dolphins.

    (    )     "This language exhibits all the design features present in the human spoken language. This indicates a high

    (    )     for a long time that dolphins can communicate. New research suggests that this communication is similar

    (    )     Researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea made the discovery that dolphins had their own language after

    (    )     language to identify themselves, have relations with other dolphins, and do things together. Scientists say that one

    Put the words in the right order

    1. only   use   may   the   to   Humans   be   ones   grammar   not   .
    2. conversations  is  humans  similar  have  to  This  the  communication  .
    3. the   let   that   Sentences   messages   send   creatures   sea   .
    4. identify   to   language   their   use   dolphins   The   themselves   .
    5. may   be  able   to   understand  dolphin   language  One   day   ,  we   .
    6. had   the   their   discovery   own   that   language   dolphins   Made   .
    7. to   saying   what   One   the   dolphin   other   listened   was   .
    8. people   two   between  conversation   a   resembles   exchange   This  .
    9. high   of   This   a   level   intelligence   indicates   .
    10. highly  dolphins'   developed  language   spoken  is   language  a  The  .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Humans may not be the only one / ones to use grammar and vocabulary to speak and communicate. Scientists belief / believe dolphins also use words and sentences to speak to each another / other. We have known for a long time / times that dolphins can communicate. New research suggests that this communication is similar / same to the conversations humans have. Scientists say the clicks, whistles and other sounds what / that dolphins make appear to be sentences that let the sea creations / creatures send messages to each other. The dolphins use their language to identify / identity themselves, have relations / relatives with other dolphins, and do things together. Scientists say that one day, we may be able to / for understand dolphin language and talk to dolphins.

    Researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea made the discover / discovery that dolphins had their own language after recording / record two Black Sea bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins were named / names Yasha and Yana. The scientists noticed that one dolphin listening / listened to what the other was saying and then replied / replayed. Lead researcher Dr Vyacheslav Ryabov said: "This change / exchange resembles a conversation between two people." He added: "This language exhibition / exhibits all the design features present in the human spoken / speak language. This indicates a high level of intelligent / intelligence and consciousness in dolphins." Dr Ryabov said the dolphins' language is, "a highly developed spoken language, like / liking the human language."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    H_m_ns m_y n_t b_ th_ _nly _n_s t_ _s_ gr_mm_r _nd v_c_b_l_ry t_ sp__k _nd c_mm_n_c_t_. Sc__nt_sts b_l__v_ d_lph_ns _ls_ _s_ w_rds _nd s_nt_nc_s t_ sp__k t_ __ch _th_r. W_ h_v_ kn_wn f_r _ l_ng t_m_ th_t d_lph_ns c_n c_mm_n_c_t_. N_w r_s__rch s_gg_sts th_t th_s c_mm_n_c_t__n _s s_m_l_r t_ th_ c_nv_rs_t__ns h_m_ns h_v_. Sc__nt_sts s_y th_ cl_cks, wh_stl_s _nd _th_r s__nds th_t d_lph_ns m_k_ _pp__r t_ b_ s_nt_nc_s th_t l_t th_ s__ cr__t_r_s s_nd m_ss_g_s t_ __ch _th_r. Th_ d_lph_ns _s_ th__r l_ng__g_ t_ _d_nt_fy th_ms_lv_s, h_v_ r_l_t__ns w_th _th_r d_lph_ns, _nd d_ th_ngs t_g_th_r. Sc__nt_sts s_y th_t _n_ d_y, w_ m_y b_ _bl_ t_ _nd_rst_nd d_lph_n l_ng__g_ _nd t_lk t_ d_lph_ns.

    R_s__rch_rs _t th_ K_r_d_g N_t_r_ R_s_rv_ _n Cr_m__ m_d_ th_ d_sc_v_ry th_t d_lph_ns h_d th__r _wn l_ng__g_ _ft_r r_c_rd_ng tw_ Bl_ck S__ b_ttl_n_s_ d_lph_ns. Th_ d_lph_ns w_r_ n_m_d Y_sh_ _nd Y_n_. Th_ sc__nt_sts n_t_c_d th_t _n_ d_lph_n l_st_n_d t_ wh_t th_ _th_r w_s s_y_ng _nd th_n r_pl__d. L__d r_s__rch_r Dr Vy_ch_sl_v Ry_b_v s__d: "Th_s _xch_ng_ r_s_mbl_s _ c_nv_rs_t__n b_tw__n tw_ p__pl_." H_ _dd_d: "Th_s l_ng__g_ _xh_b_ts _ll th_ d_s_gn f__t_r_s pr_s_nt _n th_ h_m_n sp_k_n l_ng__g_. Th_s _nd_c_t_s _ h_gh l_v_l _f _nt_ll_g_nc_ _nd c_nsc___sn_ss _n d_lph_ns." Dr Ry_b_v s__d th_ d_lph_ns' l_ng__g_ _s, "_ h_ghly d_v_l_p_d sp_k_n l_ng__g_, l_k_ th_ h_m_n l_ng__g_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    humans may not be the only ones to use grammar and vocabulary to speak and communicate scientists believe dolphins also use words and sentences to speak to each other we have known for a long time that dolphins can communicate new research suggests that this communication is similar to the conversations humans have scientists say the clicks whistles and other sounds that dolphins make appear to be sentences that let the sea creatures send messages to each other the dolphins use their language to identify themselves have relations with other dolphins and do things together scientists say that one day we may be able to understand dolphin language and talk to dolphins

    researchers at the karadag nature reserve in crimea made the discovery that dolphins had their own language after recording two black sea bottlenose dolphins the dolphins were named yasha and yana the scientists noticed that one dolphin listened to what the other was saying and then replied lead researcher dr vyacheslav ryabov said "this exchange resembles a conversation between two people" he added "this language exhibits all the design features present in the human spoken language this indicates a high level of intelligence and consciousness in dolphins" dr ryabov said the dolphins' language is "a highly developed spoken language like the human language"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Humansmaynotbetheonlyonestousegrammarandvocabularytospea
    kandcommunicate.Scientistsbelievedolphinsalsousewordsandsent
    encestospeaktoeachother.Wehaveknownforalongtimethatdolphins
    cancommunicate.Newresearchsuggeststhatthiscommunicationissi
    milartotheconversationshumanshave.Scientistssaytheclicks,whistl
    esandothersoundsthatdolphinsmakeappeartobesentencesthatletth
    eseacreaturessendmessagestoeachother.Thedolphinsusetheirlang
    uagetoidentifythemselves,haverelationswithotherdolphins,anddot
    hingstogether.Scientistssaythatoneday,wemaybeabletounderstan
    ddolphinlanguageandtalktodolphins.ResearchersattheKaradagNat
    ureReserveinCrimeamadethediscoverythatdolphinshadtheirownlan
    guageafterrecordingtwoBlackSeabottlenosedolphins.Thedolphinsw
    erenamedYashaandYana.Thescientistsnoticedthatonedolphinlisten
    edtowhattheotherwassayingandthenreplied.LeadresearcherDrVyac
    heslavRyabovsaid:"Thisexchangeresemblesaconversationbetween
    twopeople."Headded:"Thislanguageexhibitsallthedesignfeaturespr
    esentinthehumanspokenlanguage.Thisindicatesahighlevelofintellig
    enceandconsciousnessindolphins."DrRyabovsaidthedolphins'langu
    ageis,"ahighlydevelopedspokenlanguage,likethehumanlanguage."

    Free writing

    Write about dolphin language for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    It would be very useful to be able to communicate with all creatures. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about dolphin language. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. DOLPHINS: Make a poster about dolphins. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. COMMUNICATION: Write a magazine article about dolphin language. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against learning it.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on dolphin language. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three questions you would like to ask dolphins. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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