Culture

General lifestyle and culture

One of the best ways to explore and access this is to involve real Australians. This may mean excursions – even just within walking distance from your classroom –  but there are also other ways to bring ‘real Australians’ into the classroom. Ideas, with related topic content, are listed below:

Beach safety

Swimming is a cultural experience for many students; need to do early on; awareness can save lives. Part of a focus on beach safety can involve getting local life savers to come in to the college (see AMES' Beach Safety unit of work below)

• Beach Safety Workbook - 4 units of work developed by AMES NSW - free downloadable workbook and audio! 
• Surf Lifesaving’s Beachsafe app

Aboriginal culture

• Get local Aboriginal community figures to come in and talk to students.

Australian culture

• Campus survey: Students love interviewing Australians about culture, even at low levels. Students can decide on the area(s) of culture, e.g., sport, transport, parenting, finding a spouse(!)
• Interviews: “Interview an Aussie Day”. Great for students to see how ‘diverse’ Aussie are.
• Videoconferencing: Connect with other Australian classes via video conferencing NB: Vivian (@vivimat78) works in a high school. We thought her classes might be interested in talking to adult EFL classes as part of a cultural exchange project, where they can interview each other on their knowledge/experiences. This could be a fantastic opportunity, so please think about contacting Vivian if this is something you would like to explore in 2013.
• Articles: Of course you can see the authentic articles page here. But MaryGlasgowMags, who create magazines for schools have a page of Australia-related texts here. You get 5 free downloads, so why not?! http://pinterest.com/maryglasgowmags/australia-day/
• They're a Weird Mob (1957 book, 1966 film) - A bit dated now, but the story's depiction of the struggles of a migrant who has learnt 'proper' English to understand Australian English (as well as understand Australian culture) still rings true. [The link here is to Australian Screen website which has 3 clips from the film, with accompanying transcript & teacher notes.] 

Coins

This is a no-prep warmer of 5-15 mins. See notes here.

Food 

• Cultural ideas: Cook, bring in, share, an 'International Food Day' at your school
• Language focus: imperatives, sequencing, writing reviews, comparison
• Study skills: research, presentations
• Useful sites: All Down Under - food section 

Melbourne Cup

• Melbourne Cup on Australia Network's Nexus - video with transcript, vocabulary notes and quiz

Tourist attractions 

• The Best Jobs in the World YouTube video by Tourism Australia using some great images NOT just kangaroos. Potential for integrated skills lesson including job interviews. Click through to the website for the blurbs on each job. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCXPO68_CU&feature=youtu.be
  

ANZAC Day

• Easynews Video Series: ANZAC Day - DVD & worksheets for secondary & adult ESL can be purchased from AMES Victoria 
  
• The ANZAC Day Tradition on the Australian War Memorial website: http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/anzac_tradition.asp 
• Video clips on Australian Screen tagged with ANZAC Day: http://aso.gov.au/titles/tags/Anzac%20Day/ 
• Gallipoli (Peter Weir's 1981 film) clips and teacher notes on Australian Screen: http://aso.gov.au/titles/features/gallipoli/
• ANZAC Day collection on the NZ on Screen website: http://www.nzonscreen.com/collection/anzac-day
• ANZAC Day Websites: Resources for Anzac Day lessons: Websites for classroom use by students and teachers. Main themes: Gallipoli history, Anzac Day activities for students, Anzac Day lesson material.  http://www.anzacwebsites.com/index.htm
• Lesson Plan ANZAC Day activities from The Smith Family Home Tutor Scheme: http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/webdata/resources/files/Lesson_Plan_Anzac_Day.pdf
• Anzac Biscuits - terrific video with step-by-step instructions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQRg-fDztNk