Sunday, July 15, 2018

Independence and Bastille Day for ESL

For summer school ESL we will do some cultural readings on the American Independence Day and the French Bastille Day.  This marks a major difference from the focus on grammar in the previous semester. They didn't do so much reading comprehension before, so I'm curious to see how the next two weeks will go. I doubt we will get to the second reading (let alone the writing), although many of the vocabulary words are the same, but I will try. Here is the corresponding handout.

My niece on July 4th, 2018


I. Intro Discussion
Which countries' flags are red, white and blue? What do the colors symbolize?

  • Independence Day
 1.)獨立紀念日 in the US, the official name for the Fourth of July holiday  
2.) 美國獨立紀念日  a day on which a country celebrates being independent from 
foreign rule
  • the 4th of July 美國獨立紀念日（紀念美國於1776年7月4日脫離英國獨立）a national holiday in the US that celebrates the country's independence from Great Britain in 1776
Ex: Fireworks have long been an American tradition on the Fourth of July.七月四日國慶日放煙火是美國人長期以來的傳統。

EX: We met for the first time at the fireworks on the Fourth of July.
the July 4th holiday 美國獨立紀念日假期

  1. Independence Day 獨立紀念日 
  2. independent (adj.)
  3. national pride (phrase) EX: The country's national pride has been damaged by its sporting failures.體育運動方面的失利使這個國家的民族自尊心受到了傷害。
  4. Parade (n.)
  5. Speech (n.)
  6. Display(n.)
  7. Event(n.)
  8. history(n.)
  9. Banner(n.)
  10. Nationwide (adj.)




American Independence Day Reading:

Independence Day in the United States is also known as the Fourth of July. It is a national holiday that commemorates (紀念，緬懷) the Declaration of Independence (美國獨立宣言) on July 4, 1776. This was the day the USA was born (出生) and became independent from Great Britain (大不列顛). The terms “Independence Day” and the “Fourth of July” are a well-known part of the USA’s cultural (與文化有關的)language. People celebrate with national pride. There are fireworks, parades, sporting events and lots more. It is one of the biggest days on America’s holiday calendar (大事記). Politicians (從政者) make speeches celebrating America’s history (歷史) and traditions (傳統). In particular (特別), attention turns to Thomas Jefferson’s speech that declared (公開聲明的) the United States of America as an independent nation (國家).

Independence Day is a red, white and blue affair (事務). The whole of the country displays American flags and banners. There are many festivals (會演，節) that enact (上演；表演) famous events from America’s history. It is also a day when the nation gets outdoors. Picnics and barbecues with family and friends are the most popular ways to celebrate. In the evening, there are thousands of fireworks displays across the country. One of the most popular is the Macy’s department store (百貨公司) show on New York’s East River. This is televised (用電視播放) nationwide by the NBC TV channel. Also in New York, you can witness (目擊) the Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island康尼島. Indeed (的確，實在), American food is of course a big part of the day and millions of hot dogs, burgers and pizzas are eaten.



Extra:
  • Thomas Jefferson's speech
  • Use the Summer ppt and review "Picnic"

III. Bastille Day 巴士底日

+France’s ideals理想: liberty, equality and fraternity 法國的理想：自由，平等和博愛
  • democratic ideals 民主理想
  • We are committed to the ideal of equality. 我們奉行平等原則。






  1. Village (n.)
  2. Tricolor (adj.)
  3. Commemorate (v.)
  4. Prison (n.)
  5. Monarchy (n.)
  6. Occasion (n.)
  7. Supporter (n.)
  8. Signal (v.)
  9. Creation (n.)
  10. republic(n.)




Bastille Day is France’s most important national holiday. It is celebrated on the 14th of July every year. Every city, town and village becomes red, white and blue as everyone hangs out the French tricolor flag. The holiday’s name in French is Fête Nationale, which means “National Celebration". The 14th of July commemorates the storming (突襲；攻佔) of the Bastille on the 14th of July, 1789. The Bastille was a prison that held prisoners who disagreed with the French monarchy. The biggest celebrations are on Paris’ famous Champs-Élysées 香榭丽舍大街. There are parades, military bands and festivities (慶祝活動) during the day, and fireworks displays in the evening. It is a wonderful, happy occasion when French people show their pride (自尊) in their country.



Bastille Day celebrates the most important day in French history. The storming of the Bastille prison marked the beginning of the French Revolution法国大革命. The prison was a symbol (標誌，象徵) of the total (徹底的) power of King Louis the 16th. Most French people were very poor and hated how the monarchy and its supporters were so wealthy. The Bastille only had seven prisoners when Parisians attacked it, but it signaled Louis 16th’s power was no longer absolute (完全的). Parisians (巴黎人的) believed their actions meant they were free. It led to the creation of the first French republic in 1792 and the three French ideals (理想) of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The French national anthem (國歌), La Marseillaise, was written that same year and became official in 1795.
                                            Les Misérables/悲慘世界 (2012)


IV. Comparing: What is similar and what is different about the US and France's independence celebrations?

A. Writing a Comparative Paragraph:
  1. Use a Venn Diagram, then write a paragraph.
  2. Topic Sentence: Tells the main idea
The American Independence Day and France's Bastille day are both important national celebrations.
or
The 4th of July in the US and Bastille Day in France are both important independence celebrations.

3. Detail Sentences: Give examples of similarities and differences
4. Closing Sentence: Summarize the paragraph, or restate the main idea.

V. Discussion: What about Taiwan?
  1. How is Taiwan similar or different compared to the US and France? Use a 3 circle Venn Diagram.
  2. What is considered " national pride" for Taiwanese?
Resources:



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