European Languages Grades 3-5 Introduction The European continent has an extremely diverse array of languages, which can be both exciting and frustrating to the traveler. Students will learn about this European language diversity while figuring out how to say some basic words in three European languages and creating a simple travel dictionary for a visitor to these three countries. They'll be asked to look up the translations at a Web site, or you can modify the lesson by having them use foreign language dictionaries available in the library. Time Frame: 1-2 class periods Objectives and Standards Students will: Label selected European countries on an outline map. Look up and list the languages spoken in each country. With the help of a translation Web site, create travel dictionaries for three European languages. National Social Studies Standards: 1: Culture: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of culture and cultural diversity. 3: People, Places, and Environments: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of people, places, and environments. National Geography Standards: 1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective. 4: The physical and human characteristics of places. 6: How culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions. 9: The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth's surface. 10: The characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics. Maps and Materials Needed Materials Needed: Europe Outline Map without text: http://www.maps101.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=2085:e urope&cid=135:outline (one for each student; download and print the PDF file)
Additional Map Resources Used: World Reference Atlas: http://www.maps101.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=3346:w orld&cid=8:reference-atlas Procedure 1. Give each student a Europe outline map without text (http://www.maps101.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=2085:e urope&cid=135:outline), and ask them to label the countries listed in section 1 of their handout. 2. Ask students, either in groups or individually, to use the World Reference Atlas http://www.maps101.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=3346:w orld&cid=8:reference-atlas) Statistics sections to find out which languages are spoken in each of the countries in section 1 of the handout, and have them list the languages in the right-hand column of the table in section 1. Point out to students that many other languages are spoken in Europe in addition to the ones on their list. 3. Have students create travel dictionaries for travelers who are going to visit three European countries where English is not the main language. They should find out how to say "hello," "yes," "no," "good-bye," "thank you," and "I don't understand." They can use foreign language dictionaries in the library or the Foreign Languages for Travelers Web site (http://www.travlang.com/languages). Ask them to write out the translations in the table in section 2 of the handout and, if possible, listen to the words on the computer. They'll need to follow these directions to find out the language translations on the Web site: Click on the flags for the European countries or languages. On the next screen, make sure Basic Words is selected, and click Submit. Find the words and their translations. Click on the foreign words to hear them spoken (make sure the computer's speakers are turned on). To save time, you may want to have only a few students retrieve the sounds on the computer and then demonstrate the pronunciations to the class. 4. Ask students whether they think it would be fun to travel through Europe and try to speak the different languages they encounter. Are the languages they've seen very similar to each other? Do they seem like they'd be difficult to learn? Would your students find it fun or intimidating (or both) to try speaking another language in a foreign country? Why? 5. Do any of your students already speak any of these languages? If so, have them demonstrate a few sentences and explain whether they think the European language they speak is at all similar to English. Do they think their classmates would have a difficult time learning this European language?
Assessment Suggestions Check to make sure that students have: Accurately labeled the countries on the map. Accurately stated the languages spoken in each country. Followed directions in using the translation Web site. Created an accurate and complete travel dictionary on the handout.
Student Handout 1. Here is a list of countries in Europe. Label them on your map. Then find out what languages they speak in these countries, using the World Reference Atlas (http://www.maps101.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=3346: world&cid=8:reference-atlas) Statistics section for each country. Ireland France Spain Germany Switzerland Sweden Italy Greece Poland Romania Countries Languages 2. Your teacher will show you how to use the Internet (or library books) to find out how to say some words in three European languages. Then you will fill in this table to create a travel dictionary that you could take with you on a trip to Europe. Choose three languages from your list above (besides English). Write them in the left-hand column under "Languages." Then follow your teacher's directions to learn how to write and say some words in these languages. Write the foreign words in the right-hand column. Languages no: How to say some words no:
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