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Discovering Canada

A complete A2 country lesson with reading, vocabulary, listening, speaking, Something New and writing.

A250–60 minutesCountries & naturePrintable

Teacher lesson: Look at the picture and title. What do you already know about this country? Discuss with a partner and write two ideas. Work through the nine panels in order, or choose the sections that suit your class. Teacher answers and the listening script are stored separately.

Teacher Answers

1 Lesson Goals

By the end of this lesson, I will be able to:

understand the main ideas and key details in Discovering Canada.
learn and use important vocabulary from the lesson.
use the lesson language in speaking or writing.

Start here: What do you already know about this topic? Tell a partner one idea.

2 Reading

Before you read:

Look at the picture and title. What do you already know about this country? Discuss with a partner and write two ideas.

Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and north to the Arctic. Ottawa is the capital, while Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver are among its largest cities. Canada has enormous forests, thousands of lakes, high mountains and long coastlines. English and French are the country’s two official languages at the federal level, and many other languages are spoken in its communities. Winters can be very cold in many regions, although the climate varies greatly across such a large country. Ice hockey is closely connected with Canadian culture, but people also enjoy skiing, hiking, canoeing and many other activities. Canada is known for its national parks and dramatic landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains.

3 Vocabulary

Words: stretch · Arctic · official · climate · landscape

Write a short meaning or example for each word.

stretch –

Arctic –

official –

climate –

landscape –

4 Check Your Understanding

1. How large is Canada?

2. What is the capital?

3. Name one large Canadian city.

4. Which two official languages are mentioned?

5. What outdoor activities are mentioned?

5 Language Focus

Complete the present simple sentences.

1. Canada (stretch) across a huge area.

2. Ottawa (be) the capital.

3. Many people (speak) English or French.

4. The climate (vary) across the country.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

Listen to your teacher. You will hear the text twice. Answer the questions.

1. Which two oceans are mentioned?

2. What is the capital?

3. Name one natural feature.

4. Which two official languages are mentioned?

Speak

Discuss with a partner.

• Would you prefer to visit Canada in summer or winter? Why?
• Which outdoor activity would you like to try?
• What challenges can a very large country have?

Discovering Canada — Continued

7 Use Your English

Something New

In groups, invent a Canadian national park. Give it a name, choose its landscape and list three activities visitors can do there.

Write

Write 80–100 words about Canada’s cities, nature and climate.

8 Puzzle or Game

Memory Challenge

Close or cover the Vocabulary panel. In 45 seconds, write as many lesson words as you can remember. Then check your spelling.

Score: ____ words remembered correctly.

Use your best word in a sentence.

9 Success Criteria ✓

Tick each statement when you can do it.

I can explain the main idea of the lesson.
I can use at least three new words correctly.
I can complete the language task.
I can share an idea in spoken or written English.

One thing I am proud of today:

10 Show What You Can Do

My final challenge: Discovering Canada

Plan: Write 5 useful words or ideas from the lesson, or make a quick labelled sketch.

Write: Write 5–7 sentences that show what you learned. Try to use at least 3 words from the Vocabulary panel.

Share: Explain your work to a partner for about 30 seconds.