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Countries Around the World

A complete A2 classroom lesson with the EnglishDrills nine-colour lesson sequence.

A250–60 minutesGeography & culturesPrintable
Teacher lesson: Look at the picture and title. What do you already know about this topic? 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
Students exploring countries around the world with a globe

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

  • understand the main ideas and key details in Countries Around the World.
  • 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 topic? Discuss with a partner and write two ideas.

People live in many different countries, and each place has its own geography, languages, food and traditions. Nepal is famous for Mount Everest. India is known for the Taj Mahal, cricket and many regional foods. Thailand is well known for beaches and spicy dishes. South Africa is home to animals such as lions and elephants, while Brazil contains a large part of the Amazon rainforest. The Philippines and Samoa are island countries with strong connections to the sea. People around the world speak thousands of languages, including Arabic, Mandarin, Hindi, Tagalog, Portuguese and Samoan. Although countries can be very different, people everywhere share many everyday interests, such as family, food, music, sport and celebrations.
3 Vocabulary
Words: country · island · language · tradition · population

Write a short meaning or example for each word.

country –

island –

language –

tradition –

population –

4 Check Your Understanding

1. What is Nepal famous for?

2. Name one thing India is known for.

3. Which country in the reading is in South America?

4. Name one island country.

5. What interests do people around the world share?

5 Language Focus

Write PS (present simple), PC (present continuous) or PP (present perfect).

1. India is in Asia.

2. The students are learning about Brazil.

3. I have visited Thailand before.

4. People in Samoa speak Samoan and English.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

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

1. Which continent is Brazil in?

2. What is Nepal famous for?

3. Which country is an island country?

4. What is one thing Brazil is famous for?

Speak

Discuss with a partner.

• Which country would you like to visit?
• What is your country famous for?
• Which languages would you like to learn?

Countries Around the World — Continued
7 Use Your English

Something New

Your teacher names a country. In teams, decide its continent and write one fact you know about it. One point for the correct continent and one point for a sensible fact.

Write

Write 80–100 words about a country you know well. Include its location, language, food and one famous place.

8 Puzzle or Game
Vocabulary Detective

Choose four words from the Vocabulary panel. Write a short clue for each word without writing the word itself. Swap with a partner and see how many you can guess.

Bonus: Use one of the words in a new 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: Countries Around the World

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.