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Discovering Sri Lanka

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

A250–60 minutesCountries & culturePrintable
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
Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka

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

  • understand the main ideas and key details in Discovering Sri Lanka.
  • 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.

Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian Ocean, south of India. Its largest city is Colombo, while Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the administrative capital. The country has beaches, mountains, forests and tea-growing areas. Sinhala and Tamil are official languages, and English is also widely used. Sri Lanka is well known for tea, spices, wildlife and historic sites. Visitors may see elephants, monkeys and many species of birds. Cricket is very popular, and food often includes rice, coconut, vegetables and spices. Sri Lanka has a long history and a rich mixture of religious and cultural traditions.
3 Vocabulary
Words: island · administrative · wildlife · spice · official

Write a short meaning or example for each word.

island –

administrative –

wildlife –

spice –

official –

4 Check Your Understanding

1. Where is Sri Lanka?

2. What is the largest city?

3. Name one official language.

4. What drink is Sri Lanka famous for producing?

5. Name one animal mentioned in the reading.

5 Language Focus

Complete with there is or there are.

1. a long coastline around Sri Lanka.

2. many tea-growing areas.

3. several languages used in the country.

4. a rich variety of wildlife.

6 Listen & Speak

Listen

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

1. What ocean is Sri Lanka in?

2. Name one product it is known for.

3. Name one official language.

4. Which sport is popular?

Speak

Discuss with a partner.

• What would you like to see in Sri Lanka?
• What island countries do you know?
• How can food show culture?

Discovering Sri Lanka — Continued
7 Use Your English

Something New

Create a quick postcard from Sri Lanka. On the front, sketch one place or animal. On the back, write three short sentences beginning “Today I…”, “I saw…” and “Tomorrow I…”

Write

Write 80–100 words introducing Sri Lanka to a traveller.

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 Sri Lanka

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.