William tell

All of a sudden Tell grabbed a spear from one of the soldiers’ hands and fled from the boat. Gessler had somehow managed to survive the storm, and was able to make his way to Küsnacht castle the same night. Tell knew that this was a wicked man. He hid behind some bushes near the castle and as Gessler and his people appeared, Tell killed him with an arrow from his crossbow, so ridding the country of an evil tyrant.

This slaying is said to have sparked the uprising of the Swiss against their Austrian rulers, resulting in the unification and independence of the Swiss nation.

1. Choose your own title for this story.

My title is ……………………………………………………………………

2. Why have you chosen it?

I have chosen it because………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………

Activity 2

To answer literal questions [lo 1.1.1]

3. True or false?

4. Why is the rock called the Tellsplatte?

It is called the Tellsplatte because …………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………….

Activity 3

To use a dictionary [lo 3.6.1]

5. The following words come from the passage you have just read (some in a slightly different form). Find the word in the passage, then look it up in a dictionary and write down its meaning. These can be included in your personal dictionary. You must try to remember them, and use them when you speak English. In this way your vocabulary will be enriched.

(a) Verbs:

to ignore ………………………………………….

to mutter ………………………………………….

to applaud ………………………………………….

to pierce ………………………………………….

to infuriate ………………………………………….

to revere ………………………………………….

to launch ………………………………………….

(b) Nouns:

a tyrant …………………………………………….

a retinue …………………………………………….

a tempest …………………………………………….

a legend …………………………………………….

a foreigner …………………………………………….

(c) Adjectives:

restive …………………………………………….

grim …………………………………………….

Activity 4

To read a map [lo 3.3.1]

6. Look at the map and find Switzerland and Austria.

Activity 5

To discuss ethical and social issues [lo 1.1.4]

7. How do you feel about Gessler? Talk to your classmates about what you would have done if you had been in William Tell’s shoes. If you had lived in Uri, would you have bowed to a hat?

8. How do you feel about the fact that William Tell killed Gessler? Do you think killing another person can ever be justified? Discuss this in class.

9. See if you can find a book with flags of different countries of the world, and draw the Swiss flag. Colour it in.

10. Find out any three interesting facts about Switzerland.

………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………..

This legend of the Swiss folk hero was originally a story that was passed on orally from generation to generation. It appeared in written form for the first time as a ballad in the 15 ^th century. The famous German playwright Friedrich von Schiller used it as the basis of a play called Wilhelm Tell in 1804, and later it inspired the Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini to write the opera Guillaume Tell

The overture to the opera Guillaume Tell is familiar for its catchy, toe-tapping theme in which one actually hears the Alpine horn calling and the horses galloping. It evokes the atmosphere of the majestic Swiss mountains, and also suggests the heroic nature of the story.

Much later this music was chosen as the theme tune for quite a few films, but it is especially well known as the theme tune for the Lone Ranger series.

Activity 6

To give short answers to questions [lo 2.1.2]

1. Find the name of any other opera written by Rossini.

………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Why is the name of the same person written in three different ways in the passages above, namely William, Wilhelm and Guillaume?

……………………………………………………………………………….

3. Try to find out what the overture to an opera is.

……………………………………………………………………………….

4. What is a theme tune (e.g. to a television series)?

……………………………………………………………………………….

5. Try to find out what an Alpine horn is and what it looks like.

……………………………………………………………………………….

6. What is the large Swiss mountain range called?

………………………………………………………………………………..

7. See if you can find it on the map.

8. What sport is very popular in these mountains? Name two kinds if you can.

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Assessment

LEARNING OUTCOME 1: LISTENING The learner will be able to listen for information and enjoyment, and respond appropriately and critically in a wider range of situations.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

1.1 understands stories (told or read to learners):

1.1.1 answers literal questions;

1.1.4 discusses ethical and social issues, code switching if necessary;

1.2 understands oral instructions, directions and descriptions:

1.2.1 responds physically to instructions (e.g. how to make something).

LEARNING OUTCOME 2: SPEAKING The learner will be able to communicate effectively in spoken language in a wide range of situations.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

2.1 interacts in additional language:

2.1.2 gives short answers to questions.

LEARNING OUTCOME 3: READING AND VIEWING The learner will be able to read and view for information and enjoyment, and to respond critically to the aesthetic, cultural and emotional values in texts.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

3.1 understands in a simple way some elements of stories:

3.1.1 title (e.g. chooses the best title from alternatives and gives reasons);

3.3 reads for information:

3.3.1 reads simple maps and plans (e.g. follows a route);

3.6 uses reference books and develops vocabulary:

3.6.1 uses a dictionary.