A worksheet for language and textual comprehension

to accompany Viennas English Theatres 2012/2013 touring production,

compiled by Helena Hirsch

WARM-
WARM-UP AND LEAD-
LEAD-IN
1. Do you know the story Around the World in Eighty Days?

2. In which century does the play take place?

3. First make a list of all the countries you have already been to. Then walk around in class and ask as many
of your colleagues as possible where they have been to. Try to find and make a note of all people who
have been to the same countries (or at least to some of the countries on your list)
none of the countries on your list

4. Look at a big map of the world. Then mark all the places each of you has already been to with a marker
pen or a big pin. Connect all marks or pins with a red line. How many lines are there?

COMPREHENSION AND LANGUAGE WORKOUT

5. What is the name of the railway station in Northern England?

6. What happens on the platform?

7. Why, do you think, is Passepartout frequently lapsing into French?

8. Do you know what a mad chase is? Check your dictionary if necessary.

9. What does Passepartout mean when he says that everything is done by the clock? Fill in the blanks (use
correct form of the Present Tense and answer in full sentences) below:

8.00

8.27

9.05

9.37

10.00

1
 13.00

16.00

18.00

24.0

10. What does your day look like? Do you have a similar pattern? In the empty grid below, fill in what you are
doing when (at which time of the day):

Time Activity

Now turn to a partner and compare your daily routines.

11. When exactly did Mr Foggs orderly life stop? Why?

12. What does jolly good show mean? Find (an) adequate expression(s) in German. If you need help, check
the vocabulary notes in your text booklet.

13. What kind of game is cricket?

What kind of game is Cricket? How is it played? What are the rules? Where do
the best teams in the world come from? Find out as much as possible and put
together an info sheet or a poster presentation (e.g. in Wikipedia)
Is it popular in Austria? Have you ever played cricket or perhaps seen a match?
Are there any Austrian teams? What are they called? Where are they from?
Do you know what the field where cricket is played is called? Check in a
dictionary or e.g. in Wikipedia.
Try and find out if cricket was already played in 1872 (e.g. in Wikipedia).

14. Man 2 says that first the English invent a game and teach it to others and then they beat England. What
exactly does he mean by that?
Can you think of other games/sports which originally came from England and at
which English teams are no longer very successful?

15. What do you think does Mr Fogg mean when he says the world is getting smaller every day?

2
16. Do you know what a typhoon is? Or a tidal wave? For help, refer to the vocabulary notes in your text
booklet. Can you explain it in English?

17. Can you think of any other events or disasters that might make it impossible to complete the journey?
Make a list of anything that comes to mind (you can also list crazy, silly or funny things).

18. When you were travelling (with your parents), have you ever had delays and missed your connection(s)?
If YES,
What exactly happened? What did your parents/you do?
How did you feel? Choose 2 words from the list below. Talk to a partner and say
why:
angry worried excited bored impatient annoyed afraid - pleased or what .?
If NO,
What would you/your parents do if it happened? Look at the words above,
choose 2 words and explain why you think you would feel this way.

19. Which means of transport is Fogg going to use?

20. How does the sentence I have 1000 says you cant do it sound to you? Is it correct? What does it mean?
Look at the vocabulary notes in your text booklet or in a dictionary.

21. How much money does Mr Fogg have in the bank? Can you work out how much this is in Euros? Is he a
rich man?

22. When does Mr Fogg have to be back in the club to win his bet?

23. How much money can Mr Fogg lose? How much is this in Euros? Would you place such a bet? Talk to a
partner and discuss why/why not!

24. How does Mr Fogg intend to prove that he has actually been around the world?

25. Think of a really difficult/adventurous bet. Turn to your neighbour and make your bet, trying to raisethe
stakes as high as possible. Then compare with other pairs. What was the bet? Who made the highest bid?

26. There are some TV programmes (in German and/or in English) where the candidates have to make bets.
Do you know any? If yes, which?

..

..

..

27. Think of any sports where people bet (often a lot of) money on teams or animals. Make a list and/or give
examples.

28. How do the following games work? Explain what you have to do in order to participate.

lotto .

lottery ...

the pools .

3
 bookmaker ..

29. Do you know anyone who has at some point won a lot of money (betting, lottery, the pools, Bingo)?

30. Do your parents play the pools or in the lotto? Have they ever won? Have you ever played?

31. Make an itinerary (a travel plan) of Mr Foggs and Passepartouts trip. Use/photocopy the chart provided
at the end of this worksheet. As the play goes on, keep filling in times, dates, places, destinations and
means of transport. Now enter the first stopover.
Alternatively, put up a large poster map on your classroom wall and make a diagram of the trip, drawing
lines with a coloured marker pen.
To make the trip even more realistic, look at each country/town on Google Maps (or click on Satellite for
3D images). What do you think looked quite different back in the 19th century than it does now?

32. Explain what the expression to cross the Channel means!

33. How can you cross the Channel? In pairs or small groups, make a list of different ways of crossing the
Channel. Compare with other pairs/groups/the class.
Have you ever crossed the Channel to the UK? How?

34. Look at a map of Europe. From which countries on the Continent can you catch ferries to the UK? Write
down the names of the towns that are connected by ferry, or mark them on the map.

35. What is the most recent and fastest way to cross the Channel from France to the UK?

36. Try and find out what the word Chunnel stands for. Find out more about the Chunnel on the
internet/Wikipedia (e.g. when was it built, how long is it, etc.).

37. What is the train going through the Chunnel at high speed called?

38. Look at how Passepartout describes France and the French? What do you know about France? Fill in the
blanks below :
The capital of France is ..

France is famous for ... and ..

.. are typical French snacks

The Cathedral in Paris is called ...

The women are ..

One of Paris most famous sights is the .......

The Underground in Paris is called ..

A typical instrument in French music is the ..

39. What else do you know about France? From travel catalogues etc. put together a poster on France and
what the country is famous for (buildings, areas, famous people, important cities, etc.)

40. Capitals and most cities usually have lots of beautiful and famous buildings (or monuments) that are
considered the towns main sights and landmarks. When people look at photographs of these buildings,
they automatically think of the town/city. Match the cities with the buildings:
4
 Vienna the Colosseum

London the Arc de Triomphe

Sydney The Kremlin

Paris St. Stephens Cathedral

Rome the Opera House

Berlin Times Square

Munich Big Ben

New York Allianz Arena

Moscow Brandenburger Tor

Do you know any other famous buildings in these towns? Make a list and find some photographs.

41. Work with a partner or in small groups. How many famous buildings or places in London can you think
of? Find at least 10 and write them down. Then put together a poster presentation with some
photographs. On a London map, highlight or mark where these buildings/places are located. Present your
poster to the class. If possible, add a bit of information on each of the sights when you present!

42. Name some famous buildings, places or monuments in Vienna or your hometown which are frequently
visited by tourists.

43. Most Austrian capitals have landmarks (symbols). Do you know (some of) them? Fill in the list below or
leave a blank if youre not sure. If you need help, why not ask your Geography teacher!
Graz

Linz

Innsbruck

Klagenfurt

Salzburg

Bregenz

Eisenstadt

St. Plten

44. Just as we recognize towns and cities by their landmarks/symbols, there are certain characteristics
attached to the people from these countries. These characteristics are called (social or national)
stereotypes, i.e. the French like good wine and food, the English wear bowler hats and drink tea, Scots
are always trying to save money, etc.
Are these stereotypes always true, do you think? Discuss in class.
Work with a partner and make notes in the table below. Then compare with
other pairs in the class. Do you all agree?

5
 If possible, also look at the column for typical food and drink. You can, of course,
add more columns (e.g. famous people in sports, music, etc., customs and
traditions, and so on a bit like Stadt und Land)
Country Stereotypes Food and drink
(example: British people like to bet) (example: Brits like fish and chips)
Ireland

Hungary

China

Australia

45. Which national stereotypes of Britain and the British have you come across? Note them down and then
discuss (with a partner or in class) whether you think they are true or not.

Great Britain

46. In groups of four, discuss what people from other countries think of Austria and the Austrians. First fill in
a grid similar to the ones above, then think of as many stereotypes as you can come up with. Add
drawings (or collect travel catalogues and cut out typical photographs). Then put together a nice,
colourful collage/poster showing how Austrian people and culture is seen in other countries. Each groups
should elect a spokesperson who then presents your results to the other groups.

47. Why, do you think, does Passepartout want to go back to England?

48. Who is Mr Fix? What is his job?

49. Why has he been put on guard in Calais?

50. What makes Mr Fix think Fogg might be the bank robber?

51. With the help of a dictionary, try and explain in English what a special warrant is.
6
 52. Which country are they goint to next?

53. Does Passepartout like travelling by ship? Why/why not?

Dont forget to fill in the itinerary and/or mark the stop on the map!
54. What is Italy famous for? with a partner or in groups, make a list of names, buildings, food and drink, etc.,
and what you associate with the country and its people. Why not make a table similar to the ones above?

55. Have you ever been to Italy? Turn to a partner and tell him/her where you were, what you were doing,
what you liked and didnt like and why.

56. Why, do you think, is Mr Fix trying to make friends with Passepartout?

57. Mr Fix and Passepartout are going ashore in Egypt. Passepartout has Mr Foggs passport stamped. What
is Mr Fix trying to arrange in Egypt? Is he a clever detective, do you think?
Mark the stopover on your map!
58. Do you have to put your watch forward or back when you travel east? Can you explain why?
Travelling from Austria to Great Britain, do you put your watch forward or back? Much
much? Does daylight saving time (in summer) make a difference? Why/why not?
59. Can you explain why India is British territory? Where can you find information about this?

60. Are they having a good journey? What is the weather like?

61. What is the modern name of Bombay?

62. What happens to Passepartout on the way to Bombay? With a partner, act out the scene (i.e. a heavy
storm, the ship is going up and down, and Passepartout is very seasick)
Remember to enter all travel details into the itinerary!
63. How do we know we are in India? Read the stage directions and underline all references to India.

64. Try to explain the following expressions in English (if youre not sure, look at the German translations in
the vocabulary notes of your text booklet first)

snake-charmer .

we have a couple of hours to kill .

a spot of lunch ..

Im sweating like a pig .

65. Is it very polite, do you think, to say Im sweating like a pig? Why/why not?

66. What does the waiter call Mr Fogg? Do you know what this means?

67. Do you think the waiter and Passepartout are talking about the same thing? Why/why not?

68. Look up the correct pronunciation of the word curry in a dictionary.

69. Have you ever eaten a curry dish? Where? Did you like it? Talk to a partner or in class.
Mark or highlight the places Fogg is showing Passepartout on your map!

7
70. Why is Passepartout drinking from a fish tank, do you think?
Talk to a partner. Have you ever had a very hot/spicy dish? What was it? where?
How did it make you feel? What did you do? Did you think this was funny?
71. Have you ever come across the word throbbing before? Check it in your dictionary.

72. Where do they meet Mr Fix again?

73. Do you know why they are they taking the railway instead of going aroung India in a steamship?

74. Try and find nice pictures of the Indian landscape and most famous sights. Arrange them on a big sheet of
paper and make a colourful poster.

75. Where and what is the Taj Mahal? Find more iformation about it (e.g. in Wikipedia)

76. What do you associate with India? Work in groups and think of/find out about typical landscapes,
animals, buildings, stories, films, etc. Either make a list or draw a mindmap. Each group should elect a
spokesperson who presents your list/mindmap to your colleagues. Alternatively, work on your own, then
walk around in the classroom and find at least two colleagues who have the same or similar items on
their lists/mindmaps.

77. Mr Fogg is not interested in the landscape and in beautiful sights the way Passepartout is. What is the only
thing Fogg is interested in? Why?

78. What does the word gloomy mean? Find it in your dictionary.

79. Who are the Thugees and what do they do? If you were in Passepartouts place, would you be
terrified frightened worried scared careful cool amused or ?
80. Imagine a statue of the Goddess Kali and describe it. You could also make a drawing or even ask a
colleague to act as your model (i.e. position him/her according to your description and ask him/ her to
freeze).

81. How far from Allahbad does the railway end? Why? How does Mr Fogg get to Allahbad now?

82. Imagine Mr Fogg talking the owner of the elephant, trying to explain his situation and convince him to
take him through the jungle to Allahabad on his elephant. Either write down the dialogue or act it out
with a partner. Try and be as convincing as possible and dont forget to haggle about the fee!
What do you think about Mr Foggs way of travelling to Allahabad? Is it a good
idea? Why/why not?
Would you like to try out riding on a elephant? What do you think itll be like?
83. Act it out! Some ideas for roleplay! Try and makeyour performance audial (music, sounds, screaming for
help, etc.), visual (use colours, photographs or pictures, costumes, stage props, etc.) and kinesthetic (i.e.
move around, and express feelings through mime, gestures and facial expression). Why not Video the
performances?
What happens when they reach the edge of Allahabad? In groups of 4, act out
the scene of the Thugee capturing a human sacrifice (one person is Mr Fogg,
one is Passepartout, one the Thugee with the curved sword, and one the victim).
Make it very dramatic and realistic (think of any pirate films etc. you may have
seen!), and use stage props (e.g. a table as the altar, a toy sword, and so on).
Have you ever come to someones rescue? Tell a partner about it. If you have
not, think of a scene in a film/ book and retell it (either to your partner, or write
it down first and then read it to the whole class). Vote on the three best stories
or scenes, and act them out in class. Try to be as realistic as possible, use stage
props (if available).
8
 84. What does Mr Fogg do when they manage to release the human sacrifice? Do you think this is
nice funny silly typically British polite gentleman-like normal or ?
85. What happens to Passepartout in Calcutta? Are the following sentences in the right order? Number them
from 1 10. Also look at the statements closely. Are they all correct? If not, highlight anything you think
is not right!

He enters a beautiful palace with his shoes on.

Passepartout is told to keep quiet.

Mr Fogg has to appear in court.

Passepartout is walking through the city.

The ship to Hong Kong is due to depart at 15.00.

Wearing a jacket in a Parsee holy temple is a serious crime in India.

The judge sentences them to 4 weeks in prison and a fine of 5000.

The judge is holding Passepartouts suitcase.

Mr Fogg has to pay 20,000 to bail them out.

Mr Fogg is not angry about Passepartout and they travel on to Liverpool.

86. Look at the phrase contempt of court. Do you know what it means? Check in a dictionary.
Dont forget to enter all travel details into the itinerary and the map!
87. What is their next stop? Are they still on time? Why/why not?

88. Where is the Carnatic sailing to, and when?

89. Passepartout bumps into Mr Fix again. Is he really following them? Tick the correct answer:
Yes, he is checking if they really are going around the world in 80 days.
No, he is just a traveller going to the same places they are.
Yes, because he thinks MrFogg has robbed the Bank of England
No, he is a journalist writing a travel report for The Times.
90. What does the detective do to stop Mr Fogg from going to Japan? True or false? Circle the correct letter!
Passepartout wants to buy tickets for the train going to Japan. T F
He thinks Mr Fix is a private detective hired by the 2 Men at the Reform Club. T F
He tells him the ship leaves at 11 pm. T F
Mr Fix invites Passepartout for a glass of English beer. T F
Mr Fix asks Passepartout if he has ever had Chinese food. T F
They end up drinking five glasses of wine. T F
Passepartout is really drunk and Mr Fix tells him who he really is. T F
Because of the wine Passepartout falls asleep and doesnt buy the tickets. T F

9
 91. Have you ever had Chinese food? What did you have? What was it like? Did you like it? Why/why not?
Which Chinese dishes do you know? Make a list or mindmap and/or tell the
class.
If possible, go to a Chinese restaurant and ask about popular Chinese dishes
and how they are made. Perhaps you can get get a menu from a Chinese
restaurant and bring it along to class. Find out what is similar and what is
different to an Austrian meal (meat, ways of cooking, ingredients, ways of
serving and eating)
92. Mr Fogg misses his ship because Mr Fix has made Passepartout drunk. Does he still manage to get to
Japan? How? Is this what Mr Fix expected?

93. Check out if it was really possible to go up in hot-air balloons in 1872? Where can you find information
about it?
Remember the itinerary and the map!
94. With the help of a dictionary or your teacher, explain the phrase a double-crossing trick.

95. When does Passepartout wake up? What does he do? Act out how Passepartout feels (headache, etc.)
Overact as much as you like to make it really funny!

96. Put the following sentences into the correct order (number them 1 10):
Passepartout spent the night on the dockside, wrapped in his coat.

He felt guilty because he had let Fogg down.

He had to clean up after the elephants.

Mr Fogg was in the audience.

He got a job cleaning the circus ring.

He had a bad crossing to Japan.

He was asked to play a clown.

He was all alone with no money and no master.

He saw a huge tent with a big sign.

He wanted to beg for some money to buy himself breakfast.

97. What is the circus called? Tick the correct answer:

Circus Louis Knie

Chinese National Circus

Barnum & Baileys Travelling Circus

Japanese National Circus
98. with a partner, describe Passepartout as clown (clothes, make-up, etc.). Make a sketch if you are good at
drawing. Compare with othe pairs.
Have you entered the next destination in your itinerary/map?
99. Which country is their next destination? Complete the sentences below:

To get from Japan to they had to cross the ..

10
 . . In . they got on a train travelling

.. to . The train track to . is

3786 . long. They had to cross a land ..

and wild animals. Because of the train line it only takes . .

100. Why, do you think, is there a misunderstanding between Passepartout and the train driver?

101. Think of different ways of saying hello and write them on the board or flipchart. Some
expressions are more, others less formal. Some you would only use with friends/family, others you
would use talking to people you dont know or who are very important (e.g. your headmaster, teachers,
your boss, a priest, etc.) Try and put all the words/phrases you have collected into the columns of the
table below. Ask your teacher if you need help!

formal less formal informal

102. Explain why the train cannot go on. How does Mr Fogg suggest to cross the bridge? Do you think
this is possible? Say why/why not!

103. Look at the scene. What makes the driver change his mind about letting Fogg drive the train?
Do you agree with this? Talk to a partner and find out what he/she thinks.
Imagine you are the driver, knowing that you are responsible for the safety of the
passengers. Would you take the money and let Mr Fogg (who you dont even
know) drive? Why/why not?
Do you think Passepartouts suggestion of letting people walk across first makes
sense? Why/why not?
What would you have done? Walked over the bridge or stayed in your carriage?
Explain your reasons.

104. Having crossed the bridge, what else is stopping them? What does this scene remind you of?
Perhaps films, PC games, comics ? Exchange ideas in class!
Who does Passepartout confuse Native American Indians with? Why?
How does the Indian chief greet his prisoners? What could it mean? Is it an English
word? If not, which language do you think is it?
Mr Fogg uses ungrammatical sentences when he speaks to the chief. Why, do
you think?
What does the chief call the railroad line?
Does he agree with the life-style of modern white people?
What is he planning to do with his captives, and why?
What is Mr Fogg trying to convince the chief of? Do you agree with Mr Fogg or
with the Chief? Why/why not? Discuss the issue in class.

11
 Can you remember how films and/or books about cowboys and Indians are
called? Any idea why?
105. Although this scene seems to be quite funny, it tells us something about Native Americans and
their way of life. Perhaps you have read any books or seen any films about Native Americans, their
culture and their way of life. In groups, talk about these books/films. Perhaps you can ask your History
teacher to tell you about the history of the Native Americans in 19th century America (i.e. what happened
to them, and what is their situation now?). This could be an intersting topic for a presentation or project.
Remember to enter the stops in the itinerary and/or the map!
106. Have you ever been to the United States?
If yes, when and where? Did you like it? Tell a partner about your trip.
If no, where would you like to go, what would you like to see, and why?
Do you know how many states the union has?
What is the American flag called?
Without checking the internet, note down 10 important cities in the USA and tell
the class what you know about them.
Where are the following places? Imagine a map of the USA. Write the names
next to the letter indicating the location: Hollywood Alaska Texas New York

W E

S
107. What does to keep a stiff upper lip mean, do you think? Tick the correct answer.
a) to punch soneone in the lip and make it stiff
b) to remain calm and collected and not get frightened
c) to put a piece of metal in someones mouth and make the upper lip stiff
108. Where is Captain Speedy from and where is he going?

109. Mr Fogg offers Captain Speedy money to change his mind about taking passengers on board.
Later he buys the whole ship. How much did he pay the Captain altogether?
Is this the first time Mr Fogg has done that? With a partner, remember/find
other scenes in the play where money made people change their minds.
If you are good at maths, look through the text and add up all the money Mr
Fogg has spent so far on this journey (tip: look for all numbers with a sign)
If you have worked out the total in English pounds, can you figure out how much
this is in Euros?
110. When they run out of fuel halfway across the Atlantic, what does Mr Fogg do in order to get to
Liverpool in time? Make sentences using the words in brackets.

(buy) .

(break up) .

(burn) ....

12
 (catch a train) ...

Have you marked this on your map and entered it into the itinerary?
111. What is the name of the train station they are about to catch the train to London from?
Find Liverpool and the station on your map of Britain or use Google Maps
(Satellite view)
Who or what is Liverpool well-known for? Check in Wikipedia, find a few pictures
of the city and some of the interesting sights, and look out famous people who
come from Liverpool!
112. Act out the little scene: Mr Fogg and Passepartout are about to get on the train when Mr Fix
arrests them. Make your sketch as funny and lively as possible, showing your feelings through mime and
facial expressions. Alternatively, draw a comic with speech bubbles.

113. From the adjectives below, chose one each to describe how Mr Fogg, Passepartout and Mr Fix
feel. Talk to a partner and say why you think so. Do you agree?
angry - calm serious nervous excited sad unhappy pleased furious - quiet

Mr Fogg

Passepartout ..

Mr Fix

114. Why are Mr Fogg and Passepartout released from prison? What does it say in the newspaper?

115. Has Passepartout understood the phrase to keep a stiff upper lip correctly when he punches Mr
Fix in the lip? How do you feel about this? Choose one of the statements below. Say why!

Serves Mr Fix right! Getting Passepartout drunk was unfair!

Mr Fix was only doing his job.

Hes a stupid detective! He deserves being punched.

At least he apologized to Mr Fogg for following and arresting him.

116. At what time do they finally arrive in London?

Now make the last entry!
117. From the adverbs below, circle two which you think best describe how Mr Fogg is feeling the next
day. Say why.
sad unhappy depressed broken upset quiet angry annoyed or ?
118. Lets look at how does Passepartout feel. Complete sentences below, using the words/phrases in
brackets. Be careful about the tenses!

If he hadnt got drunk, (catch ship)

If he hadnt worn his shoes in the temple, .... (arrest)

If he hadnt told Mr Fix about the bet, ........ (follow)

If Fogg hadnt flown off in a ballon, (arrive in Japan)

119. Think of three more sentences of things that wouldnt have happened if . :

13
 .

.
120. How does Passepartout find out that it is only Saturday, not Sunday?
Can you explain how they gained a day? Which direction did they travel in?
Do you remember what time were they supposed to be back at the Reform Club?

121. At the club, what are Man 1 and Man 2 hoping? Why?

122. Was it really a bet he couldnt possibly have won? Do you agree with Man 1? Say why/why not.

123. Why, do you think, does Man 1 exclaim by Jove when Mr Fogg enters? Choose one of the options
below. Compare with your neighbour. Do you agree? Why/why not?
He is pleased that Mr Fogg is back safely.
He is sad that he wont get Mr Foggs money.
He is surprised that Mr Fogg walks in at the last minute.
He is annoyed that he lost his bet.
124. What does say jolly bad show mean in this context, do you think?

125. How do Mr Fogg and Passepartout feel about their adventure? Complete the sentence:

They like . !

There is a very well-known English saying, expressing how the British feel about their homes:

My home !

FOLLOW-
FOLLOW-UP PROJECTS AND COOL-
COOL-DOWN
Did you like the play? Why/why not?
Which of the characters did you like best? Why?
Which was your least favourite? Why?
Looking at the list of countries visited, have you been to any of them? Which one(s) would you really like
to visit? Say why.
How long do you think would it take nowadays to make a trip similar to that of Fogg and Passepartout?

14
 NOTES FOR TEACHERS

MINI-PROJECTS

The topics and issues in the following list lend themselves to classroom discussion, background and cultural
studies research and project work, depending on time available and the language level of the students.

Fill in the itinerary (Appendix 1) and/or mark the stopovers on a world map (see also page 3).
Collect information from travel agents and airlines and try to work out how long it would take these days
to do a trip like in the play.
Look at all nations in the European Union and try and find social and national stereotypes for each of
these countries. With a Geography teacher, put together a poster presentation, either for the whole
Union or for each individual country.
The life and culture of Native Americans. Try and collect any kind of material, showing the history,
culture, traditions, philosphy and lifestyle of Native Americans. How is today different from last century?
Cowboys and Indians in popular (childrens) literature. Is the picture we get through literature realistic or
a romantic tale?
Use Google Maps and Google Earth (Satellite view). Your students can make virtual trips all over the
planet, looking at landscapes and places in 3D from various different angles. Streaming sometimes takes
a bit of time (if your computer or your internet access isnt very fast) but then you get very high-
resolution photos and can so follow Fogg and Passepartout on their trip in a very realistic way. Visual-
kinesthetic children enjoy this even more than maps and pictures (which are only two-dimensional).
These projects are also ideal for teaching across the curriculum (bilingual teaching if History or
Geography).
Time permitting and depending on your class, you may want to work on national stereotypes. To find out
how much your students know about various stereotypes, use the gapped text of Roger McGoughs
poem Near to You (Appendix 2). With better students, try using the gapped text (see Worksheet) first,
and see who gets most countries right - they enjoy guessing and speculating: a contest may be a lot of
fun. With weaker students working slowly through the text might help you pave the way into a discussion
or a mini-project on stereotypes, mainly aiming at a comparison with their own backgrounds (nationality
or region)
There are, of course plenty of stimuli to set up projects on different countries (especially English-speaking
countries). Some of the tasks and questions may also trigger them off or serve as starting points.

15
Appendix 1

Itinerary - Chart

Day Date From To (Destination/Country) Means of Transport

16
Appendix 2

NEAR TO YOU Roger Mc Gough

Americas the land of milk and honey

Australias healthy and continually sunny
The living in Sweden is clean and sleek
The food in France is gastronomique

Japans got geishas and the fastest train

Chinas got noodles and chicken chow mein
India can boast the Taj Mahal
Singapore is a shopping mall

Africa looks to a future exciting

Spain is fandango with wine and bullfighting
Eskimos are tough and used to roughing
Turkey is full of chestnut stuffing

The Belgians invented the Brussels sprout

Germans lieben lederhosen und sauerkraut
Greece abounds in classical ruins
Russian violinists play the loveliest tuins

In Bermuda its sunny beaches and foam

In Switzerland its gnome sweet gnome
Italian girls make a di fantastic lovers
Danes are mustard under the covers

From old Hawaii to New Nepal

Foreigners seem to have it all
So if everything abroad is as good as they say
Why do we Britons in Britain stay?

The answer is (and Im sure its true)

That all of us want to be near to you

17
Worksheet (gapped text)

NEAR TO YOU Roger McGough

_______s the land of milk and honey

_________s healthy and continually sunny
The living in ______ is clean and sleek
The food in ______ is gastronomique

_____s got geishas and the fastest train

_____s got noodles and chicken chow mein
_____ can boast the Taj Mahal
_________ is a shopping mall

______ looks to a future exciting

_____ is fandango with wine and bullfighting
_______ are tough and used to roughing
______ is full of chestnut stuffing

The ________ invented the Brussels sprout

_______ lieben lederhosen und sauerkraut
______ abounds in classical ruins
_______ violinists play the loveliest tuins

In _______ its sunny beaches and foam

In ___________ its gnome sweet gnome
_______ girls make a di fantastic lovers
_____ are mustard under the covers

From old ______ to New _____

Foreigners seem to have it all
So if everything abroad is as good as they say
Why do we Britons in Britain stay?

The answer is (and Im sure its true)

That all of us want to be near to you

Worksheet H. Hirsch

18