Brush Up – Topic: Intelligence

Warm-up

 Ask Students to define intelligence.

 Students watch the video and then discuss https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Xc5p-
r4CmcI
 Is there a correlation between these intelligences?

1. A born genius?

Reading

 Get students to read the extract and then immediately proceed to the listening exercise before they answer
the questions.

Listening (side 1 23:00)

 Students hear three possible versions for the final paragraph of the reading extract. They have to decide
which the original one was, and whether the other two contain reasonable ideas or not.

Speaking

 Students then discuss the questions.

Film: Little Man Tate

I. Discuss the following quotes. Which one do you agree with?

1. 100% of our intelligence comes from the environment. If so, genetics influence is not important, just the way you
were educated or raised will count.

2. 50% of our intelligence comes from genes and 50% comes from the environment.

3. 100% of our intelligence comes from our genes. If so, the family of Sigmund Freud and his descendants are all
intelligent, for example.

II. Do you think that preferential treatment should be given to the gifted? Do you agree with this statement?

"Gifted Children should be singled out for preferential treatment. They should be given advantages that other
children don't get in order to nurture their special talents".

Make a list of arguments for and against this issue.

III. Divide the class into two groups and promote a debate. The groups prepare a list of arguments for and the
other one against the quotation.
IV. Watch the segment and discuss the questions:

1. What is the main characters' special talent?

2. How did he feel about it?

3. What did he want to have, and he doesn't?

4. How did the school professionals deal with the situation?

5. How did his mother deal with this situation?

6. What would you do if you were his mother?

7. What if you were the school's director?

2. A head start

 Students read and discuss questions in groups