way2go! 7. Coursebook, Schulbuch

102 Unit 06 | The choice is yours Shakespeare’s themes in Romeo and Juliet include feuds, where families fight for generations in the name of honour passing on senseless hate, arranged marriage, where young people marry a partner of their parents’ choosing, and disapproval of relationships between individuals from opposing groups. But such things could never happen today, right? As a class, talk about possible situations in the world today that fit these themes. Discuss how these problems could be resolved. Here are some first-hand accounts of such conflicts still going on today. Discuss in pairs what you think about the issues and what practical solutions you would suggest. Share your ideas with another pair. SPEAKING 32 a b “My parents had an arranged marriage. They got lucky and have been very happy, but I definitely didn’t want them choosing a partner for me. So I was devastated when my father told me he’d found the ‘perfect husband’. I refused to marry a person who was practically a stranger. My parents threw me out and no longer speak to me.” ( Myra, 20, India ) “I’m a so-called ‘blood child’, which means I can be killed for a crime which was committed many years ago, but I don’t even know what it was. No one will tell me. I have to live with my grandparents and I’m in danger every time I go outside. I have a special teacher who comes to my home to teach me because I can’t go to school.” ( Saban, 16, Albania ) “I met the love of my life in a café, but the problem is I’m Catholic and he’s Protestant. Although the ‘troubles’ have been over for a long time, there is still some stigma about ‘marrying out’ as it is called. My family is strict and would never accept him. We had to end the relationship.” ( Eileen, 19, Northern Ireland ) A B C Your English language assistant is involved in a project called ‘Teaching Shakespeare’. Pamela Brady, the head of this project, is interested in young Austrians’ opinions on Shakespeare. Your English language assistant has asked you to send her an email. In your email you should: inform Ms Brady about your experience with Shakespeare outline a scene you have read explain what you liked or disliked about this scene Write around 250 words. See Writing coach, Formal email , p. 178. WRITING 33 Paired activity: Your English language assistant has been asked to work on Romeo and Juliet with your class. He/She wants to get ideas on how to go about it. In pairs, look at the ideas below and agree on one that you would like to suggest to the assistant. act out some important scenes in English read some important scenes in German and compare them to the English version read a summary of the play in English and watch the film in English watch two different versions of the film and compare them see the play in German at the theatre and then read some important scenes in English SPEAKING 34 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv