The World of Advertising
This unit should take 2-4 hours, depending on time, interest, and extension activities. This unit is designed for intermediate level students of all ages.
Objectives
Students will:
Learn vocabulary associated with advertising
Learn and practice commands
Express opinions about advertising
Create an ad or a commercial in English
Materials to Print
- Vocabulary
- Reading and activity
- Grammar activity
Activities
Activity I: What is your favorite commercial? (5 minutes)
Describe a TV commercial that caught your attention recently. Explain why you chose it. Ask students to do the same. If other students do not know the commercial, ask the student that named it to describe it briefly. Help him/her with questions such as: What product does it advertise? Why do you like it? Is it funny? Is it unique? Pay attention to whether students mention other forms of advertising, such as newspaper or magazine ads, advertisements on the streets, etc.
Activity II: Advertising vocabulary (15 minutes)
Together, write a list of different forms of advertising. If students have difficulties, help them. Look around to see if one of them has a product, such as a baseball cap, a key chain or a pen with the name of a company. If not, ask them if they have any at home (company gifts). Ask students to think of two ways in which we can advertise on TV (commercial, sponsoring a program). Then, give students the vocabulary list in printout 1 and introduce the words. If any new words come up, explain them by giving examples and using them in context.
Activity III: Reading: Posta, an Advertising Agency of Our Times (25 minutes)
Did anybody mention postcards as a medium to advertise? Explain that they are going to read a text on a unique way to advertise. It's an ad for an advertising agency that designs and distributes advertising postcards. Ask students if they have ever seen such postcards. Read the text together and then ask students to do the comprehension activity (Answers: 1b; 2b; 3a; 4c; 5a; 6a).
Activity IV: Grammar (15 minutes)
Review the formation of the imperative (or commands) with students. Explain that, unlike in other languages, in English the imperative is formed by the infinitive of the verb without the "to." Give some examples students may be familiar with, such as "close/open the door, repeat, read, come here," and so on. Have a student do the actions to convey the meanings. Then ask students to underline all the commands in the text. Finally, have them do the grammar activity (Answers: think of; work on; decide; write; look for; make; find out; go).
Activity V: Your commercial (25 minutes - 2 days)
Divide the class in small groups. Give each group and object, such as a toothpaste tube, a running shoe, a pen, and so on. Each group has to advertise their product. Before starting, review the steps together. Ask students to help you list the steps on the board: 1. think of a name for the product; 2. make a list of the qualities of the product that are going to help you sell it; 3. decide which type of advertising is going to be more effective for this particular product (commercial or ad); 4. write the script for the commercial, or ad; 5. decide who is going to do what in the presentation to the class. When all the groups have finished their commercial or ad, represent it or show it to the class and vote for the best one.
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