CEFR Topic 17: culture and civilization | Level A1 |

 Image viewing: The Carnival in Rome

The Carnival in Rome. Fragment por Eckersberg, C.W. - 1828 - National Gallery of Denmark, Denmark - CC0.
https://www.europeana.eu/item/2020903/KMS3394

 

The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” indicates that a complex idea can be communicated by a single image. We might spend an hour reading an article about the devastating effects an oil spill has on wildlife ecology. But a photograph of an oil-drenched

pelican gasping for air evokes in us an instant emotional response. While both the article and the photograph communicate the magnitude of the damage that oil spills can cause, the power of an image allows us to grasp this message within nanoseconds (Lottie Baker).

The classic four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening are well-known. But what about 'seeing,' the fifth skill? Kieran Donaghy, a visual arts expert in language instruction, discusses what seeing is, why it's essential, and how you can utilize it in the classroom (Kieran Donaghy).

Activity

1. Open the slides above and learn the vocabulary. Copy it to Quizlet.
2. Work in pairs and write down sentences that describe elements of the picture, using the English language. Share your best sentences on Padlet.
3. Write down some sentences in your notebook. Remember, the main/context elements of the picture should be included before the details. To do this, try and write the spoken sentences on the board in that order. Drawing a ‘V’ shape on the board (make your own copy).
4. Write a description of their picture, using the target language. You can use the general principles of visual elements from the Art Vocabulary Story.
5. Present your description on Flipgrid in video formarl