Weather Webpicks

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 31 January 2017 > Webpicks


Groundhog Day, 2 February, gives lots of possibilities for revising vocabulary for weather and seasons, considering weather proverbs in English and French, and getting a bit of science into English class.

The weather, like Groundhog Day, comes back around regularly, and discussing the tradition can serve as a handy reminder of weather terms. Or pick up from the Groundhog Day film's main character, a weather presenter, and have pupils present a weather forecast. Why not get them to really work on expression by imagining that, like Bill Murray's character, they have to present the same forecast every day? The language can be as simple or as complex as you like, so it can work from A1. The point is to repeat it using different tones – either progressively frustrated, or trying it in a happy, sad or angry style. And of course, practising word stress and clarity while they are at it.

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There is an A2-level Hawaiian weather forecast audio recording with interactive comprehension activities  in the Banque de ressources anglais cycle 4. To access the resources, register now or log in.

Audios > A2Langages et modes de vie > Saynètes > The Weather Forecast

Intercultural Comparisons
It would be interesting for pupils to think of weather proverbs or traditions they know in French (En avril ne te découvre pas d'un fil…) and then see if they can find any in English, or another language they study (March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.) Why do they think these expressions developed? Do they have any truth in them, and would they have been useful in the days before accurate weather forecasts?

The British Met Office site looks at some of the English idioms, and in this video investigates whether there is any science behind three well-known weather sayings. One of them is about St Swithun's day (15 July), another weather prediction tradition. It's slow and clear, and easy enough from A2+, especially if you only concentrate on one saying.