talking about EXTREME BEAUTY

For today I've prepared a first lesson plan on CULTURAL DIVERSITY. There are multiple subject you could discuss in this category. I decided to start with a topic of EXTREME BEAUTY which is a nice excuse to touch the subject of plastic surgeries, tattoos or piercing. The lesson also focuses on practical use of ADVERBIALS OF PURPOSE. Enjoy!

READING

Read the text and answer the questions below it.

Throughout history, women have tortured themselves to look beautiful. In China, female children’s feet were bound so that adult women walked in tiny steps on claw-feet. In Africa the Mangbetu tribe of Congo bound their heads to make their skulls look extremely elongated.

Frankly, things haven’t changed that much. Even today, people still go to extreme measures. Women inject their faces with botox, put silicon bags all over their bodies, and break bones in order to feel beautiful. However it’s rare that an ancient tradition is still practiced.

The Padaung women of Myanmar start wearing brass coils around their necks at a very young age, increasing the number of rings as they get older until their heads are on top of a long, thin neck. They are sometimes called the Longneck tribe or the Giraffe people. Although the tradition is dying out some women continue to wear their coils despite the fact that it makes it difficult to sleep or even put on your underwear.

a.  Which countries are mentioned in the text as an example of an extreme beauty practice? _______________________________________________________________

b.  What do modern women do to look pretty? ____________________________

c.   Why can the coils be uncomfortable? ________________________________

What do modern people do to look more beautiful or younger? Write your examples using words given.

1.    so that ________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

2.    to ____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

3.    in order to _____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

4.    in order that ____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

VOCABULARY

brass – a yellow metal made of copper and zinc, e.g. A trumpet is a brass instrument.

coil – a series of spiral rings, e.g. Can you fold this cable into a coil?

elongate – make longer, e.g. As the winter comes to an end the days elongate.

resemble – be similar to, e.g. This cloud above me resembles an elephant.

It's a good idea to use the new vocabulary in  few example sentences. This way, the students will remember them better. 

VIDEO

Watch a video and circle the correct words in the sentences below. Then answer the questions.

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/twelve-inch-necks-how-women-torture-themselves-104090666872.html

12-INCH NECKS: How Women Torture Themselves for Beauty in the Far East

…Once upon a time according to a legend of a Padaung tribe in Myanmar thousands of years ago, an alchemist wondered into the FOREST / MOUNTAINS and fell in love with a dragon.

…Mu Le has been wearing 24 brass coils for the last 34 / 43 years. Her neck is now 12 inches long.

…Like Mu Le two of her NIECES / GRANDDAUGHTERS wear the coils as well. …And once they’re on, they stay on FOREVER / ALL DAY.

…From my friend’s point of view they think the rings look UGLY / HEAVY but I don’t care, I think they’re beautiful.

a.  Why do the Padaung women elongate their necks? _____________________________________________

b.   How old was Mu Le when she first put the rings on? _____________________________________________

c.  Why did the young girl decide to wear the rings? _________________________________________________

d.  What is your opinion on the idea of wearing the neck coils? Would you wear it yourself? ________________

DISCUSSION POINTS

• Watch a slideshow. Do you find people in the pictures beautiful? 
• Do you think people should have cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks?
• How popular is plastic surgery in your country?
• What is the most popular feature for cosmetic alteration?
• Would you ever have plastic surgery? If so, what would you change?
• What are some beauty tips that you could share?
• Do you think people with many tattoos or piercings can be beautiful?
• Do you think people from different countries than you see attractive the same way?