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Vacances en Californie

My wife, son and I just got back from a fabulous driving tour of California, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. That's why I've been quiet on the blog recently. I thought I would combine our experience with a lesson plan idea for you. This is the tried and tested journey account based on diary notes. You can copy an paste these if you wish or make up your own.

I would use this type of stimulus for lots of oral question-answer and building up of longer utterances. Students could take notes during the conversation or just use their memories if they write up their account. First person singular or plural could be used - the latter if you want to specifically practise verb forms with nous or (better?) on. The exercise essentially becomes one of changing nouns to verbs, then adding as much extra detail as you or the pupils want.

Students could then write their own illustrated accounts adapting the language they have practised or give an oral presentation.

Watch out for pupils saying or writing "je suis départ" or similar.


27 mars

 Départ en avion de Manchester pour San Francisco via Londres. Vol de 13 heures. Arrivée à San Francisco; installation à l'hôtel. Beaux panoramas.

 28 mars

 Matin: voyage en tram historique. Balade à vélo vers le Golden Gate Bridge.
Après-midi: promenade en Segway dans les rues près du port. Amusant!

 29 mars

 Visite audio-guidée de l'ancienne prison d'Alcatraz sur l'île d'Alcatraz. Intéressant. Belle vue de San Franscisco à travers la baie.

 30 mars

 Voyage en voiture de location vers le parc naturel de Yosemite. Installation à l'hôtel au bord d'une rivière.

 31 mars

 Visite guidée du parc de Yosemite en car. Arbres énormes et panoramas extraordinaires. Beau temps.

 1 avril

 Retour en voiture vers la côte. Visite de l'aquarium célèbre de Monterey. Coucher du soleil sur l'océan Pacifique. Dîner dans un restaurant thailandais.

 2 avril

 Descente du Pacific Highway. Falaises et panoramas remarquables. Déjeuner dans un restaurant avec vue sur l'océan. Le beau temps continue! Arrivée à Santa Monica près de los Angeles.

 3 avril

 Visite guidée en chariot des studios de Warner Brothers. Retour vers Manhattan Beach pour voir des amis. Barbecue ensemble - fruits de mer. Promenade à pied au front de mer.

 4 avril

 Continuation vers San Diego. Etape à la station balnéaire de Pismo Beach. 

 5 avril

 Continuation vers san Diego, près de la frontière mexicaine. Des animaux à voir: des centaines de phoques sur une plages et des oiseaux rapaces. Arrivée. Hôtel avec vue sur le port de plaisance.

 6 avril

 Matin: visite du zoo de San Diego. Animaux et plantes variés.
Après-midi: visite du porte-avions Midway. Très intéressant.

 7 avril

 Longue étape de 6 heures vers Las Vegas. Traversée du désert. Soirée à Las Vegas. Petit voyage en monorail. Promenade sur le "strip". Hôtels et casinos énormes. Illuminations sans pareil.

 8 avril

 Continuation vers le Grand Canyon en Arizona. Vol en hélicoptère sur le canyon. Visite guidée en jeep rose. Panoramas spectaculaires au coucher du soleil.

 9 avril

 Retour vers Phoenix. Descente des gorges oranges magnifiques de l'Oak Creek Canyon. Retour en avion de Phoenix vers Manchester via Londres. Surclassé en business class! Quel luxe!
Grand Canyon

Las Vegas

Highway 1

Joel, Elspeth et Steve à Yosemite



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