ELT 5 CLIL History:

The Causes of the Second World War

Teachers:
Level:
Time:
Rubn Chihuan
Upper Intermediate
30 min
Ral Horna
Jos Perez
Class Description:
There are 4 students, upper intermediate level from 15 to 16 years old eager to
participate.
Main aims:
By the end of the first stage, the students will learn the different causes of the
Second World War
By the end second stage, the students will practice their language skills
(listening and speaking).
By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to debate/discuss using the
language for debating presented in class.
Anticipated Problems and Solutions:
Problem: If any of the students have some problems remembering facts/names
about WWII.
Solution: Teacher will explain them.
Problem: If any of the students doesnt know a word from the audioscript.
Solution: Teacher will show definition.
Problem: If the student cant pronounce some of the phrases at the final stage.
Solution: Teacher will model pronunciation.
Materials:
Sheet with key names / PPT / MP3 file / Listening questions worksheet / Audioscript /
Debating language worksheet
Stage

Presentation

Description
Show students a picture (related to WWII)
and elicit.
In groups talk about what they know about
either World War II in general, or its causes
using the sheet with key names.
(Appendix 1)
Teacher will give some explanations about
the sheet.
Tell students that they are going to listen to a
discussion about the causes of WWII.
Give out the questions worksheet and tell
students to read the questions (1-4) before
they listen.
(Appendix 2)
Play the recording and tell students to
answer questions (1-4).
Tell students to compare their answers.

Time

12 min

Controlled Practice

Production

Give students the script of the recording.

Tell students to read the questions (5-8)
before they read.
(Appendix 3)
Play the recording one more time with the
students reading the script to consolidate
their learning.
Tell students to underline the answers to the
questions.
Tell students to compare their answers.
Check with the whole class.

Give students the debating language

worksheet.
(Appendix 4)
Tell them to underline the expressions on the
script.
Tell them to guess the meanings from the
context of expressions they dont already
know, and then go over with the class.
Tell them to debate in groups the causes of
the Second World War.
Let students share their opinions.

9 min

9 min

APPENDIX
Appendix 1:
Name
Hitler
Mein Kampf
Chamberlain
Versailles
Hindenburg
Manchuria
Abyssinia
Stalin
Churchill
Appessement

Description
The Chancellor of Germany before and during WWII
A book written by Hitler about his life and Nazism
British Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940
A peace treaty signed at the end of World War I
President of Germany from 1925 to 1934
An area in North-East China, including parts of Russia
and Mongolia
Other name for The Ethiopian Empire in North-East
Africa
Leader of the Soviet Union during WWII
British Prime Minister during most of WWII
A policy of compromising to avoid war

Appendix 2:
Listen to a discussion about the causes of the Second World War and answer the
following questions.
1. What was the first possible cause of WWII mentioned?
a) Appeasement
b) Hitler
c) Stalin
d) The Great Depression
2. What was the second possible cause of WWII mentioned?
a) Appeasement
b) Hitler
c) Stalin
d) The Great Depression
3. What was the third possible cause of WWII mentioned?
a) Appeasement

b) Hitler
c) Stalin
d) The Great Depression

4. What was the fourth possible cause of WWII mentioned?

a) Appeasement
b) Hitler
c) Stalin
d) The Great Depression

Appendix 3:
Listen again and answer these questions (they arent in order)
5. Why was the Great Depression a cause of WWII?
6. Why was Appeasement a cause of WWII?
7. Why was Stalin a cause of WWII?
8. Why was Hitler a cause of WWII?

Appendix 4:
These expressions are used in the recording. Underline them in the script.
Try to guess their meanings and check with your teacher.

What do you think?

Open and shut case
Rubbish!
Youve got to blame
But surely thats nonsense?
For me,
Cant agree.

Now use these expressions in your own debate.