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A New Currency - Lexis - Advanced - ESL Lesson


Here's a lesson that can be used for big and small groups around upper intermediates and up. The Target Language can be modified for lower levels if needed. Without a reading add on, the lesson should take no more than 45 minutes to complete. With smaller class sizes, you'll probably need another activity at the end to take up time, but if you stretch out the activation, you should be fine.

Materials:  Cash currency of different denominations. Ideally bring in currency from your own country and host country. If you feel uncomfortable with that, make photocopies.

Prep work: Do a bit of research on the currency you are bringing in. Be aware of the iconic figures and symbols on the bills. For me, I used a dollar bill. Here's a great image that goes over some of the symbolism.  Check it out - 1 dollar bill  Alternatively, you can use this reading in the lesson for longer classes.

Introduction: 
Version 1 for larger classes:  Before class, hide either real or photocopied bills of various amounts around the class. Tell students that they have 60 seconds to get up and find all of the missing bills they can.

Version 2 for smaller groups: Before class, hide a wallet in the classroom under a chair or desk. Start the class and then notice it. Ask one of the students to grab it and put it on the table. Then go through the wallet taking out all of the different bills and putting them on the table. Act as if you have no idea who this wallet belongs to.

From there, try to elicit the concept of 'money' or 'currency'.

Lead in: Demo out these questions and have students talk in groups. With higher levels, allow them to ask some of their own questions.

1. How many different types of bill amounts are there in your currency?
2  What important people are featured on the bills? Why do you think they were chosen?
3. Was your currency always this way? How has it changed with time?
4. Do you think some bills or coins should be removed or introduced? Why or why not?
 (If students have experience with other currencies from different countries, ask them which ones they like the most and why)

Target Language
Introduce/Elicit/CCQ the following. Add other words if appropriate.

A currency
A denomination
A bill
Iconic symbolism
Aesthetically pleasing
Symbolic
To counterfeit
Anti counterfeit measures
A representation
Relevancy
Practicality
A composition
To be in circulation

Study 1 Strips Q/A
Using strips of paper with each word on a strip, students in teams have to create a question with the word and the other team has to answer the question as best and grammatically correct as they can. Work on speed. Team 1 gets a point for asking a good question and Team 2 gets either 1-2 points for how they answer it.

Study 2 Currency creation
Put students in groups and hand out a single sheet of paper (ideally A3) to each group. Tell them that they have to create a brand new bill for their country. Have them use the following outline to help them. Monitor the activity and make sure that students are going into as much detail as possible. The more the better.

What's the denomination?
Describe the color and composition of the bill?
Which iconic figure have you chosen to be on the bill?
Describe any other symbolic people or imagery that are featured on the bill and what they represent?
What' ascetically pleasing about the new bill?
What anti counterfeit measures have been taken to make the bill secure?
When do you think the bill will be in circulation?
What are some reasons why this new bill will be an added benefit?

Activation: Picking the New Bill
Create a symposium where groups will present their bills to each other using the target language. Groups should be instructed to listen to the other teams and give positive and negative feedback on the decisions made creating the new bill. Have students rate each teams' bill on relevancy, creativity and practicality. The class can then select the winning bill and why.

End the lesson with joke.

Feel free to leave any comments or suggestions.
Teach abroad with us at The Language House Prague
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