Wonders of the Modern World
The Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate, the Sydney Opera House, the Burj Khalifa and the Panama Canal. Levels A2 to C1.
Who it's for
Marked for all levels: the topic carries the lesson, and you set the difficulty by what you ask of the answer.
Famous places, natural wonders and the landmarks of your student's own city. More Landmarks lesson plans
Skills it practises
- Speaking: discussion questionsevery lesson
- Vocabulary: a target word listevery lesson
- Reading: a text or news storyevery lesson
Lessons
- The Eiffel Tower: The Tower Paris HatedParis did not want this tower. Then it stayed. A simple story about taste, time and a very big piece of iron, for A2 students.48 minA2Free
- The Statue of Liberty: A Gift in 350 PiecesFrance sent a statue across the sea in wooden boxes, and America could not afford the base. A story about gifts and small donations for B1 students.48 minB1Outline
- The Burj Khalifa: The Tallest Building on Earth828 metres of glass and concrete in the desert, and a sunset that arrives late at the top. Height, weather and everyday life for B1 students.48 minB1Outline
- The Golden Gate Bridge: The Bridge That Could Not Be BuiltDeep water, fog, currents and a chorus of experts saying no. Risk, credit and safety at work, for B2 students.48 minB2Outline
- The Sydney Opera House: The Design That Nearly FailedA rejected drawing, an unsolvable roof, a cost fourteen times the estimate and an architect who walked away. Ambition and compromise for B2 students.48 minB2Outline
- The Panama Canal: Cutting a Continent in HalfA French failure, an American rebuild, tens of thousands of deaths and a waterway that now depends on rainfall. Cost, power and consequence for C1 students.48 minC1Outline
How to use it in a lesson
- Lessons run 48 minutes, with a timing on every stage, so you can see before you start what fits your slot.
- Start with "The Eiffel Tower: The Tower Paris Hated": its whole plan is on this site, stage by stage, with the target vocabulary, free to read and to teach from on any video call.
- For a shorter slot, skip a practice stage or cut the discussion short: the stages are a guide, not a script.
Teach Wonders of the Modern World with your student
Lesson 1 of this course is free. A free account opens it in the interactive player, and the rest of the course is included with Starter. Teaching it live with your student in the Tuton classroom starts with a 7-day free trial.
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