Adam Hills makes a very good point? About the way Australians inflect up at the end of many sentences? To make it sound like a question? 'Coz we're kinda insecure? And we need your approval? Or we just like to ask questions that don't actually need answers?
I think this is a brilliant resource for ESL learners (though Dutch students may not like the stereotype joke at their expense). Aside from the pronunciation/intonation points, there are nice opportunities to draw on the content for chats about Australian history, particularly the discovery of the continent by Europeans, and to have a bit of a larf along the way...
Activity resource sheets for learners and teachers:
3_VPAU503_EL1_Australian_Intonation
3_VPAU503_EL1_TG_Australian_Intonation
Certificate III ESL (Access) components targeted and tracked through the activities:
Unit C22 (VPAU503): Give and respond to a range of straightforward instructions and informational texts.
Element 1: Interpret an informational oral text
Performance Criteria 1.1: Identify the context, topic and purpose of an informational oral text
Performance Criteria 1.2: Outline main ideas, opinions and attitudes expressed
Performance Criteria 1.3: Locate supporting information or details
Performance Criteria 1.4: Identify the tone and register of the text, and any inferred meaning
Performance Criteria 1.5: Express an opinion about the ideas or issues raised
Brought to you by English Oz.
;-)
