Are computer games addictive? Can they be destructive for young people? How can it affect families?
My wife pointed me to this issue via some recent discussions we've had about our 6-year-old son and his increasing obsession with the X-Box 360 and Skylanders game in particular. Is he becoming addicted? Does it account for some (at this stage) slightly worrying behaviour we've been having to deal with?
You can find an interesting report about this from the Australian Broadcasting Commission's Catalyst program, at this link:
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3488130.htm
The material, with both video and transcript, is great for Certificate III in ESL (Access) and the unit element interpreting an informational oral text.
English Oz Activity sheet downloads:
3_VPAU503_EL1_Computer_Game_Addiction
3_VPAU503_EL1_TG_Computer_Game_Addiction
Given this is a reasonably long presentation (around 10 minutes), I wouldn't be asking learners to analyze every part in detail, but there are certainly sections or stages that students could focus on. Section 1-2 might be used to gather all the general ideas/attitudes/opinions, while section 1-3 could be used to focus on one specific part/section of the report.
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
This material and issue is, in my opinion, also ideal for extension into other elements, like having a casual conversation about the issue or coming up with a set of recommendations (in writing or as a presentation) on potential strategies to help cope with computer addiction in a family setting.
For more ESL content and activity sheets, drop by English Oz on this blog!
;-)
