Elections 2014

Election 2014

On September 14, Sweden will once again go to the polls to cast their votes for who they want to lead this country for the next four years. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that exercising his or her right to vote is important. Around 48% of those eligible to vote in the European Union elections in May 2014 voted. Even though this was an increase from the 45% who voted in 2009, it stills means that less than 50% voted. Why? Perhaps they feel that their vote does not make a difference. Others may feel that what is important is not taken up by the politicians. 

During this unit you will be given the chance to make your voice heard or to encourage others to make their voices heard by exercising their right to vote. The choice is YOURS.

Goals in English 

During this unit you will be given the chance to practice:

-making yourself understood in English as you make a speech in which you present a political issue that is important to you or by making a video in which you encourage others to vote and why.

-your understanding of spoken English as you watch various YouTube videos and listen to your classmates’ presentations.

-using English in different situations depending on audience (who you are talking to) and purpose (why you are talking to them).

-showing how Swedish election trends (issues, voter statistics, etc.) compare with trends in two or three English speaking countries. 

Process:

1. Watch the YouTube videos Rock the Vote, History of Voting, and The Speech That Made Obama President. You will find these videos on Election 2014 resource page. 

2. Decide whether or not you want to prepare a speech (individual) or if you want to make a video encouraging others to vote (individual or group). If you choose to work in a group it is important that everyone in the group takes part in the video. You also have the choice to film your speech if you do not want to perform it live. 

3. Using the videos and other resources found on the Elections 2014 resource page, begin preparing your presentation. 

4. Publish your video in your blog.

5. Watch at least 5 of your classmates videos and give feedback.

6.  When you have completed all of the work for this unit, evaluate it!   You will find the evaluation form on the Election 2014 resource page.

Evaluation:
You will be evaluated on the following:
-You are able to use vocabulary that is associated to elections.
-You are able to make yourself understood in English.
-You are able to adapt your English to more formal situations.
-You are able to use the information found in the videos in your own work.
-You are able to show that you have identified/understood differences and similarities in voting trends between Sweden and other English speaking countries.