Latvia, one of the EU countries

Latvia in the European Union

A Webbquest designed by Ruta Aukspole, teacher, Latvia

Introduction

The webquest focuses on developing skills in oral presentation in English.

Curriculum: Art & Music, Business & Economics, English & Language Arts, Foreign Language, Science, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 9-12, College-Adult

Background information

Latvia joined the EU in 2004. It is one of the three Baltic countries and is situated between Lithuania and Estonia bordering also on Russia and Belarus. As previously Latvia was one of the republics of the Soviet Union people in Europe know very little about this small country and its inhabitants, that is why Latvia could be and interesting and worth-to-see place for tourists.

Tasks

You are patriots of Latvia and are proud to show your country to other people. You should imagine yourselves being smart guides and helping foreign tourists to get acquainted with your fatherland.

Process

Do the following step-by-step:

1. Choose a topic you would like to work on:

* geography

* history

* politics

* economy

* culture and arts

* sports

* tourism;

2. Use the Internet resources and get information enough in the sphere you have chosen (see the attachments);

3. Edit the information you have got leaving the most interesting and attractive facts;

4. Give an oral presentation of the information you have got (your time-about 5 minutes). Use your charisma to attract the attention of the imagined tourists;

5. Use maps, pictures, photos, graphics and any other aid you need.

Evaluation

Points	Task achievement	Accuracy	Fluency	Pronunciation	Total points
4	Task fully and convincingly achieved	Extensive range of vocabulary and grammar structures, accurately used	Utterenced are coherent and fluent and in a style appropriate to the context	Accurate and consistent use of all aspects of pronunciation
3	Task achieved but the teacher`s support is necessary in 1-2 minor cases	Wide range of vocabulary and grammar structures, mostly accurately used	Uttarances are quite spontaneous and fluent without evident search of words	Broadly accurate and consistent use of most aspects of pronunciation
2	Task is partly achieved. The teacher`s support ir frequently required	Moderate range of vocabulary and grammar structures or many grammatical inaccuracies in complex structures	Utterances are usually hesitant and jerky but the student is able to keep the presentation going	Often faulty pronunciation, strong interference from the native language rhythm, intonation and pronunciation
1	Task not fulfilled but the student attemps to perform at least some ideas	Restricted range of vocabulary. Many inaccuracies even in basic structures	Utterances are fragmentary and halting but at times the student manages to express some idea	Frequent pronunciation errors cause unintelligibility

This table of evaluation is partly based on `Marking Scale-Speaking` prepared by IZGLĪTĪBAS SATURA UN EKSAMINĀCIJAS CENTRS, Riga/Latvia

Conclusion

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Tick (v) the acceptable answer:

No	Statement	Agree	Disagree
1.	There is no place like home
2.	I am proud of being a citizen of Latvia
3.	I am proud to introduce my country to other people
4.	Freedom, democracy and law are in the basis of this state
5.	We are a prosperous country
6.	We are happy to be in the EU