This is a methodological orientation to teach means of transport and means of communication. I hope you find it useful. This was created for eight graders in Panama.

1. METHODOLOGICAL ORIENTATION
MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND
COMMUNICATION
8°
Collaborative TEAM
Lorybell Moreno, Vielka Castro, Elidia De León

2. Methodological Orientation
I.General Information
Area: Transportation and Communication
Subject: English
Time: 12 hours
II.Learning Situation
Transportation and communication around the world
CONTENTS
Concepts
8-TRANSPORTATION AND
COMMUNICATION.
8.1- Communication
Importance
Traditional
Modern technological
-In Panama
- Worldwide
8.2-Transportation
In Panama
Worldwide
-Advantages
-Disadvantages
Contributions to development of the
country.
GRAMMAR IN
CONTEXT:
-Simple present
3rd person singular
-Comparatives and
superlatives
-Prepositions
Procedure
Attitude
8.1- Investigating the advantages and
disadvantages of the worldwide web.
8.1-Showing interest for the
modern
technological
communication in Panama (www).
Distinguishing the means of
communication used in the community.
Comparing
the
means
of
transportation used in Panama and
others countries using prepositions,
regular and irregular verbs, and
comparatives and superlative.
Listening to record pronunciation
about ending sounds and third person
singular of verbs.
Increasing
students’
proficiency
using
modern
Technological communication.
Valuing the advantages of using
means of transportation in the
community.

3. -Modals: can / could
-Adverbs of frequency
-Third person singular
of verbs: -s /-es
VOCABULARY:
-MODERN
TECHNOLOGICAL
COMMUNICATION:
internet, computer,
websites, cell phone,
fax, e-mail, and so on.
-MEANS OF
TRANSPORTATION:
taxi, car, bus, train,
plane, jet, boat,
ship, and so on.
III. Development
A. Classroom Management
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
 Make a semi-circle with the chairs to improve the interaction among the students.
INTRODUCTION FOR THE CONTENT
 Make a circle to improve the interaction.
 Start the class with the chairs in groups of four to develop a team workshop.
INTRODUCTION FOR THE ACTIVITIES
 Start the class with the chairs in line.
 They are organized in groups to develop workshops and dialogues.
B. Student`s Previous knowledge

The teacher makes exploratory questions about means of communication
and transportation in other to get previous knowledge.

4. What are the main
means of
communication in
Panama and
worldwide?
What are the main
means of
transportation in
Panama and
worldwide?
Which is the most
used mean of
transportation in
Panama?
Which is the most
popular mean of
communication and
some advantages of
it in Panama?
Do you know some
traditional means of
communication and
transportation here
in Panama?
The student should complete the spider gram with words related to means of communication:
newspaper
cellphone
letter
Means of Communication
Facebook and
tweeter
fax
chat
newspaper
e-mail
Computer
newspaper
During the development of the activities check if:
 The students understand and answer to the questions in English or Spanish.
 They practice pronunciation and remember key concepts
 Check your observations in a checklist

5. A. MATCHING 1
Match the pictures with the right means of transport.
1. Train
2. Submarine
3. Bus
4. Plane
5. Ship
6. Truck
7. Motorcycle
8. Car
9. Air balloon
10. Tram
11. Bicycle
12. Space shuttle
13. Scooter
14.Trolley bus
15. Helicopter
B. MATCHING 2
Name the cars/vans and say which ones are used for….???
1. Ambulance car
2. School bus
3. Cement mixer
4. Fire truck
5. Taxi
6. Police car
7. Garbage van
a. fire fighting
b. catching criminals
c. saving human life
d. transporting people to home
e. transporting of rubbish
f. mixing cement
g. transporting students to school
C. ROWS
Which word in a row is wrong? Give reason for your answer.
1.
BICYCLE
- MOTORCYCLE
- CAR
- BUS
2.
TRAM
- TROLLEY BUS
- BUS
- SUBMARINE
3.
SCOOTER
- MOTORCYCLE
- TRUCK
- BICYCLE
4.
AMBULANCE CAR - FIRE TRUCK
– POLICE CAR
- AIR BALLON
5.
PLANE
- TRAM
- HELICOPTER
- SPACE SHUTTLE
6.
TAXI
- AMBULANCE CAR
- SCHOOL BUS
- GARBAGE VAN
D. CONVERSATION CORNER
1.
In which means of transport do you like to travel? Why?
2. What do you think about travelling by public transport? Is is pleasant for you?
3. Do you prefer to travel by bus or car? Why?
4. Which means of transport do you use when you go to school?
5. Name 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of travelling by plane, car and bus.
C. Achievement Indicators

6. 




Writes and reads sentences about means of transportation using comparative and superlative
adjectives.
Distinguishes the advantages and disadvantages of the different means of transport in a clear way.
Expresses agreement or disagreement toward means of transport.
Scan a short text for specific information and differentiate the types of transport.
Writes a conversation about modern communication using adverbs of frequency and present
tense.
D. Introduction of the Content
Students bring up a list of words related to the topic to create a key vocabulary in class about
Means of transportation.
Vocabulary of Means
Transportation
The following list of adjectives is going to be used to make sentences in simple present using
comparative and superlatives.
Vocabulary of Adjectives
New -Safe - Big - comfortable - small - uncomfortable - old - dangerous - cheap - expensive - slow
- fast - beautiful - popular - important - interesting - worst - dizzy - secure - boring - clean - noisy quick – bad- slow-dangerous-safe-
practical-cheap
Vocabulary of Means of Communincation
Letter – fax – television – radio – Internet - land phone cordless/wireless phone - mobile phone – newspapers – video phone I phone – e-mail.

7. Negative
Affirmative
I write
Interrogativ
e
Long form
I do not write
He writes
She writes
I don’t write
You do not write
You write
Short form
You don’t write
He does not write
She does not write
It writes
We write
He doesn’t write
She doesn’t write
It does not write
We do not write
They write
We don’t write
You do not write
You write
It doesn’t write
You don’t write
They do not write
do I write?
do you write?
does he write?
does she write?
does it write?
do we write?
do you write?
do they write?
They don’t write
help
She, he, it helps
Most Verbs
stay
She, he, it stays
Verb ending in
Verb ending in
cry
She, he, it cries
Verb ending in
go
fix
buzz
pass
wash
touch
goes fixes buzzes passes washes touches

8. Grammar Box Comaparatives and
Superlatives
1.
One syllable adjectives
Comparative: add er (cheaper)
Superlative: add est (the cheapest)
2. One syllable adjectives ending in 'e'
Short adjectives
Small------the smallest
Comparative: add r (nicer)
Fast-------the fastest
Superlative: add st (the nicest)
Big--------the biggest
3. One syllable adjectives ending in consonant - vowel consonant
Comparative: add consonant + er (hotter)
Superlative: add consonant + est (the hottest)
But..
Good----- the best
Bad------the worst
4. Two syllable adjectives ending in 'y'
Comparative: replace 'y' with ier (happier)
Superlative: replace 'y' with iest (the happiest)
5. Two or more syllable adjectives
Comparative: add more / less (more / less beautiful)
Superlative: add the most / the least (the most / least beautiful)
6. Irregular adjectives
good - better - the best
bad - worse - the worst

far - further - the furthest
Long adjectives
Difficult----the most difficult
Comfortable----the most
comfortable
Careful-----the most careful

9. E. Activities
MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
Activity 1:
A. Listening activity: Label the pictures according to the names of the means of
transport that the teacher says.
After completing the activity, the student identifies and writes different modern and
traditional means correctly.

10. Comparatives and Superlatives
B: Speaking Activity: In pairs, discuss
<
with your classmates the following
questions.
1. Which is the mean of transportation
that you use more often? Why?
2. Which mean of transportation does
your father/mother takes to work?
3. Which is the most popular mean of
transportation in your town?
4. Mention other means of
transportation in your town.
5. Which is your favorite transport to
travel long distances?
6. How often do you use public
transportation? What kind?
7. How is the public transportation
service in your town?
Word Bank
New -Safe - Big - comfortable - small - uncomfortable - old dangerous - cheap - expensive - slow - fast - beautiful popular - important - interesting - worst - dizzy - secure - boring
- clean - noisy - quick - bad
C. Fill in the blanks with by writing the Comparative
or Superlative form of the adjective in the Word Bank
that better completes the sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Activity D:
After completing the previous
activity read the sentences aloud
in class and compare with
classmates

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
An airplane is the ___________ way to travel.
A car is ___________ than a bicycle.
A bicycle is ___________ than a car.
A train is ______________ than a car.
China has the ____________train in the world.
Busses travel ______________ than taxis.
Traveling by taxi is _________________ than traveling by
bus.
Traveling by boat is _________________ than traveling
by airplane.
Riding a motorcycle is __________________ than driving
a car.
An helicopter is _____________ than an car.
Monster Trucks are the ____________ cars.
Busses are the ___________________ public
transportation.
Racing cars are the _________________ cars on Earth.
A sail boat is ___________________ that a fishing boat.
Ride a bicycle is the ______________ mean of
transportation.
After completing the different activities of this section, the student writes
and reads sentences about means of transportation using comparative and
superlative adjectives using key vocabulary.

11. Activity 2: A. Search about advantages and disadvantages of different means of transport using the web.
Means of
transport
advantages
disadvantages
B. The students work in a
group of 4 and discuss the
advantages and
………………
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
transport. The expressions
………………
………………
*
*
*
*
*
*
that, the students should
………………
*
*
*
*
*
*
disadvantages of the
different means of
below can help them to
complete the chart. After
present their opinion about
B. The student create a mini debate in class using the following
expression and key voc. There should be two students that agree
about transportations facts presenting advantages and two students
that present disagreement or disadvantages.
I think that the……………………………is the best
because……………………………………………...
I don’t agree with you. The …………………….has many
disadvantages………………………………….
Exactly, I totally agree with you …………………………………………………………………………….
the topic.
fast
slow
dangerous
safe
comfortable
practical
traffic jams
expensive
interesting
boring
cheap
freedom
causes pollution
good for your health
tiring
I don’t think so. The………………………………………………………………………………………….
My favourite means of transport is……………………….because…………………………………………
At the end of the activity, the student distinguishes the advantages and
disadvantages of the different means of transport in a clear way.
The student also expresses agreement or disagreement toward means of
transport.

12. Activity 3:
Reading Comprehension: The students read the following article and underline the verbs in simple
present tense. They must use the dictionary to find the meaning of the unknown terms.
READING SELECTION
Means of transportation
People go from one place to another place every day using different options or ways.
Bullock-carts, cars, buses, trucks, trains, boats, ships, planes etc. are examples of different
vehicles. All these vehicles need to ply on different ways or routes. Train moves on the special
train line. Boats and ships move from one place to other places on water. Aero planes and
helicopters fly in the sky. Transport is divided into four types depending upon the routes. These
are road transport, rail transport, water transport and air transport. Transport needs three
mediums. These are water, air and surface.
So transport is also divided into three types and these are surface transport, air transport
and water transport.

Students classify the means of transportation found in the reading into road transport,
rail transport, water transport and air transport.
LANDTRANSPORT
WATER TRANSPORT
AIR TRANSPORT
After students finish the activities, they successfully scan a text for
specific information and differentiate the types of transport.

13. MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
.Activity 1
Stage 1
a- Choose one means of communication and mime it to your friends.
b- Now, label the following means of communication
Smoke signal – telephone – text message – television – e-mail – mobile phone telegraph – newspaper – internet chatting – radio – carrier pigeon - letter
………………….
……………..
………………….
…………….
…………………
………………
………………….
…………………….
………………
………………….
…………………
Stage 2: Put the correct means of communication under the appropriate heading:
Traditional means of communication
Modern means of communication
TEACHER NOTES: Miming: students pantomime and others guess what they are
pantomiming.
After finishing this activity, the student is able to classify means of communication into modern and traditional

14. The adverbs of frequency
are used to talk about how often
people do things, especially things
that are considered as routines.
They are used before the main
verb of a sentence, but they are
placed after the verb to be.
Tina always drinks a
cup of coffee.
Activity 2
It’s used to mean you do
something every time or at
all times.He always arrives late.
It’s used to mean you do
something on most occasions.
He usually eats pizza.
Put the adverbs of frequency in the right
place in the sentences.
1.-Lisa calls her parents by phone. (always)
.............................................................................................................
2.- Larry listens to mp3 music in his i-pod (usually)
.............................................................................................................
3.- My mother reads the newspaper. (rarely)
.............................................................................................................
4.-Vielka sends e-mails. (often)
.............................................................................................................
5.- They use the tablets to play games.(usually)
.............................................................................................................
It is similar to” usually”.
He generally drives to work
It is used to mean that you
do something many times
He often uses his mobile.
Correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
1.- She never use internet.
2.- Mum usually watch soap operas on TV.
It’s used when you want to
mean that you do something
on some occasions.
3.- Tom writes never a letter to his girlfriend.
4.- I ever hardly download music from internet.
5.- They rarely sends a fax.
It means from time to time
or not very often.
It is used to mean that you
do something very few times.
She rarely drinks beer.
It means almost never.
They hardly ever stay
at home on Saturday night.
The student reinforces grammar structures using key
vocabulary and expresses ideas in an easy way.
It means not at any time.
He never gets up early at
the weekend.

15. Activity 3
After, they complete the PREVIOUS ACTIVITY they use that material to create a dialogue to
express the frequency they use modern means of communication. Remember to include
GREETING, BODY AND CLOSING IN THE DIALOGUE.
Each pair has to create a dialogue for an oral presentation. Use the example as a guide to create
the dialogue.
Example:
A.Hi!
B. How are you?
A. Fine! Do you have an MP3?
B. Yes, I usually use it to listen to music everywhere. What about you?
A. I have an i-phone. I never take it to class because someone can steal it.
B. Me too. My mother always advices me the same.
A. I have to go. Bye!
B. See you around….
When the students complete all the activities above, they are ready to use adverbs of frequency to
complete and create sentences using simple present tense and key vocabulary related to the means of
communication.
Writing:
Activity 4
Classify the following expressions under the right heading.
Secure - convenient – fast – easy - simple – useful - expensive – interactive - slow –costly - safe –
discreet – clear – unclear - practical – concise – insecure – private- modern – traditional – old –
new- time-consuming – junk mail- occasional wrong numbers – no network coverage - Hacking
Positive aspects of means of communication Negative
aspects
communication
of
means
After completing this activity, the student is conscious about the positive and negative
aspects of different means of transport.
of

16. F. Evaluation
Diagnostic Evaluation for the means of communication and transportation
When they participated answering oral questions-previous knowledge.
When they complete all the activities related to means of communication and transportation..
CHECKLIST
Activity: Exploratory questions to know how much the students know about means and transportation and
communication.
Student:
Level:
Evaluation criteria
1.
2.
3.
4.
Date:
YES
NO
Understands the questions
Answers the questions correctly
Pronounces the words correctly
Shows interest for the class
Formative Assessment
When they answered the questions given by the teacher and other classmates about both topics.
MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
o
When they labeled the pictures according to the names of the means of transport that the
teacher says
o
When they discussed with your classmates some questions.
o
When they solved some workshops using Comparative or Superlative adjectives.
o
o
When they read the sentences aloud in class and compare with classmates
When they worked in a group of 4 and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different
means of transport.
When they read the following article and underline the verbs in simple present tense.
When they classified the means of transportation found in the reading into road transport, rail
transport, water transport and air transport
o
o
MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
o
o
When they applied the grammatical structure to express their ideas.
When they expressed and interchanged ideas in the class.
o
When they worked in pairs to build up and practice the dialogue.

17. Summative Assessment
It is done through the development of the following activities:
 When they presented a short debate about advantages and disadvantages of means of
transport.
 When they presented a dialogue about modern communication.
STUDENT’S NAME:_________________________________________
ACTIVITY: debate about advantages and disadvantages of means of transport
DATE:________________________TOTAL POINTS: 20
Levels of Performance
Criteria
1. Organization and Clarity:
1
2
3
4
Unclear in most
parts
Clear in some parts
but not over all
Most clear and
orderly in all parts
Completely clear and
orderly presentation
Few or no relevant
reasons given
Some relevant
reasons given
Most reasons given:
most relevant
Most relevant
reasons given in
support
Few or no relevant
supporting
examples/facts
Some relevant
examples/facts
given
Many
examples/facts
given: most
relevant
Many relevant
supporting examples
and facts given
No effective
counter-arguments
made
Few effective
counter-arguments
made
Some effective
counter-arguments
made
Many effective
counter-arguments
made
Few style features
were used; not
convincingly
Few style features
were used
convincingly
All style features
were used, most
convincingly
All style features
were used
convincingly
viewpoints and responses are
outlined both clearly and
orderly.
2. Use of Arguments:
reasons are given to support
viewpoint.
3. Use of Examples and Facts:
examples and facts are given to
support reasons.
4. Use of Rebuttal:
arguments made by the other
teams are responded to and
dealt with effectively.
5. Presentation Style:
tone of voice, use of gestures,
and level of enthusiasm are
convincing to audience.

18. STUDENT’S NAME:_________________________________________
ACTIVITY: Dialogue about Modern means of communication
DATE:________________________TOTAL POINTS: 20

19. IV. Content Feedback and Supportive Strategies
Procedure Weaknesses
Students don´t participate actively in diagnostic questions
Extra Strategies and feedback
Teacher should permit students use their native language to answer the diagnostic
questions.
Teacher should create more activities that promote writing sentences.
Writing sentences to improve word order in English.
Teacher should take time explaining some students about grammar in context.

20. How much do you know about…
What do you call a connected
series of vehicles that run on
tracks above ground?
a) Subway.
b) Truck.
c) Bus.
What do you call the road
vehicle designed to carry a
large number of passengers?
a) Airplane.
b) Bus.
c) Ship.
What do you call a very large
land vehicle designed to
transport cargo?
a) Pick-up.
b) Truck.
c) Van.
What do you call a connected
series of vehicles that move
along a track?
a) Train.
b) Rocket.
c) Tractor.
What do you call a very large
vessel that floats on water?
a) Coach.
b) Ship.
c) Hovercraft.
What do you call a vehicle
capable of travelling over
surfaces?
a) Gondola.
b) Hovercraft.
c) Tanker.
What do you call a motor
vehicle with an open-top rear
cargo area?
a) Pick-up.
b) Wagon.
c) Glider.
What do you call a twowheeled motor vehicle?
a) Motorcycle.
b) Car.
c) Van.
What do you call a vessel
that is capable of
operating submerged?
a) Sailboat.
b) Canoe.
c) Submarine.
What do you call a small
inflatable water vehicle?
a) Dinghy.
b) Ship.
c) Tanker.
What do you call an
aircraft with wings that
moves through the air?
a) Airplane.
b) Cable car.
c) Rocket.
What do you call a vehicle
for hire for a small group
of passengers?
a) Canoe.
b) Camel.
c) Taxi.
What do you call a sliding
vehicle designed to
transport people or cargo?
a) Ship.
b) Tricycle.
c) Sled.
What do you call a water
vehicle propelled partly or
entirely by sails?
a) Wagon.
b) Canoe.
c) Sailboat.
What’s the aircraft capable
of hovering or moving in
any direction?
a) Airplane.
b) Balloon.
c) Helicopter.
What do you call a twowheeled pedal-driven
vehicle?
a) Scooter.
b) Tricycle.
c) Bicycle.
What do you call a type of
aircraft that travels by
moving with the wind?
a) Gondola.
b) Balloon.
c) Wagon.
What do you call a vehicle
used mainly in agriculture
for ploughing?
a) Off-road.
b) Ambulance.
c) Tractor.
What do you call a vehicle
that runs on tracks in
streets?
a) Rickshaw.
b) Sled.
c) Tram.
What do you call a vehicle
used for transporting sick
or injured people?
a) Scooter.
b) Ambulance.
c) Off-road.
What do you call a vehicle
used for transporting
people to space?
a) Spaceship.
b) Snowmobile.
c) Coach.

21. 1- Subway.
2- Motorcycle.
3- Helicopter.
4- Bus.
5- Submarine.
6- Bicycle.
7- Truck.
8- Dinghy.
9- Balloon.
10- Train.
11- Airplane.
12- Tractor.
13- Ship.
14- Taxi.
15- Tram.
16- Hovercraft.
17- Sled.
18- Ambulance.
19- Pick-up.
20- Sailboat.
21- Spaceship.
Let’s study!!

22. Means of Communication
1- What are the different types of phones? Use words from the box to identify them.
Mobile phone – video phone – walkie talkie – home phone – cordless phone – pay phone -
2- Which means of communication do they use? Link the people with the bubbles.
William
Jane
Emily
Granny
A-I study abroad and
I need to call my
family very often. I
prefer using the
B- I can’t live
without my mobile .
C-I don’t really need
I need it all the
time.
have one at home.
internet to
communicate with
them.
D- I hate technological
innovations. I can’t get used to
them. I have arthritis I need
a phone within my reach. A
cordless phone is what I need.
a phone. I don’t even
When I want to call
someone I always go
to the pay phone

23. But that’s what Old Jimmy thinks about using mobile phones
F-Mobiles ! What a
nuisance ! Plague on
them ! They’re making a
hell of people’s lives.
3-Who gives the following reasons to justify his choice? Write the names in the
appropriate column.
1
-need internet to
communicate with my
family
- have live conversation
on the internet
-use a webcam to see
person you’re talking to
-send instant messages,
pictures and files
-reliable and inexpensive
2
-connections cost more
money than home phone
-harmful to health
because of radiationpeople at risk
-causes severe
disturbances in the
brain wave activity of
children
-suffer from earaches,
dizziness, memory loss,
fatigue
-abuses of mobile :use
it to cheat in
classroom, persecute
people, use it while
driving
- becomes an addiction
3
-having a phone isn’t an
essential thing in our
life
- make local or
international phone
calls from pay phone
- much cheaper
-people often use pay
phone when they forget
their mobiles
-when they run out of
battery
-when they don’t have
a home phone
4
- use it to send or
receive calls and
messages
-store phone
numbers in my
address book
-take photos
-ask someone for
help if necessary
-organize my daily
plans
-reminds me of
meetings and duties
-use it to wake me
up in the morning
-use it to entertain
myself: listen to
music or play games
4-Which phone would you like to have? Use some of the hints given in the table to
justify your choice.

24. V. References

www.eslprintables.com (If you want to get printables you should create an account)

http://www.eslprintables.com/rulesofthewebsite.htm

http://www.eslprintables.com/register/register1.htm

http://www.tpsnva.org/teach/l_p/047/dialog_rubric.pdf

http://www.tpsnva.org/teach/l_p/047/dialog_rubric.pdf

http://www.preservearticles.com/201106228399/very-short-essay-on-transport-andcommunication.html