LEVEL A1.

1
UNIT 2

FAMILY AS THE
NUCLEOUS OF SOCIETY
WELCOME TO UNIT 1!

In this unit you will talk about

yourselves and people. You will
describe
1. Families around the world
2. Your opinion of family

https://www.123rf.com/photo_40896795_family-with-thumbs-up.html
 Syllabus
Level A1.1
Unit 2
Objectives: What Will I Learn Today?

I CAN ….
1. Describe my family and other types of
families
2. Express my opinion
 Prior Knowledge - Content
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill in the blanks
with the correct
letters to spell
each family
member

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-
worksheets/vocabulary/family/family-members/118352
 Prior Knowledge - Content
INSTRUCTIONS:
Match the picture
with the correct
description.

THEN discuss
your answers
with a partner

Are your answers the

same?

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-
worksheets/vocabulary/family/vocabulary-matching-worksheet-
elementary-22-family/12285
WARM-UP Activity:SPEAKING

With a partner, discuss:

1. What type of family do you want
in the future?
2. What do you think of marriage?
3. Do you want to have children?

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/719661215427440854/
 Activity 1.1: SPEAKING
1 2
Look at these photos.

Which one represents a traditional family in your area?

Discuss with your partner and give reasons for your

choice.

https://openclipart.org/detail/188816/family-bw-version
https://pixabay.com/es/sra-y-
nietos-aspecto-%C3%A9tnico-
familia-1684465/

4
3

https://pixabay.com/es/personas-india-
https://pixabay.com/es/familia- indios-familia-risa-1414546/
vacaciones-personas-feliz-557100/
 Activity 1.2: WRITING
In groups, look at the pictures carefully and describe what you see in pictures
1, 3, and 5.
What are the similarities and differences between each picture?
Write the differences using the Venn Diagram:

PICTURE 1 PICTURE 3

http://komana.amcworks.c
o/3-circle-venn-diagram/
PICTURE 5
 Activity 1.3: SPEAKING
With a partner, match the 1 2
vocabulary words to the
pictures.
It is okay if you do not know,
just take your best guess!
A. Nuclear family
https://openclipart.org/detail/188816/family-bw-version
B. Extended family https://pixabay.com/es/sra-y-
nietos-aspecto-%C3%A9tnico-

4
familia-1684465/
C. Single parent family
D. Blended family 3

https://pixabay.com/es/personas-india-
https://pixabay.com/es/familia- indios-familia-risa-1414546/
vacaciones-personas-feliz-557100/
 Activity 1.3: SPEAKING
1 2
Now, compare your answers to
those of another group.
Were they the same?
Why were they different?

A. Nuclear family https://openclipart.org/detail/188816/family-bw-version

https://pixabay.com/es/sra-y-
B. Extended family nietos-aspecto-%C3%A9tnico-

4
familia-1684465/
C. Single parent family
D. Blended family
3

https://pixabay.com/es/personas-india-
https://pixabay.com/es/familia- indios-familia-risa-1414546/
vacaciones-personas-feliz-557100/
 Activity 2.1: READING
TYPES OF FAMILIES
Read the text carefully. Look at the pictures again, and match them with the types of families described in the text.

A family is a group of people that have a common ancestor. They usually live together in the same house. Although it is a fact that not all families are the same, they
can be categorized into different types.
A nuclear family consists of parents and their children living together. In many countries in Europe and North America, this is the most common form of family.
There are three types of nuclear families. In the first type, the father always works and the mother cares for the children. In the second type, the mother works and
the father stays at home with the children. In the third type of family, both parents work every day. This last type of family is the most common in the USA and
Canada.
In an extended family, different family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins often live together. In many areas of the world, such as Asia, the
Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Southern Europe, this type of family is common.
Families with only one parent are called single parent families. There are several causes of these types of families. The first reason is divorce. Another reason is
that one of the parents died, leaving the surviving parent widowed. Some parents never get married in the first place.
When the husband or wife in a marriage brings children with them from a past marriage, this is called a blended or reconstituted family. This type of family has
recently become more common due to the increase in divorces. For some children this kind of family can be good because there are two parents, instead of just one.
However, there can also be some difficulties as the two new families try to become one.
On the other hand, some families have no children at all. The couples that make up these families sometimes are not able to have children. Some couples choose
not to have children for financial reasons.
As the basis of all societies, families of all types are very important. This is true now and will be true in the future.
Adapted from: http://eslreadinglessons.com/types_of_families.htm

Picture 1: ____________________ family. Give reasons for your choice: _________________________________________________________________________________

Picture 2: ____________________ family. Give reasons for your choice: _________________________________________________________________________________
Picture 3: ____________________ family. Give reasons for your choice: _________________________________________________________________________________
Picture 4: ____________________ family. Give reasons for your choice: _________________________________________________________________________________
 Activity 2.2: SPEAKING
1 2
Based on the reading, what
type of family is YOUR family?
Discuss with a partner.
A. Nuclear family
B. Extended family https://openclipart.org/detail/188816/family-bw-version

C. Single parent family https://pixabay.com/es/sra-y-

nietos-aspecto-%C3%A9tnico-

4
familia-1684465/

D. Blended family
3

https://pixabay.com/es/personas-india-
https://pixabay.com/es/familia- indios-familia-risa-1414546/
vacaciones-personas-feliz-557100/
 Activity 3.1. SPEAKING
Get in groups of 4, look at the photos, and
discuss the questions
(Use the expressions in the box below)
2
1. Where do you think they are from? 1
2. What type of education and jobs do
you think that they have? Support https://pixabay.com/es/familia-
your answer. https://pixabay.com/es/familia-
polinesia-retrato-playa-762090/
madre-ni%C3%B1o-personas-
3. Which person do you think has the 915754/

supporting role in each family? Why?

USEFUL LANGUAGE:
EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION
In my opinion… 3 4
I think/believe/consider…
The photo shows…
The first/second/third family is https://pixabay.com/es/bus https://pixabay.com/es/abuelos-abuela-
hman-pueblos- personas-feliz-1969824/
made up of [number] people... ind%C3%ADgenas-
509239/
Activity 3.2. SPEAKING
After the discussion, complete the table below with your group.
You MUST come to an agreement about your answers!
FAMILIES FAMILY 1 FAMILY 2 FAMILY 3 FAMILY 4

Type of Family

Place of Origin

Education and
Jobs

Supporting Role
 Activity 3.3: WRITING
Write a paragraph about each of the four families using the sentence starters below.

1. According to the picture, photo number 1 is a _____________ family because it is made up of

________________. In my opinion, this family is from ____________. They probably work
_______________________. We can conclude that __________ has the supporting role in this family.

2. According to the picture, __________________________ family because _______________________. In

my opinion, _________________________________. They probably work _______________________. We
can conclude that ______________________________________________.

3. According to the picture, _______________________________________________. In my opinion,

_________________________________. They probably work _______________________. We can conclude
______________________________________________.

4. ____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
 Activity 3.4: WRITING
In the Reading about types of families, you noticed some highlighted words.
Which of these words do you think refer to frequency and which ones refer to contrast?
Complete the table below, including your own example sentence.

FREQUENCY CONTRAST EXAMPLE SENTENCE

Usually
EXAMPLES OF USE
Although Although…, ... FREQUENCY:
Always - These roles are often assigned
according to emotional
Every day … every day.
responsibilities.
Often X I often…. - Divorces in Colombia have
recently increased, particularly in
Never
the last 10 years.
Recently X She had recently... CONTRAST:
However However,…
- On the other hand, the amount of
marriages has increased compared
On the other hand X On the other hand, …. to those in the U.S.
Sometimes
Image taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAWo65QwP2c
Activity 4. SPEAKING
Analyze the map below. Talk with a PARTNER.
Do you agree with the percentages presented for Colombia? Support your
answers.
2014 World Divorce Rate Map

Taken
from: http://www.forumlibertas.com/aborto-y-divorcio-una-radiografia-mundial-de-la-crisis-de-la-familia/
Activity 5.1 SPEAKING
FAMOUS FAMILIES: Shakira

Discuss with a partner:

1. Where is Shakira from?
2. Where do you think her father
is from, based on his name?
3. Where is her mother from?
4. Based on Activity 1, what
Shakira and her mother, Shakira and her father,
type of family does she Nidia Ripoll Torrado William Mebarak Chadid
have? https://www.gettyimages.es/fotos/nidia-ripoll-
torrado?family=editorial&sort=mostpopular&
https://twitter.com/shakiturkey/status/100870
9053860777985
phrase=nidia%20ripoll%20torrado
Activity 5.2 SPEAKING
FAMOUS FAMILIES: Shakira
Shakira has been dating Gerard
Pique since 2011.

Discuss with a partner:

1. Why do you think they are not
married?
2. Do they match one of the
types of families from
Activity 1? Why or why not?
Shakira, her partner (Gerard Pique), and
their two children
https://www.google.com/search?q=shakira+family&tbm=isch&ved=2ahU
KEwjQ34mNiO3nAhVJs1kKHYCxAqkQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=shakira+family&gs_l=img.3..0l10.10787.12091..12806
...0.0..0.212.1378.0j7j1......0....1..gws-wiz-
img.......35i39.a5j0Af561OE&ei=Q0NVXpCyNcnm5gKA44rICg&bih=663
&biw=1366&hl=en#imgrc=FoTWRQDBTrKPsM
Activity 6.1 LISTENING
One of the strategies to learn vocabulary in English is to associate words with synonyms.
Your teacher will say each word. Listen for the pronunciation.
Connect the words on the left with the synonyms on the right.

Divorced Malfunctioning
Dysfunctional Pariah/Victim
Scapegoat Appreciation
Mascot Nervousness
Anxiety Motivation
Encouragement Indignation
Defiant Pessimism
Resentment Rebellious
Hopelessness Separated
Praise Pet
 Activity 6.2 LISTENING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylwA91kjQEs

Dysfunctional Families
According to studies conducted at Brown University in USA, a
dysfunctional family is that which “may fail to provide for many of
their children’s emotional and physical needs”, like those which
limit the child’s expressions of feelings and needs. As a result,
children are likely to develop low self esteem, and even develop
unsatisfying relationships as adults, problems in their academic
work, and in their identities.
Adapted from: https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/support/counseling-and-psychological-services/index.php?q=dysfunctional-family-relationships

Click the link above and listen to a therapist discussing the roles in dysfunctional families.
Complete the following ideas:

1. The roles in a dysfunctional family are assigned to address _____________________________

2. The 4 typical roles in a dysfunctional family are:
____________ , __________ , lost _________ , and __________.
Activity 6.2 LISTENING ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylwA91kjQEs

Listen again and describe each role:

1. Hero ________________________________________________
2. Scapegoat _________________________________________
3. Mascot ____________________________________________
4. Lost child ___________________________________________
Listen one final time.
Match the person with the
recommendation (how to assist
each person).
Encourage this person to be interactive, ambitious, and assertive
1. Hero
Show this person positive reinforcement, guidance, and structure
2. Scapegoat
3. Mascot Encourage this person to understand he/she is not perfect
4. Lost Child
Take this person’s opinions seriously and validate him/her
 Activity 7.1 SPEAKING
Look at this photo of this famous TV family with a partner.
Based on Activity 6, what role do you think each person has in this family?
Use the discourse markers below

Protector
Provider Discourse
markers for
Hypothesizing:
● Evidently…
Hero ● Probably…
● Perhaps…
Lost child ● In my opinion...

Mascot

Scapegoat

Taken from : https://www.flickr.com/photos/galaxyfm/423644509

Activity 7.1: WRITING

Family Portraits: Spot the Difference!

There are 5 differences between the photos. Can you spot them all?
Write 5 sentences using vocabulary related to families
- Example: “The father has a red shirt in Picture 1 but a blue shirt in Picture 2”

PICTURE 1 PICTURE 2

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-worksheets/grammar/be-
auxiliary-verb/spot-differences-family-portraits/100078
Activity 7.2SPEAKING

Family Portraits: Spot the Difference!

There are 7 differences between the photos. Can you spot them all?
Discuss the differences with a partner. Use vocabulary related to families
- Example: “There is a grandmother in Picture 3 but she is not in Picture 4.”

PICTURE 3 PICTURE 4

https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-worksheets/grammar/be-
auxiliary-verb/spot-differences-family-portraits/100078
 Activity 8.1 SPEAKING
Look at these two families.
With a partner, discuss:
1. How are they different from each other?
2. How are they similar?
BEDOUIN FAMILY FAMILY IN GUAJIRA
OMAN Useful expressions: COLOMBIA
Evidently…
Probably…
Perhaps…

Taken from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/52331048@N00/71966002 Taken from: https://co.pinterest.com/pin/6122149472349256/

Activity 8.2 WRITING
Make a comparison between these two families in terms of type of family,
education, work, and roles of each family member.
Provide reasons for your opinions.
_____________________________________________________________________________
USEFUL LANGUAGE:
_____________________________________________________________________________
EXPRESSING AGREEMENT AND
_____________________________________________________________________________
DISAGREEMENT
_____________________________________________________________________________
● In my opinion… because…...
_____________________________________________________________________________
● I think/believe/consider… because…...
_____________________________________________________________________________
● I don’t agree… because…...
_____________________________________________________________________________
● I agree… because…...
_____________________________________________________________________________
● I’m not sure…. because…...
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
 Activity 9.1 :WRITING
Write a paragraph about the most important person in
your life.
Would you consider this person part of your FAMILY?
REMEMBER from __________________________________
UNIT 1: __________________________________
This is my ___... __________________________________
__ is from… __________________________________
__ is a / an… __________________________________
__ studied at… __________________________________
__ is married to... __________________________________
__ is the most __________________________________
important person __________________________________
in my life _________
because...
Activity 9.2:SPEAKING
Now, find someone who chose the same type of person for
their paragraph.
You can ask questions about the person to try to guess the
family member,
TYPES OF PEOPLE:
● “Is he/she old?”
● grandparents
● “Does he/she have children?”
● parents,
● “What is his/her job?” ● siblings (brother or sister)
● superiors (teacher, boss,
but do NOT say the type of the person → mentor, etc.)
● friends

Once you have found a partner,

sit with them to work on the last discussion together!
Closing Activity: SPEAKING

Are Pets Family?

Discuss with a partner:
1. Do you have a pet? Describe
the pet.
a. IF you DO NOT have a pet, do
you want one? What kind?
2. Some people consider pets to
be family. Do you agree or
disagree with this idea?

https://eslforums.com/types-of-pets/
PROJECT: Family Trees!
Have you ever seen a family tree?
Here are some examples!

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/719661215427440854/
https://busyteacher.org/9250-my-family-tree-worksheet.html
PROJECT: Family Tree!
Your FINAL PROJECT has 2 PARTS!
We will PRESENT each part to the class!

PART 1: CREATE TREE

Directions: create a poster of a family tree
from the most important person in your
field of study. RESEARCH ONLINE!
Your poster must include:
1. At least 6 family members and their
names
https://www.everypixel.com/image-2928435889284183005
2. At least 3 generations
3. Pictures/drawings of each person
PROJECT: Family Trees!

PART 2: CREATE MAP

Directions:
1. Write the cities where each person
was born.
2. Plot the names of each person on
a world map based on their birth
cities.
3. Answer the questions:
a. What is one thing you learned about
the most important person in your field
of study?
b. What surprised you about your map? https://www.pinterest.com/pin/659144095441398741/?lp=true
 PROJECT PRESENTATION!
We will now present your projects to the class!

AFTER EACH PRESENTATION: On the GIANT class map, put

a small dot on the city/cities where each of the family members
are from.
- What trends do you see on our map?
- Where are most families from?

https://www.kindpng.com/imgv/mJ
xwwx_presentation-clipart-
presentation-board-cartoon-
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-abstract-world-
pointing-cartoon-person/