Inspired by: The Arrival - Week 5

The educational materials inspired by Shaun Tan's "The Arrival" delve into the intricacies of English grammar and expression. In the 'Hope' section, students learn about relative clauses, specifically those beginning with 'where', 'when', or with an implied relative pronoun. The lesson focuses on identifying the subtle differences between sentences with explicit relative pronouns and those where the pronouns are omitted for brevity or style. Through comparing text excerpts and finding their own examples, students practice refining their understanding of relative clauses. The 'A Brighter Future' segment encourages students to engage in thoughtful discussions about the book's illustrations, particularly the brighter tone used towards the end. They are prompted to interpret the significance of various images, such as the landscape and the gathering of animals, and to share their interpretations, providing reasoned justifications for their views. This activity aims to foster analytical thinking and respectful debate.

Another aspect of the learning materials, 'A Letter Home', tasks students with understanding the audience and purpose of writing by using historical letters as models. After reading a part of "The Arrival" where hope begins to flourish for the protagonist, students examine translated excerpts of letters from immigrants, noting the practical and emotive content. They then write their own letters, emulating the style and context of the period. In the 'I Wish...' section, the focus shifts to formal speech and writing, with an emphasis on the subjunctive mood. Students compare sentences to identify the correct usage of the subjunctive, expressing wishes or hypothetical situations. They explore what the main character might wish for while awaiting his family's arrival, and then reflect on the joy of wish fulfilment when the family is eventually reunited. This activity enhances their understanding of mood and verb forms in English.