Speak like an expert - The British Empire

In an engaging classroom activity designed to deepen understanding of the British Empire, students are encouraged to step into the role of an expert historian. They are tasked with presenting to their partners the knowledge they have acquired on a specific aspect of the British Empire for two minutes. This exercise not only reinforces their learning but also hones their public speaking and presentation skills. The partner, acting as a critical audience, assigns a score of up to 10 points based on the quality of the presentation. The scoring criteria may include clarity, depth of knowledge, engagement, and the ability to convey complex historical concepts in an accessible manner.

Following the presentation, partners engage in a constructive discussion, providing feedback on the presentation and explaining the rationale behind the awarded score. To add a competitive edge to the activity, the score is then multiplied by a specific number based on the topic chosen, with points allocated from a table that includes influential figures and key events related to the British Empire, such as Robert Clive and the British Raj. This multiplication element not only introduces a mathematical component to the activity but also emphasises the varying levels of significance attributed to each topic within the context of the British Empire. The topics range from the end of the British Empire to iconic figures like Sir Francis Drake and Mahatma Gandhi, and pivotal themes such as slavery, the World Wars, and the formation of the Commonwealth.