Embedded Files
Discussion
Discussion
We're going to watch a documentary on the concept of the megacity: the most extreme form of urbanisation. This first episode of the series looks in detail at four of the world's megacities: Shanghai, Dhaka, Tokyo and Mexico City (London is also part of the series, but features less in this episode). What do you already know about these cities? What preconceived ideas do you have?
Pre-listening vocab
Pre-listening vocab
The following terms appear in the documentary. Check the meaning of any that are unfamiliar.
infrastructure sprawling demographics demolish densely populated
slums concrete forests relentlessly changing sprouting upwards
As well as online dictionaries the Sketch Engine for Language Learning gives useful information about how these words are used in sentences. Click the Word Sketch tool on the top menu to see which other words they combine with.
Andrew Marr’s Megacities, Cities on the Edge, 23:10 12/06/2011, BBC1 London, 60 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/clip/154016 (Accessed 09 Aug 2019)
Andrew Marr's Megacities
Andrew Marr's Megacities
Episode 1: Living in the city
Episode 1: Living in the city
As you watch, make notes on the distinguishing features of each of the cities. What makes them special? What problems do they have?
- You'll need your university login to sign into Box of Broadcasts.
- The documentary starts about 3 minutes into the stream.
- Use the subtitles as you listen to help you with vocabulary, although it does appear that they're slightly out of sync with the speech. If this gets annoying then turn them off and use the transcript underneath instead to check stretches of speech that you find challenging.
Listening for details
Listening for details
Introduction
Introduction
- What language is used to describe modern cities?
- How is a megacity defined?
- What has led to the development of the megacity?
Dhaka
Dhaka
- What's life like in Dhaka's slums?
Shanghai
Shanghai
- How has Shanghai changed?
- How did the entrepreneur Tang make his fortune?
London
London
- How does the presenter describe skyscrapers?
- What is special about the Shard?
- What do all tall buildings usually have in common?
Discussion
Discussion
- Have you ever been to one of the megacities that appeared on the map at the beginning of the episode? Or are you from a megacity?
- Most importantly, which of the cities in the episode would you most like to live in?
- What do the cities in this episode have in common, and in what ways do they differ?
- What is the attraction of cities such as this to people from rural areas?
Episode 2: Cities on the edge
Episode 2: Cities on the edge
The second episode of the Megacities series looks at risks that people encounter when living in close proximity to so many others. The first time you listen, make some notes on the key points about dangers and vulnerabilities associated with each of the cities.
Pre-listening vocab
Pre-listening vocab
Here are some of the key words which appear in the next episode.
fault lines - squalor - epidemic - pandemic
sanitation - flood plain - rising sea levels - prone to
haphazard - unregulated - catastrophic
Continue practising with the Sketch Engine for Language Learning and add any of the new language items to your vocab notebook (you know, the one you're keeping and regularly updating, right?). As well as noting down examples in sentences, make a note of the parts of speech: is it a noun/verb phrase? What modifiers does it take?
Andrew Marr’s Megacities, Cities on the Edge, 23:10 12/06/2011, BBC1 London, 60 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/01CDD797?bcast=65823884 (Accessed 09 Aug 2019)
Andrew Marr's Megacities
Andrew Marr's Megacities
Episode 2: Cities on the edge
Episode 2: Cities on the edge
- Hopefully you're still logged in to Box of Broadcasts.
- The documentary starts 5 minutes 20 seconds into the stream.
- As before, the subtitles are still slightly misaligned, but stick with it if you can. Remember to pause and note down at least three or four new expressions and phrases when you listen again on your own.
Listening for details
Listening for details
- What problems do megacities struggle with?
- Why are megacities often built in dangerous places?
London
London
- What factors cause riots in cities?
- What connection have some scientists made between temperature and violent behaviour or riots?
Mexico City
Mexico City
- What contributes to social problems in Mexico City?
- What did you learn about crime and kidnapping in Mexico City?
- In what ways are people protecting themselves against the threat of crime?
Tokyo
Tokyo
- What does the example of Tokyo street racers illustrate in the programme?
- What is the purpose of Tokyo’s life learning centres?
- What is the Tokyo ‘Skytree’; how tall is it; how was it designed?
Critical discussion
Critical discussion
Now that we've discussed the content of the documentary, work together in groups of three or four:
- What do the cities have in common in terms of dangers and security? In what ways are they unique?
- With each group member focusing on a different city, what do you think they will look like in ten or twenty years time? Will the problems get worse or better? Do you foresee any new problems associated with their growth?
- Choose one city. In groups develop a plan of action to help solve the dangers that the megacity that you have chosen faces.
Independent study
Independent study
In preparation for the seminar class, please complete Unit 46 of Academic Vocabulary in Use: Comparing and Contrasting and the EAP Toolkit unit on Communicating in Seminars.
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