ESL Teacher Blog: Molson Canadian - An Ode to Canada

“When you think about Canadians, you might ask yourself - why are we the way we are?” is the first line of the Molson Canadian beer commercial released during the winter 2010 Olympics. With the logo ‘Made From Canada’, it lends itself to a variety of classroom activities which are both language and Canada related:

1. Let your students transcribe the commercial as they view it on youtube. Check for grammar, spelling, punctuation.

 

2. Vote for a favorite quote. Examples:

 

“This land is unlike any other. We have more square feet of awesomeness per person than any other nation on earth”.

 

“We know we have the best backyard in the world and we get out there every chance we get. Because it’s not just the great outdoors we’re chasing, it’s freedom”.

 

3. Why is it ‘Made from Canada’, not ‘Made in Canada’? (it’s made from local natural resources; e.g.: barley and water)

 

4. ‘I’m Canadian’, a segment performed by 3 Canadian celebrities at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony referred to the “I’m Canadian” slogan by Molson Canadian.

 

Who were these celebrities? What did they talk about in their monologues? Where they humorous/tongue-in-cheek? Explain. (These are Michael J. Fox, William Shatner and Catherine O'Hara)

 

5. Watch the first Molson beer commercial. What Canadian stereotypes are mentioned in this ad?

 

(An excerpt: "“I’m not a lumberjack or a fur trader. I don’t live in an igloo or eat blubber or own a dog sled... I believe that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal. A toque is a hat and it is pronounced ‘zed’ not ‘zee’... I’m Joe and I’m proud to be Canadian.”)

 

6. Lastly, are you proud to be Canadian?

 

Happy Canada Day!

ESL Student Blog: Fireworks Sights and Sounds - The Sky Is the Limit

It’s Canada Day and what is this celebration without fireworks?

What are your favorite visual effects: a floral fountain, a palm tree, rings, hearts or perhaps a beehive? Do you like the thrill of fireworks?

Fireworks produce lots of different sounds: they whizz, hum and whistle as they’re ejected from a narrow tube and then explode with a loud bang as spectators look in awe at the multitude of shapes forming in the night sky. There’s a crackling sound as the fireworks burn out and leave a trail of bright sparks.

Other verbs that can be used to describe fireworks are:

pop

zoom

whoosh

twirl

scatter

cascade

spin

squeal

twinkle

As they’re set off in a quick succession, there’s a barrage of light and noise. Firework designers take advantage of modern technologies to put on the most stunning, dazzling and flashy shows for the public, often accompanied by music.

 

The sky is the limit means there is almost no limit how beautiful firework displays can be.

Happy Canada Day!