This lesson is especially useful for English learners living in Southern states, as one of the participants in the video has a southern accent.
ELL Level
Advanced
Materials needed
Web enabled device to play audio from this akc.tv episode: AKC TV Episode
Lesson
- Have students listen to (without seeing) the first two and a half minutes of the interview with a Veteran and his service dog, on AKC TV. (You may want to pause after the line about running the vacuum three times a day. The entire conversation is 6 minutes long.)
- Tell students that this first listen is just to get a sense of what the conversation is about, where it might be taking place, and who are the people in the conversation.
- After listening, ask students to identify how many people were talking, whether they are men, women, or children, and what the conversation was about. See if students can identify that this is an interview situation and that one person has a southern accent.
- Play the first two and a half minutes again, and then ask students the following questions. You may want to have the questions written on the board or on slips of paper for the students to see before and during the second listen. Students can write their answers as they listen, or pair up with a partner to discuss their answers orally.
- What is the dog’s name?
- Is it a big dog or a small dog?
- Who owns the dog?
- Why does Mr. Kinard have the dog?Answers: 1. Gunner 2. Big, 120 pounds 3. Hamilton Kinard 4. To help him get around since his legs don’t always work
- Play the segment a third time for students. Have students tell whether the following statements are true or false:
- Gunner is a little lapdog. (F, the interviewer is being sarcastic or facetious)
- Gunner helps Hamilton with hunting. (F, he helps with mobility)
- Hamilton used to be in the navy. (F, he was in the National Guard and the army)
- Hamilton got Gunner after serving in the military. (T)
- Hamilton helps Gunner stand up and walk around. (F, Gunner helps Hamilton)
- It’s difficult to find just the right service dog. (T)
- Gunner sheds a lot. (T, that’s why he made the comment about the vacuum)
- While listening for a fourth time to the first 2 ½ minutes of the interview, have students underline any errors they hear in these excerpts from the transcript:
- Gunner is owned and hammered by Hamilton Kinard.
- Talk to me abouthow she helps you on a day to day basis.
- Just getting up, getting motivated, getting moving and going.
- He’s a great number of the family.
- I acquired Gunner after thirds.
- He’s my four-leggedall-tractor cane.
- And just simply turning me uphill.
- He’s powerful.
Answers:
- Gunner is owned and handled by Hamilton Kinard.
- Talk to me a little bit about how he helps you on a day to day basis.
- Just getting up, getting motivated, getting moving through life.
- He’s a great member of the family.
- I acquired Gunner after service.
- He’s my four-legged all-traction cane.
- And just simply towing me uphill.
- He’s a powerhouse.
Review/Closing
Discuss with students which parts of the activity were difficult, and which were easy. Show the clip one more time, this time allowing students to watch while listening.
Afterwards, ask students what cues they get visually that help them to understand what’s being said.
This can lead into a conversation about making the most of visual cues when the aural cues aren’t enough for comprehension. A good next lesson might be on polite ways to ask for clarification when the listener doesn’t understand what’s being said.
Resources
“Full Interview: Gunner-Service Dog Award.” Canine Heroes 2017 ACE Awards.
AKCTV. Television.