Robots ESL Lesson Plan: Warm-up (Pair Work)

1)What is your favorite movie that features robots?

2)Is there a difference between a machine, like a microwave, and a robot? How would you define “robot”?

3)Is there a strong robotics industry in your country?

4)How do we currently use robots?

Robot Guards & Other Robot News (Dec 4th, 2011)

Three 152-centimeter tall robots are nearly ready to begin working as prison guards in the South Korean city of Pohang. The four-wheeled robots were developed as part of the government’s $864,000 robotic guard program. The robots have been designed to relievehuman guards, not replace them, in order to allow guards to focus more on the rehabilitation of inmates. The robots are equipped with sensorsthat allow them to detect behavior among inmates that could lead to violence. Cameras on the robots also allow guards to communicate remotelywith prisoners.

The program, scheduled to start in March 2012, is part of a larger effort to make South Korea the world leader in robotics. Elsewhere, English-speaking robots have beendeployed as teaching assistants for children in some Korean schools. Many other projects are in the works, such as personal assistant robots to care for the elderly.

Abroad & Beyond

In the wake of the nuclear reactor problems in Japan, there has been increased focus on improving nuclear power plant safety worldwide. Engineers in America, home to 104 reactors, have developed an egg-size robot that can navigate underground pipes in order to check for leaks. The robot can transmit images and withstand extreme radioactive conditions.

In space news, a new NASA space rover named Curiosity is now on its way to Mars. The rover has improved landing capabilities and is much larger than previous Mars rovers. Curiosity is scheduled to land in August 2012, and its main objective is to evaluate if humans can inhabit the planet. The mission cost is approximately 2.5 billion dollars. [263 words]

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ESL Lesson Plan: Comprehension Questions

1)True or False: Robots have been designed to help with the rehabilitation of inmates.

2)What’s the purpose of the robots’ sensors?

3)True or False: South Korea is the world leader in robotics.

4)What have engineers developed in America for the nuclear power industry?

5)How is Curiosity different from previous rovers?

6)Where is Curiosity now?

Discussion Question: Which idea do you think is the most useful?

Match the words with their meaning as used in the article.

relieve sb (verb)
rehabilitation
inmate
detect (verb)
remote
deploy (verb)
in the works
navigate (verb)
leak
transmit (verb)
withstand (verb)
inhabit (verb) / recuperation, recovery from illness
a small hole or crack from which liquid or gas is released
being developed or scheduled to happen in the future
faraway
replace sb who is on duty or help them with sth difficult
live in a particular place
move soldiers/weapons/equipment into position for action
resist, be strong enough to not be damaged
find the direction you need to go in
send an electronic signal
discover or notice sth that is not easy to notice
prisoner

Master the language: Connect the below ideas to make a sentence. (good for homework)

government / crush / uprising / e.g. The government plans to crush the uprising.
relieve / humans
rehabilitation / inmates
detect / leak
transmit / remote
deploy / robot / army
in the works / inhabit
navigate / underground
withstand / temperatures

Master the language: Idiom: in the wake of

Meaning: / 1) following something; coming after something
hint: a wake is a track that a boat or ship leaves in water. A wake is a trail that always follows a boat. When something happens in the wake of something, it happens after it; it follows it.
Example: / In the wake of the protests, the government agreed to lower taxes.

Read and complete the below sentences:

In the wake of the Hiroshima bomb attack, Japan ______.

In the wake of ______, I decided to ______.

ESL Lesson Plan: Design Project (Pair Work)

Your teacher is a rich investor. He/she has sponsored a robotics design competition. The team who comes up with the best idea for a new robot will be awarded 10 million dollars to have their product developed. You and your partner have entered the contest. You have 5 minutes to think of a new robotics product. When finished, try to sell your idea to your teacher.

ESL Lesson Plan: Debate (Pair Work)

*each student reads his or her role only

Student A: / You believe that space exploration is the key to the survival of the human race. Take a minute to think of other reasons why space exploration is important. When ready, ask your partner what she/he thinks of the new mission to Mars.
Student B: / Governments worldwide spend billions of dollars on space exploration. You believe it’s a waste of time and money. The Earth has many problems. We need to fix our own problems instead of flying off into space. Think of other reasons to support your argument. Your partner will start the conversation.

ESL Lesson Plan: Discussion Questions

1)Could a robot do your job?

2)Why are humans so interested in robots?

3)What is AI?

4)Will robots cause rising unemployment in the future?

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Lesson plan copyright Matthew Barton of Englishcurrent.com

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