Advanced Speaking and Listening: television
Lead-in discussion
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How much television do you watch these days?
What kind of prorammes do you like most and least?
Which channels do you watch most? Is there much difference between the channels?
How good do you think television is in Hong Kong? Have you any experience of television in other
countries? If so, how does it compare?
Do you watch any television programmes on other media such as the Internet or your phone?
Vocabulary
Match the types of TV programme with the definitions.
sit com
soap opera
drama
serial
series
reality TV
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A story on television or radio or in a newspaper , etc. that is broadcast or printed in separate parts.
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A series of television or radio programmes about the daily lives and problems of a particular group of
characters . The series continues over a long period and is broadcast (several times ) every week.
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A set of television or radio broadcasts on the same subject or using the same characters but in
different situations.
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A television programme about ordinary people who are filmed in real situations , rather than actors.
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A play in a theatre or on television or radio , or plays and acting generally.
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A funny television or radio show in which the same characters appear in each programme in a
different story.
Which of these kinds of programmes are popular here? Can you think of any examples (i.e.the names of the
programmes?)
Watch the title sequence to the programme. What kind of programme do you think it is? What clues are there in the
sequence?
Soap Operas
A soap opera, or simply a soap, is a serial drama, on television or radio, that features related story lines dealing with
the lives of multiple characters. The stories in these series typically focus heavily on emotional relationships to the
point of melodrama. The name soap opera stems from the fact that many of the sponsors and producers of the original
dramatic serials' broadcast on radio were soap manufacturers.
The main characteristics that define soap operas are an emphasis on family life, personal relationships, sexual dramas,
emotional and moral conflicts with some coverage of topical issues. They are set in familiar domestic interiors with
only occasional excursions into new locations.
In many soap operas, in particular daytime serials in the United States, the characters are frequently attractive,
seductive, glamorous and wealthy. Soap operas from the United Kingdom and Australia tend to focus on more
everyday characters and situations, and are frequently set in working class environments. Many of the soaps produced
in those two countries explore social realist storylines such as family discord, marriage breakdown or financial
problems.
In 1988, H. Wesley Kenney, who at the time served as the executive producer of General Hospital, said to The New
York Times:
‘I think people like stories that continue so they can relate to these people. They become like a family, and the
viewer becomes emotionally involved. There seem to be two attitudes by viewers. One: that the stories are
similar to what happened to them in real life; or two: thank goodness that isn't me.’
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera that was first broadcast on Granada Television on 9 December 1960. The
programme centres on the lives of the residents of Coronation Street, a street in the fictional town of Weatherfield,
(based on Salford) in Greater Manchester. Typical features of such a street include terraced houses, a cafe, a corner
shop, a newsagents and The Rovers Return pub.
Coronation Street focuses on the lives of ordinary people and includes characters from across the range of social
classes. However, most are lower middle or working class. It became known for the portrayal of strong female
characters, which some commentators put down to the female-dominant environment in which Tony Warren, the
original script writer, grew up. The show has a long tradition of psychologically abused husbands.
It was first broadcast on 9 December 1960 and within six months had become the most-watched programme on British
television. Most episodes in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s rated with an audience of over 20 million. Viewership peaked on
Christmas Day 1987 when an average of 28.5 million viewers tuned in. (The UK population is around 64 million.)
Like most terrestrial television in the UK, a decline in viewership has taken place and the show currently posts an
average audience of just under 9 million per episode as of 2013 remaining as one of the highest rated programmes in
the UK.
Questions to discuss after reading
Why are soap operas so called?
What kind of topics are featured in the programmes?
How are UK and Australian soaps different to American ones?
Why are they so popular?
What so you know about the setting of Coronation Street?
What kind of characters does it focus on
How popular is it, both now and in the past?
What soap operas are popular in your country?
Are there any programmes in your country that could be considered national institutions?
Questions to discuss after reading
Why are soap operas so called?
What kind of topics are featured in the programmes?
How are UK and Australian soaps different to American ones?
Why are they so popular?
What so you know about the setting of Coronation Street?
What kind of characters does it focus on
How popular is it, both now and in the past?
What soap operas are popular in your country?
Are there any programmes in your country that could be considered national institutions?
Vocabulary
Discuss the meaning of the phrases in bold with your partner
Sarah’s had a terrible row with her family. She’s in a bit of a state.
After he took to alcohol he was homeless and slept in dosshouses.
She was talking so much I couldn’t get a word in edgeways
She’s an agony aunt on a popular phone-in programme on the radio.
Let’s go to Macau for the weekend. It’ll take your mind off the problems at work.
My teenage daughter stayed out all night. I nearly went out of my mind.
I’m trying to keep on top of things at work, but with a lot of staff away it’s really difficult.
Your so unkind to your girlfriend. You always put her down in front of other people.
They’ve had a terrible row and they’ve decided to call the wedding off.
Vocabulary
Discuss the meaning of the phrases in bold with your partner
Sarah’s had a terrible row with her family. She’s in a bit of a state.
After he took to alcohol he was homeless and slept in dosshouses.
She was talking so much I couldn’t get a word in edgeways
She’s an agony aunt on a popular phone-in programme on the radio.
Let’s go to Macau for the weekend. It’ll take your mind off the problems at work.
My teenage daughter stayed out all night. I nearly went out of my mind.
I’m trying to keep on top of things at work, but with a lot of staff away it’s really difficult.
Your so unkind to your girlfriend. You always put her down in front of other people.
They’ve had a terrible row and they’ve decided to call the wedding off.
Characters
Group 1
Sunita
Sunita is Dev’s partner and mother of the twins. She works in the pub for Stella
Dev
Dev is father of the twins and runs the corner shop.
Karl
Taxi driver and live-in boyfriend of Stella
Stella
Manager of the pub, the Rover’s Return.
Sophie
Shop assistant in the corner shop.
Group 2
Peter Barlow
Peter Barlow is Ken Barlow’s son. He runs the bookmaker’s (betting shop) in the street.
He is recently separated from his wife Leanne after having an affair.
Simon Barlow
Simon is Peter’s son. His mother, Lucy, died of cancer.
Ken Barlow
Ken Barlow has been in the programme since the first episode. He is now retired. He
has formerly been a member of the local council.
Characters
Group 1
Sunita
Sunita is Dev’s partner and mother of the twins. She works in the pub for Stella
Dev
Dev is father of the twins and runs the corner shop.
Karl
Taxi driver and live-in boyfriend of Stella
Stella
Manager of the pub, the Rover’s Return.
Sophie
Shop assistant in the corner shop.
Group 2
Peter Barlow
Peter Barlow is Ken Barlow’s son. He runs the bookmaker’s (betting shop) in the street.
He is recently separated from his wife Leanne after having an affair.
Simon Barlow
Simon is Peter’s son. His mother, Lucy, died of cancer.
Ken Barlow
Ken Barlow has been in the programme since the first episode. He is now retired. He
has formerly been a member of the local council.
Coronation Street – comprehension 1
Scene 1 – Simon and Peter
1. What time of day is it?
2. What are they doing?
3. How would you describe Peter’s feelings?
4. What is Simon doing that concerns him?
5. How does he tackle the situation
6. How would you describe Peter and Simon’s relationship? Why do you think it might be like this?
7. How would you approach the same situation?
Scene 2 - Stella Karl and Sunita
1. What time of day is it?
2. What are Karl and Stella doing?
3. How would you describe their relationship?
4. What has happened and why is Sunita in the house?
5. What is Karl’s feeling about Sunita being in the house?
6. What do you learn at the end of the scene?
Scene 3 – Dev and the twins (Asha and Aadi)
1. What accident has occurred?
2. Why is Dev upset with Aadi?
3. How does he explain Sunita not being there?
4. How is he feeling? How is he coping on his own?
Scene 4 – Dev and Sophie
1. How is Dev feeling at the beginning of the scene?
2. Why does he talk about dinner money?
3. What do we learn about his row with Sunita?
4. How does Dev feel about this situation?
5. What advice does Sophie give him?
6. What do we learn about Sophie’s family background that might explain why she advises him in this
way?
Coronation Street – comprehension 2
Scene 5 – Dev and Sunita 1
1. Who do you think arranged the meeting?
2. What is Sunita’s attitude?
3. What is Dev’s attitude?
4. How does Dev try to persuade Sunita to return?
5. What does she think of his parenting skills?
6. What is his attitude to her infidetlity?
Scene 6 – Dev and Sunita 2
1. What has Sunita decided to do?
2. What is Sunita’s main criticism of Dev?
3. What does Dev say in self-defence?
4. Why does Dev think is the reason for Sunita’s decision?
5. How honest are the characters in this scene?
Scene 7 – Sunita and Karl
What do they talk about at the beginning of the scene?
How does Karl disappoint Sunita in the scene?
Post-watching task
Create a character sketch for each of the main characters.
Sunita
Dev
Karl
Stella
Discussion
Which of the adult characters do you sympathise most and least with?
How common do you think this kind of situation is?
What advice would you give to:
Sunita
Dev
Karl
Stella
Hong Kong Soap
Task: You are going to prepare a short scene from a Hong Kong soap opera involving three or four
characters.
Preparation – discuss:
What sort of people are they and where do they live? (Wealthy, middle-class, working class)
Choose a dramatic situation from the list below or invent one of your own.
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A husband / wife discovers his/her partner has been unfaithful
A teenage son or daughter runs away from home
One of the family returns home with bad news: he/she has lost his/her job
A parent or grandparent criticizes a younger member of the family
A teenage daughter announces she is pregnant
A young member of the family announces s/he is going to live with his/her boy/girlfriend
A father returns home having gambled all his money at the horse races
A pregnant mistress arrives on the doorstep
Create a character sketch for each of the characters in the scene
Script the scene and rehearse it.
Hong Kong Soap
Task: You are going to prepare a short scene from a Hong Kong soap opera involving three or four
characters.
Preparation – discuss:
What sort of people are they and where do they live? (Wealthy, middle-class, working class)
Choose a dramatic situation from the list below or invent one of your own.
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A husband / wife discovers his/her partner has been unfaithful
A teenage son or daughter runs away from home
One of the family returns home with bad news: he/she has lost his/her job
A parent or grandparent criticizes a younger member of the family
A teenage daughter announces she is pregnant
A young member of the family announces s/he is going to live with his/her boy/girlfriend
A father returns home having gambled all his money at the horse races
A pregnant mistress arrives on the doorstep
Create a character sketch for each of the characters in the scene
Script the scene and rehearse it.