The Victorian Era

The Victorian Age takes its name from Queen Victoria who ruled from 1837 to 1901. Victorian era was caracterised by stability, progress, social reforms, a rapid extention of colonialism but, at the same time, by great problems such as poverty and social injustice.

Surf the great BBC history site.

Victorians:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/victorians/

British History Timeline:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/timelines/british/index_embed.shtml

Then take a look at my interactive Popplet mindmap about some aspects of the Victorian age. Click on the image to open it, then scroll around, zoom, click on the links and watch the videos.

STUDENTS' TASKS

          Reading and Writing

1) Choose an aspect of the Victorian age that has particularly affected you. Surf the sites I suggested in my mindmap and write a report.

2) Imagine you are a Victorian child belonging to a poor family, forced to work in a factory. Describe your working day.

3) Which novel (of the two I talk about in my presentation) do you like the most? Why? 

                Listening

Watch and listen to the video "Life in Victorian Britain" from the mindmap. Take note of the main points of discussion and create your own mindmap.

                               Speaking

Work in pairs or small groups. Read the information about the Victorian etiquette and choose a social situation. Would you know how to conduct yourselves if you were Victorians? You can practice taking the  McCord Museum test. Then prepare a sketch.