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The programmes — Level 2

Click on a cover to see a summary of the programmes.

Starter Level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

1. The Mag

The kimono

In this programme, the presenters of The Mag, Rebecca and Anand, visit the home of Mrs Kumakura, a Japanese lady who lives in England. She and her two daughters, Lala and Miu, tell the presenters all about the kimono, the national costume of Japan. Mrs Kumakura has a strong Japanese accent, which may at times be quite challenging for your students. Her daughters, on the other hand, have lived in America and have clear, American accents.

2. It's All About Me: Part 1

Ice skating

This It's All About Me follows a day in the life of a 17-year-old, Lauren Moser, who is a very good ice skater. Lauren was born in the USA but has grown up in the UK. However, she still has an American accent and she occasionally uses American English (mom instead of mum). Lauren trains very hard and competes in national competitions. In Part 1 she shows us her rigorous training schedule.

3. Life Swap: Part 1

Hospital radio

This Life Swap follows Nick Arnold, a keen kickboxer, and Rachel Forbes, a volunteer at a hospital radio station, as they swap lives for the day. In this programme, Nick learns how to be a DJ for the day.

Most hospitals in the UK have their own radio station run by volunteers. Patients can request their favourite songs and family and friends can send messages to the patients via the hospital radio.

Rachel also talks about her gap year at the beginning of the programme. Taking a year off between school and university is very common in Britain. It's a year free from studies where people usually travel and work.

4. The Mag

Street dancing

In this episode of The Mag the presenters, Rebecca and Anand, visit London street dancer Kofi Agyemang in his studio. He shows them different types of street dance, talks about his experience as a dancer and teacher, and Rebecca and Anand take part in a lesson.

Street dance has recently become very popular in the UK, mainly due to the fact that many RnB and hip-hop artists use this style of dance in their music videos.

5. It's All About Me: Part 2

Lauren's free time

It's All About Me: Part 2 continues the story of Lauren Moser, the ice skater, this time she tells us about her part-time job and past and future ice shows. At weeekends and during school holidays, Lauren works in the ice rink shop. In the UK it's very common for teenagers to have part-time jobs in the school holidays and/or at weekends.

Lauren is from the USA and has an American accent. She occasionally uses American English (gas instead of petrol) so it may be a good opportunity to recap some of the differences between North American and British English as studied in Unit 5.6.

6. Life Swap: Part 2

Kickboxing

In this Life Swap Rachel lives Nick's life for the day, learning to play the saxophone and to kickbox. Nick is a very good teacher and Rachel soon plays a tune and does a kickboxing performance.

7. The Hub: Part 1

Kelly auditions

This episode of The Hub focuses on Kelly as she struggles to balance the demands of helping at home with her ambition to become an actress. In The Hub: Part 1 we see Kelly audition and get a part on a TV show. However, she encounters a problem and can't commit to the filming.

8. The Hub: Part 2

Helping Kelly

The Hub: Part 2 follows the story of Kelly. In Part 1 she was offered a job on a TV show but decided she couldn't do it. In Part 2 we find out that this is because she looks after her siblings and works at the weekends, when the filming is planned for. She doesn't want to disappoint anyone and feels the pressures of trying to help support her family. However, her friends get involved and they make it possible for Kelly to take the part after all.