📚 The History of the English Language — Lesson Plan
Engelsk 2 (Vg3) | 90 minutes
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🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Explain how major historical events shaped English vocabulary and grammarIdentify etymological roots of English words and recognize language layers (Old Norse, French, Latin)Discuss how English continues to evolve and why this matters in a globalized worldReflect critically on language change and standardization debates---
📋 Competence Aims (LK20)
*Språk og kultur:* Understand how language reflects historical and cultural contexts*Kommunikasjon:* Discuss language variation and change*Refleksjon:* Relate linguistic development to personal language use---
⏰ Timeline Overview
Opening Activity (5-10 min) 🚀
Word Etymology Hunt — Speed Round
Display 8-10 common words on board: *"sandwich,"* *"kindergarten,"* *"shampoo,"* *"pyjamas,"* *"zombie"*Students guess origin country/language in pairs (2 min)Reveal answers; note unexpected sourcesPurpose: Activate prior knowledge; show that English is a "borrowed" languageTransition: "These words are clues to our story. Let's go back 1,500 years..."---
Presentation (15-20 min) 💻
PowerPoint Walkthrough
Slides 1-3: Foundational periods (Old English → Middle English)Pause after Slide 2: *Ask* — "Which Old Norse words do you recognize in English today?"Pause after Slide 3: *Discuss* — "Why did French words dominate cuisine and government?"