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Devised   by  Joan M. Díez Clivillé

I´M  A  CATALAN!  

A teaching idea for teenagers at lower-intermediate level.

Devised by Joan M. Díez Clivillé

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION

Culture and language often go together and nowadays it is not unusual to meet teachers who are working on content-based projects or cross-curricular programs.

It so happens that we are teaching English to students who have Catalan or Spanish as their mother tongue. We often read texts on London or Sidney or New York. It is only natural: a language is something more than grammar and vocabulary, and it is good for our students to learn about the world we live in, and in particular the countries where English is spoken.

At different times during the course we also talk about the students' hobbies, their families, the students' daily routines and their plans for the future. This usually enhances the communication between the teacher and the class and is not too difficult to do, as the information is at hand and it only needs to be transferred from one language to the other.

It was a combination of the facts expressed above that gave me the idea to design a game -in English- about the place where my students live: Catalonia, Spain. I thought it would not do them any harm to revise whatever they knew (and hopefully learn something) about their own country, its people, its history and its traditions.

In this way the activity "I'm a Catalan" was born. Its nucleus is a boardgame which concentrates on different characters and some of the objects they need to do their jobs properly. There are info cards to read and questions to answer. The activity also includes a couple of suggestions for students to do a bit of research and project work.

The idea is to motivate the students through a challenging activity. In order to cater for the different levels in the classroomm, there is something for every one: individual words to learn, simple questions to answer, a puzzle depicting a scene which must be described and short texts for reading and extracting information.

LIST OF TOPICS COVERED

Geographical and Historical aspects

Language and Literature

Romanesque Art

Modern Art

Social Trends

Political Parties

The Government

Agriculture and Cattle-raising

Commerce and Industry

The Musical Tradition

Sports

Catalan Cuisine

Popular Traditions and Festivities

I'M A CATALAN! - TEACHING NOTES

Warming up activity: Ask your students to talk about their daily routine. Depending on your students' age and personal situation, ask them about their present/past/future job. Ask them to name various objects they need/think they might need to do their work.

Explain the following: This game is about 5 Catalan people from different walks of life who are going to a folk festival at Gaudi's "Park Guell" in Barcelona. On their way to the park they tell each other about their daily routines. They talk mostly about their jobs, the objects they need to do their work and their family life. A foreign reporter who is about to write an article about Catalonia meets them, joins the group and records their conversation. Later on, the reporter listened to the tape and took some notes.

See below for the list of the people's jobs and objects.

"CASTELLER"                                             COOK                                            FARMER

        Scarf                                                               Apron                                                    Basket

        Shirt                                                        Bottle of olive oil                                           Hose

       Shoes                                                               Food                                                       Seeds

     Trousers                                                          Frying-pan                                               Spade

    Waistcoat                                                             Hat                                                    Water-bottle

                                      POLITICIAN                                       SINGER

                                       Copy of `Estatut'                                                  Costume

                                          Catalan flag                                                    Microphone

                                       Draft for a speech                                               Music book

                                             Suitcase                                                            Sweets

                                                 Tie                                                                   Wig

The game. How to play:

Divide the class into groups of five. The students will play the role of "visitors" to the park. You need a copy of the board (which reminds one of the famous stone bench at Park Güell), a dice, 5 counters, the "Info" cards, the "Questions" and the cards with everyone's list of objects. You also need the puzzle (the pieces of which should have been cut out and mixed up beforehand.) Students sit around a desk and place everything on it, the cards and the questions with the text facing the top of the desk, as these must not be read yet. Make sure nobody cheats! The students take a list of objects each. They must keep them throughout the game. The students also take 2 information cards each and read them through for a minute. After checking vocabulary problems, the students, in turns, read the information on each of their cards out and aloud. They win 2 points each as a reward. Players will find the information useful sooner or later.

Players throw the dice to decide who begins. Players place their counters on any of the boxes marked "?" After agreeing on which direction the counters are to be moved, the players throw the dice and take it in turns to move their counters on the board accordingly.

When a player lands on one of his/her objects for the first time, s/he crosses it out of his/her list and gets 2 points and a piece from the puzzle, which will be assembled when the game is over. Should the player land on the same box again, s/he gets 1 bonus point.

Whenever a player lands on one of the boxes marked "Info" s/he takes a new information card and reads it aloud.

Every time a player lands on a question mark, s/he tries one of the questions. If s/he comes up with the right answer, s/he gets 5 points. Should his/her answer be wrong, the player on his/her right has a go and gets 4 points if s/he answers the question correctly. If s/he doesn't, move on to the next player, who will get 3 points if s/he is wise enough. Carry on in the same way till all players have tried. Whoever succeeds in answering the question gets 1 bonus piece from the puzzle (besides the points.) If nobody succeeds, all players lose 3 points.

Game ends when all players have collected all their objects. The player with the most points wins the game.

The puzzle: Let students try and assemble the pieces from the puzzle they have won. When they have tried hard long enough, give them the remaining ones (if any) and let them try again. When the picture has been completed, see if the students can recognize any of the characters and/or the objects portrayed. Can they describe the scene?

And then, if you find your students are sufficiently motivated, why not read the remaining "info" cards and try whatever questions that have not been used?

Follow up activities: To round off the activity, stds. could use the information on the cards plus any other data they happen to gather from different sources to make wallcharts on different aspects of life in Catalonia. Alternatively, they could write their own Tourist Guide of Catalonia. In either case, they could use pictures and markers to make their final product look more attractive.

NB: The information contained in the cards is my own crop. However, I have checked some details in various manuals and encyclopaedias. The information is written in semi-formal language. A good reading technique (mainly prediction, use of context, skimming and scanning) and a little help from the teacher should make the game agreeable to everyone. For the wallcharts and/or the Tourist Guide stds could use their dictionaries and their own vocabulary lists.

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I am most indebted to Carles Altadill, who produced the delightful boardgame and the puzzle.

THE  INFO  CARDS

Catalonia is in the north-east of the Spanish peninsula. The land, that has an extension of 31.980 square kilometres, is inhabited by about 6 million people.

Catalonia is divided into 4 "províncies" or big areas: Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida and Girona. These, in turn, are divided into smaller regions called "comarques". Each "comarca" has a capital city or town (eg La Cerdanya - c: Puigcerdà; El Maresme - c: Mataró; El Baix Ebre - c: Tortosa; El Priorat - c: Falset; El Montsià - c: Amposta.)

The term "Catalan Countries" refers to the land conquered by the Catalans during the Middle Ages. At present, its 1.845 towns and about 10 million people belong to different states, mainly Spain, France (the southern regions of Rosselló, Vallespir, Conflent, Fenolleda and Capcir), Italy (L'Alguer) and Andorra. The Catalan language is common to the different territories.

There are lots of mountains in Catalonia. Mounts Aneto and Canigó (both in the Pyrenees) are about three thousand metres high.

The Catalan rivers are not very long; this is not surprising, as the distance from the mountains to the coastline is relatively short.

There are plenty of lakes in Catalonia. "L'Encanyissada", "Banyoles" and "Sant Maurici" are really beautiful.

Montserrat is a mountain near Barcelona. There is a chapel where you can see the image of Our Lady of Montserrat, the patroness of Catalonia. Monks live at the monastery, as well as fifty boy singers. The latter constitute "L'Escolania". They sing polyphonic music and "El Virolai" (the hymn of Montserrat, written by Jacint Verdaguer, a Romantic Catalan poet.)

"Rhode" and "Emporion" were two Greek settlements in Catalonia, back in 600 BC. Both were near present-day Girona. The ancient Greeks were trying to expand their trade and they were also looking for metals (mainly copper and iron). They introduced important cultural elements into the country. The ruins in Empúries are well worth a visit.

The ancient Romans arrived in Spain around 218 BC. They were involved in different battles and, as a consequence, they ended up near present-day Tortosa. Later they went north and settled in Tarraco (now Tarragona), which became the capital of a Roman province called "Citerior" at first and then "Tarraconense". Tarraco was one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. The ancient Romans built roads, lots of beautiful buildings and an impressive wall (part of which can still be admired today.)

During the War of Succession the army of King Felipe V of the Borbon family put a siege on Barcelona which lasted for fourteen months. The city surrendered on the 11th September 1714. This historic defeat has become a symbolic reference for the Catalans, who suffered a great deal as their way of life was severely affected. Rafel de Casanova -a Catalan leader- was killed during the siege. From the 19th Century onwards, on the 11th September flowers are laid at his monument in Barcelona and political meetings are held everywhere. Great public demonstrations on that particular day show the strength and courage of the Catalans, who love their land, their language and their culture.

Francesc Macià was born in 1859. He trained as a professional soldier and became a Captain in 1882. In 1905 the Spanish government passed some anti-Catalan laws. There was trouble. Macià refused to join his companions in their fights against the Catalans. Instead he became an MP and was consequently expelled from the Army. In 1922 he started his own political party: "Estat Català".

During Primo de Rivera's dictatorship (1923-30) Francesc Macià –a Catalan political leader- lived in exile in France. He came back in 1931. Then he gave the Spanish government a project to make Catalonia politically autonomous. "L'Estatut d'Autonomia" was approved in 1932 and Macià was elected president of the "Generalitat de Catalunya". He died the following year. He has been one of the most popular men in our country.

General Francisco Franco's regime was very hard for everybody, the Catalans in particular. After the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) all Catalan institutions were declared illegal. Many people were executed. Others, like Josep Tarradelles, exiled. "La Generalitat" was not restored till 1977, two years after the General's death. Tarradelles returned home and recovered his title of "President de la Generalitat". Jordi Pujol succeeded him a few years later.

After Franco's death democracy was restored. Since then, great efforts have been made to put the Catalan language (which had been banned officially during Franco's regime) back to life. The process is slow. There are a great numbers of immigrants in Catalonia (who are very welcome) and they have Spanish as their mother tongue. And it is a fact that most newspapers are written in Spanish. The Catalan language, however, is slowly coming back to life.

Both Catalan and Spanish are Romance languages. That is, they eventually developed from Latin. That explains why we have many words in common. However, they are two different languages and they both have their own grammar rules.

Many Catalan words carry a written accent (´ or ` , it depends) in order to mark the stressed syllable. However, it is not always easy to know whether you should write it or not, as the rules are a little bit difficult.

Monosyllabic (one-syllable) words do not carry an accent unless the same word has two different meanings. The accent tells you which is which. So "Mon" may either mean "the world" (món) or "my" (mon).

At the end of the 19th Century a number of writers and historians looked back at the Medieval classics for inspiration. Other people devoted their attention to folklore and popular literature. They had an interest in common: they analyzed the Catalan language in depth and established proper rules that helped to settle its grammar and spelling. The papers of that time (mainly "L'Avenç") helped to teach the new standards to the general public.

Catalans have proved to be excellent writers. "Tirant lo Blanc", a novel attributed to Joanot Martorell, is an example of fine writing in the Medieval Ages. Among contemporary writers it is worth mentioning Mercè Rodoreda ("La Plaça del Diamant"), Manuel de Pedrolo ("Mecanoscrit del segon origen"), Montserrat Roig ("El temps de les cireres"), Josep Pla ("El quadern gris"), Isabel-Clara Simó ("La Salvatge"), Maria Aurèlia Capmany ("Necessitem morir") and Quim Monzó ("La magnitud de la tragèdia")

Among the poets, Miquel Martí i Pol's and Salvador Espriu's works are just capital.

Josep Maria de Sagarra (b.1894, d.1961) was a playwright, a novelist and a translator. He translated all of Shakespeare's works into Catalan.

Romanesque art emerged while Catalonia's personality was taking shape (12th Century). Catalonia has lots of Romanesque churches, castles and fortified houses. To this architectural heritage must be added the mural paintings, manuscripts, sculptures, altar decorations and other objects which have been preserved either in churches or in the big museums.

The Abbeys in Santes Creus and Poblet, as well of the remains of "La Cartoixa de Scala Dei" (El Priorat) and the castle and the walls of Montblanc (La Conca de Barberà) are not far from one another and they all deserve a visit.

At the turn of the 20th Century many innovations were made in the field of the arts. A new style "Modernism" was born. There was great interest in design, new shapes and materials as well as in new ways of doing things. Art, in its many forms, had a strong social function. Famous artists of the time were Gaudí, Domènec i Montaner (architects), Rusiñol (painter and writer), Cases (painter and posters designer) as well as Joan Maragall and Jaume Brossa (writers.)

Antoni Gaudí, a unique and imaginative architect, left us lots of beautiful works. These are scattered all over Barcelona. "La Sagrada Familia" (The Holy Family Church), "La Pedrera" (also known as "The Milà House") and "El Parc Güell" are among his masterpieces.

Gaudí´s works are quite exhuberant and richly decorated. Such are the main characteristics of "Modernism", the style that flourished in Catalonia at the turn of the 20th Century.

Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, and Antoni Tàpies are among the three best-known modern Catalan painters. Tàpies (b.1923)  is the only one of these three who is still alive today. They all have their own museums. The "Teatre-Museu Salvador Dalí" is in Figueres (Girona). The other two museums, "Fundació Joan Miró" and "Fundació Antoni Tàpies" are based in Barcelona.

Picasso (b.1881, d.1973 ) lived in Barcelona for a few years. the city, with its unique cosmopolitan atmosphere, clearly influenced the man and his work. No wonder Picasso donated many of his paintings to the city. These can be admired at the Picasso Museum.

Catalans enjoy going to the theatre now and again. The play "Terra Baixa", by Angel Guimerà, is one of the most popular. "Manelic", its protagonist, is sure to attract your attention.

There are many theatre companies in Catalonia. The list includes: "La Cubana", "Els Joglars", "Dagoll Dagom", "Comediants", "La Fura dels Baus", "Companyia del Teatre Lliure", and the "Centre Dramàtic de la Generalitat".

Nadala Batista, Carles Canut, Joan Capri, Montserrat Carulla, Mercè Comes, Núria Espert, Enric Majó, Carme Montornés, Mont Plans and Margarida Xirgu are just some of the excellent actors and actresses who have entertained the Catalans at some time or other.

Thousands of tourists visit Catalonia both in summer and in winter. Those looking for sunny beaches should head for Costa Dorada (Salou -remember to visit the delightful theme park Port Aventura while you are around- or Cambrils, for instance) or Costa Brava (the coastline between Barcelona and Girona) Blanes, Roses and Lloret de Mar are among the most popular seaside resorts there. Skiers and lovers of adventure sports often go to Llesui, Viella or Baqueira.

Barcelona has plenty of sights to see. Do not miss the old Greek Theatre (in Montjuïc), the statue of Columbus (at the bottom of "Les Rambles" -near the harbour- or the charming "Dama del Paraigues" ("Lady With an Umbrella") in the popular "Ciutadella" gardens. The "Poble Espanyol" (Spanish Village), with its replicas of historic buildings from all over Spain, is also worth visiting.

The autonomous government of Catalonia is called "La Generalitat". The Catalan Parliament is entitled to pass some laws. Among the Catalan political parties there are CIU, ERC, IC, PI and PSC, led respectively by Jordi Pujol, Josep Lluís Carod-Rovira, Rafel Ribó, Àngel Colom and Narcís Serra.

You may eat fine fruit and vegetables all over Catalonia. The ones harvested in Lleida are among the best.

There are lots of farms everywhere. Hens, pigs and rabbits are raised in most of them.

You can eat the best hazelnuts in Tarragona. Good fish awaits you at any coastal town. The rice from Amposta (Montsià) is delicious, and the flowers from El Maresme are lovely.

Catalan wines are excellent. The regions of "El Penedès" and "El Priorat" make the best ones. In Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (a town near Barcelona) they make first-class "cava" (champagne). No doubt the great quality of the soil and the good weather are a great help.

Football is a very popular sport. F.C.Barcelona ("Barça") and R.C.D. Espanyol are two teams in the first (national) division. Mallorca and the towns of Figueres, Lleida and Sabadell also have their own teams.

Barcelona held the Olympic Games in 1992.

The traditional Catalan cuisine is very rich and varied. Essentially it is a combination of all the natural products of the area: nuts, vegetables, olive oil, fish and meat. These are roasted or boiled according to traditional methods. "Olla barrejada" (meat stew) is very tasty. "Botifarra and mongetes" (sausage and beans) is another typical dish. "L'allioli" (garlic mayonnaise) is a highly appreciated sauce. And you can eat "Pa amb tomàquet" (slices of bread with red tomatoes spread on them) everywhere.

The Catalan Christmas traditions are very colourful. In many homes you may see "El Pessebre" (model figures of the Holy Family in Bethlem, showing Jesus as a baby.) You can also see The Three Wise Men and the common people who went to adore him. "Pessebres" often include a funny character, "El caganer", a country type in a rather strange posture. In fact, he is moving his bowels. It may sound rather offensive, but it isn't. He is a figure of fun born out of traditional folklore. And then, he is fertilizing the land, after all. "El Tió" (a tree trunk to which the head of an animal -often made of wood itself- has been added, must be "fed" for a few days before Christmas. On Christmas Day it is beaten with a stick. In this way he produces candy for the children of the house.

The traditional Catalan costumes are beautiful. Perhaps the most conspicuous element is the man's hat, called "barretina". It is red with a black stripe at the bottom. It is quite high and soft, so the top bends gracefully to one side.

"Castells" (human towers) made by as many of 9 people standing on top of one another are always spectacular. "Els Xiquets de Valls" and "Els Nens del Vendrell" are two famous groups or "colles". But there are many others. They often compete against one another and set up records to the accompaniment of the music of the "gralla" (a kind of flute)

The "sardana" is the typical dance of Catalonia. It is danced in a ring and accompanied by a "cobla" or band; it symbolises a spirit of brotherhood and harmony. "La Santa Espina", "L'Empordà", and "El Saltiró de la Cardina" are among the most popular "sardanes".

Clothes, leather and fabrics of all sorts are manufactured in Barcelona and Valencia. Cars are made in Barcelona and some of its neighbouring towns. You'll see toys in the southern territories and Tarragona is the place for chemical products.

Catalans also produce paper, cement and other building materials.

Sabadell and Terrassa are two big industrial towns not far from Barcelona. Reus (further south, near Tarragona) is a well-known cultural and commercial centre. The cities of Girona and Lleida are well worth a visit, too.

Catalans are very fond of music. The Barcelona Opera House -El Gran Teatre del Liceu- was opened in 1847 and is one of the most important opera houses in the world. Unfortunately, most of the building was destroyed by a fire in 1994. Hopefully, it will be rebuilt soon.

Montserrat Caballé, Victòria dels Àngels and Josep Carreras are 3 Catalan opera singers highly-esteemed the world over.

"El Palau de la Música Catalana" is a famous concert hall well worth a visit if you happen to be in Barcelona. Designed by architect Domènech i Montaner (b.1850, d.1923), "El Palau" is the headquarters of a famous Catalan choir: "L'Orfeó Català".

Pau Casals (b.1876, d.1973) was in his lifetime a highly-acclaimed musician and his music is still admired today. He was a great cello player and composer. On one occasion he gave a speech at the United Nations headquarters in the USA. Among other interesting things, he said: "I´m a Catalan. Catalonia is an oppressed nation." Casals often played the tune "El Cant dels Ocells" as a homage to his country.

Back in the 60's, a group of Catalan singers started a new style of singing, called "La Nova Cançó". They sang their own songs and expressed their feelings and beliefs in them. Lluís Llach, Raimon and Maria del Mar Bonet are still popular today.

The latest fashion in music is "Rock Català". There are lots of bands. "Els Pets", "Lax'n'Busto", "Sau", "Sangtraït", and "Sopa de Cabra" have lots of fans. Incidentally, the latter got their name from a Rolling Stones album: Goathead Soup.

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THE  QUESTIONS

Now you need the board and the jigsaw puzzle...and that´s that!

PLEASE send your feedbackTks!