Social networking

Anastasia Vennechuk
Chernivtsi, Mamaivtsi School

Target Audience:

• 8-9 grades

Time:

• 80 - 90 min.

Level:

• Pre-intermediate
• Intermediate

Aims:

• to help students talk about Facebook and other social networking websites
• to develop students’ reading skills
• to develop students’ question formation skills
• to develop students’ communication skills

Outcomes:

Students will be able to

• use some key expressions to describe Facebook and other social networking websites
• discuss on uses of social networking
• produce their own social network using creating writing

Methods and Technics:

• scanning the text
• true/ false statements
• gap filling activity
• matching up activity
• cross-over discussion
• creative writing

Resources:

• worksheets for activities
• slips of paper

Additional materials:

Worksheet 1 - True/false statements

Worksheet 2 - Text for reading “Social Networking”

Worksheet 3 - Gap filling activity

Worksheet 4 - Uses of social networking (statements)

Worksheet 5 - Matching up activity

Worksheet 6 - Cross-over discussion

Worksheet 7 - Creative writing “My Social Network”

Procedure:

1. Introduction

1.1. Lead-in. Speaking about the importance of social media

Inform Ss that today we’re going to talk about social media because understanding how to use social networking tools is becoming fundamental, as employers are using them as recruiting tools, and people are using them as networking tools.

Ask Ss the questions "What social networking sites do you use? How do you use them?" Class can just blurt out answers.

2. The main part of the lesson

2.1. Reading the text "Social Networking" Pre-reading activity. True/false statements (See Worksheet 1)

Prepare 5 small slips of paper on which T/ F statements are written (Worksheet 1). Stick each T / F slip on the walls of the classroom. Ask Ss to stand up and check the 5 T/F statements.

While-reading activity. Scanning the text (See Worksheet 2)

After checking T/ F statements, Ss are asked to check their answers by scanning the text (Worksheet 2). Discuss their answers as a wholeclass plenary. Pay Ss’ attention to the words in bolds. Explain their meaning if necessary.

Follow-up group activity. Gap filling (See Worksheet 3)

Get Ss in small groups (you may use "Find someone who…" activity). Ask Ss to complete the definition below using the words in bold.

2.2. Speaking group activity about uses of social networks (See Worksheet 4)

Let Ss to stay in small groups. Before talking about uses of social networking, point out that there are many different reasons why people use social networks. Pass out worksheet 4 and present uses of social networking. Explain any unfamiliar words. Ask Ss to think of any website examples which specialized in each of these areas. Ss discuss the following in small groups. Move around the room and check how each group is working.

2.3. Matching up activity (See Worksheet 5)

The main question for Ss is "What can you do on Facebook?" Pass out Worksheet 5. Tell Ss to match the features on the left with functions on the right. Ss work individually.

2.4. Cross-overs discussion (See Worksheet 6)

Tell Ss to pick any of the questions in Worksheet 6. Groups work on different tasks for 10 minutes. A representative from each group then joins another group so that outcomes/feedback is shared. Alternatively, feedback from each group can be facilitated in a whole-class plenary. This shares ideas within a short amount of time.

3. Conclusion

Creative Writing

For homework tell Ss to look at are 20 words and phrases in Worksheet 7. Ss use them to compile their own story about social networking (Imagine!). They can add 2 words of their own.

Worksheet 1

True/false statements

1. The beginning of social networking date back to the 1970s. (False)
2. Connections were very fast in 1980s. (False)
3. Jonathon Abrams’ Friendster began the modern age of social networking. (True)
4. Facebook was creating by hacking into the university ID database. (True)
5. MySpace focused on sharing data and sending private messages. (False)

Key to Worksheet 1

True/false statements
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. False

Worksheet 2

SOCIAL NETWORKING

A social network is a website where people connect with "friends" - people they know online and people they know in real life.

The beginning of social networking date back to the 1980s. Small computer networks that used telephone lines allowed users to log in, share data and send private messages. However, connections were very slow and long distance calls were very expensive.

In the 1990s the Internet started to become popular and social networking websites such as Classmates.com and the dating site Match.com were created for specific audiences.

The modern age of social networking began in 2002, when Jonathan Abrams launched Friendster. He wanted to create a website like Match.com, but didn’t want it to be about dating. Google offered $30 million to buy Friendster, which was rejected. This turned out to be a big mistake.

In 2003, a few employees off a marketing company called Intermix Media copied the idea of Friendster and launched MySpace. MySpace focused on music and allowed users to customize their profiles. It had a much cooler image than Friendster and quickly became more popular.

Then, in October 2003, a student at Harvard University called Mark Zuckerberg hacked into the university ID database and created Facemash, a site that let students compare ID photos. He then created "The Facebook", a social network that started as an exclusive site for students. In2006, anyone with an email address could sign up. Two years later, Facebook overtook MySpace and became the world’s most popular social network.

Worksheet 3

Gap Filling

1. _____________: a website where people can meet in order to start a romantic relationships.

2. _____________: connect to a computer system by typing your name and password.

3. _____________: performed better that someone or something else.

4. _____________: entered a computer system without permission.

5. _____________: register on a website.

6. _____________: via the Internet.

7. _____________: started (a new business or product).

Key to Worksheet 3

Gap Filling

1. dating site: a website where people can meet in order to start a romantic relationships.

2. log in: connect to a computer system by typing your name and password.

3. overtook: performed better that someone or something else.

4. hacked into: entered a computer system without permission.

5. sign up: register on a website.

6. online: via the Internet.

7. launched: started (a new business or product).

Worksheet 4

Speaking Activity

USES OF SOCIAL NETWORKS

Can you think of any examples of websites which specialize in each of these areas?

1. Getting in touch with old classmates.

2. Friendship and dating.

3. Professional network, job hunting and headhunting.

4. Learning foreign languages.

5. Photo sharing and commenting.

6. Organizing and sharing things on an online pinboard.

7. Connecting with travellers and local communities.

Do you or your friends use any of the websites? Which ones?

Worksheet 5

Matching up activity

What can you do on Facebook? Match the features on the left with the functions on the right:

Key to Worksheet 5

Matching up activity

1. i
2. e
3. a
4. d
5. b
6. g
7. c
8. f
9. h

Worksheet 6

Cross-over Discussion

Discuss any of the questions below:

1. What are the advantages of social networking?

2. What are the disadvantages of social networking?

3. What kind of information are you comfortable displaying to the public?

4. What kind of information are you uncomfortable displaying to the public?

Worksheet 7

Creative Writing “My Social Network”

Below are 20 words and phrases. Use them to compile your own story about social networking (Imagine!). Add 2 words of your own.