Yuri Gagarin - This is the first part of an episode of American Mosaic.  The audio and transcript include two other stories as well, but you only need to listen to and read the first part for this lesson.

  1. Listening/Reading

    1. Prelistening:

      1. Do you know what Yuri Gagarin did?  If not, Google his name?  What is a cosmonaut?  Is there a difference between a cosmonaut and an astronaut?  (Hint: the difference is where they were from, not what they did.)

    2. First time listening to the audio.  

      1. Write down any words you think you many need, then listen to the audio at the top of the page.  

        1. http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/americas-oldest-planetarium-honors-russian-cosmonaut-yuri-gagarin-132746143/114635.html

      2. Second time - Listen to the audio again.  This time feel free to use the transcript below as well.  Note you can double click on any word to see a definition. Take notes and write down any words you had to look up.  Note, this transcript has typos. 

        "But he also said it also show current, international activity connected to space travel" 

        Should be - "But he said it will also show current, international activity connected to space travel"  

        "There were these monumental event that happened after Sputnik"

        Should be - "There were these monumental events that happened after Sputnik"

        1. http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/americas-oldest-planetarium-honors-russian-cosmonaut-yuri-gagarin-132746143/114635.html

    3. Comprehension - If you understood the text, you should be able to answer the questions below.  If not, refer to the text again.

      1. Why was Yuri Gagarin so important?

      2. Who is honoring him now?  Why?

      3. Who is Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu?  Why was Yuri Gagarin important to him?

  2. Speaking

    1. Prepare for a conversation with your language partner.  Write questions about space travel, pioneers, or famous explorers.  When was the first time they heard of someone going to space? Are they old enough to remember the first cosmonauts and astronauts?  Do they know the Space Shuttle?  The international space station?  What other famous explorers and pioneers do they learn about in their country?  Why were they important?

    2. Meet with your language partner.  Try your best to only speak in English for 30 minutes.  Of course, be sure to then provide your partner with an equal amount of time to practice our native language as well.

  3. Writing

    1. Write a summary of your exchange with your partner on the Mixxer blog.  Write a post about explorers and pioneers.