📖 Reading
Last summer, Maria and her brother Tom went on holiday to a small village in Spain. They stayed in their grandmother's house near the beach. Every morning, they woke up early and walked to the sea before breakfast.
On the third day, the weather was very hot, so Maria decided to try a new water sport called paddleboarding. Tom didn't want to try it at first because he was afraid of falling into the water. But after watching Maria for ten minutes, he changed his mind and joined her.
In the afternoons, the family often visited the small market in the village. Their grandmother always bought fresh fruit and fish there. Maria loved the colourful fruit, and Tom always chose the biggest fish for dinner. The sellers were friendly and sometimes gave the children a free piece of fruit.
On their last evening, the family had a big dinner on the beach. They ate paella, a famous Spanish dish with rice, fish, and vegetables. Maria said it was the best holiday she had ever had, and Tom agreed. They have already planned to go back next summer.
🗣️ Speaking — discussion
Context
- Many popular tourist destinations have become overcrowded, with massive crowds damaging both the environment and local culture.
- Travelers are increasingly seeking 'hidden gem' destinations—lesser-known places that offer authentic experiences without the tourist masses.
- Social media has made famous spots even more crowded, but it also helps travelers discover and share quieter alternatives.
- Local communities in popular destinations are both grateful for tourism money but frustrated by pollution, traffic, and cultural disruption.
- The challenge for modern travelers is balancing the desire to explore with the responsibility to protect destinations they visit.
Themes
- Authenticity vs. Instagram Culture — The difference between experiencing real local culture and chasing picture-perfect moments for social media. Travelers must decide what matters more: genuine connection or impressive photos.
- Tourism's Environmental Impact — How travel—flights, hotels, and activities—affects the environment and local ecosystems. This raises questions about sustainable and responsible tourism.
- Supporting Local Communities — How tourist money helps local economies but can also cause problems like rising prices and cultural loss. Finding balance is key for respectful travel.
- Travel Beyond the Guidebook — Moving away from famous attractions to discover unique, personal travel experiences. This requires more planning and curiosity but offers richer memories.
Personal Response
- What is your favorite place you have visited? Why did you enjoy it?
- Do you prefer visiting famous tourist attractions or discovering smaller, quieter places?
Themes & Ideas
- Why do you think so many people want to visit the same popular destinations?
- How can travelers respect and protect the places they visit?
Critical Thinking
- Is it wrong to share beautiful travel photos on social media? Why or why not?
- What problems can too many tourists create in a small city or town?
Cultural & Social Topics
- How does tourism change the way local people live in tourist destinations?
- Do you think governments should limit the number of tourists visiting popular places?
🎭 Classroom activity
Divide students into pairs. Each pair is given a famous destination (e.g., Paris, Bangkok, Barcelona). They must suggest an alternative 'hidden gem' nearby and explain why it would be a better choice. They share their ideas with the class, practicing comparative language and persuasive speaking.
✏️ Questions
- Last summer, my family ___ (travel) to Spain for two weeks.
- While we ___ (wait) at the airport, our flight was suddenly delayed.
- The hotel we stayed in was much ___ (cheap) than the one we booked last year.
- If it ___ (rain) tomorrow, we will stay in the hotel and play board games.
- You ___ (must) show your passport before you get on the plane.
- I have ___ (never) been to Japan, but I would love to visit the temples there someday.
- Where did Maria and Tom stay during their holiday?
- a) In a hotel by the sea
- b) In their grandmother's house
- c) In a tent near the market
- d) In a city apartment
- What did the family do every morning?
- a) They cooked paella together
- b) They went shopping at the market
- c) They walked to the sea before breakfast
- d) They practised paddleboarding
- Why didn't Tom want to try paddleboarding at first?
- a) He thought it was boring
- b) He was afraid of falling into the water
- c) He didn't like the beach
- d) He wanted to go to the market instead
- What can we infer about the sellers at the market?
- a) They were often rude to customers
- b) They were kind to the children
- c) They refused to sell fruit to tourists
- d) They only sold fish, not fruit
- What is the passage mainly about?
- a) A Spanish cooking competition
- b) A family's holiday memories in Spain
- c) A guide to water sports in Europe
- d) The history of a small Spanish village
- In the text, what does the word 'joined' mean?
- a) Watched from a distance
- b) Took part in an activity with someone
- c) Refused to participate
- d) Finished an activity early