Remind the class of the various interviewers that they have studied with a question and answer session on the previous lesson.
10 minutes
Divide the class into pairs. If there needs to be a three they can interview a pair.
Outline the choice of task:
EITHER:
Prepare a spoof interview in the style of an interviewer of their choice (examples studied in the previous lesson include GMTV presenters, royal correspondents or Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs.
OR
Prepare an interview imitating the style of the interviewer of their choice.
The interviewee MUST be a famous historical figure, celebrity from the past or a literary character (i.e. not living)
Discuss possible names of interviewees and the criteria for selection – possible links with History, RE, English Literature, Classical Civilisation or Drama. Suggest that they select a figure of whom they have some prior knowledge.
20 minutes
The students discuss their ideas in their pairs and decide on the interviewer and the interviewee of their choice, completing a worksheet grid to identify the appropriate features of an interview that they should use. They should make notes on language choice, the balance of pre-planned and spontaneous questions, vocal variation, body language and facial expression specific to their chosen interviewer.
15 minutes
Working individually, Student A (the interviewer) should refer to the clips or transcripts of their chosen interviewer to prepare a list of possible questions appropriate for their choice of interviewee. Student B (the interviewee) should carry out research on their chosen figure using the library or internet, providing a ‘press release’ for the interviewer with details of their life and experiences. These tasks should be completed for homework.
