Formal language: leatherback turtle
Learning Objective
We are learning how to recognise vocabulary and structures that are appropriate for formal speech and writing.
Context: leatherback turtle
Credit: BBC One - Blue Planet II
Clip Description
Of the world’s seven different sea turtle species, leatherbacks are the largest. Fully grown adults can weigh as much as 900 Kilograms – a weight equivalent to eleven men! These giants of the ocean are so named because of their leathery shells, which are soft and flexible.
In this fascinating clip, we are transported to the Caribbean island of Trinidad, where we meet Len Peters. Len has dedicated his life to helping this vulnerable species. From patrolling the beaches at night (in an attempt to stop poachers killing the turtles for their meat) to educating children in local schools about the importance of the turtles, Len has worked tirelessly to help the leatherbacks. Do you think his hard work has paid off? Watch the clip to find out.
Word Challenge
How many different words ending in ‘cious’ or ‘tious’ can you list that relate in some way to the leatherback film clip? Once you have made your list, share it with your talk partner and explain each word’s connection to the clip.
e.g. malicious (the poachers’ threatening actions towards Len), ambitious (Len’s hope of safeguarding the leatherbacks’ future), …