India

More than 1.4 billion people live in India, the most populous country in the world. It is a land of contrasts: ancient temples and huge modern cities, luxury trains and crowded slums, and a democracy that was a British colony for nearly two centuries.

Have you seen the film Lion? Saroo got lost on a train when he was five. His story is not unique: start with the children who go missing every year, and the railway stations where many of them arrive alone. Then visit Dharavi, one of the biggest slums in Asia, laugh with Trevor Noah about how the British took over India, take a tour of the country's most amazing places... and finish in the kitchen with a creamy chicken korma.

Missing children (B1)

Why do so many children disappear in India, and how can they be found?

Read and answer 147,175 missing children in one year. Who are they, what happens to them, and who can help?
Watch: general comprehension (B1/B2) A girl goes out for an ice cream and never comes back. Her father has been searching for four years.
Watch: the details (B1/B2) Fraction, reluctance, snatched away... listen again and catch every word.
The summary The whole report in four short paragraphs: drag the key words back where they belong.
Vocabulary list Trafficker, whereabouts, to tackle an issue... 50 words to talk about missing children.

Railway children (B1/B2)

Like Saroo, thousands of children arrive alone in India's big stations. A door to a new life, or a trap?

Watch: general comprehension Why do children run away, and how do the Butterflies teams find them? Watch, then read between the lines.
Watch: the details Empower, scour, suspicious, a safe haven... listen again and catch every word.
Summary, vocabulary and writing Complete the summary, test the words in new sentences, then write: would you volunteer?

Slum tourism in Dharavi (B1/B2)

One million people in less than a square mile, in the heart of Mumbai... and tourists who come to look.

Watch: general comprehension Why do foreigners visit a slum? Who earns the money? Watch, then read between the lines.
Watch: the details Bustling, squeezed, plight, strewn... listen again and catch every word.
Summary, vocabulary and writing Complete the summary, test the words in new sentences, then give your opinion: help or show?

Colonization: how the British took over India (B2)

Trevor Noah plays a British officer and an Indian man... and the Indian man wins the argument. Or does he?

Before you watch The British Raj in four dates, Trevor Noah, and the four tricks behind the jokes.
Watch: general comprehension Which god? Who gave you that name? Follow the argument, then get the jokes.
Watch: the details Condone, ordained, presumptuous, translucent... listen again and catch every word.
The jokes, summary and writing Who's speaking? Why is it funny? Then sum up the sketch and write: can humour fight injustice?

Tourism in India: top attractions (B1)

The Taj Mahal, the Golden Temple, a luxury train tour: India's must-sees.

Watch and answer Why was the Taj Mahal built? What is the India Gate? Watch and find out.
Watch and complete Get a taste of India's colourful heritage and drag the right words.
Vocabulary quiz Choose the right word to complete each sentence about India's wonders.
Vocabulary Shrine, sandstone, walled city... the words you need to visit India.

Tourism in India: unique excursions (B1)

Camel safaris, mud wrestling, cricket: experiences you won't find anywhere else.

Watch and answer What is the ship of the desert? What can you do with baby elephants? Watch and answer.
Watch and complete Discover the craziest things to try in India.
Find the mistakes 8 mistakes are hiding in the text. Can you find and correct them all?
Vocabulary quiz Messy, sweltering, bargain... the words for an adventure trip, in context.
Vocabulary Kite, tent, wildlife... learn the words for an adventure trip.

Tourism in India: top activities (B1)

Beaches in summer, skiing in the Himalayas in winter. India has it all!

Watch and answer Golf and skiing in the same country? Where are the best beaches? Test yourself.
Watch and complete Find out what to do in India, whatever the season.
Find the mistakes 8 mistakes are hiding in the text. Can you find and correct them all?
Vocabulary quiz Sought-after, soothing, slopes... choose the right word for each holiday sentence.
Vocabulary The words you need to talk about holiday activities.

Indian food: chicken korma (B1)

Vijaya, from Vijaya Selvaraju's YouTube channel, cooks her favourite North Indian curry: mild, creamy and easy to make.

1. Watch Cumin or cloves? Guess the ingredients, check them in the video, then put the recipe back in order.
2. Words and test Turmeric, velvety, mellow… learn 52 words, fill in the text, crack « gonna », then take the test /20.