Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up Discussion)
Let's discuss the ambitious and futuristic city of Dubai.
- When you think of Dubai, what are the first three images that come to mind? Is it the world's tallest building, luxury shopping, or the vast desert?
- Dubai is known for its record-breaking, modern projects built in the middle of a desert. How does this combination of extreme nature and futuristic ambition appeal to you?
- If you had one day in Dubai, would you prefer to explore the luxury malls and tall skyscrapers, take a desert safari, or wander through a traditional souk? Why?
Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary Expansion)
Enhance your vocabulary for describing the experience of Dubai at an intermediate level.
1. Opulent (adjective): Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.
Example: "The lobby of the Burj Al Arab hotel is famous for its Opulent design and gold leaf details."
2. Sand dunes (noun phrase): Hills of sand formed by the wind, especially in a desert or on a coast.
Example: "A desert safari often includes an exciting drive over towering Sand dunes."
3. Souk (noun, from Arabic): An Arab market or marketplace; a bazaar.
Example: "We visited the Gold Souk to admire the incredible displays of jewelry."
4. Architectural marvel (noun phrase): A building or structure that is highly impressive and skillfully designed.
Example: "The Burj Khalifa is a true Architectural marvel, visible from almost anywhere in the city."
5. Lavish (adjective): Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.
Example: "The hotels in Dubai are known for their Lavish amenities and high level of service."
6. Oasis (noun): A fertile spot in a desert, where water is found.
Example: "The resort was designed to feel like a modern Oasis, with lush gardens and swimming pools."
Activity 3: Reading - A Tale of Sand and Skyscrapers 📖
Read this descriptive account of experiencing the bold city of Dubai.
Dubai is a city built on ambition, a modern Oasis rising dramatically from the desert sands. Its skyline is a collection of architectural marvels, each one seemingly competing to be more futuristic and impressive than the last. The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, pierces the sky, while the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel stands as a symbol of Opulent luxury. A visitor's first impression is often one of awe at the sheer scale and modernity of it all. The city's massive shopping malls are destinations in themselves, offering not just endless shopping but also indoor ski slopes and giant aquariums. This is the Lavish, high-tech face of Dubai that is famous around the world.
However, to only see the modern side is to miss half the story. A short drive out of the city, the landscape transforms completely into endless, rolling Sand dunes. A desert safari offers a thrilling ride across these dunes, followed by an evening under the stars at a Bedouin-style camp, offering a glimpse into a more traditional way of life. Back in the city, one can explore the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood and the bustling souks of Old Dubai. The Gold Souk is a dazzling maze of shops with incredible displays of jewelry, while the nearby Spice Souk fills the air with the fragrant aromas of cinnamon, saffron, and incense. This is where you can connect with the city's roots as a trading hub.
The true essence of Dubai lies in this constant interplay between the hyper-modern and the ancient desert traditions. You can spend the morning admiring an Architectural marvel that pushes the limits of engineering and the afternoon haggling for spices in a traditional Souk. You can enjoy a Lavish meal at a celebrity chef's restaurant or experience the simple hospitality of a desert camp. This ability to travel between two vastly different worlds in a single day is what makes Dubai a unique destination. It's a city that has created a spectacular modern Oasis while still holding onto the soul of the desert from which it grew.
Activity 4: Discussion Questions 🗣️
Based on the reading in Activity 3, discuss the following questions with a partner or in a group.
- Does Dubai's "Opulent" and "Lavish" style appeal to you? Why or why not?
- Would you prefer to explore modern "Architectural marvels" or traditional "Souks"?
- What is your opinion of going on a safari over giant "Sand dunes"?
- The text describes Dubai as a modern "Oasis." What does this image make you think of?
- After reading the text, what is your main impression of Dubai's character?