Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up Discussion)
Let's discuss the fairytale city of Prague.
- When you think of Prague, what images come to mind? Is it the castle, the old bridges, or the historic squares?
- Prague is often described as a "fairytale" city. What features do you think give it this magical reputation?
- If you had one day in Prague, would you spend it exploring the castle complex, wandering through the Old Town Square, or walking across the Charles Bridge at sunset? Why?
Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary Expansion)
Enhance your vocabulary for describing the experience of Prague at an intermediate level.
1. Cobblestone (noun): A small, round stone used to cover road surfaces.
Example: "Walking on the ancient Cobblestone streets feels like stepping back in time."
2. Castle complex (noun phrase): A group of buildings, including fortifications, palaces, and churches, that form a castle.
Example: "The Prague Castle complex is so large that it takes several hours to explore properly."
3. Astronomical clock (noun phrase): A clock with special mechanisms and dials to display astronomical information, such as the relative positions of the sun, moon, and zodiacal constellations.
Example: "Crowds gather every hour to watch the procession of figures on the famous Astronomical clock."
4. Gothic (adjective): Relating to a style of architecture prevalent in western Europe in the 12th–16th centuries, characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.
Example: "St. Vitus Cathedral is a breathtaking example of Gothic architecture."
5. Fairytale (adjective): Characteristic of or resembling a traditional story about magical events and imaginary beings; beautiful, delightful, or idyllic.
Example: "With its castle and old town, Prague has a truly Fairytale atmosphere."
6. Alchemist (noun): A person who practiced alchemy, a medieval form of chemistry focused on trying to turn other metals into gold.
Example: "Legend says that Alchemists once lived and worked in the small houses along the Golden Lane."
Activity 3: Reading - A Walk Through a Storybook City 📖
Read this descriptive account of exploring the historic capital of the Czech Republic.
Exploring Prague is like stepping directly into the pages of a storybook. The city's atmosphere feels enchanted, largely thanks to its beautifully preserved architecture. The journey often begins in the Old Town Square, a vast open space surrounded by colourful buildings and dominated by the spectacular spires of a Gothic church. Here, crowds gather to watch the city's famous Astronomical clock chime the hour, a mechanical marvel from the Middle Ages. From the square, narrow Cobblestone streets lead in every direction, each one promising a new discovery. This part of the city is a walker's paradise, where every alley seems to hold a secret and every building has a story to tell.
The iconic Charles Bridge, lined with statues of saints, provides a dramatic path across the Vltava River. Walking across it at dawn or dusk, with the city's spires silhouetted against the sky, is a truly Fairytale experience. On the other side of the river, the magnificent Prague Castle complex looms over the city. This isn't just one castle, but a sprawling collection of palaces, churches, and gardens. The immense St. Vitus Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic design, is the spiritual heart of the complex. Nearby, the tiny, colorful houses of the Golden Lane evoke stories of the Alchemists who supposedly once tried to turn metal into gold within their walls.
The beauty of Prague is in these details and the stories they hold. You can spend an entire day simply wandering, from the grandeur of the Castle complex to the quiet, charming streets of the Malá Strana (Lesser Town) below it. The city feels both grand and intimate at the same time. Whether you are watching the intricate show of the Astronomical clock, admiring the Gothic details of the cathedral, or imagining the lives of Alchemists, Prague provides a deep connection to a magical, almost mythical past, making it one of Europe's most beloved destinations.
Activity 4: Discussion Questions 🗣️
Based on the reading in Activity 3, discuss the following questions with a partner or in a group.
- Does Prague's "Fairytale" atmosphere sound appealing to you?
- Which would you rather see up close: the Gothic cathedral or the Astronomical clock?
- What is your opinion of exploring a large Castle complex?
- Do you enjoy walking on old Cobblestone streets? Why or why not?
- What part of the Prague experience described in the text seems most interesting to you?