'Whose face do you see?' is based on the short story by Melvin Burgess. It is about an adolescent girl who is in a coma. It is also about her family and the dilemma they face when the doctors tell her there is no hope for their daughter. The story is gripping in that there are two narrators - one is the girl in the coma, and the other her mother. Their two dialogues weave around each other, diverge, and finally coalesce.

The kit based on this short story takes the full range of events that the story suggests and explores them with some passion.

Downloads

• Short story 68k Complete text of 'Whose face do you see?'

• Introduction for teachers 6k

• Pre-reading characterisation 79k Character based activities

• Pre-reading context 182k Background information and exercises

• Word work 44k Language activities

• After reading characterisation 165k Follow-up and consolidation

• After reading context 75k Follow-up and consolidation

• Keep reading 37k The text of Earth Mother (related to the story)

• Answer key 60k Teacher's notes for activities.

About BritLit
This kit was written by a group of Portuguese teachers of English who originally came together during a NILE course in Norwich in 2004 and who, as a result, first produced the 'Visiting Time' BritLit kit in 2005. This kit is their second joint project.

The original purpose behind these kits was to prepare students for 'Animating literature' events when the authors visit schools and work with the students. Used flexibly these kits will give students and their teachers enough information to understand something of the author and their works and therefore be able to make the most intelligent use of the visit.

Visits to schools by authors are usually arranged by the local British Council office. If you want to discuss this possibility for your school then please first contact your local British Council office.

See a list of British Council offices worldwide

by Melvin Burgess