Joining the British Army in the First World War

This lesson examines the motives and men who volunteered to fight for the British Army during the First World War, and features a letter from a young recruit to his mother. This is closely based on the letter written by an English soldier called Frederick Wade, which is in the collection of the Imperial War Museum.

Students will start by looking at some First World War recruitment posters, like the one to the right, which men like Frederick Wade would have seen. The students will also have a group discussion about patriotism in the present day.

Topic: Volunteering for the British Army during the First World War

Level: B2/ Upper intermediate

Time: 60 minutes

Aims:

To develop student's ability to read for gist and for detailed information
To encourage word building skills
To develop critical thinking skills

Copyright - please read

All the materials on these pages are free for you to download and copy for educational use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place these materials on any other web site without written permission from the BBC and British Council. If you have any questions about the use of these materials please email us at: teachingenglish@britishcouncil.org

Downloads

Lesson plan256.25 KB

Worksheet350.44 KB

Recruitment posters PowerPoint3.31 MB

Joining the British Army in the First World War

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