Geography+ESL

=Welcome to the ESL Geography site.=

The purpose of this course is to cover the essential aspects of the Preliminary Geography course while focussing on the language and writing needs of the Non-English speaking background of the students undertaking the course.

The first section of this course concentrates on using an atlas to build, or reinforce, the students spatial skills. Some students will be familiar with using atlases and maps in their first language and mainly need to build their vocabulary in English, others may have limited familiarity with maps and mapping skills and this unit will build new skills as well as the associated vocabulary. Firstly, we will look at the way information is presented in an atlas - projections, direction, latitude and longitude, the key, and reading the index. Then we will apply these skills to complete and exercise on the basic geographical features of Australia. In this section we will also look at sattelite photographs of Australia alongside the more traditional maps.
 * 1. Basic Atlas Skills**

There are three sections to this topic based on booklets given out to the class. The booklets use information and exercises from a variety of sources. The first booklet examines the major parts of the atmosphere and the basic terminology and processes in understanding weather. The second booklet firstly includes exercises relating to the basic understanding of weather maps and climate graphs and then includes some simple information and comphrehension exercises relating to global warming and the thinning of the ozone layer.
 * 2. Biophysical Environment**
 * A. The Atmosphere**

The third booklet provides diagrams and vocabulary exercises related to the water cycle. We also look at the role of rivers as the major source of water to humans and the growing problems of water shortages and poor water quality.
 * B. The Hydrosphere**

The first assessment task is a skills and short answer test based on these two topics. The test will concentrate on language and definition and your understanding of the basic mapping and graphing skills we have been covering.

The fourth booklet concentrates on one aspect of the lithosphere that has been in the news a lot in the last year. This is earthquake and volcanic action. Using the booklet and videos/DVD's we will get an overview of this topic and for your assessment you will choose one case study of an earthquake or volcanic eruption to research in detail.
 * C. The Lithosphere**

The fifth booklet will give us an overview of the global patterns of vegetation and the factors that affect that pattern. A walk around the College grounds will allow us to look at a wide range of plants and their adaptations to the particular environments they evolved in. It also allows us to see first hand how much people have moved plants around the globe to suit our own needs. Secondly we will examine some of the basic operations of an ecosystem using a range of short videos, and consider how ecosystems change when people interrupt these processes.
 * D. The Biosphere**


 * E. Biophysical Interaction in One Environment**

We will undertake a number of short excursions in the local area to look at aspects of the biophysical environment, how they operate together and how they are impacted by human activity.

These topics are concentrating more on human geography and the pattern of popualtion, development and natural resources**.** The workbook on population geography will concentrate on understanding and interpreting statistics, in this case population statistics
 * 3. Global Challenges**
 * A Population Geography**

Deveopment geography follows on from population, where we consider in more detail some of the issues raised in population geography.
 * B Development Geography**

Natural resources - what they are, where they are found and how they are used. We will concentrate on energy resources as this is such a current issue.
 * C Natural Resources**

Throughout second semester you will be working on a small scale research project that will illustrate the research, interpretation and presentation skills that you have developed in this course. You will choose your own area of study within the limits set by the teacher.
 * D Senior Geography Project**