Let's talk fast food
- suggestions for an Internet-based EFL lesson

by Rolf Palmberg

Pre-computer work

• Write the words "Fast Food" on the blackboard and ask the students individually to think about the concept and for one or two minutes write down all the words they come to think of.
• Ask the students to compare their lists in pairs or in groups of three.
• Ask the pairs or groups to list three advantages and three disadvantages with fast food and then discuss their lists with other pairs or groups.

Computer work

• Ask the students to answer the following (or similar) questions, working in pairs and using the information on McDonald's webpages:

a) When and where was the first McDonald’s restaurant established?
b) Who is Alan D Feldman?
c) What is The Legend of Grimace Island?
d) What is Hamburger University ? Where is it located?
e) What type of oil is used to cook McDonald's products?
f) How many mg:s of Sodium are there in a small Sprite?
g) What is the price of a Fry Phone? What colour is it?
h) How many calories are there in a one-package Barbeque Sauce?
i) What is the address of Ronald McDonald’s House Charities?
j) Where in Alaska can you find McDonald’s restaurants?

• Ask the students to do the following (or similar) tasks:

k) Compare a Baked Apple Pie and a Small Vanilla Shake in terms of calories and protein.
l) Rank the following five products as far as calories, cholesterol and carbohydrates are concerned:
Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish and Small French Fries.
m) Select your favourite McDonald's product and give at least three reasons for choosing it.
n) Prepare ten McDonald's-related questions similar to (a)-(j) above. Remember that the answers must be found on McDonald's webpages.

Post-computer work

• Ask the students to check each other’s answers, consulting the teacher only if necessary.
• Ask the students to prepare (and present) an oral summary on the topic: What did I learn during the exercise?
• Arrange a small-group or whole-class discussion on the topic: What would I like to know more about?
• For homework, ask the students to prepare a number of questions for the next computer session to be asked on chat sites or sent to key (e-mail) pals (e.g. How much is a Big Mac in your country?).

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