Is it an emergency?! - ESOL Nexus

Is it an emergency?!
Teacher’s Pack
h"ps://esol.bri.shcouncil.org/teaching5uk5life/emergency5services;
Is it an emergency?
Is it an emergency?
Contents
Is it an emergency: teacher’s notes
Is it an emergency: answers
Is it an emergency: flashcards
Is it an emergency: classroom materials
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 website without written
permission from the British Council. If you have any questions about the use of these materials
please email us at: [email protected]
© British Council 2014
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
Introduction
This resource has been produced in two different formats:

This teachers’ pack, including teachers’ notes, classroom materials, PowerPoint presentation and audio files to download. This can be found at
http://esol.britishcouncil.org/be-safe-uk/it-emergency-0

Self-access resources for learners with online activities. These are available at:
http://esol.britishcouncil.org/be-safe-uk/it-emergency &
http://esol.britishcouncil.org/be-safe-uk/non-emergency-calls
Overview
This resource Is it an emergency? is taken from the Emergency services series of
resources which aims to give learners the confidence needed to be able to call for help in the
event of an emergency.
There are five units in this series:
Unit 1: Call 999 aims to give beginner learners the skills to call the emergency services and
give vital basic information in case of an emergency.
Unit 2: Is it an emergency? This unit aims to give learners an overview of each service and
what they do. It also teaches learners when they should call 999 and when they should seek
alternative help for less urgent incidents.
Unit 3: Police emergency aims to help learners to be able to describe criminal activity and
dangerous situations and to seek help from the police.
Unit 4: Fire emergency helps learners describe the nature and location of dangerous fires
and also to understand instructions on staying safe when they are waiting for the fire engine
to arrive.
Unit 5: Ambulance emergency teaches learners how to give information when calling for an
ambulance. It enables learners to give information about their location and any injuries
suffered. It also teaches them to be able to follow first aid instructions given by the callhandler while they are waiting for the ambulance.
Level (Unit 1): This unit has been designed for beginner learners.
Level (Units 2-5): Entry 2/Access 3 in Scotland / CEF A2. The materials are designed to be
flexible in terms of differentiation and are accessible to stronger E1 learners.
© British Council 2014
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
Structure, learning hours and delivery context
Police emergency provides a minimum of 2 hours of learning in a classroom context. It is
made up of three topics.
Is it an emergency?



Topic 1: what are the emergency services?
Topic 2: which service?
Topic 3: is it an emergency?
The resource is suitable for whole class use in a number of settings, including voluntary and
community ESOL classes. Timings are flexible since teachers can adapt the resource to suit
their learners and build in revision as required.
The resource consists of the following components:
In this document:



Teachers’ notes, transcripts and answers Flashcards
Classroom resources (worksheets and cut-up activities)
Available on the ESOL Nexus website:



Accompanying PowerPoint file – Is it an emergency.ppt (includes links to video files)
Flashcards
Interactive self-access resources
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
Is it an emergency?
Time: Approximately 2 hours over a number of sessions.
Aims
 To enable learners to be able to report emergencies and non-emergencies in an
appropriate manner
Objectives
Learners will be able to:
 recall words for different emergency and non-emergency action
 be able to extract information from a short text about emergency and non-emergency
situations
 be able to recall and say new vocabulary for describing emergency and non-emergency
sitatuions.
 Be able to select the appropriate course of action following an accident
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
Preparation
You will need:
 An interactive whiteboard or data projector to show the accompanying PowerPoint file,
videos and interactive activities (see note below). If this is not available, flashcards can
be used for most activities.

to download a copy of the PowerPoint file Is it an emergency.ppt. This file includes
links to video resources from YouTube, ’

to print a copy of the flashcards to use in class

to print copies of the worksheets for learners to use in class; the Activity 3a table
worksheet should be enlarged to A3, if possible.

to copy and cut up resources for activity 2a

to provide learners with glue or blue tack
A note about interactive whiteboards (IWBs):
Interactive activities are available to support this resource. We have provided links to each
individual activity (these activities are also available to learners as self-access items). On
some interactive whiteboards (not all), the activities will be fully functional (i.e. you will be
able to touch the screen to drag and drop, and so on). Links for interactive whiteboards
appear in boxes throughout the resource. As part of your preparation before the session you
may wish to bookmark the activities you plan to use.
© British Council 2014
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
Topic 1: what are the emergency services?
To set the context learners watch a short video clip: http://youtu.be/jVDFJRoBbog. It acts
as a stimulus for starting the topic. It also allows learners to demonstrate how much relevant
vocabulary they already know.
a)
The emergency services
Play the first part of the clip with the sound off; stop after 9 seconds. This section shows an
ambulance on an emergency run.
Ask learners what they can see. Elicit ‘ambulance’ and write this as a heading on the left hand side of the board. Elicit what the emergency could be and write suggestions on the
board under the heading, ‘ambulance’, for example, sick, hurt, doctor, quick, fast, urgent, hospital, accident, danger, help, etc.
Next, play the second part of the clip which shows a fire engine; stop at 25 seconds. Again,
ask learners what they can see. Elicit, ‘fire engine’ and write it on the board as another heading. Follow the above procedure.
Play the final part of the clip which shows police cars/vans on emergency runs. As before,
ask learners what they can see, elicit, ‘police’ and follow the above procedure.
b)
Emergency
Tell learners you want them to watch and listen. Play the clip with the sound on. They will
hear the sirens.
Ask why the sirens are on, for example, ‘help’, ‘danger’, ‘quick’, ‘fast’, ‘hurry’, etc. Write these words on the board. Elicit / teach ‘emergency’ and write this as a heading at the top of the board for the three lists. Drill the pronunciation of the word emergency.
Try to elicit what emergency means, if learners are unable to do this, highlight that it means
someone needs help quickly.
Use your mobile phone, point to the words on the board and mimic dialling 999. Say
‘Emergency!’ Then say ‘Call …?’ Elicit/teach ‘Call 999’.
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
Topic 2: which service?
a)
The emergency services
Ask learners to work in small groups. Give out a set of Topic 2a cards to each group and
ask learners to group the cards into three groups: ambulance, fire and police. Monitor and
assist.
If you have access to an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB), you may want to use a vocabulary
exercise at this point. This could be used as an alternative way of presenting the vocabulary
(using the ‘learn’ section), or as a learning check (using the ‘remember’ section). Encourage the whole class to support the individual learners answering the questions on the IWB.
IWB link:http:/gamedata.bcdev.org.uk/p/MTcyNDA=
There will be some cards that learners might question, such as the power cut card. For any
questionable cards, ask learners to put them to one side. When learners have finished
grouping the cards elicit whole class feedback. Encourage peer correction and discussion
about the correct categories for the cards.
Now ask learners to pick out any card which they do not consider to be an emergency. Elicit
what an ‘emergency’ is again: ‘I need help quickly’. Discuss the non-emergency scenarios, for example, a cut finger, a power cut, a burst pipe,
being locked out. Elicit what learners would do in these situations. Ask learners if they have
experienced any of these scenarios and encourage them to tell the class. Do not teach
vocabulary for this. The emphasis here is on clarifying what is or is not an emergency.
If you have access to an IWB, you could use a an interactive exercise at this point. Learners
have to listen to a sentence being read out and decide whether or not it is an emergency.
Encourage the whole class to support the individual learners answering the questions on the
IWB.
IWB link:http:/gamedata.bcdev.org.uk/p/MTcyNDA=
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
b)
Vocabulary
Ask learners to work in their small groups again and describe the pictures. Demonstrate with
one of the pictures, for example, the picture of the man lying next to the ladder. Elicit possible
problems and write these words on the board. Ask learners to continue discussing how to
describe the scenarios of all the cards. When the activity is completed, conduct whole class
feedback and write learners’ suggestions on the board.
If you have an IWB you could use an interactive game here. Learners tap the words in the
correct order to make sentences. An effective way to use this activity is to get a different
learner to answer each question, supported by the rest of the class. The game records a
score for time and accuracy so it could be run as a competition between teams, or the group
could be encouraged to repeat the activity and try to beat their own scores.
IWB link: http://gamedata.bcdev.org.uk/p/MTcyNDE=
Give out Topic 2b Worksheet and ask learners to work in pairs or small groups and match
the sentences to the pictures. Learners write the numbers of the sentences by the pictures.
Do the first one together and then tell learners to continue in their pairs/small groups. Monitor
and assist. When the activity is completed conduct whole class feedback. Encourage
discussion and peer correction. Agree on the correct answers. Use Topic 2b flashcards to
drill the sentences chorally and individually.
Topic 3: is it an emergency?
Ask learners if they know who to call if they need the police but it is not an emergency. Write
suggestions on the board, for example, local police station. Tell learners they are going to
watch a video and then discuss.
Play: http://youtu.be/_qaI7n_vqAA
The video is from the West Midland’s Police and it is about the 101 non-emergency national
phone number for the police.
Ask learners what non-emergencies were in the clip. Elicit the answers and write them up on
the board,
If you have access to an IWB you can use the following activity to check comprehension.
Learners have to decide whether sentences are true or false, according to the video.
Encourage learners to discuss their answers before you tap ‘check answers’.
IWB link: http://gamedata.bcdev.org.uk/p/MTcyNDE=
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
a)
Jigsaw reading part 1
Tell learners they are going to work in three separate groups. Each group will read a text
about one of the emergency services and answer questions on a worksheet. Give out copies
of the following three texts to the relevant groups: Topic 3a Ambulance worksheet, Topic
3a Fire Service worksheet and Topic 3a Police worksheet.
Learners should work together to read their text and to answer the questions on the
worksheets.
Once learners have completed their worksheet, check the answers in groups and give each
learner the Activity 3c Table Worksheet to complete (preferably enlarged to A3). Explain
that learners will work together to find information to fit into the table for the service that they
have been reading about. They should not write anything in the sections for other emergency
services.
Learners read the texts and work together to complete their tables. Circulate and monitor,
supporting learners with any problem vocabulary.
At the end of the activity each learner should have a table complete with information about
the service that they were reading about.
b)
Jigsaw reading part 2
Collect in learners’ worksheets on the three emergency services, sticking one copy of each
around the walls of the classroom. Re-organise the learners into new groups, which need to
have at least one learner who has read about each service.
Learners talk about the emergency services that they read about while the other members of
their groups use this information to complete their tables with the services that they did not
look at. Learners take in turns to talk about ‘their’ service until all learners have completed
their tables. If learners need to find more information, they can go to the texts stuck around
the classroom to check their information before running back to their groups. Do not allow
learners to take the text with them, they should try to recall as much as possible, returning to
the text if needed.
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Is it an emergency: teachers’ notes
c)
Consolidation
Give out Worksheet 3c and ask learners to work together to complete the questions. This
will check learners’ knowledge of all three services. Circulate and support with any vocabulary problems. Check the answers together
If you have access to an IWB then you could use the following activity to further consolidate
learning from the session. Learners have to work together to fit correct answers in the text.
Learners can listen to a recording to check their answers.
IWB link: http://gamedata.bcdev.org.uk/p/MTcyNDE=
Extension
You may want to get learners to design and write leaflets giving information about different
emergency and non-emergency services in your local area.
© British Council 2014
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Is it an emergency: answers
Activity 2b
1. Her head’s bleeding
2. She’s in danger
12
1
10
3. He’s got chest pains
4. She’s unconscious
5. He’s breaking a
window
4
6
3
6. He’s stolen her bag
7. He’s got a gun
8. Two men are
fighting
5
2
11
9. A house is
on fire
10. There’s a fire in the kitchen
11. There’s a lot of smoke
9
1.
8
7
12. There’s a flood
What number do you call for a fire service non-emergency?
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Is it an emergency: answers
Activity 3c - Police
1.
What number do you call for a police non-emergency?
Please write the number here: 101
2.
Circle the non-emergencies
Minor traffic collision
Property damage
Stolen car
Fighting
Robbery
Domestic abuse
Broken window
Drugs
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Is it an emergency: answers
Activity 3c – fire
1. What number do you call for a fire service non-emergency?
correct answer
999 □
101 □
Please tick () the
There is no number □
2.
What number do you call for a fire emergency? Please write the number here:
__________
3.
:
Circle the non-emergency problems
 A cat stuck up a tree
A fire in my kitchen
A fire in my hallway
A fire in my house
A fire burst water pipe
A fire in my bedroom
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Is it an emergency: answers
1.
What number do you call for a medical non-emergency?
Please write the number here: 111
2.
Circle the non-emergency problems
He’s got chest pains
Stomach ache
He’s cut his foot
He’s sprained his ankle
He’s got a nut allergy
He’s unconscious
He’s hit his head
She’s bleeding a lot
© British Council 2014
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Is it an emergency: answers
Worksheet 3c
There is a fire in your neighbour’s house. What number do you call?
999
Your husband is having a heart attack. What number do
you call?
999
Your neighbours are playing very loud music. What
number do you call?
Local council
Your son has a bad earache. He is crying with the pain.
It is late at night. You don’t know what to do. What number do you call?
111
You see a lot of dog fouling in your street. The smell is
very bad. What number do you call?
Local council
You hear a lot of shouting from your neighbour’s house. You hear the wife crying. You think the husband is
999
hurting her. What number do you call?
You have a burst water pipe in your kitchen. What
number do you call?
A plumber/your landlor
You see a distressed animal. What number do you call?
0300 1234 999
There is an abandoned car in your street. What number
do you call?
Local Council
There is a pile of rubbish in your street. What number
do you call?
Local council
Your neighbours are selling drugs. What number do you
call?
111
Someone has stolen your car. What number do you
call?
111
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
Activity 2a flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: flashcards
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Is it an emergency: activity 2a classroom materials
Topic 2a cards
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Is it an emergency: activity 2a classroom materials
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Is it an emergency: activity 2b classroom materials
Worksheet 2b
13. Her head’s bleeding
14. She’s in danger
15. He’s got chest pains
16. She’s unconscious
17. He’s breaking a
window
18. He’s stolen her bag
19. He’s got a gun
20. Two men are
fighting
21. A house is
on fire
22. There’s a fire in the kitchen
23. There’s a lot of smoke
24. There’s a flood
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Is it an emergency: activity 3a classroom materials
Worksheet 3a – Police worksheet
Police Emergency 999
When you need police help quickly, you call 999. When you think something bad is
happening and the police can stop it, you call 999. You call 999 when something bad is
happening now. You call 999 when you think something bad will happen soon. For example:

Someone is in danger

You think someone will be in danger soon

Someone is hurt

You think someone will be hurt soon

You think you see a criminal nearby

A crime is happening now

You think a crime is going to happen very soon
Police Non-emergency 101
When you need help from the police but it is not an emergency, you call 101.
When something bad has happened in the past but you don’t need help now, you call 101. 
Someone has stolen a car

Someone has stolen a bike

Someone has damaged a property

You want to give information about someone taking drugs

You want to give information about someone selling drugs

There is a minor traffic collision and no-one is hurt

You want to give information about a past crime
Contact your local council for the following:

Dog fouling

Abandoned vehicles

Noisy neighbours

Dumping and fly tipping
For information about how to contact your local council please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
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Is it an emergency: activity 3a classroom materials
1.
What number do you call for a police non-emergency?
Please write the number here: __________
3.
Circle the non-emergencies
Minor traffic collision
Property damage
Stolen car
Fighting
Robbery
Domestic abuse
Broken window
Drugs
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Is it an emergency: activity 3a classroom materials
Worksheet 3a – Fire service text
Fire service emergency 999
When you need the fire service quickly, you call 999. When there is a fire, you call 999. When
there is a fire, you go outside and call 999. You do not try to put out the fire. Fire moves
quickly. Fire is dangerous. You get out and call 999.
Fire service non-emergency
There is not a non-emergency number for the fire service.
For burst pipes call:
Your local council – for council tenants
Your landlord – for private tenants
A plumber – for home owners
For information about how to contact your local council please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
Reporting animals in distress call:
The RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
The RSPCA will call the Fire Service if needed.
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Is it an emergency: activity 3a classroom materials
1.
What number do you call for a fire service non-emergency?
Please tick () the correct answer
999 □
101 □
There is no number □
2.
What number do you call for a fire emergency? Please write the number here:
__________
3.
:
Circle the non-emergency problems
A cat stuck up a tree
A fire in my kitchen
A fire in my hallway
A fire in my house
A fire burst water pipe
A fire in my bedroom
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Is it an emergency: activity 3a classroom materials
Worksheet 3a – Ambulance text
Topic 3a Ambulance Text
Ambulance Emergency 999
When you need medical help quickly you call 999 for an ambulance. You call 999 when it is
a life or death situation. You call 999 when you think someone needs help straight away. You
call 999 when you think someone can die. For example:

Someone is having a heart attack

Someone can’t breathe 
Someone is bleeding a lot

Someone is unconscious

You think someone is very sick and needs help straight away

You think someone is going to die
NHS 111
When you think it is a non-emergency, call 111.
Call 111 when:

you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency

you think you need to go to Accident and Emergency (A&E) at your local hospital

you don't have a GP

you need information about what to do
When you call 111 they will help you. When they think it is an emergency – they will get you
an ambulance quickly.
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Is it an emergency: activity 3a classroom materials
1.
What number do you call for a medical non-emergency?
Please write the number here: __________
2.
Circle the non-emergency problems
He’s got chest pains
Stomach ache
He’s cut his foot
He’s sprained his ankle
He’s got a nut allergy
He’s unconscious
He’s hit his head
She’s bleeding a lot
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Is it an emergency: activity 3a classroom materials
Police
Fire service
Ambulance
Service
Emergencies
Emergency
contact
Non-emergencies
Non-emergency
contact
Activity 3a – Table worksheet
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Is it an emergency: activity 3c classroom materials
Worksheet 3c
There is a fire in your neighbour’s house. What number do you call?
__________________
Your husband is having a heart attack. What number do
you call?
__________________
Your neighbours are playing very loud music. What
number do you call?
__________________
Your son has a bad earache. He is crying with the pain.
It is late at night. You don’t know what to do. What number do you call?
__________________
You see a lot of dog fouling in your street. The smell is
very bad. What number do you call?
__________________
You hear a lot of shouting from your neighbour’s house. You hear the wife crying. You think the husband is
__________________
hurting her. What number do you call?
You have a burst water pipe in your kitchen. What
number do you call?
__________________
You see a distressed animal. What number do you call?
__________________
There is an abandoned car in your street. What number
do you call?
__________________
There is a pile of rubbish in your street. What number
do you call?
__________________
Your neighbours are selling drugs. What number do you
call?
__________________
Someone has stolen your car. What number do you
call?
__________________
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