ESL ENGLISH LESSON (60-120 mins) – 5th May 2011

A visit to Budapest!
Many people who visit Central Europe like to visit Budapest. It is one of the
most beautiful cities in the world. The mighty river Danube flows
majestically north to south right through its centre. The city is rightly known
as ‘The Queen of the Danube’. It is also known as the ‘City of Spas’, as
there are a dozen thermal spa complexes served by over a hundred thermal
springs. Budapest was created out of the unification of the historic towns of
Buda, Pest and Óbuda (old Buda) in 1873. Today the city covers an area of
200 square miles. It is home to a population of 1.8m people. Buda and
Óbuda occupy about a third of the area and are situated mainly in the hills
to the west, with commercial Pest on the plains to the east. There are three
islands in the middle of the river Danube. They are Margaret Island, which
is the most famous, Óbuda Island, and Csepel Island.

So what to do in Budapest? One can visit Buda Castle. It is one of the most
visited sites in the city. In fact it is a UNESCO world heritage location.
Feeling romantic? You could hire a horse and carriage to take you around
the castle area. Budapest also has a variety of museums to visit including
the Budapest History Museum, the Aquincum Museum of Roman Ruins and
the Hungarian National Museum. If you are into culture there are theatrical
performances and classical concerts daily including the Danube Symphony
Orchestra and the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble. The Hungarian National
State Opera House is definitely worth seeing. Built in 1884 this magnificent
building is one of the finest of its kind in Europe. The Hungarian
Philharmonic Society holds weekly concerts here on Mondays. Whilst in
Budapest you might hear the term ‘Cultural Avenue’ used. This area broadly
runs from the castle to the City Park.

One of the most popular things to do in Budapest is to visit a thermal spa.

Thousands of tourists visit these spas daily to relax and they are sometimes
used for medical purposes. Indeed the springs’ proven medical properties of
the mineral water are internationally renowned. By far the best spa in
Budapest has to be the Szechenyi Baths that are opposite the zoo in the
park. They are one of the largest bathing complexes in all Europe and the
only ‘old’ medicinal baths to be found on the Pest side of the city.

Category: Central Europe / Places to visit / Budapest

Level: Intermediate / Upper intermediate
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 A visit to Budapest – 5th May 2011

Budapest has some wonderful parks to visit. Probably the best and certainly
the largest is City Park (Városliget). It was among the first public parks in
the world open to people for relaxation purposes. Another delightful place to
visit in the summer is Margaret Island (Margitsziget). This is where you’ll
find all the locals at weekends. Whether you go there for relaxation or sport
the island is a positive delight to see. On it you’ll find joggers, people
playing all sorts of sports and picnicking. Don’t feel like walking? You could
rent a ‘bringo’ cart, roller blades, bikes and electric cars. There are also
some lovely walkways. For lovers - you can even get married on Margaret
Island! There is also the Alfréd Hajós Swimming Pool. Alfréd Hajós,
Hungary's first Olympic medallist designed the complex that opened in
1930. Naturally it is all very 30s!

Another favourite pastime is shopping! The main thoroughfare near the

Danube is a positive delight to stroll down. There are also many shopping
malls to stroll in including the WestEnd City Center, Mammut and the Pólus
Centre. Shopping might make you hungry in Hungary! Try some real
Hungarian goulash. Contrary to popular belief it’s not a stew but an
artistically prepared thick soup! Sour cream is often used to soften the
flavour. Other delicacies to try include; fish soup, a good homemade pőrkőlt
(stew), some excellent fresh-water fish: grilled pike-perch or trout with
almonds, or goose liver. Naturally, one can try some fine Hungarian beers
and wines.

Budapest offers many fine classic coffee houses with some delicious cakes
to be tried. In fact, turn of the century Budapest was known as the ‘City of
500 coffee houses’. Most have sadly disappeared. Cafés were an integral
part of the social and cultural life at that time. Unfortunately during
communism the communists thought them a hotbed of communication so in
1948 they closed every one of them. Today many coffee houses have been
thankfully restored.

In the summer Budapest puts on a cracking fireworks display on the 20th of

August every year and there is the annual Budapest Summer Festival. It
gives visitors the chance to see some traditional Hungarian music -
including the Hungarian instrument the cimbalom. In the winter experience
Budapest Christmas market. Novel ways to see the city are by helicopter,
by boat, or by sea kayak! All will prove an unforgettable experience seeing
the Budapest hills, the hidden side of Budapest’s bridges, listed buildings
and its islands. Go on - enjoy Budapest.

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 A visit to Budapest – 5th May 2011

EXERCISES
1. Budapest: Briefly, what three things do you know about Budapest. Go round
the room swapping details.

2. Geography: Hungary: Where is Hungary? What is its capital? What

countries surround it? Draw a map on the board then look on Google maps to help
you.

3. Dictation: The teacher will read four to six lines of the article slowly and
clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage
slowly again. Self-correct your work from page one - filling in spaces and correcting
mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of
your total number of errors. Less than five is very good. Ten is acceptable. Any more
is room for improvement! More than twenty - you need to do some work!

4. Reading: The students should now read the article aloud, swapping readers
every paragraph.

5. Vocabulary: Students should now look through the article and underline any
vocabulary they do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out.
The teacher will go through and explain any unknown words or phrases.

6. The article: Students should look through the article with the teacher.
a) What is the article about?
b) What do you think about the article?

7. Let’s think! Think of five things you know about Budapest. Then add five
things you know about Hungary. Write them below. Explain to your partner why you
chose these.
Five things about Budapest Five things about Hungary
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

8. Let’s think! In pairs. On the board write as many words as you can to do
with Budapest. One-two minutes. Compare with other teams. Using your words
compile a short dialogue together.

9. Let’s debate: In pairs. Students A think Budapest is the best European City
for tourists to visit. Students B think otherwise – choose an alternative city. Explain
why.

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 A visit to Budapest – 5th May 2011

10. Let’s roleplay 1: In pairs. You are in a pub in Budapest. One of you is a
barman/barmaid. The other is a tourist just in off the street who wants a drink. The
tourist orders one at the bar. Between you get talking. Find out what you can about
each other. Then ask questions about where to go in Budapest. 5-minutes.

11. Let’s roleplay 2: Radio Budapest: In pairs/groups. You are in the

Radio Budapest studio. One of you is the presenter; the other student(s) is/are one
of the people below. Try to get a balanced interview.
1 The Mayor of Budapest 3 Tourist
2 Taxi driver 4 River boat captain
The teacher will choose some pairs to tell their stories in front of the class.

12. Let’s do ‘The Article Quiz’: Have the students quiz each other in
pairs. They score a point for each correct answer and half a point each time they
have to look at the article for help. See who can get the highest score!
Student A
1) What is Budapest known as?
2) How many people live in Budapest?
3) Budapest was unified by which three towns?
4) Name the museums.
5) Where is Cultural Avenue?
Student B
1) What is one of the most popular things to do in Budapest?
2) What happens in the summer?
3) What are the novel ways to see the city?
4) Name the shopping centres.
5) What can you do on Margaret Island?

13. Budapest: In pairs, discuss the following about Budapest etc…

1 The nightlife 6 Working / Jobs in Budapest

2 Major events in Budapest 7 Its economy
3 Its centre 8 The tourists!
4 The airport 9 Shopping in Budapest
5 The Euro impact 10 Its pubs!
The teacher will choose some pairs to tell their stories in front of the class.

14. Presentation: In pairs, groups or individually: Prepare in class or at home

a two minute presentation on: An aspect of Budapest. Stand at the front of the
class to give your presentation to the class. The class can vote on the best
presentation. Class – After the presentations go through the good and weak points
on each presentation. Learn from the results.

15. Let’s write an e-mail: Write and send a 200 word e-mail to your
teacher about: A visit to Budapest. Your e-mail can be read out in class.

16. Sentence starters: Finish these sentence starters. Correct your

mistakes. Compare what other people have written.

a) Budapest ______________________________________________________

b) Hungary _______________________________________________________
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 A visit to Budapest – 5th May 2011

DISCUSSION
Note: A previous trip to Budapest will benefit students here.

For students who have NOT been to Budapest – IMAGINE a little!

Student A questions
1) Did the headline make you want to read the article?
2) Is Budapest overrated? Why? Why not?
3) How would you get to Budapest?
4) How long would/will it take you to get to Budapest?
5) Have you ever been ripped off in Budapest? If yes, where? When?
6) What do you think of Hungarians?
7) Where is the best place to go shopping in Budapest?
8) What do you think of Budapest’s trams and its underground system?
9) What do you think of Budapest airport?
10) Give three examples of how Budapest has changed over 25 years.

Student B questions
1) What do you think about what you read?
2) What do you think of Budapest?
3) Is Budapest cheap?
4) Why do tourists go to Budapest?
5) Have you ever been ripped off in Budapest? How?
6) What do you think of Budapest taxis?
7) Are there too many tourists in Budapest?
8) Where’s a good place to stay in Budapest?
9) Where’s a good place to eat in Budapest?
10) Where’s a good place to drink in Budapest?

SPEAKING

Let’s discuss! Budapest

Allow 10-15 minutes – As a class / small groups / pairs / 1 to 1

20 places to visit in Budapest

The teacher can moderate the session.

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 A visit to Budapest – 5th May 2011

GAP FILL: READING:

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

A visit to Budapest! mighty

Many people who visit Central Europe like to visit Budapest. It is
one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The (1)_____ river Spas
Danube flows (2)_____ north to south right through its centre.
The city is rightly known as ‘The Queen of the Danube’. It is also islands
known as the ‘City of (3)_____’, as there are a dozen (4)_____
spa complexes served by over a hundred thermal (5)_____. majestically
Budapest was created out of the (6)_____ of the historic towns
of Buda, Pest and Óbuda (old Buda) in 1873. Today the city springs
covers an area of 200 square miles. It is home to a population of
1.8m people. Buda and Óbuda occupy about a third of the
thermal
(7)_____ and are situated mainly in the hills to the west, with
commercial Pest on the plains to the east. There are three
area
(8)_____ in the middle of the river Danube. They are Margaret
Island, which is the most famous, Óbuda Island, and Csepel
unification
Island.

So what to do in Budapest? One can visit Buda Castle. It is one

of the most visited sites in the city. In fact it is a UNESCO world
carriage
heritage location. Feeling (1)_____? You could (2)_____ a horse
and (3)_____ to take you around the castle area. Budapest also castle
has a variety of (4)_____ to visit including the Budapest History
Museum, the Aquincum Museum of Roman Ruins and the hire
Hungarian National Museum. If you are into (5)_____ there are
theatrical performances and classical concerts daily including the magnificent
Danube Symphony Orchestra and the Hungarian State Folk
culture
Ensemble. The Hungarian National State Opera House is
definitely worth seeing. Built in 1884 this (6)_____ building is romantic
one of the finest of its kind in Europe. The Hungarian
Philharmonic Society holds weekly concerts here on Mondays. museums
Whilst in Budapest you might hear the term ‘Cultural Avenue’
used. This area (7)_____ runs from the (8)_____ to the City broadly
Park.

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 A visit to Budapest – 5th May 2011

GRAMMAR
Put the words into the gaps in the text.

A visit to Budapest! which

(1)__ people who visit Central Europe like to visit Budapest. It is
one of the (2)__ beautiful cities in the world. The mighty river about
Danube flows majestically north to south right (3)__ its centre.
The city is rightly known as ‘The Queen of the Danube’. It is also there
known as the ‘City of Spas’, as there are a dozen thermal spa
complexes served by (4)__ a hundred thermal springs. Budapest most
was created out of the unification of the historic towns of Buda,
Pest and Óbuda (old Buda) in 1873. Today the city covers an area over
of 200 square miles. It is home to a population of 1.8m people.
Buda and Óbuda occupy (5)__ a third of the area and are situated they
mainly in the hills to the west, with commercial Pest on the plains
to the east. (6)__ are three islands in the middle of the river
through
Danube. (7)__ are Margaret Island, (8)__ is the most famous,
Óbuda Island, and Csepel Island.
many

(1)__ what to do in Budapest? One (2)__ visit Buda Castle. It is

one of the most visited sites in the city. In fact it is a UNESCO
a
world heritage location. Feeling romantic? You could hire a horse
and carriage to take you around the castle area. Budapest also so
has (3)__ variety of museums to visit including (4)__ Budapest
History Museum, the Aquincum Museum of Roman Ruins and the on
Hungarian National Museum. If (5)__ are into culture there are
theatrical performances and classical concerts daily including the can
Danube Symphony Orchestra (6)__ the Hungarian State Folk
its
Ensemble. The Hungarian National State Opera House is definitely
worth seeing. Built in 1884 this magnificent building is one of the the
finest of (7)__ kind in Europe. The Hungarian Philharmonic
Society holds weekly concerts here (8)__ Mondays. Whilst in and
Budapest you might hear the term ‘Cultural Avenue’ used. This
area broadly runs from the castle to the City Park. you

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 A visit to Budapest – 5th May 2011

SPELLING TEST

The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following words that are in the
article. Afterwards, check your answers with your teacher, using the following
ratings: Pass = 12, Good = 15, Very good = 18, Excellent = 20
1 majestically 11 stroll
2 unification 12 artistically
3 commercial 13 sour
4 heritage 14 soften
5 theatrical 15 naturally
6 integral 16 thoroughfare
7 unfortunately 17 symphony
8 unforgettable 18 ensemble
9 kayak 19 broadly
10 helicopter 20 internationally

LINKS
http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/
http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/things_to_see
http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/why-visit-budapest.html
http://visitbudapest.travel/
http://www.thebackpacker.net/travel-guide/travel-stories/hungary/120/
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g274887-Activities-Budapest.html

ANSWERS
GAP FILL: A visit to Budapest! Many people who visit Central Europe like to visit Budapest. It is
one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The mighty river Danube flows majestically north to
south right through its centre. The city is rightly known as ‘The Queen of the Danube’. It is also known
as the ‘City of Spas’, as there are a dozen thermal spa complexes served by over a hundred thermal
springs. Budapest was created out of the unification of the historic towns of Buda, Pest and Óbuda (old
Buda) in 1873. Today the city covers an area of 200 square miles. It is home to a population of 1.8m
people. Buda and Óbuda occupy about a third of the area and are situated mainly in the hills to the
west, with commercial Pest on the plains to the east. There are three islands in the middle of the river
Danube. They are Margaret Island, which is the most famous, Óbuda Island, and Csepel Island.
So what to do in Budapest? One can visit Buda Castle. It is one of the most visited sites in the city. In
fact it is a UNESCO world heritage location. Feeling romantic? You could hire a horse and carriage to
take you around the castle area. Budapest also has a variety of museums to visit including the
Budapest History Museum, the Aquincum Museum of Roman Ruins and the Hungarian National Museum.
If you are into culture there are theatrical performances and classical concerts daily including the
Danube Symphony Orchestra and the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble. The Hungarian National State
Opera House is definitely worth seeing. Built in 1884 this magnificent building is one of the finest of its
kind in Europe. The Hungarian Philharmonic Society holds weekly concerts here on Mondays. Whilst in
Budapest you might hear the term ‘Cultural Avenue’ used. This area broadly runs from the castle to
the City Park. (V3)

Created by David Robinson. This ESL lesson is the copyright of www.newsflashenglish.com

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