TAKE AWAY MY TAKEAWAY
PROGRAMME 6: KERALA
ACTIVITIES
Guidance
The programme can be used as the focus of a stand-alone lesson. These activities support a variety of individual, paired and group work and can be chosen and adapted to suit the needs of the students involved.
For further information, websites and other resources, see Find out more.
This web page contains links to other websites that are neither controlled nor maintained by Channel 4 Television. Channel 4 Television is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not necessarily endorse the material on them.
Before viewing
Before undertaking the activity related to Clip 1, read the Background on women workers, and visit the websites listed in Find out more.
Before undertaking the activity related to Clip 2, read the Background and articles about shrimp farming.
After viewing
To view 4Learning video clips you will need Windows XP/2000 and Windows Media Player 9, 10 or 11. Unfortunately, the clips are not supported on Macintosh computers.
The video clips may contain a few seconds of extra material at the beginning and end. We have therefore included opening and closing descriptions to help identify the intended scene.
What's life really like in Kerala?
Clip 1: 09:18 – 11:44
- In: (Dave) 'It's day two and Jack is up bright and early, exploring the town.'
- Out: (Jack) '"I bet you look good on the dance floor" – OK? – High five!'
Jack reflects that the natural beauty of Kerala makes up for the people's lack of material goods. Do you agree with this view? Draw on your reading of the background material on the role of women to give your reasons. How could life be improved for the women in the paddy fields?
What impression do you get of the life of Keralan people from watching this programme? Brainstorm a list of words to describe your impressions. How does the way the film has been made affect your viewpoint? What could have been added to the film, or left out, that would give you a different impression?
Finding out about shrimp farming
Clip 2: 11:45 – 13:42
- In: (Dave) 'Well, Jack hasn't managed much communication with the locals, but he'll get another chance to do that in his next job.'
- Out: (Jack) 'I don't understand how that is tasty. I can still smell… Augh!'
From the reading you did before viewing, discuss the impact of shrimp farming on the local region. Why has shrimp farming become such an important industry? What needs to change to lessen the impact of shrimp farming on surrounding land and to improve the lot of the workers in the industry? Who has the authority to make those changes? What could the public do to press for improvements in the way shrimps are farmed? List five things you could do in order to take a more responsible attitude towards eating shrimps.
What makes a good mentor?
Clip 3 13:47 – 16:51
- In: (Francis) 'I'm going to cook you a fish curry. I bet you are going to love it.'
- Out: (Francis) 'He had bet that he'll never eat fish, and he ate fish.'
Do you think Francis is a good mentor? Give your reasons. What part does Jack's personality play in the relationship between him and Francis? Would Francis's methods work on everyone? List the qualities you think a good mentor should have. How many of those qualities do you see in Francis?
Think of situations in your own life where it could be helpful to have a mentor. What would be the best kind of help a mentor could give you? Who would you choose as your mentor, and why?
Agreeing to be flexible
Clip 4: 19:12 – 20:08
- In: (Jack) 'When I jumped in, it was so warm and I felt all these fish swimming in between my legs.'
- Out: (Francis) 'I'm proud of you, really proud of you.' (Jack) 'Thank you. It was wicked!'
Jack has changed his attitude towards eating fish during his visit to Kerala. What do you think of his attitude to the whole experience of visiting Kerala? If you have seen the programme on Delhi, compare Jack's behaviour in India to Rouni's. What are the differences? Who gets the most out of the experience of visiting a very different culture, and why?
Think of an issue in your own life where your attitude is inflexible. What would it take to persuade you to change your attitude or behaviour? What are the risks of taking up an entrenched position and refusing to try alternatives? Do you think there are ever situations when it's right to be totally inflexible? Give reasons.
