retell it to all of us?

A sample retelling version:

Pygmalion was a gifted artist. One day, he decided to make a stone statue of a beautiful woman. After that, he spent day and night carving it, and then he clothed the figure, gave it the jewellery, and even named it the Sleeping Love. How he wanted to bring it to life and made it his wife. Therefore, he asked the Greek Goddess to make it alive. And finally the Goddess was moved by his sincere feeling. His wish was granted. Pygmalion threw himself to his feet, the girl smelt down at him. Afterwards, they loved each other and married.

T: Can you tell me the theme of the story?

S: People tend to behave as you expect they will.

T: Excellent! Based on classical myth, Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion plays on the complex business of human relationships in the social world. Phonetics Professor Henry Higgins tutors the very Cockney Eliza Doolittle, not only in the refinement of speech, but also in the refinement of her manners. When the end result produces a very ladylike Miss Doolittle, the lessons learned become much more far reaching. OK, today we will read a story about it. It's written by the famous English playwright, George Bernard Shaw.

Step Ⅱ Reading

Deal with the Reading part. Play the tape for the students to listen. Then analyze the play. Ask the students to read through the text. While reading, pay attention to the writing style.

Skimming

Ask the students to read the play quickly and answer the questions.

T: Now please read the play. After a few minutes, I'll ask you some questions.

After a few minutes.

T: Who would like to answer the first question: How many characters are there in the play?

S1: There are three characters in the play. They are Eliza, Professor Higgins, and Colonel Pickering.

T: What is the weather like when the play begins?

S2: When the play begins, it is pouring with rain.

T: Very good. Do you think Eliza a well-educated woman? Why?

S3: No, I don't think so. In fact, she is poor-educated. We can know it clearly from what she said. For example, come over'ere, cap'in, and buy me flowers off a poor girl. For another, I ain't done nothing wrong by speaking to that gentleman.

T: Also, we can learn it from her behavior. For example, "pushes it back at him." OK. Next one: Why did professor Higgins want to make notes of what Eliza said?

S4: He wanted to make a speech, because it's his profession.

T: Very good. Next: What's the meaning of "the age of the newly rich"?

S5: It means people begin their working life in a poor neighbourhood of London with 80 pounds a year and end in a rich one with 100 thousand.

Scanning

Ask three students to read the play.