Ignaz Semmelweis: the doctor who told doctors to wash their hands
A biography of Semmelweis, who cut deaths in childbirth with handwashing but failed to persuade his profession; students read and write an essay.
C2Adults60 minBiography
About this lesson
A C2 reading lesson (biography). Graded texts with key words, comprehension questions and printable versions.
- Level
- C2
- Skill
- Reading
- Type
- Biography
- Students
- Adults
- Time
- About 60 minutes
- Topic
- Health & medicine
- Activities
- Speaking / writing task, Key words, Reading text, Matching, Multiple choice, Gap-fill
- Key words
- maternity ward, midwife, post-mortem, fever, asylum, germ theory
- Access
- Premium
By the end, students can
- Follow a biography that combines narrative, scientific explanation and critical evaluation
- Use accurate word forms of academic and descriptive vocabulary
- Write a discursive essay on how new ideas are accepted