Grade 9English

Social and Mass Media

Impromptu speeches; numerals and ordinals; reading non-fiction; abbreviations and acronyms.

📖 5 min read · 3 worked examples · 4 practice questions

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The lesson

First, let's look at our lesson goal: we'll understand how social and mass media influence communication, and we'll practice delivering an impromptu speech, using numerals, ordinals, reading non‑fiction texts, and working with abbreviations and acronyms. Notice the list of skills right here—these are the exact tools you'll use when you discuss media topics in class and in future assignments. Next, we have the key outcomes for Grade 9 learners. By the end of this session you should be able to identify different media formats, explain their impact on Kenyan society, and apply the language structures we practice today. Finally, here's our agenda for the next 20 minutes: a quick overview, a short group discussion on media examples, a practice speech activity, and a brief review of the language points.

The title: Social & Mass Media in Kenya. We'll explore how these two types of media shape everyday life here. First, social media. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp are hugely popular among Kenyan youths. They let us share news, photos, and opinions instantly. Notice how these apps are on your phones all day—that's the power of social media to reach us wherever we are. Next, mass media. Traditional outlets such as TV channels like NTV, radio stations like KBC, and newspapers like the Daily Nation still reach large audiences, especially in areas with limited internet. Think about how you hear about national news on the radio in the morning, then see the same story shared on WhatsApp later—that's the interaction between mass and social media. Together, they influence public opinion, shape trends, and even affect how we make everyday decisions, from choosing a music track to voting in elections. Any questions so far? If not, we'll move on to examples of how each media type impacts Kenyan society.

Class, today we'll learn how to craft a strong impromptu speech, using a simple three‑step structure. First, notice the bullet point: Hook – Main points – Conclusion. Think of this as the opening, the body, and the ending of a story. When we say 'Hook', we start with something that grabs attention – a question, a startling fact, or a short anecdote. Next, the Main points – usually two or three ideas that support your stance. Use clear numerals: first, second, third. Finally, the Conclusion ties everything together and leaves a memorable closing thought. A quick example: a short opening about how social media influenced the recent Kenyan elections. Notice how the hook might start with, 'Did you know that a single tweet can shift thousands of votes?' Then we move to the first point, the second, and finish with a strong conclusion. Remember, practice the three steps, keep your language clear, and use ordinals to guide your listeners. Any questions before we move on?

Everyone, we've reached the end of today's lesson. First, a quick review: we looked at the different kinds of media you encounter every day—TV, radio, online news—and how each shapes the way we deliver a speech. Remember the speech structure we practiced: opening, body, and closing, with clear transitions between ideas. We also tackled numerals and ordinals, learning when to write them as words versus numbers, and how to use them naturally in storytelling. Our non‑fiction reading exercises helped you spot key facts and supporting details, while the abbreviation activity reminded you to expand short forms like "UN" to United Nations when speaking. For your homework: each of you will record a 2‑minute impromptu speech about a Kenyan media topic that interests you—perhaps a recent news story or a favorite radio program. As you prepare, keep an eye out for abbreviations in everyday news articles and try to explain them aloud; this will sharpen both your listening and speaking skills. Great work today, everyone. Keep practicing, stay curious, and see you in the next class!

Worked examples

Numerals & Ordinals

Everyone, let's dive into our worked example on embedding numerals and ordinals in speech. This slide is titled Worked Example 1: Numerals & Ordinals. First, look at the sentence: "In 2023, the Daily Nation sold 150,000 copies – the first time it topped the chart since 2015." Notice the numbers and the ordinal. When we speak this aloud, we say one hundred and fifty thousand for 150,000, and we use the word first to describe the ordinal position. Can anyone try saying the full sentence with the correct spoken forms? Remember to pause after the year and before the ordinal. Notice how the ordinal 'first' gives a sense of achievement, while the numeral makes the scale clear. We'll use the same pattern for other numbers and ordinals in our future speeches.

Reading Non‑Fiction

We'll work through Example 2, where we read a short Kenyan news excerpt and pick out its main features. First, look at these three steps: identify the headline, find the lead paragraph, and note any factual statements that support the story. This table shows how the structure of an article—headline, lead, body—matches the purpose of the piece, whether it's to inform, explain, or persuade. Let's practice skimming: I'll read a short paragraph aloud, and I want you to spot the main idea and any factual clues you hear. Remember, when you see a headline, it usually tells you the core topic, the lead gives the most important details, and the factual statements back up the story.

Abbreviations & Acronyms

Let's dive into Worked Example 3, where we look at some common Kenyan media abbreviations and how to use them correctly. First up, KBC stands for Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. When you mention it in speech or writing, you can say, "KBC, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, announced…". Next, NGO means Non‑Governmental Organisation. Remember to expand it the first time: "NGO, a Non‑Governmental Organisation, is supporting…". Third, TV is used not just as a noun but also as a verb in Kenyan English—people say, "We TV the news tonight." It's informal, so reserve it for casual contexts. A quick tip: always introduce an acronym before you start using it. Say the full form first, then place the abbreviation in parentheses—e.g., "Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)". After that, you can just use KBC. Any questions so far? If anything's unclear, feel free to ask—let's make sure everyone's comfortable before we move on.

Practice questions

  • First, think about ordinals. An ordinal tells us the position or rank in a sequence—first, second, third, and so on.
  • Let's review what counts as digital media. Digital media are content that exist in electronic form and can be accessed through devices like computers, phones, or tablets.
  • First, remember the acronym UNFCCC we saw in the climate article. Think about the words we've learned: *United Nations*, *Framework Convention*, and *Climate Change*.
  • For the short‑answer piece. The Ministry of Health is focusing on children aged 5‑14 in rural counties because that age group often misses routine vaccinations and rural areas may have fewer health facilities.

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