The following task is based on materials obtained from Scottish folk band Runrig and its Polish counterpart Brathanki. Its aim is to help students discover similarities and differences between Scottish and Polish contemporary folk music.

• Brainstorming

Listen to the music clips which come from the bands' www homepages and on a piece of paper list the ideas the music brings to your mind

Now, share your ideas with the rest of the class. Compare the ideas on Runrig's music with those on Brathanki's. What kind of music do the bands play? Which of your ideas helped you guess?

In groups, read about one of the bands to find information on the following:

• the instruments they play
• what topics their lyrics tackle
• members of the bands
• the band's origin
• what themes, colour and ideas their album covers show

Student A

Student B

• Find yourself a partner from the other group (A or B). Exchange information about about the bands you both worked on.
• Imagine you are a member of Runrig and you've just made friends with a member of Brathanki. Talk to them to find out similarities and differences between your bands. Add what you discovered to the table below.
• Now, write a short school magazine article about the band you know from your colleague.

• Do you prefer contemporary or traditional folk music?
• Do you think traditional folk music should be played only on traditional acoustic instruments?
• Do you think Scottish folk music should only be played by Scots and Polishfolk music only by Poles?