Ministry of silly walks

A man in a bowler hat walks to work in the strangest way you've ever seen... The Ministry of Silly Walks (1970) is one of the most famous Monty Python sketches: in Britain, everybody knows it! Describe a picture, watch and understand the sketch, listen to Blake, discover absurd humour and the very polite English of the ministry, then invent your own silly walk.

Final task: in pairs, act out a new scene at the Ministry of Silly Walks and film it in one shot. Come with your own silly walk, describe it precisely… and never laugh! Check the assessment grid (Step 4) to see how you will be marked.

These activities are designed to support teachers, who can include them in their own lesson sequences.

Step 1: watch and understand (B1)

A serious man, a silly walk, and a government ministry.

• Before you watch: a strange man Who is this man in a bowler hat, and why is he painted on a wall in Portugal?
• General comprehension Watch the sketch part by part. Why has Mr Putey come to the Ministry?
• Detailed comprehension Watch again and catch the exact words: a grant, backing, every alternate step…
• The vocabulary list Bowler hat, civil servant, grant, half turn… all the words of the sketch, with ▶ to listen.
• Listen and match Listen to the words and find their translation: can you remember them all?

Step 2: a British icon (B1)

Why does everybody in Britain know this sketch… and why is it so funny?

• Listen to Blake A young Briton describes the sketch. What did his parents say when they saw it?
• Blake's words: drag the words Listen to Blake again and put the missing words back.
• A British icon: the silly walk Mr Teabag, Mr Putey, Mrs Two-Lumps… and the secrets of absurd humour.
• Why is it funny? Absurd, deadpan, a joke about bureaucracy… or just silly? Test yourself.

Step 3: polite English and silly walks (B1)

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting… I'm afraid… May I…?

• The lesson The very polite English of a British civil servant, with the sentences of the sketch.
• Choose the right form Kept or keep? Is it or isn't it? Sillier or more silly? Choose and read why.
• Invent your own silly walk! The left leg hops twice every third step… Invent a walk, describe it, and let your partner do it!

Step 4: at the Ministry (B1)

Now it's your turn to apply for a grant!

• The role play Five steps, useful phrases and a model: act out a new scene at the Ministry.
• Assessment grid How will your role play be marked? Read the grid before you film.