Why don't country flags use the colour purple?

Advanced lesson plan (B2+): Why don't country flags use the colour purple? - BUY ME A COFFEE if you like my FREE ESL content  

A nation's flag symbolises the homeland of millions of people. But why, of the 195 national flags currently in existence, do only two countries (Dominica and Nicaragua) feature the colour purple? Find out in this week's B2+ worksheet.

In addition, students will learn six flag-related idioms, read an article about the British Union Jack and give a short presentation on the history of their own nation's flag. 

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Lesson activities:

1) To warm up, students will match 12 flags with the correct countries, as well as naming two things they associate with each of the countries. They will then match four "pun-ny" jokes about flags with the correct punchlines. Key vocabulary: pole, plus, hang out, to wave.

2) Students will watch a short video (3:27) entitled "Why don't country flags use the colour purple?" and answer the comprehension questions. Key vocabulary: dyes, spirituality, holiness, filthy rich, in spite of. 

3) Next, students will see six flag-related idioms: a red flag, to flag (something) up, to flag (someone) down, to flag, to wave the white flag, to fly the flag at half-mast/half-staff. They will get a chance to see them in sentences, and to create their own sentences with these idioms.

4) Finally, they will read an article about the history of the British flag. They will be asked to give examples of the subjunctive passive; in addition, they will have to research the history of their own nation's flag and present it to their teacher. Key vocabulary: spinster, successor, deathbed wish, forerunner, unification, decree, stipulated, embark upon.