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Article by Sean Banville / Ideas & Activities by David Robinson

Date: Jan 9, 2007
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Audio: 2:07 - 249.3 KB - 16kbps

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THE ARTICLE

UN secretary-general announces female deputy

The new United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed his deputy. She is Tanzania's foreign minister Asha-Rose Migiro, who became her country’s first female foreign minister in January 2006. Ms. Migiro will become only the second woman in UN history to serve as deputy secretary-general. Ban Ki-Moon spoke highly of his new second-in-command and described her as an immensely respected leader and outstanding manager who had championed many causes across the developing world. A UN spokeswoman said Mr. Ki-Moon: “…underlined the fact that [Ms. Migiro] was not named because she's an African and because she's a woman, but essentially because of her qualifications.” He intends to put Ms. Migiro very much in the driving seat at the top of the UN and will delegate to her the lion’s share of management of the world body.

Asha-Rose Migiro, 50, is a lawyer and a former senior university lecturer. Prior to her becoming foreign minister, she served as minister for community development, gender and children for five years. Ban feels her experience and credentials will serve the UN well. His ideal is for her to reform the institution to meet the rigors and challenges of the 21st century, both current crises and developments and issues yet to unfold. South Africa’s ambassador to the UN Dumisani Kumalo forewarned any doubters of Ms. Migiro’s abilities by somewhat stating the obvious to reporters: “You know people undermine women. …Women are multi-tasked people. They can do many things. [Ms. Migiro] has experience in managing a whole foreign affairs ministry. ... And African women are even better - watch out!’’ he said.

WARM-UPS

1. U.N.: What do you know about the United Nations? Find out as much as you can from your partner. Change partners often to build up your information.

2. DICTATION: The teacher will read to you slowly and clearly the first half of the first paragraph, repeating passages where necessary. Students will write down the speech. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again.

Self correct your work. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total no of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!

3. READING: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every paragraph.

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

United Nations / foreign ministers / managers / developing world / qualifications / lawyers / community development / doubters / challenges / experience

Have a chat about the topics you liked. For more conversation, change topics and partners frequently.

6. SECURITY COUNCIL: Talk to your partner(s) about the UN Security Council. What is it? Where do they meet? What do they do? What is the veto? Why does it happen? List the countries who have it.

With your partner decide on three (different) things you would like to see discussed in the Security Council. Discuss.

  •  
  •  
  •  

 

7. QUICK DEBATE: Students A believe the UN makes the world a better and safer place to live in. Students B believe the UN has become weak and ineffective. Debate this with your partners. Change partners often.

8. MY EFFORTS:  In pairs / groups, decide on what you would do if you were working at the UN. Decide on how much impact each of your actions might have.

a.    Work in Darfur as a UN soldier.

b.    Work in Somalia as a UN negotiator.

c.     Being part of a medical team in Afghanistan

d.    Working in a UN office in East Timor.

e.    Monitoring the situation for the UN in Zimbabwe.

f.     General staff in Iraq

g.    Your idea (1) _______________________________________________

h.    Your idea (2) _______________________________________________

 

9. UNITED NATIONS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the United Nations. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.


 
 

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Look at the article’s headline and guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a.

The new UN Secretary General is a Korean called Ban Ki Sun.

T / F

b.

It is the first time a woman is UN deputy secretary-general.

T / F

c.

The woman got the job because she was female and African.

T / F

d.

The UN boss will give his deputy the tiger’s share of his work.

T / F

e.

The new dep. sec-gen has no previous experience in government.

T / F

f.

The Secretary-General wants the UN to remain unchanged.

T / F

g.

S. Africa’s UN ambassador said women are multi-tasked people.

T / F

h.

The ambassador warned people to watch out for African women.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

a.

appointed

weaken

b.

deputy

qualifications

c.

immensely

advocated

d.

championed

demands

e.

the lion’s share of

named

f.

prior to

develop

g.

credentials

second-in-command

h.

rigors

the bulk of

i.

unfold

before

j.

undermine

extremely

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):

a.

appointed

of his new second-in-command

b.

become only the second woman in

and challenges of the 21st century

c.

spoke highly

share of management

d.

championed

obvious to reporters

e.

will delegate to her the lion’s

his deputy

f.

Prior

to unfold

g.

her experience and credentials will

to her becoming foreign minister

h.

developments and issues yet

UN history to serve as deputy

i.

meet the rigors

many causes

j.

stating the

serve the UN well

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words in the column on the right into the gaps.

UN secretary-general announces female deputy

The new United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed his deputy. She is Tanzania's _______ minister Asha-Rose Migiro, who became her country’s first female foreign minister in January 2006. Ms. Migiro will become only the second woman in UN history to _____ as deputy secretary-general. Ban Ki-Moon spoke ______ of his new second-in-command and described her an immensely _________ leader and outstanding manager who had championed many causes across the developing world. A UN spokeswoman said Mr. Ki-Moon: “…__________ the fact that [Ms. Migiro] was not named because she's an African and because she's a woman, but ___________ because of her qualifications.” He intends to put Ms. Migiro very much in the driving seat at the top of the UN and will ________ to her the lion’s share of __________ of the world body.

 

respected

underlined

essentially

serve

management

foreign

delegate

highly

Asha-Rose Migiro, 50, is a lawyer and a former senior university ________. Prior to her becoming foreign minister, she served as minister for community development, gender and children for five years. Ban feels her experience and ___________ will serve the UN well. His ideal is for her to reform the institution to meet the ______ and __________ of the 21st century, both current crises and developments and issues yet to unfold. South Africa’s ambassador to the UN Dumisani Kumalo __________ any doubters of Ms. Migiro’s abilities by somewhat stating the _______ to reporters: “You know people undermine women. …Women are multi-tasked people. They can do many things. [Ms. Migiro] has __________ in managing a whole foreign affairs ministry. ... And _______ women are even better - watch out!’’ he said.

 

credentials

experience

forewarned

challenges

African

lecturer

rigors

obvious

LISTENING

Listen and fill in the spaces.

UN secretary-general announces female deputy

The __________________ Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed his deputy. She is Tanzania's foreign minister Asha-Rose Migiro, who became her country’s first _______________________ in January 2006. Ms. Migiro will become only the second woman in UN history to serve as deputy secretary-general. Ban Ki-Moon spoke highly of his new second-in-command and described her as an ___________________ leader and outstanding manager who had championed many causes across the developing world. A UN spokeswoman said Mr. Ki-Moon: “…underlined the fact that [Ms. Migiro] was not named because she's an ___________________ she's a woman, but essentially because of her qualifications.” He intends to put Ms. Migiro very much in the driving seat at the top of the UN and will delegate to her the _______________ management of the world body.

Asha-Rose Migiro, 50, _______________ a former senior university lecturer. Prior to her becoming foreign minister, she served as minister for community development, gender and children for five years. _____________ experience and credentials will serve the UN well. His ideal ____________ reform the institution to meet ______________ challenges of the 21st century, both current crises and developments and issues yet to unfold. South Africa’s ambassador to the UN Dumisani Kumalo _______________________ of Ms. Migiro’s abilities by somewhat stating the obvious to reporters: “You know people undermine women. …Women are ___________________. They can do many things. [Ms. Migiro] has experience in managing a whole foreign affairs ministry. ... And African ______________ better - watch out!’’ he said.


 
 

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionaries / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words ‘United Nations’ and ‘Secretary General’.

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. STUDENT “UNITED NATIONS” SURVEY: In pairs / groups, write down questions about the United Nations.

  • Ask other classmates your questions and note down their answers.
  • Go back to your original partner / group and compare your findings.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall exactly how these were used in the text:

·      appointed

·      first

·      highly

·      championed

·      driving seat

·      lion’s share

·      former

·      gender

·      rigors

·      unfold

·      undermine

·      watch out

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

  1. Did the headline make you want to read the article?
  2. Did anything in the article surprise you?
  3. What advice would you give to Asha-Rose Migiro?
  4. What difficulties do you think she will face?
  5. What will be her first challenges?
  6. What qualifications does one need to work at the UN?
  7. What do you think of the South African ambassador’s comment that “women are multi-tasked people”?
  8. Why do you think the UN Secretary-General chose Ms Migiro?
  9. Have you ever had the lion’s share of anything?
  10. What role should the UN play in the twenty-first century?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

  1. Did you like reading this article?
  2. What do you think about what you read?
  3. Do you think more women should be given more top jobs in international agencies?
  4. Would you like to work for the UN?
  5. What job would you like to do if you worked there?
  6. Do you think the new deputy secretary-general’s job will be easy?
  7. Have you ever visited the UN headquarters in New York?
  8. What do you think the UN?
  9. Would you like to be in the driving seat of the UN?
  10. Did you like this discussion?

AFTER DISCUSSION: Join another partner / group and tell them what you talked about.

  1. What was the most interesting thing you heard?
  2. Was there a question you didn’t like?
  3. Was there something you totally disagreed with?
  4. What did you like talking about?
  5. Which was the most difficult question?

SPEAKING

ROLE PLAY: 1: PRESS:

‘Exclusive’ TV interview with deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro

Student A. Imagine you are a BBC / CNN television news reporter. You have an ‘exclusive’ interview with Asha-Rose Migiro. Prepare five questions you want to ask her about her appointment as the new deputy Secretary General.

Student B. You are Asha-Rose Migiro.  Think of five things (write them down) you want to mention to the world about your new role as deputy Secretary General in the forthcoming interview with student A.

Role play: Student A asks Student B his/her questions. Listen to their response. React to comments made.

The teacher will select some students to role play their situations in front of the class.

 

ROLE PLAY: 2: TV DEBATE:

A 15-20 minute open discussion between different parties on the United Nations.

Team up with classmates into groups of four. Decide who will be the interviewer etc….

Role A – TV interviewer

Ask five questions of your choice to the selected panel about the United Nations. Find out their views. 

Role B – Secretary General

You are Ban Ki-Moon.

Role C – Head of your country

Represent your country in the discussion.

Role D – A member of the public

You are asked to come in to give your opinion.

LANGUAGE

CORRECT WORD: Choose the correct words from a – d below and write them in the article.

The new United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has (1) _____ his deputy. She is Tanzania's foreign minister Asha-Rose Migiro, who became her country’s first female foreign minister in January 2006. Ms. Migiro (2) _____ become only the second woman in UN history to serve as deputy secretary-general. Ban Ki-Moon (3) _____ highly of his new second-in-command and described her as an immensely respected leader and outstanding manager who  had (4) _____ many causes across the (5) ______ world. A UN spokeswoman said Mr. Ki-Moon: “…underlined the fact that [Ms. Migiro] was not named because she's an African and because she's a woman, but essentially because of her qualifications.” He intends to put Ms. Migiro very much in the (6) _____ seat at the top of the UN and will delegate to her the lion’s share of management of the world body.

Asha-Rose Migiro, 50, is a lawyer and a former senior university lecturer. Prior to her (7) _____ foreign minister, she (8) _____ as minister for community development, gender and children for five years. Ban (9) _____ her experience and credentials will serve the UN well. His ideal is for her to (10) _____ the institution to meet the rigors and challenges of the 21st century, both current crises and developments and issues yet to
(11) ______. South Africa’s ambassador to the UN Dumisani Kumalo forewarned any doubters of Ms. Migiro’s abilities by somewhat stating the obvious to reporters: “You know people undermine women. …Women are multi-tasked people. They can do many things. [Ms. Migiro] has experience in managing a whole foreign affairs ministry. ... And African women are (12) ______ better - watch out!’’ he said.

1.

(a)

dismissed

(b)

appointed

(c)

inserted

(d)

appoint

2.

(a)

will

(b)

might

(c)

have

(d)

could

3.

(a)

speak

(b)

spoken

(c)

spoke

(d)

speech

4.

(a)

champion

(b)

championed

(c)

winner

(d)

champagne

5.

(a)

develops

(b)

developed

(c)

development

(d)

developing

6.

(a)

driving

(b)

driven

(c)

drove

(d)

driver

7.

(a)

because

(b)

becoming

(c)

became

(d)

become

8.

(a)

service

(b)

served

(c)

serving

(d)

serve

9.

(a)

foal

(b)

feeling

(c)

felt

(d)

feels

10.

(a)

reform

(b)

reforming

(c)

reformed

(d)

tasks

11.

(a)

unfold

(b)

fold

(c)

fold up

(d)

folder

12.

(a)

oddly

(b)

evenly

(c)

odd

(d)

even

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. UNITED NATIONS: Search the Internet and find more information about the United Nations. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3.   LOGO/POSTER: Design a new logo or poster to advertise the UN. Present your ideas to the rest of the class. Have a vote on the best one.

4. LETTER: Write a letter to Asha-Rose Migiro. Tell her your thoughts on her getting the job of deputy secretary general. Ask her three questions. Read your letter to your classmates in the next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions. Which letter did you like best and why?

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a. F

b. T

c. F

d. F

e. F

f. T

g. T

h. T

SYNONYM MATCH:

a.

appointed

named

b.

deputy

second-in-command

c.

immensely

extremely

d.

championed

advocated

e.

the lion’s share of

the bulk of

f.

prior to

before

g.

credentials

qualifications

h.

rigors

demands

i.

unfold

develop

j.

undermine

weaken

PHRASE MATCH:

a.

appointed

his deputy

b.

become only the second woman in

UN history to serve as deputy

c.

spoke highly

of his new second-in-command

d.

championed

many causes

e.

will delegate to her the lion’s

share of management

f.

Prior

to her becoming foreign minister

g.

her experience and credentials will

serve the UN well

h.

developments and issues yet

to unfold

i.

meet the rigors

and challenges of the 21st century

j.

stating the

obvious to reporters

GAP FILL:

UN secretary-general announces female deputy

The new United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed his deputy. She is Tanzania's foreign minister Asha-Rose Migiro, who became her country’s first female foreign minister in January 2006. Ms. Migiro will become only the second woman in UN history to serve as deputy secretary-general. Ban Ki-Moon spoke highly of his new second-in-command and described her as an immensely respected leader and outstanding manager who had championed many causes across the developing world. A UN spokeswoman said Mr. Ki-Moon: “…underlined the fact that [Ms. Migiro] was not named because she's an African and because she's a woman, but essentially because of her qualifications.” He intends to put Ms. Migiro very much in the driving seat at the top of the UN and will delegate to her the lion’s share of management of the world body.

Asha-Rose Migiro, 50, is a lawyer and a former senior university lecturer. Prior to her becoming foreign minister, she served as minister for community development, gender and children for five years. Ban feels her experience and credentials will serve the UN well. His ideal is for her to reform the institution to meet the rigors and challenges of the 21st century, both current crises and developments and issues yet to unfold. South Africa’s ambassador to the UN Dumisani Kumalo forewarned any doubters of Ms. Migiro’s abilities by somewhat stating the obvious to reporters: “You know people undermine women. …Women are multi-tasked people. They can do many things. [Ms. Migiro] has experience in managing a whole foreign affairs ministry. ... And African women are even better - watch out!’’ he said.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - b

2 - a

3 - c

4 - b

5 - d

6 - a

7 - b

8 - b

9 - d

10 - a

11 - a

12 – d

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