The Reading / Listening - Women's Studies - Level 6

A high school in Canada has come under fierce criticism on the Internet for a women's studies course it offered to its female students. The online backlash was because the course included what many believed to be sexist subjects that were unfit and inappropriate for women in the 21st century. These included 'polite conversation,' dinner party etiquette, and 'nail application skills'. There was also a subject titled: "How to enhance your style by using tips and tricks designed for your face and body shape". The course also had lessons on the basics of web design, reproductive health, the role of women in history, and a look at how beauty is seen by the media and different cultures around the world.

Among those who were shocked by the syllabus was actress and singer Siobhan Bryn. She wrote: "This is unbelievably sexist. Women's studies is not fashion and putting on a lunch." She asked: "Was this designed in the 1950's? Can you get someone who knows about women's studies to design this course?" Activist Meg Fenway said: "This is profoundly offensive and disrespectful." The school has since pulled the subjects from the syllabus. A spokesman said: "I know the way it comes across looks like we're supporting stereotyping girls….We want to do the best by our kids. We want them to have a positive image and build self-esteem. We want them to analyze things critically."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Women's Studies - Level 4  or  Women's Studies - Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4342910/High-school-offers-polite-conversation-classes-girls.html
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39348155
  • http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/clyde-women-studies-pembina-school-1.4034711


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. WOMEN'S STUDIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about women's studies. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

       high school / criticism / women's studies / backlash / conversation / web design /
       shocked / syllabus / fashion / the 1950's / stereotyping / self-esteem / image

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. POLITE CONVERSATION: Students A strongly believe polite conversation should not be part of a course on women's studies; Students B strongly believe there's no problem with that.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. SYLLABUS: What might the students learn in these courses. How useful would they be? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What?

Why?

Polite conversation

 

 

Sinner party etiquette

 

 

Nail application skills

 

 

Basics of web design

 

 

Reproductive health

 

 

The role of women in history

 

 

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. SEXIST: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "sexist". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. SCHOOL COURSES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best courses for kids to take at high school at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • parenting skills
  • dinner party etiquette
  • polite conversation
  • respect in relationships
  • web design
  • guitar
  • truth in the media
  • nutrition

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. A high school in England was criticized a lot on the Internet.     T / F
  2. Critics said parts of a women's studies course were fitting for women.     T / F
  3. One of the courses was 'nail application skills'.     T / F
  4. Another course was advanced web design.     T / F
  5. A singer said it would be better to study fashion and making lunch.     T / F
  6. A singer likened the course to something from the 50's.     T / F
  7. The school is no longer teaching the subjects people criticized.     T / F
  8. The school said it wanted to students to build their self-esteem.     T / F

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

  1. fierce
  2. criticism
  3. inappropriate
  4. tips
  5. role
  6. syllabus
  7. unbelievably
  8. designed
  9. profoundly
  10. self-esteem
  1. deeply
  2. unfitting / unsuitable
  3. function
  4. created
  5. strong
  6. incredibly
  7. self-respect
  8. suggestions
  9. curriculum
  10. disapproval

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. come under fierce
  2. a women's studies course it
  3. sexist
  4. unfit and inappropriate
  5. a look at how beauty is seen
  6. designed in the
  7. This is profoundly offensive
  8. stereotyping
  9. build self-
  10. We want them to analyze things
  1. esteem
  2. subjects
  3. critically
  4. by the media
  5. offered
  6. and disrespectful
  7. for women
  8. criticism on the Internet
  9. 1950's
  10. girls

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
etiquette
basics
offered
media
fierce
role
backlash
enhance

A high school in Canada has come under (1) ____________ criticism on the Internet for a women's studies course it (2) ____________ to its female students. The online (3) ____________ was because the course included what many believed to be sexist subjects that were unfit and inappropriate for women in the 21st century. These included 'polite conversation,' dinner party (4) ____________, and 'nail application skills'. There was also a subject titled: "How to (5) ____________ your style by using tips and tricks designed for your face and body shape." The course also had lessons on the (6) ____________ of web design, reproductive health, the (7) ____________ of women in history, and a look at how beauty is seen by the (8) ____________ and different cultures around the world.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
pulled
putting
critically
designed
offensive
esteem
syllabus
stereotyping

Among those who were shocked by the (9) ____________ was actress and singer Siobhan Bryn. She wrote: "This is unbelievably sexist. Women's studies is not fashion and (10) ____________ on a lunch." She asked: "Was this (11) ____________ in the 1950's? Can you get someone who knows about women's studies to design this course?" Activist Meg Fenway said: "This is profoundly (12) ____________ and disrespectful." The school has since (13) ____________ the subjects from the syllabus. A spokesman said: "I know the way it comes across looks like we're supporting (14) ____________ girls….We want to do the best by our kids. We want them to have a positive image and build self- (15) ____________. We want them to analyze things (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A high school in Canada has come ______ criticism
     a.  under farce
     b.  and a fierce
     c.  under these
     d.  under fierce

2)  sexist subjects that were unfit and ______ women
     a.  inner pro pirate for
     b.  in a pro pirate for
     c.  inner prop rate for
     d.  inappropriate for

3)  These included 'polite conversation,' dinner party etiquette, and 'nail ______'
     a.  app location skills
     b.  application skill
     c.  app locution skill
     d.  application skills

4)  There was also a subject titled: "How to enhance your style by using ______"
     a.  trips and tricks
     b.  tips and ticks
     c.  tips and tricks
     d.  trips and ticks

5)  and a look at how beauty is seen ______
     a.  buy the media
     b.  by these media
     c.  buy these media
     d.  by the media

6)  This is unbelievably sexist. Women's studies is not fashion and ______
     a.  put in on a lunch
     b.  putting on a lunch
     c.  putting on a launch
     d.  putting on the lunch

7)  Can you get someone who knows about women's studies to ______?
     a.  design this course
     b.  designs this course
     c.  design this because
     d.  design this cause

8)  The school has since pulled the subjects ______
     a.  from the syllabus
     b.  from the silly bus
     c.  from the sill a bus
     d.  from the sill abacus

9)  I know the way it comes across looks like we're supporting ______
     a.  stereotype in girls
     b.  stereotyping girls
     c.  stereo taping girls
     d.  stereo tape in girls

10)  We want them to have a positive image and build ______
     a.  self-extreme
     b.  cell-extreme
     c.  self-esteem
     d.  self a stream

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A high school in Canada (1) ___________________ fierce criticism on the Internet for a women's studies course (2) ___________________ female students. The online backlash was because the course included what many believed to be sexist subjects that (3) ___________________ inappropriate for women in the 21st century. These included 'polite conversation,' dinner (4) ___________________, and 'nail application skills'. There was also a subject titled: "How to enhance your style by using (5) ___________________ designed for your face and body shape." The course also had lessons on the basics of web design, (6) ___________________, the role of women in history, and a look at how beauty is seen by the media and different cultures around the world.

Among those who were shocked (7) ___________________ was actress and singer Siobhan Bryn. She wrote: "This is unbelievably sexist. Women's studies is not fashion and (8) ___________________." She asked: "Was this designed (9) ___________________? Can you get someone who knows about women's studies to design this course?" Activist Meg Fenway said: "This is (10) ___________________ and disrespectful." The school has since pulled the subjects from the syllabus. A spokesman said: "I know the way it comes across looks like we're supporting (11) ___________________….We want to do the best by our kids. We want them to have a positive image and (12) ___________________. We want them to analyze things critically."

Comprehension questions

    1. Where is the school that has come under criticism?
    2. What did many people call the subjects on a women's studies course?
    3. What kind of etiquette was taught on the course?
    4. What could students also learn the basics of on the course?
    5. What is taught as seen through the eyes of the media?
    6. What did the singer Siobhan Bryn say women's studies was not?
    7. What time period did she question the syllabus as being from?
    8. What has the school done to the subjects people didn't like?
    9. What did a spokesman say it looked like the school was doing to girls?
    10. What did a spokesman say the school wanted to help students build?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where is the school that has come under criticism?
a) France
b) Canada
c) Namibia
d) Taiwan

2)  What did many people call the subjects on a women's studies course?
a) appropriate
b) fitting
c) boring
d) sexist

3) What kind of etiquette was taught on the course?
a) dinner party
b) Internet
c) oral hygiene
d) business

4) What could students also learn the basics of on the course?
a) history
b) world cultures
c) web design
d) nails

5) What is taught as seen through the eyes of the media?
a) sexism
b) media
c) journalism
d) culture

6) What did the singer Siobhan Bryn say women's studies was not?
a) fashion
b) for men
c) fair
d) good

7) What time period did she question the syllabus as being from?
a) 24/7
b) 9 to 5
c) the 1950's
d) the Middle Ages

8) What has the school done to the subjects people didn't like?
a) pulled them
b) added to them
c) advertised them
d) analyzed them

9) What did a spokesman say it looked like the school was doing to girls?
a) stereotype them
b) hurting them
c) highlighting them
d) supporting them

10) What did a spokesman say the school wanted to help students build?
a) a career
b) a website
c) a new school
d) self-esteem

Role play

Role  A – Web Design

You think web design would be the best class for high school students to take. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their classes. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): guitar, dinner party etiquette or respect in relationships.

Role  B – Guitar

You think guitar would be the best class for high school students to take. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their classes. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): web design, dinner party etiquette or respect in relationships.

Role  C – Dinner Party Etiquette

You think dinner party etiquette would be the best class for high school students to take. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their classes. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): guitar, web design or respect in relationships.

Role  D – Respect in Relationships

You think respect in relationships would be the best class for high school students to take. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their classes. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why):  guitar, dinner party etiquette or web design.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'dinner'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'party'.

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

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

    • shocked
    • lunch
    • design
    • since
    • way
    • image
    • under
    • included
    • party
    • tips
    • basics
    • media

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - High school changes 'sexist' Women's Studies course

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'fierce'?
    3. What do you think of the criticism?
    4. What subjects should be in women's studies?
    5. How would someone teach 'polite conversation'?
    6. How polite is your conversation?
    7. What would you learn in a dinner party etiquette course?
    8. How useful is a course on nail application skills?
    9. What do you think of a course on enhancing your style?
    10. How sexist are the courses?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'criticism'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What three adjectives would you use to describe this story?
    5. Why did someone compare the syllabus to the 1950s?
    6. What do you think of the school for pulling the syllabus?
    7. To what degree did the course stereotype girls?
    8. What's the best way to teach kids about building self-esteem?
    9. How good are you at analyzing things critically?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the school?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A high school in Canada has come (1) ____ fierce criticism on the Internet for a women's studies course it offered to its female students. The online (2) ____ was because the course included what many believed to be sexist subjects that were (3) ____ and inappropriate for women in the 21st century. These included 'polite conversation,' dinner party (4) ____, and 'nail application skills'. There was also a subject titled: "How to enhance your style by using tips and (5) ____ designed for your face and body shape." The course also had lessons on the (6) ____ of web design, reproductive health, the role of women in history, and a look at how beauty is seen by the media and different cultures around the world.

    Among those who were shocked (7) ____ the syllabus was actress and singer Siobhan Bryn. She wrote: "This is unbelievably sexist. Women's studies is not fashion and putting (8) ____ a lunch." She asked: "Was this designed in the 1950's? Can you get someone who knows about women's studies to design this course?" Activist Meg Fenway said: "This is profoundly (9) ____ and disrespectful." The school has (10) ____ pulled the subjects from the syllabus. A spokesman said: "I know the way it comes (11) ____ looks like we're supporting stereotyping girls….We want to do the best by our kids. We want them to have a positive image and build self-(12) ____. We want them to analyze things critically."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     top     (b)     under     (c)     inside     (d)     over    
    2. (a)     lash     (b)     backlash     (c)     slash     (d)     whiplash    
    3. (a)     fitted     (b)     fittings     (c)     fitting     (d)     unfit    
    4. (a)     croquette     (b)     etiquette     (c)     briquette     (d)     coquette    
    5. (a)     ticks     (b)     tricks     (c)     tacks     (d)     tocks    
    6. (a)     basic     (b)     basically     (c)     basics     (d)     base    
    7. (a)     on     (b)     by     (c)     of     (d)     as    
    8. (a)     by     (b)     down     (c)     on     (d)     up    
    9. (a)     pensive     (b)     sieve     (c)     defensive     (d)     offensive    
    10. (a)     since     (b)     by     (c)     for     (d)     about    
    11. (a)     across     (b)     under     (c)     down     (d)     inside    
    12. (a)     stream     (b)     steam     (c)     esteem     (d)     streaming

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. come under ifecre criticism
    2. The online hbkasalc
    3. unfit and rrpipoinpeaat for women
    4. dinner party ttqiteeeu
    5. How to cnnheae your style
    6. pcioedrruvte health

    Paragraph 2

    1. shocked by the blyassul
    2. This is profoundly fesiovfen and disrespectful
    3. noiretgpyste girls
    4. have a piteivos image
    5. build slef-seeemt
    6. analyze things caiirltycl

    Put the text back together

    (    )     Among those who were shocked by the syllabus was actress and singer Siobhan Bryn. She wrote: "This is unbelievably

    (    )     enhance your style by using tips and tricks designed for your face and body shape." The course also had lessons

    (    )     pulled the subjects from the syllabus. A spokesman said: "I know the way it comes across looks like we're supporting

    (    )     on the basics of web design, reproductive health, the role of women in history, and a look at how beauty

    (    )     1950's? Can you get someone who knows about women's studies to design this

    (    )     is seen by the media and different cultures around the world.

    (    )     stereotyping girls….We want to do the best by our kids. We want them to have a positive

    (    )     sexist. Women's studies is not fashion and putting on a lunch." She asked: "Was this designed in the

    (    )     image and build self-esteem. We want them to analyze things critically."

    (    )     course?" Activist Meg Fenway said: "This is profoundly offensive and disrespectful." The school has since

    1  )     A high school in Canada has come under fierce criticism on the Internet for a women's studies course it offered

    (    )     be sexist subjects that were unfit and inappropriate for women in the 21st century. These included 'polite

    (    )     conversation,' dinner party etiquette, and 'nail application skills'. There was also a subject titled: "How to

    (    )     to its female students. The online backlash was because the course included what many believed to

    Put the words in the right order

    1. criticism   school   has   fierce   high   Canada   under   A   in   come   .
    2. be   The  what   to  subjects  included  believed  sexist  course  many   .  
    3. to   subject  .  "How   a  style"  also   your  was  enhance  titled:  There
    4. the   course  of   also   web   had   design   lessons   The   basics   on   .
    5. media   at   is   the   look   beauty   by   A   how   seen   .
    6. and   a   studies   fashion   on   Women's   not   putting   lunch   is   .
    7. Someone   studies   who   to  knows   design   about   this   women's   .
    8. has   the   the   school  pulled   from   The   since   subjects  syllabus   .
    9. want  and  a  them  esteem  build  positive  to  We  self-  image  have  .
    10. want   to   things   We   them   analyze   critically   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A high school in Canada has come under / above fierce criticism on the Internet for a women's studies course it offering / offered to its female students. The online backlash / whiplash was because the course inclusion / included what many believed to be sexist subjects that were fitting / unfit and inappropriate for women in the 21st century. These included 'polite conversation,' dinner party etiquette / epitaph, and 'nail application skills'. There was also a subject titled: "How to enhance / ensconce your style by using tips and tricksters / tricks designed for your face and body shape." The course also had lessons on the basics / basic of web design, reproductive health, the role of women in history, and a look at how beauty is looked / seen by the media and different cultures around the world.

    Among those who were shocking / shocked by the syllabus was actress and singer Siobhan Bryn. She wrote: "This is unbelievably / unbelievable sexist. Women's studies is not fashion and putting / patting on a lunch." She asked: "Was this designed in the 1950's? Can you get someone who known / knows about women's studies to design this course?" Activist Meg Fenway said: "This is profoundly / profound offensive and disrespectful." The school has since pulled / pulls the subjects from the syllabus. A spokesman said: "I know the way it comes through / across looks like we're supporting stereotyping / stereotype girls….We want to do the best as / by our kids. We want them to have a positive image and erect / build self-esteem. We want them to analyze things critically."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    _ h_gh sch__l _n C_n_d_ h_s c_m_ _nd_r f__rc_ cr_t_c_sm _n th_ _nt_rn_t f_r _ w_m_n's st_d__s c__rs_ _t _ff_r_d t_ _ts f_m_l_ st_d_nts. Th_ _nl_n_ b_ckl_sh w_s b_c__s_ th_ c__rs_ _ncl_d_d wh_t m_ny b_l__v_d t_ b_ s_x_st s_bj_cts th_t w_r_ _nf_t _nd _n_ppr_pr__t_ f_r w_m_n _n th _ 21st c_nt_ry. Th_s_ _ncl_d_d 'p_l_t_ c_nv_rs_t__n,' d_nn_r p_rty _t_q__tt_, _nd 'n__l _ppl_c_t__n sk_lls'. Th_r_ w_s _ls_ _ s_bj_ct t_tl_d: "H_w t_ _nh_nc_ y__r styl_ by _s_ng t_ps _nd tr_cks d_s_gn_d f_r y__r f_c_ _nd b_dy sh_p_." Th_ c__rs_ _ls_ h_d l_ss_ns _n th_ b_s_cs _f w_b d_s_gn, r_pr_d_ct_v_ h__lth, th_ r_l_ _f w_m_n _n h_st_ry, _nd _ l__k _t h_w b___ty _s s__n by th_ m_d__ _nd d_ff_r_nt c_lt_r_s _r__nd th_ w_rld.

    _m_ng th_s_ wh_ w_r_ sh_ck_d by th_ syll_b_s w_s _ctr_ss _nd s_ng_r S__bh_n Bryn. Sh_ wr_t_: "Th_s _s _nb_l__v_bly s_x_st. W_m_n's st_d__s _s n_t f_sh__n _nd p_tt_ng _n _ l_nch." Sh_ _sk_d: "W_s th_s d_s_gn_d _n th_ 1950's? C_n y__ g_t s_m__n_ wh_ kn_ws _b__t w_m_n's st_d__s t_ d_s_gn th_s c__rs_?" _ct_v_st M_g F_nw_y s__d: "Th_s _s pr_f__ndly _ff_ns_v_ _nd d_sr_sp_ctf_l." Th_ sch__l h_s s_nc_ p_ll_d th_ s_bj_cts fr_m th_ syll_b_s. _ sp_k_sm_n s__d: "_ kn_w th_ w_y _t c_m_s _cr_ss l__ks l_k_ w_'r_ s_pp_rt_ng st_r__typ_ng g_rls….W_ w_nt t_ d_ th_ b_st by __r k_ds. W_ w_nt th_m t_ h_v_ _ p_s_t_v_ _m_g_ _nd b__ld s_lf-_st__m. W_ w_nt th_m t_ _n_lyz_ th_ngs cr_t_c_lly."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a high school in canada has come under fierce criticism on the internet for a women's studies course it offered to its female students the online backlash was because the course included what many believed to be sexist subjects that were unfit and inappropriate for women in the 21st century these included 'polite conversation' dinner party etiquette and 'nail application skills' there was also a subject titled "how to enhance your style by using tips and tricks designed for your face and body shape" the course also had lessons on the basics of web design reproductive health the role of women in history and a look at how beauty is seen by the media and different cultures around the world

    among those who were shocked by the syllabus was actress and singer siobhan bryn she wrote "this is unbelievably sexist women's studies is not fashion and putting on a lunch" she asked "was this designed in the 1950's can you get someone who knows about women's studies to design this course" activist meg fenway said "this is profoundly offensive and disrespectful" the school has since pulled the subjects from the syllabus a spokesman said "i know the way it comes across looks like we're supporting stereotyping girls…we want to do the best by our kids we want them to have a positive image and build self-esteem we want them to analyze things critically"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AhighschoolinCanadahascomeunderfiercecriticismontheInternetfor
    awomen'sstudiescourseitofferedtoitsfemalestudents.Theonlinebac
    klashwasbecausethecourseincludedwhatmanybelievedtobesexists
    ubjectsthatwereunfitandinappropriateforwomeninthe21stcentury.The
    seincluded'politeconversation,'dinnerpartyetiquette,and'nailapplic
    ationskills'.Therewasalsoasubjecttitled:"Howtoenhanceyourstyleby
    usingtipsandtricksdesignedforyourfaceandbodyshape".Thecourseal
    sohadlessonsonthebasicsofwebdesign,reproductivehealth,theroleo
    fwomeninhistory,andalookathowbeautyisseenbythemediaanddiffer
    entculturesaroundtheworld.Amongthosewhowereshockedbythesyll
    abuswasactressandsingerSiobhanBryn.Shewrote:"Thisisunbelieva
    blysexist.Women'sstudiesisnotfashionandputtingonalunch."Sheask
    ed:"Wasthisdesignedinthe1950's?Canyougetsomeonewhoknowsab
    outwomen'sstudiestodesignthiscourse?"ActivistMegFenwaysaid:"T
    hisisprofoundlyoffensiveanddisrespectful."Theschoolhassincepulle
    dthesubjectsfromthesyllabus.Aspokesmansaid:"Iknowthewayitco
    mesacrosslookslikewe'resupportingstereotypinggirls….Wewanttod
    othebestbyourkids.Wewantthemtohaveapositiveimageandbuildself
    -esteem.Wewantthemtoanalyzethingscritically."

    Free writing

    Write about women's studies for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    What three things will help reduce sexism in society? Will these things happen?

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    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. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. WOMEN'S STUDIES: Make a poster about women's studies. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. ETIQUETTE: Write a magazine article about the need to teach dinner party etiquette at high school. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on women's studies. Ask him/her three questions about the subject. Give him/her three of your ideas on the most important subjects that should be on the syllabus. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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