Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Spain's Population

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* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(200 - 500 wpm)

* Gap-fill

Economic woes shrink Spain's population (24th April, 2013)

Spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost on all sectors of society. The middle class in particular is suffering badly. The capital, Madrid, is seeing increasing numbers of university-educated and professional people sleeping rough. Samur, a charity for the homeless, said 25 per cent of those sleeping on the streets completed some kind of higher education. It also revealed that over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a result of losing their job. The charity also reports that homelessness has not dented enterprise. Many of those who lost their regular work are trying to make ends meet by collecting and selling scrap metal, becoming street artists or putting their musical skills to good use by busking.

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22251840
http://www.thelocal.es/page/view/expat-goodbyes-bring-down-spanish-population#.UXX-6YLqPc9
http://www.thelocal.es/page/view/homeless-crisis-hits-spains-educated-elite#.UXX_e4LqPc8

WARM-UPS

1. THE ECONOMY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the economy. Change partners often and share your findings.

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

economic problems / shrinking population / statistics / unemployment / skilled workers / woes / middle class / university-educated / charity / homeless / enterprise / busking

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

3. ECONOMIC WOES: How do we reduce them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Woe	In your country	How to improve it
Unemployment
Inflation
Budget deficit
Recession
Endless strikes
No investment

4. GOOD TIMES: Students A strongly believe all countries will prosper economically in the future; Students B strongly believe there will always be economic downturns. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. ATTRACTIVE: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most attractive country to work in at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Spain
Bhutan
Canada
China

Ireland
Japan
Brazil
Madagascar

6. POPULATION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'population'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	Spain's population shrank to the year ending March 1st.	T / F
b.	There population decreased by just over a quarter of a million.	T / F
c.	One reason for the decline is a collapse of the property market.	T / F
d.	Many skilled and qualified Spaniards have left Spain.	T / F
e.	Spain's middle class is going through hard times.	T / F
f.	A quarter of those sleeping on Madrid's streets are well educated.	T / F
g.	A half of Madrid's homeless recently lost their jobs.	T / F
h.	Many musicians are now selling scrap metal.	T / F

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

1.	increasing	a.	survive
2.	registered	b.	parts
3.	fleeing	c.	specialist
4.	pool	d.	weakened
5.	expert	e.	official
6.	sectors	f.	initiative
7.	revealed	g.	reserve
8.	dented	h.	escalating
9.	enterprise	i.	made known
10.	make ends meet	j.	escaping from

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

1.	fleeing the country amid	a.	rise
2.	a sharp	b.	pace
3.	brain	c.	of society
4.	picking up	d.	ends meet
5.	Spain is less attractive	e.	high unemployment
6.	all sectors	f.	dented enterprise
7.	people sleeping	g.	the streets
8.	sleeping on	h.	because there are no jobs
9.	homelessness has not	i.	rough
10.	trying to make	j.	drain

GAP FILL

Spain's increasing economic problems have (1) ____________ to a shrinking population. The country's National Statistics Institute stated that in the year to February 1st, Spain's total (2) ____________ population fell by 205,788. Analysts attribute much of this (3) ____________ to immigrants fleeing the country (4) ____________ high unemployment and the bursting of the property bubble. There was also a (5) ____________ rise in the number of Spaniards leaving the country in search of work abroad. This brain (6) ____________ represents a fall in the pool of qualified and skilled workers in the event of the economy picking up (7) ____________ again. Albert Esteve, a demographics expert, explained why people are leaving, saying: "Spain is less (8) ____________ because there are no jobs."

decline
attractive
sharp
led
pace
registered
amid
drain

Spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost on all (9) ____________ of society. The middle class in particular is suffering (10) ____________. The capital, Madrid, is seeing increasing numbers of university-educated and professional people sleeping (11) ____________. Samur, a charity for the homeless, said 25 per cent of those sleeping on the streets completed some (12) ____________ of higher education. It also revealed that over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a (13) ____________ of losing their job. The charity also reports that homelessness has not (14) ____________ enterprise. Many of those who lost their regular work are trying to make ends (15) ____________ by collecting and selling scrap metal, becoming street artists or putting their musical skills to good (16) ____________ by busking.

dented
rough
meet
kind
sectors
use
badly
result

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Spain's increasing economic problems ______ shrinking population
	a. has led to a b. have led to a c. have led too a d. have led tour
2)	immigrants ______ the country ______ high unemployment
	a. flea in / amid b. fleeing / a mild c. fleeing / amid d. fleeing / a mid-
3)	This brain drain represents ______ of qualified and skilled workers
	a. a pool in the fall b. a fall on the pool c. a pool on the full d. a fall in the pool
4)	in the event of the economy picking ______
	a. upper ace again b. up ace again c. up pays again d. up pace again
5)	Spain is ______ because there are no jobs
	a. lesser attractive b. less attractive c. less attractiveness d. less attractively
6)	Spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost ______ society
	a. on all sectors for b. on mall sectors of c. on all sectors of d. on all sectors off
7)	The middle class in particular ______
	a. is suffering badly b. are suffering badly c. is suffer in badly d. is suffering bad
8)	It also ______ over 40 per cent of them are homeless
	a. revelled that b. revealed that c. relieved that d. relived that
9)	Many of those who lost their regular work are trying to ______
	a. make ends meet b. make end meet c. make ends meat d. make endings meet
10)	putting their musical skills to good ______ busking
	a. use by b. uses by c. used by d. useful by

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Spain's increasing economic (1) _________________________ shrinking population. The country's National Statistics Institute stated that in the year to February 1st, Spain's (2) ______________________ fell by 205,788. Analysts attribute much of this (3) ______________________ fleeing the country amid high unemployment and the bursting of the property bubble. There was also a sharp rise in the number of Spaniards leaving the country in search of work abroad. This (4) ______________________ fall in the (5) ______________________ workers in the event of the economy picking up pace again. Albert Esteve, (6) ______________________, explained why people are leaving, saying: "Spain is less attractive because there are no jobs."

Spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost on all sectors of society. The (7) ______________________ is suffering badly. The capital, Madrid, is seeing increasing numbers of university-educated and professional people sleeping rough. Samur, (8) ______________________, said 25 per cent of those sleeping on the (9) ______________________ of higher education. It also revealed that over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a (10) ______________________. The charity also reports that homelessness has not dented enterprise. Many of those (11) ______________________ are trying to make ends meet by collecting and selling scrap metal, becoming street artists or (12) ______________________ to good use by busking.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Which institute told of Spain's falling population?
2.	What is the main reason for the fall?
3.	What was there also a big increase in?
4.	How did the article describe a "brain drain"?
5.	Why did someone say Spain was less attractive?
6.	Which sector of society in particular is going through hard times?
7.	Where are well-educated people sleeping?
8.	What does the figure of 40% refer to?
9.	What has being homeless not diminished?
10.	What are some homeless trading in?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Which institute told of Spain's falling population?	6.	Which sector of society in particular is going through hard times?
	a) the Institute of Population Woes b) the National Statistics Institute c) the Institute of Economic Affairs d) the Population Institute		a) the royal family b) musicians c) the middle class d) bankers
2.	What is the main reason for the fall?	7.	Where are well-educated people sleeping?
	a) boredom b) austerity measures c) no housing d) immigrants leaving Spain		a) in small hotels b) at friends' houses c) in shelters d) on the streets
3.	What was there also a big increase in?	8.	What does the figure of 40% refer to?
	a) Spanish people going overseas b) the population of Madrid c) inflation d) the cost of an entry visa to Spain		a) homeless who lost their job b) predicted inflation rates c) the chance of people finding a job d) the percentage of Americans who left
4.	How did the article describe a "brain drain"?	9.	What has being homeless not diminished?
	a) a lack of ideas b) a serious threat to mental health c) a drop in available educated / able people d) headaches caused by tiredness		a) enterprise b) a love of food c) a passion for football d) patriotism
5.	Why did someone say Spain was less attractive?	10.	What are some homeless trading in?
	a) it's winter b) there is no work c) prices are so high d) it has become more dangerous		a) stocks and shares b) unwanted metal c) stamps d) part-time jobs

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Spain's leader

You are not worried by the fall in population. Tell the others three reasons why. You have tried to make Spain's economy good but the whole world is suffering. Things will get better soon. Tell the others three reasons why.

Role B – Head of IMF

You blame Spain's government for its current economic woes. Tell the others three reasons why. You think it could be decades before Spain recovers. Tell the leader (s)he must call an election to allow fresh ideas.

Role C – Unemployed person

You are fed up with Spain's leaders. Tell the others three reasons why. You had a very successful career but the poor economy means you now sleep on the streets. Tell your country's leader three things (s)he must do.

Role D – Business person

You think the leader is doing a good job. Without him/her, the economy would be worse. It's not the leader's fault. Tell the others three reasons why. A new leader would only make things worse. If people want to work, they must try harder.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

economic

problem

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:

led
fell
amid
sharp
pool
less

huge
badly
rough
result
regular
use

THE ECONOMY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about the economy 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

THE ECONOMY DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'woe'?
c)	What economic woes does your country have?
d)	Is a shrinking population a good or bad thing?
e)	How have immigrants changed the population of your country?
f)	What problems arise from high unemployment?
g)	What is a property bubble and what happens when it bursts?
h)	What's a brain drain and why is it bad?
i)	How qualified and skilled are you?
j)	Do you think Spain is an attractive place to work? Why?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Why are so many countries experiencing economic woes?
c)	Why do you think the middle class is suffering so badly?
d)	Is a university degree good enough to get a good job in your country?
e)	What do you think it's like to have no job and to sleep rough?
f)	How can Spain recover?
g)	How full of enterprise are you?
h)	What measure should your country take to improve its economy?
i)	How would you make ends meet if you were jobless and homeless?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Spain's president?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

Spain's increasing economic problems have led to a shrinking population. The country's National Statistics Institute stated that in the year (1) ____ February 1st, Spain's total registered population fell by 205,788. Analysts (2) ____ much of this decline to immigrants (3) ____ the country amid high unemployment and the bursting of the property bubble. There was also a (4) ____ rise in the number of Spaniards leaving the country in search of work abroad. This brain drain represents a fall in the (5) ____ of qualified and skilled workers in the event of the economy picking up pace again. Albert Esteve, a (6) ____ expert, explained why people are leaving, saying: "Spain is less attractive because there are no jobs."

Spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost on all (7) ____ of society. The middle class in particular is suffering badly. The capital, Madrid, is seeing increasing numbers of university-educated and professional people sleeping (8) ____. Samur, a charity for the homeless, said 25 per cent of (9) ____ sleeping on the streets completed some kind of higher education. It also revealed that over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a result (10) ____ losing their job. The charity also reports that homelessness has not (11) ____ enterprise. Many of those who lost their regular work are trying to make ends meet by collecting and selling scrap metal, becoming street artists or putting their musical skills to good (12) ____ by busking.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	in	(b)	up	(c)	of	(d)	to
2.	(a)	reprobate	(b)	tribute	(c)	approbate	(d)	attribute
3.	(a)	fleas	(b)	fleeing	(c)	flees	(d)	flying
4.	(a)	blunt	(b)	razor	(c)	sharp	(d)	pointy
5.	(a)	pool	(b)	den	(c)	pen	(d)	field
6.	(a)	demographics	(b)	reprographics	(c)	infographics	(d)	geographics
7.	(a)	hectors	(b)	rectors	(c)	vectors	(d)	sectors
8.	(a)	rough	(b)	untidily	(c)	restlessly	(d)	soundly
9.	(a)	them	(b)	those	(c)	these	(d)	they
10.	(a)	for	(b)	as	(c)	of	(d)	on
11.	(a)	vented	(b)	rented	(c)	dented	(d)	tented
12.	(a)	operation	(b)	use	(c)	service	(d)	sense

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	National Statistics instetItu
2.	tietbtrua much of this decline
3.	tsuingbr of the property bubble
4.	audfqieli and skilled workers
5.	a eidsprocagmh expert
6.	less traettvaci
Paragraph 2
7.	all srcotes of society
8.	in ulaartcirp
9.	inssoplfoera people
10.	sleeping urgho
11.	also advleere
12.	homelessness has not dented einretpers

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	reports that homelessness has not dented enterprise. Many of those who lost their regular work are trying to make ends
( )	of the property bubble. There was also a sharp rise in the number of Spaniards leaving
( )	by 205,788. Analysts attribute much of this decline to immigrants fleeing the country amid high unemployment and the bursting
( )	people are leaving, saying: "Spain is less attractive because there are no jobs."
( )	Institute stated that in the year to February 1st, Spain's total registered population fell
( )	Spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost on all sectors of society. The middle class
( )	educated and professional people sleeping rough. Samur, a charity for the homeless, said 25 per cent of
( )	the economy picking up pace again. Albert Esteve, a demographics expert, explained why
( )	meet by collecting and selling scrap metal, becoming street artists or putting their musical skills to good use by busking.
( )	in particular is suffering badly. The capital, Madrid, is seeing increasing numbers of university-
( )	the country in search of work abroad. This brain drain represents a fall in the pool of qualified and skilled workers in the event of
( )	over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a result of losing their job. The charity also
( )	those sleeping on the streets completed some kind of higher education. It also revealed that
( 1 )	Spain's increasing economic problems have led to a shrinking population. The country's National Statistics

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	total fell Spain's population 205,788 registered by.
2.	fleeing Immigrants unemployment high amid country the.
3.	in the pool of qualified and skilled workers A fall.
4.	of the economy picking up pace again In the event.
5.	is because no Spain attractive are less there jobs.
6.	of society Putting a huge social cost on all sectors.
7.	particular The is middle suffering class badly in.
8.	homeless are 40% job their losing of result a as.
9.	enterprise dented not has homelessness that Reports.
10.	by good Putting busking skills their use to musical.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Spain's increasing economic problems have led to a shrinking population. The country's National Statistics Institute instituted / stated that in the year to / of February 1st, Spain's total registered / registry population fell by 205,788. Analysts contribute / attribute much of this decline to / of immigrants fleeing the country amid / midst high unemployment and the bursting of the property bubble. There was also a blunt / sharp rise in the number of Spaniards leaving the country in / on search of work abroad. This brain drain represents a fall in the pool / fool of qualified and skilled workers in the event of the economy picking up pace again. Albert Esteve, a demographics expert, explained why people are leaving, saying: "Spain is less / lesser attractive because there are no jobs."

Spain's economic foes / woes are putting a huge social cost on all sectors of society. The middle class on / in particular is suffering badly. The capital, Madrid, is seeing / seen increasing numbers of university-educated and professional people sleeping smooth / rough. Samur, a charity for the homeless, said 25 per cent of them / those sleeping on the streets completed some / any kind of higher education. It also revealed / revelled that over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a result for / of losing their job. The charity also reports that homelessness has not vented / dented enterprise. Many of those who lost their regular work are trying to make ends meet by collecting and selling scrap metal, becoming street artists or putting their musical skills to / of good use by busking.

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)

Sp__n's _ncr__s_ng _c_n_m_c pr_bl_ms h_v_ l_d t_ _ shr_nk_ng p_p_l_t__n. Th_ c__ntry's N_t__n_l St_t_st_cs _nst_t_t_ st_t_d th_t _n th_ y__r t_ F_br__ry 1st, Sp__n's t_t_l r_g_st_r_d p_p_l_t__n f_ll by 205,788. _n_lysts _ttr_b_t_ m_ch _f th_s d_cl_n_ t_ _mm_gr_nts fl___ng th_ c__ntry _m_d h_gh _n_mpl_ym_nt _nd th_ b_rst_ng _f th_ pr_p_rty b_bbl_. Th_r_ w_s _ls_ _ sh_rp r_s_ _n th_ n_mb_r _f Sp_n__rds l__v_ng th_ c__ntry _n s__rch _f w_rk _br__d. Th_s br__n dr__n r_pr_s_nts _ f_ll _n th_ p__l _f q__l_f__d _nd sk_ll_d w_rk_rs _n th_ _v_nt _f th_ _c_n_my p_ck_ng _p p_c_ _g__n. _lb_rt _st_v_, _ d_m_gr_ph_cs _xp_rt, _xpl__n_d why p__pl_ _r_ l__v_ng, s_y_ng: "Sp__n _s l_ss _ttr_ct_v_ b_c__s_ th_r_ _r_ n_ j_bs."

Sp__n's _c_n_m_c w__s _r_ p_tt_ng _ h_g_ s_c__l c_st _n _ll s_ct_rs _f s_c__ty. Th_ m_ddl_ cl_ss _n p_rt_c_l_r _s s_ff_r_ng b_dly. Th_ c_p_t_l, M_dr_d, _s s___ng _ncr__s_ng n_mb_rs _f _n_v_rs_ty-_d_c_t_d _nd pr_f_ss__n_l p__pl_ sl__p_ng r__gh. S_m_r, _ ch_r_ty f_r th_ h_m_l_ss, s__d 25 p_r c_nt _f th_s_ sl__p_ng _n th_ str__ts c_mpl_t_d s_m_ k_nd _f h_gh_r _d_c_t__n. _t _ls_ r_v__l_d th_t _v_r 40 p_r c_nt _f th_m _r_ h_m_l_ss _s _ r_s_lt _f l_s_ng th__r j_b. Th_ ch_r_ty _ls_ r_p_rts th_t h_m_l_ssn_ss h_s n_t d_nt_d _nt_rpr_s_. M_ny _f th_s_ wh_ l_st th__r r_g_l_r w_rk _r_ try_ng t_ m_k_ _nds m__t by c_ll_ct_ng _nd s_ll_ng scr_p m_t_l, b_c_m_ng str__t _rt_sts _r p_tt_ng th__r m_s_c_l sk_lls t_ g__d _s_ by b_sk_ng.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

spain's increasing economic problems have led to a shrinking population the country's national statistics institute stated that in the year to february 1st spain's total registered population fell by 205788 analysts attribute much of this decline to immigrants fleeing the country amid high unemployment and the bursting of the property bubble there was also a sharp rise in the number of spaniards leaving the country in search of work abroad this brain drain represents a fall in the pool of qualified and skilled workers in the event of the economy picking up pace again albert esteve a demographics expert explained why people are leaving saying "spain is less attractive because there are no jobs"

spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost on all sectors of society the middle class in particular is suffering badly the capital madrid is seeing increasing numbers of university-educated and professional people sleeping rough samur a charity for the homeless said 25 per cent of those sleeping on the streets completed some kind of higher education it also revealed that over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a result of losing their job the charity also reports that homelessness has not dented enterprise many of those who lost their regular work are trying to make ends meet by collecting and selling scrap metal becoming street artists or putting their musical skills to good use by busking

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Spain'sincreasingeconomicproblemshaveledtoashrinkingpopulation.The
country'sNationalStatisticsInstitutestatedthatintheyeartoFebruary1st,Spain's
totalregisteredpopulationfellby205,788.Analystsattributemuchofthisdecline
toimmigrantsfleeingthecountryamidhighunemploymentandtheburstingofthe
propertybubble.TherewasalsoasharpriseinthenumberofSpaniardsleavingthe
countryinsearchofworkabroad.Thisbraindrainrepresentsafallinthepoolof
qualifiedandskilledworkersintheeventoftheeconomypickinguppaceagain.Albert
Esteve,ademographicsexpert,explainedwhypeopleareleaving,saying:"Spain
islessattractivebecausetherearenojobs."Spain'seconomicwoesareputtingahuge
socialcostonallsectorsofsociety.Themiddleclassinparticularissufferingbadly.The
capital,Madrid,isseeingincreasingnumbersofuniversity-educatedand
professionalpeoplesleepingrough.Samur,acharityforthehomeless,said25
percentofthosesleepingonthestreetscompletedsomekindofhighereducation.
Italsorevealedthatover40percentofthemarehomelessasaresultoflosingtheir
job.Thecharityalsoreportsthathomelessnesshasnotdentedenterprise.Many
ofthosewholosttheirregularworkaretryingtomakeendsmeetbycollectingand
sellingscrapmetal,becomingstreetartistsorputtingtheirmusicalskillstogood
usebybusking.

FREE WRITING

Write about the economy for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

The key to economic recovery is higher taxes and increased government spending. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 the economy. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. THE ECONOMY: Make a poster about the economy and how to improve it. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. POPULATION: Write a magazine article about the population of your country. Include imaginary interviews with immigrants. Question them on the good and bad things about living in your country.

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 the person in charge of your economy. Ask him/her three questions about your economy. Give him/her three ideas on how to make things better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	increasing	a.	escalating
2.	registered	b.	official
3.	fleeing	c.	escaping from
4.	pool	d.	reserve
5.	expert	e.	specialist
6.	sectors	f.	parts
7.	revealed	g.	made known
8.	dented	h.	weakened
9.	enterprise	i.	initiative
10.	make ends meet	j.	survive

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The country's National Statistics Institute
2.	Immigrants fleeing the country
3.	The number of Spaniards leaving the country
4.	A fall in the pool of qualified and skilled workers
5.	Because there are no jobs.
6.	The middle class
7.	On the streets
8.	The number of homeless that lost their job
9.	Enterprise
10.	Scrap metal

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

10.

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson (40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation - (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading (200 - 500 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI
lesson (PDF)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(200 - 500 wpm)