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Turkey court says Twitter helps free speech (5th April, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

A court in Turkey has said the country's Twitter ban prevents free speech. It said that blocking Twitter takes away people's right to express themselves freely. The Turkish government blocked Twitter on March the 21st. The Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, was angry because someone posted audio files of his close advisors just days before the country's elections. The files revealed details of possible corruption in Turkey that could be embarrassing for the government. Mr Erdogan is a big critic of social networks. As well as blocking Twitter, he also ordered the blocking of YouTube for a while. He said in an election campaign speech: "We will wipe out Twitter. I don't care what the international community says."

The Twitter ban did not work as Mr Erdogan wanted it to. Turks found many ways to get on Twitter without using the normal channels. Internet companies say there was a surge in tweets after the ban but usage is down to half of what it was before. Many Turks are furious with the government for banning Twitter. They are determined to make sure they can access the micro-blogging site. The court agreed with the people. It said: "Everyone has the right to express and [share] his/her thoughts and opinions by speech, in writing, in pictures or through other media." Twitter was happy with the court's announcement. Its global public policy team tweeted: "We hope to have Twitter access restored in Turkey soon."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/04/03/turkey-twitter-idINL5N0MV0YA20140403
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/constitutional-court-orders-authorities-to-unblock-twitter.aspx?PageID=238&NID=64481&NewsCatID=339
http://www.cnet.com/news/court-deems-turkeys-twitter-ban-unconstitutional/

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 :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. FREE SPEECH: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about free speech. 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.

court / free speech / angry / audio files / corruption / critic / election / speech / care / normal / channels / Internet companies / blogging / opinions / announcement

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

3. SITES: How good are these? Give them a score from 1 (terrible) to 10 (great) Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Score	Why?	Best things	Worst things
Twitter
Google
Facebook
YouTube
Wikipedia
Amazon

4. BAN: Students A strongly believe no site should ever be banned; Students B strongly believe many sites should be banned. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. INTERNET: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that need improving at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• speed

• price

• wi-fi access

• content

• translation

• password technology

• security

• ease of use

6. EXPRESS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "express". 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.	A Turkish court turned Twitter off in Turkey on March 21.	T / F
b.	The Turkish prime minister was unhappy people put his photos online.	T / F
c.	The Turkish prime minister is not a big fan of social media websites.	T / F
d.	The prime minister doesn't care how other countries view him.	T / F
e.	The PM is very happy with the way the ban is going.	T / F
f.	Twitter use is higher today than it was before the ban.	T / F
g.	The court said people should be free to put their opinions online.	T / F
h.	Twitter was pleased with what the court said.	T / F

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

1.	prevents	a.	uploaded
2.	freely	b.	fixed on
3.	posted	c.	usual
4.	embarrassing	d.	openly
5.	wipe out	e.	increase
6.	normal	f.	destroy
7.	surge	g.	stops
8.	determined	h.	put back
9.	opinions	i.	uncomfortable
10.	restored	j.	views

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

1.	takes away people's right	a.	restored in Turkey soon
2.	The files revealed details of possible	b.	the micro-blogging site
3.	a big critic	c.	out Twitter
4.	We will wipe	d.	thoughts and opinions
5.	I don't care what the international	e.	to express themselves
6.	there was a surge	f.	for banning Twitter
7.	Turks are furious with the government	g.	corruption
8.	make sure they can access	h.	community says
9.	express and share his/her	i.	in tweets after the ban
10.	We hope to have Twitter access	j.	of social networks

GAP FILL

A court in Turkey has said the country's Twitter ban prevents free speech. It said that blocking Twitter takes away people's (1) ____________ to express themselves (2) ____________. The Turkish government blocked Twitter on March the 21st. The Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, was angry because someone posted (3) ____________ files of his close advisors just days before the country's elections. The files revealed details of (4) ____________ corruption in Turkey that could be embarrassing for the government. Mr Erdogan is a big (5) ____________ of social networks. As well as blocking Twitter, he also ordered the blocking of YouTube for a (6) ____________. He said in an election campaign speech: "We will (7) ____________ out Twitter. I don't care what the international community (8) ____________."

critic
wipe
audio
says
right
while
freely
possible

The Twitter ban did not work as Mr Erdogan wanted it to. Turks found many (9) ____________ to get on Twitter without using the normal channels. Internet companies say there was a (10) ____________ in tweets after the ban but usage is down to (11) ____________ of what it was before. Many Turks are (12) ____________ with the government for banning Twitter. They are determined to make sure they can access the micro-blogging site. The court (13) ____________ with the people. It said: "Everyone has the right to express and [share] his/her thoughts and (14) ____________ by speech, in writing, in pictures or through other media." Twitter was (15) ____________ with the court's announcement. Its global public policy team tweeted: "We hope to have Twitter (16) ____________ restored in Turkey soon."

access
half
opinions
furious
ways
happy
surge
agreed

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	It said that blocking Twitter takes away people's right to express ______
	a. themself freely b. them shelves freely c. themselves freely d. them self freely
2)	angry because someone posted audio files of ______
	a. his close advisors b. his close advises c. his close advise d. his close advice is
3)	The files revealed details of possible ______
	a. corrupt on in Turkey b. corrupting in Turkey c. corrupted in Turkey d. collaboration in Turkey
4)	Mr Erdogan is a big critic ______
	a. of socials networks b. of socially networks c. of socialise networks d. of social networks
5)	I don't care what the international ______
	a. commune tea says b. commune a tee says c. community says d. communities say
6)	Turks found many ways to get on Twitter without using ______
	a. the normally channels b. the normalcy channels c. the norm all channels d. the normal channels
7)	Internet companies say there was ______
	a. a splurge in tweets b. a surge in tweets c. a surged in tweets d. a surging tweets
8)	They are determined to make sure they can access ______
	a. the macro-blogging site b. the micro-blogging site c. the micro-blog in site d. the my-crow-blogging site
9)	Twitter was happy with the ______
	a. court's announcement b. courts announcement c. courts' announcement d. court is announcement
10)	We hope to have Twitter access restored ______
	a. in Turkey soon b. in Turkey soonish c. in Turkey sooner d. in Turkey soonest

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A court in Turkey has said the country's Twitter (1) ___________________. It said that blocking Twitter (2) ___________________ to express themselves freely. The Turkish government blocked Twitter on March the 21st. The Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, was angry because someone posted (3) ___________________ close advisors just days before the country's elections. The (4) ___________________ of possible corruption in Turkey that could be embarrassing for the government. Mr Erdogan is a big (5) ___________________. As well as blocking Twitter, he also ordered the blocking of YouTube for a while. He said in an election campaign speech: "We will wipe out Twitter. I (6) ___________________ the international community says."

The Twitter ban did not work as Mr Erdogan wanted it to. Turks found many (7) ___________________ Twitter without using the normal channels. Internet companies say (8) ___________________ in tweets after the ban but usage is down to half of what it was before. Many Turks are furious with the government for banning Twitter. They (9) ___________________ make sure they can access the micro-blogging site. The court agreed with the people. It said: "Everyone (10) ___________________ express and [share] his/her thoughts (11) ___________________, in writing, in pictures or through other media." Twitter was happy with the court's announcement. Its (12) ___________________ team tweeted: "We hope to have Twitter access restored in Turkey soon."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What did the Turkish court say Twitter takes away?
2.	What kind of files was the Turkish prime minister angry about?
3.	What is the prime minister a critic of?
4.	Which other website did Mr Erdogan ban for a short time?
5.	Who did Mr Erdogan say he didn't care about?
6.	What did Turks not use to get on Twitter?
7.	What happened to the number of tweets right after the ban?
8.	Who did the court agree with?
9.	Who was happy with the court's announcement?
10.	When does Twitter hope access to its site will return to Turkey?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What did the Turkish court say Twitter takes away?	6.	What did Turks not use to get on Twitter?
	a) a lot of money b) freedom of speech c) information d) Internet space		a) normal channels b) wi-fi c) mobile phones d) the Internet
2.	What kind of files was the Turkish prime minister angry about?	7.	What happened to the number of tweets right after the ban?
	a) video files b) password-protected files c) audio files d) pictures		a) they stopped b) they stayed the same c) the went down d) they went up
3.	What is the prime minister a critic of?	8.	Who did the court agree with?
	a) himself b) the Internet c) Turkey's government d) social networking		a) the prime minister b) Mehmet Topal c) the people d) Twitter
4.	Which other website did Mr Erdogan ban for a short time?	9.	Who was happy with the court's announcement?
	a) Facebook b) YouTube c) Google Turkey d) BBC		a) Mehmet Topal b) Tayyip Erdogan c) a 99-year-old Turkish tweeter d) Twitter
5.	Who did Mr Erdogan say he didn't care about?	10.	When does Twitter hope access to its site will return to Turkey?
	a) the international community b) Internet users c) himself d) Twitter		a) yesterday b) soon c) in a day or two d) before the end of the month

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Speed

You think speed is the most important for the Internet. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): wi-fi access, good content or security.

Role B – Wi-fi access

You think wi-fi access is the most important for the Internet. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): speed, good content or security.

Role C – Good content

You think good content is the most important for the Internet. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): wi-fi access, speed or security.

Role D – Security

You think security is the most important for the Internet. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so important about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): wi-fi access, good content or speed.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

free

speech

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:

prevents
freely
close
details
while
care

ways
surge
half
agreed
opinions
access

FREE SPEECH SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about free speech 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.

FREE SPEECH 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 term 'free speech'?
c)	Why do some countries dislike Twitter?
d)	Is it OK for a country to block Twitter?
e)	What would you do if you had no access to social networking sites?
f)	Can people say anything they want on Twitter?
g)	What do you think of Turkey's prime minister blocking Twitter?
h)	What technology things are you a big critic of?
i)	Is it possible to "wipe out" Twitter?
j)	How important do you think free speech is?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	How can people get on Twitter if the country has blocked it?
c)	What kind of sites is it OK for a country to block?
d)	What would life be like without the Internet?
e)	How important are sites like Twitter and Facebook?
f)	What do you think Turkey's government will do about Twitter?
g)	Do you think the ban has helped Turkey's leader?
h)	Are 140 characters enough to say what you want to say?
i)	Is it important for you to express your opinions online?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Turkey's leader?

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.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A court in Turkey has said the country's Twitter ban (1) ____ free speech. It said that blocking Twitter takes away people's right to express themselves freely. The Turkish government blocked Twitter on March the 21st. The Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, was (2) ____ because someone posted audio files of his (3) ____ advisors just days before the country's elections. The files revealed details of possible corruption in Turkey that could be embarrassing (4) ____ the government. Mr Erdogan is a big (5) ____ of social networks. As well as blocking Twitter, he also ordered the blocking of YouTube for a while. He said in an election campaign speech: "We will (6) ____ out Twitter. I don't care what the international community says."

The Twitter ban did not work as Mr Erdogan wanted it to. Turks found many ways to get on Twitter without (7) ____ the normal channels. Internet companies say there was a surge in tweets after the ban but usage is (8) ____ to half of what it was before. Many Turks are furious with the government for banning Twitter. They are determined to make sure they can (9) ____ the micro-blogging site. The court agreed with the people. It said: "Everyone has the right to express and [share] his/her thoughts and (10) ____ by speech, in writing, in pictures or through other (11) ____." Twitter was happy with the court's announcement. Its global public policy team tweeted: "We hope to have Twitter access restored in Turkey (12) ____."

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

1.	(a)	preventable	(b)	preventative	(c)	prevents	(d)	preventing
2.	(a)	angry	(b)	angrily	(c)	angers	(d)	anger
3.	(a)	far	(b)	close	(c)	mid-range	(d)	viewable
4.	(a)	to	(b)	at	(c)	by	(d)	for
5.	(a)	creature	(b)	cryptic	(c)	critic	(d)	critter
6.	(a)	dust	(b)	wipe	(c)	mop	(d)	polish
7.	(a)	using	(b)	downloading	(c)	tuning	(d)	turning
8.	(a)	under	(b)	decrease	(c)	level	(d)	down
9.	(a)	recess	(b)	excess	(c)	access	(d)	success
10.	(a)	idioms	(b)	phrases	(c)	quoted	(d)	opinions
11.	(a)	canvases	(b)	media	(c)	pamphlets	(d)	pens
12.	(a)	soon	(b)	immediate	(c)	present	(d)	moment

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the country's Twitter ban ptrvnees free speech
2.	people's right to srpsxee themselves freely
3.	adoiu files
4.	days before the country's enictsloe
5.	details of possible ricpotonur
6.	nacmipga speech
Paragraph 2
7.	without using the normal lanhcens
8.	there was a regsu in tweets
9.	Turks are soruufi with the government
10.	thoughts and pooinisn
11.	Twitter was happy with the court's nuomtnaceenn
12.	have Twitter cseasc restored in Turkey soon

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	blocking Twitter takes away people's right to express themselves freely. The Turkish government blocked Twitter on
( )	The Twitter ban did not work as Mr Erdogan wanted it to. Turks found many ways to get on Twitter without
( )	using the normal channels. Internet companies say there was a surge in tweets after the ban but
( 1 )	A court in Turkey has said the country's Twitter ban prevents free speech. It said that
( )	files of his close advisors just days before the country's elections. The files revealed details of possible
( )	in pictures or through other media." Twitter was happy with the court's announcement. Its global
( )	usage is down to half of what it was before. Many Turks are furious with the government for banning Twitter. They are determined
( )	corruption in Turkey that could be embarrassing for the government. Mr Erdogan is a big critic
( )	of social networks. As well as blocking Twitter, he also ordered the blocking of YouTube for a
( )	public policy team tweeted: "We hope to have Twitter access restored in Turkey soon."
( )	March the 21st. The Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, was angry because someone posted audio
( )	right to express and [share] his/her thoughts and opinions by speech, in writing,
( )	to make sure they can access the micro-blogging site. The court agreed with the people. It said: "Everyone has the
( )	while. He said in an election campaign speech: "We will wipe out Twitter. I don't care what the international community says."

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	to Takes express away themselves people's freely right.
2.	days the elections Just before country's.
3.	corruption revealed possible Turkey files of in The details.
4.	blocking of YouTube for a while He also ordered the.
5.	community care says what the I international don't.
6.	many Twitter ways to Turks get found on.
7.	the There surge after a tweets ban was in.
8.	what it was before Usage is down to half of.
9.	was Twitter announcement court's the with happy.
10.	restored to access Turkey hope Twitter in We have.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A court in Turkey has said the country's Twitter ban vents / prevents free speech. It said that blocking Twitter takes away people's write / right to express themselves freely / free. The Turkish government blocked Twitter on March the 21st. The Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, was anger / angry because someone posted audio files of his close advises / advisors just days before the country's elections. The files reveled / revealed details of possible corruption in Turkey that could be embarrassing / embarrass for the government. Mr Erdogan is a big criticism / critic of social networks. As well as blocking Twitter, he also ordered the blocking of YouTube for a while. He said in an election campaign speaking / speech: "We will wipe out Twitter. I don't care what the international community talks / says."

The Twitter ban did not work / working as Mr Erdogan wanted it to. Turks found many ways to get in / on Twitter without using the normal channels. Internet companies say there was a splurge / surge in tweets after the ban but usage is down to halved / half of what it was before. Many Turks are furious for / with the government for banning Twitter. They are determined to make sure they can access / excess the micro-blogging site. The court agreed with the people. It said: "Everyone has the right to / for express and [share] his/her thoughts and opinions / options by speech, in writing, in pictures or through other media." Twitter was happy with the court's announcement / announce. Its global public policy team tweeted: "We hope to have Twitter access restored / stored in Turkey soon."

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)

_ c__rt _n T_rk_y h_s s__d th_ c__ntry's Tw_tt_r b_n pr_v_nts fr__ sp__ch. _t s__d th_t bl_ck_ng Tw_tt_r t_k_s _w_y p__pl_'s r_ght t_ _xpr_ss th_ms_lv_s fr__ly. Th_ T_rk_sh g_v_rnm_nt bl_ck_d Tw_tt_r _n M_rch th_ 21st. Th_ Pr_m_ M_n_st_r, T_yy_p _rd_g_n, w_s _ngry b_c__s_ s_m__n_ p_st_d __d__ f_l_s _f h_s cl_s_ _dv_s_rs j_st d_ys b_f_r_ th_ c__ntry's _l_ct__ns. Th_ f_l_s r_v__l_d d_t__ls _f p_ss_bl_ c_rr_pt__n _n T_rk_y th_t c__ld b_ _mb_rr_ss_ng f_r th_ g_v_rnm_nt. Mr _rd_g_n _s _ b_g cr_t_c _f s_c__l n_tw_rks. _s w_ll _s bl_ck_ng Tw_tt_r, h_ _ls_ _rd_r_d th_ bl_ck_ng _f Y__T_b_ f_r _ wh_l_. H_ s__d _n _n _l_ct__n c_mp__gn sp__ch: "W_ w_ll w_p_ __t Tw_tt_r. _ d_n't c_r_ wh_t th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l c_mm_n_ty s_ys."

Th_ Tw_tt_r b_n d_d n_t w_rk _s Mr _rd_g_n w_nt_d _t t_. T_rks f__nd m_ny w_ys t_ g_t _n Tw_tt_r w_th__t _s_ng th_ n_rm_l ch_nn_ls. _nt_rn_t c_mp_n__s s_y th_r_ w_s _ s_rg_ _n tw__ts _ft_r th_ b_n b_t _s_g_ _s d_wn t_ h_lf _f wh_t _t w_s b_f_r_. M_ny T_rks _r_ f_r___s w_th th_ g_v_rnm_nt f_r b_nn_ng Tw_tt_r. Th_y _r_ d_t_rm_n_d t_ m_k_ s_r_ th_y c_n _cc_ss th_ m_cr_-bl_gg_ng s_t_. Th_ c__rt _gr__d w_th th_ p__pl_. _t s__d: "_v_ry_n_ h_s th_ r_ght t_ _xpr_ss _nd [sh_r_] h_s/h_r th__ghts _nd _p_n__ns by sp__ch, _n wr_t_ng, _n p_ct_r_s _r thr__gh _th_r m_d__." Tw_tt_r w_s h_ppy w_th th_ c__rt's _nn__nc_m_nt. _ts gl_b_l p_bl_c p_l_cy t__m tw__t_d: "W_ h_p_ t_ h_v_ Tw_tt_r _cc_ss r_st_r_d _n T_rk_y s__n."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a court in turkey has said the country's twitter ban prevents free speech it said that blocking twitter takes away people's right to express themselves freely the turkish government blocked twitter on march the 21st the prime minister tayyip erdogan was angry because someone posted audio files of his close advisors just days before the country's elections the files revealed details of possible corruption in turkey that could be embarrassing for the government mr erdogan is a big critic of social networks as well as blocking twitter he also ordered the blocking of youtube for a while he said in an election campaign speech "we will wipe out twitter i don't care what the international community says"

the twitter ban did not work as mr erdogan wanted it to turks found many ways to get on twitter without using the normal channels internet companies say there was a surge in tweets after the ban but usage is down to half of what it was before many turks are furious with the government for banning twitter they are determined to make sure they can access the micro-blogging site the court agreed with the people it said "everyone has the right to express and [share] his/her thoughts and opinions by speech in writing in pictures or through other media" twitter was happy with the court's announcement its global public policy team tweeted "we hope to have twitter access restored in turkey soon"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AcourtinTurkeyhassaidthecountry'sTwitterbanpreventsfreespeec
h.ItsaidthatblockingTwittertakesawaypeople'srighttoexpressthe
mselvesfreely.TheTurkishgovernmentblockedTwitteronMarchthe
21st.ThePrimeMinister,TayyipErdogan,wasangrybecausesomeon
epostedaudiofilesofhiscloseadvisorsjustdaysbeforethecountry'sel
ections.ThefilesrevealeddetailsofpossiblecorruptioninTurkeythat
couldbeembarrassingforthegovernment.MrErdoganisabigcriticofs
ocialnetworks.AswellasblockingTwitter,healsoorderedtheblockin
gofYouTubeforawhile.Hesaidinanelectioncampaignspeech:"Wewi
llwipeoutTwitter.Idon'tcarewhattheinternationalcommunitysays.
"TheTwitterbandidnotworkasMrErdoganwanteditto.Turksfoundm
anywaystogetonTwitterwithoutusingthenormalchannels.Internet
companiessaytherewasasurgeintweetsafterthebanbutusageisdo
wntohalfofwhatitwasbefore.ManyTurksarefuriouswiththegovern
mentforbanningTwitter.Theyaredeterminedtomakesuretheycana
ccessthemicro-bloggingsite.Thecourtagreedwiththepeople.Itsa
id:"Everyonehastherighttoexpressand[share]his/herthoughtsan
dopinionsbyspeech,inwriting,inpicturesorthroughothermedia."T
witterwashappywiththecourt'sannouncement.Itsglobalpublicpoli
cyteamtweeted:"WehopetohaveTwitteraccessrestoredinTurkeys
oon."

FREE WRITING

Write about free speech for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

1. No site should ever be banned from the Internet. Discuss.
2. Compare and contrast Twitter and Facebook. Which is best, and why?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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

3. TWITTER: Make a poster about Twitter. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. BAN: Write a magazine article about the Twitter ban. 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 free speech. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your thoughts on Turkey's Twitter ban. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	prevents	a.	stops
2.	freely	b.	openly
3.	posted	c.	uploaded
4.	embarrassing	d.	uncomfortable
5.	wipe out	e.	destroy
6.	normal	f.	usual
7.	surge	g.	increase
8.	determined	h.	fixed on
9.	opinions	i.	views
10.	restored	j.	put back

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Freedom of speech
2.	Audio files
3.	Social networks
4.	YouTube
5.	The international community
6.	Normal channels
7.	They went up (there was a surge)
8.	The people
9.	Twitter
10.	Soon

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

a

7.

d

8.

c

9.

d

10.

b

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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Turkey court says Twitter helps free speech (5th April, 2014)

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