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The Internet gives new meanings to common words (20th October, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The fast pace at which the Internet has entered and transformed our lives has had an impact on the words and language we use. It is 20 years since the website Dictionary.com was created, and it has looked back at the past two decades to see how the worldwide web has created additional definitions to many commonly used words. Dictionary.com boss Liz McMillan says it's interesting to see, "just how much the rise of technology has shaped our word use over time". She said: "To commemorate the 20th birthday of Dictionary.com, we look back at 20 words that have expanded in meaning over the last 20 years." The website has been documenting new lexical uses since, "the dawn of the Internet era".

Perhaps one of the most easily recognisable changes is to the word "friend". For centuries, this word has been a noun. However, with the meteoric rise of Facebook, this very common word is now also a verb, as in, "Can you friend me?" A variant of this word is "befriend," which means to become friends with someone (usually in the real and not cyber world). The word "tablet" used to commonly refer to a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood that is used to write on. Now it's more likely to mean a touchscreen device that is Internet-enabled. Other words that have new definitions include "cloud," "wireless," "viral," "tweet" and "troll". There's no knowing which new words will have new meanings in the next two decades.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationquestions/11931049/QUIZ-hows-your-modern-day-vocabulary.html
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/living/article39544122.html
http://blog.dictionary.com/20-words-in-20-years/

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. WORDS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Words. 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?

fast pace / transformed / impact / dictionary / two decades / definitions / Internet / centuries / cyber world / tablet / touchscreen device / cloud / wireless / viral / troll

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

3. NEW MEANINGS: Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

Word	Old meanings	New meanings	What do you think?
Friend
Cloud
Wireless
Viral
Tweet
Troll

4. NOT ENGLISH: Students A strongly believe Internet words should not be in English in non-English languages; Students B strongly believe the opposite. 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. TECH WORDS: Rank these with your partner. Put the ones you like most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• app

• friend

• like

• cloud

• wi-fi

• viral

• troll

• tablet

6. DICTIONARY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "dictionary". 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.	The article says the Internet has had no impact on the words we use.	T / F
b.	The website Dictionary.com started 20 years ago.	T / F
c.	The website looked back at language change over the past ten years.	T / F
d.	Dictionary.com has been tracking lexical change for two decades.	T / F
e.	The article says the biggest change to words is to the word "word".	T / F
f.	The article says Facebook is responsible for a new meaning.	T / F
g.	The word 'tablet" also means a flat piece of clay for writing on.	T / F
h.	The article says the word "troll" only came into the language last year.	T / F

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

1.	pace	a.	age
2.	impact	b.	celebrate
3.	additional	c.	speed
4.	commemorate	d.	alternative form
5.	era	e.	growth
6.	recognisable	f.	extra
7.	rise	g.	describe
8.	variant	h.	effect
9.	refer to	i.	upcoming
10.	next	j.	identifiable

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

1.	fast	a.	shaped our word use
2.	transformed	b.	word is "befriend"
3.	created additional	c.	of the Internet era
4.	technology has	d.	device
5.	since the dawn	e.	definitions
6.	the meteoric	f.	cyber world
7.	A variant of this	g.	pace
8.	in the real and not	h.	knowing
9.	a touchscreen	i.	our lives
10.	There's no	j.	rise of Facebook

GAP FILL

The fast (1) ____________ at which the Internet has entered and transformed our lives has had an (2) ____________ on the words and language we use. It is 20 years since the website Dictionary.com was created, and it has looked back at the (3) ____________ two decades to see how the worldwide web has created (4) ____________ definitions to many commonly used words. Dictionary.com boss Liz McMillan says it's interesting to see, "just how much the (5) ____________ of technology has (6) ____________ our word use over time". She said: "To commemorate the 20th birthday of Dictionary.com, we look back at 20 words that have (7) ____________ in meaning over the last 20 years." The website has been documenting new lexical uses since, "the (8) ____________ of the Internet era".

rise
impact
expanded
pace
dawn
additional
shaped
past

Perhaps one of the most (9) ____________ recognisable changes is to the word "friend". For centuries, this word has been a (10) ____________. However, with the meteoric rise of Facebook, this very common word is now also a verb, as in, "Can you friend me?" A (11) ____________ of this word is "befriend," which means to become friends with someone (usually in the real and not (12) ____________ world). The word "tablet" used to commonly refer to a flat piece of (13) ____________, clay, or wood that is used to write on. Now it's more likely to mean a touchscreen (14) ____________ that is Internet-enabled. Other words that have new definitions include "(15) ____________," "wireless," "viral," "tweet" and "troll". There's no knowing which new words will have new meanings in the next two (16) ____________.

cyber
noun
device
decades
easily
cloud
variant
stone

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The fast pace at which the Internet has entered and ______
	a. transformed our live b. transformed our living c. transformed our livelihoods d. transformed our lives
2)	see how the worldwide web has created additional definitions to many ______
	a. commonly useful words b. commonly abused words c. commonly used words d. commonly use words
3)	interesting to see just how much the rise of technology has shaped our word ______
	a. use over time b. used over time c. using over time d. useful over time
4)	we look back at 20 words that have expanded in meaning over ______
	a. a last 20 years b. the last 20 years c. so last 20 years d. that last 20 years
5)	The website has been documenting new lexical uses since the dawn of ______
	a. the Internet era b. the Internet ear c. the Internet air d. the Internet are
6)	Perhaps one of the most easily recognisable changes is to ______
	a. the world "friend" b. the worldly "friend" c. the world's "friend" d. the word "friend"
7)	However, with the meteoric rise of Facebook, this very common word is ______
	a. now also to verb b. now also one verb c. now also a verb d. now also that verb
8)	become friends with someone (usually in the real and ______)
	a. non cyber world b. not cyber world c. knot cyber world d. now cyber world
9)	The word "tablet" used to commonly refer to a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood that is ______
	a. used to write on b. used to write in c. used to write up d. used to right on
10)	Other words that have new definitions include "cloud," "wireless," "viral," ______
	a. "tweet" for "troll" b. "tweet" and "troll" c. "tweet" to "troll" d. "tweet" as "troll"

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The fast (1) ___________________ Internet has entered and transformed our lives has had (2) ___________________ the words and language we use. It is 20 years since the website Dictionary.com was created, and it has looked back at the past (3) ___________________ see how the worldwide web has created additional definitions to many commonly used words. Dictionary.com boss Liz McMillan (4) ___________________ to see, "just how much the rise of technology has shaped our word use over time". She said: "To (5) ___________________ 20th birthday of Dictionary.com, we look back at 20 words that have expanded in meaning over the last 20 years." The website has been documenting new (6) ___________________, "the dawn of the Internet era".

Perhaps one (7) ___________________ recognisable changes is to the word "friend". For centuries, this word (8) ___________________ noun. However, with the meteoric rise of Facebook, this very common word is now also a verb, as in, "Can you friend me?" A (9) ___________________ word is "befriend," which means to become friends with someone (usually in the real and not cyber world). The word "tablet" (10) ___________________ refer to a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood (11) ___________________ write on. Now it's more likely to mean a touchscreen device that is Internet-enabled. Other words that have new definitions include "cloud," "wireless," "viral," "tweet" and "troll". There's (12) ___________________ which new words will have new meanings in the next two decades.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What kind of speed does the article use to talk about the Internet?
2.	When did the website Dictionary.com start?
3.	Who is Liz McMillan?
4.	What did Liz McMillan say has shaped our word use over time?
5.	What dawn did Liz McMillan talk about at the end of paragraph one?
6.	What did the article say was an easy word to see changes to?
7.	What rose at a meteoric rate?
8.	What "old" word in the article is made from stone, clay or wood?
9.	What does the article say is Internet-enabled?
10.	What timeframe is given in the last sentence of the article?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What kind of speed does the article use to talk about the Internet?	6.	What did the article say was an easy word to see changes to?
	a) breakneck speed b) fast pace c) snail's pace d) light speed		a) friend b) like c) follow d) post
2.	When did the website Dictionary.com start?	7.	What rose at a meteoric rate?
	a) 1989 b) 1999 c) a decade ago d) 20 years ago		a) Internet use b) the word "tweet" c) Facebook d) Dictionary.com
3.	Who is Liz McMillan?	8.	What "old" word in the article is made from stone, clay or wood?
	a) boss of Dictionary.com b) a 20-year-old c) a journalist d) a tablet maker		a) tablet b) troll c) viral d) wireless
4.	What did Liz McMillan say has shaped our word use over time?	9.	What does the article say is Internet-enabled?
	a) the Oxford English Dictionary b) Shakespeare c) the rise of technology d) clay		a) a touchscreen device b) dictionaries c) wireless d) the cloud
5.	What dawn did Liz McMillan talk about at the end of paragraph one?	10.	What timeframe is given in the last sentence of the article?
	a) the one opposite to dusk b) the Internet era c) a bright dawn d) the dawn of literacy		a) the Internet era b) 6 months c) infinity and beyond d) the next two decades

ROLE PLAY

Role A – App

You think app is the best Internet-related word. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their words aren't so good. Also, tell the others which of these meanings are not so good (and why): cloud, wi-fi or tablet.

Role B – Cloud

You think cloud is the best Internet-related word. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their words aren't so good. Also, tell the others which of these meanings are not so good (and why): app, wi-fi or tablet.

Role C – Wi-fi

You think wi-fi is the best Internet-related word. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their words aren't so good. Also, tell the others which of these meanings are not so good (and why): cloud, app or tablet.

Role D – Tablet

You think tablet is the best Internet-related word. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their words aren't so good. Also, tell the others which of these meanings are not so good (and why): cloud, wi-fi or app.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

cloud

troll

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:

pace
created
commonly
shaped
back
era

easily
noun
someone
flat
other
knowing

WORDS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Words 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.

WORDS DISCUSSION

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 'word'?
3)	What three English words do you really like (and why)?
4)	How has the Internet changed the words in your language?
5)	What do you think about what you read?
6)	Do you like English words being used in your language?
7)	How has the Internet changed your life?
8)	What has changed in the past two decades?
9)	What would life be like without the Internet?
10)	How does the Internet help you study English?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What do you think of the new verb, "friend"?
13)	What three English words do you really dislike (and why)?
14)	What other words that technology has created can you think of?
15)	Which is better – "friend me" or "befriend me"? Why?
16)	What are the different meanings of the word "cloud"?
17)	What are the different meanings of the word "wireless"?
18)	What are the different meanings of the word "viral"?
19)	How interested are you in the development of words?
20)	What questions would you like to ask Dictionary.com?

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

The fast (1) ____ at which the Internet has entered and transformed our lives has had an impact (2) ____ the words and language we use. It is 20 years since the website Dictionary.com was created, and it has (3) ____ back at the past two decades to see how the worldwide web has created additional definitions to many commonly used words. Dictionary.com boss Liz McMillan says it's interesting to see, "just how much the (4) ____ of technology has shaped our word use over time". She said: "To commemorate the 20th birthday of Dictionary.com, we look back at 20 words that have (5) ____ in meaning over the last 20 years." The website has been documenting new lexical uses since, "the dawn of the Internet (6) ____ ".

Perhaps one of the most easily recognisable changes is to the word "friend". For centuries, this word has been a (7) ____. However, with the meteoric rise of Facebook, this very common word is now also a verb, (8) ____ in, "Can you friend me?" A variant of this word is "befriend," which means to become friends with someone (usually in the real and not (9) ____ world). The word "tablet" used to commonly (10) ____ to a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood that is used to write on. Now it's more likely to mean a touchscreen (11) ____ that is Internet-enabled. Other words that have new definitions include "cloud," "wireless," "viral," "tweet" and "troll". There's no (12) ____ which new words will have new meanings in the next two decades.

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

1.	(a)	pace	(b)	rapid	(c)	accelerate	(d)	rush
2.	(a)	by	(b)	at	(c)	to	(d)	on
3.	(a)	viewed	(b)	looked	(c)	watched	(d)	seen
4.	(a)	raise	(b)	risen	(c)	rise	(d)	arise
5.	(a)	expanded	(b)	expansion	(c)	expanding	(d)	expands
6.	(a)	era	(b)	area	(c)	aura	(d)	aurora
7.	(a)	verb	(b)	clause	(c)	adjective	(d)	noun
8.	(a)	as	(b)	was	(c)	ease	(d)	has
9.	(a)	saber	(b)	cyber	(c)	saver	(d)	cider
10.	(a)	confer	(b)	defer	(c)	refer	(d)	conifer
11.	(a)	conglomerate	(b)	pump	(c)	device	(d)	rim
12.	(a)	knowledge	(b)	knowing	(c)	known	(d)	knows

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	rrtmodsnafe our lives
2.	the past two aescedd
3.	created additional infdoteisni
4.	tmrmeoamcoe the 20th birthday of
5.	xdapedne in meaning
6.	new iaxcell uses
Paragraph 2
7.	easily goslnicereab (UK) / iorcalgenzeb (USA)
8.	the ctmieero rise of Facebook
9.	A niarvat of this word is "befriend,"
10.	a touchscreen eidcev
11.	Internet-dlabeen
12.	"cloud," "iewessrl," "viral," "tweet" and "troll"

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	on the words and language we use. It is 20 years since the website Dictionary.com was created, and it has looked
( )	documenting new lexical uses since, "the dawn of the Internet era".
( )	back at 20 words that have expanded in meaning over the last 20 years." The website has been
( )	been a noun. However, with the meteoric rise of Facebook, this very common word is now also a verb, as
( )	and "troll". There's no knowing which new words will have new meanings in the next two decades.
( )	Perhaps one of the most easily recognisable changes is to the word "friend". For centuries, this word has
( )	device that is Internet-enabled. Other words that have new definitions include "cloud," "wireless," "viral," "tweet"
( )	used words. Dictionary.com boss Liz McMillan says it's interesting to see, "just how much the rise
( 1 )	The fast pace at which the Internet has entered and transformed our lives has had an impact
( )	with someone (usually in the real and not cyber world). The word "tablet" used to commonly refer to a flat
( )	back at the past two decades to see how the worldwide web has created additional definitions to many commonly
( )	piece of stone, clay, or wood that is used to write on. Now it's more likely to mean a touchscreen
( )	of technology has shaped our word use over time". She said: "To commemorate the 20th birthday of Dictionary.com, we look
( )	in, "Can you friend me?" A variant of this word is "befriend," which means to become friends

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	the 20 website years It was Dictionary.com since is created .
2.	definitions how web additional See worldwide created the has .
3.	has technology of rise the much How use word our shaped .
4.	expanded have that Words years 20 last the over meaning in .
5.	lexical uses since the dawn of the Internet era New .
6.	most Perhaps easily one recognisable of changes the .
7.	verb This now a common is also very word .
8.	of stone Used to commonly refer to a flat piece .
9.	more mean device it's to touchscreen Now likely a .
10.	the next two decades Words will have new meanings in .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The fast pace at / for which the Internet has entered and transformed our lives has had an impact in / on the words and language we use. It is 20 years since the website Dictionary.com was creation / created, and it has looked back at the past two decades / decadence to see how the worldwide web has created additional definition / definitions to many commonly / common used words. Dictionary.com boss Liz McMillan says it's interesting to see, "just how much the raise / rise of technology has shaped our word use over time". She said: "To commemorate / commemorative the 20th birthday of Dictionary.com, we look back at 20 words that have expanded in meaning over the last 20 years." The website has been documented / documenting new lexical uses since, "the dawn / dusk of the Internet era".

Perhaps one of the most easily / easy recognisable changes is to the word "friend". For centuries, this word has been a / the noun. However, with the meteoric / metre rise of Facebook, this very common word is now / known also a verb, as in, "Can you friend me?" A variant / vary of this word is "befriend," which means to become friends with someone (usually in the really / real and not cyber world). The word "tablet" used to commonly refer / defer to a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood that is used to write on. Now it's more likely / liking to mean a touchscreen device that is Internet-enabled. Other words that have new definitions include / inclusive "cloud," "wireless," "viral," "tweet" and "troll". There's no knowing / known which new words will have new meanings in the next two decades.

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)

Th_ f_st p_c_ _t wh_ch th_ _nt_rn_t h_s _nt_r_d _nd tr_nsf_rm_d __r l_v_s h_s h_d _n _mp_ct _n th_ w_rds _nd l_ng__g_ w_ _s_. _t _s 20 y__rs s_nc_ th_ w_bs_t_ D_ct__n_ry.c_m w_s cr__t_d, _nd _t h_s l__k_d b_ck _t th_ p_st tw_ d_c_d_s t_ s__ h_w th_ w_rldw_d_ w_b h_s cr__t_d _dd_t__n_l d_f_n_t__ns t_ m_ny c_mm_nly _s_d w_rds. D_ct__n_ry.c_m b_ss L_z McM_ll_n s_ys _t's _nt_r_st_ng t_ s__, "j_st h_w m_ch th_ r_s_ _f t_chn_l_gy h_s sh_p_d __r w_rd _s_ _v_r t_m_". Sh_ s__d: "T_ c_mm_m_r_t_ th_ 20th b_rthd_y _f D_ct__n_ry.c_m, w_ l__k b_ck _t 20 w_rds th_t h_v_ _xp_nd_d _n m__n_ng _v_r th_ l_st 20 y__rs." Th_ w_bs_t_ h_s b__n d_c_m_nt_ng n_w l_x_c_l _s_s s_nc_, "th_ d_wn _f th_ _nt_rn_t _r_".

P_rh_ps _n_ _f th_ m_st __s_ly r_c_gn_s_bl_ ch_ng_s _s t_ th_ w_rd "fr__nd". F_r c_nt_r__s, th_s w_rd h_s b__n _ n__n. H_w_v_r, w_th th_ m_t__r_c r_s_ _f F_c_b__k, th_s v_ry c_mm_n w_rd _s n_w _ls_ _ v_rb, _s _n, "C_n y__ fr__nd m_?" _ v_r__nt _f th_s w_rd _s "b_fr__nd," wh_ch m__ns t_ b_c_m_ fr__nds w_th s_m__n_ (_s__lly _n th_ r__l _nd n_t cyb_r w_rld). Th_ w_rd "t_bl_t" _s_d t_ c_mm_nly r_f_r t_ _ fl_t p__c_ _f st_n_, cl_y, _r w__d th_t _s _s_d t_ wr_t_ _n. N_w _t's m_r_ l_k_ly t_ m__n _ t__chscr__n d_v_c_ th_t _s _nt_rn_t-_n_bl_d. _th_r w_rds th_t h_v_ n_w d_f_n_t__ns _ncl_d_ "cl__d," "w_r_l_ss," "v_r_l," "tw__t" _nd "tr_ll". Th_r_'s n_ kn_w_ng wh_ch n_w w_rds w_ll h_v_ n_w m__n_ngs _n th_ n_xt tw_ d_c_d_s.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the fast pace at which the internet has entered and transformed our lives has had an impact on the words and language we use it is 20 years since the website dictionarycom was created and it has looked back at the past two decades to see how the worldwide web has created additional definitions to many commonly used words dictionarycom boss liz mcmillan says it's interesting to see "just how much the rise of technology has shaped our word use over time" she said "to commemorate the 20th birthday of dictionarycom we look back at 20 words that have expanded in meaning over the last 20 years" the website has been documenting new lexical uses since "the dawn of the internet era"

perhaps one of the most easily recognisable changes is to the word "friend" for centuries this word has been a noun however with the meteoric rise of facebook this very common word is now also a verb as in "can you friend me" a variant of this word is "befriend" which means to become friends with someone (usually in the real and not cyber world) the word "tablet" used to commonly refer to a flat piece of stone clay or wood that is used to write on now it's more likely to mean a touchscreen device that is internet-enabled other words that have new definitions include "cloud" "wireless" "viral" "tweet" and "troll" there's no knowing which new words will have new meanings in the next two decades

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ThefastpaceatwhichtheInternethasenteredandtransformedourlives
hashadanimpactonthewordsandlanguageweuse.Itis20yearssinceth
ewebsiteDictionary.comwascreated,andithaslookedbackatthepastt
wodecadestoseehowtheworldwidewebhascreatedadditionaldefiniti
onstomanycommonlyusedwords.Dictionary.combossLizMcMillansa
ysit'sinterestingtosee,"justhowmuchtheriseoftechnologyhasshaped
ourworduseovertime".Shesaid:"Tocommemoratethe20thbirthdayo
fDictionary.com,welookbackat20wordsthathaveexpandedinmeanin
goverthelast20years."Thewebsitehasbeendocumentingnewlexicalu
sessince,"thedawnoftheInternetera".Perhapsoneofthemosteasilyre
cognisablechangesistotheword"friend".Forcenturies,thiswordhasbe
enanoun.However,withthemeteoricriseofFacebook,thisverycommo
nwordisnowalsoaverb,asin,"Canyoufriendme?"Avariantofthiswordi
s"befriend,"whichmeanstobecomefriendswithsomeone(usuallyinth
erealandnotcyberworld).Theword"tablet"usedtocommonlyrefertoaf
latpieceofstone,clay,orwoodthatisusedtowriteon.Nowit'smorelikely
tomeanatouchscreendevicethatisInternet-enabled.Otherwordsth
athavenewdefinitionsinclude"cloud,""wireless,""viral,""tweet"and"t
roll".There'snoknowingwhichnewwordswillhavenewmeaningsinthe
nexttwodecades.

FREE WRITING

Write about words for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

New English words should not be used in other languages. 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 new technology words. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. NEW MEANINGS: Write a magazine article about the new meanings of English words entering other languages. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

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 English. Ask him/her three questions about the new Internet-based meanings for words. Give him/her three ideas on what other languages should do with these words. 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

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	pace	a.	speed
2	impact	b.	effect
3.	additional	c.	extra
4.	commemorate	d.	celebrate
5.	era	e.	age
6.	recognisable	f.	identifiable
7.	rise	g.	growth
8.	variant	h.	alternative form
9.	refer to	i.	describe
10.	next	j.	upcoming

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Fast pace
2.	20 years ago
3.	Boss of Dictionary.com
4.	The rise of technology
5.	The dawn of the Internet era
6.	Friend
7.	Facebook
8.	Tablet
9.	A touchscreen device
10.	The next two decades

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

a

10.

d

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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The Internet gives new meanings to common words (20th October, 2015)

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