Breaking News English Lesson on Dubai Airport

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Dubai world's busiest international airport (4th February, 2016)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its crown of being the world's busiest international airport in terms of passenger numbers. In 2014, it overtook London's Heathrow airport, which had been number one for more than a decade. DXB handled a record 78 million travellers in 2015. This is an average of one passenger flying in or out every 2.5 seconds. Heathrow handled 75 million passengers but did have more daily flights than DXB. In January 2015, there were over 8,000 weekly flights from DXB, operated by 140 airlines to over 270 destinations on six continents. Dubai's other airport, Al Maktoum International, has a projected annual capacity of up to 250 million passengers.

DXB is a vital part of Dubai's economy. Wikipedia says it employs, "approximately 90,000 people, indirectly supports over 400,000 jobs and contributes over $26.7 billion to the economy, which represents around 27 per cent of Dubai's GDP and 21 per cent of the employment in Dubai". The CEO of DXB, Paul Griffiths, said in a statement: "It's another banner year for Dubai International where we broke records, engaged and entertained our customers in new ways, and retained our position as the world's number one international hub." DXB will soon see another landmark when in March, the airline Emirates launches the world's longest non-stop flight, connecting Dubai with Auckland.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/dubai-international-stretches-its-lead-over-heathrow-for-international-airline-passengers-a6847376.html
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/aviation/dubai-airport-remains-no-1-for-handling-international-passengers-in-2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_International_Airport

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. DUBAI: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Dubai. 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?

airport / crown / passengers / number one / decade / average / daily flights / capacity / economy / approximately / employment / entertained / airline / non-stop flight

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

3. AIR TRAVEL: How to improve it? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.

Improvements to	What?	Why?
airports
checking-in
airplanes
airplane food
immigration
security

4. FLYING: Students A strongly believe flying is the best way to travel; Students B strongly believe it is not. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

5. AIRPORTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about airports at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• restaurants

• boarding

• check-in

• duty free shopping

• people watching

• airplane watching

• the thought of flying

• airport staff

6. PASSENGER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "passenger". 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 Dubai airport (DXB) is the world's busiest for the first time ever.	T / F
b.	London's Heathrow airport was the world's busiest last year.	T / F
c.	A passenger flies in or out of DXB every 2.5 seconds (on average).	T / F
d.	Flights from DXB go to more than 270 places around the world.	T / F
e.	DXB has around 90,000 employees.	T / F
f.	DXB contributes to around 27% of Dubai's Gross Domestic Product.	T / F
g.	DXB's CEO said the airport entertained people in new ways.	T / F
h.	The world's longest non-stop flight will soon depart from DXB.	T / F

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

1.	retained	a.	estimated
2.	in terms of	b.	dealt with
3.	handled	c.	centre
4.	operated	d.	linking
5.	projected	e.	kept
6.	vital	f.	constitutes
7.	represents	g.	milestone
8.	hub	h.	regarding
9.	landmark	i.	essential
10.	connecting	j.	run

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

1.	DXB has retained	a.	a decade
2.	in terms of passenger	b.	GDP
3.	number one for more than	c.	of Dubai's economy
4.	DXB handled a record	d.	numbers
5.	a projected annual	e.	hub
6.	DXB is a vital part	f.	non-stop flight
7.	represents around 27 per cent of Dubai's	g.	its crown
8.	the world's number one international	h.	landmark
9.	DXB will soon see another	i.	78 million travellers
10.	Emirates launches the world's longest	j.	capacity

GAP FILL

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its (1) ____________ of being the world's busiest international airport in (2) ____________ of passenger numbers. In 2014, it overtook London's Heathrow airport, which had been number one for more than a (3) ____________. DXB handled a record 78 million travellers in 2015. This is an (4) ____________ of one passenger flying in or out every 2.5 seconds. Heathrow handled 75 million passengers but did have more daily (5) ____________ than DXB. In January 2015, there were over 8,000 (6) ____________ flights from DXB, operated by 140 airlines to over 270 (7) ____________ on six continents. Dubai's other airport, Al Maktoum International, has a projected annual (8) ____________ of up to 250 million passengers.

destinations
decade
average
crown
capacity
terms
weekly
flights

DXB is a (9) ____________ part of Dubai's economy. Wikipedia says it employs, "approximately 90,000 people, (10) ____________ supports over 400,000 jobs and (11) ____________ over $26.7 billion to the economy, which represents around 27 per cent of Dubai's GDP and 21 per cent of the employment in Dubai". The (12) ____________ of DXB, Paul Griffiths, said in a statement: "It's another banner year for Dubai International where we (13) ____________ records, engaged and entertained our customers in new (14) ____________, and retained our position as the world's number one international (15) ____________." DXB will soon see another landmark when in March, the airline Emirates (16) ____________ the world's longest non-stop flight, connecting Dubai with Auckland.

indirectly
broke
vital
hub
CEO
launches
contributes
ways

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	it overtook London's Heathrow airport, which had been number one for more ______
	a. than the decade b. than a decade c. than a deck aid d. than the deck aid
2)	This is an average of one passenger flying in or out ______
	a. every 2.5 second b. every 2.5 secondly c. every 2.5 seconded d. every 2.5 seconds
3)	Heathrow handled 75 million passengers but did have more daily ______
	a. flights than DXB b. frights than DXB c. flits than DXB d. frits than DXB
4)	operated by 140 airlines to over 270 destinations ______
	a. in six continents b. to six continents c. and six continents d. on six continents
5)	Al Maktoum International, has a projected annual capacity of up ______
	a. to 250 million passenger b. too 250 million passengers c. two 250 million passengers d. to 250 million passengers
6)	Wikipedia says it employs, "approximately 90,000 people, indirectly _______ jobs
	a. support over 400,000 b. sports over 400,000 c. supposes over 400,000 d. supports over 400,000
7)	contributes over $26.7 billion to the economy, which represents around 27 per cent ______
	a. of Dubai's GNP b. of Dubai's GDP c. of Dubai's GDB d. of Dubai's GNB
8)	we broke records, engaged and entertained our customers ______
	a. in new weighs b. in new ways c. in new weights d. in new waits
9)	retained our position as the world's number one ______
	a. international hub b. international hob c. international hobby d. international hubby
10)	in March, the airline Emirates launches the world's longest ______
	a. noon-stop flight b. none-stop flight c. non-stop flight d. no-stop flight

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained (1) ___________________ the world's busiest international airport (2) ___________________ passenger numbers. In 2014, it overtook London's Heathrow airport, which had been number (3) ___________________ than a decade. DXB handled a record 78 million travellers in 2015. This is (4) ___________________ one passenger flying in or out every 2.5 seconds. Heathrow handled 75 million passengers but did have (5) ___________________ than DXB. In January 2015, there were over 8,000 weekly flights from DXB, operated by 140 airlines to over 270 destinations (6) ___________________. Dubai's other airport, Al Maktoum International, has a projected annual capacity of up to 250 million passengers.

DXB is (7) ___________________ Dubai's economy. Wikipedia says it employs, "approximately 90,000 people, (8) ___________________ over 400,000 jobs and contributes over $26.7 billion to the economy, which (9) ___________________ 27 per cent of Dubai's GDP and 21 per cent of the employment in Dubai". The CEO of DXB, Paul Griffiths, said in a statement: "It's another banner year for Dubai International (10) ___________________ records, engaged and entertained our customers in new ways, and retained (11) ___________________ the world's number one international hub." DXB will soon see (12) ___________________ when in March, the airline Emirates launches the world's longest non-stop flight, connecting Dubai with Auckland.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	DXB is the world's busiest airport in terms of what?
2.	When did DXB handle 78 million passengers?
3.	How many flights a week were there from DXB in January 2015?
4.	How many different places could you fly to from DXB in 2015?
5.	What is the projected yearly capacity of Dubai's other airport?
6.	How many people does DXB employ?
7.	How much of Dubai's GDP comes from DXB?
8.	What is the job of Paul Griffiths?
9.	What did Paul Griffiths say DXB broke?
10.	What city will the world's longest non-stop flight connect from DXB?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	DXB is the world's busiest airport in terms of what?	6.	How many people does DXB employ?
	a) duty free shopping b) flights c) passengers d) traffic		a) 19,000 b) 90,000 c) 99,000 d) 9,000
2.	When did DXB handle 78 million passengers?	7.	How much of Dubai's GDP comes from DXB?
	a) 2015 b) 2014 c) 2013 d) 2012		a) around 27% b) around 24% c) around 21% d) around 72%
3.	How many flights a week were there from DXB in January 2015?	8.	What is the job of Paul Griffiths?
	a) over 8,000 b) exactly 8,000 c) just under 8,000 d) approximately 8,000		a) DXB's COO b) DXB's CMO c) DXB's CEO d) DXB's CCO
4.	How many different places could you fly to from DXB in 2015?	9.	What did Paul Griffiths say DXB broke?
	a) exactly 270 b) over 270 c) approximately 270 d) just under 270		a) the sound barrier b) airplanes c) barriers d) records
5.	What is the projected yearly capacity of Dubai's other airport?	10.	What city will the world's longest non-stop flight connect from DXB?
	a) up to 520 million passengers b) up to 230 million passengers c) up to 220 million passengers d) up to 250 million passengers		a) Auckland b) Wellington c) Sydney d) Brisbane

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Restaurants

You think restaurants are the best thing about airports. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): people watching, duty free shopping or airport staff.

Role B – People watching

You think people watching is the best thing about airports. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): restaurants, duty free shopping or airport staff.

Role C – Duty free shopping

You think duty free shopping is the best thing about airports. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): people watching, restaurants or airport staff.

Role D – Airport staff

You think airport staff are the best thing about airports. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): people watching, duty free shopping or restaurants.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

international

airport

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:

crown
terms
decade
8,000
270
250

vital
400,000
27
broke
hub
connecting

AIRPORTS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about airports 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.

AIRPORTS 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 'airport'?
3)	What do you know about Dubai and its airport?
4)	What's your favourite airport and why?
5)	What should a good airport have?
6)	What's the airport nearest to you like?
7)	What things about airports surprise you most?
8)	What job would you like at an airport?
9)	What are your favourite and least liked airport experiences?
10)	What will airports be like in 50 years from now?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What are the good and bad things about airports?
13)	How did DXB come to be the world's busiest airport?
14)	What are the good and bad things about airports?
15)	In what ways are big airports like small cities?
16)	What do you think of the shops and restaurants at airports?
17)	How do airports entertain passengers?
18)	What dangers are there at airports?
19)	Would you like to go on the world's longest non-stop flight?
20)	What questions would you like to ask DXB's CEO?

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

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its (1) ____ of being the world's busiest international airport in (2) ____ of passenger numbers. In 2014, it overtook London's Heathrow airport, which had been number one for more than a (3) ____. DXB handled a record 78 million travellers in 2015. This is an average (4) ____ one passenger flying in or out every 2.5 seconds. Heathrow handled 75 million passengers but did have more daily flights than DXB. In January 2015, there were over 8,000 weekly flights from DXB, (5) ____ by 140 airlines to over 270 destinations on six continents. Dubai's other airport, Al Maktoum International, has a projected annual (6) ____ of up to 250 million passengers.

DXB is a (7) ____ part of Dubai's economy. Wikipedia says it employs, "approximately 90,000 people, indirectly supports over 400,000 jobs and contributes over $26.7 billion to the economy, which (8) ____ around 27 per cent of Dubai's GDP and 21 per cent of the employment in Dubai". The CEO of DXB, Paul Griffiths, said in a statement: "It's another (9) ____ year for Dubai International where we broke records, (10) ____ and entertained our customers in new ways, and retained our position as the world's number one international (11) ____." DXB will soon see another (12) ____ when in March, the airline Emirates launches the world's longest non-stop flight, connecting Dubai with Auckland.

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

1.	(a)	bracelet	(b)	ring	(c)	crown	(d)	necklace
2.	(a)	terms	(b)	teams	(c)	tames	(d)	times
3.	(a)	decade	(b)	debacle	(c)	decadence	(d)	debate
4.	(a)	of	(b)	for	(c)	by	(d)	at
5.	(a)	tooled	(b)	operated	(c)	tuned	(d)	worked
6.	(a)	opacity	(b)	capable	(c)	ability	(d)	capacity
7.	(a)	vitality	(b)	vitally	(c)	vital	(d)	vitals
8.	(a)	sees	(b)	clears	(c)	shows	(d)	represents
9.	(a)	banner	(b)	logo	(c)	poster	(d)	motto
10.	(a)	engaged	(b)	married	(c)	singled	(d)	divorced
11.	(a)	nub	(b)	hub	(c)	nab	(d)	hob
12.	(a)	birthmark	(b)	black mark	(c)	landmark	(d)	remark

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	DXB has rneitead its crown
2.	in terms of gaernpsse numbers
3.	This is an vreaaeg of one…
4.	trdpeoae by 140 airlines
5.	270 destinations on six cnntoniest
6.	a projected annual citapcya
Paragraph 2
7.	it employs txrplpieayoma 90,000 people
8.	…which srtnrepees around 27% of Dubai's GDP
9.	Paul Griffiths said in a emtattens
10.	endegag and entertained our customers
11.	DXB will soon see another akmlradn
12.	nteoccngni Dubai with Auckland

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	ways, and retained our position as the world's number one international hub." DXB will soon see another landmark when in
( )	DXB is a vital part of Dubai's economy. Wikipedia says it employs, "approximately
( )	90,000 people, indirectly supports over 400,000 jobs and contributes over $26.7 billion to the
( )	flights than DXB. In January 2015, there were over 8,000 weekly flights from DXB, operated
( )	of passenger numbers. In 2014, it overtook London's Heathrow airport, which had been number one for more than
( )	every 2.5 seconds. Heathrow handled 75 million passengers but did have more daily
( 1 )	Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its crown of being the world's busiest international airport in terms
( )	March, the airline Emirates launches the world's longest non-stop flight, connecting Dubai with Auckland.
( )	Dubai". The CEO of DXB, Paul Griffiths, said in a statement: "It's another banner year for
( )	economy, which represents around 27 per cent of Dubai's GDP and 21 per cent of the employment in
( )	Dubai International where we broke records, engaged and entertained our customers in new
( )	a decade. DXB handled a record 78 million travellers in 2015. This is an average of one passenger flying in or out
( )	airport, Al Maktoum International, has a projected annual capacity of up to 250 million passengers.
( )	by 140 airlines to over 270 destinations on six continents. Dubai's other

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	being the world's busiest DXB has retained its crown of .
2.	in DXB record travellers a million 2015 handled 78 .
3.	out or 2.5 in flying passenger One seconds every .
4.	8,000 weekly flights from DXB There were over .
5.	up to 250 million passengers A projected annual capacity of .
6.	part DXB of is Dubai's a economy vital .
7.	Wikipedia employs , it 90,000 people says approximately .
8.	our customers Engaged in and new entertained ways .
9.	number hub position world's international Our the one as .
10.	stop Emirates world's - the non flight launches longest .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained / retrained its crown of being the world's busiest international airport in terms for / of passenger numbers. In 2014, it overtook / overtaken London's Heathrow airport, which had been number one for more than a debacle / decade. DXB handled a record 78 million travellers in 2015. This is an average of one passenger flown / flying in or out every 2.5 seconds. Heathrow handed / handled 75 million passengers but did have more daily flights than DXB. In January 2015, there were over 8,000 weakly / weekly flights from DXB, operated by 140 airlines to over 270 destinations on six continents / contents. Dubai's other airport, Al Maktoum International, has a projected / projector annual capacity of upper / up to 250 million passengers.

DXB is a vitality / vital part of Dubai's economy. Wikipedia says it employs, "approximately / approximate 90,000 people, indirectly supports / supportive over 400,000 jobs and contributes / contributions over $26.7 billion to the economic / economy, which represents around 27 per cent of Dubai's GDP and 21 per cent of the employment / unemployment in Dubai". The CEO of DXB, Paul Griffiths, said in a statement: "It's another banner / banter year for Dubai International where we broke records, engaged and entertainment / entertained our customers in new ways, and retained our position as the world's number one international hub / hob." DXB will soon see another landmark when in March, the airline Emirates launches the world's longest non-stop flight, connection / connecting Dubai with Auckland.

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)

D_b__ _nt_rn_t__n_l __rp_rt (DXB) h_s r_t__n_d _ts cr_wn _f b__ng th_ w_rld's b_s__st _nt_rn_t__n_l __rp_rt _n t_rms _f p_ss_ng_r n_mb_rs. _n 2014, _t _v_rt__k L_nd_n's H__thr_w __rp_rt, wh_ch h_d b__n n_mb_r _n_ f_r m_r_ th_n _ d_c_d_. DXB h_ndl_d _ r_c_rd 78 m_ll__n tr_v_ll_rs _n 2015. Th_s _s _n _v_r_g_ _f _n_ p_ss_ng_r fly_ng _n _r __t _v_ry 2.5 s_c_nds. H__thr_w h_ndl_d 75 m_ll__n p_ss_ng_rs b_t d_d h_v_ m_r_ d__ly fl_ghts th_n DXB. _n J_n__ry 2015, th_r_ w_r_ _v_r 8,000 w__kly fl_ghts fr_m DXB, _p_r_t_d by 140 __rl_n_s t_ _v_r 270 d_st_n_t__ns _n s_x c_nt_n_nts. D_b__'s _th_r __rp_rt, _l M_kt__m _nt_rn_t__n_l, h_s _ pr_j_ct_d _nn__l c_p_c_ty _f _p t_ 250 m_ll__n p_ss_ng_rs.

DXB _s _ v_t_l p_rt _f D_b__'s _c_n_my. W_k_p_d__ s_ys _t _mpl_ys, "_ppr_x_m_t_ly 90,000 p__pl_, _nd_r_ctly s_pp_rts _v_r 400,000 j_bs _nd c_ntr_b_t_s _v_r $26.7 b_ll__n t_ th_ _c_n_my, wh_ch r_pr_s_nts _r__nd 27 p_r c_nt _f D_b__'s GDP _nd 21 p_r c_nt _f th_ _mpl_ym_nt _n D_b__". Th_ C__ _f DXB, P__l Gr_ff_ths, s__d _n _ st_t_m_nt: "_t's _n_th_r b_nn_r y__r f_r D_b__ _nt_rn_t__n_l wh_r_ w_ br_k_ r_c_rds, _ng_g_d _nd _nt_rt__n_d __r c_st_m_rs _n n_w w_ys, _nd r_t__n_d __r p_s_t__n _s th_ w_rld's n_mb_r _n_ _nt_rn_t__n_l h_b." DXB w_ll s__n s__ _n_th_r l_ndm_rk wh_n _n M_rch th_ __rl_n_ _m_r_t_s l__nch_s th_ w_rld's l_ng_st n_n-st_p fl_ght, c_nn_ct_ng D_b__ w_th __ckl_nd.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

dubai international airport (dxb) has retained its crown of being the world's busiest international airport in terms of passenger numbers in 2014 it overtook london's heathrow airport which had been number one for more than a decade dxb handled a record 78 million travellers in 2015 this is an average of one passenger flying in or out every 25 seconds heathrow handled 75 million passengers but did have more daily flights than dxb in january 2015 there were over 8000 weekly flights from dxb operated by 140 airlines to over 270 destinations on six continents dubai's other airport al maktoum international has a projected annual capacity of up to 250 million passengers

dxb is a vital part of dubai's economy wikipedia says it employs "approximately 90000 people indirectly supports over 400000 jobs and contributes over $267 billion to the economy which represents around 27 per cent of dubai's gdp and 21 per cent of the employment in dubai" the ceo of dxb paul griffiths said in a statement "it's another banner year for dubai international where we broke records engaged and entertained our customers in new ways and retained our position as the world's number one international hub" dxb will soon see another landmark when in march the airline emirates launches the world's longest non-stop flight connecting dubai with auckland

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

DubaiInternationalAirport(DXB)hasretaineditscrownofbeingtheworl
d'sbusiestinternationalairportintermsofpassengernumbers.In2014,
itovertookLondon'sHeathrowairport,whichhadbeennumberoneform
orethanadecade.DXBhandledarecord78milliontravellersin2015.Thi
sisanaverageofonepassengerflyinginoroutevery2.5seconds.Heathr
owhandled75millionpassengersbutdidhavemoredailyflightsthanDX
B.InJanuary2015,therewereover8,000weeklyflightsfromDXB,opera
tedby140airlinestoover270destinationsonsixcontinents.Dubai'soth
erairport,AlMaktoumInternational,hasaprojectedannualcapacityofu
pto250millionpassengers.DXBisavitalpartofDubai'seconomy.Wikip
ediasaysitemploys,"approximately90,000people,indirectlysupports
over400,000jobsandcontributesover$26.7billiontotheeconomy,whi
chrepresentsaround27percentofDubai'sGDPand21percentoftheem
ploymentinDubai".TheCEOofDXB,PaulGriffiths,saidinastatement:"I
t'sanotherbanneryearforDubaiInternationalwherewebrokerecords,
engagedandentertainedourcustomersinnewways,andretainedourp
ositionastheworld'snumberoneinternationalhub."DXBwillsoonseea
notherlandmarkwheninMarchtheairlineEmirateslaunchestheworld'
slongestnon-stopflight,connectingDubaiwithAuckland.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a city having a major airport?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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

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

4. ENTERTAIN: Write a magazine article about DXB. Include imaginary interviews with people who think airports should entertain people and with people who think airports do not need to entertain people.

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 airports. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three ideas on how to make them better. 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

T

f

T

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	retained	a.	kept
2.	in terms of	b.	regarding
3.	handled	c.	dealt with
4.	operated	d.	run
5.	projected	e.	estimated
6.	vital	f.	essential
7.	represents	g.	constitutes
8.	hub	h.	centre
9.	landmark	i.	milestone
10.	connecting	j.	linking

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Passengers
2.	2015
3.	Over 8,000
4.	Over 270
5.	Up to 250 million
6.	About 90,000
7.	Around 27%
8.	DXB’s CEO
9.	Records
10.	Auckland

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

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 Lesson on Dubai Airport

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Dubai world's busiest international airport (4th February, 2016)

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The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

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