The Reading / Listening - Singing - Level 6

Researchers have found that singing in groups could have positive effects on reducing anxiety and depression. The research is from the University of East Anglia in the UK, in collaboration with a community singing group called Sing Your Heart Out. A research team conducted the study to examine how singing with other people affects mental health. Researchers followed a group of participants who attended free weekly singing workshops for six months. They discovered that singing in groups was an essential part in helping people recover from mental illness. In addition, it helped people feel valued, enhanced their mood and increased their confidence, social skills and feeling of well-being.

Lead researcher, professor Tom Shakespeare, said: "We found that singing as part of a group contributes to people's recovery from mental health problems." He added that: "All of the participants we spoke to reported positive effects on their mental health as a direct result of taking part in the singing workshops. For some, it represented one component of a wider programme of support. For others, it stood out as key to their recovery or maintenance of health." Professor Shakespeare explained: "We heard the participants calling the initiative a life saver and that it saved their sanity." He said: "The key thing for everyone was that the Sing Your Heart Out model induced fun and happiness."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Singing - Level 4  or  Singing - Level 5

Sources
  • https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-12-groups-happier.html
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/health-42431430
  • https://www.syho.org


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

Warm-ups

1. SINGING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about singing. 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?

       singing / positive / anxiety / depression / community / mental health / workshops /
       recovery / component / programme / maintenance / health / initiative / happiness

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

3. SINGING GROUPS: Students A strongly believe everyone should belong to a singing club; Students B strongly believe they shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. SINGING: How would group singing in these situations help society? Would you take part? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How would it help?

Would you do it?

On a bus

 

 

English lessons

 

 

In a supermarket

 

 

In a hospital

 

 

In a movie theatre

 

 

At a train station

 

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

6. HAPPINESS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to make you happy at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • watching TV
  • eating
  • reading
  • speaking English
  • singing
  • sleeping
  • bathing
  • exercising

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. anxiety a. The action of working with someone to produce or create something.
      2. collaboration b. A person who takes part in something.
      3. conducted c. Considered to be important or beneficial.
      4. participants d. Organized and carried out.
      5. essential e. Return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
      6. recover f. A feeling of worry or nervousness, usually about an upcoming event or something with an uncertain outcome.
      7. valued g. Absolutely necessary; extremely important.

    Paragraph 2

      8. contributes h. Without anything else getting in the way.
      9. direct i. Meetings at which a group of people take part in discussions and activities.
      10. workshops j. Produced or brought about something or brought about a behaviour.
      11. component k. An act or strategy to find an answer to a difficulty or improve a situation.
      12. initiative l. A part or element of a larger whole.
      13. sanity m. Helps to cause or bring about.
      14. induced n. The ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner; normal mental health.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Singing in groups could reduce anxiety but increase depression.     T / F
  2. A community singing programme helped with the research.     T / F
  3. Researchers spent six years following people who sang together.     T / F
  4. The article said people thought the singing group was not valued.     T / F
  5. The lead researcher said all participants reported positive benefits.     T / F
  6. The singing was the most important part of everyone's recovery.     T / F
  7. Some participants said the singing workshops were a life saver.     T / F
  8. The researcher said the workshops created happiness and fun.     T / F

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

  1. positive
  2. anxiety
  3. conducted
  4. attended
  5. enhanced
  6. recovery
  7. result
  8. component
  9. initiate
  10. induced
  1. recuperation
  2. took part in
  3. brought about
  4. worry
  5. part
  6. start
  7. favorable
  8. increased
  9. consequence
  10. organized

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

  1. could have positive effects
  2. in collaboration
  3. singing with other people
  4. free weekly
  5. enhanced their
  6. one component of a wider
  7. it stood out as
  8. We heard the participants calling the
  9. The key thing
  10. induced fun
  1. for everyone
  2. affects mental health
  3. initiative a life saver
  4. mood
  5. and happiness
  6. on reducing anxiety
  7. programme
  8. singing workshops
  9. with
  10. key to their recovery

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
affects
reducing
being
collaboration
essential
valued
conducted
weekly

Researchers have found that singing in groups could have positive effects on (1) ____________ anxiety and depression. The research is from the University of East Anglia in the UK, in (2) ____________ with a community singing group called Sing Your Heart Out. A research team (3) ____________ the study to examine how singing with other people (4) ____________ mental health. Researchers followed a group of participants who attended free (5) ____________ singing workshops for six months. They discovered that singing in groups was an (6) ____________ part in helping people recover from mental illness. In addition, it helped people feel (7) ____________, enhanced their mood and increased their confidence, social skills and feeling of well-(8) ____________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
initiative
reported
wider
fun
contributes
sanity
result
maintenance

Lead researcher, professor Tom Shakespeare, said: "We found that singing as part of a group (9) ____________ to people's recovery from mental health problems." He added that: "All of the participants we spoke to (10) ____________ positive effects on their mental health as a direct (11) ____________ of taking part in the singing workshops. For some, it represented one component of a (12) ____________ programme of support. For others, it stood out as key to their recovery or (13) ____________ of health." Professor Shakespeare explained: "We heard the participants calling the (14) ____________ a life saver and that it saved their (15) ____________." He said: "The key thing for everyone was that the Sing Your Heart Out model induced (16) ____________ and happiness."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  singing in groups could have positive effects ______ anxiety
     a.  an reducing
     b.  on reducing
     c.  un-reducing
     d.  as reducing

2) the University of East Anglia in the UK, in collaboration with a community ______
     a.  singing grouping
     b.  singing grouped
     c.  singing group
     d.  singing groupie

3)  conducted the study to examine how singing with other people ______ health
     a.  effects mental
     b.  affects mental
     c.  reflects mental
     d.  infects mental

4)  They discovered that singing in groups was an essential ______ people
     a.  parting helping
     b.  party in helping
     c.  par tin helping
     d.  part in helping

5)  enhanced their mood and increased their confidence, social skills ______ well-being
     a.  and feeling of
     b.  end feeling of
     c.  and feel in of
     d.  end fee line of

6)  We found that singing as part of a group contributes  ______
     a.  at people's recovery
     b.  of people's recovery
     c.  to people's recovery
     d.  through people's recovery

7)  He added that: "All of the participants we spoke to ______ effects"
     a.  report it positive
     b.  re-port it positive
     c.  report add positive
     d.  reported positive

8)  For some, it represented one component of a wider programme ______
     a.  off support
     b.  of support
     c.  of supplant
     d.  off supplant

9)  Shakespeare explained: "We heard the participants calling the ______ saver"
     a.  initiate live a life
     b.  initial tiff a life
     c.  initiative a life
     d.  initial of life

10)  He said: "The key thing for everyone was that the Sing Your Heart Out model ______"
     a.  in deuced fun
     b.  in dust fun
     c.  industry fun
     d.  induced fun

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Researchers have found (1) ___________________ groups could have positive effects on (2) ___________________ and depression. The research is from the University of East Anglia in the UK, (3) ___________________ with a community singing group called Sing Your Heart Out. A research team conducted the study (4) ___________________ singing with other people affects mental health. Researchers followed a group of participants who attended free weekly singing workshops for six months. They discovered that singing in groups (5) ___________________ part in helping people recover from mental illness. In addition, it helped people feel valued, enhanced (6) ___________________ increased their confidence, social skills and feeling of well-being.

Lead researcher, professor Tom Shakespeare, said: "We found that singing (7) ___________________ a group contributes to people's recovery from mental health problems." He added that: "All of the participants we spoke to reported (8) ___________________ their mental health as a (9) ___________________ taking part in the singing workshops. For some, it represented one component of a wider programme of support. For others, it stood out (10) ___________________ their recovery or maintenance of health." Professor Shakespeare explained: "We heard the participants calling (11) ___________________ life saver and that it saved their sanity." He said: "The key thing (12) ___________________ that the Sing Your Heart Out model induced fun and happiness."

Comprehension questions

  1. What two mental health conditions could singing in groups reduce?
  2. What kind of group did a university collaborate with?
  3. How much did the weekly singing workshops cost?
  4. For how long did people attend the workshops?
  5. What did the article say the singing workshops enhanced?
  6. Who is Tom Shakespeare?
  7. How many of the participants reported positive effects?
  8. Where were the workshops a component of in some people's recovery?
  9. What were the workshops a key to for some participants?
  10. What two things did the Sing Your Heart Out model induce?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What two mental health conditions could singing in groups reduce?
a) blackouts and fainting fits
b) migraines and polar disorder
c) stress and headaches
d) anxiety and depression

2) What kind of group did a university collaborate with?
a) a rock group
b) a community singing group
c) a mental health organization
d) a small group

3) How much did the weekly singing workshops cost?
a) $100
b) $200
c) $10
d) nothing

4) For how long did people attend the workshops?
a) 2 months
b) 4 months
c) 6 months
d) 8 months

5) What did the article say the singing workshops enhanced?
a) music knowledge
b) vocal chords
c) voice quality
d) mood

6) Who is Tom Shakespeare?
a) William's brother
b) a singer
c) the lead researcher
d) a mental health patient

7) How many of the participants reported positive effects?
a) all of them
b) 90% of them
c) three-quarters of them
d) half of them

8) Where were the workshops a component of in some people's recovery?
a) in the back of their head
b) London
c) in their support programme
d) in medicine

9) What were the workshops a key to for some participants?
a) a crossword puzzle
b) recovery
c) their inner mind
d) life

10) What two things did the Sing Your Heart Out model induce?
a) fun and happiness
b) good and bad
c) laughter and tears
d) opera and rock

Role play

Role A – Singing You think singing is the thing that makes you happy most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things don't make you as happy. Also, tell the others which of these make you happy the least (and why): sleeping, eating or speaking English. Role B – Sleeping You think sleeping is the thing that makes you happy most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things don't make you as happy. Also, tell the others which of these make you happy the least (and why): singing, eating or speaking English. Role C – Eating You think eating is the thing that makes you happy most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things don't make you as happy. Also, tell the others which of these make you happy the least (and why): sleeping, singing or speaking English. Role D – Speaking English You think speaking English is the thing that makes you happy most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things don't make you as happy. Also, tell the others which of these make you happy the least (and why): sleeping, eating or singing.

After reading / listening

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

'song'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'happy'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • lead
    • all
    • some
    • others
    • life
    • fun
    • positive
    • community
    • study
    • six
    • addition
    • social

    Student survey

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

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

    Discussion - Singing in groups could make you happier

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'sing'?
    3. What do you think of singing?
    4. What do you think of your singing voice?
    5. What do you think of karaoke?
    6. How does singing make you feel?
    7. Where and when do you sing?
    8. What do you think of the community singing group?
    9. How might singing improve our mental health?
    10. Who is your favourite singer, and why?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'song'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How much do you like singing?
    5. How does singing change your mood?
    6. Why do we sing?
    7. When might singing make you unhappy?
    8. Would you like to be lead singer in a band?
    9. What kinds of songs do you like to sing?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Researchers have found that singing in groups could have (1) ____ effects on reducing anxiety and depression. The research is from the University of East Anglia in the UK, in collaboration (2) ____ a community singing group called Sing Your Heart Out. A research team conducted the study to examine (3) ____ singing with other people affects mental health. Researchers followed a group of participants who attended free (4) ____ singing workshops for six months. They discovered that singing in groups was an essential part (5) ____ helping people recover from mental illness. In addition, it helped people feel valued, enhanced their (6) ____ and increased their confidence, social skills and feeling of well-being.

    Lead researcher, professor Tom Shakespeare, said: "We found that singing as part of a group contributes to people's (7) ____ from mental health problems." He added that: "All of the participants we spoke to reported positive effects on their mental health as a (8) ____ result of taking part in the singing workshops. For some, it represented one (9) ____ of a wider programme of support. For others, it stood out as (10) ____ to their recovery or maintenance of health." Professor Shakespeare explained: "We heard the participants calling the (11) ____ a life saver and that it saved their sanity." He said: "The key thing for everyone was that the Sing Your Heart Out model (12) ____ fun and happiness."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     positively     (b)     posit     (c)     posits     (d)     positive    
    2. (a)     on     (b)     by     (c)     of     (d)     with    
    3. (a)     what     (b)     how     (c)     however     (d)     howsoever    
    4. (a)     week     (b)     weeks     (c)     weekly     (d)     weeklies    
    5. (a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     in     (d)     as    
    6. (a)     mood     (b)     moody     (c)     mode     (d)     mod    
    7. (a)     recoverers     (b)     recover     (c)     recovers     (d)     recovered    
    8. (a)     direct     (b)     directed     (c)     directly     (d)     direction    
    9. (a)     combatant     (b)     component     (c)     competence     (d)     combined    
    10. (a)     quay     (b)     krill     (c)     key     (d)     knee    
    11. (a)     Inuit     (b)     initialize     (c)     initiative     (d)     initial    
    12. (a)     abducted     (b)     seduced     (c)     deduced     (d)     induced

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. positive effects on reducing teayxin
    2. in booaitrlcolan with
    3. a group of racintastppi
    4. an sstleinae part in helping people
    5. hnencaed their mood
    6. increased their dfecnnocie

    Paragraph 2

    1. singing as part of a group cetnsrbuiot
    2. voeceryr from mental health problems
    3. it represented one pntenocom
    4. calling the aniiviitet a life saver
    5. it saved their itsyan
    6. idunedc fun and happiness

    Put the text back together

    (  1  )     Researchers have found that singing in groups could have positive effects on reducing anxiety

    (    )     weekly singing workshops for six months. They discovered that singing in groups was an essential

    (    )     singing group called Sing Your Heart Out. A research team conducted the study to examine how singing

    (    )     or maintenance of health." Professor Shakespeare explained: "We heard the participants calling the

    (    )     Lead researcher, professor Tom Shakespeare, said: "We found that singing as part of a group contributes

    (    )     initiative a life saver and that it saved their sanity." He said: "The key thing for

    (    )     and depression. The research is from the University of East Anglia in the UK, in collaboration with a community

    (    )     part in helping people recover from mental illness. In addition, it helped people feel valued, enhanced their

    (    )     to people's recovery from mental health problems." He added that: "All of the participants we spoke to reported positive

    (    )     everyone was that the Sing Your Heart Out model induced fun and happiness."

    (    )     with other people affects mental health. Researchers followed a group of participants who attended free

    (    )     effects on their mental health as a direct result of taking part in the singing workshops. For some, it represented

    (    )     one component of a wider programme of support. For others, it stood out as key to their recovery

    (    )     mood and increased their confidence, social skills and feeling of well-being.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. effects   could   Singing   have   in   positive   groups   .
    2. singing   with   group   a   In   community   collaboration   .
    3. other   How   singing   with   affects   mental   health   people   .
    4. Participants   singing   free   who   workshops   attended   weekly   .
    5. essential   in   people   An   part   helping   recover   .
    6. group   people's   contributes   recovery   to   Part   of   a   .
    7. effects   positive   reported   to   spoke   we   participants   The   .
    8. of   component   One   support   of   programme   wider   a   .
    9. as   out   stood   It   recovery   their   to   key   .
    10. the   the   life   Heard   calling   a   saver   participants   initiative   -   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Researchers have found that singing in groups could have positive affects / effects on reducing anxiety and depressive / depression. The research is from the University of East Anglia in the UK, in collaboration / collaborative with a community singing / sing group called Sing Your Heart Out. A research team conducted the study to examine what / how singing with other people affects mental health. Researchers followed a group of participants what / who attended free weekly / week singing workshops for six months. They discovered that singing in groups was an essence / essential part in helping people recover from mental illness. In / On addition, it helped people feel valued, enhanced their mood / moody and increased their confidence, social skills and feeling of well-being.

    Lead researcher, professor Tom Shakespeare, said: "We found that singing as / was part of a group contributes to people's recover / recovery from mental health problems." He added that: "All of the participants we spoke to reported positively / positive effects on their mental health as a direction / direct result of taking part on / in the singing workshops. For some, it represented one competent / component of a wider programme of support. For others, it stood out as key to their recover / recovery or maintenance of health." Professor Shakespeare explained: "We heard the participants calling the initiative a life saver / server and that it saved their sane / sanity." He said: "The key thing for everyone was that the Sing Your Heart Out model induced fun / funny and happiness."

    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)

    R_s__rch_rs h_v_ f__nd th_t s_ng_ng _n gr__ps c__ld h_v_ p_s_t_v_ _ff_cts _n r_d_c_ng _nx__ty _nd d_pr_ss__n. Th_ r_s__rch _s fr_m th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f __st _ngl__ _n th_ _K, _n c_ll_b_r_t__n w_th _ c_mm_n_ty s_ng_ng gr__p c_ll_d S_ng Y__r H__rt __t. _ r_s__rch t__m c_nd_ct_d th_ st_dy t_ _x_m_n_ h_w s_ng_ng w_th _th_r p__pl_ _ff_cts m_nt_l h__lth. R_s__rch_rs f_ll_w_d _ gr__p _f p_rt_c_p_nts wh_ _tt_nd_d fr__ w__kly s_ng_ng w_rksh_ps f_r s_x m_nths. Th_y d_sc_v_r_d th_t s_ng_ng _n gr__ps w_s _n _ss_nt__l p_rt _n h_lp_ng p__pl_ r_c_v_r fr_m m_nt_l _lln_ss. _n _dd_t__n, _t h_lp_d p__pl_ f__l v_l__d, _nh_nc_d th__r m__d _nd _ncr__s_d th__r c_nf_d_nc_, s_c__l sk_lls _nd f__l_ng _f w_ll-b__ng.

    L__d r_s__rch_r, pr_f_ss_r T_m Sh_k_sp__r_, s__d: "W_ f__nd th_t s_ng_ng _s p_rt _f _ gr__p c_ntr_b_t_s t_ p__pl_'s r_c_v_ry fr_m m_nt_l h__lth pr_bl_ms." H_ _dd_d th_t: "_ll _f th_ p_rt_c_p_nts w_ sp_k_ t_ r_p_rt_d p_s_t_v_ _ff_cts _n th__r m_nt_l h__lth _s _ d_r_ct r_s_lt _f t_k_ng p_rt _n th_ s_ng_ng w_rksh_ps. F_r s_m_, _t r_pr_s_nt_d _n_ c_mp_n_nt _f _ w_d_r pr_gr_mm_ _f s_pp_rt. F_r _th_rs, _t st__d __t _s k_y t_ th__r r_c_v_ry _r m__nt_n_nc_ _f h__lth." Pr_f_ss_r Sh_k_sp__r_ _xpl__n_d: "W_ h__rd th_ p_rt_c_p_nts c_ll_ng th_ _n_t__t_v_ _ l_f_ s_v_r _nd th_t _t s_v_d th__r s_n_ty." H_ s__d: "Th_ k_y th_ng f_r _v_ry_n_ w_s th_t th_ S_ng Y__r H__rt __t m_d_l _nd_c_d f_n _nd h_pp_n_ss."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    researchers have found that singing in groups could have positive effects on reducing anxiety and depression the research is from the university of east anglia in the uk in collaboration with a community singing group called sing your heart out a research team conducted the study to examine how singing with other people affects mental health researchers followed a group of participants who attended free weekly singing workshops for six months they discovered that singing in groups was an essential part in helping people recover from mental illness in addition it helped people feel valued enhanced their mood and increased their confidence social skills and feeling of well-being

    lead researcher professor tom shakespeare said "we found that singing as part of a group contributes to people's recovery from mental health problems" he added that "all of the participants we spoke to reported positive effects on their mental health as a direct result of taking part in the singing workshops for some it represented one component of a wider programme of support for others it stood out as key to their recovery or maintenance of health" professor shakespeare explained "we heard the participants calling the initiative a life saver and that it saved their sanity" he said "the key thing for everyone was that the sing your heart out model induced fun and happiness"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Researchershavefoundthatsingingingroupscouldhavepositiveeffect
    sonreducinganxetyanddepression.TheresearchisfromtheUniversity
    ofEastAngliaintheUK,incollaborationwithacommunitysinginggroupc
    alledSingYourHeartOut.Aresearchteamconductedthestudytoexami
    nehowsingingwithotherpeopleaffectsmentalhealth.Researchersfoll
    owedagroupofparticipantswhoattendedfreeweeklysingingworkshop
    sforsixmonths.Theydiscoveredthatsingingingroupswasanessentialp
    artinhelpingpeoplerecoverfrommentalillness.Inaddition,ithelpedpe
    oplefeelvalued,enhancedtheirmoodandincreasedtheirconfidence,so
    cialskillsandfeelingofwell-being.Leadresearcher,professorTomShak
    espeare,said:"Wefoundthatsingingaspartofagroupcontributestopeo
    ple'srecoveryfrommentalhealthproblems."Headdedthat:"Allofthep
    articipantswespoketoreportedpositiveeffectsontheirmentalhealthas
    adirectresultoftakingpartinthesingingworkshops.Forsome,itreprese
    ntedonecomponentofawiderprogrammeofsupport.Forothers,itstoo
    doutaskeytotheirrecoveryormaintenanceofhealth."ProfessorShake
    speareexplained:"Weheardtheparticipantscallingtheinitiativealifesa
    verandthatitsavedtheirsanity."Hesaid:"Thekeythingforeveryonewa
    sthattheSingYourHeartOutmodelinducedfunandhappiness."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We should all sing in groups every day. Do you agree? What are the pros and cons of this?

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

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

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

    4. SINGING IN GROUPS: Write a magazine article about singing in groups every day. 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 singing. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on where and how we can sing more in groups. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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