Breaking News English Lesson: Denuclearization

Home | Help This Site

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to meet (11th March, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Denuclearization - Level 6

The leaders of the USA and North Korea are set to meet for the first time ever. A historic summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un will take place at an as yet undisclosed location by May. The two leaders will discuss North Korea's denuclearization. US Vice-President Mike Pence said American diplomacy had brought North Korea to the negotiating table. He said: "It is evidence that President Trump's strategy to isolate the Kim regime is working." North Korea's ambassador to the UN hailed the "courageous decision" of Mr Kim for bringing about the meeting. He said Kim would help secure "peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the East Asia region".

World leaders welcomed the upcoming inaugural meeting. Such unprecedented talks seemed unlikely a few months ago, when the two leaders were hurling insults at each other. It could be a sign that one-time enemies could now be "frenemies". South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said the meeting was "like a miracle". He said there would be obstacles ahead, but the talks were a key step towards denuclearization. He added: "The May meeting will be recorded as a historic milestone in achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula." China's President Xi Jinping telephoned Mr Trump to welcome the development. He advised both sides to proceed with caution so as not to impede improving relations.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Denuclearization - Level 4 or Denuclearization - Level 5

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43345209
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-cautiously-welcomes-trump-kim-summit-1520618342
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180309000664

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. NUCLEAR WEAPONS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about nuclear weapons. 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?
leaders / USA / North Korea / historic / summit / denuclearization / diplomacy / peace
unprecedented / insults / enemies / frenemies / obstacles / milestone / caution
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DENUCLEARIZATION: Students A strongly believe there will be denuclearization on the Korean Peninsular; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TALKS: What should the two leaders talk about, and why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Talk about	Why?
Small talk
Power
Denuclearization
South Korea
US forces in Asia
Future relations

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. LEADER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "leader". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. LOCATION: Rank these with your partner. Put the best place for the two leaders to meet at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Moscow
Tahiti
Switzerland
Tokyo
The White House
Pyongyang
Seoul
Beijing

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	set	a.	Not revealed or made known publicly.
2.	summit	b.	Prepared and ready.
3.	undisclosed	c.	The activity or skill of managing international relations, usually by a country's representatives abroad.
4.	diplomacy	d.	Trying to reach an agreement or compromise by discussion with others.
5.	negotiating	e.	A meeting between heads of government.
6.	isolate	f.	Not stopped by danger or pain; brave.
7.	courageous	g.	Cause a person or place to be or remain alone or apart from others.

Paragraph 2

8.	inaugural	h.	Never done or known before.
9.	unprecedented	i.	Things that block one's way or prevents or hinders progress.
10.	insults	j.	The first or the beginning of an activity, or period of office.
11.	frenemies	k.	A disrespectful or abusive remark or action towards another person, culture, country, etc.
12.	obstacles	l.	An action or event that shows an important change or stage in development.
13.	milestone	m.	A person with whom one is friendly despite a basic dislike or rivalry.
14.	impede	n.	Delay or prevent someone or something by stopping them from doing something.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

The leaders of the USA and North Korea have never met before. T / F
The meeting will take place in early June. T / F
North Korea's leader said Trump's diplomacy brought him to the talks. T / F
An ambassador said Mr Kim would bring stability to East Asia. T / F
A few months ago, the two leaders were trading insults. T / F
It is possible the two leaders could become frenemies. T / F
South Korea's leader likened the summit to a miracle. T / F
China's leader advised both sides not to be cautious. T / F

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

set
location
negotiating
strategy
secure
upcoming
hurling
obstacles
milestone
impede

throwing
plan
landmark
imminent
discussion
hurdles
ready
hinder
obtain
place

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

A historic
brought North Korea to the negotiating
Trump's strategy to isolate the Kim
the UN hailed
peace and stability in the
the two leaders were hurling insults
there would be obstacles
a key step towards
recorded as a
proceed with caution so as not to impede

Korean peninsula
improving relations
denuclearization
summit
regime
historic milestone
table
at each other
the courageous decision
ahead

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

decision
discuss
summit
table
set
stability
strategy
place

The leaders of the USA and North Korea are (1) ____________ to meet for the first time ever. A historic (2) ____________ between U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un will take (3) ____________ at an as yet undisclosed location by May. The two leaders will (4) ____________ North Korea's denuclearization. US Vice-President Mike Pence said American diplomacy had brought North Korea to the negotiating (5) ____________. He said: "It is evidence that President Trump's (6) ____________ to isolate the Kim regime is working." North Korea's ambassador to the UN hailed the "courageous (7) ____________ " of Mr Kim for bringing about the meeting. He said Kim would help secure "peace and (8) ____________ in the Korean peninsula and the East Asia region".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

historic
miracle
unlikely
caution
upcoming
key
welcome
sign

World leaders welcomed the (9) ____________ inaugural meeting. Such unprecedented talks seemed (10) ____________ a few months ago, when the two leaders were hurling insults at each other. It could be a (11) ____________ that one-time enemies could now be "frenemies". South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said the meeting was "like a (12) ____________ ". He said there would be obstacles ahead, but the talks were a (13) ____________ step towards denuclearization. He added: "The May meeting will be recorded as a (14) ____________ milestone in achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula." China's President Xi Jinping telephoned Mr Trump to (15) ____________ the development. He advised both sides to proceed with (16) ____________ so as not to impede improving relations.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The leaders of the USA and North Korea are set to meet for the ______
     a. first time every
     b. first time even
     c. first time ever
     d. first time evens
2) ... will take place at an as yet undisclosed ______
     a. location at May
     b. location by May
     c. location on May
     d. location to May
3) It is evidence that President Trump's strategy to isolate the Kim ______
     a. regime is working
     b. regimen is working
     c. regiment is working
     d. regimental is working
4) North Korea's ambassador to the UN hailed the "______"
     a. courageously decision
     b. courageous decision
     c. courageously decisions
     d. courageous decisions
5) help secure peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the ______
     a. East Asia regional
     b. East Asia legion
     c. East Asia liaison
     d. East Asia region

6) World leaders welcomed the upcoming ______
     a. in ore Ural meeting
     b. inner growl meeting
     c. in a crawl meeting
     d. inaugural meeting
7) unlikely a few months ago, when the two leaders were hurling ______ other
     a. insult at each
     b. insults at each
     c. insulting at each
     d. insulted at each
8) South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said the meeting was "______"
     a. liken a miracle
     b. likes a miracle
     c. liked a miracle
     d. like a miracle
9) The May meeting will be recorded as a historic milestone ______
     a. in achieving a peace
     b. in achieve in peace
     c. in a chi vine peace
     d. in achieving peace
10) He advised both sides to proceed with caution so as not to impede ______
     a. improve in relations
     b. in prove in relations
     c. improving relations
     d. improving relation

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The leaders of the USA and North Korea are (1) ___________________ for the first time ever. A (2) ___________________ between U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un will (3) ___________________ an as yet undisclosed location by May. The two leaders will discuss North Korea's denuclearization. US Vice-President Mike Pence said American diplomacy had brought North Korea to the negotiating table. He said: "It is evidence that President Trump's (4) ___________________ the Kim regime is working." North Korea's ambassador to the UN hailed the "(5) ___________________" of Mr Kim for bringing about the meeting. He said Kim would help secure "(6) ___________________ in the Korean peninsula and the East Asia region".

World leaders welcomed the upcoming (7) ___________________. Such unprecedented talks seemed unlikely a few months ago, when the two leaders were (8) ___________________ each other. It could be a sign that one-time enemies could now be "frenemies". South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said the meeting was "(9) ___________________". He said there would (10) ___________________, but the talks were a key step towards denuclearization. He added: "The May meeting will be recorded as a historic (11) ___________________ peace on the Korean Peninsula." China's President Xi Jinping telephoned Mr Trump to welcome the development. He advised both sides to proceed with caution so as (12) ___________________ improving relations.

Comprehension questions

How many times have US and North Korean leaders met before?
Where will the meeting take place?
What did the US Vice-President say had brought N. Korea to talks?
What kind of decision did an ambassador say Mr Kim made?
What did the ambassador say Mr Kim would secure in East Asia?
What were the two leaders hurling at each other a few months ago?
What could the leaders be instead of enemies?
What did South Korea's president liken the meeting to?
What did S. Korea's president say the meeting would be recorded as?
How did China's leader advise the two sides to proceed?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many times have US and North Korean leaders met before?
a) 3
b) 0
c) 2
d) 1
2) Where will the meeting take place?
a) Switzerland
b) Pyongyang
c) Washington DC
d) no one knows yet
3) What did the US Vice-President say had brought N. Korea to talks?
a) American diplomacy
b) common sense
c) the US military
d) money
4) What kind of decision did an ambassador say Mr Kim made?
a) an informed one
b) a nonsensical one
c) a courageous one
d) a risky one
5) What did the ambassador say Mr Kim would secure in East Asia?
a) good times
b) peace and stability
c) nuclear weapons
d) wealth and prosperity

6) What were the two leaders hurling at each other a few months ago?
a) insults
b) mud
c) bad jokes
d) threats
7) What could the leaders be instead of enemies?
a) golf rivals
b) best buddies
c) frenemies
d) sparring partners
8) What did South Korea's president liken the meeting to?
a) a miracle
b) the UN
c) a dove
d) a noisy chat room
9) What did S. Korea's president say the meeting would be recorded as?
a) a historic milestone
b) an MP3
c) a measurement
d) a courtesy
10) How did China's leader advise the two sides to proceed?
a) like a turtle
b) ASAP
c) with caution thrown to the wind
d) with caution

Role play

Role A – The White House
You think the White House is the best place for the summit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Pyongyang, Seoul or Beijing.

Role B – Pyongyang
You think Pyongyang is the best place for the summit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the White House, Seoul or Beijing.

Role C – Seoul
You think Seoul is the best place for the summit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Pyongyang, the White House or Beijing.

Role D – Beijing
You think Beijing is the best place for the summit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Pyongyang, Seoul or the White House.

After reading / listening

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

'nuclear'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'weapon'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

ago

sign

ahead

key

telephoned

caution

set

yet

discuss

table

decision

region

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 - Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to meet

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Korea'?
What brought about these talks?
What do you know about North Korea's leader?
How historic is this summit?
Where do you think the meeting should take place?
What do you know about North Korean-US relations?
How "courageous" is the decision to meet?
What questions would you like to ask President Trump?
What advice do you have for President Trump?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'negotiations'?
What do you think about what you read?
How do you think the two leaders will get on?
Can the two leaders become friends?
What are the similarities between Mr Trump and Mr Kim?
What are the differences between Mr Trump and Mr Kim?
What do you think the outcome of the talks will be?
What advice do you have for Kim Jong-un?
What questions would you like to ask Kim Jong-un?

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)

The leaders of the USA and North Korea are (1) ____ to meet for the first time ever. A historic (2) ____ between U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un will take place at an as (3) ____ undisclosed location by May. The two leaders will discuss North Korea's denuclearization. US Vice-President Mike Pence said American (4) ____ had brought North Korea to the negotiating table. He said: "It is evidence that President Trump's strategy to isolate the Kim (5) ____ is working." North Korea's ambassador to the UN hailed the "courageous decision" of Mr Kim for bringing (6) ____ the meeting. He said Kim would help secure "peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the East Asia region".

World leaders welcomed the upcoming inaugural meeting. Such unprecedented talks seemed unlikely a few months ago, when the two leaders were (7) ____ insults at each other. It could be a sign that (8) ____ enemies could now be "frenemies". South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said the meeting was "like a miracle". He said there would be obstacles ahead, but the talks were a (9) ____ step towards denuclearization. He added: "The May meeting will be recorded as a historic milestone (10) ____ achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula." China's President Xi Jinping telephoned Mr Trump to welcome the development. He (11) ____ both sides to proceed with caution (12) ____ as not to impede improving relations.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) set (b) bet (c) let (d) met
(a) submit (b) summary (c) summit (d) surmise
(a) let (b) met (c) yet (d) set
(a) drastically (b) dynasty (c) dichotomy (d) diplomacy
(a) regiment (b) regimental (c) regime (d) regimen
(a) around (b) about (c) over (d) to
(a) whistling (b) hurling (c) whirling (d) hurtling
(a) once (b) one-time (c) on time (d) one
(a) lock (b) chain (c) key (d) security
(a) by (b) on (c) at (d) in
(a) adviser (b) advising (c) advice (d) advised
(a) about (b) such (c) though (d) so

Spelling

Paragraph 1

A historic ummsit
an as yet nislcuodesd location
American pdmolaicy
the UN hailed the "urgaceouos decision"
help secure peace and aibtlstiy
in the Korean nnipsuela

Paragraph 2

welcomed the upcoming nagiruual
hurling nusilts at each other
like a iracmle
there would be socatlbes ahead
a historic lseitmnoe
so as not to mpeide improving relations

Put the text back together

(...) said American diplomacy had brought North Korea to the negotiating table. He said: "It is evidence
(...) World leaders welcomed the upcoming inaugural meeting. Such unprecedented talks seemed
(...) that President Trump's strategy to isolate the Kim regime is working." North Korea's
(...) yet undisclosed location by May. The two leaders will discuss North Korea's denuclearization. US Vice-President Mike Pence
(...) meeting. He said Kim would help secure "peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the East Asia region".
(...) between U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un will take place at an as
(...) time enemies could now be "frenemies". South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said the meeting was "like a
(...) unlikely a few months ago, when the two leaders were hurling insults at each other. It could be a sign that one-
( 1 ) The leaders of the USA and North Korea are set to meet for the first time ever. A historic summit
(...) miracle". He said there would be obstacles ahead, but the talks were a key step
(...) ambassador to the UN hailed the "courageous decision" of Mr Kim for bringing about the
(...) peace on the Korean Peninsula." China's President Xi Jinping telephoned Mr Trump to welcome the
(...) towards denuclearization. He added: "The May meeting will be recorded as a historic milestone in achieving
(...) development. He advised both sides to proceed with caution so as not to impede improving relations.

Put the words in the right order

meet Set the for to first time ever .
place at an as yet Take undisclosed location .
brought to Korea North the Diplomacy negotiating table .
strategy isolate Trump's regime the to is working .
would Kim said help He secure peace .
leaders welcomed the upcoming World inaugural meeting .
seemed a unlikely Talks few months ago .
enemies One-time now could be "frenemies" .
as historic Recorded in milestone a achieving peace .
sides both He to advised with proceed caution .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The leaders of the USA and North Korea are set / met to meet for the first time ever. A historic / history summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un will give / take place at an as / has yet undisclosed location by May. The two leaders will discuss North Korea's denuclearization. US Vice-President Mike Pence said American diplomacy had brought / bought North Korea to the negotiating table. He said: "It is evidence / espionage that President Trump's strategy to resonate / isolate the Kim regime is working." North Korea's ambassador to / by the UN hailed the "courageous / courage decision" of Mr Kim for bringing about the meeting. He said Kim would help secure "peace and stable / stability in the Korean peninsula and the East Asia region".

World leaders welcomed the incoming / upcoming inaugural meeting. Such unprecedented talks seemed / seen unlikely a few months ago, when the two leaders were hurling / hurtling insults at each other. It could be a sign that one-time enemies could not / now be "frenemies". South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said the meeting was "like a miracle". He said there would be obstacles ahead / headed, but the talks were a stage / key step towards denuclearization. He added: "The May meeting will be recorded / records as a historic milestone in / so achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula." China's President Xi Jinping telephoned Mr Trump to welcome the development. He advised / advice both sides to proceed with caution so as not to stampede / impede improving relations.

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)

T h_ l__ d_r s _f t h_ U S A _n d N_r t h K_r__ _r_ s_t t_ m__ t f_r t h_ f_r s t t_m_ _v_r . A h_s t_r_c s_m m_t b_t w__ n U . S . P r_s_d_n t D_n_l d T r_m p _n d S_p r_m_ L__ d_r _f N_r t h K_r__ K_m J_n g -_n w_l l t_k_ p l_c_ _t _s y_t _n d_s c l_s_d l_c_t__ n b y M_y . T h_ t w_ l__ d_r s w_l l d_s c_s s N_r t h K_r__ ' s d_n_c l__ r_z_t__ n . U S V_c_- P r_s_d_n t M_k_ P_n c_ s__ d A m_r_c_n d_p l_m_c y h_d b r__ g h t N_r t h K_r__ t_ t h_ n_g_t__ t_n g t_b l_. H_ s__ d : " I t _s _v_d_n c_ t h_t P r_s_d_n t T r_m p ' s s t r_t_g y t_ _s_l_t_ t h_ K_m r_g_m_ _s w_r k_n g . " N_r t h K_r__ ' s _m b_s s_d_r t_ t h_ U N h__ l_d t h_ " c__ r_g___s d_c_s__ n " _f M r K_m f_r b r_n g_n g _b__ t t h_ m__ t_n g . H_ s__ d K_m w__ l d h_l p s_c_r_ " p__ c_ _n d s t_b_l_t y _n t h_ K_r__ n p_n_n s_l_ _n d t h_ E_s t A s__ r_g__ n " .

W_r l d l__ d_r s w_l c_m_d t h_ _p c_m_n g _n__ g_r_l m__ t_n g . S_c h _n p r_c_d_n t_d t_l k s s__ m_d _n l_k_l y _ f_w m_n t h s _g_, w h_n t h_ t w_ l__ d_r s w_r_ h_r l_n g _n s_l t s _t __ c h _t h_r . I t c__ l d b_ _ s_g n t h_t _n_- t_m_ _n_m__ s c__ l d n_w b_ " f r_n_m__ s " . S__ t h K_r__ ' s P r_s_d_n t M__ n J__ -_n s__ d t h_ m__ t_n g w_s " l_k_ _ m_r_c l_" . H_ s__ d t h_r_ w__ l d b_ _b s t_c l_s _h__ d , b_t t h_ t_l k s w_r_ _ k_y s t_p t_w_r d s d_n_c l__ r_z_t__ n . H_ _d d_d : " T h_ M_y m__ t_n g w_l l b_ r_c_r d_d _s _ h_s t_r_c m_l_s t_n_ _n _c h__ v_n g p__ c_ _n t h_ K_r__ n P_n_n s_l_. " C h_n_' s P r_s_d_n t X_ J_n p_n g t_l_p h_n_d M r T r_m p t_ w_l c_m_ t h_ d_v_l_p m_n t . H_ _d v_s_d b_t h s_d_s t_ p r_c__ d w_t h c__ t__ n s_ _s n_t t_ _m p_d_ _m p r_v_n g r_l_t__ n s .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the leaders of the usa and north korea are set to meet for the first time ever a historic summit between us president donald trump and supreme leader of north korea kim jongun will take place at as yet undisclosed location by may the two leaders will discuss north koreas denuclearization us vicepresident mike pence said american diplomacy had brought north korea to the negotiating table he said it is evidence that president trumps strategy to isolate the kim regime is working north koreas ambassador to the un hailed the courageous decision of mr kim for bringing about the meeting he said kim would help secure peace and stability in the korean peninsula and the east asia region

world leaders welcomed the upcoming inaugural meeting such unprecedented talks seemed unlikely a few months ago when the two leaders were hurling insults at each other it could be a sign that onetime enemies could now be frenemies south koreas president moon jaein said the meeting was like a miracle he said there would be obstacles ahead but the talks were a key step towards denuclearization he added the may meeting will be recorded as a historic milestone in achieving peace on the korean peninsula chinas president xi jinping telephoned mr trump to welcome the development he advised both sides to proceed with caution so as not to impede improving relations

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheleadersoftheUSAandNorthKoreaaresettomeetforthefirsttimeev
er.AhistoricsummitbetweenU.S.PresidentDonaldTrumpandSuprem
eLeaderofNorthKoreaKimJong-unwilltakeplaceatanasyetundisclose
dlocationbyMay.ThetwoleaderswilldiscussNorthKorea'sdenucleariz
ation.USVice-PresidentMikePencesaidAmericandiplomacyhadbroug
htNorthKoreatothenegotiatingtable.Hesaid:"ItisevidencethatPresid
entTrump'sstrategytoisolatetheKimregimeisworking."NorthKorea's
ambassadortotheUNhailedthe"courageousdecision"ofMrKimforbrin
gingaboutthemeeting.HesaidKimwouldhelpsecure"peaceandstabilit
yintheKoreanpeninsulaandtheEastAsiaregion".Worldleaderswelco
medtheupcominginauguralmeeting.Suchunprecedentedtalksseem
edunlikelyafewmonthsago,whenthetwoleaderswerehurlinginsultsat
eachother.Itcouldbeasignthatone-timeenemiescouldnowbe"frene
mies".SouthKorea'sPresidentMoonJae-insaidthemeetingwas"like
amiracle".Hesaidtherewouldbeobstaclesahead,butthetalkswereake
ysteptowardsdenuclearization.Headded:"TheMaymeetingwillberec
ordedasahistoricmilestoneinachievingpeaceontheKoreanPeninsula.
"China'sPresidentXiJinpingtelephonedMrTrumptowelcomethedevel
opment.Headvisedbothsidestoproceedwithcautionsoasnottoimped
eimprovingrelations.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

What three things must happen for talks to succeed? Will they happen? Why (not)?

_____________________________________________________________________________

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. NUCLEAR WEAPONS: Make a poster about nuclear weapons. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. DENUCLEARIZATION: Write a magazine article about the whole world getting rid of their nuclear weapons if North Korea denuclearizes. 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 nuclear weapons. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to bring about worldwide denuclearization. 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.)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English Lesson: Denuclearization

Home | Help This Site

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS