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University ends use of Mr, Ms and Mrs (25th July, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Titles - Level 3

A university in South Africa has decided to no longer use titles such as Mr‚ Ms or Mrs. The University of the Witwatersrand said it will stop using these titles on any form of communication with students. It took this decision to support people who were transgender or gender non-conforming. A statement from officials read: "The university realizes that it is invalidating and distressing for a person who‚ for example‚ was...female at birth but identifies as male to be constantly addressed by a non-affirming title." It added that people who were transgender or non-binary are choosing the gender-neutral title "Mx," which is legally recognized in many countries across the world.

The decision has been widely welcomed by the university community. The university said it, "opposes all public and private discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression". A university official said: "We want people in our university community to feel safe‚ supported and ultimately respected. As a transgender person myself‚ it means a lot being in a space which is welcoming." A law professor said the action was, "the most wonderful moment for true equality across a multitude of spectrums". She added: "It's a triumph for an understanding of the diversity of gender identity‚ sexual orientation and the right to be respected for whomever you are."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Titles - Level 0, Titles - Level 1 or Titles - Level 2

Sources

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-07-19-wits-drops-mr-ms-and-mrs-titles/
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-44922404
http://ewn.co.za/2018/07/23/equality-commission-hails-wits-decision-to-remove-gender-prefixes

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. TITLES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about titles. 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?
university / titles / communication / decision / gender / transgender / female / Mx /
welcomed / community / discrimination / safe / space / professor / diversity / respect
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NO TITLES: Students A strongly believe people don't need titles; Students B strongly believe they do. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. DISCRIMINTION: How does discrimination affect people? How can we reduce it? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How it affects people	How we can reduce it
Gender
Sex
Race
Religion
Income
Age

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. COMMUNICATION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "communication". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. USING TITLES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important times to use titles at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

introducing friends
talking to customers
at meetings
meeting royals
job applications
e-mails
speeches
degree certificates

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	title	a.	Something people make up their mind to do after thinking about it.
2.	form	b.	A word such as Mrs. or Dr. that is used before someone's name to show their job or if they are married.
3.	communication	c.	The giving or sharing of information, ideas or news.
4.	decision	d.	Non-stop over a period of time; always.
5.	transgender	e.	Acknowledge the existence of someone.
6.	constantly	f.	A kind or type of something.
7.	recognized	g.	Someone whose own idea of whether they are male or female is different from their sex at birth.

Paragraph 2

8.	widely	h.	A group of people living in the same place or having a particular thing in common.
9.	opposes	i.	The state of their being many different kinds of things or people.
10.	discrimination	j.	The state of being the same as everyone else, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
11.	community	k.	The unfair treatment of different kinds of people or things, especially because of race, age, or sex.
12.	respected	l.	A feeling of really liking someone or something because of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
13.	equality	m.	To a large degree or extent.
14.	diversity	n.	Is against an idea, situation, person, plan, etc.

Before reading / listening

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

The article said a university will stop using the titles 'Dr' and 'professor'. T / F
The university wants to stop using titles to support transgender people. T / F
The university said it can be distressing for people to have to use titles. T / F
Many transgender people are choosing to use the title 'Mx'. T / F
The university's decision is very unpopular in the community. T / F
The university said it wants people to feel safe. T / F
A law professor said the university's action did little for equality. T / F
The professor said taking away titles was disrespectful. T / F

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

such as
form
support
distressing
choosing
welcomed
discrimination
ultimately
triumph
diversity

variety
help
prejudice
approved of
kind
victory
opting for
like
basically
upsetting

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

no longer use titles such
stop using these titles on any
support people who
female at
legally recognized
widely welcomed by the
discrimination on the basis
feel safe‚ supported and ultimately
the most wonderful moment for true
whomever

of gender identity
were transgender
university community
equality
as Mr‚ Ms or Mrs
respected
birth
in many countries
you are
form of communication

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

decision
longer
transgender
birth
legally
form
addressed
realizes

A university in South Africa has decided to no (1) ____________ use titles such as Mr‚ Ms or Mrs. The University of the Witwatersrand said it will stop using these titles on any (2) ____________ of communication with students. It took this (3) ____________ to support people who were transgender or gender non-conforming. A statement from officials read: "The university (4) ____________ that it is invalidating and distressing for a person who‚ for example‚ was...female at (5) ____________ but identifies as male to be constantly (6) ____________ by a non-affirming title." It added that people who were (7) ____________ or non-binary are choosing the gender-neutral title "Mx," which is (8) ____________ recognized in many countries across the world.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

triumph
expression
equality
whomever
safe
diversity
opposes
space

The decision has been widely welcomed by the university community. The university said it, "(9) ____________ all public and private discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender (10) ____________ ". A university official said: "We want people in our university community to feel (11) ____________ ‚ supported and ultimately respected. As a transgender person myself‚ it means a lot being in a (12) ____________ which is welcoming." A law professor said the action was, "the most wonderful moment for true (13) ____________ across a multitude of spectrums". She added: "It's a (14) ____________ for an understanding of the (15) ____________ of gender identity‚ sexual orientation and the right to be respected for (16) ____________ you are."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) A university in South Africa has decided to no longer use ______ Mr
     a. titles such was
     b. titles such has
     c. titles such that's
     d. titles such as
2) Witwatersrand said it will stop using these titles on ______ communication
     a. any farm of
     b. any firm of
     c. any frame of
     d. any form of
3) It took this decision to support people who were transgender ______-conforming
     a. or gender not
     b. or gender non
     c. or gender now
     d. or gender noon
4) It added that people who were transgender ______
     a. or non-by nary
     b. or non-buy nary
     c. or non-bine nary
     d. or non-binary
5) gender-neutral title "Mx," which is legally recognized in many countries ______
     a. across the worldly
     b. across the worlds
     c. across the worldwide
     d. across the world

6) The university said it opposes all public and ______
     a. private discrimination
     b. private discriminatory
     c. private discriminated
     d. private discriminate
7) We want people in our university community ______
     a. to feeling safe
     b. to feel safe
     c. to feel safely
     d. to feeling safely
8) As a transgender person myself‚ it means a lot being in a ______ welcoming
     a. space why is
     b. space which is
     c. space which this
     d. space which his
9) the most wonderful moment for true equality across ______ spectrums
     a. a multi tube of
     b. a multi-tune of
     c. a multi-chew of
     d. a multitude of
10) ...identity‚ sexual orientation and the right to be respected ______ are
     a. for whom never you
     b. for whom even you
     c. for whomever you
     d. for who never you

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A university in South Africa has decided to (1) ___________________ titles such as Mr‚ Ms or Mrs. The University of the Witwatersrand said it will stop using these titles (2) ___________________ of communication with students. It took this decision to support people who were transgender or gender non-conforming. A statement (3) ___________________: "The university realizes that it is invalidating and distressing for a person who‚ for example‚ was... (4) ___________________ but identifies as male to be constantly (5) ___________________ non-affirming title." It added that people who were transgender or non-binary are choosing the gender-neutral title "Mx," (6) ___________________ recognized in many countries across the world.

The decision (7) ___________________ welcomed by the university community. The university said it, "opposes all public and private discrimination (8) ___________________ of gender identity and gender expression". A university official said: "We want people in our university community (9) ___________________‚ supported and ultimately respected. As a transgender person myself‚ it means a lot (10) ___________________ space which is welcoming." A law professor said the action was, "the most wonderful moment (11) ___________________ across a multitude of spectrums". She added: "It's a triumph for an understanding of the diversity of gender identity‚ sexual orientation and the (12) ___________________ respected for whomever you are."

Comprehension questions

Where is the university that will stop using titles?
What will the university stop using these titles on?
Who does the university want to support?
What did the university say titles might be, besides invalidating?
What title are many transgender people choosing to use?
Who has widely welcomed the decision not to use titles?
What does the university oppose?
Who said they wanted people at the university to feel safe?
Who said the decision was "true equality"?
What right did a professor talk about in the last sentence of the article?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where is the university that will stop using titles?
a) Brazil
b) South Africa
c) England
d) New York
2) What will the university stop using these titles on?
a) letters
b) the Internet
c) forums
d) all forms of communication
3) Who does the university want to support?
a) transgender people
b) all students
c) professors
d) people with titles
4) What did the university say titles might be, besides invalidating?
a) formal
b) safe
c) distressing
d) unnecessary
5) What title are many transgender people choosing to use?
a) Mz
b) Mx
c) My
d) Me

6) Who has widely welcomed the decision not to use titles?
a) the university community
b) students
c) professors
d) the government
7) What does the university oppose?
a) students
b) titles
c) discrimination
d) rights
8) Who said they wanted people at the university to feel safe?
a) a university official
b) students
c) a group of professors
d) the government
9) Who said the decision was "true equality"?
a) a law professor
b) a sociology professor
c) an English professor
d) a chemistry professor
10) What right did a professor talk about in the last sentence of the article?
a) the right and not wrong
b) the right to titles
c) the right to life
d) the right to be respected

Role play

Role A – Job Applications
You think job applications is the most important time to use titles. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their times. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): meeting royals, introducing friends or talking to customers.

Role B – Meeting Royals
You think meeting royals is the most important time to use titles. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their times. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): job applications, introducing friends or talking to customers.

Role C – Introducing Friends
You think introducing friends is the most important time to use titles. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their times. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): meeting royals, job applications or talking to customers.

Role D – Talking to Customers
You think talking to customers is the most important time to use titles. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their times. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): meeting royals, introducing friends or job applications.

After reading / listening

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

'university'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'title'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

widely

basis

safe

space

true

right

such

form

support

example

addressed

world

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 - University ends use of Mr, Ms and Mrs

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 'title'?
What do you think of the titles used in your country?
What title do you like to be called by?
What do you think of titles?
Should titles tell people what gender someone is?
Why do we have titles?
Why do some countries have titles and others don't?
What do you think of the gender-neutral title "Mx"?
Should there be more titles to recognize all kinds of people?

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 'university'?
What do you think about what you read?
Do you like selecting Mr, Ms, etc. on online forms?
Is asking people to use one of three titles a form of discrimination?
What other things should change to make transgender people feel safe?
How much equality is there in your country?
How much equality do transgender people have in your country?
How good is the university's action?
What questions would you like to ask the university?

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)

A university in South Africa has decided to no (1) ____ use titles such as Mr‚ Ms or Mrs. The University of the Witwatersrand said it will stop using (2) ____ titles on any form of communication with students. It took this decision to (3) ____ people who were transgender or gender non-conforming. A statement from officials read: "The university realizes that it is invalidating and (4) ____ for a person who‚ for example‚ was...female at birth but identifies as male to be constantly addressed by a non-affirming title." It (5) ____ that people who were transgender or non-binary are choosing the gender-neutral title "Mx," which is (6) ____ recognized in many countries across the world.

The decision has been widely welcomed by the university community. The university said it, "opposes (7) ____ public and private discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression". A university (8) ____ said: "We want people in our university community to feel safe‚ (9) ____ and ultimately respected. As a transgender person myself‚ it means a lot being in a space which is welcoming." A law professor said the action was, "the (10) ____ wonderful moment for true equality across a multitude of spectrums". She added: "It's a (11) ____ for an understanding of the diversity of gender identity‚ sexual orientation and the right to be respected for whomever you (12) ____."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) longer (b) lengthier (c) longing (d) longs
(a) them (b) they (c) these (d) that
(a) report (b) rapport (c) support (d) supplant
(a) distressed (b) de-stress (c) distress (d) distressing
(a) plus (b) attached (c) added (d) appended
(a) legal (b) legally (c) legality (d) legalize
(a) every (b) all (c) whole (d) entire
(a) officially (b) official (c) officials (d) officialdom
(a) supports (b) support (c) supported (d) supporting
(a) mast (b) many (c) much (d) most
(a) triumphant (b) triumphs (c) triumvirate (d) triumph
(a) be (b) is (c) have (d) are

Spelling

Paragraph 1

decided to no rongle use titles
It took this icdneosi
proupts people who were transgender
idfeienist as male
choosing the gender-nralute title
elgalyl recognized

Paragraph 2

wlydei welcomed
public and ptviear discrimination
a university fifaciol
true tuaeqliy
It's a mputhir
the right to be ertepcsde

Put the text back together

(...) professor said the action was, "the most wonderful moment for true equality across a multitude
(...) The decision has been widely welcomed by the university community. The university said it, "opposes all
(...) decision to support people who were transgender or gender non-conforming. A statement from
(...) respected. As a transgender person myself‚ it means a lot being in a space which is welcoming." A law
(...) official said: "We want people in our university community to feel safe‚ supported and ultimately
( 1 ) A university in South Africa has decided to no longer use titles such as Mr‚ Ms or Mrs. The University of the
(...) which is legally recognized in many countries across the world.
(...) public and private discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression". A university
(...) at birth but identifies as male to be constantly addressed by a non-affirming title." It added that
(...) identity‚ sexual orientation and the right to be respected for whomever you are."
(...) people who were transgender or non-binary are choosing the gender-neutral title "Mx,"
(...) officials read: "The university realizes that it is invalidating and distressing for a person who‚ for example‚ was...female
(...) Witwatersrand said it will stop using these titles on any form of communication with students. It took this
(...) of spectrums". She added: "It's a triumph for an understanding of the diversity of gender

Put the words in the right order

longer No titles use such Mr . as
to It this decision took support people .
it realizes invalidating . university The that is
but as birth at male . Female identifies
the recognized world . in countries many Legally across
university . The the decision been by has welcomed
in people university community . want our We
a it person‚ lot . a As means transgender
most The for equality . true moment wonderful
of understanding of the diversity An identity . gender

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A university in South Africa has decided to no length / longer use titles such as Mr‚ Ms or Mrs. The University of the Witwatersrand said it will stop used / using these titles on any form / from of communication with students. It took this decision / decisions to support people who were transgender or gender non-conforming. A statement from officially / officials read: "The university realizes that it is invalidating and de-stressing / distressing for a person who‚ for example‚ was...female for / at birth but identifies as male to be constantly addressed by /as a non-affirming title." It added that people who were transgender or non-binary are choosing the gander / gender-neutral title "Mx," which is legally recognized in many countries across / cross the world.

The decision has been widely / width welcomed by the university community. The university said it, "opposes tall / all public and private discrimination on the basis / oasis of gender identity and gender expression". A universal / university official said: "We want people in our university community to feel safe‚ support / supported and ultimately respected. As a transgender person / people myself‚ it means a lot being in a space which is welcomed / welcoming." A law professor said the action was, "the most wonderful moment / memento for true equality across a multitude of spectrums". She added: "It's a triumph / triumphant for an understanding of the diversity of gender identity‚ sexual orientation and the right to be respective / respected for whomever you are."

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)

A _n_v_r s_t y _n S__ t h A f r_c_ h_s d_c_d_d t_ n_ l_n g_r _s_ t_t l_s s_c h _s M r ‚ M s _r M r s . T h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f t h_ W_t w_t_r s r_n d s__ d _t w_l l s t_p _s_n g t h_s_ t_t l_s _n _n y f_r m _f c_m m_n_c_t__ n w_t h s t_d_n t s . I t t__ k t h_s d_c_s__ n t_ s_p p_r t p__ p l_ w h_ w_r_ t r_n s g_n d_r _r g_n d_r n_n - c_n f_r m_n g . A s t_t_m_n t f r_m _f f_c__ l s r__ d : " T h_ _n_v_r s_t y r__ l_z_s t h_t _t _s _n v_l_d_t_n g _n d d_s t r_s s_n g f_r _ p_r s_n w h_‚ f_r _x_m p l_‚ w_s . . . f_m_l_ _t b_r t h b_t _d_n t_f__ s _s m_l_ t_ b_ c_n s t_n t l y _d d r_s s_d b y _ n_n -_f f_r m_n g t_t l_. " I t _d d_d t h_t p__ p l_ w h_ w_r_ t r_n s g_n d_r _r n_n - b_n_r y _r_ c h__ s_n g t h_ g_n d_r - n__ t r_l t_t l_ " M x , " w h_c h _s l_g_l l y r_c_g n_z_d _n m_n y c__ n t r__ s _c r_s s t h_ w_r l d .

T h_ d_c_s__ n h_s b__ n w_d_l y w_l c_m_d b y t h_ _n_v_r s_t y c_m m_n_t y . T h_ _n_v_r s_t y s__ d _t , "_p p_s_s _l l p_b l_c _n d p r_v_t_ d_s c r_m_n_t__ n _n t h_ b_s_s _f g_n d_r _d_n t_t y _n d g_n d_r _x p r_s s__ n " . A _n_v_r s_t y _f f_c__ l s__ d : " W_ w_n t p__ p l_ _n __ r _n_v_r s_t y c_m m_n_t y t_ f__ l s_f_‚ s_p p_r t_d _n d _l t_m_t_l y r_s p_c t_d . A s _ t r_n s g_n d_r p_r s_n m y s_l f ‚ _t m__ n s _ l_t b__ n g _n _ s p_c_ w h_c h _s w_l c_m_n g . " A l_w p r_f_s s_r s__ d t h_ _c t__ n w_s , " t h_ m_s t w_n d_r f_l m_m_n t f_r t r__ _q__ l_t y _c r_s s _ m_l t_t_d_ _f s p_c t r_m s " . S h_ _d d_d : " I t ' s _ t r__ m p h f_r _n _n d_r s t_n d_n g _f t h_ d_v_r s_t y _f g_n d_r _d_n t_t y ‚ s_x__ l _r__ n t_t__ n _n d t h_ r_g h t t_ b_ r_s p_c t_d f_r w h_m_v_r y__ _r_. "

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a university in south africa has decided to no longer use titles such as mr ms or mrs the university of the witwatersrand said it will stop using these titles on any form of communication with students it took this decision to support people who were transgender or gender nonconforming a statement from officials read the university realizes that it is invalidating and distressing for a person who for example wasfemale at birth but identifies as male to be constantly addressed by a nonaffirming title it added that people who were transgender or nonbinary are choosing the gender neutral title mx which is legally recognized in many countries across the world

the decision has been widely welcomed by the university community the university said it opposes all public and private discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression a university official said we want people in our university community to feel safe supported and ultimately respected as a transgender person myself it means a lot being in a space which is welcoming a law professor said the action was the most wonderful moment for true equality across a multitude of spectrums she added its a triumph for an understanding of the diversity of gender identity sexual orientation and the right to be respected for whomever you are

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

AuniversityinSouthAfricahasdecidedtonolongerusetitlessuchasMr‚M
sorMrs.TheUniversityoftheWitwatersrandsaiditwillstopusingthesetit
lesonanyformofcommunicationwithstudents.Ittookthisdecisiontosu
pportpeoplewhoweretransgenderorgendernon-conforming.Astate
mentfromofficialsread:"Theuniversityrealizesthatitisinvalidatingan
ddistressingforapersonwho‚forexample‚was...femaleatbirthbutiden
tifiesasmaletobeconstantlyaddressedbyanon-affirmingtitle."Itadd
edthatpeoplewhoweretransgenderornon-binaryarechoosingtheg
ender-neutraltitle"Mx,"whichislegallyrecognizedinmanycountriesac
rosstheworld.Thedecisionhasbeenwidelywelcomedbytheuniversityc
ommunity.Theuniversitysaidit,"opposesallpublicandprivatediscrimi
nationonthebasisofgenderidentityandgenderexpression".Auniversit
yofficialsaid:"Wewantpeopleinouruniversitycommunitytofeelsafe‚s
upportedandultimatelyrespected.Asatransgenderpersonmyself‚itm
eansalotbeinginaspacewhichiswelcoming."Alawprofessorsaidtheact
ionwas,"themostwonderfulmomentfortrueequalityacrossamultitud
eofspectrums".Sheadded:"It'satriumphforanunderstandingofthedi
versityofgenderidentity‚sexualorientationandtherighttoberespecte
dforwhomeveryouare."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We no longer need titles like Mr and Mrs. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. TITLES: Make a poster about titles. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. NO TITLES: Write a magazine article about getting rid of all titles. 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 titles. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on titles. 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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