The Reading / Listening - Tattoos - Level 6

Rugby players with tattoos are being asked to cover them up during next year's World Cup in Japan. The request by the sport's governing body World Rugby is to avoid offending people in Japan. It is somewhat of a taboo in Japan to be seen in public with a tattoo. Tattoos are usually associated with the notorious yakuza crime gangs, for whom tattoos are a source of great pride. Many swimming pools, gyms, bath houses and onsen in Japan ban people with tattoos from using their facilities. However, in 2016, Japan's tourism agency asked onsen to relax their rules. It said tourists had tattoos for very different reasons. The agency suggested giving tourists stickers to cover their tattoos.

The Rugby World Cup director Alan Gilpin said all the competing teams understood the cultural sensitivity in Japan regarding tattoos. He said: "When we raised it with the teams a year or so ago, we were probably expecting a frustrated reaction from them, but there hasn't been at all." He added that the players want to respect Japanese culture. He said the wearing of a vest used for watersports would be a form of "self-policing" among the players. The famous All Blacks rugby team from New Zealand has confirmed that its players will comply with the request. It said: "We endeavor to be respectful of the local customs and culture, and this will be no different when we visit Japan."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Tattoos - Level 4  or  Tattoos - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45586210
  • https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/missing-ink-wallabies-to-cover-up-tattoos-in-japan-for-world-cup-20180920-p5052p.html
  • https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/09/20/rugby/tokyo-marks-one-year-countdown-2019-rugby-world-cup/


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. TATTOOS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about tattoos. 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?
       rugby / tattoos / request / offending / crime gangs / pride / facilities / onsen / rules /
       director / sensitivity / teams / reaction / culture / self-policing / famous / request
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. OFFENSIVE: Students A strongly believe tattoos are offensive; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TATTOO PLACES: What is good or bad about having a tattoo on these places? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good

Bad

Arm

 

 

Lower back

 

 

Knuckles

 

 

Forehead

 

 

Stomach

 

 

Ankle

 

 

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. RUGBY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "rugby". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. IMAGE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best tattoo image at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • rose
  • lover's name
  • sports team emblem
  • yin and yang
  • heart
  • dragon
  • tear drop
  • smiley

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. request a. A group of people who make the policy and direct the affairs of an institution, especially on a voluntary or part-time basis.
      2. governing body b. Causing to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful.
      3. avoid c. Make a rule or restriction less strict.
      4. offending d. Keep away from or stop oneself from doing something.
      5. somewhat e. Famous or well known, usually for some bad quality or act.
      6. notorious f. An act of asking politely or formally for something.
      7. relax g. To a moderate extent or by a moderate amount.

    Paragraph 2

      8. sensitivity h. Feeling or expressing distress and annoyance, especially because of an inability to change or achieve something.
      9. frustrated i. An action performed or a feeling experienced in response to a situation or event.
      10. reaction j. Try hard to do or achieve something.
      11. form k. State that a report or fact is true.
      12. confirmed l. A kind or type of something.
      13. comply m. How a person's feelings might be easily offended or hurt; a culture's correct way of behaving, especially regarding things that could upset people.
      14. endeavor n. Act in a way that follows a wish or command.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. All sports players must now cover tattoos in Japan.     T / F
  2. Tattoos in Japan are associated with crime syndicates.     T / F
  3. Japan's tourism agency requested spas relax rules regarding tattoos.     T / F
  4. The tourism agency suggested spas give out stickers to cover tattoos.     T / F
  5. Only half of rugby teams understood the reason for covering tattoos.     T / F
  6. The rugby players said they wanted to respect Japanese culture.     T / F
  7. World Rugby said the police would make sure tattoos were covered.     T / F
  8. New Zealand's rugby team said it would endeavor to get smaller tattoos. T / F

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

  1. asked
  2. avoid
  3. somewhat
  4. pride
  5. relax
  6. sensitivity
  7. regarding
  8. reaction
  9. form
  10. endeavor
  1. quite
  2. feelings
  3. honor
  4. try
  5. refrain from
  6. about
  7. type
  8. requested
  9. response
  10. loosen

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

  1. The request by the sport's governing
  2. notorious
  3. relax their
  4. tourists had tattoos for very
  5. The agency suggested giving tourists stickers
  6. cultural
  7. a year or
  8. a form of self-
  9. players will comply
  10. respectful of
  1. so ago
  2. to cover their tattoos
  3. sensitivity
  4. body
  5. with the request
  6. yakuza crime gangs
  7. different reasons
  8. the local customs
  9. rules
  10. policing

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
notorious
facilities
cover
stickers
pride
tourism
avoid
request

Rugby players with tattoos are being asked to (1) ____________ them up during next year's World Cup in Japan. The (2) ____________ by the sport's governing body World Rugby is to (3) ____________ offending people in Japan. It is somewhat of a taboo in Japan to be seen in public with a tattoo. Tattoos are usually associated with the (4) ____________ yakuza crime gangs, for whom tattoos are a source of great (5) ____________. Many swimming pools, gyms, bath houses and onsen in Japan ban people with tattoos from using their (6) ____________. However, in 2016, Japan's (7) ____________ agency asked onsen to relax their rules. It said tourists had tattoos for very different reasons. The agency suggested giving tourists (8) ____________ to cover their tattoos.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
reaction
form
cultural
request
respect
customs
raised
famous

The Rugby World Cup director Alan Gilpin said all the competing teams understood the (9) ____________ sensitivity in Japan regarding tattoos. He said: "When we (10) ____________ it with the teams a year or so ago, we were probably expecting a frustrated (11) ____________ from them, but there hasn't been at all." He added that the players want to (12) ____________ Japanese culture. He said the wearing of a vest used for watersports would be a (13) ____________ of "self-policing" among the players. The (14) ____________ All Blacks rugby team from New Zealand has confirmed that its players will comply with the (15) ____________. It said: "We endeavor to be respectful of the local (16) ____________ and culture, and this will be no different when we visit Japan."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The request by the sport's governing body World Rugby is to ______ people
     a.  avoids offending
     b.  evade offending
     c.  avoid offending
     d.  avoidance offending
2)  Tattoos are usually associated with the notorious yakuza ______
     a.  grime gangs
     b.  crime gangs
     c.  climb gangs
     d.  claim gangs
3)  ban people with tattoos from using ______
     a.  them facilities
     b.  their faculties
     c.  there facile ties
     d.  their facilities
4)  It said tourists had tattoos for very ______
     a.  difference reasons
     b.  different reason
     c.  difference treason
     d.  different reasons
5)  The agency suggested giving tourists ______ their tattoos
     a.  stick errs to cover
     b.  stickers too covert
     c.  stickers two covers
     d.  stickers to cover

6)  Alan Gilpin said all the competing teams understood the ______
     a.  cultural sensitive a tea
     b.  culturally sense activity
     c.  cultural sensitivity
     d.  culture all sense avidly
7)  we were probably expecting a frustrated ______ them
     a.  reactions from
     b.  react shun for
     c.  reaction from
     d.  reacted frame
8)  the wearing of a vest used for watersports would be ______ "self-policing"
     a.  a form of
     b.  a from of
     c.  a form off
     d.  the form of
9) team from New Zealand has confirmed that its players will ______ request
     a.  comply with the
     b.  comply within the
     c.  comply wither the
     d.  comply without the
10)  We endeavor to be respectful of the local ______
     a.  custom sand culture
     b.  customs and culture
     c.  customs and cultured
     d.  customs and cultural

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Rugby players with tattoos are being (1) ___________________ them up during next year's World Cup in Japan. The request by the sport's governing body World Rugby (2) ___________________ offending people in Japan. It is somewhat of a taboo in Japan to be (3) ___________________ with a tattoo. Tattoos are usually associated with the notorious yakuza crime gangs, for whom tattoos are a source (4) ___________________. Many swimming pools, gyms, bath houses and onsen in Japan ban people with tattoos from (5) ___________________. However, in 2016, Japan's tourism agency asked onsen to (6) ___________________. It said tourists had tattoos for very different reasons. The agency suggested giving tourists stickers to cover their tattoos.

The Rugby World Cup director Alan Gilpin said (7) ___________________ teams understood the cultural sensitivity in Japan regarding tattoos. He said: "When we raised it with the teams a year (8) ___________________, we were probably expecting a frustrated (9) ___________________, but there hasn't been at all." He added that the players want to respect Japanese culture. He said the wearing of (10) ___________________ for watersports would be a form of "self-policing" among the players. The famous All Blacks rugby team from New Zealand has confirmed that its players (11) ___________________ the request. It said: "We endeavor to be respectful of the local customs and culture, and this will (12) ___________________ when we visit Japan."

Comprehension questions

  1. Where will the next Rugby World Cup take place?
  2. What are tattoos usually regarded as in Japan?
  3. What are tattoos usually associated with in Japan?
  4. When did Japan's tourism agency suggest tattoo rules be relaxed?
  5. What did Japan's tourism agency suggest giving to tourists?
  6. Who is Alan Gilpin?
  7. What was World Rugby expecting from the rugby players?
  8. What did the players say they wanted to do to Japanese culture?
  9. What famous rugby team was mentioned in the article?
  10. What will a famous rugby team endeavor to be respectful of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where will the next Rugby World Cup take place?
a) New Zealand
b) Japan
c) South Africa
d) Samoa
2) What are tattoos usually regarded as in Japan?
a) ugly
b) beautiful
c) artistic
d) a taboo
3) What are tattoos usually associated with in Japan?
a) yakuza crime gangs
b) anime
c) geisha
d) karaoke
4) When did Japan's tourism agency suggest tattoo rules be relaxed?
a) 2017
b) 2015
c) 2016
d) 2018
5) What did Japan's tourism agency suggest giving to tourists?
a) maps
b) stickers
c) advice
d) ink

6) Who is Alan Gilpin?
a) a rugby player
b) a tattoo artist
c) the Rugby World Cup director
d) a yakuza
7) What was World Rugby expecting from the rugby players?
a) great rugby
b) smaller tattoos
c) good behaviour
d) frustration
8) What did the players say they wanted to do to Japanese culture?
a) respect it
b) experience it
c) savour it
d) change it
9) What famous rugby team was mentioned in the article?
a) the All Blacks
b) the Wallabies
c) the Springboks
d) the British Lions
10) What will a famous rugby team endeavor to be respectful of?
a) the rules
b) local customs
c) the yakuza
d) the rugby ball

Role play

Role  A – Heart
You think a heart is the best image for a tattoo. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their images. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): dragon, rose or yin and yang.

Role  B – Dragon
You think a dragon is the best image for a tattoo. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their images. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): heart, rose or yin and yang.

Role  C – Rose
You think a rose is the best image for a tattoo. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their images. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): dragon, heart or yin and yang.

Role  D – Yin and Yang
You think yin and yang is the best image for a tattoo. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their images. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): dragon, rose or heart.

After reading / listening

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

'rugby'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'tattoo'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • director
    • raised
    • reaction
    • form
    • comply
    • different
    • asked
    • avoid
    • crime
    • bath
    • tourism
    • stickers

    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 - Rugby players to hide tattoos in Japan

    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 'tattoo'?
    3. What do you think of rugby?
    4. Why do people get tattoos?
    5. What kind of tattoo would you think is best?
    6. Should people have to cover up their tattoos?
    7. Do tattoos make people more attractive?
    8. What three adjectives best describe tattoos?
    9. At what age should people be able to have a tattoo?
    10. What do you know about how to behave in Japan?

    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 'rugby'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of tattoos?
    5. What should tourists do to respect culture in your country?
    6. Why are tattoos so in fashion nowadays?
    7. Is it a good idea to have a tattoo of your lover's name?
    8. What do you think of face tattoos?
    9. How important is it to respect local customs?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a tattoo artist?

    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)

    Rugby players with tattoos are being asked to cover them (1) ____ during next year's World Cup in Japan. The request (2) ____ the sport's governing body World Rugby is to avoid (3) ____ people in Japan. It is somewhat of a taboo in Japan to be seen in public with a tattoo. Tattoos are usually associated (4) ____ the notorious yakuza crime gangs, for whom tattoos are a source of great pride. Many swimming pools, gyms, bath houses and onsen in Japan ban people with tattoos from using their facilities. (5) ____, in 2016, Japan's tourism agency asked onsen to relax their rules. It said tourists had tattoos for (6) ____ different reasons. The agency suggested giving tourists stickers to cover their tattoos.

    The Rugby World Cup director Alan Gilpin said all the competing teams understood the cultural (7) ____ in Japan regarding tattoos. He said: "When we raised it with the teams a year or so ago, we were (8) ____ expecting a frustrated reaction from them, but there hasn't been at (9) ____." He added that the players want to respect Japanese culture. He said the wearing of a vest used for watersports would be a form (10) ____ "self-policing" among the players. The famous All Blacks rugby team from New Zealand has confirmed that its players will (11) ____ with the request. It said: "We endeavor to be respectful of the local customs and culture, and this will be (12) ____ different when we visit Japan."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     in     (b)     on     (c)     down     (d)     up    
    2. (a)     as     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    3. (a)     offence     (b)     offending     (c)     offender     (d)     offensive    
    4. (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     with     (d)     on    
    5. (a)     However     (b)     Moreover     (c)     Furthermore     (d)     Yet    
    6. (a)     very     (b)     true     (c)     real     (d)     much    
    7. (a)     sentences     (b)     sentience     (c)     sensibly     (d)     sensitivity    
    8. (a)     probably     (b)     probable     (c)     probing     (d)     probes    
    9. (a)     full     (b)     all     (c)     over     (d)     much    
    10. (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     as    
    11. (a)     comfy     (b)     clumsy     (c)     comply     (d)     creepy    
    12. (a)     non     (b)     no     (c)     none     (d)     not

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the sport's goirnengv body
    2. avoid oniefndgf people
    3. roonuotis yakuza crime gangs
    4. a recsou of great pride
    5. using their aeliitfics
    6. kstrisec to cover their tattoos

    Paragraph 2

    1. understood the cultural tiyiienstsv
    2. we raesdi it with the teams
    3. eesrpct Japanese culture
    4. a form of "self-gpicilon"
    5. omcply with the request
    6. We ovdenrae to be respectful

    Put the text back together

    (...)  in Japan ban people with tattoos from using their facilities. However, in 2016, Japan's tourism
    (...)  by the sport's governing body World Rugby is to avoid offending people in Japan. It is somewhat
    (...)  of the local customs and culture, and this will be no different when we visit Japan."
    1  ) Rugby players with tattoos are being asked to cover them up during next year's World Cup in Japan. The request
    (...)  of a taboo in Japan to be seen in public with a tattoo. Tattoos are usually associated with the notorious yakuza crime
    (...)  The Rugby World Cup director Alan Gilpin said all the competing teams understood the cultural
    (...)  reasons. The agency suggested giving tourists stickers to cover their tattoos.
    (...)  agency asked onsen to relax their rules. It said tourists had tattoos for very different
    (...)  sensitivity in Japan regarding tattoos. He said: "When we raised it with the teams a year or
    (...)  gangs, for whom tattoos are a source of great pride. Many swimming pools, gyms, bath houses and onsen
    (...)  so ago, we were probably expecting a frustrated reaction from them, but there hasn't been at
    (...)  of "self-policing" among the players. The famous All Blacks rugby team from New Zealand
    (...)  has confirmed that its players will comply with the request. It said: "We endeavor to be respectful
    (...)  all." He added that the players want to respect Japanese culture. He said the wearing of a vest used for watersports would be a form

    Put the words in the right order

    1. with   Rugby   are   players   being   tattoos   asked   .
    2. body   .   The   by   the   request   governing   sport's
    3. taboo   in   Japan   .   a   It   of   somewhat   is
    4. people   using   with   tattoos   their   Ban   from   facilities   .
    5. reasons   .   had   very   Tourists   different   tattoos   for
    6. Japan   cultural   The   in   sensitivity   tattoos   .   regarding
    7. frustrated   probably   expecting   a   We   were   reaction   .
    8. players   .   of   form   the   "self-policing"   A   among
    9. to   Endeavor   customs   .   be   of   the   respectful   local
    10. will   different   no   when   we   This   visit   .   be

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Rugby players with tattoos are being / been asked to cover them up during next year's World Cup in Japan. The bequest / request by the sport's governing body World Rugby is to avoid offence / offending people in Japan. It is somewhat / somewhere of a taboo in Japan to be seen in / on public with a tattoo. Tattoos are usually associated with the notoriety / notorious yakuza crime gangs, for whom tattoos are a source / sauce of great pride. Many swimming pools, gyms, bath houses and onsen in Japan band / ban people with tattoos from using their facilities. However, in 2016, Japan's tourism agency asked onsen to relax / chillax their rules. It said tourists had tattoos for very different reasons. The agency suggested given / giving tourists stickers to cover their tattoos.

    The Rugby World Cup director / direction Alan Gilpin said all the competing teams understood the culturally / cultural sensitivity in Japan regarding tattoos. He said: "When we arisen / raised it with the teams a year or so ago, we were probable / probably expecting a frustrated reaction / react from them, but there hasn't been at all." He added that the players want to respect / retract Japanese culture. He said the worn / wearing of a vest used for watersports would be a form / frame of "self-policing" among the players. The famous All Blacks rugby team from New Zealand has confirmed that its players will comply / reply with the request. It said: "We endeavor to be respectful of the local customs and culture, and this will be no / not different when we visit Japan."

    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)

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    T h_ R_g b y W_r l d C_p d_r_c t_r A l_n G_l p_n s__ d _l l t h_ c_m p_t_n g t__ m s _n d_r s t__ d t h_ c_l t_r_l s_n s_t_v_t y _n J_p_n r_g_r d_n g t_t t__ s . H_ s__ d : " W h_n w_ r__ s_d _t w_t h t h_ t__ m s _ y__ r _r s_ _g_, w_ w_r_ p r_b_b l y _x p_c t_n g _ f r_s t r_t_d r__ c t__ n f r_m t h_m , b_t t h_r_ h_s n ' t b__ n _t _l l . " H_ _d d_d t h_t t h_ p l_y_r s w_n t t_ r_s p_c t J_p_n_s_ c_l t_r_. H_ s__ d t h_ w__ r_n g _f _ v_s t _s_d f_r w_t_r s p_r t s w__ l d b_ _ f_r m _f " s_l f - p_l_c_n g " _m_n g t h_ p l_y_r s . T h_ f_m__ s A l l B l_c k s r_g b y t__ m f r_m N_w Z__ l_n d h_s c_n f_r m_d t h_t _t s p l_y_r s w_l l c_m p l y w_t h t h_ r_q__ s t . I t s__ d : " W_ _n d__ v_r t_ b_ r_s p_c t f_l _f t h_ l_c_l c_s t_m s _n d c_l t_r_, _n d t h_s w_l l b_ n_ d_f f_r_n t w h_n w_ v_s_t J_p_n . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    rugby players with tattoos are being asked to cover them up during next years world cup in japan the request by the sports governing body world rugby is to avoid offending people in japan it is somewhat of a taboo in japan to be seen in public with a tattoo tattoos are usually associated with the notorious yakuza crime gangs for whom tattoos are a source of great pride many swimming pools gyms bath houses and onsen in japan ban people with tattoos from using their facilities however in 2016 japans tourism agency asked onsen to relax their rules it said tourists had tattoos for very different reasons the agency suggested giving tourists stickers to cover their tattoos

    the rugby world cup director alan gilpin said all the competing teams understood the cultural sensitivity in japan regarding tattoos he said when we raised it with the teams a year or so ago we were probably expecting a frustrated reaction from them but there hasnt been at all he added that the players want to respect japanese culture he said the wearing of a vest used for watersports would be a form of selfpolicing among the players the famous all blacks rugby team from new zealand has confirmed that its players will comply with the request it said we endeavor to be respectful of the local customs and culture and this will be no different when we visit japan

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Rugbyplayerswithtattoosarebeingaskedtocoverthemupduringnexty
    ear'sWorldCupinJapan.Therequestbythesport'sgoverningbodyWorl
    dRugbyistoavoidoffendingpeopleinJapan.ItissomewhatofatabooinJ
    apantobeseeninpublicwithatattoo.Tattoosareusuallyassociatedwith
    thenotoriousyakuzacrimegangs,forwhomtattoosareasourceofgreat
    pride.Manyswimmingpools,gyms,bathhousesandonseninJapanban
    peoplewithtattoosfromusingtheirfacilities.However,in2016,Japan'st
    ourismagencyaskedonsentorelaxtheirrules.Itsaidtouristshadtattoo
    sforverydifferentreasons.Theagencysuggestedgivingtouristssticker
    stocovertheirtattoos.TheRugbyWorldCupdirectorAlanGilpinsaidallt
    hecompetingteamsunderstoodtheculturalsensitivityinJapanregardi
    ngtattoos.Hesaid:"Whenweraiseditwiththeteamsayearorsoago,we
    wereprobablyexpectingafrustratedreactionfromthem,buttherehasn
    'tbeenatall."HeaddedthattheplayerswanttorespectJapaneseculture.
    Hesaidthewearingofavestusedforwatersportswouldbeaformof"self-
    policing"amongtheplayers.ThefamousAllBlacksrugbyteamfromNew
    Zealandhasconfirmedthatitsplayerswillcomplywiththerequest.Itsai
    d:"Weendeavortoberespectfulofthelocalcustomsandculture,andthis
    willbenodifferentwhenwevisitJapan."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    The body is too beautiful to put tattoos on. Discuss.

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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. TATTOOS: Make a poster about tattoos. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. PUBLIC: Write a magazine article about banning the showing of tattoos in public. 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 tattoos. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on tattoos. 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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