Breaking News English Lesson on Reggae

Home | Help This Site

UN declares reggae a world cultural treasure (1st December, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Reggae - Level 6

Reggae music has become a global cultural treasure. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added reggae to its list of cultural forms it deems worthy of protecting and promoting. UNESCO officially recognized reggae as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the early 1960s. Pioneers included artists such as Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and the legendary Bob Marley. The Jamaican government was pleased with reggae's new status. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said: "Reggae is uniquely Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world."

UNESCO defined reggae as being, "an amalgam of numerous musical influences," including Jamaican and Caribbean forms, neo-African styles, soul and rhythm and blues from North America, and Ska and Rock Steady. It described the importance of the music, saying: "Reggae music was the voice of the marginalized. The music is now played and embraced by a wide cross-section of society, including various genders, ethnic and religious groups." It added: "Reggae's contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the [music] as being...cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Reggae - Level 4 or Reggae - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46383617
https://www.nation.co.ke/news/world/Raggae-Unesco-list/1068-4873962-kcone1z/index.html
https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/reggae-music-of-jamaica-01398

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. REGGAE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about reggae. 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?
reggae / music / treasure / heritage / genre / Jamaica / artists / legendary / world /
UNESCO / influences / Caribbean / voice / ethnic / cross-section / love / sensual
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. TREASURE: Students A strongly believe music is humanity's greatest cultural treasure; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CULTURE: What is the best, and why? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

	What?	Why?
Music
Art
Food
Dress
Literature
Festivals

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

rock
opera
jazz
new wave
reggae
soul
rhythm and blues
ska

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	treasure	a.	Unable to be touched or grasped; not having physical presence.
2.	deems	b.	Succeed in entering new markets or areas.
3.	worthy	c.	Something or someone very, very valuable.
4.	intangible	d.	Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specified way.
5.	heritage	e.	Think of, regard or consider in a specified way.
6.	genre	f.	Valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations.
7.	penetrated	g.	A category of music, movie, literature, etc. characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

Paragraph 2

8.	amalgam	h.	A person or thing that can have an effect on someone or something.
9.	influence	i.	A person, group, or concept who is/are as treated as being insignificant or unimportant.
10.	marginalized	j.	Intellectual rather than emotional or physical.
11.	embraced	k.	A mixture or blend.
12.	underscores	l.	About pleasure of the senses - especially sexual pleasure.
13.	cerebral	m.	Emphasize; highlight.
14.	sensual	n.	Accept, like or support a belief, theory, or change willingly and enthusiastically.

Before reading / listening

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

UNESCO listed reggae as a global cultural treasure. T / F
Reggae started in Jamaica in the 1950s. T / F
Jamaica's government was not happy with reggae's listing. T / F
Jamaica's culture minister said reggae was uniquely Caribbean. T / F
UNESCO said reggae was influenced by rhythm and blues. T / F
UNESCO said reggae was the voice of the marginalized. T / F
UNESCO said people of all genders enjoyed reggae. T / F
UNESCO said reggae has contributed to discourse on revolution. T / F

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

deems
promoting
genre
legendary
penetrated
amalgam
described
marginalized
genders
underscores

category
sexes
spread throughout
recounted
publicizing
sidelined
considers
emphasizes
famous
mix

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

cultural forms it deems worthy
Reggae is a music genre that
the legendary
Reggae is uniquely
penetrated all corners
an amalgam of numerous
Reggae music was the voice of the
a wide cross-
various genders, ethnic and
sensual

musical influences
and spiritual
of the world
section of society
of protecting
religious groups
Jamaican
Bob Marley
marginalized
originated in Jamaica

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

deems
status
originated
list
uniquely
global
officially
legendary

Reggae music has become a (1) ____________ cultural treasure. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added reggae to its (2) ____________ of cultural forms it (3) ____________ worthy of protecting and promoting. UNESCO (4) ____________ recognized reggae as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Reggae is a music genre that (5) ____________ in Jamaica in the early 1960s. Pioneers included artists such as Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and the (6) ____________ Bob Marley. The Jamaican government was pleased with reggae's new (7) ____________. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said: "Reggae is (8) ____________ Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

cross
influences
underscores
genders
sensual
amalgam
voice
discourse

UNESCO defined reggae as being, "an (9) ____________ of numerous musical (10) ____________," including Jamaican and Caribbean forms, neo-African styles, soul and rhythm and blues from North America, and Ska and Rock Steady. It described the importance of the music, saying: "Reggae music was the (11) ____________ of the marginalized. The music is now played and embraced by a wide (12) ____________ -section of society, including various (13) ____________, ethnic and religious groups." It added: "Reggae's contribution to international (14) ____________ on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity (15) ____________ the dynamics of the [music] as being...cerebral, socio-political, (16) ____________ and spiritual."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Reggae music has become a global ______
     a. cultural treasure
     b. cultural treasured
     c. cultural treasures
     d. cultural treasury
2) Reggae is a music genre that ______
     a. originate it in Jamaica
     b. originated in Jamaica
     c. origination in Jamaica
     d. origin ate it in Jamaica
3) The Jamaican government was pleased with reggae's ______
     a. news status
     b. new state us
     c. new status
     d. new stay task
4) Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said: "Reggae ______"
     a. isn't unique Jamaican
     b. is uniquely Jamaican
     c. is unique the Jamaican
     d. isn't uniquely Jamaican
5) It is a music that we have created that has ______
     a. pen entered all corners
     b. penny traitor all corners
     c. penetration all corners
     d. penetrated all corners

6) UNESCO defined reggae as being, "an amalgam of numerous ______
     a. musically influences
     b. musicality influences
   c. musical influences
     d. musicals influences
7) neo-African styles, soul and rhythm and blues from North America, and ______
     a. Scar and Rocked Steadily
     b. Scarred and Rock Steadily
     c. Ska and Rock Steady
     d. Ska and Rocked Steady
8) Reggae music was the voice ______
     a. of the marginalize
     b. of the moralized
     c. of the margin analyzed
     d. of the marginalized
9) The music is now played and embraced by a wide cross-______
     a. sections of society
     b. section of society
     c. section of societies
     d. sections of societies
10) underscores the dynamics of the [music] as being...cerebral, socio-political, ______
     a. sensualized and spiritualized
     b. sensuality and spirituality
   c. sensually and spiritually
     d. sensual and spiritual

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Reggae music has become (1) ___________________ treasure. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added reggae to its list of cultural forms it (2) ___________________ protecting and promoting. UNESCO officially recognized reggae as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Reggae is (3) ___________________ that originated in Jamaica in the early 1960s. Pioneers included (4) ___________________ Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and the legendary Bob Marley. The Jamaican government (5) ___________________ reggae's new status. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said: "Reggae is uniquely Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has (6) ___________________ of the world."

UNESCO defined reggae (7) ___________________ amalgam of numerous musical influences," including Jamaican and Caribbean forms, neo-African (8) ___________________ rhythm and blues from North America, and Ska and Rock Steady. It described the importance of the music, saying: "Reggae music was (9) ___________________ the marginalized. The music is now played and embraced by a (10) ___________________ of society, including various genders, ethnic and religious groups." It added: "Reggae's contribution to international discourse (11) ___________________ injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the [music] as being...cerebral, socio-political, (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

What is the name of UN organization mentioned in the article?
What did the UN consider reggae to be worthy of?
When did reggae originate?
Who is Olivia Grange?
Where did Ms Grange say reggae had penetrated?
How many musical influences did the UN say reggae was made up of?
What two North American music styles influenced reggae?
What does the article say reggae is the voice of?
What part of society did the article say embraced reggae?
What kind of discourse did the article say contributed to?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of UN organization mentioned in the article?
a) UNICEF
b) UNESCO
c) FAO
d) IMF
2) What did the UN consider reggae to be worthy of?
a) awards for rhythm and lyrics
b) listening and dancing to
c) Jamaica
d) protecting and promoting
3) When did reggae originate?
a) the early 70s
b) the late 1960s
c) the early 1960s
d) the mid-1950s
4) Who is Olivia Grange?
a) Jamaica's culture minister
b) a reggae star
c) a UNESCO worker
d) Bob Marley's biographer
5) Where did Ms Grange say reggae had penetrated?
a) mainstream music
b) all corners of the world
c) hip-hop and rap
d) country radio stations

6) How many musical influences did the UN say reggae was made up of?
a) numerous
b) 2
c) dozens
d) not many
7) What two North American music styles influenced reggae?
a) rock and country
b) blues and country
c) soul and rhythm and blues
d) Motown and Atlantic Soul
8) What does the article say reggae is the voice of?
a) the marginalized
b) Jamaicans
c) Rastafarians
d) the sensual
9) What part of society did the article say embraced reggae?
a) lovers
b) the sensual
c) the spiritual
d) a wide cross-section
10) What kind of discourse did the article say contributed to?
a) political discourse
b) written discourse
c) international discourse
d) academic discourse

Role play

Role A – Reggae
You think reggae is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): rock, opera or jazz.

Role B – Rock
You think rock is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): reggae, opera or jazz.

Role C – Opera
You think opera is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): rock, reggae or jazz.

Role D – Jazz
You think jazz is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): rock, opera or reggae.

After reading / listening

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

'reggae'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'music'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

being

blues

importance

wide

issues

sensual

treasure

deems

genre

artists

pleased

corners

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 - UN declares reggae a world cultural treasure

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 'reggae'?
What do you know about reggae?
Why do you think UNESCO deemed reggae worthy of protecting?
What do you think of reggae?
Who is the greatest ever reggae artist, and why?
What unique forms of music are there in your country?
What is your favourite music genre?
How would you describe the sound of reggae?
What will the new UNESCO status do for reggae?

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 'music'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about UNESCO?
What do you know about Bob Marley?
Why is reggae "the voice of the marginalized"?
Is reggae the music of love and sensuality?
Should reggae become the official music of the world?
What three adjectives best describe reggae, and why?
What questions would you like to ask Jamaica's culture minister?

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)

Reggae music has become a (1) ____ cultural treasure. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added reggae to its list of cultural forms it (2) ____ worthy of protecting and promoting. UNESCO officially recognized reggae (3) ____ an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Reggae is a music (4) ____ that originated in Jamaica in the early 1960s. Pioneers included artists such as Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and the legendary Bob Marley. The Jamaican government was pleased (5) ____ reggae's new status. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said: "Reggae is uniquely Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has (6) ____ all corners of the world."

UNESCO defined reggae as being, "an (7) ____ of numerous musical influences," including Jamaican and Caribbean forms, neo-African styles, soul and (8) ____ and blues from North America, and Ska and Rock Steady. It described the importance of the music, saying: "Reggae music was the (9) ____ of the marginalized. The music is now played and embraced by a wide (10) ____-section of society, including various genders, ethnic and religious groups." It added: "Reggae's contribution to international discourse (11) ____ issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the [music] as being...cerebral, socio-political, (12) ____ and spiritual."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) global (b) globalized (c) globally (d) globe
(a) seems (b) teems (c) deems (d) reams
(a) is (b) has (c) as (d) was
(a) ogre (b) meager (c) fugue (d) genre
(a) with (b) as (c) on (d) at
(a) penalized (b) penetrated (c) penultimate (d) penning
(a) algebra (b) addendum (c) algorithm (d) amalgam
(a) rhythmic (b) rhythm (c) rhythmical (d) rhythmically
(a) song (b) lyrical (c) voice (d) melodic
(a) minus (b) cross (c) divide (d) equals
(a) as (b) at (c) by (d) on
(a) sensually (b) sensual (c) sensuality (d) sensed

Spelling

Paragraph 1

it deems ortwhy of protecting
UNESCO officially congrieezd reggae
a music genre that ignioaretd in Jamaica
Peter Tosh and the gneedlray Bob Marley
Reggae is iuquenly Jamaican
tparteeend all corners of the world

Paragraph 2

numerous musical iecelnnsfu
mthyrh and blues
the voice of the adliengairzm
issues of stiiuncje
the dinamycs of the music
socio-political, ssnluae and spiritual

Put the text back together

(...) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the early 1960s. Pioneers included artists such
(...) Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world."
(...) discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the
(...) was pleased with reggae's new status. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said: "Reggae is uniquely
(...) UNESCO defined reggae as being, "an amalgam of numerous musical influences," including Jamaican
(...) Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added reggae to its list of cultural forms it deems worthy
(...) as Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and the legendary Bob Marley. The Jamaican government
(...) marginalized. The music is now played and embraced by a wide cross-section of society, including various
( 1 ) Reggae music has become a global cultural treasure. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
(...) genders, ethnic and religious groups." It added: "Reggae's contribution to international
(...) dynamics of the [music] as being...cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual."
(...) and Caribbean forms, neo-African styles, soul and rhythm and blues from North America, and Ska
(...) of protecting and promoting. UNESCO officially recognized reggae as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Reggae
(...) and Rock Steady. It described the importance of the music, saying: "Reggae music was the voice of the

Put the words in the right order

a cultural music become Reggae global has treasure .
of worthy protecting . Cultural deems it forms
that A genre Jamaica . in originated music
government with was reggae's Jamaica's pleased new status .
corners world . It has penetrated of the all
amalgam including influences, An numerous of musical Jamaican .
described It music . of the importance the
society . cross-section a wide by Embraced of
genders, religious groups . and Various ethnic
discourse international on to contribution issues . Reggae's

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Reggae music has become a global culturally / cultural treasure. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added reggae to its listed / list of cultural forms it deems worthy / worth of protecting and prompting / promoting. UNESCO officially recognized reggae as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Reggae is a musician / music genre that original / originated in Jamaica in the early 1960s. Pioneers included artists such as / has Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh and the legendary Bob Marley. The Jamaican government was pleased / pleasing with reggae's new statues / status. Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said: "Reggae is uniquely Jamaican. It is a music that we have created that has penetrated / penetration all corners of the world."

UNESCO defined / refined reggae as being, "an amalgam of numerous musical influential / influences," including Jamaican and Caribbean forms, neo-African styles, soul and rhythm and blue / blues from North America, and Ska and Rock Steady. It described the importantly / importance of the music, saying: "Reggae music was the voice / vocal of the marginalized. The music is now played and embraced by a width / wide cross-section of society, including variety / various genders, ethnic and religious groups." It added: "Reggae's contribution to international discourse / recourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity musical scores / underscores the dynamics of the [music] as being...cerebral, socio-political, sensed / sensual and spiritual."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

R_g g__ m_s_c h_s b_c_m_ _ g l_b_l c_l t_r_l t r__ s_r_. T h_ U n_t_d N_t__ n s E d_c_t__ n_l , S c__ n t_f_c _n d C_l t_r_l O r g_n_z_t__ n ( U N E S C O ) h_s _d d_d r_g g__ t_ _t s l_s t _f c_l t_r_l f_r m s _t d__ m s w_r t h y _f p r_t_c t_n g _n d p r_m_t_n g . U N E S C O _f f_c__ l l y r_c_g n_z_d r_g g__ _s _n " I n t_n g_b l_ C_l t_r_l H_r_t_g_ _f H_m_n_t y " . R_g g__ _s _ m_s_c g_n r_ t h_t _r_g_n_t_d _n J_m__ c_ _n t h_ __ r l y 1 9 6 0 s . P__ n__ r s _n c l_d_d _r t_s t s s_c h _s T__ t s _n d t h_ M_y t_l s , P_t_r T_s h _n d t h_ l_g_n d_r y B_b M_r l_y . T h_ J_m__ c_n g_v_r n m_n t w_s p l__ s_d w_t h r_g g__ ' s n_w s t_t_s . O l_v__ G r_n g_, J_m__ c_' s c_l t_r_ m_n_s t_r , s__ d : " R_g g__ _s _n_q__ l y J_m__ c_n . I t _s _ m_s_c t h_t w_ h_v_ c r__ t_d t h_t h_s p_n_t r_t_d _l l c_r n_r s _f t h_ w_r l d . "

U N E S C O d_f_n_d r_g g__ _s b__ n g , "_n _m_l g_m _f n_m_r__ s m_s_c_l _n f l__ n c_s , " _n c l_d_n g J_m__ c_n _n d C_r_b b__ n f_r m s , n__ - A f r_c_n s t y l_s , s__ l _n d r h y t h m _n d b l__ s f r_m N_r t h A m_r_c_, _n d S k_ _n d R_c k S t__ d y . I t d_s c r_b_d t h_ _m p_r t_n c_ _f t h_ m_s_c , s_y_n g : " R_g g__ m_s_c w_s t h_ v__ c_ _f t h_ m_r g_n_l_z_d . T h_ m_s_c _s n_w p l_y_d _n d _m b r_c_d b y _ w_d_ c r_s s - s_c t__ n _f s_c__ t y , _n c l_d_n g v_r___s g_n d_r s , _t h n_c _n d r_l_g___s g r__ p s . " I t _d d_d : " R_g g__ ' s c_n t r_b_t__ n t_ _n t_r n_t__ n_l d_s c__ r s_ _n _s s__ s _f _n j_s t_c_, r_s_s t_n c_, l_v_ _n d h_m_n_t y _n d_r s c_r_s t h_ d y n_m_c s _f t h_ [ m_s_c ] _s b__ n g . . . c_r_b r_l , s_c__ - p_l_t_c_l , s_n s__ l _n d s p_r_t__ l . "

Punctuate the text and add capitals

reggae music has become a global cultural treasure the united nations educational scientific and cultural organization unesco has added reggae to its list of cultural forms it deems worthy of protecting and promoting unesco officially recognized reggae as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity reggae is a music genre that originated in jamaica in the early 1960s pioneers included artists such as toots and the maytals peter tosh and the legendary bob marley the jamaican government was pleased with reggaes new status olivia grange jamaicas culture minister said reggae is uniquely jamaican it is a music that we have created that has penetrated all corners of the world

unesco defined reggae as being an amalgam of numerous musical influences including jamaican and caribbean forms neoafrican styles soul and rhythm and blues from north america and ska and rock steady it described the importance of the music saying reggae music was the voice of the marginalized the music is now played and embraced by a wide crosssection of society including various genders ethnic and religious groups it added reggaes contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice resistance love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the music as beingcerebral sociopolitical sensual and spiritual"

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Reggaemusichasbecomeaglobalculturaltreasure.TheUnitedNations
Educational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)hasaddedr
eggaetoitslistofculturalformsitdeemsworthyofprotectingandpromot
ing.UNESCOofficiallyrecognizedreggaeasan"IntangibleCulturalHeri
tageofHumanity".ReggaeisamusicgenrethatoriginatedinJamaicaint
heearly1960s.PioneersincludedartistssuchasTootsandtheMaytals,P
eterToshandthelegendaryBobMarley.TheJamaicangovernmentwas
pleasedwithreggae'snewstatus.OliviaGrange,Jamaica'sculturemini
ster,said:"ReggaeisuniquelyJamaican.Itisamusicthatwehavecreate
dthathaspenetratedallcornersoftheworld."UNESCOdefinedreggaea
sbeing,"anamalgamofnumerousmusicalinfluences,"includingJamai
canandCaribbeanforms,neo-Africanstyles,soulandrhythmandblues
fromNorthAmerica,andSkaandRockSteady.Itdescribedtheimportan
ceofthemusic,saying:"Reggaemusicwasthevoiceofthemarginalized.
Themusicisnowplayedandembracedbyawidecross-sectionofsocie
ty,includingvariousgenders,ethnicandreligiousgroups."Itadded:"Re
ggae'scontributiontointernationaldiscourseonissuesofinjustice,resi
stance,loveandhumanityunderscoresthedynamicsofthe[music]asb
eing...cerebral,socio-political,sensualandspiritual."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Reggae is one of the greatest ever music genres. 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. REGGAE: Make a poster about reggae. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. WORLD MUSIC: Write a magazine article about making reggae the official music of the world. 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 reggae. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on reggae. 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 on Reggae

Home | Help This Site

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS