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Macedonia agrees to change its name (13th January, 2019)

The Reading / Listening - Macedonia - Level 3

The Republic of Macedonia has decided to change its name. It agreed on Friday to rename the country the Republic of North Macedonia. The name change is the result of a 27-year dispute with Greece. Macedonia declared independence in 1991 after the break-up of the former country Yugoslavia. It became a member of the United Nations in 1993, but its name caused an argument with Greece. Greece's largest region is also called Macedonia. The Greek government said it owned the name "Macedonia". Greece blocked its neighbor's attempts to join the EU and NATO over the use of the name "Macedonia". Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the name change would, "open the doors to the future".

The name change comes after a decade of talks between Macedonia and Greece. Just over 67 per cent of representatives in Macedonia's parliament voted for the name change. Eighty-one MPs voted in favor of the name change in the 120-seat parliament. Opposition politicians, who opposed the agreement with Greece, boycotted the vote. Several hundred people protested against the deal in front of Macedonia's parliament over the past three days. An opposition leader was angry over the talks to change the country's name. He said: "Look how publicly, how openly, this trade is going on with Macedonia's name and identity - just like at a market stall." The next step is for Greece to officially agree to the change.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Macedonia - Level 0, Macedonia - Level 1 or Macedonia - Level 2

Sources

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-macedonia-name-parliament/macedonian-parliament-agrees-to-change-countrys-name-idUSKCN1P5238
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/11/macedonia-paves-way-eu-membership-agreeing-north-macedonia-name/
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/macedonian-pm-struggles-secure-majority-change-60288809

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. MACEDONIA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Macedonia. 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?
republic / country / name / independence / United Nations / argument / neighbors /
decade / parliament / politicians / vote / opposition / angry / identity / the next step
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NAME: Students A strongly believe a country can choose any name it wants to call itself by; Students B strongly believe it cannot. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. YOUR COUNTRY: What are the good and bad things about your country? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

	Good things	Bad things
Capital city
Cuisine
Countryside
Economy
Government
History

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

sports teams
music
safety
language
name
flag
food
sights

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	agreed	a.	Efforts to do something.
2.	result	b.	Have the same opinion about something.
3.	dispute	c.	Having previously filled a particular role or been a particular thing.
4.	independence	d.	The effect of something.
5.	former	e.	Of a country being totally in control of itself.
6.	blocked	f.	A disagreement or argument.
7.	attempt	g.	Did something to stop something from happening.

Paragraph 2

8.	decade	h.	A period of ten years.
9.	representative	i.	The things that make up who or what a person or thing is.
10.	parliament	j.	A person chosen or appointed to act or speak for another or others.
11.	voted	k.	The main / biggest political party that is not in power but wants to be in power.
12.	boycotted	l.	The place where the leaders of a country meet to talk about the country's future.
13.	opposition	m.	Chose a leader by putting an "X" or other mark in a box on a piece of paper.
14.	identity	n.	Refused to cooperate with or participate in a policy or event.

Before reading / listening

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

The Republic of Macedonia and Greece had a 27-year-old dispute. T / F
Macedonia became an independent country in 1991. T / F
Greece's largest region is also called Macedonia. T / F
Greece supported Macedonia's attempts to join the EU and NATO. T / F
Macedonia and Greece talked about the name change for 10 years. T / F
Over 90 MPs voted for the name change in Macedonia's parliament. T / F
People protested in front of parliament for three weeks. T / F
An opposition leader said he wanted to set up a market stall. T / F

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

change
agreed
dispute
attempts
the future
decade
in favor
boycotted
deal
identity

argument
what lies ahead
agreement
alter
for
avoided
consented
character
efforts
ten years

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

Macedonia has decided
the result of a 27-year
Macedonia declared
Greece's largest region is
Greece blocked its neighbor's
The name change comes after
Eighty-one MPs voted in favor
people protested
this trade is going
at a market

of the name change
also called Macedonia
stall
attempts
dispute with Greece
against the deal
on
to change its name
a decade of talks
independence in 1991

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

region
result
former
doors
decided
attempts
name
independence

The Republic of Macedonia has (1) ____________ to change its name. It agreed on Friday to rename the country the Republic of North Macedonia. The name change is the (2) ____________ of a 27-year dispute with Greece. Macedonia declared (3) ____________ in 1991 after the break-up of the (4) ____________ country Yugoslavia. It became a member of the United Nations in 1993, but its (5) ____________ caused an argument with Greece. Greece's largest (6) ____________ is also called Macedonia. The Greek government said it owned the name "Macedonia". Greece blocked its neighbor's (7) ____________ to join the EU and NATO over the use of the name "Macedonia". Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the name change would, "open the (8) ____________ to the future".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

parliament
boycotted
officially
angry
favor
market
decade
openly

The name change comes after a (9) ____________ of talks between Macedonia and Greece. Just over 67 per cent of representatives in Macedonia's (10) ____________ voted for the name change. Eighty-one MPs voted in (11) ____________ of the name change in the 120-seat parliament. Opposition politicians, who opposed the agreement with Greece, (12) ____________ the vote. Several hundred people protested against the deal in front of Macedonia's parliament over the past three days. An opposition leader was (13) ____________ over the talks to change the country's name. He said: "Look how publicly, how (14) ____________, this trade is going on with Macedonia's name and identity - just like at a (15) ____________ stall." The next step is for Greece to (16) ____________ agree to the change.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The Republic of Macedonia has decided to change ______
     a. its name
     b. this name
     c. it's names
     d. its names
2) The name change is the result of a 27-year ______ Greece
     a. disputes with
     b. disputed with
     c. dispute with
     d. disputing with
3) a member of the United Nations in 1993, but its name caused an ______ Greece
     a. arguments with
     b. argument within
     c. argumentative
     d. argument with
4) Greece blocked its neighbor's attempts to join the EU and NATO over the ______ name
     a. used of the
     b. you's of the
     c. use of the
     d. views of the
5) Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the name change would, "open the ______ future"
     a. doors to a
     b. doors to an
     c. doors to the
     d. doors to then

6) Just over 67 per cent of representatives in Macedonia's ______
     a. parliament voted
     b. parliament vote it
     c. parliament voter
     d. parliament boat it
7) Eighty-one MPs voted in favor of the name change in the 120-______
     a. sleet parliament
     b. sweet parliament
     c. seat parliament
     d. sheet parliament
8) An opposition leader was angry ______
     a. under the talks
     b. above the talks
     c. via the talks
     d. over the talks
9) how openly, this trade is going on with Macedonia's ______
     a. name and identify
     b. name and identity
     c. named and identity
     d. names and identity
10) The next step is for Greece to ______
     a. official we hungry
     b. officially agrees
     c. officially agree
     d. officially ugly

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Republic of Macedonia (1) ___________________ change its name. It agreed on Friday to rename the country the Republic of North Macedonia. The name change is (2) ___________________ a 27-year dispute with Greece. Macedonia declared independence in 1991 (3) ___________________ of the former country Yugoslavia. It became a member of the United Nations in 1993, but its name (4) ___________________ with Greece. Greece's largest region is also called Macedonia. The Greek government said it owned the name "Macedonia". Greece (5) ___________________ attempts to join the EU and NATO over the use of the name "Macedonia". Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the name change would, "(6) ___________________ to the future".

The name change comes after a (7) ___________________ between Macedonia and Greece. Just over 67 per cent of representatives in Macedonia's parliament (8) ___________________ name change. Eighty-one MPs voted in favor of the name change in the 120-seat parliament. Opposition politicians, (9) ___________________ agreement with Greece, boycotted the vote. Several hundred people protested against the deal in front of Macedonia's parliament over the past three days. An opposition leader (10) ___________________ the talks to change the country's name. He said: "Look how publicly, how openly, this trade is going on with Macedonia's name and identity - just like at (11) ___________________." The next step is for Greece to (12) ___________________ the change.

Comprehension questions

On what day of the week did Macedonia agree to rename the country?
How long had Macedonia been in a dispute with Greece?
When did Macedonia become a member of the United Nations?
What is the name of Greece's largest region?
What two organizations did Greece block Macedonia from joining?
How long did Macedonia talk to Greece about the name change?
How many politicians are there in Macedonia's parliament?
For how long did people protest outside Macedonia's parliament?
Where did the opposition leader suggest Macedonia's name was traded?
Who has to agree to the name change?

Multiple choice quiz

1) On what day of the week did Macedonia agree to rename the country?
a) Saturday
b) Thursday
c) Friday
d) Monday
2) How long had Macedonia been in a dispute with Greece?
a) 27 years
b) 26 years
c) 25 years
d) 28 years
3) When did Macedonia become a member of the United Nations?
a) 1991
b) 1993
c) 1985
d) 1989
4) What is the name of Greece's largest region?
a) Rhodes
b) Athens
c) Thessaloniki
d) Macedonia
5) What two organizations did Greece block Macedonia from joining?
a) the EU and IMF
b) the IMF and NATO
c) the EU and NATO
d) NATO and the WTO

6) How long did Macedonia talk to Greece about the name change?
a) 12 years
b) a decade
c) 15 years
d) 5 years
7) How many politicians are there in Macedonia's parliament?
a) 67
b) 100
c) 81
d) 120
8) For how long did people protest outside Macedonia's parliament?
a) 3 weeks
b) 3 days
c) 3 months
d) 3 years
9) Where did the opposition leader suggest Macedonia's name was traded?
a) at a department store
b) at a market stall
c) on the Internet
d) at the U.N.
10) Who has to agree to the name change?
a) Greece
b) the U.N.
c) the E.U.
d) NATO

Role play

Role A – Name
You think the name is the most important thing about a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): flag, food or language.

Role B – Flag
You think the flag is the most important thing about a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): name, food or language.

Role C – Food
You think the food is the most important thing about a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): flag, name or language.

Role D – Language
You think the language is the most important thing about a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): flag, food or name.

After reading / listening

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

'country'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'name'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

over

81

vote

front

angry

step

decided

result

1993

region

owned

doors

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 - Macedonia agrees to change its name

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 'country'?
What do you know about the Republic of Macedonia?
What do you think of your country's name?
Is the name change a good thing?
How does a nation become independent?
What doors will now open for the new Republic of North Macedonia?
What other places should get their independence?
What things would make you protest in the streets?
Why does Greece have to agree to the name change?

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 'name'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about the former Yugoslavia?
What do you know about the history of your country's name?
Why do you think the talks took a decade?
What country names do you like?
What country names do you dislike?
Why did people oppose the name change?
What questions would you like to ask the leader of Macedonia?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The Republic of Macedonia has decided to (1) ____ its name. It agreed on Friday to rename the country the Republic of North Macedonia. The name change is the result (2) ____ a 27-year dispute with Greece. Macedonia declared independence in 1991 after the break-up of the (3) ____ country Yugoslavia. It became a member of the United Nations in 1993, but its name (4) ____ an argument with Greece. Greece's largest (5) ____ is also called Macedonia. The Greek government said it owned the name "Macedonia". Greece blocked its neighbor's attempts to join the EU and NATO over the use of the name "Macedonia". Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the name change would, "open the (6) ____ to the future".

The name change comes after a (7) ____ of talks between Macedonia and Greece. Just over 67 per cent of representatives in Macedonia's parliament voted (8) ____ the name change. Eighty-one MPs voted (9) ____ favor of the name change in the 120-seat parliament. Opposition politicians, who opposed the agreement with Greece, boycotted the vote. Several hundred people protested against the (10) ____ in front of Macedonia's parliament over the past three days. An opposition leader was angry over the talks to change the country's name. He said: "Look how (11) ____, how openly, this trade is going on with Macedonia's name and identity - just like at a market stall." The next (12) ____ is for Greece to officially agree to the change.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) change (b) chance (c) chain (d) charge
(a) by (b) on (c) of (d) at
(a) firmer (b) farmer (c) former (d) framer
(a) paused (b) doused (c) fused (d) caused
(a) regional (b) regional (c) region (d) regions
(a) wall (b) doors (c) roof (d) floors
(a) fact (b) decade (c) tablet (d) portable
(a) at (b) for (c) to (d) as
(a) for (b) against (c) in (d) by
(a) squeeze (b) vacuum (c) projection (d) deal
(a) annoy (b) owning (c) stage (d) publicly
(a) chair (b) ladder (c) stair (d) step

Spelling

Paragraph 1

dceided to change its name
a 27-year uipsdet with Greece
Macedonia declared ieneecnedndp in 1991
caused an rtuemgan with Greece
Greece's largest rnigeo
Greece blocked its neighbor's aetttsmp

Paragraph 2

after a acddee of talks
opposed the neeemrtag
serpetodt against the deal
ynagr over the talks
Look how uiclplby
ilcfailfoy agree to the change

Put the text back together

(...) agreement with Greece, boycotted the vote. Several hundred people protested against the deal in
(...) Minister Zoran Zaev said the name change would, "open the doors to the future".
(...) identity - just like at a market stall." The next step is for Greece to officially agree to the change.
(...) of the United Nations in 1993, but its name caused an argument with Greece. Greece's largest
( 1 ) The Republic of Macedonia has decided to change its name. It agreed on Friday to rename the country the Republic
(...) The name change comes after a decade of talks between Macedonia and Greece. Just over
(...) 67 per cent of representatives in Macedonia's parliament voted for the name change. Eighty-one MPs voted in
(...) its neighbor's attempts to join the EU and NATO over the use of the name "Macedonia". Prime
(...) region is also called Macedonia. The Greek government said it owned the name "Macedonia". Greece blocked
(...) with Greece. Macedonia declared independence in 1991 after the break-up of the former country Yugoslavia. It became a member
(...) favor of the name change in the 120-seat parliament. Opposition politicians, who opposed the
(...) front of Macedonia's parliament over the past three days. An opposition leader was angry over the talks to change
(...) of North Macedonia. The name change is the result of a 27-year dispute
(...) the country's name. He said: "Look how publicly, how openly, this trade is going on with Macedonia's name and

Put the words in the right order

change . Republic to of The has Macedonia decided
The a 27-year result of with dispute Greece .
of Yugoslavia . former country the break-up the After
is Macedonia . region largest also called Greece's
its the Greece EU . to join blocked attempts neighbor's
of comes change decade a after The talks .
change . MPs voted in Eighty-one the of favor
with agreement politicians Opposition Greece . opposed who the
over the talks . An leader was angry opposition
trade how Look going publicly is on . this

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The Republic of Macedonia has decided to chance / change its name. It agreed on Friday to rename the country the Republic of North Macedonia. The name change is the result / answer of a 27-year dispute with Greece. Macedonia reclaimed / declared independence in 1991 after the break-up off / of the former country Yugoslavia. It became a member / membership of the United Nations in 1993, but its name cause / caused an argument with Greece. Greece's largest region / legion is also called Macedonia. The Greek government said it owning / owned the name "Macedonia". Greece blocked its neighbor's attempts to joint / join the EU and NATO over the use of the name "Macedonia". Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the name change would, "open / openly the doors to the future".

The name change comes after a decade of discusses / talks between Macedonia and Greece. Just over 67 per cent of representatives on / in Macedonia's parliament voted for / of the name change. Eighty-one MPs voted in flavor / favor of the name change in the 120-seat parliament. Opposition politicians, who opposed / opposition the agreement with Greece, boycotted the boat / vote. Several hundred people protested against the deal in front of Macedonia's parliament over the past / passed three days. An opposition leader was angrily / angry over the talks to change the country's name. He said: "Look how publicly, how openly, this trade is going on with Macedonia's name and identity / identify - just like at a market stall." The next step is for Greece to official / officially agree to the change.

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

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

T h_ R_p_b l_c _f M_c_d_n__ h_s d_c_d_d t_ c h_n g_ _t s n_m_. I t _g r__ d _n F r_d_y t_ r_n_m_ t h_ c__ n t r y t h_ R_p_b l_c _f N_r t h M_c_d_n__ . T h_ n_m_ c h_n g_ _s t h_ r_s_l t _f _ 2 7 - y__ r d_s p_t_ w_t h G r__ c_. M_c_d_n__ d_c l_r_d _n d_p_n d_n c_ _n 1 9 9 1 _f t_r t h_ b r__ k -_p _f t h_ f_r m_r c__ n t r y Y_g_s l_v__ . I t b_c_m_ _ m_m b_r _f t h_ U n_t_d N_t__ n s _n 1 9 9 3 , b_t _t s n_m_ c__ s_d _n _r g_m_n t w_t h G r__ c_. G r__ c_' s l_r g_s t r_g__ n _s _l s_ c_l l_d M_c_d_n__ . T h_ G r__ k g_v_r n m_n t s__ d _t _w n_d t h_ n_m_ " M_c_d_n__ " . G r__ c_ b l_c k_d _t s n__ g h b_r ' s _t t_m p t s t_ j__ n t h_ E U _n d N A T O _v_r t h_ _s_ _f t h_ n_m_ " M_c_d_n__ " . P r_m_ M_n_s t_r Z_r_n Z__ v s__ d t h_ n_m_ c h_n g_ w__ l d , "_p_n t h_ d__ r s t_ t h_ f_t_r_" .

T h_ n_m_ c h_n g_ c_m_s _f t_r _ d_c_d_ _f t_l k s b_t w__ n M_c_d_n__ _n d G r__ c_. J_s t _v_r 6 7 p_r c_n t _f r_p r_s_n t_t_v_s _n M_c_d_n__ ' s p_r l__ m_n t v_t_d f_r t h_ n_m_ c h_n g_. E_g h t y -_n_ M P s v_t_d _n f_v_r _f t h_ n_m_ c h_n g_ _n t h_ 1 2 0 - s__ t p_r l__ m_n t . O p p_s_t__ n p_l_t_c__ n s , w h_ _p p_s_d t h_ _g r__ m_n t w_t h G r__ c_, b_y c_t t_d t h_ v_t_. S_v_r_l h_n d r_d p__ p l_ p r_t_s t_d _g__ n s t t h_ d__ l _n f r_n t _f M_c_d_n__ ' s p_r l__ m_n t _v_r t h_ p_s t t h r__ d_y s . A n _p p_s_t__ n l__ d_r w_s _n g r y _v_r t h_ t_l k s t_ c h_n g_ t h_ c__ n t r y ' s n_m_. H_ s__ d : " L__ k h_w p_b l_c l y , h_w _p_n l y , t h_s t r_d_ _s g__ n g _n w_t h M_c_d_n__ ' s n_m_ _n d _d_n t_t y - j_s t l_k_ _t _ m_r k_t s t_l l . " T h_ n_x t s t_p _s f_r G r__ c_ t_ _f f_c__ l l y _g r__ t_ t h_ c h_n g_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the republic of macedonia has decided to change its name it agreed on friday to rename the country the republic of north macedonia the name change is the result of a 27year dispute with greece macedonia declared independence in 1991 after the breakup of the former country yugoslavia it became a member of the united nations in 1993 but its name caused an argument with greece greeces largest region is also called macedonia the greek government said it owned the name macedonia greece blocked its neighbors attempts to join the eu and nato over the use of the name macedonia prime minister zoran zaev said the name change would open the doors to the future

the name change comes after a decade of talks between macedonia and greece just over 67 per cent of representatives in macedonias parliament voted for the name change eightyone mps voted in favor of the name change in the 120seat parliament opposition politicians who opposed the agreement with greece boycotted the vote several hundred people protested against the deal in front of macedonias parliament over the past three days an opposition leader was angry over the talks to change the countrys name he said look how publicly how openly this trade is going on with macedonias name and identity just like at a market stall the next step is for Greece to officially agree to the change.

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheRepublicofMacedoniahasdecidedtochangeitsname.ItagreedonF
ridaytorenamethecountrytheRepublicofNorthMacedonia.Thenamec
hangeistheresultofa27-yeardisputewithGreece.Macedoniadeclaredi
ndependencein1991afterthebreak-upoftheformercountryYugoslav
ia.ItbecameamemberoftheUnitedNationsin1993,butitsnamecaused
anargumentwithGreece.Greece'slargestregionisalsocalledMacedoni
a.TheGreekgovernmentsaiditownedthename"Macedonia".Greecebl
ockeditsneighbor'sattemptstojointheEUandNATOovertheuseofthen
ame"Macedonia".PrimeMinisterZoranZaevsaidthenamechangewoul
d,"openthedoorstothefuture".Thenamechangecomesafteradecadeo
ftalksbetweenMacedoniaandGreece.Justover67percentofrepresent
ativesinMacedonia'sparliamentvotedforthenamechange.Eighty-on
eMPsvotedinfavorofthenamechangeinthe120-seatparliament.Oppo
sitionpoliticians,whoopposedtheagreementwithGreece,boycottedth
evote.SeveralhundredpeopleprotestedagainstthedealinfrontofMace
donia'sparliamentoverthepastthreedays.Anoppositionleaderwasan
gryoverthetalkstochangethecountry'sname.Hesaid:"Lookhowpubli
cly,howopenly,thistradeisgoingonwithMacedonia'snameandidentity
-justlikeatamarketstall."ThenextstepisforGreecetoofficiallyagreetot
hechange.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

A country should be able to choose its own name. 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. MACEDONIA: Make a poster about Macedonia. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. COUNTRY NAMES: Write a magazine article about a country being able to choose any name it wants. 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 the Republic of Macedonia. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on the country's name change. 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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Breaking News English Lesson on Macedonia

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