Breaking News English Lesson: Boris Johnson

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Boris Johnson becomes UK's new leader (26th July, 2019)

The Reading / Listening - Boris Johnson - Level 6

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has a new leader. Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson became the UK's new Prime Minister yesterday after Theresa May announced her resignation in June. Mr Johnson, commonly known as Boris, realized a childhood dream of becoming leader of the UK. It is reported that when he was eight, he told his parents he wanted to be king of the world. He now has the lesser role of Prime Minister but has a tough task ahead of him. His most pressing undertaking is to deliver Brexit and make sure Britain withdraws from the European Union. Mr Johnson has vowed to ensure this will be done by October 31st. His political future depends on this.

Boris Johnson had to go to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth before taking over as the UK's 77th Prime Minister. Tradition dictates that the Queen formally asks any new appointee to form a new government. Johnson accepted and drove to 10 Downing Street - the official residence of the British leader. His first job is to form his Cabinet - the people who will take up key decision-making roles in the new UK government. Johnson said: "Though I am today building a great team of men and women, I will take personal responsibility for the change I want to see." In his first speech to the nation as Prime Minister, he promised to spend more money on the police, education and social welfare.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Boris Johnson - Level 4 or Boris Johnson - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49102466
https://www.foxnews.com/world/boris-johnson-queen-officially-prime-minister-britain-brexit-theresa-may
https://metro.co.uk/2019/07/24/boris-johnson-no-ifs-buts-europe-october-31-10452137/

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. NATIONAL LEADERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about national leaders. 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?
the U.K. / leader / resignation / childhood dream / king / European Union / Brexit /
Buckingham Palace / tradition / tradition / residence / decision-making / speech
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WORLD LEADER: Students A strongly believe the world should have a world leader; Students B strongly believe that's a silly idea. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. LEADERS: What do you know about these leaders? Rate them from 1-10 (1 = terrible; 10 = excellent). Why that score? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	Score (1-10)	Why?
Donald Trump
Vladimir Putin
Xi Jinping
Narendra Modi
Angela Merkel
Raul Castro

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. RESIGNATION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "resignation". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. LEADER'S PROMISES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important promises for a leader at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

more hospitals
social welfare
stamp out corruption
diversity
national security
safe streets
better education
lower taxes

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	announced	a.	Caused something desired or anticipated to happen.
2.	resignation	b.	Made a public and formal statement about a fact, happening, or plan.
3.	commonly	c.	Very often; frequently.
4.	realized	d.	Of a problem, need, or situation requiring quick or immediate action or attention.
5.	lesser	e.	Seriously promised to do a specified thing.
6.	pressing	f.	An act of giving up one's job or giving up a position.
7.	vowed	g.	Not so great or important as the other or the rest.

Paragraph 2

8.	dictates	h.	The official house of a government minister or other public and official figure.
9.	formally	i.	Social efforts designed to promote the basic physical and material well-being of people in need.
10.	appointee	j.	The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.
11.	residence	k.	A person to whom a job or role is assigned.
12.	key	l.	Of great importance.
13.	responsibility	m.	Controls or decisively affects; determines.
14.	welfare	n.	Officially.

Before reading / listening

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

The first name of the UK's new leader is Alexander. T / F
Mr Johnson had a childhood dream to be king of the world. T / F
The article said Mr Johnson's most pressing task was to deliver Brexit. T / F
Mr Johnson said he would deliver Brexit by December 31st. T / F
Mr Johnson is the United Kingdom's 77th Prime Minister. T / F
A new Prime Minister traditionally asks the Queen to form a government. T / F
The official residence of the UK Prime Minister is in Oxford Street. T / F
Mr Johnson promised to cut spending on social welfare. T / F

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

resignation
realized
tough
vowed
depends on
dictates
form
key
building
spend

make
orders
promised
putting together
achieved
difficult
important
hinges on
pay out
departure

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

Theresa May announced her
realized a childhood dream of becoming
His most pressing undertaking is
Mr Johnson has vowed to ensure
His political future depends
taking over as the
the official residence
people who will take up key
take personal
he promised to spend more

decision-making roles
this will be done
money on the police
of the British leader
to deliver Brexit
resignation in June
responsibility
on this
leader of the UK
UK's 77th Prime Minister

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

lesser
depends
commonly
leader
pressing
realized
vowed
resignation

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has a new (1) ____________. Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson became the UK's new Prime Minister yesterday after Theresa May announced her (2) ____________ in June. Mr Johnson, (3) ____________ known as Boris, (4) ____________ a childhood dream of becoming leader of the UK. It is reported that when he was eight, he told his parents he wanted to be king of the world. He now has the (5) ____________ role of Prime Minister but has a tough task ahead of him. His most (6) ____________ undertaking is to deliver Brexit and make sure Britain withdraws from the European Union. Mr Johnson has (7) ____________ to ensure this will be done by October 31st. His political future (8) ____________ on this.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

residence
personal
dictates
roles
welfare
formally
key
promised

Boris Johnson had to go to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth before taking over as the UK's 77th Prime Minister. Tradition (9) ____________ that the Queen (10) ____________ asks any new appointee to form a new government. Johnson accepted and drove to 10 Downing Street - the official (11) ____________ of the British leader. His first job is to form his Cabinet - the people who will take up (12) ____________ decision-making (13) ____________ in the new UK government. Johnson said: "Though I am today building a great team of men and women, I will take (14) ____________ responsibility for the change I want to see." In his first speech to the nation as Prime Minister, he (15) ____________ to spend more money on the police, education and social (16) ____________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) after Theresa May announced her ______ June
     a. designation in
     b. indignation in
     c. stagnation in
     d. resignation in
2) Mr Johnson, commonly known as Boris, ______ childhood dream
     a. realigned a
     b. realized a
     c. serialized a
     d. real liaised a
3) He now has the lesser role of Prime Minister but has a tough ______ of him
     a. tusk ahead
     b. task ahead
     c. taste ahead
     d. tacks ahead
4) deliver Brexit and make sure Britain ______ the European Union
     a. which draws from
     b. witch draws from
     c. withdraws from
     d. withdrawn from
5) His political future ______
     a. deep ends on this
     b. deepens on this
     c. depend on this
     d. depends on this

6) Tradition dictates that the Queen formally asks any new ______ a new government
     a. a point tea to form
     b. appoint tea to form
     c. appointee to form
     d. app point tee to form
7) Johnson accepted and drove to 10 Downing Street - the ______
    a. officials residence
     b. official residence
     c. official residents
     d. officials residents
8) the people who will take up key decision-______
     a. May king roles
     b. make king roles
     c. marking roles
     d. making roles
9) I will take personal responsibility for the change ______
     a. I want to see
     b. I wanted to sea
     c. I want too see
     d. I want to sea
10) he promised to spend more money on the police, education ______
     a. and social well fare
     b. and social welfare
     c. and social well fair
     d. and social well flare

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has (1) ___________________. Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson became the UK's new Prime Minister yesterday after Theresa May announced her resignation in June. Mr Johnson, (2) ___________________ Boris, realized a childhood dream of becoming leader of the UK. It is reported that when he was eight, he told his parents he wanted to (3) ___________________ the world. He now has (4) ___________________ of Prime Minister but has a (5) ___________________ of him. His most pressing undertaking is to deliver Brexit and make sure Britain withdraws from the European Union. Mr Johnson has (6) ___________________ this will be done by October 31st. His political future depends on this.

Boris Johnson had to go to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth before taking over as the UK's 77th Prime Minister. Tradition (1) ___________________ Queen formally asks any new (2) ___________________ a new government. Johnson accepted and drove to 10 Downing Street - the (3) ___________________ the British leader. His first job is to form his Cabinet - the people who will (4) ___________________ decision-making roles in the new UK government. Johnson said: "Though I am today building a great team of men and women, I (5) ___________________ responsibility for the change I want to see." In his first speech to the nation as Prime Minister, he promised to spend more money on the police, education (6) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

What is the new UK leader's first name?
Who resigned in June?
What did Johnson tell his parents he wanted to be when he was eight?
What is Mr Johnson's most pressing undertaking?
What does Mr Johnson's political future depend on?
Where did Mr Johnson have to go before becoming Prime Minister?
How many Prime Ministers did the UK have before Mr Johnson?
Where is the UK Prime Minister's official residence?
What did Mr Johnson say he would take personal responsibility for?
What did Mr Johnson promise to spend more money on?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the new UK leader's first name?
a) Alexander
b) Alexa
c) Alexandria
d) Alexis
2) Who resigned in June?
a) the UK president
b) the British Queen
c) Theresa May
d) a British prince and princess
3) What did Johnson tell his parents he wanted to be when he was eight?
a) a train driver
b) king of the world
c) captain of the England football team
d) a rabbit
4) What is Mr Johnson's most pressing undertaking?
a) Iran
b) helping the poor
c) reducing crime
d) delivering Brexit
5) What does Mr Johnson's political future depend on?
a) delivering Brexit
b) reducing unemployment
c) winning an election
d) reducing the national debt

6) Where did Mr Johnson have to go before becoming Prime Minister?
a) to see his girlfriend
b) shopping
c) Westminster
d) Buckingham Palace
7) How many Prime Ministers did the UK have before Mr Johnson?
a) 77
b) 76
c) 75
d) 74
8) Where is the UK Prime Minister's official residence?
a) the Houses of Parliament
b) 1 Buckingham Palace
c) 100 Oxford Street
d) 10 Downing Street
9) What did Mr Johnson say he would take personal responsibility for?
a) policing
b) his mistakes
c) the change he wants to see
d) wars
10) What did Mr Johnson promise to spend more money on?
a) warships
b) the police
c) the environment
d) his apartment

Role play

Role A – Safer Streets
You think safer streets is the biggest promise a leader can make. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their promises. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): more hospitals, lower taxes or better education.

Role B – More Hospitals
You think more hospitals is the biggest promise a leader can make. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their promises. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): safer streets, lower taxes or better education.

Role C – Lower Taxes
You think lower taxes is the biggest promise a leader can make. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their promises. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): more hospitals, safer streets or better education.

Role D – Better Education
You think better education is the biggest promise a leader can make. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their promises. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): more hospitals, lower taxes or safer streets.

After reading / listening

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

'leader'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'king'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

meet

over

new

official

key

spend

united

announced

eight

lesser

deliver

future

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 - Boris Johnson becomes UK's new leader

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 'leader'?
What leadership skills do you have?
What do you know about Boris Johnson?
What do you think of your country's leader?
What makes a good leader?
What would you do if you were king of the world?
Should there be a world leader?
What was your childhood dream?
What do you know about Brexit?

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 'king'?
What do you think about what you read?
Are you a good leader?
Would you like to meet Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace?
Would you be a good politician?
Do men or women make better leaders?
Do politicians keep their promises?
What would you spend money on if you were leader?
What questions would you like to ask Boris Johnson?

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 (1) ____ Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has a new leader. Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson became the UK's new Prime Minister yesterday after Theresa May (2) ____ her resignation in June. Mr Johnson, commonly known as Boris, (3) ____ a childhood dream of becoming leader of the UK. It is reported that when he was eight, he told his parents he wanted to be king of the world. He now has the (4) ____ role of Prime Minister but has a tough task ahead of him. His most pressing undertaking is to deliver Brexit and make sure Britain (5) ____ from the European Union. Mr Johnson has (6) ____ to ensure this will be done by October 31st. His political future depends on this.

Boris Johnson had to go to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth before (7) ____ over as the UK's 77th Prime Minister. Tradition dictates that the Queen formally asks any new (8) ____ to form a new government. Johnson accepted and drove to 10 Downing Street - the official residence of the British leader. His first job is to form his Cabinet - the people who will take up (9) ____ decision-making roles in the new UK government. Johnson said: "Though I am today building a great team of men and women, I will (10) ____ personal responsibility for the change I want to see." In his first speech to the (11) ____ as Prime Minister, he promised to spend more money on the police, education and (12) ____ welfare.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) United (b) Unified (c) Union (d) Unity
(a) announce (b) announces (c) announced (d) announcing
(a) exercised (b) ostracized (c) realized (d) maximized
(a) degrees (b) ever (c) basis (d) lesser
(a) withdraws (b) deposits (c) enters (d) rejects
(a) mewed (b) vowed (c) cowed (d) viewed
(a) flocking (b) stricken (c) lacking (d) taking
(a) repartee (b) appointee (c) referee (d) lessee
(a) pioneer (b) apex (c) key (d) pivot
(a) bake (b) fake (c) make (d) take
(a) sovereign (b) dependency (c) territory (d) nation
(a) official (b) social (c) racial (d) special

Spelling

Paragraph 1

May announced her iaegrtnsnio
Boris reaelidz a childhood dream
He now has the eesrsl role
His most pressing ndtekruagin
make sure Britain waiwhdrts
Johnson has eodvw to ensure this

Paragraph 2

Tradition tdtsaeci that
the Queen formally asks any new atippeeon
the official cdersinee
take up key scndieio-making roles
I will take personal ibsiitesrpyoln
education and social reafewl

Put the text back together

(...) Boris Johnson had to go to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth before taking
(...) be done by October 31st. His political future depends on this.
(...) of Prime Minister but has a tough task ahead of him. His most pressing undertaking is to deliver Brexit and make
(...) was eight, he told his parents he wanted to be king of the world. He now has the lesser role
(...) sure Britain withdraws from the European Union. Mr Johnson has vowed to ensure this will
(...) and women, I will take personal responsibility for the change I want to see." In his first speech to the
(...) known as Boris, realized a childhood dream of becoming leader of the UK. It is reported that when he
( 1 ) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has a new leader. Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson became the UK's
(...) new Prime Minister yesterday after Theresa May announced her resignation in June. Mr Johnson, commonly
(...) nation as Prime Minister, he promised to spend more money on the police, education and social welfare.
(...) appointee to form a new government. Johnson accepted and drove to 10 Downing Street - the official
(...) making roles in the new UK government. Johnson said: "Though I am today building a great team of men
(...) over as the UK's 77th Prime Minister. Tradition dictates that the Queen formally asks any new
(...) residence of the British leader. His first job is to form his Cabinet - the people who will take up key decision-

Put the words in the right order

resignation Theresa her announced After June . in
realized a leader . of becoming dream childhood Boris
king be of to wanted He the world .
pressing deliver Brexit . to most undertaking His is
this will to done . vowed Johnson be ensure
of the British The residence leader . official
People key decision-making will who take up roles .
the will personal responsibility I take for change .
PM . as first nation His the speech to
spend to on police . He more promised money

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has anew / a new leader. Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson became the UK's new Prime Minister yesterday after Theresa May announced her resigns / resignation in June. Mr Johnson, commonly / common known as Boris, reality / realized a childhood dream of becoming leader of the UK. It is reported / reports that when he was eight, he told his parents he wanted to be king of the world. He now has the less / lesser role of Prime Minister but has a tough task / tusk ahead of him. His most pressing / dressing undertaking is to deliver Brexit and make sure Britain deposits / withdraws from the European Union. Mr Johnson has vowed to ensure this will be done by October 31st. His political future depends / deepens on this.

Boris Johnson had to go to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth before taking / taken over as the UK's 77th Prime Minister. Tradition dictations / dictates that the Queen formally asks any new appointee / appointed to form a new government. Johnson accepted and driven / drove to 10 Downing Street - the official residence of the British leader. His first job is to farm / form his Cabinet - the people who will take up key decision-making rules / roles in the new UK government. Johnson said: "Though I am today building a great team of men and women, I will take personally / personal responsibility for the change I want to see." In his first speech / speak to the nation as Prime Minister, he promissory / promised to spend more money on the police, education and social / socially welfare.

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_ U n_t_d K_n g d_m _f G r__ t B r_t__ n _n d N_r t h_r n I r_l_n d h_s _ n_w l__ d_r . A l_x_n d_r B_r_s d_ P f_f f_l J_h n s_n b_c_m_ t h_ U K ' s n_w P r_m_ M_n_s t_r y_s t_r d_y _f t_r T h_r_s_ M_y _n n__ n c_d h_r r_s_g n_t__ n _n J_n_. M r J_h n s_n , c_m m_n l y k n_w n _s B_r_s , r__ l_z_d _ c h_l d h__ d d r__ m _f b_c_m_n g l__ d_r _f t h_ U K . I t _s r_p_r t_d t h_t w h_n h_ w_s __ g h t , h_ t_l d h_s p_r_n t s h_ w_n t_d t_ b_ k_n g _f t h_ w_r l d . H_ n_w h_s t h_ l_s s_r r_l_ _f P r_m_ M_n_s t_r b_t h_s _ t__ g h t_s k _h__ d _f h_m . H_s m_s t p r_s s_n g _n d_r t_k_n g _s t_ d_l_v_r B r_x_t _n d m_k_ s_r_ B r_t__ n w_t h d r_w s f r_m t h_ E_r_p__ n U n__ n . M r J_h n s_n h_s v_w_d t_ _n s_r_ t h_s w_l l b_ d_n_ b y O c t_b_r 3 1 s t . H_s p_l_t_c_l f_t_r_ d_p_n d s _n t h_s .

B_r_s J_h n s_n h_d t_ g_ t_ B_c k_n g h_m P_l_c_ t_ m__ t Q___n E l_z_b_t h b_f_r_ t_k_n g _v_r _s t h_ U K ' s 7 7 t h P r_m_ M_n_s t_r . T r_d_t__ n d_c t_t_s t h_t t h_ Q___n f_r m_l l y _s k s _n y n_w _p p__ n t__ t_ f_r m _ n_w g_v_r n m_n t . J_h n s_n _c c_p t_d _n d d r_v_ t_ 1 0 D_w n_n g S t r__ t - t h_ _f f_c__ l r_s_d_n c_ _f t h_ B r_t_s h l__ d_r . H_s f_r s t j_b _s t_ f_r m h_s C_b_n_t - t h_ p__ p l_ w h_ w_l l t_k_ _p k_y d_c_s__ n - m_k_n g r_l_s _n t h_ n_w U K g_v_r n m_n t . J_h n s_n s__ d : " T h__ g h I _m t_d_y b__ l d_n g _ g r__ t t__ m _f m_n _n d w_m_n , I w_l l t_k_ p_r s_n_l r_s p_n s_b_l_t y f_r t h_ c h_n g_ I w_n t t_ s__ . " I n h_s f_r s t s p__ c h t_ t h_ n_t__ n _s P r_m_ M_n_s t_r , h_ p r_m_s_d t_ s p_n d m_r_ m_n_y _n t h_ p_l_c_, _d_c_t__ n _n d s_c__ l w_l f_r_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland has a new leader alexander boris de pfeffel johnson became the uks new prime minister yesterday after theresa may announced her resignation in june mr johnson commonly known as boris realized a childhood dream of becoming leader of the uk it is reported that when he was eight he told his parents he wanted to be king of the world he now has the lesser role of prime minister but has a tough task ahead of him his most pressing undertaking is to deliver brexit and make sure britain withdraws from the european union mr johnson has vowed to ensure this will be done by october 31st his political future depends on this

boris johnson had to go to buckingham palace to meet queen elizabeth before taking over as the uks 77th prime minister tradition dictates that the queen formally asks any new appointee to form a new government johnson accepted and drove to 10 downing street the official residence of the british leader his first job is to form his cabinet the people who will take up key decisionmaking roles in the new uk government johnson said though i am today building a great team of men and women i will take personal responsibility for the change i want to see in his first speech to the nation as prime minister he promised to spend more money on the police education and social welfare.

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandhasanewlead
er.AlexanderBorisdePfeffelJohnsonbecametheUK'snewPrimeMinist
eryesterdayafterTheresaMayannouncedherresignationinJune.MrJo
hnson,commonlyknownasBoris,realizedachildhooddreamofbecomi
ngleaderoftheUK.Itisreportedthatwhenhewaseight,hetoldhisparent
shewantedtobekingoftheworld.HenowhasthelesserroleofPrimeMini
sterbuthasatoughtaskaheadofhim.Hismostpressingundertakingisto
deliverBrexitandmakesureBritainwithdrawsfromtheEuropeanUnion
.MrJohnsonhasvowedtoensurethiswillbedonebyOctober31st.Hispoli
ticalfuturedependsonthis.BorisJohnsonhadtogotoBuckinghamPalac
etomeetQueenElizabethbeforetakingoverastheUK's77thPrimeMinis
ter.TraditiondictatesthattheQueenformallyasksanynewappointeeto
formanewgovernment.Johnsonacceptedanddroveto10DowningStr
eet-theofficialresidenceoftheBritishleader.HisfirstjobistoformhisCa
binet-thepeoplewhowilltakeupkeydecision-makingrolesinthenewU
Kgovernment.Johnsonsaid:"ThoughIamtodaybuildingagreatteamof
menandwomen,IwilltakepersonalresponsibilityforthechangeIwantt
osee."InhisfirstspeechtothenationasPrimeMinister,hepromisedtosp
endmoremoneyonthepolice,educationandsocialwelfare.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The current leader of my country is the best in our history. 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. BORIS JOHNSON: Make a poster about national leaders. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. WORLD LEADER: Write a magazine article about there being a world leader. 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 national leaders. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on your country's leader. 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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