Breaking News English Lesson: Coldplay Concert Tour

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Rock band Coldplay not touring to save environment (23rd November, 2019)

The Reading / Listening - Concert Tour - Level 6

The rock band Coldplay has announced it will not be going on tour to promote its latest album because of the environmental damage touring might cause. It is standard business practice in the music industry for well-known artists to go on a world tour to accompany a new album release. Concert tours are often huge money-spinners and can generate more profits than actual music sales. Coldplay has decided any concert tour would have a detrimental impact on the environment. Lead singer Chris Martin told the BBC news agency that: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be actively beneficial." He added that the band wanted any future tours to "have a positive impact" on the environment.

Coldplay band members said they are taking some time off to look at options on how they can tour in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Mr Martin said: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be actively beneficial....Our next tour will be the best possible version of [our last tour] environmentally. We would be disappointed if it's not carbon neutral." He asked: "How do we turn [touring] around so it's not so much taking as giving?" The band's new double album, "Everyday Life," was released on November 22. It reflects their feelings about the environment. Coldplay will do a one-off performance for their fans in London. All of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to an environmental charity.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Concert Tour - Level 4 or Concert Tour - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50490700
https://www.thejournal.ie/coldplay-climate-tour-4900184-Nov2019/
https://www.nme.com/news/music/coldplay-say-wont-touring-live-can-make-touring-environmentally-beneficial-2570153

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. CONCERT TOURS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about concert tours. 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?
rock band / album / environmental damage / business / music industry / concert /
sustainable / tour / disappointed / carbon neutral / everyday life / feelings / charity
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CARBON NEUTRAL: Students A strongly believe all concert tours should be carbon neutral; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CONCERTS: What are the good and bad things about these seeing these kinds of concerts live, on TV and on YouTube? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Live	TV	YouTube
Rock
Classical
Folk
Reggae
Piano recital
Pop

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. ENVIRONMENT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "environment". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BAND MEMBER: Rank these with your partner. Put the best role of being in a band at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Lead singer
Lead guitarist
Drummer
Bass player
Backing singer
Tambourine player
Saxophonist
Manager

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	announced	a.	Give publicity to a product, organization, or venture so as to increase sales or public awareness.
2.	promote	b.	Be present or occur at the same time as something else.
3.	standard	c.	Favorable or advantageous; resulting in good things.
4.	accompany	d.	Normal or usual.
5.	money-spinner	e.	Tending to cause harm.
6.	detrimental	f.	Made a public and (usually) formal declaration about a fact.
7.	beneficial	g.	A thing that brings in a profit.

Paragraph 2

8.	sustainable	h.	A particular form of something differing in certain ways from an earlier form or other forms.
9.	version	i.	Making no net release of CO2 (carbon dioxide) to the atmosphere, especially through offsetting emissions by planting trees.
10.	carbon neutral	j.	Gave money or goods for a good cause, for example to a charity.
11.	reflects	k.	Done, made, or happening only once and not repeated.
12.	one-off	l.	Represents something in a true or appropriate way.
13.	proceeds	m.	Able to use something and maintain the environment at a certain rate or level.
14.	donated	n.	Money obtained from an event or activity.

Before reading / listening

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

Coldplay is worried about the environmental damage a tour could cause. T / F
It is standard music industry practice to tour after an album release. T / F
The article said music sales are more profitable than tours. T / F
The band's lead singer said the band would never tour again. T / F
Band members are looking at environmentally ways of touring. T / F
The lead singer would be disappointed if any tour wasn't carbon neutral. T / F
The band has just released a new double album. T / F
Coldplay will play two free concerts in New York for fans. T / F

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

announced
standard
accompany
detrimental
beneficial
options
way
released
reflects
proceeds

harmful
issued
revenue
common
alternatives
shows
advantageous
made it known
manner
go with

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

going on tour to promote
It is standard business
in the music
huge money-
have a positive
band
environmentally
carbon
The band's new double
Coldplay will do a one-

album
spinners
impact
neutral
practice
friendly
off performance
industry
members
its latest album

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

industry
sales
cause
future
promote
beneficial
release
impact

The rock band Coldplay has announced it will not be going on tour to (1) ____________ its latest album because of the environmental damage touring might (2) ____________. It is standard business practice in the music (3) ____________ for well-known artists to go on a world tour to accompany a new album (4) ____________. Concert tours are often huge money-spinners and can generate more profits than actual music (5) ____________. Coldplay has decided any concert tour would have a detrimental (6) ____________ on the environment. Lead singer Chris Martin told the BBC news agency that: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be actively (7) ____________." He added that the band wanted any (8) ____________ tours to "have a positive impact" on the environment.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

double
actively
reflects
members
carbon
sustainable
proceeds
possible

Coldplay band (9) ____________ said they are taking some time off to look at options on how they can tour in a more (10) ____________ and environmentally friendly way. Mr Martin said: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be (11) ____________ beneficial....Our next tour will be the best (12) ____________ version of [our last tour] environmentally. We would be disappointed if it's not (13) ____________ neutral." He asked: "How do we turn [touring] around so it's not so much taking as giving?" The band's new (14) ____________ album, "Everyday Life," was released on November 22. It (15) ____________ their feelings about the environment. Coldplay will do a one-off performance for their fans in London. All of the (16) ____________ from this concert will be donated to an environmental charity.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Coldplay has announced it will not be going on tour to ______ album
     a. promotes its latest
    b. pro moat latest
     c. promote its latest
     d. pro note its latest
2) because of the environmental damage ______ cause
     a. tour in might
     b. tour ring might
     c. tour ringing might
     d. touring might
3) Concert tours are often huge money-spinners and can ______
     a. degenerate more profits
     b. generation more profits
     c. generator more profits
     d. generate more profits
4) Coldplay has decided any concert tour would have a ______
     a. detrimental imp pact
     b. petri mental impact
     c. detrimental impact
     d. deter mental impact
5) We're taking time to see how our tour can be ______
     a. actively beneficially
     b. actively benefits
     c. active beneficial
     d. actively beneficial

6) Coldplay band members said they are taking some time off to ______
     a. look on options
     b. look at options
     c. look by options
     d. look up options
7) how they can tour in a more sustainable and environmentally ______
     a. friend in way
     b. friend lay way
     c. friend waylaid
     d. friendly way
8) of [our last tour] environmentally. We would be disappointed if it's ______
     a. not car burn neutral
     b. not carbon neutral
     c. not car burn natural
     d. notch carb on neuter
9) It reflects their feelings about the environment. Coldplay will do a ______
     a. one-off performance
     b. one-on performance
     c. won-off performance
     d. won-on performance
10) All of the proceeds from this concert will be ______ environmental
     a. donate it to an
     b. donate it tune
     c. donated it tune
     d. donated to an

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The rock band Coldplay (1) ___________________ it will not be going on tour to promote its latest album because of the environmental damage touring might cause. It is (2) ___________________ in the music industry for well-known artists to go on a world tour to accompany a new album release. Concert tours are (3) ___________________ and can generate more profits than actual music sales. Coldplay has decided any concert tour would have a (4) ___________________ the environment. Lead singer Chris Martin told the BBC news agency that: "We're (5) ___________________ see how our tour can be actively beneficial." He added that the band (6) ___________________ tours to "have a positive impact" on the environment.

Coldplay band members said they are taking some time off to (7) ___________________ on how they can tour in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Mr Martin said: "We're taking time to see (8) ___________________ can be actively beneficial....Our next tour will be the best (9) ___________________ [our last tour] environmentally. We would be disappointed if it's not carbon neutral." He asked: "How do we turn [touring] around so it's not so (10) ___________________ giving?" The band's new double album, "Everyday Life," was released on November 22. It (11) ___________________ about the environment. Coldplay will do a one-off performance for their fans in London. All of the proceeds from this concert will be (12) ___________________ environmental charity.

Comprehension questions

What kind of damage is Coldplay worried about?
What do well-known artists usually do to accompany a new album?
What can generate more profits than music sales?
Who did the lead singer of Coldplay talk to?
What kind of impact does Coldplay want to have on the environment?
What did the article say Coldplay band members were taking?
What would Chris Martin be disappointed at a future tour not being?
What is the name of Coldplay's new double album?
What will Coldplay do in London on November 22?
What will the proceeds of a concert be donated to?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of damage is Coldplay worried about?
a) damage to its reputation
b) damage to guitars
c) hearing damage
d) environmental damage
2) What do well-known artists usually do to accompany a new album?
a) interviews
b) go on a world tour
c) photo shoots
d) cross their fingers
3) What can generate more profits than music sales?
a) online streaming
b) merchandising
c) hit singles
d) concert tours
4) Who did the lead singer of Coldplay talk to?
a) CNN
b) the NME music mag
c) the BBC
d) an environmental charity
5) What kind of impact does Coldplay want to have on the environment?
a) a musical impact
b) a sudden impact
c) a lasting impact
d) a positive impact

6) What did the article say Coldplay band members were taking?
a) medicine
b) advice
c) time off
d) a long holiday
7) What would Chris Martin be disappointed at a future tour not being?
a) carbon neutral
b) phenomenal
c) popular
d) full of razzmatazz
8) What is the name of Coldplay's new double album?
a) Daily Life
b) Life In A Day
c) Everyday Life
d) Everyday Day
9) What will Coldplay do in London on November 22?
a) interviews
b) do a one-off performance
c) collect money for charity
d) play in a football match
10) What will the proceeds of a concert be donated to?
a) an environmental charity
b) a charity to help children learn music
c) the rock star charity
d) science

Role play

Role A – Lead Singer
You think lead singer is the best position to have in a band. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their roles. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): drummer, manager or lead guitarist.

Role B – Drummer
You think drummer is the best position to have in a band. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their roles. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): lead singer, manager or lead guitarist.

Role C – Manager
You think manager is the best position to have in a band. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their roles. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): drummer, lead singer or lead guitarist.

Role D – Lead Guitarist
You think lead guitarist is the best position to have in a band. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their roles. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): drummer, manager or lead singer.

After reading / listening

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

'concert'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'tour'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

promote

standard

huge

decided

news

future

members

taking

neutral

double

feelings

donated

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 - Concert Tour

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 'concert'?
What do you know about Coldplay?
What do you think of Coldplay's decision?
What do you think of rock concerts?
What environmental damage do concert tours cause?
Why are concert tours such huge money-spinners?
Is the live concert or the album better?
Is it better to watch a concert on YouTube or live?
In what other ways might concerts be detrimental?

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 'tour'?
What do you think about what you read?
How can rock concert tours be more sustainable?
Are rock concerts or classical concerts best?
Should everything we do be carbon neutral?
What are your feelings on the environment?
What is the best concert you've ever seen?
What charity would you donate to?
What questions would you like to ask Coldplay?

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 rock band Coldplay has announced it will not be going (1) ____ tour to promote its latest album because of the environmental damage touring might cause. It is standard business (2) ____ in the music industry for well-known artists to go on a world tour to (3) ____ a new album release. Concert tours are often huge money-spinners and can generate more profits than actual music (4) ____. Coldplay has decided any concert tour would have a detrimental impact (5) ____ the environment. Lead singer Chris Martin told the BBC news agency that: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be actively (6) ____." He added that the band wanted any future tours to "have a positive impact" on the environment.

Coldplay band members said they are taking some time (7) ____ to look at options on how they can tour in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly (8) ____. Mr Martin said: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be actively beneficial....Our next tour will be the best possible version of [our last tour] environmentally. We would be disappointed if it's not carbon (9) ____." He asked: "How do we (10) ____ [touring] around so it's not so much taking as giving?" The band's new double album, "Everyday Life," was released on November 22. It (11) ____ their feelings about the environment. Coldplay will do a one-off performance for their fans in London. All of the (12) ____ from this concert will be donated to an environmental charity.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) in (b) on (c) at (d) by
(a) rehearsal (b) practice (c) trial (d) attempt
(a) formulate (b) replenish (c) rectify (d) accompany
(a) purchases (b) sales (c) bargains (d) vending
(a) at (b) on (c) as (d) by
(a) benefits (b) benefit (c) beneficial (d) beneficially
(a) on (b) up (c) off (d) down
(a) methodology (b) practicality (c) way (d) stance
(a) natural (b) natured (c) neutered (d) neutral
(a) turn (b) spiral (c) whirl (d) pirouette
(a) reflects (b) selects (c) dejects (d) infects
(a) deeds (b) precedes (c) proceeds (d) cedes

Spelling

Paragraph 1

going on tour to mpotroe its latest album
a world tour to cpmcaoyna a new album release
Concert tours are often huge penmsy-seionrn
a dertatmilen impact on the environment
our tour can be actively nbieflceia
have a psoiitev impact

Paragraph 2

a more seniablusat and environmentally friendly way
carbon uatrlen
the best possible sionrve
It cfrleste their feelings
All of the dpcseroe from this concert
donated to an environmental tycrhai

Put the text back together

(...) have a detrimental impact on the environment. Lead singer Chris Martin told the BBC news
(...) agency that: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be actively beneficial." He added
(...) album because of the environmental damage touring might cause. It is standard business practice in the music i
(...) that the band wanted any future tours to "have a positive impact" on the environment.
(...) giving?" The band's new double album, "Everyday Life," was released on November 22. It reflects
(...) disappointed if it's not carbon neutral." He asked: "How do we turn [touring] around so it's not so much taking as
(...) money-spinners and can generate more profits than actual music sales. Coldplay has decided any concert tour would
(...) ndustry for well-known artists to go on a world tour to accompany a new album release. Concert tours are often huge
(...) beneficial....Our next tour will be the best possible version of [our last tour] environmentally. We would be
(...) and environmentally friendly way. Mr Martin said: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be actively
(...) in London. All of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to an environmental charity.
( 1 ) The rock band Coldplay has announced it will not be going on tour to promote its latest
(...) their feelings about the environment. Coldplay will do a one-off performance for their fans
(...) Coldplay band members said they are taking some time off to look at options on how they can tour in a more sustainable

Put the words in the right order

its album . Going tour latest promote on to
standard industry . music the in business It's practice
to tour accompany a world album . A new
have impact . a Any detrimental tour concert would
beneficial . can tour be our how See actively
at to look some off options . Taking time
if disappointed neutral . not it's Be carbon
feelings environment . the about reflects their It
their fans . will Coldplay one-off for do performance a
donated . will proceeds concert be All from this

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The rock band Coldplay has announced it will not be going / doing on tour to promote its latest / least album because of the environmental damage touring might cause. It is epitome / standard business practice in the music industry for well-known artists to go on a world tour to accompany / accost a new album release. Concert tours are often huge money-bags / money-spinners and can generate more profits than actual music sales. Coldplay has decision / decided any concert tour would have a detrimental / deter impact on the environment. Lead singer Chris Martin told the BBC news agency that: "We're taking timely / time to see how our tour can be actively beneficial / benefit." He added that the band wanted any future tours to "have a positive impact" on an / the environment.

Coldplay band members said they are taking some time on / off to look at options on how they can tour in a much / more sustainable and environmentally friendly methodology / way. Mr Martin said: "We're taking time to see how our tour can be actively beneficial....Our next tour will be the best possible version / aversion of [our last tour] environmentally. We would be disappointed if it's not carbon neural / neutral." He asked: "How do we turn [touring] around so it's not so much taking as given / giving?" The band's new double album, "Everyday Life," was released / set free on November 22. It reflects / deflects their feelings about the environment. Coldplay will do a one-two / one-off performance for their fans in London. All of the proceeds / welfare from this concert will be donated to an environmental charity.

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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C_l d p l_y b_n d m_m b_r s s__ d t h_y _r_ t_k_n g s_m_ t_m_ _f f t_ l__ k _t _p t__ n s _n h_w t h_y c_n t__ r _n _ m_r_ s_s t__ n_b l_ _n d _n v_r_n m_n t_l l y f r__ n d l y w_y . M r M_r t_n s__ d : " W_' r_ t_k_n g t_m_ t_ s__ h_w __ r t__ r c_n b_ _c t_v_l y b_n_f_c__ l . . . . O_r n_x t t__ r w_l l b_ t h_ b_s t p_s s_b l_ v_r s__ n _f [__ r l_s t t__ r ] _n v_r_n m_n t_l l y . W_ w__ l d b_ d_s_p p__ n t_d _f _t ' s n_t c_r b_n n__ t r_l . " H_ _s k_d : " H_w d_ w_ t_r n [ t__ r_n g ] _r__ n d s_ _t ' s n_t s_ m_c h t_k_n g _s g_v_n g ? " T h_ b_n d ' s n_w d__ b l_ _l b_m , " E v_r y d_y L_f_, " w_s r_l__ s_d _n N_v_m b_r 2 2 . I t r_f l_c t s t h__ r f__ l_n g s _b__ t t h_ _n v_r_n m_n t . C_l d p l_y w_l l d_ _ _n_-_f f p_r f_r m_n c_ f_r t h__ r f_n s _n L_n d_n . A l l _f t h_ p r_c__ d s f r_m t h_s c_n c_r t w_l l b_ d_n_t_d t_ _n _n v_r_n m_n t_l c h_r_t y .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the rock band coldplay has announced it will not be going on tour to promote its latest album because of the environmental damage touring might cause it is standard business practice in the music industry for wellknown artists to go on a world tour to accompany a new album release concert tours are often huge moneyspinners and can generate more profits than actual music sales coldplay has decided any concert tour would have a detrimental impact on the environment lead singer chris martin told the bbc news agency that were taking time to see how our tour can be actively beneficial he added that the band wanted any future tours to have a positive impact on the environment

coldplay band members said they are taking some time off to look at options on how they can tour in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way mr martin said were taking time to see how our tour can be actively beneficialour next tour will be the best possible version of our last tour environmentally we would be disappointed if its not carbon neutral he asked how do we turn touring around so its not so much taking as giving the bands new double album everyday life was released on november 22 it reflects their feelings about the environment coldplay will do a oneoff performance for their fans in london all of the proceeds from this concert will be donated to an environmental charity

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TherockbandColdplayhasannounceditwillnotbegoingontourtoprom
oteitslatestalbumbecauseoftheenvironmentaldamagetouringmight
cause.Itisstandardbusinesspracticeinthemusicindustryforwell-kno
wnartiststogoonaworldtourtoaccompanyanewalbumrelease.Concer
ttoursareoftenhugemoney-spinnersandcangeneratemoreprofitsth
anactualmusicsales.Coldplayhasdecidedanyconcerttourwouldhave
adetrimentalimpactontheenvironment.LeadsingerChrisMartintoldt
heBBCnewsagencythat:"We'retakingtimetoseehowourtourcanbeac
tivelybeneficial."Headdedthatthebandwantedanyfuturetoursto"hav
eapositiveimpact"ontheenvironment.Coldplaybandmemberssaidth
eyaretakingsometimeofftolookatoptionsonhowtheycantourinamore
sustainableandenvironmentallyfriendlyway.MrMartinsaid:"We'reta
kingtimetoseehowourtourcanbeactivelybeneficial....Ournexttourwil
lbethebestpossibleversionof[ourlasttour]environmentally.Wewould
bedisappointedifit'snotcarbonneutral."Heasked:"Howdoweturn[tou
ring]aroundsoit'snotsomuchtakingasgiving?"Theband'snewdoublea
lbum,"EverydayLife,"wasreleasedonNovember22.Itreflectstheirfeel
ingsabouttheenvironment.Coldplaywilldoaone-offperformancefort
heirfansinLondon.Alloftheproceedsfromthisconcertwillbedonatedto
anenvironmentalcharity.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Concert tours should only take place if they are carbon neutral. 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. CONCERT TOURS: Make a poster about concert tours. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. CARBON NEUTRAL: Write a magazine article about requiring all concert tours to be carbon neutral. 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 concert tours. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make them more environmentally friendly. 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: Coldplay Concert Tour

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