The Reading / Listening - Handwashing - Level 3

The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has made more men wash their hands more often, especially after going to the toilet. A recent survey of 2,000 men in the UK found that 32 per cent of them did not wash their hands after using the toilet. However, social media reports that more men are washing their hands in public toilets since the outbreak of COVID-19. People on Twitter wrote that a month ago, it was unusual to see a man using the sinks in a public toilet. Since the outbreak, more men have been washing their hands in public toilets. Dan McCoy, a writer from New York, said: "For once, there are lines in men's restrooms as coronavirus makes men wash their hands for the first time."

Governments around the world have stressed the importance of regular handwashing. This is not just after using the bathroom but also throughout the day. Doctors say regular handwashing is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Health authorities in the UK and USA have told people to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds each time - or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. A caller into a UK radio station spoke about the first time he realised men were washing their hands. It was when he stopped at the toilets on a highway. He said: "There were eight sinks and men were washing their hands in all of them." He also said the men were spending a long time carefully washing their hands.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Handwashing - Level 0 Handwashing - Level 1   or  Handwashing - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8078807/Disgusting-Men-started-washing-hands-using-toilet-Twitter-users-claim.html
  • https://uk.news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-hand-washing-yougov-stats-140920602.html
  • https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/4/21164475/birthday-hands-washing-app-20-seconds-celebrities-cdc-coronavirus


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. HANDWASHING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about handwashing. 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?
       spread / COVID-19 / hands / toilet / outbreak / sink / public / lines / the first time /
       stress / importance / handwashing / 20 seconds / Happy Birthday / highway / careful
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. STAY AT HOME: Students A strongly believe everyone should stay at home fr two weeks to fight the coronavirus; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. HYGIENE: How good are these things at keeping COVID-19 away? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How Effective?

Do You Do This?

Handwashing

 

 

Wearing gloves

 

 

Wearing a mask

 

 

Using hand sanitizer

 

 

Staying at home

 

 

Avoid public transport

 

 

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

  • Toilets
  • Supermarket baskets
  • Bus seats
  • Park benches
  • Ticket machines
  • Smartphones
  • Restaurant tables
  • Computer keyboards

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. spread a. A toilet in a public building.
      2. recent b. An investigation of the opinions or experience of a group of people, based on a series of questions.
      3. survey c. The place where you wash your hands or wash the dishes (it usually has hot-water and cold-water taps).
      4. outbreak d. The action of moving across a larger and larger area.
      5. sink e. Of or about all people.
      6. public f. Belonging to a time in the past that is close to the present.
      7. restroom g. The sudden start of something unwelcome, such as war, disease, etc.

    Paragraph 2

      8. stressed h. The people in power.
      9. regular i. Not less than.
      10. throughout j. A big road, especially one that joins major towns or cities.
      11. authorities k. Done or happening often.
      12. at least l. Became fully aware of.
      13. realised m. From the beginning to the end of an event or period of time.
      14. highway n. Put more importance to a point, statement, or idea in speech or writing.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A survey found that 2,000 men didn't wash their hands in public toilets.  T / F
  2. More men have been washing their hands since the virus outbreak.     T / F
  3. Twitter users said it used to be unusual to see men at sinks in toilets.     T / F
  4. A writer said he now sees lines at men's restrooms.     T / F
  5. The article said all governments said handwashing was important.    T / F
  6. UK health authorities told people to wash their hands 20 times a day.     T / F
  7. A radio station host said he always washed his hands on highways.     T / F
  8. A radio show caller was surprised to see men at eight public toilet sinks.  T / F

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

  1. spread
  2. often
  3. toilet
  4. unusual
  5. lines
  6. stressed
  7. regular
  8. realised
  9. highway
  10. spending
  1. understood
  2. growth
  3. using
  4. highlighted
  5. frequently
  6. road
  7. bathroom
  8. queues
  9. normal
  10. strange

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

  1. men wash
  2. since the
  3. it was unusual to see a man
  4. washing their hands
  5. there are lines in
  6. stressed the importance of regular
  7. the best way to stop the spread
  8. wash their hands for at
  9. There were eight
  10. men were spending
  1. handwashing
  2. in public toilets
  3. a long time
  4. their hands more often
  5. of the coronavirus
  6. using the sinks
  7. sinks
  8. men's restrooms
  9. least 20 seconds
  10. outbreak of COVID-19

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
public
especially
time
media
spread
lines
unusual
survey

The (1) ____________ of the COVID-19 coronavirus has made more men wash their hands more often, (2) ____________ after going to the toilet. A recent (3) ____________ of 2,000 men in the UK found that 32 per cent of them did not wash their hands after using the toilet. However, social (4) ____________ reports that more men are washing their hands in public toilets since the outbreak of COVID-19. People on Twitter wrote that a month ago, it was (5) ____________ to see a man using the sinks in a public toilet. Since the outbreak, more men have been washing their hands in (6) ____________ toilets. Dan McCoy, a writer from New York, said: "For once, there are (7) ____________ in men's restrooms as coronavirus makes men wash their hands for the first (8) ____________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
way
twice
time
stressed
least
all
throughout
highway

Governments around the world have (9) ____________ the importance of regular handwashing. This is not just after using the bathroom but also (10) ____________ the day. Doctors say regular handwashing is the best (11) ____________ to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Health authorities in the UK and USA have told people to wash their hands for at (12) ____________ 20 seconds each time - or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" (13) ____________. A caller into a UK radio station spoke about the first time he realised men were washing their hands. It was when he stopped at the toilets on a (14) ____________. He said: "There were eight sinks and men were washing their hands in (15) ____________ of them." He also said the men were spending a long (16) ____________ carefully washing their hands.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has made more men wash their ______
     a.  hands many often
     b.  hands more oft in
     c.  hands more often
     d.  hands more oft on
2)  32 per cent of them did not wash their hands after ______
     a.  using the toilet
     b.  use in the toilet
     c.  used in the toilet
     d.  using that toilet
3)  more men are washing their hands in public toilets ______
     a.  since the out break
     b.  since the out breaks
     c.  since the outer break
     d.  since the outbreak
4)  Since the outbreak, more men have been washing their ______ toilets
     a.  hands on public
     b.  hands in public
     c.  hands an public
     d.  hand sin public
5)  restrooms as coronavirus makes men wash their hands for ______
     a.  the first time
     b.  the fast time
     c.  the thirst time
     d.  the firstly time

6)  Governments around the world have stressed the importance ______
     a.  off regular handwashing
     b.  of regularly handwashing
     c.  of regular handwashing
     d.  of regulars handwashing
7)  This is not just after using the bathroom but also ______
     a.  through out the day
     b.  through outer the day
     c.  through outs the day
     d.  throughout the day
8)  Doctors say regular handwashing is the best way to stop the ______ coronavirus
     a.  speared of the
     b.  spreads of the
     c.  spread of the
     d.  sped of the
9)  There were eight sinks and men were washing their hands ______ them
     a.  in all of
     b.  in wall of
     c.  in mall of
     d.  inner all of
10)  He also said the men were spending a long time carefully ______
     a.  wash in their hands
     b.  washing their hands
     c.  washing them hands
     d.  washing the hands

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has (1) ___________________ wash their hands more often, especially after going to the toilet. A (2) ___________________ 2,000 men in the UK found that 32 per cent of them did not wash their (3) ___________________ the toilet. However, social media reports that more men are washing their hands in public toilets (4) ___________________ of COVID-19. People on Twitter wrote that a month ago, it was unusual to see a man (5) ___________________ in a public toilet. Since the outbreak, more men have been washing their hands in public toilets. Dan McCoy, a writer from New York, said: "For once, there are lines in men's restrooms as coronavirus makes men wash their hands (6) ___________________ time."

Governments around the world (7) ___________________ importance of regular handwashing. This is not just after using the bathroom but also (8) ___________________. Doctors say regular handwashing is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Health authorities in the UK and USA have told people to wash their hands (9) ___________________ 20 seconds each time - or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. A caller into a UK radio (10) ___________________ the first time he realised men were washing their hands. It was when he stopped at the toilets (11) ___________________. He said: "There were eight sinks and men were washing their hands in all of them." He also said the men (12) ___________________ long time carefully washing their hands.

Comprehension questions

  1. How many men were there in a recent survey?
  2. What percentage of men in the survey did not wash their hands?
  3. Where were the reports on men now washing their hands more often?
  4. Who is Dan McCoy?
  5. What did Dan McCoy say he saw in men's restrooms?
  6. Who did the article say stressed the importance of handwashing?
  7. Who said handwashing was the best way to stop the spread of the virus?
  8. How long did UK health authorities tell people to wash their hands for?
  9. Where did a radio caller stop to go to the toilet?
  10. How many sinks were in use in a pubic toilet a man went into?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many men were there in a recent survey?
a) 3,000
b) 2,500
c) 2,000
d) 4,000
2) What percentage of men in the survey did not wash their hands?
a) 32%
b) 18%
c) 57%
d) 86%
3) Where were the reports on men now washing their hands more often?
a) social media
b) a medical journal
c) the TV
d) newspapers
4) Who is Dan McCoy?
a) a mask maker
b) a writer
c) a doctor
d) a hospital patient
5) What did Dan McCoy say he saw in men's restrooms?
a) soap
b) you don't want to know
c) the virus
d) lines

6) Who did the article say stressed the importance of handwashing?
a) old people
b) world governments
c) pharmacists
d) Dan McCoy
7) Who said handwashing was the best way to stop the spread of the virus?
a) doctors
b) Dan McCoy
c) the IMF
d) pharmacists
8) How long did UK health authorities tell people to wash their hands for?
a) 10 seconds
b) 30 seconds
c) 20 seconds
d) a minute
9) Where did a radio caller stop to go to the toilet?
a) a hospital
b) a shopping mall
c) McDonald's
d) a highway

10) How many sinks were in use in a pubic toilet a man went into?
a) 8
b) 7
c) 6
d) 5

Role play

Role  A – Toilets
You think toilets are the dirtiest things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so dirty. Also, tell the others which is the cleanest of these (and why): bus seats, ticket machines or computer keyboards.

Role  B – Bus Seats
You think bus seats are the dirtiest things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so dirty. Also, tell the others which is the cleanest of these (and why): toilets, ticket machines or computer keyboards.

Role  C – Ticket Machines
You think ticket machines are the dirtiest things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so dirty. Also, tell the others which is the cleanest of these (and why): bus seats, toilets or computer keyboards.

Role  D – Computer Keyboards
You think computer keyboards are the dirtiest things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so dirty. Also, tell the others which is the cleanest of these (and why): bus seats, ticket machines or toilets.

After reading / listening

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

'hands'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'virus'.

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

    • spread
    • recent
    • social
    • month
    • writer
    • lines
    • stressed
    • just
    • best
    • 20
    • highway
    • time

    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 - Handwashing

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'virus'?
    3. How important is it to wash our hands?
    4. How often do you wash your hands?
    5. Do you now worry about what you touch?
    6. How worried are you about COVID-19?
    7. Have your handwashing habits changed since the coronavirus outbreak?
    8. How often should we wash our hands?
    9. Why don't men wash their hands so often?
    10. What are you doing to avoid the coronavirus?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'handwashing'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What has your government told you about handwashing?
    5. Do you think people are worrying too much about the coronavirus?
    6. What do you think of the 20-second rule?
    7. Do you now avoid touching things when you go out?
    8. What do you think of the news coverage of COVID-19?
    9. What do you think the COVID-19 situation will be like in six months?
    10. What questions would you like to ask experts on the coronavirus?

    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 spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has (1) ____ more men wash their hands more often, especially after going to the toilet. A (2) ____ survey of 2,000 men in the UK found that 32 per cent of them did not wash their hands after (3) ____ the toilet. However, social media reports that more men are washing their hands in public toilets (4) ____ the outbreak of COVID-19. People on Twitter wrote that a month ago, it was unusual to see a man using the (5) ____ in a public toilet. Since the outbreak, more men have been washing their hands in public toilets. Dan McCoy, a writer from New York, said: "For (6) ____, there are lines in men's restrooms as coronavirus makes men wash their hands for the first time."

    Governments around the world have (7) ____ the importance of regular handwashing. This is not just after using the bathroom but also (8) ____ the day. Doctors say regular handwashing is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus. (9) ____ authorities in the UK and USA have told people to wash their hands for at (10) ____ 20 seconds each time - or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. A caller into a UK radio station spoke about the first time he realised men were washing their hands. It was when he (11) ____ at the toilets on a highway. He said: "There were eight sinks and men were washing their hands in all of them." He also said the men were spending a long time (12) ____ washing their hands.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     taken     (b)     had     (c)     done     (d)     made    
    2. (a)     resent     (b)     recently     (c)     relent     (d)     recent    
    3. (a)     used     (b)     using     (c)     uses     (d)     usage    
    4. (a)     for     (b)     by     (c)     since     (d)     as    
    5. (a)     stinks     (b)     sins     (c)     sinks     (d)     slinks    
    6. (a)     once     (b)     only     (c)     one     (d)     ones    
    7. (a)     pressed     (b)     stressed     (c)     pressured     (d)     anxious    
    8. (a)     throughout     (b)     thoroughly     (c)     thought     (d)     thorough    
    9. (a)     Healthy     (b)     Health     (c)     Healthful     (d)     Healthfully    
    10. (a)     last     (b)     lest     (c)     least     (d)     lost    
    11. (a)     stooped     (b)     stepped     (c)     stopped     (d)     strapped    
    12. (a)     caring     (b)     careful     (c)     cared     (d)     carefully

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. piecsalely after going to the toilet
    2. A recent urvsey of 2,000 men
    3. ocsail media
    4. Since the urbteoak
    5. washing their hands in bpiulc toilets
    6. lines in men's srortoems

    Paragraph 2

    1. the potriamcne of regular handwashing
    2. roguthhuot the day
    3. stop the persad of the coronavirus
    4. Health histuerioat
    5. the first time he lsdraiee
    6. eyllcuarf washing their hands

    Put the text back together

    (...)  least 20 seconds each time - or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. A caller into a UK radio station spoke
    (...)  Governments around the world have stressed the importance of regular handwashing. This is not just after
    (...)  to see a man using the sinks in a public toilet. Since the outbreak, more men have been washing
    (...)  about the first time he realised men were washing their hands. It was when he stopped
    (...)  often, especially after going to the toilet. A recent survey of 2,000 men in the UK found that 32 per cent of them did
    (...)  their hands in public toilets. Dan McCoy, a writer from New York, said: "For once, there are lines in men's
    (...)  using the bathroom but also throughout the day. Doctors say regular handwashing is the best way to stop the
    1  ) The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has made more men wash their hands more
    (...)  all of them." He also said the men were spending a long time carefully washing their hands.
    (...)  not wash their hands after using the toilet. However, social media reports that more men are washing their hands in public
    (...)  restrooms as coronavirus makes men wash their hands for the first time."
    (...)  toilets since the outbreak of COVID-19. People on Twitter wrote that a month ago, it was unusual
    (...)  at the toilets on a highway. He said: "There were eight sinks and men were washing their hands in
    (...)  spread of the coronavirus. Health authorities in the UK and USA have told people to wash their hands for at

    Put the words in the right order

    1. their   men   more   hands   more   Made   wash   often   .
    2. toilet   .   hands   their   Wash   the   after   using
    3. in   toilets   .   Men   their   hands   washing   are   public
    4. to   the   Unusual   a   using   sinks   .   man   see
    5. men's   For   in   restrooms   .   lines   there   once,   are
    6. the   world   around   Governments   stressed   the   have  importance  .
    7. bathroom   .   is   just   not   using   after   This   the
    8. hands   seconds   .   Wash   20   at   least   for   their
    9. stopped   toilets   on   at   the   a   He   highway   .
    10. carefully   a   washing   long   hands   .   their   Spending   time

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has made / done more men wash their hands more often, especially after gone / going to the toilet. A recent survey of 2,000 men in the UK found / finds that 32 per cent of them did not wash their hands after use / using the toilet. However, social media reports that more men are washing their hands on / in public toilets since the outbreak of COVID-19. People on Twitter written / wrote that a month ago, it was unusual / unusually to see a man using the stinks / sinks in a public toilet. Since the outbreak, more men have been washing their hands in public toilets. Dan McCoy, a writer from New York, said: "For twice / once, there are lines in men's restrooms as coronavirus makes men wash their hands for / by the first time."

    Governments around the world have stress / stressed the importance of regular handwashing. This is not just after using the bathroom but also throughout / thoroughly the day. Doctors say regulate / regular handwashing is the best way to stop the spread / speared of the coronavirus. Health authorities in the UK and USA have told people to wash their hands for at last / least 20 seconds each time - or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. A caller / called into a UK radio station spoke about the first time he realised men were washing them / their hands. It was when he stopped / stooped at the toilets on a highway. He said: "There were eight sinks and men were washing their hands in every / all of them." He also said the men were spending a long time carefully / careful washing their hands.

    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_ s p r__ d _f t h_ C O V I D - 1 9 c_r_n_v_r_s h_s m_d_ m_r_ m_n w_s h t h__ r h_n d s m_r_ _f t_n , _s p_c__ l l y _f t_r g__ n g t_ t h_ t__ l_t . A r_c_n t s_r v_y _f 2 , 0 0 0 m_n _n t h_ U K f__ n d t h_t 3 2 p_r c_n t _f t h_m d_d n_t w_s h t h__ r h_n d s _f t_r _s_n g t h_ t__ l_t . H_w_v_r , s_c__ l m_d__ r_p_r t s t h_t m_r_ m_n _r_ w_s h_n g t h__ r h_n d s _n p_b l_c t__ l_t s s_n c_ t h_ __ t b r__ k _f C O V I D - 1 9 . P__ p l_ _n T w_t t_r w r_t_ t h_t _ m_n t h _g_, _t w_s _n_s__ l t_ s__ _ m_n _s_n g t h_ s_n k s _n _ p_b l_c t__ l_t . S_n c_ t h_ __ t b r__ k , m_r_ m_n h_v_ b__ n w_s h_n g t h__ r h_n d s _n p_b l_c t__ l_t s . D_n M c C_y , _ w r_t_r f r_m N_w Y_r k , s__ d : " F_r _n c_, t h_r_ _r_ l_n_s _n m_n ' s r_s t r__ m s _s c_r_n_v_r_s m_k_s m_n w_s h t h__ r h_n d s f_r t h_ f_r s t t_m_. "

    G_v_r n m_n t s _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d h_v_ s t r_s s_d t h_ _m p_r t_n c_ _f r_g_l_r h_n d w_s h_n g . T h_s _s n_t j_s t _f t_r _s_n g t h_ b_t h r__ m b_t _l s_ t h r__ g h__ t t h_ d_y . D_c t_r s s_y r_g_l_r h_n d w_s h_n g _s t h_ b_s t w_y t_ s t_p t h_ s p r__ d _f t h_ c_r_n_v_r_s . H__ l t h __ t h_r_t__ s _n t h_ U K _n d U S A h_v_ t_l d p__ p l_ t_ w_s h t h__ r h_n d s f_r _t l__ s t 2 0 s_c_n d s __ c h t_m_ - _r t h_ t_m_ _t t_k_s t_ s_n g " H_p p y B_r t h d_y " t w_c_. A c_l l_r _n t_ _ U K r_d__ s t_t__ n s p_k_ _b__ t t h_ f_r s t t_m_ h_ r__ l_s_d m_n w_r_ w_s h_n g t h__ r h_n d s . I t w_s w h_n h_ s t_p p_d _t t h_ t__ l_t s _n _ h_g h w_y . H_ s__ d : " T h_r_ w_r_ __ g h t s_n k s _n d m_n w_r_ w_s h_n g t h__ r h_n d s _n _l l _f t h_m . " H_ _l s_ s__ d t h_ m_n w_r_ s p_n d_n g _ l_n g t_m_ c_r_f_l l y w_s h_n g t h__ r h_n d s .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the spread of the covid19 coronavirus has made more men wash their hands more often especially after going to the toilet a recent survey of 2000 men in the uk found that 32 per cent of them did not wash their hands after using the toilet however social media reports that more men are washing their hands in public toilets since the outbreak of covid19 people on twitter wrote that a month ago it was unusual to see a man using the sinks in a public toilet since the outbreak more men have been washing their hands in public toilets dan mccoy a writer from new york said for once there are lines in mens restrooms as coronavirus makes men wash their hands for the first time

    governments around the world have stressed the importance of regular handwashing this is not just after using the bathroom but also throughout the day doctors say regular handwashing is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus health authorities in the uk and usa have told people to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds each time  or the time it takes to sing happy birthday twice a caller into a uk radio station spoke about the first time he realised men were washing their hands it was when he stopped at the toilets on a highway he said there were eight sinks and men were washing their hands in all of them he also said the men were spending a long time carefully washing their hands

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThespreadoftheCOVID-19coronavirushasmademoremenwashthei
    rhandsmoreoften,especiallyaftergoingtothetoilet.Arecentsurveyof2
    ,000menintheUKfoundthat32percentofthemdidnotwashtheirhands
    afterusingthetoilet.However,socialmediareportsthatmoremenarew
    ashingtheirhandsinpublictoiletssincetheoutbreakofCOVID-19.Peop
    leonTwitterwrotethatamonthago,itwasunusualtoseeamanusingthes
    inksinapublictoilet.Sincetheoutbreak,moremenhavebeenwashingth
    eirhandsinpublictoilets.DanMcCoy,awriterfromNewYork,said:"Foro
    nce,therearelinesinmen'srestroomsascoronavirusmakesmenwasht
    heirhandsforthefirsttime."Governmentsaroundtheworldhavestress
    edtheimportanceofregularhandwashing.Thisisnotjustafterusingthe
    bathroombutalsothroughouttheday.Doctorssayregularhandwashin
    gisthebestwaytostopthespreadofthecoronavirus.Healthauthoritiesi
    ntheUKandUSAhavetoldpeopletowashtheirhandsforatleast20secon
    dseachtime-orthetimeittakestosing"HappyBirthday"twice.Acalleri
    ntoaUKradiostationspokeaboutthefirsttimeherealisedmenwerewas
    hingtheirhands.Itwaswhenhestoppedatthetoiletsonahighway.Hesai
    d:"Therewereeightsinksandmenwerewashingtheirhandsinallofthe
    m."Healsosaidthemenwerespendingalongtimecarefullywashingthei
    rhands.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    People should wear gloves when going out to stop the coronavirus spread. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. HANDWASHING: Make a poster about handwashing. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. GLOVES: Write a magazine article about requiring people to wear gloves in public to stop the spread of COVID-19. 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 handwashing. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to get people to wash their hands more often. 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

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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