The Reading / Listening - Thailand - Level 6

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Thailand's capital Bangkok, despite the government declaring a state of emergency. Police arrested dozens of the pro-democracy demonstrators. They have been protesting in cities across Thailand and online for over three months. Many of the protestors are students, but they are being joined by a wider cross-section of society. They are calling for a new constitution to ensure a true constitutional monarch under a democratic system. They are also demanding the dissolution of parliament, the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister, and an end to "the intimidation of government critics".

The government said the protests have, "affected the government's stability, safety, property and staff". It said the protests were, "no longer a peaceful assembly," and were a threat to national security. The government announced a ban on gatherings of more than five people and prohibited the publication of online messages that could "harm national security". Police arrested 22 people on Friday for public disorder offences. There were three prominent activists among those arrested. Footage showing a woman being picked up by police and put into a police car went viral on social media. Police also photographed the crowds and warned demonstrators they could be prosecuted for violating the emergency decree.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Thailand - Level 4  or  Thailand - Level 5

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/14/asia/thailand-emergency-decree-protests-intl-hnk/index.html
  • https://www.npr.org/2020/10/15/924031210/thailand-declares-state-of-emergency-amid-anti-government-protests
  • https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2003319/cabinet-confirms-state-of-emergency-curfew-if-protests-escalate


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. THAILAND: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Thailand. 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?
       protestors / capital / government / emergency / students / society / constitution /
       government / stability / peaceful / national security / public disorder / social media
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DEMOCRACY: Students A strongly believe democracy works in many countries; Students B strongly believe it doesn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

4. EMERGENCY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "emergency". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
5. PROTESTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the things you would protest about at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Democracy
  • Food prices
  • Your nation going to war
  • Taxes
  • Corrupt government
  • Equality
  • The environment
  • Freedom of speech

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. declaring a. A sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor.
      2. demonstrator b. The action of frightening someone, especially in order to make them do what one wants.
      3. cross-section c. Announcing something in a formal manner.
      4. constitution d. A person who takes part in a public protest meeting or march.
      5. monarch e. The fundamental principles by which a state, country or other organization is governed.
      6. dissolution f. The closing down of an assembly, partnership, or official body.
      7. intimidation g. A typical or representative sample of a larger group, especially of people.

    Paragraph 2

      8. stability h. Relating to or involving an image, video, piece of information, etc., that is circulated rapidly and widely from one Internet user to another.
      9. assembly i. A person who campaigns to bring about political or social change.
      10. prohibited j. Important; famous.
      11. prominent k. The state of being firmly established and not likely to change or fail.
      12. activist l. An official order issued by a government or legal authority.
      13. viral m. A group of people gathered together in one place for a common purpose.
      14. decree n. That has been forbidden; banned.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article said hundreds of thousands of people protested in Bangkok.   T / F
  2. Hundreds of people were arrested in the protests.     T / F
  3. The protests have been going on for more than three months.     T / F
  4. Protestors want an end to government critics being intimidated.     T / F
  5. The government said the protests affected its staff.     T / F
  6. There is a ban on gatherings of more than six people.     T / F
  7. Thirty prominent activists were arrested on Friday.     T / F
  8. Police have been photographing the crowds of protestors.     T / F

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

  1. despite
  2. declaring
  3. wider
  4. monarch
  5. critics
  6. staff
  7. gatherings
  8. prohibited
  9. disorder
  10. prosecuted
  1. sovereign
  2. taken to court
  3. meetings
  4. banned
  5. proclaiming
  6. unrest
  7. broader
  8. detractors
  9. in spite of
  10. personnel

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

  1. Thousands of protesters have taken
  2. despite the government declaring a state
  3. joined by a wider cross-
  4. They are calling for a new
  5. government
  6. a ban on gatherings
  7. public disorder
  8. three prominent activists among
  9. went viral
  10. violating the emergency
  1. those arrested
  2. constitution
  3. decree
  4. offences
  5. of emergency
  6. on social media
  7. section of society
  8. critics
  9. of more than five people
  10. to the streets

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
online
ensure
intimidation
taken
wider
demanding
dozens
monarch

Thousands of protesters have (1) _____________________ to the streets in Thailand's capital Bangkok, despite the government declaring a state of emergency. Police arrested (2) _____________________ of the pro-democracy demonstrators. They have been protesting in cities across Thailand and (3) _____________________ for over three months. Many of the protestors are students, but they are being joined by a (4) _____________________ cross-section of society. They are calling for a new constitution to (5) _____________________ a true constitutional (6) _____________________ under a democratic system. They are also (7) _____________________ the dissolution of parliament, the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister, and an end to "the (8) _____________________ of government critics".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
security
disorder
stability
viral
publication
violating
peaceful
activists

The government said the protests have, "affected the government's (9) _____________________, safety, property and staff". It said the protests were, "no longer a (10) _____________________ assembly," and were a threat to national (11) _____________________. The government announced a ban on gatherings of more than five people and prohibited the (12) _____________________ of online messages that could "harm national security". Police arrested 22 people on Friday for public (13) _____________________ offences. There were three prominent (14) _____________________ among those arrested. Footage showing a woman being picked up by police and put into a police car went (15) _____________________ on social media. Police also photographed the crowds and warned demonstrators they could be prosecuted for (16) _____________________ the emergency decree.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Thailand's ______
     a.  capital Bangkok
     b.  capitals Bangkok
     c.  cap it all Bangkok
     d.  cap it tall Bangkok
2)  despite the government declaring a ______
     a.  state off emergency
     b.  state of emergency
     c.  stated of emergency
     d.  state oft emergency
3)  Many of the protestors are students, but they are being joined by a ______
     a.  wide a crossed-section
     b.  wide across-section
     c.  wider crossed-section
     d.  wider cross-section
4) under a democratic system. They are also demanding the ______
     a.  dissolution of parliament
     b.  resolution of parliament
     c.  this solution of parliament
     d.  dissed solution of parliament
5)  and an end to the intimidation ______
     a.  of government criticize
     b.  of government critical
     c.  of government critics
     d.  of government critic

6) the protests have, "affected the government's stability, safety, ______"
     a.  property and staff
     b.  property and stuff
     c.  property and stiff
     d.  property and stave
7)  the protests were no longer a peaceful assembly and ______
     a.  were a treat
     b.  were a threat
     c.  were a threaten
     d.  were a threats
8)  Police arrested 22 people on Friday for public ______
     a.  disorder offences
     b.  disorderly offences
     c.  disorders offences
     d.  disordered offences
9)  Footage showing a woman being picked up by police and put into a police ______
     a.  car went vital
     b.  car went rival
     c.  car went viral
     d.  car went vital
10) warned demonstrators they could be prosecuted for violating ______
     a.  the emergency degree
     b.  the emergency decry
     c.  the emergency decree
     d.  the emergency D.C.

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Thousands of (1) ____________________ to the streets in Thailand's capital Bangkok, despite the government declaring a state of emergency. Police (2) ____________________ the pro-democracy demonstrators. They have been protesting in cities across Thailand and online for over three months. Many of the protestors are students, but they (3) ____________________ by a wider cross-section of society. They are calling for a new constitution to (4) ____________________ constitutional monarch under a democratic system. They are also (5) ____________________ of parliament, the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister, and an end (6) ____________________ of government critics".

The government said the protests have, "affected the government's stability, safety, (7) ____________________". It said the protests were, "no longer a peaceful assembly," and were a (8) ____________________ security. The government announced a ban on gatherings of more than five people and (9) ____________________ of online messages that could "harm national security". Police arrested 22 people on Friday for (10) ____________________. There were three prominent activists among those arrested. (11) ____________________ woman being picked up by police and put into a police car went viral on social media. Police also photographed the crowds and warned demonstrators they could be (12) ____________________ the emergency decree.

Comprehension questions

  1. How many people did the article say took to the streets?
  2. How many pro-democracy protestors did the police arrest?
  3. What are the student protestors being joined by?
  4. What are the protestors calling for?
  5. Who do the protestors not want to be intimidated?
  6. What did the government say the protests were a threat to?
  7. How is the maximum number of people that can legally gather?
  8. What did police arrest 22 people for on Friday?
  9. How many prominent activists were arrested?
  10. What could happen to protestors who violate the emergency decree?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many people did the article say took to the streets?
a) hundreds of thousands
b) tens of thousands
c) thousands
d) gazillions
2) How many pro-democracy protestors did the police arrest?
a) dozens
b) scores
c) multitudes
d) legions
3) What are the student protestors being joined by?
a) a wider cross-section of society
b) support from the Internet
c) international organisations
d) farming unions
4) What are the protestors calling for?
a) democratic elections
b) a new constitution
c) higher pay
d) an end to COVID-19
5) Who do the protestors not want to be intimidated?
a) journalists
b) the police
c) students
d) government critics

6) What did the government say the protests were a threat to?
a) Bangkok
b) national security
c) the future of universities
d) democracy
7) How is the maximum number of people that can legally gather?
a) 5
b) 6
c) 7
d) 8
8) What did police arrest 22 people for on Friday?
a) peacefully protesting
b) rioting
c) public disorder offences
d) resisting arrest
9) How many prominent activists were arrested?
a) 6
b) 5
c) 4
d) 3

10) What could happen to protestors who violate the emergency decree?
a) they could be prosecuted
b) they could be jailed
c) they could be fined
d) they could lose their jobs

Role play

Role  A – Democracy
You think democracy is the best reason for street protests. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food prices, the environment or war.

Role  B – Food Prices
You think food prices is the best reason for street protests. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): democracy, the environment or war.

Role  C – The Environment
You think the environment is the best reason for street protests. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food prices, democracy or war.

Role  D – War
You think war is the best reason for street protests. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food prices, the environment or democracy.

After reading / listening

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

'state'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'emergency'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • taken
    • dozens
    • across
    • wider
    • under
    • end
    • staff
    • threat
    • five
    • 22
    • picked
    • warned

    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 - Thailand

    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 'state'?
    3. What do you think of Thailand?
    4. What do you know about this news?
    5. What have you ever protested about?
    6. What is democracy?
    7. Should peaceful protestors be arrested?
    8. What is a constitutional monarchy?
    9. What are you unhappy with about your country?
    10. What advice do you have for the protestors?

    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 'emergency'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How important is democracy to you?
    5. What would make you protest in the streets?
    6. What is the history of protests in your country?
    7. How would you resolve the crisis in Thailand?
    8. What do you think the situation will be like in six months?
    9. What advice do you have for Thailand's government?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the protestors?

    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)

    Thousands of protesters have (1) ____ to the streets in Thailand's capital Bangkok, despite the government declaring a (2) ____ of emergency. Police arrested dozens of the (3) ____-democracy demonstrators. They have been protesting in cities across Thailand and online for over three months. Many of the protestors are students, but they are being joined (4) ____ a wider cross-section of society. They are calling for a new constitution to ensure a true constitutional monarch (5) ____ a democratic system. They are also demanding the dissolution of parliament, the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister, and an end to "the intimidation of government (6) ____".

    The government said the protests have, "affected the government's stability, safety, property and (7) ____". It said the protests were, "no longer a peaceful assembly," and were a (8) ____ to national security. The government announced a ban on gatherings of more than five people and prohibited the publication of online messages that could "harm national security". Police arrested 22 people on Friday for public (9) ____ offences. There were three prominent activists among those arrested. Footage showing a woman being picked (10) ____ by police and put into a police car went (11) ____ on social media. Police also photographed the crowds and warned demonstrators they could be prosecuted (12) ____ violating the emergency decree.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     taken     (b)     given     (c)     done     (d)     riven    
    2. (a)     nation     (b)     territory     (c)     state     (d)     dependency    
    3. (a)     pre     (b)     pry     (c)     pro     (d)     per    
    4. (a)     via     (b)     at     (c)     as     (d)     by    
    5. (a)     under     (b)     below     (c)     beneath     (d)     down    
    6. (a)     channels     (b)     critics     (c)     cartons     (d)     careens    
    7. (a)     characters     (b)     personality     (c)     humane     (d)     staff    
    8. (a)     thread     (b)     threat     (c)     teat     (d)     treat    
    9. (a)     preorder     (b)     ordered     (c)     disorder     (d)     order-made    
    10. (a)     as     (b)     down     (c)     in     (d)     up    
    11. (a)     vital     (b)     revel     (c)     rebel     (d)     viral    
    12. (a)     from     (b)     for     (c)     of     (d)     free

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Thousands of rtptseeors
    2. dozens of the pro-mdrcoaecy demonstrators
    3. a wider rcsos-ectsoin of society
    4. true constitutional onamcrh
    5. the dissolution of aripmalent
    6. the tdimnitaiion of government critics

    Paragraph 2

    1. affected the government's iabslitty
    2. no longer a peaceful seabmsly
    3. rhpibitoed the publication of online messages
    4. three prominent taiviscts
    5. warned demonstrators they could be oscepuretd
    6. ioavtlnig the emergency decree

    Put the text back together

    (...)  system. They are also demanding the dissolution of parliament, the resignation
    (...)  calling for a new constitution to ensure a true constitutional monarch under a democratic
    (...)  messages that could "harm national security". Police arrested 22 people on Friday for public disorder
    (...)  staff". It said the protests were, "no longer a peaceful assembly," and were a threat to national
    (  1  ) Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Thailand's capital Bangkok, despite the
    (...)  government declaring a state of emergency. Police arrested dozens of the pro-democracy
    (...)  The government said the protests have, "affected the government's stability, safety, property and
    (...)  demonstrators. They have been protesting in cities across Thailand and online for over three months. Many of the
    (...)  up by police and put into a police car went viral on social media. Police also photographed the crowds and
    (...)  warned demonstrators they could be prosecuted for violating the emergency decree.
    (...)  of Thailand's Prime Minister, and an end to "the intimidation of government critics".
    (...)  offences. There were three prominent activists among those arrested. Footage showing a woman being picked
    (...)  security. The government announced a ban on gatherings of more than five people and prohibited the publication of online
    (...)  protestors are students, but they are being joined by a wider cross-section of society. They are

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   taken   protesters   of   Thousands   have   to   streets   .
    2. arrested   of   pro-democracy   demonstrators   .   Police   dozens   the
    3. cities   been   across   have   They   in   Thailand   .   protesting
    4. calling   for   They   constitution   .   are   a   new
    5. the   dissolution   demanding   also   They   parliament   .   are   of
    6. longer   peaceful   assembly   .   no   were   a   protests   The
    7. ban   gatherings   over   five   of   A   people   .   on
    8. were   There   three   arrested   .   activists   among   prominent   those
    9. by   showing   up   police   .   women   Footage   picked   being
    10. for   Demonstrators   the   decree   .   violating   prosecuted   could   be

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Thousands of protesters have taken / given to the streets in Thailand's capital Bangkok, despite the government declared / declaring a state of emergency. Police arrested dozens / dozen of the pro-democracy demonstrators. They have been protested / protesting in cities across Thailand and online for over three months. Many of the protestations / protestors are students, but they are being joined by a wider plus- / cross- section of society. They are calling for a new constitution / constituting to ensure a true constitutional monarch over / under a democratic system. They are also demanding the dissolve / dissolution of parliament, the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister, and an end to "the intimidation of government critics / criticize".

    The government said the protests have, "affected / infected the government's stability, safety, property and stuff / staff". It said the protests were, "no longer a peaceful disassembly / assembly," and were a threat / treat to national security. The government announced a ban on gatherings of more than five people and prohibited the publication of online message / messages that could "harm national security". Police arrested 22 people on Friday for publicity / public disorder offences. There were three prominence / prominent activists among those arrested. Footage shown / showing a woman being picked up by police and put into a police car went vital / viral on social media. Police also photographed the crowds and warned demonstrators they could be prosecuted for violating the emergency degree / decree.

    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)

    Th__sands _f pr_t_st_rs hav_ tak_n t_ th_ str__ts _n Tha_land's cap_tal Bangk_k, d_sp_t_ th_ g_v_rnm_nt d_clar_ng _ stat_ _f _m_rg_ncy. P_l_c_ _rr_st_d d_z_ns _f th_ pr_-d_m_cracy d_m_nstrat_rs. Th_y hav_ b__n pr_t_st_ng _n c_t__s _cr_ss Tha_land _nd _nl_n_ f_r _v_r thr__ m_nths. Many _f th_ pr_t_st_rs _r_ st_d_nts, b_t th_y _r_ b__ng j__n_d by _ w_d_r cr_ss-s_ct__n _f s_c__ty. Th_y _r_ call_ng f_r _ n_w c_nst_t_t__n t_ _ns_r_ _ tr__ c_nst_t_t__nal m_narch _nd_r _ d_m_crat_c syst_m. Th_y _r_ _ls_ d_mand_ng th_ d_ss_l_t__n _f parl_am_nt, th_ r_s_gnat__n _f Tha_land's Pr_m_ M_n_st_r, _nd _n _nd t_ "th_ _nt_m_dat__n _f g_v_rnm_nt cr_t_cs".

    Th_ g_v_rnm_nt sa_d th_ pr_t_sts hav_, "aff_ct_d th_ g_v_rnm_nt's stab_l_ty, saf_ty, pr_p_rty _nd staff". _t sa_d th_ pr_t_sts w_r_, "n_ l_ng_r _ p_ac_f_l _ss_mbly," _nd w_r_ _ thr_at t_ nat__nal s_c_r_ty. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt _nn__nc_d _ ban _n gath_r_ngs _f m_r_ than f_v_ p__pl_ _nd pr_h_b_t_d th_ p_bl_cat__n _f _nl_n_ m_ssag_s that c__ld "harm nat__nal s_c_r_ty". P_l_c_ _rr_st_d 22 p__pl_ _n Fr_day f_r p_bl_c d_s_rd_r _ff_nc_s. Th_r_ w_r_ thr__ pr_m_n_nt _ct_v_sts _m_ng th_s_ _rr_st_d. F__tag_ sh_w_ng _ w_man b__ng p_ck_d _p by p_l_c_ _nd p_t _nt_ _ p_l_c_ car w_nt v_ral _n s_c_al m_d_a. P_l_c_ _ls_ ph_t_graph_d th_ cr_wds _nd warn_d d_m_nstrat_rs th_y c__ld b_ pr_s_c_t_d f_r v__lat_ng th_ _m_rg_ncy d_cr__.0

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in thailands capital bangkok despite the government declaring a state of emergency police arrested dozens of the prodemocracy demonstrators they have been protesting in cities across thailand and online for over three months many of the protestors are students but they are being joined by a wider crosssection of society they are calling for a new constitution to ensure a true constitutional monarch under a democratic system they are also demanding the dissolution of parliament the resignation of thailands prime minister and an end to the intimidation of government critics

    the government said the protests have affected the governments stability safety property and staff it said the protests were no longer a peaceful assembly and were a threat to national security the government announced a ban on gatherings of more than five people and prohibited the publication of online messages that could harm national security police arrested 22 people on friday for public disorder offences there were three prominent activists among those arrested footage showing a woman being picked up by police and put into a police car went viral on social media police also photographed the crowds and warned demonstrators they could be prosecuted for violating the emergency decree.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThousandsofprotestershavetakentothestreetsinThailand'scapitalBa
    ngkok,despitethegovernmentdeclaringastateofemergency.Policear
    resteddozensofthepro-democracydemonstrators.Theyhavebeenpr
    otestingincitiesacrossThailandandonlineforoverthreemonths.Many
    oftheprotestorsarestudents,buttheyarebeingjoinedbyawidercross-
    sectionofsociety.Theyarecallingforanewconstitutiontoensureatruec
    onstitutionalmonarchunderademocraticsystem.Theyarealsodeman
    dingthedissolutionofparliament,theresignationofThailand'sPrimeMi
    nister,andanendto"theintimidationofgovernmentcritics".Thegovern
    mentsaidtheprotestshave,"affectedthegovernment'sstability,safet
    y,propertyandstaff".Itsaidtheprotestswere,"nolongerapeacefulasse
    mbly,"andwereathreattonationalsecurity.Thegovernmentannounce
    dabanongatheringsofmorethanfivepeopleandprohibitedthepublicati
    onofonlinemessagesthatcould"harmnationalsecurity".Policearreste
    d22peopleonFridayforpublicdisorderoffences.Therewerethreepromi
    nentactivistsamongthosearrested.Footageshowingawomanbeingpi
    ckedupbypoliceandputintoapolicecarwentviralonsocialmedia.Police
    alsophotographedthecrowdsandwarneddemonstratorstheycouldbe
    prosecutedforviolatingtheemergencydecree.

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Peaceful protests should always be allowed. 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. THAILAND: Make a poster about Thailand. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. PROTESTS: Write a magazine article about banning street protests. 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 street protests. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on street protests. 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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