Breaking News English Lesson: Semiconductors

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Global semiconductor shortage hurts car industry (6th September, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - Semiconductors - Level 6

The automotive and other industries around the globe are facing production challenges due to a shortage of semiconductors. A global semiconductor shortage has caused car giant General Motors to halt production at all but four of its plants in North America. GM owns a number of popular car brands, including Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. A GM spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press news agency that the company is focused on trying to resolve its supply-chain difficulties. He said: "Although the situation remains complex and very fluid, we remain confident in our team's ability to continue finding creative solutions to minimize the impact on our highest-demand and capacity-constrained vehicles."

Semiconductors are an indispensable part of many of the gadgets and electrical products we use in our everyday lives. Sony, Toyota, Ford and other multinational companies are reporting production hitches due to the current dearth in supply. One reason for the shortage is the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff shortages in factories that manufacture the chips in China, South Korea and Taiwan have negatively hit production. The website engadget.com said companies would experience challenges for the foreseeable future. It reported: "With the shortages expected to continue until at least 2023, and no immediate solutions forthcoming, GM likely won't be the last company to change its production schedule."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Semiconductors - Level 4 or Semiconductors - Level 5

Sources

https://www.engadget.com/gm-halts-car-production-chip-shortages-200334864.html
https://news.sky.com/story/general-motors-halts-production-at-eight-north-american-factories-due-to-chip-shortage-12398110
https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/570587-gm-cutting-production-further-due-to-chip-shortage

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. SEMICONDUCTORS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about semiconductors. 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?
industries / production / challenges / solutions / brands / supply chain / vehicles /
gadgets / everyday lives / hitches / shortages / continue / change / schedule
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CARS: Students A strongly believe we don't need cars; Students B strongly believe we do. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. INDUSTRIES: How important are these industries to your life? What would life be like without them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Industry	How Important to You	Life Without Them
Automotive
Tourism
Arms
IT
Education
Agriculture

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

Microwave oven
Smartphone
Printer
Game console
Smart watch
Computer
TV
Hair-drier

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	automotive	a.	Relating to or concerned with motor vehicles.
2.	halt	b.	Not settled or stable; likely or able to change.
3.	plant	c.	Bring or come to a sudden stop.
4.	brand	d.	Cause a symptom, problem or condition to heal or reduce.
5.	resolve	e.	A place where an industrial or manufacturing process takes place.
6.	fluid	f.	A type of product manufactured by a particular company under a particular name.
7.	constrained	g.	Severely restrict the scope, extent, or activity of.

Paragraph 2

8.	indispensable	h.	Able to be predicted.
9.	gadget	i.	A scarcity or lack of something.
10.	hitch	j.	Absolutely necessary.
11.	dearth	k.	A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.
12.	foreseeable	l.	A small mechanical or electronic device or tool.
13.	solution	m.	About to happen or appear.
14.	forthcoming	n.	A temporary difficulty or problem.

Before reading / listening

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

Only industries in the USA are experiencing semiconductor shortages. T / F
General Motors has closed four of its plants in North America. T / F
GM is trying to sort out its supply-chain problems. T / F
GM is confident it can minimize the impact of the shortages. T / F
Sony and Toyota have more semiconductors than they need. T / F
The article says COVID-19 is partly responsible for the shortages. T / F
A website said shortages would continue through to 2023. T / F
GM is the last company to change its production schedule. T / F

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

facing
shortage
halt
resolve
impact
indispensable
dearth
manufacture
immediate
schedule

deal with
produce
essential
cease
lack
experiencing
plan
consequences
scarcity
current

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

The automotive and other
halt production at all but
the situation remains complex
we remain confident in our
continue finding creative solutions to
Semiconductors are an indispensable part
hitches due to the current dearth
experience challenges for the
shortages expected to continue until
no immediate solutions

at least 2023
minimize the impact
forthcoming
in supply
four of its plants
foreseeable future
team's ability
industries around the globe
and very fluid
of many of the gadgets

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

complex
due
vehicles
popular
automotive
impact
shortage
focused

The (1) _____________________ and other industries around the globe are facing production challenges (2) _____________________ to a shortage of semiconductors. A global semiconductor (3) _____________________ has caused car giant General Motors to halt production at all but four of its plants in North America. GM owns a number of (4) _____________________ car brands, including Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. A GM spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press news agency that the company is (5) _____________________ on trying to resolve its supply-chain difficulties. He said: "Although the situation remains (6) _____________________ and very fluid, we remain confident in our team's ability to continue finding creative solutions to minimize the (7) _____________________ on our highest-demand and capacity-constrained (8) _____________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

negatively
gadgets
reason
schedule
hitches
solutions
challenges
manufacture

Semiconductors are an indispensable part of many of the (9) _____________________ and electrical products we use in our everyday lives. Sony, Toyota, Ford and other multinational companies are reporting production (10) _____________________ due to the current dearth in supply. One (11) _____________________ for the shortage is the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff shortages in factories that (12) _____________________ the chips in China, South Korea and Taiwan have (13) _____________________ hit production. The website engadget.com said companies would experience (14) _____________________ for the foreseeable future. It reported: "With the shortages expected to continue until at least 2023, and no immediate (15) _____________________ forthcoming, GM likely won't be the last company to change its production (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The automotive and other industries around the globe ______ challenges
     a. are face in production
     b. are face sin production
     c. are facing production
     d. are fazing production
2) caused car giant General Motors to halt production at all but four ______
     a. of its pliant
     b. of its plans
     c. of its pants
     d. of its plants
3) news agency that the company is focused on trying to resolve its ______
     a. supply-chair difficulties
     b. supplied-chain difficulties
     c. suppliant-chain difficulties
     d. supply-chain difficulties
4) we remain confident in our team's ability to continue ______
     a. finding creative solutions
     b. finding creative solution
     c. finding creatives solutions
     d. funding creative solutions
5) minimize the impact on our highest-demand and ______
     a. capacity-constrained vehicles
     b. capacity-constraint vehicles
     c. capacity-contained vehicles
     d. capacity-co-strained vehicles

6) Semiconductors are an indispensable part of many ______
     a. of the gadget
     b. of a gadgets
     c. of a gadget
     d. of the gadgets
7) Sony, Toyota, Ford and other multinational companies are ______
     a. report in production hitches
     b. reporting production hitches
     c. report tin production hitches
     d. rapport in production hitches
8) One reason for the shortage is the ______
     a. COVID-19 endemic
     b. COVID-19 pan dermis
     c. COVID-19 panned anemic
     d. COVID-19 pandemic
9) engadget.com said companies would experience challenges for ______
     a. the four seeable future
     b. the force seeable future
     c. the for seer ball future
     d. the foreseeable future
10) continue until at least 2023, and no immediate ______
     a. solutions fourth conning
     b. solutions for coming
     c. solutions forth come in
     d. solutions forthcoming

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The automotive and other industries around the (1) ____________________ production challenges due to a shortage of semiconductors. A global semiconductor shortage has (2) ____________________ General Motors to halt production at all but four of its plants in North America. GM owns a number of (3) ____________________, including Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. A GM spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press news agency that the company is focused on (4) ____________________ its supply-chain difficulties. He said: "Although the situation (5) ____________________ very fluid, we remain confident in our team's ability to continue finding creative solutions to minimize (6) ____________________ our highest-demand and capacity-constrained vehicles."

Semiconductors are an indispensable part of many of the gadgets and electrical products we use in (1) ____________________. Sony, Toyota, Ford and other multinational companies are reporting (2) ____________________ to the current (3) ____________________. One reason for the shortage is the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff shortages in factories that manufacture the chips in China, South Korea and Taiwan (4) ____________________ production. The website engadget.com said companies would experience challenges for (5) ____________________. It reported: "With the shortages expected to continue until at least 2023, and no (6) ____________________, GM likely won't be the last company to change its production schedule."

Comprehension questions

How many of GM's plants are still producing cars?
What three car brands does the article say GM owns?
What did a spokesperson say GM is trying to resolve?
In what state did a spokesman say the situation remains?
What did the spokesman say GM was trying to minimize?
What does the article say semiconductors are indispensable to?
What other three companies does the article say are affected?
What is one reason the article gives for the shortage?
What did a website say companies would experience in the future?
Until when did a website say shortages would continue?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many of GM's plants are still producing cars?
a) 2
b) 4
c) 7
d) 5
2) What three car brands does the article say GM owns?
a) Pontiac, Cabriolet and MG
b) Chrysler, Lincoln and Ford
c) Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC
d) Buick, Chevrolet and AMC
3) What did a spokesperson say GM is trying to resolve?
a) super-chain issues
b) supple-chair issues
c) demand-chain issues
d) supply-chain issues
4) In what state did a spokesman say the situation remains?
a) complete and fluid
b) complex and fluid
c) unacceptable and complex
d) uncertain and complete
5) What did the spokesman say GM was trying to minimize?
a) the impact
b) the damage
c) the loss of profits
d) production times

6) What does the article say semiconductors are indispensable to?
a) gadgets and electrical products
b) widgets and automotive products
c) budgets and computers
d) fidgets and games consoles
7) What other three companies does the article say are affected?
a) Samsung, Nissan and Tesla
b) Hitachi, Toyota and Porsche
c) Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Renault
d) Sony, Toyota and Ford
8) What is one reason the article gives for the shortage?
a) low demand
b) lack of raw materials
c) COVID-19
d) global warming
9) What did a website say companies would experience in the future?
a) a recovery
b) better times
c) hard times
d) challenges
10) Until when did a website say shortages would continue?
a) another few months
b) least 2023
c) the end of this year
d) June 2022

Role play

Role A – Microwave Oven
You think a microwave oven is the best gadget. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their gadgets. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): smartphone, hair-drier or games console.

Role B – Smartphone
You think a smartphone is the best gadget. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their gadgets. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): microwave oven, hair-drier or games console.

Role C – Hair-drier
You think a hair-drier is the best gadget. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their gadgets. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): smartphone, microwave oven or games console.

Role D – Games Console
You think a games console is the best gadget. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their gadgets. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): smartphone, hair-drier or microwave oven.

After reading / listening

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

'semiconductor'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'shortage'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

other

halt

number

news

fluid

remain

part

hitches

reason

hit

experience

last

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 - Semiconductors

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What image is in your mind when you hear the word 'semiconductor'?
What do you know about semiconductors?
What was in tech before semiconductors?
What are semiconductors needed for in cars?
How important is the automotive industry?
What problems will a shortage of semiconductors create?
What would happen if the supply of semiconductors dried up?
Are you good at finding creative solutions?
Should there be fewer vehicles on the road?

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 'shortages'?
What do you think about what you read?
What things are indispensable to you?
What gadgets do you absolutely need in your life?
What kinds of technologies will replace semiconductors?
What advice do you have for the car companies?
How might a chip shortage affect your life?
Are we too reliant on technology?
What questions would you like to ask GM?

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 automotive and other industries (1) ____ the globe are facing production challenges due to a shortage of semiconductors. A global semiconductor shortage has caused car giant General Motors to (2) ____ production at all but four of its plants in North America. GM owns a (3) ____ of popular car brands, including Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. A GM spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press news agency that the company is focused (4) ____ trying to resolve its supply-chain difficulties. He said: "Although the situation remains complex and very (5) ____, we remain confident in our team's ability to continue finding creative solutions to minimize the impact (6) ____ our highest-demand and capacity-constrained vehicles."

Semiconductors are an (7) ____ part of many of the gadgets and electrical products we use in our everyday lives. Sony, Toyota, Ford and other multinational companies are reporting production (8) ____ due to the current dearth in supply. One reason for the shortage is the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff shortages in factories that manufacture the (9) ____ in China, South Korea and Taiwan have negatively hit production. The website engadget.com said companies would experience challenges for the (10) ____ future. It reported: "With the shortages (11) ____ to continue until at least 2023, and no immediate solutions (12) ____, GM likely won't be the last company to change its production schedule."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) astound (b) abound (c) about (d) around
(a) spec (b) talc (c) chalk (d) halt
(a) numeral (b) number (c) numbing (d) numbs
(a) at (b) of (c) on (d) to
(a) liquid (b) druid (c) fluid (d) squid
(a) on (b) at (c) to (d) by
(a) debatable (b) indispensable (c) disposable (d) dependable
(a) hitches (b) pitches (c) ditches (d) britches
(a) crisps (b) chips (c) biscuits (d) snacks
(a) forebears (b) foregoes (c) foreseeable (d) foreshadows
(a) expedited (b) expedient (c) expected (d) extant
(a) forth (b) forthright (c) forthwith (d) forthcoming

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The toetouimva and other industries
ltha production
trying to resvloe its supply-chain difficulties
the situation remains xcoplem
creative solutions to iniiemzm the impact
capacity-desnnirocta vehicles

Paragraph 2

Semiconductors are an sdnpiabislnee part
many of the adesggt
the current edhart in supply
the COVID-19 dcnmepia
for the eebeeaosrlf future
no immediate solutions ohtcgfnmrio

Put the text back together

(...) everyday lives. Sony, Toyota, Ford and other multinational companies are reporting production hitches due
(...) hit production. The website engadget.com said companies would experience challenges for the foreseeable
(...) of semiconductors. A global semiconductor shortage has caused car giant General Motors to halt production at all but
(...) forthcoming, GM likely won't be the last company to change its production schedule."
(...) to the current dearth in supply. One reason for the shortage is the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff shortages
(...) Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. A GM spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press news agency that the company is focused
(...) solutions to minimize the impact on our highest-demand and capacity-constrained vehicles."
(...) Semiconductors are an indispensable part of many of the gadgets and electrical products we use in our
(...) on trying to resolve its supply-chain difficulties. He said: "Although the situation remains
(...) four of its plants in North America. GM owns a number of popular car brands, including
(...) in factories that manufacture the chips in China, South Korea and Taiwan have negatively
(...) future. It reported: "With the shortages expected to continue until at least 2023, and no immediate solutions
( 1 ) The automotive and other industries around the globe are facing production challenges due to a shortage
(...) complex and very fluid, we remain confident in our team's ability to continue finding creative

Put the words in the right order

the globe . industries around and The automotive other
shortage challenges semiconductors . a to Production due of
four of all at its Production but plants .
its supply-chain resolve Focused trying to difficulties . on
team's ability creative finding continue to solutions . Our
the gadgets . indispensable An many of part of
dearth current supply . in Hitches to the due
factories shortages chips . that the in manufacture Staff
continue until least expected It's to at 2023 .
to The last its company production schedule . change

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The automotive and other industries around / about the globe are facing production challenges duly / due to a shortage of semiconductors. A global semiconductor shortage has cased / caused car giant General Motors to halt production at all / whole but four of its plants in North America. GM owns a number of popular car brands, inclusive / including Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. A GM spokesperson told the Detroit Free Press news agency that the company is focused on / in trying to resolve its supply-chain difficulties. He said: "However / Although the situation remains complex and very fluid, we remain confidence / confident in our team's ability to continue finding creative solutions to minimize the impact on / in our highest-demand and capacity-constrained vehicles / vehicle."

Semiconductors are the / an indispensable part of many of the gadgets and electrical products we use on / in our everyday lives. Sony, Toyota, Ford and other / another multinational companies are reporting production pitches / hitches due to the current dearth in supply. One reason of / for the shortage is the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff shortages in factories that manufacture the chips in China, South Korea and Taiwan have negatively / negated hit production. The website engadget.com said companies would experiential / experience challenges for the foreseeable future. It reported: "With the shortages expected of / to continue until at least 2023, and no immediate solutions / solves forthcoming, GM likely won't be the last company to change its production / reproduction schedule."

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_ __t_m_t_v_ _nd _th_r _nd_str__s _r__nd th_ gl_b_ _r_ f_c_ng pr_d_ct__n ch_ll_ng_s d__ t_ _ sh_rt_g_ _f s_m_c_nd_ct_rs. _ gl_b_l s_m_c_nd_ct_r sh_rt_g_ h_s c__s_d c_r g__nt G_n_r_l M_t_rs t_ h_lt pr_d_ct__n _t _ll b_t f__r _f _ts pl_nts _n N_rth _m_r_c_. GM _wns _ n_mb_r _f p_p_l_r c_r br_nds, _ncl_d_ng C_d_ll_c, Ch_vr_l_t _nd GMC. _ GM sp_k_sp_rs_n t_ld th_ D_tr__t Fr__ Pr_ss n_ws _g_ncy th_t th_ c_mp_ny _s f_c_s_d _n try_ng t_ r_s_lv_ _ts s_pply-ch__n d_ff_c_lt__s. H_ s__d: "_lth__gh th_ s_t__t__n r_m__ns c_mpl_x _nd v_ry fl__d, w_ r_m__n c_nf_d_nt _n __r t__m's _b_l_ty t_ c_nt_n__ f_nd_ng cr__t_v_ s_l_t__ns t_ m_n_m_z_ th_ _mp_ct _n __r h_gh_st-d_m_nd _nd c_p_c_ty-c_nstr__n_d v_h_cl_s."

S_m_c_nd_ct_rs _r_ _n _nd_sp_ns_bl_ p_rt _f m_ny _f th_ g_dg_ts _nd _l_ctr_c_l pr_d_cts w_ _s_ _n __r _v_ryd_y l_v_s. S_ny, T_y_t_, F_rd _nd _th_r m_lt_n_t__n_l c_mp_n__s _r_ r_p_rt_ng pr_d_ct__n h_tch_s d__ t_ th_ c_rr_nt d__rth _n s_pply. _n_ r__s_n f_r th_ sh_rt_g_ _s th_ C_V_D-19 p_nd_m_c. St_ff sh_rt_g_s _n f_ct_r__s th_t m_n_f_ct_r_ th_ ch_ps _n Ch_n_, S__th K_r__ _nd T__w_n h_v_ n_g_t_v_ly h_t pr_d_ct__n. Th_ w_bs_t_ _ng_dg_t.c_m s__d c_mp_n__s w__ld _xp_r__nc_ ch_ll_ng_s f_r th_ f_r_s___bl_ f_t_r_. _t r_p_rt_d: "W_th th_ sh_rt_g_s _xp_ct_d t_ c_nt_n__ _nt_l _t l__st 2023, _nd n_ _mm_d__t_ s_l_t__ns f_rthc_m_ng, GM l_k_ly w_n't b_ th_ l_st c_mp_ny t_ ch_ng_ _ts pr_d_ct__n sch_d_l_."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the automotive and other industries around the globe are facing production challenges due to a shortage of semiconductors a global semiconductor shortage has caused car giant general motors to halt production at all but four of its plants in north america gm owns a number of popular car brands including cadillac chevrolet and gmc a gm spokesperson told the detroit free press news agency that the company is focused on trying to resolve its supplychain difficulties he said although the situation remains complex and very fluid we remain confident in our teams ability to continue finding creative solutions to minimize the impact on our highestdemand and capacityconstrained vehicles

semiconductors are an indispensable part of many of the gadgets and electrical products we use in our everyday lives sony toyota ford and other multinational companies are reporting production hitches due to the current dearth in supply one reason for the shortage is the covid19 pandemic staff shortages in factories that manufacture the chips in china south korea and taiwan have negatively hit production the website engadgetcom said companies would experience challenges for the foreseeable future it reported with the shortages expected to continue until at least 2023 and no immediate solutions forthcoming gm likely wont be the last company to change its production schedule

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Theautomotiveandotherindustriesaroundtheglobearefacingproduct
ionchallengesduetoashortageofsemiconductors.Aglobalsemiconduc
torshortagehascausedcargiantGeneralMotorstohaltproductionatall
butfourofitsplantsinNorthAmerica.GMownsanumberofpopularcarbr
ands,includingCadillac,ChevroletandGMC.AGMspokespersontoldth
eDetroitFreePressnewsagencythatthecompanyisfocusedontryingto
resolveitssupply-chaindifficulties.Hesaid:"Althoughthesituationre
mainscomplexandveryfluid,weremainconfidentinourteam'sabilityto
continuefindingcreativesolutionstominimizetheimpactonourhighest
-demandandcapacity-constrainedvehicles."Semiconductorsarean
indispensablepartofmanyofthegadgetsandelectricalproductsweusei
noureverydaylives.Sony,Toyota,Fordandothermultinationalcompa
niesarereportingproductionhitchesduetothecurrentdearthinsupply.
OnereasonfortheshortageistheCOVID-19pandemic.Staffshortage
sinfactoriesthatmanufacturethechipsinChina,SouthKoreaandTaiwa
nhavenegativelyhitproduction.Thewebsiteengadget.comsaidcompa
nieswouldexperiencechallengesfortheforeseeablefuture.Itreported
:"Withtheshortagesexpectedtocontinueuntilatleast2023,andnoimm
ediatesolutionsforthcoming,GMlikelywon'tbethelastcompanytocha
ngeitsproductionschedule."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The car industry is one of the world's most important. 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. SEMICONDUCTORS: Make a poster about semiconductors. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. 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.
5. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on semiconductors. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on reducing our reliance on technology. 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

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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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