Breaking News English Lesson: COP26

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Greta Thunberg 'not officially' invited to COP26 (1st November, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - COP26 - Level 6

Presidents, prime ministers and dignitaries from nearly 200 nations have descended on the city of Glasgow in Scotland. They are congregating for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference – COP26. However, one notable person seems to have been omitted from the invitation list. That person is 18-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Ms Thunberg is in Glasgow for the global summit, but is unsure as to whether she will be allowed to attend any of the meetings. Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I don't know. It's very unclear. Not officially [invited]." She added: "I think that many people might be scared that if they invite too many radical young people, then that might make them look bad."

U.S. President Joe Biden will be at the event, and China's President Xi Jinping will attend via video link. President Biden was in Rome on Friday for a meeting with the Pope. A number of climate activists noted the irony of his motorcade having 95 cars in it, just two days ahead of a climate conference. Ms Thunberg criticised the conference for what she views as a lack of delegates from developing countries. She said: "We need more representation from the Global South, from the most affected people and areas." The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting the conference. He said: "COP26 must mark the beginning of the end of climate change." He added: "Too many countries are still doing too little."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

COP26 - Level 4 or COP26 - Level 5

Sources

https://news.yahoo.com/greta-thunberg-london-protests-cop26-122906794.html
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/thunberg-joins-london-finance-protest-before-climate-summit-2021-10-29/
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19683416.climate-activist-greta-thunberg-says-cop26-invite-unclear/

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. CLIMATE CHANGE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about climate change. 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?
presidents / prime ministers / climate change / conference / activist / invitation /
event / video link / irony / motorcade / delegate / Global South / beginning / end
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CHANGE: Students A strongly believe COP26 will bring about the necessary change; Students B strongly believe it won't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ACTION: What actions can these people take to help the planet? How effective would these actions be? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Actions	Effectiveness
Greta Thunberg
You
An oil company CEO
A social media giant CEO
The leader of the USA
The leader of China

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

Heat waves
Torrential rain
Blizzard
Freezing cold
Hurricane
Giant hailstones
Heavy snow
Tornadoes

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	dignitaries	a.	Worthy of attention or notice.
2.	descended on	b.	Believing in thorough or complete political or social change.
3.	congregating	c.	People considered to be important because of high rank or office.
4.	notable	d.	Gathering together.
5.	omitted	e.	Visited.
6.	summit	f.	Left out or excluded.
7.	radical	g.	A meeting between heads of government.

Paragraph 2

8.	via	h.	The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite.
9.	irony	i.	A procession of motor vehicles, typically carrying and escorting a prominent person.
10.	motorcade	j.	The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or the state of being so represented.
11.	lack	k.	By way of; through.
12.	delegate	l.	Be an indication of a significant event or stage.
13.	representation	m.	A person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular at a conference.
14.	mark	n.	The state of being without or not having enough of something.

Before reading / listening

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

Leaders from over 200 countries are attending COP26. T / F
COP26 is taking place in the Scottish city of Edinburgh. T / F
Greta Thunberg will be able to attend many meetings at COP26. T / F
Ms Thunberg said COP26 officials may be afraid of young radicals. T / F
China's leader will attend COP26 via a video link. T / F
Joe Biden travelled in a motorcade of 100 cars to meet the Pope. T / F
Greta Thunberg said the Global South has too few delegates at COP26. T / F
The UK's Boris Johnson sais too many countries are doing too little. T / F

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

dignitaries
congregating
notable
activist
radical
attend
irony
lack
hosting
mark

be present at
identify
revolutionary
gathering
paradox
important
putting on
VIPs
dearth
campaigner

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

Presidents, prime ministers
descended
one notable person seems to
the global
too many radical
attend via
activists noted the irony
We need more representation from
mark the beginning
Too many countries are still

have been omitted
the Global South
young people
video link
of his motorcade
doing too little
and dignitaries
of the end
on the city
summit

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

notable
attend
radical
list
dignitaries
unclear
congregating
summit

Presidents, prime ministers and (1) _____________________ from nearly 200 nations have descended on the city of Glasgow in Scotland. They are (2) _____________________ for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference - COP26. However, one (3) _____________________ person seems to have been omitted from the invitation (4) _____________________. That person is 18-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Ms Thunberg is in Glasgow for the global (5) _____________________, but is unsure as to whether she will be allowed to (6) _____________________ any of the meetings. Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I don't know. It's very (7) _____________________. Not officially [invited]." She added: "I think that many people might be scared that if they invite too many (8) _____________________ young people, then that might make them look bad."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

ahead
end
representation
via
hosting
views
irony
affected

U.S. President Joe Biden will be at the event, and China's President Xi Jinping will attend (9) _____________________ video link. President Biden was in Rome on Friday for a meeting with the Pope. A number of climate activists noted the (10) _____________________ of his motorcade having 95 cars in it, just two days (11) _____________________ of a climate conference. Ms Thunberg criticised the conference for what she (12) _____________________ as a lack of delegates from developing countries. She said: "We need more (13) _____________________ from the Global South, from the most (14) _____________________ people and areas." The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is (15) _____________________ the conference. He said: "COP26 must mark the beginning of the (16) _____________________ of climate change." He added: "Too many countries are still doing too little."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) dignitaries from nearly 200 nations have ______ city
     a. descend did on the
     b. descent it on the
     c. descending on the
     d. descended on the
2) However, one notable person seems to ______
     a. have been remitted
     b. have been omitted
     c. have been committed
     d. have been submitted
3) but is unsure as to whether she will be allowed to attend ______ meetings
     a. many of the
     b. ennui of the
     c. any of the
     d. aim of the
4) she said: "I don't know. It's very unclear. ______
     a. Not official invited
     b. Not officially invite it
     c. Not officially invited
     d. Not officially invite
5) people might be scared that if they invite too many ______
     a. radically young people
     b. ready call young people
     c. radio call young people
     d. radical young people

6) Biden will be at the event, and China's President Xi Jinping will ______ link
     a. attend via video
     b. attend viral video
     c. attend vial video
     d. attend vie a video
7) A number of climate activists noted the ______ motorcade
     a. ironic of his
     b. irony oft his
     c. irony off his
     d. irony of his
8) Ms Thunberg criticised the conference for what she views as a ______
     a. lacks of delegates
     b. slack of delegates
     c. lack of delegates
     d. lackey of delegates
9) COP26 must mark the beginning of the end ______
     a. of climate changed
     b. of climb ate change
     c. of climate change
     d. of climb at change
10) He added: "Too many countries are still ______."
     a. done too little
     b. doom too little
     c. dewy too little
     d. doing too little

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Presidents, prime ministers (1) ____________________ nearly 200 nations have (2) ____________________ city of Glasgow in Scotland. They are congregating for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference - COP26. However, one notable person seems to have (3) ____________________ the invitation list. That person is 18-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Ms Thunberg is in Glasgow for the global summit, but (4) ____________________ to whether she will be allowed to attend any of the meetings. Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I don't know. It's very unclear. (5) ____________________." She added: "I think that many people might be scared that if they invite too many (6) ____________________, then that might make them look bad."

U.S. President Joe Biden will be at the event, and China's President Xi Jinping will (7) ____________________ link. President Biden was in Rome on Friday for a meeting with the Pope. A number of climate activists (8) ____________________ of his motorcade having 95 cars in it, just two days ahead of a climate conference. Ms Thunberg criticised the conference for what she views as a (9) ____________________ from developing countries. She said: "We need more representation from the Global South, from the (10) ____________________ and areas." The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting the conference. He said: "COP26 must mark the (11) ____________________ end of climate change." He added: "Too many countries are still (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

How many nations are sending leaders and dignitaries to COP26?
How many COP meetings have there been before the current one?
Where is Greta Thunberg?
How many COP26 meetings will Greta Thunberg attend?
Who did Greta Thunberg say many people might be scared of inviting?
Who did U.S. President Joe Biden meet on Friday?
How many cars were in the President's motorcade?
Where did Greta Thunberg say there was a lack of delegates from?
Who is hosting COP26?
What did the UK leader say is doing too little?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many nations are sending leaders and dignitaries to COP26?
a) exactly 200
b) nearly 200
c) well over 200
d) around 200
2) How many COP meetings have there been before the current one?
a) seven
b) none
c) 24
d) 25
3) Where is Greta Thunberg?
a) in New York
b) in Sweden
c) in Glasgow
d) in the Amazon
4) How many COP26 meetings will Greta Thunberg attend?
a) She's not sure.
b) all of them
c) one or two
d) 12
5) Who did Greta Thunberg say many people might be scared of inviting?
a) climate activists
b) radical young people
c) their leaders
d) people in affected countries

6) Who did U.S. President Joe Biden meet on Friday?
a) the Pope
b) Boris Johnson
c) President Xi Jinping
d) Greta Thunberg
7) How many cars were in the President's motorcade?
a) 93
b) 94
c) 95
d) 92
8) Where did Greta Thunberg say there was a lack of delegates from?
a) developing countries
b) the USA
c) Russia
d) Vanuatu
9) Who is hosting COP26?
a) the IPCC
b) the UN
c) the WHO
d) Boris Johnson
10) What did the UK leader say many countries are doing?
a) more than enough
b) enough
c) too little
d) next to nothing

Role play

Role A – Heat Waves
You think a heat waves are the worst weather events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their events aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): torrential rain, freezing cold or giant hailstones.

Role B – Torrential Rain
You think torrential rain is the worst weather event. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their events aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): heat waves, freezing cold or giant hailstones.

Role C – Freezing Cold
You think freezing cold is the worst weather event. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their events aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): torrential rain, heat waves or giant hailstones.

Role D – Giant Hailstones
You think giant hailstones is the worst weather event. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their events aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): torrential rain, freezing cold or heat waves.

After reading / listening

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

'climate'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'conference'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

200

one

18

unsure

unclear

radical

via

Friday

95

lack

areas

little

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 - COP26

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'invitation'?
What do you know about COP26?
What do you think of international climate change conferences?
What do leaders need to agree on at COP26?
How hopeful are you that COP26 will bring change?
Why has Greta Thunberg not been invited to the conference?
Should Greta Thunberg have been invited to the conference?
What do you think of Greta Thunberg?
What advice do you have for Greta Thunberg?

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 'climate change'?
What do you think about what you read?
What advice do you have for the leaders at COP26?
What do you want your nation's leader to say at COP26
Does Joe Biden need a 95-car motorcade?
What must happen to satisfy nations from the Global South?
Will COP26 "mark the beginning of the end of climate change"?
Are "too many countries still doing too little"?
What questions would you like to ask the leaders at COP26?

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)

Presidents, prime ministers and (1) ____ from nearly 200 nations have descended on the city of Glasgow in Scotland. They are congregating for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference - COP26. However, one (2) ____ person seems to have been (3) ____ from the invitation list. That person is 18-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Ms Thunberg is in Glasgow for the global (4) ____, but is unsure as to whether she will be allowed to attend any (5) ____ the meetings. Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I don't know. It's very unclear. Not officially [invited]." She added: "I think that many people might be scared that if they invite too many (6) ____ young people, then that might make them look bad."

U.S. President Joe Biden will be at the event, and China's President Xi Jinping will attend (7) ____ video link. President Biden was in Rome on Friday for a meeting with the Pope. A number of climate activists noted the (8) ____ of his motorcade having 95 cars in it, just two days ahead of a climate conference. Ms Thunberg criticised the conference for what she views (9) ____ a lack of delegates from developing countries. She said: "We need more representation from the Global South, from the most (10) ____ people and areas." The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting the conference. He said: "COP26 must (11) ____ the beginning of the end of climate change." He added: "Too many countries are still doing too (12) ____."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) dignities (b) indignities (c) dignitaries (d) indignant
(a) notable (b) memorandum (c) dictated (d) memory
(a) omitted (b) remitted (c) submitted (d) committed
(a) summit (b) peak (c) nadir (d) zenith
(a) on (b) to (c) at (d) of
(a) physically (b) wholesome (c) draconian (d) radical
(a) via (b) vial (c) viral (d) fiat
(a) phony (b) pony (c) ebony (d) irony
(a) as (b) 'twas (c) was (d) ease
(a) effected (b) affected (c) reflective (d) infective
(a) usurp (b) mark (c) correct (d) impart
(a) little (b) few (c) insufficient (d) less

Spelling

Paragraph 1

prime ministers and enaitsdrgii
sededndec on the city of Glasgow
They are onrieggtagcn
one notable person seems to have been oidttme
the vioatniint list
too many caldari young people

Paragraph 2

A number of climate tistsvaci
noted the oriyn
his odmrcetao having 95 cars
a lack of deesaegtl
We need more ettpainsreenro
Boris Johnson is hosting the eennreccof

Put the text back together

(...) conference for what she views as a lack of delegates from developing countries. She said: "We need more
(...) hosting the conference. He said: "COP26 must mark the beginning of the end of
( 1 ) Presidents, prime ministers and dignitaries from nearly 200 nations have descended on the city
(...) unclear. Not officially [invited]." She added: "I think that many people might be
(...) person seems to have been omitted from the invitation list. That person is 18-year-old Swedish climate
(...) to whether she will be allowed to attend any of the meetings. Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I don't know. It's very
(...) of Glasgow in Scotland. They are congregating for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference - COP26. However, one notable
(...) representation from the Global South, from the most affected people and areas." The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is
(...) scared that if they invite too many radical young people, then that might make them look bad."
(...) irony of his motorcade having 95 cars in it, just two days ahead of a climate conference. Ms Thunberg criticised the
(...) activist Greta Thunberg. Ms Thunberg is in Glasgow for the global summit, but is unsure as
(...) climate change." He added: "Too many countries are still doing too little."
(...) link. President Biden was in Rome on Friday for a meeting with the Pope. A number of climate activists noted the
(...) U.S. President Joe Biden will be at the event, and China's President Xi Jinping will attend via video

Put the words in the right order

Nearly have descended 200 nations the on city .
seems omitted . have been to person notable One
whether allowed . as unsure She's she'll be to
be think scared . people might I many that
young invite they radical many too If people .
motorcade . activists noted the Climate his of irony
climate days two of ahead a Just conference .
We the more Global South . from need representation
of climate change . The of the end beginning
still many Too too countries doing little . are

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Presidents, prime ministers and dignities / dignitaries from nearly 200 nations have rescinded / descended on the city of Glasgow in Scotland. They are congregation / congregating for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference - COP26. However, one notable / knotty person seems to have been omitted from the invitation list. That / Which person is 18-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Ms Thunberg is in Glasgow for the global summit / zenith, but is unsure as for / to whether she will be allowed to attend any of the meetings. Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I don't know. It's very unclear. Not official / officially [invited]." She added: "I think that many people might be scarred / scared that if they invite too many radical young people, then that might make them look bad / badly."

U.S. President Joe Biden will be at the event, and China's President Xi Jinping will attend via / viral video link. President Biden was in Rome on Friday for a meeting with the Pope. A number / numeral of climate activists noted the ironic / irony of his motorcade / arcade having 95 cars in it, just two days ahead / heading of a climate conference. Ms Thunberg criticised the conference for what she viewpoint / views as a lack of delegates from developing / development countries. She said: "We need more representation from the Global South, from the / a most affected people and areas." The UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting / host the conference. He said: "COP26 must mark the beginning of the end of climate change." He added: "Too many countries are still doing / done too little."

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)

Pr_s_d_nts, pr_m_ m_n_st_rs _nd d_gn_t_r__s fr_m n__rly 200 n_t__ns h_v_ d_sc_nd_d _n th_ c_ty _f Gl_sg_w _n Sc_tl_nd. Th_y _r_ c_ngr_g_t_ng f_r th_ 26th _N Cl_m_t_ Ch_ng_ C_nf_r_nc_ - C_P26. H_w_v_r, _n_ n_t_bl_ p_rs_n s__ms t_ h_v_ b__n _m_tt_d fr_m th_ _nv_t_t__n l_st. Th_t p_rs_n _s 18-y__r-_ld Sw_d_sh cl_m_t_ _ct_v_st Gr_t_ Th_nb_rg. Ms Th_nb_rg _s _n Gl_sg_w f_r th_ gl_b_l s_mm_t, b_t _s _ns_r_ _s t_ wh_th_r sh_ w_ll b_ _ll_w_d t_ _tt_nd _ny _f th_ m__t_ngs. Sp__k_ng t_ th_ BBC, sh_ s__d: "_ d_n't kn_w. _t's v_ry _ncl__r. N_t _ff_c__lly [_nv_t_d]." Sh_ _dd_d: "_ th_nk th_t m_ny p__pl_ m_ght b_ sc_r_d th_t _f th_y _nv_t_ t__ m_ny r_d_c_l y__ng p__pl_, th_n th_t m_ght m_k_ th_m l__k b_d."

_.S. Pr_s_d_nt J__ B_d_n w_ll b_ _t th_ _v_nt, _nd Ch_n_'s Pr_s_d_nt X_ J_np_ng w_ll _tt_nd v__ v_d__ l_nk. Pr_s_d_nt B_d_n w_s _n R_m_ _n Fr_d_y f_r _ m__t_ng w_th th_ P_p_. _ n_mb_r _f cl_m_t_ _ct_v_sts n_t_d th_ _r_ny _f h_s m_t_rc_d_ h_v_ng 95 c_rs _n _t, j_st tw_ d_ys _h__d _f _ cl_m_t_ c_nf_r_nc_. Ms Th_nb_rg cr_t_c_s_d th_ c_nf_r_nc_ f_r wh_t sh_ v__ws _s _ l_ck _f d_l_g_t_s fr_m d_v_l_p_ng c__ntr__s. Sh_ s__d: "W_ n__d m_r_ r_pr_s_nt_t__n fr_m th_ Gl_b_l S__th, fr_m th_ m_st _ff_ct_d p__pl_ _nd _r__s." Th_ _K's Pr_m_ M_n_st_r B_r_s J_hns_n _s h_st_ng th_ c_nf_r_nc_. H_ s__d: C_P26 m_st m_rk th_ b_g_nn_ng _f th_ _nd _f cl_m_t_ ch_ng_." H_ _dd_d: "T__ m_ny c__ntr__s _r_ st_ll d__ng t__ l_ttl_."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

presidents prime ministers and dignitaries from nearly 200 nations have descended on the city of glasgow in scotland they are congregating for the 26th un climate change conference cop26 however one notable person seems to have been omitted from the invitation list that person is 18yearold swedish climate activist greta thunberg ms thunberg is in glasgow for the global summit but is unsure as to whether she will be allowed to attend any of the meetings speaking to the bbc she said i dont know its very unclear not officially invited she added i think that many people might be scared that if they invite too many radical young people then that might make them look bad

us president joe biden will be at the event and chinas president xi jinping will attend via video link president biden was in rome on friday for a meeting with the pope a number of climate activists noted the irony of his motorcade having 95 cars in it just two days ahead of a climate conference ms thunberg criticised the conference for what she views as a lack of delegates from developing countries she said we need more representation from the global south from the most affected people and areas the uks prime minister boris johnson is hosting the conference he said cop26 must mark the beginning of the end of climate change he added too many countries are still doing too little

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Presidents,primeministersanddignitariesfromnearly200nationshav
edescendedonthecityofGlasgowinScotland.Theyarecongregatingfor
the26thUNClimateChangeConference-COP26.However,onenotabl
epersonseemstohavebeenomittedfromtheinvitationlist.Thatpersoni
s18-year-oldSwedishclimateactivistGretaThunberg.MsThunbergis
inGlasgowfortheglobalsummit,butisunsureastowhethershewillbeall
owedtoattendanyofthemeetings.SpeakingtotheBBC,shesaid:"Idon'
tknow.It'sveryunclear.Notofficially[invited]."Sheadded:"Ithinkthat
manypeoplemightbescaredthatiftheyinvitetoomanyradicalyoungpe
ople,thenthatmightmakethemlookbad."U.S.PresidentJoeBidenwillb
eattheevent,andChina'sPresidentXiJinpingwillattendviavideolink.Pr
esidentBidenwasinRomeonFridayforameetingwiththePope.Anumbe
rofclimateactivistsnotedtheironyofhismotorcadehaving95carsinit,j
usttwodaysaheadofaclimateconference.MsThunbergcriticisedtheco
nferenceforwhatsheviewsasalackofdelegatesfromdevelopingcountr
ies.Shesaid:"WeneedmorerepresentationfromtheGlobalSouth,from
themostaffectedpeopleandareas."TheUK'sPrimeMinisterBorisJohns
onishostingtheconference.Hesaid:"COP26mustmarkthebeginningo
ftheendofclimatechange."Headded:"Toomanycountriesarestilldoin
gtoolittle."

Free writing

Write about COP26 for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The COP26 summit will help to tackle climate change. 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. CLIMATE CHANGE: Make a poster about climate change. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. LAST CHANCE: Write a magazine article about COP26 being our last chance to combat climate change and save the planet. Include imaginary interviews with people who believe this and with people who do not.
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 climate change. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to combat climate change. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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Breaking News English Lesson: COP26

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