Breaking News English Lesson: Serena Williams

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Tennis legend Serena Williams plays her final match (5th September, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Serena Williams - Level 6

One of sport's greatest ever legends has played her final professional match. Serena Williams bowed out of the US Open tennis tournament on Friday after being defeated in the third round. The 40-year-old showed her customary grit and determination in the gruelling three-hour match. The watching crowd stood and erupted in thunderous applause and an outpouring of love at the moment defeat arrived. "Happy tears" streamed down her face as Ms Williams showed her appreciation to the crowd and waved farewell. In her post-match interview, she said: "I just thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many years, decades…literally decades. But, it all started with my parents."

Serena Williams is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time. Her 23 Grand Slam titles, her 319 weeks spent as the world's number one, and her 27 years at the top as a professional are testament to that. However, her achievements have spread far beyond tennis. She has been an inspiration to girls worldwide. Former tennis great Billie Jean King said her "greatest contributions may be yet to come". Current American player 18-year-old Coco Gauff cited Williams as her hero. She said: "The impact you've had on me goes beyond any words that can be put together." Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama said: "I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Serena Williams - Level 4 or Serena Williams - Level 5

Sources

https://sports.yahoo.com/us-open-2022-serena-williams-ends-career-with-third-round-loss-but-her-tennis-legacy-will-only-grow-022257347.html
https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34459661/serena-williams-exits-us-open-one-greatest-ever-legacy-goes-far-titles-won
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/62777226

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. SERENA WILLIAMS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Serena Williams. 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?
sport / legend / professional / tennis / tournament / grit / tears / crowd / farewell /
the greatest / titles / achievements / inspiration / contributions / impact / words
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. GOAT: Students A strongly believe Serena Williams is the greatest sports star of all time; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. THE GREATEST: Who is the greatest ever in these fields? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	The Greatest	Why?
Sport
Business
Environment
Technology
Politics
Entertainment

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

Serena Williams
Lewis Hamilton
Steve Jobs
Nelson Mandela
Taylor Swift
Neil Armstrong
Oprah Winfrey
Queen Elizabeth II

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	legend	a.	An extremely famous person, especially in a particular field.
2.	bowed out	b.	Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.
3.	customary	c.	Withdraw or retired from an activity or role.
4.	grit	d.	Approval or praise expressed by clapping.
5.	applause	e.	According to a person's habitual practice.
6.	appreciation	f.	Courage and resolve; strength of character.
7.	literally	g.	Exactly.

Paragraph 2

8.	arguably	h.	Praised someone for doing something or being great.
9.	testament	i.	The part played by a person or thing in bringing about a result or helping something to advance.
10.	inspiration	j.	Possibly; conceivably; maybe.
11.	contribution	k.	The effect or influence one thing or person has on another.
12.	cited	l.	Something that serves as a sign or evidence of a specified fact, event, or quality.
13.	impact	m.	Made a big change in the form, nature, or appearance of.
14.	transform	n.	The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says Serena Williams is the greatest ever sporting legend. T / F
Serena Williams will be 40 years old next month. T / F
There was thunder and lightning the moment Serena Williams lost. T / F
Serena Williams thanked her parents during a post-match interview. T / F
Ms Williams spent nearly 320 weeks as world number one. T / F
Ms Williams was a tennis professional for 27 years. T / F
A tennis great said the best of Serena is still to come. T / F
The US' current First Lady can't wait to see what Serena does from now. T / F

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

legend
bowed out
grit
streamed
literally
arguably
testament
inspiration
cited
transform

poured
change
proof
retired
guiding light
quoted
icon
precisely
bravery
probably

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

One of sport's greatest
Serena Williams bowed
The 40-year-old showed her customary grit
The watching crowd stood and erupted
In her post-
Serena Williams is arguably the
her achievements have spread
her greatest contributions may
The impact you've had on me goes
the lives you continue to transform

greatest tennis player
in thunderous applause
with your talents
match interview
be yet to come
out of the US Open
beyond any words
and determination
far beyond tennis
ever legends

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

bowed
appreciation
erupted
literally
final
farewell
grit
moment

One of sport's greatest ever legends has played her (1) _____________________ professional match. Serena Williams (2) _____________________ out of the US Open tennis tournament on Friday after being defeated in the third round. The 40-year-old showed her customary (3) _____________________ and determination in the gruelling three-hour match. The watching crowd stood and (4) _____________________ in thunderous applause and an outpouring of love at the (5) _____________________ defeat arrived. "Happy tears" streamed down her face as Ms Williams showed her (6) _____________________ to the crowd and waved (7) _____________________. In her post-match interview, she said: "I just thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many years, decades... (8) _____________________ decades. But, it all started with my parents."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

inspiration
yet
arguably
transform
great
beyond
testament
cited

Serena Williams is (9) _____________________ the greatest tennis player of all time. Her 23 Grand Slam titles, her 319 weeks spent as the world's number one, and her 27 years at the top as a professional are (10) _____________________ to that. However, her achievements have spread far beyond tennis. She has been an (11) _____________________ to girls worldwide. Former tennis (12) _____________________ Billie Jean King said her "greatest contributions may be (13) _____________________ to come". Current American player 18-year-old Coco Gauff (14) _____________________ Williams as her hero. She said: "The impact you've had on me goes (15) _____________________ any words that can be put together." Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama said: "I can't wait to see the lives you continue to (16) _____________________ with your talents."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) One of sport's greatest ever legends has played her ______
     a. finally professional match
     b. final professionally match
     c. final professional match
     d. final professional matching
2) bowed out of the US Open tennis tournament on Friday ______
     a. after been defeated
     b. after be in defeated
     c. after being defeated
     d. after bean defeated
3) showed her customary grit and determination in the ______
     a. gruelling three-hours match
     b. gruelling three-hourly match
     c. gruelling three-our match
     d. gruelling three-hour match
4) Happy tears streamed down her face as Ms Williams showed her appreciation ______
     a. to the crowd
     b. to the crowded
     c. to the crowding
     d. to the cloud
5) that's been on my side so many years, ______
     a. decades...literal decades
     b. decades...literally decades
     c. decade...literally decades
     d. decades...literally decade

6) Serena Williams is arguably the greatest tennis player ______
     a. off all time
     b. of all time
     c. oft all time
     d. offal time
7) world's number one, and her 27 years at the top as a professional are ______
     a. test ailment to that
     b. tester meant to that
     c. test a mint to that
     d. testament to that
8) Billie Jean King said her greatest contributions may be ______
     a. yes to go
     b. yet to come
     c. yet two come
     d. yet to go
9) The impact you've had on me goes ______
     a. beyond many words
     b. be yonder any words
     c. behind many words
     d. beyond any words
10) I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transform ______
     a. with your talents
     b. within your talents
     c. with our talents
     d. with your talented

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

One of sport's greatest ever (1) ____________________ her final professional match. Serena Williams (2) ____________________ the US Open tennis tournament on Friday after being defeated in the third round. The 40-year-old showed her (3) ____________________ determination in the gruelling three-hour match. The watching crowd stood and erupted in thunderous applause and an (4) ____________________ at the moment defeat arrived. "Happy tears" streamed down her face as Ms Williams showed her appreciation to the crowd (5) ____________________. In her post-match interview, she said: "I just thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many (6) ____________________ decades. But, it all started with my parents."

Serena Williams (7) ____________________ greatest tennis player of all time. Her 23 Grand Slam titles, her 319 weeks spent as the world's number one, and her 27 years at the top as a professional (8) ____________________ that. However, her achievements have spread far beyond tennis. She has been an (9) ____________________ worldwide. Former tennis great Billie Jean King said her "greatest contributions may be yet to come". Current American player 18-year-old Coco Gauff cited Williams as her hero. She said: "(10) ____________________ had on me (11) ____________________ words that can be put together." Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama said: "I can't wait to see the lives you (12) ____________________ with your talents."

Comprehension questions

What did Serena Williams bow out of?
How old is Serena Williams?
What kind of tears did Serena cry?
For how long did Serena say people had been on her side?
What did Ms Williams say everything started with?
How many Grand Slam titles has Ms Williams won?
For how long was Serena Williams a professional player?
What did Billie Jean King say about Serena's greatest achievements?
Who cited Serena as her hero?
What is Michelle Obama looking forward to Serena changing?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did Serena Williams bow out of?
a) a meeting
b) her sponsorship
c) the US Open
d) a awards ceremony
2) How old is Serena Williams?
a) 40
b) 39
c) 38
d) 37
3) What kind of tears did Serena cry?
a) happy tears
b) salty tears
c) crocodile tears
d) huge tears
4) For how long did Serena say people had been on her side?
a) 22 years
b) decades
c) ages
d) forever
5) What did Ms Williams say everything started with?
a) a tennis racket
b) a tennis ball
c) the first game
d) her parents

6) How many Grand Slam titles has Ms Williams won?
a) 22
b) 23
c) 24
d) 21
7) For how long was Serena Williams a professional player?
a) 27 years
b) 26 years
c) 28 years
d) 31 years
8) What did Billie Jean King say about Serena's greatest achievements?
a) they were unbeatable
b) they were legendary
c) they are yet to come
d) they were unbelievable
9) Who cited Serena as her hero?
a) Rafael Nadal
b) Michelle Obama
c) Billie Jean King
d) Coco Gauff

10) What is Michelle Obama looking forward to Serena changing?
a) people's lives
b) tennis
c) the US Open
d) the USA

Role play

Role A – Serena Williams
You think Serena Williams is the greatest legend. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their people aren't as legendary Also, tell the others which is the least legendary of these (and why): Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs or Queen Elizabeth II.

Role B – Nelson Mandela
You think Nelson Mandela is the greatest legend. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their people aren't as legendary Also, tell the others which is the least legendary of these (and why): Serena Williams, Steve Jobs or Queen Elizabeth II.

Role C – Steve Jobs
You think Steve Jobs is the greatest legend. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their people aren't as legendary Also, tell the others which is the least legendary of these (and why): Nelson Mandela, Serena Williams or Queen Elizabeth II.

Role D – Queen Elizabeth II
You think Queen Elizabeth II is the greatest legend. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their people aren't as legendary Also, tell the others which is the least legendary of these (and why): Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs or Serena Williams.

After reading / listening

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

'tennis'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'legend'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

final

bowed

grit

love

crowd

years

time

27

girls

18

words

talents

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 - Serena Williams

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 'legend'?
What do you know about Serena Williams?
What do you think of tennis?
Is Serena Williams the greatest tennis player of all time?
How much grit and determination do you have?
How do you think Serena felt after the final point?
Do you think Serena should have continued her career?
Is men's or women's tennis more exciting?
What advice do you have for Serena?

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 'tennis'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of Serena Williams?
Who is the greatest sports star of all time?
Who is greater, Serena Williams or Rafael Nadal?
What are your major achievements?
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
What impact have you made on people's lives?
What questions would you like to ask Serena Williams?

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)

One of sport's greatest ever legends has played her (1) ____ professional match. Serena Williams bowed out of the US Open tennis tournament on Friday after being defeated (2) ____ the third round. The 40-year-old showed her customary grit and determination in the (3) ____ three-hour match. The watching crowd stood and erupted in (4) ____ applause and an outpouring of love at the moment defeat arrived. "Happy tears" (5) ____ down her face as Ms Williams showed her appreciation to the crowd and waved farewell. In her post-match interview, she said: "I just thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many years, decades... (6) ____ decades. But, it all started with my parents."

Serena Williams is (7) ____ the greatest tennis player of all time. Her 23 Grand Slam titles, her 319 weeks spent (8) ____ the world's number one, and her 27 years at the top as a professional are testament to that. However, her achievements have (9) ____ far beyond tennis. She has been an inspiration to girls worldwide. Former tennis (10) ____ Billie Jean King said her "greatest contributions may be yet to come". Current American player 18-year-old Coco Gauff cited Williams as her hero. She said: "The impact you've had on me goes (11) ____ any words that can be put together." Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama said: "I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transform (12) ____ your talents."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) finality (b) finalized (c) final (d) finally
(a) in (b) on (c) as (d) of
(a) gruelling (b) dueling (c) drilling (d) grilling
(a) thunderous (b) thunder (c) thunders (d) thundered
(a) brooked (b) streamed (c) riveted (d) channeled
(a) lately (b) iterative (c) literacy (d) literally
(a) argued (b) argues (c) arguably (d) argument
(a) 'twas (b) has (c) was (d) as
(a) spread (b) spared (c) speared (d) sparred
(a) wonderful (b) great (c) good (d) amazing
(a) behind (b) beyond (c) yonder (d) beneath
(a) on (b) at (c) with (d) as

Spelling

Paragraph 1

the US Open tennis trtanmnoue
The 40-year-old showed her matucosyr grit
in the urielgng three-hour match
thunderous spepulaa
Ms Williams showed her onractaepipi
lalryielt decades

Paragraph 2

aglurbay the greatest tennis player of all time
are tetnmetas to that
her eaevitmeschn have spread
an niirtsapino to girls worldwide
her greatest otnntiuscribo may be yet to come
Coco Gauff cetdi Williams as her hero

Put the text back together

(...) on my side so many years, decades...literally decades. But, it all started with my parents."
(...) farewell. In her post-match interview, she said: "I just thank everyone that's here, that's been
(...) you've had on me goes beyond any words that can be put together." Former
(...) out of the US Open tennis tournament on Friday after being defeated in the third round. The 40-year-old showed her customary
( 1 ) One of sport's greatest ever legends has played her final professional match. Serena Williams bowed
(...) as the world's number one, and her 27 years at the top as a professional are testament
(...) down her face as Ms Williams showed her appreciation to the crowd and waved
(...) in thunderous applause and an outpouring of love at the moment defeat arrived. "Happy tears" streamed
(...) worldwide. Former tennis great Billie Jean King said her "greatest contributions may be yet to
(...) Serena Williams is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time. Her 23 Grand Slam titles, her 319 weeks spent
(...) United States First Lady Michelle Obama said: "I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents."
(...) grit and determination in the gruelling three-hour match. The watching crowd stood and erupted
(...) come". Current American player 18-year-old Coco Gauff cited Williams as her hero. She said: "The impact
(...) to that. However, her achievements have spread far beyond tennis. She has been an inspiration to girls

Put the words in the right order

the bowed US of Williams out Open tournament .
customary 40-year-old and The her determination . grit showed
The thunderous stood in crowd erupted applause . and
her Williams appreciation to crowd . showed the
that's side for my decades . Everyone on been
tennis the time . of all Arguably greatest player
weeks 319 spent world Her as one . number
beyond Her tennis . far have spread achievements
any words put Beyond together . that can be
with your talents . to Lives you continue transform

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

One of sport's greatest ever / even legends has played her final professional match. Serena Williams rowed / bowed out of the US Open tennis tournament on Friday after being defeated on / in the third round. The 40-year-old showed her customary grit / girth and determination in the gruelling three-hour match. The watching crowd standing / stood and erupted in thunderous applause and an outpouring / pouring of love at the moment defeat arrival / arrived. "Happy tears" streamed down her face as Ms Williams showed her appreciation / appreciate to the crowd and waved / waived farewell. In her post-match interview, she said: "I just thank everyone that's here, that's been on my side so many years, decadence / decades...literally decades. But, it all started with my parents."

Serena Williams is argument / arguably the greatest tennis player of every / all time. Her 23 Grand Slam titles, her 319 weeks spent as the world's number one, and her 27 years at the top as a professional are testament by / to that. However, her achievements have spread far / for beyond tennis. She has been an inspiration / inspirational to girls worldwide. Former tennis great Billie Jean King said her "greatest contributions may be as / yet to come". Current American player 18-year-old Coco Gauff cited / sighted Williams as her hero. She said: "The impact you've had on me goes / comes beyond any words that can be put altogether / together." Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama said: "I can't wait to see the lives you continue to transfer / transform with your talents."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

_n_ _f sp_rt's gr__t_st _v_r l_g_nds h_s pl_y_d h_r f_n_l pr_f_ss__n_l m_tch. S_r_n_ W_ll__ms b_w_d __t _f th_ _S _p_n t_nn_s t__rn_m_nt _n Fr_d_y _ft_r b__ng d_f__t_d _n th_ th_rd r__nd. Th_ 40-y__r-_ld sh_w_d h_r c_st_m_ry gr_t _nd d_t_rm_n_t__n _n th_ gr__ll]_ng thr__-h__r m_tch. Th_ w_tch_ng cr_wd st__d _nd _r_pt_d _n th_nd_r__s _ppl__s_ _nd _n __tp__r_ng _f l_v_ _t th_ m_m_nt d_f__t _rr_v_d. "H_ppy t__rs" str__m_d d_wn h_r f_c_ _s Ms W_ll__ms sh_w_d h_r _ppr_c__t__n t_ th_ cr_wd _nd w_v_d f_r_w_ll. _n h_r p_st-m_tch _nt_rv__w, sh_ s__d: "_ j_st th_nk _v_ry_n_ th_t's h_r_, th_t's b__n _n my s_d_ s_ m_ny y__rs, d_c_d_s...l_t_r_lly d_c_d_s. B_t, _t _ll st_rt_d w_th my p_r_nts."

S_r_n_ W_ll__ms _s _rg__bly th_ gr__t_st t_nn_s pl_y_r _f _ll t_m_. H_r 23 Gr_nd Sl_m t_tl_s, h_r 319 w__ks sp_nt _s th_ w_rld's n_mb_r _n_, _nd h_r 27 y__rs _t th_ t_p _s _ pr_f_ss__n_l _r_ t_st_m_nt t_ th_t. H_w_v_r, h_r _ch__v_m_nts h_v_ spr__d f_r b_y_nd t_nn_s. Sh_ h_s b__n _n _nsp_r_t__n t_ g_rls w_rldw_d_. F_rm_r t_nn_s gr__t B_ll__ J__n K_ng s__d h_r "gr__t_st c_ntr_b_t__ns m_y b_ y_t t_ c_m_". C_rr_nt _m_r_c_n pl_y_r 18-y__r-_ld C_c_ G__ff c_t_d W_ll__ms _s h_r h_r_. Sh_ s__d: "Th_ _mp_ct y__'v_ h_d _n m_ g__s b_y_nd _ny w_rds th_t c_n b_ p_t t_g_th_r." F_rm_r _n_t_d St_t_s F_rst L_dy M_ch_ll_ _b_m_ s__d: "_ c_n't w__t t_ s__ th_ l_v_s y__ c_nt_n__ t_ tr_nsf_rm w_th y__r t_l_nts."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

one of sports greatest ever legends has played her final professional match serena williams bowed out of the us open tennis tournament on friday after being defeated in the third round the 40yearold showed her customary grit and determination in the gruelling threehour match the watching crowd stood and erupted in thunderous applause and an outpouring of love at the moment defeat arrived happy tears streamed down her face as ms williams showed her appreciation to the crowd and waved farewell in her postmatch interview she said i just thank everyone thats here thats been on my side so many years decadesliterally decades but it all started with my parents

serena williams is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time her 23 grand slam titles her 319 weeks spent as the worlds number one and her 27 years at the top as a professional are testament to that however her achievements have spread far beyond tennis she has been an inspiration to girls worldwide former tennis great billie jean king said her greatest contributions may be yet to come current american player 18yearold coco gauff cited williams as her hero she said the impact youve had on me goes beyond any words that can be put together former united states first lady michelle obama said i cant wait to see the lives you continue to transform with your talents

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Oneofsport'sgreatesteverlegendshasplayedherfinalprofessionalmat
ch.SerenaWilliamsbowedoutoftheUSOpentennistournamentonFrid
ayafterbeingdefeatedinthethirdround.The40-year-oldshowedherc
ustomarygritanddeterminationinthegruellingthree-hourmatch.Th
ewatchingcrowdstoodanderuptedinthunderousapplauseandanoutp
ouringofloveatthemomentdefeatarrived."Happytears"streameddo
wnherfaceasMsWilliamsshowedherappreciationtothecrowdandwav
edfarewell.Inherpost-matchinterview,shesaid:"Ijustthankeveryon
ethat'shere,that'sbeenonmysidesomanyyears,decades...literallyde
cades.But,itallstartedwithmyparents."SerenaWilliamsisarguablyth
egreatesttennisplayerofalltime.Her23GrandSlamtitles,her319week
sspentastheworld'snumberone,andher27yearsatthetopasaprofessi
onalaretestamenttothat.However,herachievementshavespreadfarb
eyondtennis.Shehasbeenaninspirationtogirlsworldwide.Formerten
nisgreatBillieJeanKingsaidher"greatestcontributionsmaybeyettoco
me".CurrentAmericanplayer18-year-oldCocoGauffcitedWilliamsas
herhero.Shesaid:"Theimpactyou'vehadonmegoesbeyondanywords
thatcanbeputtogether."FormerUnitedStatesFirstLadyMichelleObam
asaid:"Ican'twaittoseethelivesyoucontinuetotransformwithyourtale
nts."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Serena Williams is the greatest sports superstar ever. 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. SERENA WILLIAMS: Make a poster about Serena Williams. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. GOAT: Write a magazine article about making Serena Williams the official Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) sports star. 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 Serena Williams. Ask him/her three questions about her. Give him/her three of your opinions on the impact Serena has made. 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: Serena Williams

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