The Reading / Listening - Military Service - Level 3

Members of one of the world's most popular pop bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon be taking a break from music. The seven band members will be joining the military to do two years of national service. South Korea is one of the few countries in the world to require men to do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years in the military. This is because technically, South Korea is still at war with North Korea. The two nations never signed a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the band members want to do their duty. It said: "It's the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve."

There was a lot of talk in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people feel that the band are too important to be taking a break to join the army. Many Koreans view them as national treasures. In 2020, Korea's government said the band could delay their military service until the age of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is currently 29 years old. BTS have brought a lot of worldwide attention to their country. They have also received a lot of praise for speaking out about mental health issues. South Korea's defence minister said it could be possible for the band to perform together while in the army. He said: "There could be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Military Service - Level 0 Military Service - Level 1   or  Military Service - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/oct/17/bts-k-pop-members-military-service-south-korea
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63282589
  • https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20221017000727


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. K-POP: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about K-pop. 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?
       pop bands / army / boy bands / music / military / war / peace treaty / duty / serve /
       talk / important / national treasure / government / delay / praise / attention / chance
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. MILITARY SERVICE: Students A strongly believe everyone should do national service; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SERVICE: How can we best be of service to our country? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How Useful?

Why?

Military service

 

 

Cleaning rivers

 

 

Caring for the aged

 

 

Volunteer tour guide

 

 

Language teacher

 

 

First-aid volunteer

 

 

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

  • K-pop
  • Jazz
  • Classical
  • Folk
  • Techno
  • Rock
  • Rap
  • Heavy metal

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. popular a. Need for a particular reason or purpose.
      2. break b. Fit and healthy.
      3. national c. Liked by many people
      4. require d. A responsibility to do something.
      5. able-bodied e. A pause in work or during an activity or event.
      6. treaty f. About the activity, history and culture of a country.
      7. duty g. An agreement (often about peace) between two countries.

    Paragraph 2

      8. national treasure h. Carry out or complete an action, task, or function.
      9. delay i. Someone or something that is really, really, really important to people in a country.
      10. currently j. Make something happen at a time that is later than the time planned.
      11. attention k. Express warm approval or admiration of.
      12. praise l. Interest taken in someone or something.
      13. issues m. At the present time.
      14. perform n. Personal problems or difficulties.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The K-pop band BTS have formed an army.     T / F
  2. Healthy men in South Korea have to do two years national service. T / F
  3. Men up to the age of 38 have to do national service in South Korea.     T / F
  4. The agency of BTS said it was not a good time for the band to serve.     T / F
  5. Everyone in South Korea thinks BTS should do military service.     T / F
  6. The oldest BTS member is in his late twenties.     T / F
  7. BTS have pleased people by speaking about mental health issues.     T / F
  8. BTS will not be able to perform together when they are in the army.     T / F

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

  1. popular
  2. break
  3. require
  4. treaty
  5. perfect
  6. talk
  7. treasures
  8. praise
  9. perform
  10. chance
  1. play
  2. agreement
  3. ideal
  4. darlings
  5. well-liked
  6. approval
  7. order
  8. opportunity
  9. rest
  10. chatter

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

  1. BTS will soon be taking
  2. All able-
  3. The two nations never signed
  4. the band members want to do
  5. the members of BTS are honoured
  6. Many Koreans view them as
  7. the band could delay
  8. a lot of worldwide
  9. They have also received
  10. There could be a
  1. national treasures
  2. bodied men
  3. to serve
  4. way
  5. their military service
  6. a peace treaty
  7. a lot of praise
  8. their duty
  9. attention
  10. a break from music

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
war
break
duty
national
perfect
popular
require
treaty

Members of one of the world's most (1) _____________________ pop bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon be taking a (2) _____________________ from music. The seven band members will be joining the military to do two years of (3) _____________________ service. South Korea is one of the few countries in the world to (4) _____________________ men to do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years in the military. This is because technically, South Korea is still at (5) _____________________ with North Korea. The two nations never signed a peace (6) _____________________ after the Korean War ended in 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the band members want to do their (7) _____________________. It said: "It's the (8) _____________________ time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
delay
attention
possible
feel
currently
chance
treasures
praise

There was a lot of talk in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people (9) _____________________ that the band are too important to be taking a break to join the army. Many Koreans view them as national (10) _____________________. In 2020, Korea's government said the band could (11) _____________________ their military service until the age of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is (12) _____________________ 29 years old. BTS have brought a lot of worldwide (13) _____________________ to their country. They have also received a lot of (14) _____________________ for speaking out about mental health issues. South Korea's defence minister said it could be (15) _____________________ for the band to perform together while in the army. He said: "There could be a way to give them a (16) _____________________ to practice and perform together."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Members of one of the world's most popular pop bands will soon be ______
     a.  in then army
     b.  in the army
     c.  in them army
     d.  in thee army
2)  All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years ______
     a.  in the militia
     b.  in the mill itinerary
     c.  in the milling tree
     d.  in the military
3)  The two nations never signed ______
     a.  at peace treaty
     b.  apiece treaty
     c.  a peace treaty
     d.  app ease treaty
4)  The agency that looks after BTS said the band members want to ______
     a.  do their duty
     b.  have their duty
     c.  be their duty
     d.  due their duty
5)  It's the perfect time and the members of BTS are ______
     a.  honoured to save
     b.  honoured to sieve
     c.  honoured to serve
     d.  honoured to service

6)  Many people feel that the band are too important to be ______
     a.  taken a break
     b.  taking a break
     c.  taking the break
     d.  taking a brake
7)  Many Koreans view them ______
     a.  as national treasures
     b.  as nationally treasures
     c.  as national treasure
     d.  as nationally treasure
8)  The oldest member, Jin, is currently 29 years old. BTS have brought a lot ______
     a.  of worldly attention
     b.  of world width attention
     c.  of world widen attention
     d.  of worldwide attention
9)  They have also received a ______
     a.  lot of prize
     b.  lot of plays
     c.  lot of praise
     d.  lot of please
10)  There could be a way to give them a chance to practice ______
     a.  and perform together
     b.  and performs together
     c.  and preform together
     d.  and preforms together

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Members of one of the world's (1) ____________________ bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon be taking a break from music. The seven band members (2) ____________________ the military to do two years of national service. South Korea is one of the few countries in the world to (3) ____________________ do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years in the military. This is because technically, South Korea is (4) ____________________ with North Korea. The two nations never signed a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the band members want to (5) ____________________. It said: "It's the perfect time and the members of BTS are (6) ____________________."

There was a (7) ____________________ in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people feel that the band are too important to be (8) ____________________ to join the army. Many Koreans view them as national treasures. In 2020, Korea's government said the band (9) ____________________ military service until the age of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is currently 29 years old. BTS have brought a (10) ____________________ attention to their country. They have also received a lot (11) ____________________ speaking out about mental health issues. South Korea's defence minister said it could be possible for the band to perform together while in the army. He said: "There could be a way to give them a chance to (12) ____________________ together."

Comprehension questions

  1. What are BTS taking a break from?
  2. For how long will BTS do military service?
  3. How many countries require people to do military service?
  4. When did the Korean War end?
  5. How do BTS feel about serving?
  6. What do many Koreans view BTS as?
  7. How old is the oldest BTS member?
  8. What issues did BTS talk about?
  9. Who said BTS might be able to perform together in the army?
  10. What could there be to give BTS a chance of performing together?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What are BTS taking a break from?
a) music
b) performing
c) military service
d) lunch
2) For how long will BTS do military service?
a) six months
b) a year
c) about two years
d) 18 months
3) How many countries require people to do military service?
a) a dozen
b) a few
c) several
d) 17
4) When did the Korean War end?
a) 1952
b) 1955
c) 1954
d) 1953
5)  How do BTS feel about serving?
a) honoured
b) happy
c) worried
d) terrified

6) What do many Koreans view BTS as?
a) the best band in the world
b) good dancers
c) essential
d) national treasures
7) How old is the oldest BTS member?
a) 28
b) 29
c) 26
d) 24
8) What issues did BTS talk about?
a) bad words in song lyrics
b) rap
c) climate change
d) mental health issues
9) Who said BTS might be able to perform together in the army?
a) South Korea's president
b) an army general
c) South Korea's defence minister
d) a soldier
10) What could there be to give BTS a chance of performing together?
a) a stadium
b) a way
c) money
d) a concert

Role play

Role  A – Jazz
You think jazz is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): classical, rap or rock.

Role  B – Classical
You think classical is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): jazz, rap or rock.

Role  C – Rap
You think rap is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): classical, jazz or rock.

Role  D – Rock
You think rock is the best music genre. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their genres. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): classical, rap or jazz.

After reading / listening

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

'military'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'service'.

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

    • popular
    • break
    • serve
    • technically
    • signed
    • time
    • talk
    • important
    • delay
    • praise
    • possible
    • chance

    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 - Military Service

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'military'?
    3. What do you think of military service?
    4. What do you know about BTS?
    5. Should stars like BTS be allowed to avoid military service?
    6. What do you think of boy bands?
    7. What are the good and bad things about military service?
    8. What do you think of working in the military?
    9. Why are BTS so popular worldwide?
    10. What advice do you have for the members of BTS?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'service'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why do countries ask people to do military service?
    5. What do you think of your country's military?
    6. How can military service help to improve young people?
    7. Who are your favourite music stars?
    8. How might military service change the songs of BTS?
    9. How long should military service be?
    10. What questions could you like to ask BTS?

    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)

    Members of one of the world's most (1) ____ pop bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon be (2) ____ a break from music. The seven band members will be joining the military to do two years of national service. South Korea is one of the few countries in the world to (3) ____ men to do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years in the military. This is because technically, South Korea is still (4) ____ war with North Korea. The two nations never (5) ____ a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the band members want to do their duty. It said: "It's the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to (6) ____."

    There was a lot of (7) ____ in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people felt that the band are too important to be taking a break to join the army. Many Koreans view them as national (8) ____. In 2020, Korea's government said the band could delay their military service until the age of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is (9) ____ 29 years old. BTS have brought a lot of worldwide attention to their country. They have also received a lot of (10) ____ for speaking out about mental health issues. South Korea's defence minister said it could be possible for the band to perform together (11) ____ in the army. He said: "There could (12) ____ a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     populate     (b)     poplar     (c)     popular     (d)     polar    
    2. (a)     taking     (b)     doing     (c)     breaking     (d)     banding    
    3. (a)     require     (b)     inquire     (c)     enquire     (d)     esquire    
    4. (a)     at     (b)     on     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    5. (a)     sang     (b)     signed     (c)     singed     (d)     singing    
    6. (a)     strive     (b)     sieve     (c)     save     (d)     serve    
    7. (a)     speak     (b)     voice     (c)     talk     (d)     whisper    
    8. (a)     spoils     (b)     loot     (c)     jewellery     (d)     treasures    
    9. (a)     currently     (b)     correctly     (c)     currency     (d)     covertly    
    10. (a)     praise     (b)     answer     (c)     fitness     (d)     brains    
    11. (a)     for     (b)     while     (c)     that     (d)     so    
    12. (a)     have     (b)     do     (c)     be     (d)     take

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the world's most lprpaou pop bands
    2. two years of nntolaia service
    3. iruerqe men to do military service
    4. ahniclctely, South Korea is still at war
    5. signed a peace ateytr
    6. BTS are dnuorhoe to serve

    Paragraph 2

    1. national eetrrussa
    2. edyla their military service
    3. a lot of worldwide iotetnant
    4. received a lot of priesa
    5. mental health sisesu
    6. practice and rfeporm together

    Put the text back together

    (...)  29 years old. BTS have brought a lot of worldwide attention to their country. They have also received a lot
    (...)  want to do their duty. It said: "It's the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve."
    (...)  government said the band could delay their military service until the age of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is currently
    (...)  of praise for speaking out about mental health issues. South Korea's defence
    1  ) Members of one of the world's most popular pop bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon be
    (...)  taking a break from music. The seven band members will be joining the military to do two
    (...)  minister said it could be possible for the band to perform together while in the army. He said: "There could
    (...)  important to be taking a break to join the army. Many Koreans view them as national treasures. In 2020, Korea's
    (...)  be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together."
    (...)  do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years
    (...)  There was a lot of talk in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people feel that the band are too
    (...)  in the military. This is because technically, South Korea is still at war with North Korea. The two nations never signed
    (...)  years of national service. South Korea is one of the few countries in the world to require men to
    (...)  a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the band members

    Put the words in the right order

    1. of   the   most   pop   world's   popular   One   bands   .
    2. seven   members   join   will   the   band   military   .   The
    3. war   .   at   Korea   Technically,   South   is   still
    4. peace   a   The   nations   two   treaty   .   never   signed
    5. duty   .   want   their   to   members   do   band   The
    6. are   the   too   Many   feel   people   band   important   .
    7. national   view   Koreans   them   Many   as   treasures   .
    8. the   of   age   Delay   until   30   .   military   service
    9. praise   .   received   They   also   of   have   lot   a
    10. could   be   to   for   possible   perform   .   them   It

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Members of one of the world's most popular / populate pop bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon be taking a broke / break from music. The seven band members will be joining / joint the military to do two years of national service. South Korea is one of the several / few countries in the world to require men to be / do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve / service about two years in the military. This is because technical / technically, South Korea is still to / at war with North Korea. The two nations never signed a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in / on 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the band members want to do their ditty / duty. It said: "It's the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve."

    There was a lot of speak / talk in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people feel that the band are too / much important to be taking a break to join an / the army. Many Koreans view them as national jewellery / treasures. In 2020, Korea's government said the band could delay / relay their military service until the age / old of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is currently 29 years old. BTS have brought a lot of worldwide attentive / attention to their country. They have also received a lot of praise at / for speaking out about mental health issues. South Korea's defence minister said it could be possible / possibly for the band to perform together while in the army. He said: "There could be a way to give them a chance to practice and performance / perform together."

    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)

    M_mb_rs  _f  _n_  _f  th_  w_rld's  m_st  p_p_l_r  p_p  b_nds  w_ll  s__n  b_  _n  th_  _rmy.  Th_  S__th  K_r__n  b_y  b_nd  BTS  w_ll  s__n  b_  t_k_ng  _  br__k  fr_m  m_s_c.  Th_  s_v_n  b_nd  m_mb_rs  w_ll  b_  j__n_ng  th_  m_l_t_ry  t_  d_  tw_  y__rs'  _f  n_t__n_l  s_rv_c_.  S__th  K_r__  _s  _n_  _f  th_  f_w  c__ntr__s  _n  th_  w_rld  t_  r_q__r_  m_n  t_  d_  m_l_t_ry  s_rv_c_.  _ll  _bl_-b_d__d  m_n  _g_d  b_tw__n  18  _nd  28  m_st  s_rv_  _b__t  tw_  y__rs  _n  th_  m_l_t_ry.  Th_s  _s  b_c__s_  t_chn_c_lly,  S__th  K_r__  _s  st_ll  _t  w_r  w_th  N_rth  K_r__.  Th_  tw_  n_t__ns  n_v_r  s_gn_d  _  p__c_  tr__ty  _ft_r  th_  K_r__n  W_r  _nd_d  _n  1953.  Th_  _g_ncy  th_t  l__ks  _ft_r  BTS  s__d  th_  b_nd  m_mb_rs  w_nt  t_  d_  th__r  d_ty.  _t  s__d:  "_t's  th_  p_rf_ct  t_m_  _nd  th_  m_mb_rs  _f  BTS  _r_  h_n__r_d  t_  s_rv_."

    Th_r_  w_s  _  l_t  _f  t_lk  _n  K_r__  _b__t  BTS  n_t  d__ng  m_l_t_ry  s_rv_c_.  M_ny  p__pl_  f__l  th_t  th_  b_nd  _r_  t__  _mp_rt_nt  t_  b_  t_k_ng  _  br__k  t_  j__n  th_  _rmy.  M_ny  K_r__ns  v__w  th_m  _s  n_t__n_l  tr__s_r_s.  _n  2020,  K_r__'s  g_v_rnm_nt  s__d  th_  b_nd  c__ld  d_l_y  th__r  m_l_t_ry  s_rv_c_  _nt_l  th_  _g_  _f  30.  Th_  _ld_st  m_mb_r,  J_n,  _s  c_rr_ntly  29  y__rs  _ld.  BTS  h_v_  br__ght  _  l_t  _f  w_rldw_d_  _tt_nt__n  t_  th__r  c__ntry.  Th_y  h_v_  _ls_  r_c__v_d  _  l_t  _f  pr__s_  f_r  sp__k_ng  __t  _b__t  m_nt_l  h__lth  _ss__s.  S__th  K_r__'s  d_f_nc_  m_n_st_r  s__d  _t  c__ld  b_  p_ss_bl_  f_r  th_  b_nd  t_  p_rf_rm  t_g_th_r  wh_l_  _n  th_  _rmy.  H_  s__d:  "Th_r_  c__ld  b_  _  w_y  t_  g_v_  th_m  _  ch_nc_  t_  pr_ct_c_  _nd  p_rf_rm  t_g_th_r."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    members of one of the worlds most popular pop bands will soon be in the army the south korean boy band bts will soon be taking a break from music the seven band members will be joining the military to do two years of national service south korea is one of the few countries in the world to require men to do military service all ablebodied men aged between 18 and 28 must serve about two years in the military this is because technically south korea is still at war with north korea the two nations never signed a peace treaty after the korean war ended in 1953 the agency that looks after bts said the band members want to do their duty it said its the perfect time and the members of bts are honoured to serve

    there was a lot of talk in korea about bts not doing military service many people feel that the band are too important to be taking a break to join the army many koreans view them as national treasures in 2020 koreas government said the band could delay their military service until the age of 30 the oldest member jin is currently 29 years old bts have brought a lot of worldwide attention to their country they have also received a lot of praise for speaking out about mental health issues south koreas defence minister said it could be possible for the band to perform together while in the army he said there could be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Membersofoneoftheworld'smostpopularpopbandswillsoonbeinthear
    my.TheSouthKoreanboybandBTSwillsoonbetakingabreakfrommusi
    c.Thesevenbandmemberswillbejoiningthemilitarytodotwoyearsofn
    ationalservice.SouthKoreaisoneofthefewcountriesintheworldtorequ
    irementodomilitaryservice.Allable-bodiedmenagedbetween18an
    d28mustserveabouttwoyearsinthemilitary.Thisisbecausetechnicall
    y,SouthKoreaisstillatwarwithNorthKorea.Thetwonationsneversigne
    dapeacetreatyaftertheKoreanWarendedin1953.Theagencythatlook
    safterBTSsaidthebandmemberswanttodotheirduty.Itsaid:"It'sthep
    erfecttimeandthemembersofBTSarehonouredtoserve."Therewasal
    otoftalkinKoreaaboutBTSnotdoingmilitaryservice.Manypeoplefeelth
    atthebandaretooimportanttobetakingabreaktojointhearmy.ManyK
    oreansviewthemasnationaltreasures.In2020,Korea'sgovernmentsa
    idthebandcoulddelaytheirmilitaryserviceuntiltheageof30.Theoldest
    member,Jin,iscurrently29yearsold.BTShavebroughtalotofworldwid
    eattentiontotheircountry.Theyhavealsoreceivedalotofpraiseforspea
    kingoutaboutmentalhealthissues.SouthKorea'sdefenceministersaid
    itcouldbepossibleforthebandtoperformtogetherwhileinthearmy.Hes
    aid:"Therecouldbeawaytogivethemachancetopracticeandperformto
    gether."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Everyone should have to spend at least a year doing military service. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. BOY BANDS: Make a poster about boy bands. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. MILITARY SERVICE: Write a magazine article about all young people having to do military service. 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 military service. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on military service. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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