Breaking News English Lesson: Baguette Prices

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France may have to increase price of baguettes (9th January 2023)

The Reading / Listening - Baguette Prices - Level 6

France is synonymous with bread and pastries. In particular, the croissant and the baguette spring to mind. The latter is currently under pressure. Increasing costs are forcing many bakers to close their bakeries or raise baguette prices. Soaring energy costs and wheat supply issues caused by the Ukraine War are making life financially untenable for many in the baguette-making industry. One baker, Julien Pedussel, 36, expressed his fears for his livelihood. He may have to raise his baguette prices from one to four euros. He told reporters: "I cannot pay an electricity bill of 12,000 euros with a turnover of 20,000 euros." He is concerned that big supermarkets are still selling baguettes for less than a euro.

The humble baguette is on the United Nations List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Baguette prices are of such concern that France's President Macron has intervened. He recently described the bread as being "250 grams of magic and perfection". France's Ministry for the Economy has initiated an "electricity damper". This will allow bakers to limit by how much their electricity bills rise. The ministry said: "Aid for bakers has been reinforced and eligible bakeries can benefit from it." Consumers are facing tough choices. One lamented: "I won't pay three euros because it's double the price. Maybe, sometimes I would because there is no equivalent to a baguette." She added she might have to start baking them herself.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Baguette Prices - Level 4 or Baguette Prices - Level 5

Sources

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/fears-for-french-baguettes-as-power-prices-burn-bakers-179888
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/04/french-bakers-allowed-to-renegotiate-bills-as-high-bills-bring-pain.html
https://abcnews.go.com/International/frances-bakers-forced-close-shops-raise-baguette-prices/story

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. BREAD: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bread. 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?
bread / pastries / croissant / costs / wheat / industry / bakery / supermarkets / euro /
humble / prices / magic / perfection / electricity / bills / consumers / choices / baking
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. STAPLE FOOD: Students A strongly believe the bread is the tastiest staple food; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. PRICES: How have the prices of these things been recently? How had this affected you? Are the alternatives? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Price	How You Are Affected	Alternatives
Bread
Wifi
Gasoline
Chocolate
Electricity
Food

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

Baguette
Naan
Bread roll
Sandwich
Pita bread
Sourdough
Focaccia
Rye bread

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	synonymous	a.	Items of food consisting of sweet dough with a cream, jam, or fruit filling.
2.	pastries	b.	The second or second mentioned of two people or things.
3.	spring to mind	c.	Closely associated with or suggestive of something.
4.	latter	d.	Of a position or view not able to be maintained.
5.	soaring	e.	Increasing rapidly above the usual level.
6.	untenable	f.	A means of securing the necessities of life.
7.	livelihood	g.	Suddenly think of something.

Paragraph 2

8.	humble	h.	Equal in value, amount, function, meaning, etc.
9.	intervened	i.	A person or thing that has a subduing or inhibiting effect.
10.	initiated	j.	Strengthened an existing feeling, idea, or habit.
11.	damper	k.	Of modest scale or importance.
12.	reinforced	l.	Took part in something so as to stop or change a result or course of events.
13.	lamented	m.	Complained.
14.	equivalent	n.	Caused a process or action to begin.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says in France, the words "bread" and "pastry" are synonyms. T / F
The article says pastries in France are under price pressures. T / F
A French baker is worried about his livelihood. T / F
The baker has a 20,000-euro electricity bill. T / F
The baguette is on a U.N. cultural heritage list. T / F
The French president said baguettes were 250 grams of magic. T / F
France's government will give no aid to bakers. T / F
A consumer may start baking baguettes herself. T / F

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

latter
pressure
soaring
untenable
turnover
humble
intervened
eligible
lamented
equivalent

shaky
entitled
income
strain
modest
equal
last-mentioned
complained about
escalating
got involved

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

France is synonymous
the croissant and the baguette
The latter is currently under
making life financially untenable
a turnover
250 grams of magic
limit by how much their electricity
eligible bakeries can
Consumers are
there is no equivalent

benefit from it
for many
of 20,000 euros
bills rise
spring to mind
to a baguette
facing tough choices
with bread and pastries
and perfection
pressure

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

forcing
raise
untenable
spring
turnover
supply
pastries
expressed

France is synonymous with bread and (1) _____________________. In particular, the croissant and the baguette (2) _____________________ to mind. The latter is currently under pressure. Increasing costs are (3) _____________________ many bakers to close their bakeries or raise baguette prices. Soaring energy costs and wheat (4) _____________________ issues caused by the Ukraine War are making life financially (5) _____________________ for many in the baguette-making industry. One baker, Julien Pedussel, 36, (6) _____________________ his fears for his livelihood. He may have to (7) _____________________ his baguette prices from one to four euros. He told reporters: "I cannot pay an electricity bill of 12,000 euros with a (8) _____________________ of 20,000 euros." He is concerned that big supermarkets are still selling baguettes for less than a euro.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

equivalent
concern
limit
lamented
intervened
eligible
humble
perfection

The (9) _____________________ baguette is on the United Nations List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Baguette prices are of such (10) _____________________ that France's President Macron has (11) _____________________. He recently described the bread as being "250 grams of magic and (12) _____________________". France's Ministry for the Economy has initiated an "electricity damper". This will allow bakers to (13) _____________________ by how much their electricity bills rise. The ministry said: "Aid for bakers has been reinforced and (14) _____________________ bakeries can benefit from it." Consumers are facing tough choices. One (15) _____________________: "I won't pay three euros because it's double the price. Maybe, sometimes I would because there is no (16) _____________________ to a baguette." She added she might have to start baking them herself.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) France is synonymous with ______
     a. bread and pastries
     b. bread and pasties
     c. bread and patties
     d. bread and bastes
2) In particular, the croissant and the baguette ______
     a. spring two minds
     b. spring to minded
     c. spring to mind
     d. spring to mined
3) forcing many bakers to close their bakeries or ______
     a. rise baguette prices
     b. raise baguette price
     c. raise baguette prices
     d. rise baguette price
4) One baker, Julien Pedussel, 36, expressed his fears ______
     a. for this livelihood
     b. for his livelihood
     c. for is livelihood
     d. forth his livelihood
5) I cannot pay an electricity bill of 12,000 euros with a ______ euros
     a. turned over of 20,000
     b. turnover of 20,000
     c. turns over of 20,000
     d. turn over off 20,000

6) Baguette prices are of such concern that France's President ______
    a. Macron has intertwined
     b. Macron has contravened
     c. Macron has in two veered
     d. Macron has intervened
7) He recently described the bread as being 250 grams of ______
     a. magical and prefects on
     b. magician and perfection
     c. magic and perfecting
     d. magic and perfection
8) This will allow bakers to limit by how much their ______
     a. electricity bills raise
     b. electricity pills arise
     c. electricity bills rise
     d. electricity bills praise
9) The ministry said: "Aid for bakers has been reinforced and eligible bakeries can ______
     a. benefit from mitt
     b. benefit fro mitt
     c. benefit from it
     d. benefit from wit
10) Maybe, sometimes I would because there ______
     a. is no equivalent
     b. is no equivocal
     c. is no equal vent
     d. is no eek with a lent

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

France is synonymous with (1) ____________________. In particular, the croissant and the baguette (2) ____________________. The latter is currently under pressure. Increasing costs are (3) ____________________ to close their bakeries or raise baguette prices. Soaring energy costs and wheat (4) ____________________ by the Ukraine War are making life financially untenable for many in the baguette-making industry. One baker, Julien Pedussel, 36, expressed his fears (5) ____________________. He may have to raise his baguette prices from one to four euros. He told reporters: "I cannot pay an electricity bill of 12,000 euros with (6) ____________________ 20,000 euros." He is concerned that big supermarkets are still selling baguettes for less than a euro.

The humble baguette is on the United Nations List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Baguette prices are (7) ____________________ that France's President Macron has intervened. He recently described the bread as being "250 grams of (8) ____________________". France's Ministry for the Economy has initiated an "electricity damper". This will allow bakers to limit by how much their (9) ____________________. The ministry said: "Aid for bakers has been reinforced (10) ____________________ can benefit from it." Consumers are facing tough choices. One lamented: "I won't pay three euros because it's (11) ____________________. Maybe, sometimes I would because there is no equivalent to a baguette." She added she might have to start (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

What does the article say France is synonymous with?
What might bakers have to do besides increase prices?
What did a French baker express fears for?
How much money a year does the baker in the article make?
How much can people buy a baguette for in French supermarkets?
How much did France's president say a baguette weighed?
What has France's Ministry for the Economy initiated?
Who can benefit from government aid?
What does the article say consumers are facing?
Who said she might start baking baguettes?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say France is synonymous with?
a) fine fashion
b) perfume
c) haute cuisine
d) bread and pastries
2) What might bakers have to do besides increase prices?
a) grow their own wheat
b) close
c) work longer hours
d) employ more staff
3) What did a French baker express fears for?
a) baguette quality
b) the future of yeast
c) his livelihood
d) sandwiches
4) How much money a year does the baker in the article make?
a) 20,000 euros
b) 12,000 euros
c) 22,000 euros
d) 20,200 euros
5) How much can people buy a baguette for in French supermarkets?
a) just over a euro
b) a euro
c) less than a euro
d) around a euro

6) How much did France's president say a baguette weighed?
a) 260 grams
b) 250 grams
c) 240 grams
d) 270 grams
7) What has France's Ministry for the Economy initiated?
a) tests on GM yeast
b) emergency measures
c) a free baguette campaign
d) an electricity damper
8) Who can benefit from government aid?
a) eligible bakeries
b) poor people
c) wheat farmers
d) everyone
9) What does the article say consumers are facing?
a) poor quality baguettes
b) a life without baguettes
c) tough choices
d) tough baguettes
10) Who said she might start baking baguettes?
a) a government official
b) a consumer
c) a wheat farmer
d) a baker

Role play

Role A – Baguette
You think a baguette is the best bread product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): naan bread, pita bread or a sandwich.

Role B – Naan
You think naan bread is the best bread product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a baguette, pita bread or a sandwich.

Role C – Pita Bread
You think pita bread is the best bread product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): naan bread, a baguette or a sandwich.

Role D – Sandwich
You think a sandwich is the best bread product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): naan bread, pita bread or a baguette.

After reading / listening

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

'bread'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'price'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

pastries

mind

close

industry

baker

bill

such

magic

limit

benefit

three

start

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 - Baguette Prices

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 'bread'?
What do you know about baguettes?
Do you prefer baguettes or croissants?
Why are French baguettes so famous?
What do you think of the price of bread?
Is bread the best staple food in the world?
What do you think of French food?
How concerned are you about rising prices?
Do you have a favourite bakery?

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 'price'?
What do you think about what you read?
What cultural heritage in your country are you proud of?
In what way might a baguette be 'magic and perfection'?
How long should a baguette be?
What tough choices do you face as a consumer?
What do you think of your electricity bills?
Do you like baking things yourself?
What questions would you like to ask French bakers?

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)

France is synonymous with bread and (1) ____. In particular, the croissant and the baguette spring to mind. The (2) ____ is currently under pressure. Increasing costs are forcing many bakers to close their bakeries or raise baguette prices. Soaring energy costs and wheat (3) ____ issues caused by the Ukraine War are making life financially untenable for many in the baguette-making industry. One baker, Julien Pedussel, 36, (4) ____ his fears for his livelihood. He may have to raise his baguette prices from one to four euros. He told reporters: "I cannot pay an electricity bill of 12,000 euros with a (5) ____ of 20,000 euros." He is (6) ____ that big supermarkets are still selling baguettes for less than a euro.

The (7) ____ baguette is on the United Nations List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Baguette prices are of such concern that France's President Macron has (8) ____. He recently described the bread as being "250 grams of magic and perfection". France's Ministry for the Economy has initiated an "electricity damper". This will allow bakers to limit by how much their electricity bills (9) ____. The ministry said: "Aid for bakers has been reinforced and (10) ____ bakeries can benefit from it." Consumers are facing (11) ____ choices. One lamented: "I won't pay three euros because it's double the price. Maybe, sometimes I would because there is no equivalent to a baguette." She added she might have to start (12) ____ them herself.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) plasters (b) pastries (c) pasties (d) patties
(a) later (b) latter (c) letter (d) latte
(a) receipt (b) give (c) want (d) supply
(a) espresso (b) expressed (c) impressed (d) expression
(a) turnaround (b) turnabout (c) turncoat (d) turnover
(a) cornered (b) concertinaed (c) concerned (d) contained
(a) humble (b) mumble (c) bumble (d) rumble
(a) interviewed (b) intertwined (c) intervened (d) interned
(a) upper (b) height (c) up (d) rise
(a) eligible (b) illegible (c) legible (d) illegitimate
(a) tough (b) trough (c) though (d) thoroughly
(a) baking (b) backing (c) braking (d) barking

Spelling

Paragraph 1

France is snmusnooyy with bread
the tsnsorcai and the baguette
osanrig energy costs
making life financially utenblean
expressed his fears for his ldoivheloi
with a nrtruvoe of 20,000 euros

Paragraph 2

France's President Macron has enierdvnet
250 grams of magic and irpfctoene
ietindtia an "electricity damper"
Aid for bakers has been eefndciorr
ileiblge bakeries can benefit from it
there is no inveetaqul to a baguette

Put the text back together

(...) industry. One baker, Julien Pedussel, 36, expressed his fears for his livelihood. He may have
(...) turnover of 20,000 euros." He is concerned that big supermarkets are still selling baguettes for less than a euro.
(...) their bakeries or raise baguette prices. Soaring energy costs and wheat supply issues caused
(...) concern that France's President Macron has intervened. He recently described the bread as being "250 grams
(...) by the Ukraine War are making life financially untenable for many in the baguette-making
(...) mind. The latter is currently under pressure. Increasing costs are forcing many bakers to close
(...) of magic and perfection". France's Ministry for the Economy has initiated an "electricity damper". This will allow bakers to limit
(...) The humble baguette is on the United Nations List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Baguette prices are of such
(...) by how much their electricity bills rise. The ministry said: "Aid for bakers has been reinforced and eligible bakeries
( 1 ) France is synonymous with bread and pastries. In particular, the croissant and the baguette spring to
(...) can benefit from it." Consumers are facing tough choices. One lamented: "I won't pay three
(...) equivalent to a baguette." She added she might have to start baking them herself.
(...) euros because it's double the price. Maybe, sometimes I would because there is no
(...) to raise his baguette prices from one to four euros. He told reporters: "I cannot pay an electricity bill of 12,000 euros with a

Put the words in the right order

is France synonymous bread pastries . and with
croissant to mind . The the baguette and spring
issues . wheat Soaring and costs energy supply
I electricity of cannot bills 12,000 pay euros .
still less . are for baguettes selling Big supermarkets
and perfection . 250 Baguettes grams of are magic
rise . electricity how much Limit by their bills
Financial reinforced . for aid has bakers been
There no to baguette . is a equivalent
them herself . baking might have start She to

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

France is / be synonymous with bread and pastries. In / On particular, the croissant and the baguette spring / sprung to mind. The latter is currently under pressure. Increasing costs are facing / forcing many bakers to close their bakeries or raise baguette prices. Searing / Soaring energy costs and wheat supply issues caused by / of the Ukraine War are making life financially untenable / tenable for many in the baguette-making industry. One baker, Julien Pedussel, 36, expressed his fears for his likelihood / livelihood. He may have to raise his baguette prices from one to four euros. He told reporters: "I cannot pay an electricity bill of 12,000 euros with a turnaround / turnover of 20,000 euros." He is concerned what / that big supermarkets are still selling baguettes for less than a euro.

The humble baguette is on the United Nations List of Intangible Cultural Heritage / Hermitage. Baguette prices are of so / such concern that France's President Macron has intervened / intertwined. He recently described the bread as being "250 grams of magician / magic and perfection". France's Ministry for the Economy has irritated / initiated an "electricity damper". This will allow bakers to limit by how much their electricity bills rise / arise. The ministry said: "Aid for bakers has been reinforced and eligible bakeries can benefit of / from it." Consumers are facing / forcing tough choices. One lamented: "I won't pay three euros because it's double / doubles the price. Maybe, sometimes I would because there is no equivalent to / at a baguette." She added she might have to start baking them herself.

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)

Fr_nc_ _s syn_nym__s w_th br__d _nd p_str__s. _n p_rt_c_l_r, th_ cr__ss_nt _nd th_ b_g__tt_ spr_ng t_ m_nd. Th_ l_tt_r _s c_rr_ntly _nd_r pr_ss_r_. _ncr__s_ng c_sts _r_ f_rc_ng m_ny b_k_rs t_ cl_s_ th__r b_k_r__s _r r__s_ b_g__tt_ pr_c_s. S__r_ng _n_rgy c_sts _nd wh__t s_pply _ss__s c__s_d by th_ _kr__n_ W_r _r_ m_k_ng l_f_ f_n_nc__lly _nt_n_bl_ f_r m_ny _n th_ b_g__tt_-m_k_ng _nd_stry. _n_ b_k_r, J_l__n P_d_ss_l, 36, _xpr_ss_d h_s f__rs f_r h_s l_v_l_h__d. H_ m_y h_v_ t_ r__s_ h_s b_g__tt_ pr_c_s fr_m _n_ t_ f__r __r_s. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_ c_nn_t p_y _n _l_ctr_c_ty b_ll _f 12,000 __r_s w_th _ t_rn_v_r _f 20,000 __r_s." H_ _s c_nc_rn_d th_t b_g s_p_rm_rk_ts _r_ st_ll s_ll_ng b_g__tt_s f_r l_ss th_n _ __r_.

Th_ h_mbl_ b_g__tt_ _s _n th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns L_st _f _nt_ng_bl_ C_lt_r_l H_r_t_g_. B_g__tt_ pr_c_s _r_ _f s_ch c_nc_rn th_t Fr_nc_'s Pr_s_d_nt M_cr_n h_s _nt_rv_n_d. H_ r_c_ntly d_scr_b_d th_ br__d _s b__ng "250 gr_ms _f m_g_c _nd p_rf_ct__n". Fr_nc_'s M_n_stry f_r th_ _c_n_my h_s _n_t__t_d _n "_l_ctr_c_ty d_mp_r". Th_s w_ll _ll_w b_k_rs t_ l_m_t by h_w m_ch th__r _l_ctr_c_ty b_lls r_s_. Th_ m_n_stry s__d: "__d f_r b_k_rs h_s b__n r__nf_rc_d _nd _l_g_bl_ b_k_r__s c_n b_n_f_t fr_m _t." C_ns_m_rs _r_ f_c_ng t__gh ch__c_s. _n_ l_m_nt_d: "_ w_n't p_y thr__ __r_s b_c__s_ _t's d__bl_ th_ pr_c_. M_yb_, s_m_t_m_s _ w__ld b_c__s_ th_r_ _s n_ _q__v_l_nt t_ _ b_g__tt_." Sh_ _dd_d sh_ m_ght h_v_ t_ st_rt b_k_ng th_m h_rs_lf.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

france is synonymous with bread and pastries in particular the croissant and the baguette spring to mind the latter is currently under pressure increasing costs are forcing many bakers to close their bakeries or raise baguette prices soaring energy costs and wheat supply issues caused by the ukraine war are making life financially untenable for many in the baguettemaking industry one baker julien pedussel 36 expressed his fears for his livelihood he may have to raise his baguette prices from one to four euros he told reporters i cannot pay an electricity bill of 12000 euros with a turnover of 20000 euros he is concerned that big supermarkets are still selling baguettes for less than a euro

the humble baguette is on the united nations list of intangible cultural heritage baguette prices are of such concern that frances president macron has intervened he recently described the bread as being 250 grams of magic and perfection frances ministry for the economy has initiated an electricity damper this will allow bakers to limit by how much their electricity bills rise the ministry said aid for bakers has been reinforced and eligible bakeries can benefit from it consumers are facing tough choices one lamented i wont pay three euros because its double the price maybe sometimes i would because there is no equivalent to a baguette she added she might have to start baking them herself

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Franceissynonymouswithbreadandpastries.Inparticular,thecroissa
ntandthebaguettespringtomind.Thelatteriscurrentlyunderpressure.
Increasingcostsareforcingmanybakerstoclosetheirbakeriesorraiseb
aguetteprices.Soaringenergycostsandwheatsupplyissuescausedbyt
heUkraineWararemakinglifefinanciallyuntenableformanyinthebagu
ette-makingindustry.Onebaker,JulienPedussel,36,expressedhisfe
arsforhislivelihood.Hemayhavetoraisehisbaguettepricesfromonetof
oureuros.Hetoldreporters:"Icannotpayanelectricitybillof12,000eur
oswithaturnoverof20,000euros."Heisconcernedthatbigsupermarke
tsarestillsellingbaguettesforlessthanaeuro.Thehumblebaguetteison
theUnitedNationsListofIntangibleCulturalHeritage.Baguettepricesa
reofsuchconcernthatFrance'sPresidentMacronhasintervened.Herec
entlydescribedthebreadasbeing"250gramsofmagicandperfection".F
rance'sMinistryfortheEconomyhasinitiatedan"electricitydamper".Th
iswillallowbakerstolimitbyhowmuchtheirelectricitybillsrise.Themini
strysaid:"Aidforbakershasbeenreinforcedandeligiblebakeriescanbe
nefitfromit."Consumersarefacingtoughchoices.Onelamented:"Iwon
'tpaythreeeurosbecauseit'sdoubletheprice.Maybe,sometimesIwoul
dbecausethereisnoequivalenttoabaguette."Sheaddedshemighthav
etostartbakingthemherself.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Bread is the world's tastiest staple food. 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. BREAD: Make a poster about bread. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. BROWN BREAD: Write a magazine article about banning white bread and eating only brown bread. 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 bread. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on bread. 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: Baguette Prices

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