Breaking News English Lesson: Refugees

Home | Help This Site

Multinational companies to hire 250,000 refugees (22nd June 2023)

The Reading / Listening - Refugees - Level 3

The number of refugees is increasing around the world. Many people are fleeing their countries because of war; others because they are unsafe in their homeland. They all want to find a new life in a safe country. Multinational companies will help around 250,000 refugees. They will give them a job. The companies made this offer on World Refugee Day. Adidas, Amazon, Pepsi and Starbucks are some of the more than 40 corporations who will help displaced people over the next three years. Kelly Clements, the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, was happy about this news. She said: "The commitments that businesses are going to make are absolutely essential."

Kelly Clements said more than 110 million people have been displaced worldwide. Around 12 million of these are from Ukraine. More than 6.8 million have fled Syria and 5.7 million have left Afghanistan. Ms Kelly said: "Every number is a story of an individual family who left everything, seeking safety, seeking protection and wanting to be able to rebuild." An Amazon spokesperson explained why hiring refugees would benefit the company. He said: "This is good for us as a company because the opportunity to add diversity to our workforce will continue to make us a stronger company." He added that: "Diversity brings innovation, creativity and different [points of view]."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Refugees - Level 0, Refugees - Level 1 or Refugees - Level 2

Sources

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-refugees-hiring-b788fcf75597e8a5f1f0a846e0b58c37
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/06/19/amazon-starbucks-others-vow-to-help-250000-refugees-in-europe-get-jobs/
https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/

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. REFUGEES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about refugees. 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?
refugees / the world / fleeing / war / homeland / multinational companies / essential /
displaced / Ukraine / Syria / Afghanistan / Amazon / benefit / diversity / innovation
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. JOBS: Students A strongly believe companies should help refugees by giving them jobs; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES: What do you know about these companies? Do you like them? Why (not)? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	Like?	Why (Not)?
Amazon
Pepsi
Starbucks
Apple
Toyota
Nintendo

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. COUNTRY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "country". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. FLEEING: Rank these with your partner. Put the things you'd miss most about your country (if you were a refugee) at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Food
Shops
Television
Neighbours
Language
Your job
Countryside
Sport

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	fleeing	a.	Giving 100% of your effort to a cause, activity, plan, etc.
2.	war	b.	A situation in which different countries or different groups in a country are fighting each other.
3.	offer	c.	A large company.
4.	corporation	d.	Running away from a place or situation of danger.
5.	displaced	e.	Very, very, very important.
6.	commitment	f.	Present something for someone to say yes or no to accepting.
7.	essential	g.	Force to leave one's home because of war, a lack of safety, or natural disaster.

Paragraph 2

8.	individual	h.	A positive thing you get from something or from doing something.
9.	seeking	i.	The action of keeping something or someone safe.
10.	protection	j.	The action or process of creating new ideas and products.
11.	benefit	k.	Single; separate.
12.	diversity	l.	Looking for.
13.	innovation	m.	A way of thinking.
14.	point of view	n.	The state of having many differences.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says there are more and more refugees in Europe. T / F
Refugees are looking for a better life in a safe country. T / F
More than 40 multinationals are offering jobs to refugees. T / F
The U.N. was not happy with what the companies have promised. T / F
There are about 12 million Ukrainians who have fled their country. T / F
There are more Afghan than Syrian refugees. T / F
Amazon said the diversity of refugees would help the company. T / F
Amazon said diversity brings creativity and diversity. T / F

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

increasing
fleeing
safe
corporations
essential
worldwide
individual
seeking
diversity
points of view

secure
necessary
single
variety
companies
going up
opinions
globally
escaping
looking for

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

The number of refugees
Many people are fleeing
they are unsafe
over the
absolutely
110 million people have been
Every number is a story of an
hiring refugees would
add diversity
diversity brings

next three years
to our workforce
essential
displaced worldwide
their countries
benefit the company
in their homeland
innovation
is increasing
individual family

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

life
offer
absolutely
number
news
companies
fleeing
displaced

The (1) _____________________ of refugees is increasing around the world. Many people are (2) _____________________ their countries because of war; others because they are unsafe in their homeland. They all want to find a new (3) _____________________ in a safe country. Multinational (4) _____________________ will help around 250,000 refugees. They will give them a job. The companies made this (5) _____________________ on World Refugee Day. Adidas, Amazon, Pepsi and Starbucks are some of the more than 40 corporations who will help (6) _____________________ people over the next three years. Kelly Clements, the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, was happy about this (7) _____________________. She said: "The commitments that businesses are going to make are (8) _____________________ essential."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

number
rebuild
view
these
fled
diversity
safety
benefit

Kelly Clements said more than 110 million people have been displaced worldwide. Around 12 million of (9) _____________________ are from Ukraine. More than 6.8 million have (10) _____________________ Syria and 5.7 million have left Afghanistan. Ms Kelly said: "Every (11) _____________________ is a story of an individual family who left everything, seeking (12) _____________________, seeking protection and wanting to be able to (13) _____________________." An Amazon spokesperson explained why hiring refugees would (14) _____________________ the company. He said: "This is good for us as a company because the opportunity to add (15) _____________________ to our workforce will continue to make us a stronger company." He added that: "Diversity brings innovation, creativity and different [points of (16) _____________________]."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Many people are fleeing their countries ______
     a. because off ore
     b. because oft wore
     c. because of where
     d. because of war
2) find a new life in a safe country. Multinational companies will ______
     a. help abound 250,000
     b. help aground 250,000
     c. help around 250,000
     d. help all round 250,000
3) Pepsi and Starbucks are some of the more than 40 corporations who will ______
     a. help displaced people
     b. kelp displaced people
     c. yelp displaced people
     d. welp displaced people
4) Clements, the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, was happy ______
     a. about these newts
     b. abet these newts
     c. about this news
     d. about these news
5) The commitments that businesses are going to make ______
     a. are absolute essential
     b. are absolutely essential
     c. are absolutism essential
     d. are absolutist essential

6) Kelly Clements said more than 110 million people have ______
     a. been displaced worldwide
     b. been this placed worldwide
     c. been replaced worldwide
     d. been misplaced worldwide
7) More than 6.8 million have fled Syria and 5.7 million ______
     a. have lefts Afghanistan
     b. have left Afghanistan
     c. have let Afghanistan
     d. have loft Afghanistan
8) Every number is a story of an individual family who left ______
     a. everything, sea king safety
     b. everything, seek king safety
     c. everything, seek in safety
     d. everything, seeking safety
9) This is good for us as a company because the opportunity ______
     a. to wad diversity
     b. toward diversity
     c. toad diversity
     d. to add diversity
10) Diversity brings innovation, creativity and different ______
     a. pants of view
     b. points of view
   c. paints of view
     d. pints of view

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The number of refugees (1) ____________________ the world. Many people are fleeing their countries because of war; others because they (2) ____________________ their homeland. They all want to find a new life in a safe country. Multinational companies will help around 250,000 refugees. They will give (3) ____________________. The companies made this offer on World Refugee Day. Adidas, Amazon, Pepsi and Starbucks are some of the more than 40 corporations who (4) ____________________ people over the next three years. Kelly Clements, the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, (5) ___________________ this news. She said: "The commitments that businesses are going to (6) ____________________ essential."

Kelly Clements said more than 110 million people have been displaced worldwide. Around 12 million of these are from Ukraine. More than 6.8 (7) ____________________ Syria and 5.7 million have left Afghanistan. Ms Kelly said: "Every number is a story of an individual family who left everything, seeking safety, seeking protection and wanting to be (8) _________________." An Amazon spokesperson (9) _________________ refugees would benefit the company. He said: "This is (10) ____________________ as a company because the opportunity to add diversity to our workforce will continue to make (11) ____________________ company." He added that: "Diversity brings innovation, creativity and different (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

Why are many people fleeing their countries?
Where do refugees want to find a new life?
How many multinational companies were mentioned in the article?
What organization does Kelly Clements work for?
What did Kelly Clements say the commitments of the job offers were?
How many refugees are there in the world?
How many people have fled Afghanistan?
What did the U.N. say refugees are seeking besides safety?
What did Amazon say diversity would make the company?
What did Amazon say diversity brought besides innovation and creativity?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Why are many people fleeing their countries?
a) because of natural disasters
b) because of war
c) because of fear
d) because of a lack of money
2) Where do refugees want to find a new life?
a) Europe
b) the USA
c) a rich country
d) a safe country
3) How many multinational companies were mentioned in the article?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
4) What organization does Kelly Clements work for?
a) the U.N.
b) Amnesty International
c) the WHO
d) Amazon
5) What did Kelly Clements say the commitments of the job offers were?
a) fantastic
b) absolutely essential
c) not enough
d) life-changing

6) How many refugees are there in the world?
a) more than 110 million
b) just fewer than 110 million
c) exactly 110 million
d) around 110 million
7) How many people have fled Afghanistan?
a) 12 million
b) 6.8 million
c) 5.7 million
d) 11 million
8) What did the U.N. say refugees are seeking besides safety?
a) protection
b) family
c) jobs
d) homes
9) What did Amazon say diversity would make the company?
a) money
b) happier
c) more profitable
d) stronger
10) What did Amazon say diversity brought besides innovation and creativity?
a) profits
b) happier staff
c) different points of view
d) a better world

Role play

Role A – Food
You think food is the thing people would miss most about leaving their country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why people wouldn't miss their things as much. Also, tell the others which is the least "missable" of these (and why): neighbours, television or the countryside.

Role B – Neighbours
You think neighbours are the thing people would miss most about leaving their country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why people wouldn't miss their things as much. Also, tell the others which is the least "missable" of these (and why): food, television or the countryside.

Role C – Television
You think television is the thing people would miss most about leaving their country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why people wouldn't miss their things as much. Also, tell the others which is the least "missable" of these (and why): neighbours, food or the countryside.

Role D – The Countryside
You think the countryside is the thing people would miss most about leaving their country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why people wouldn't miss their things as much. Also, tell the others which is the least "missable" of these (and why): neighbours, television or food.

After reading / listening

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

'refugee'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'company'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

number

unsafe

job

40

happy

absolutely

110

5.7

everything

benefit

add

view

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 - Refugees

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 'refugees'?
Why are there so many refugees?
How can we help the countries refugees are fleeing?
What should we do on World Refugee Day?
How safe do you feel in your country?
How can multinational companies help refugees?
Why are multinational companies helping refugees?
How can you help refugees?
When will there be no more refugees in the world?

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 'multinational'?
What do you think about what you read?
How would you feel if you were displaced?
What does your country do to help refugees?
What should your country do to help refugees?
What would you do if you were a refugee?
What three adjectives best describe this story?
How important is diversity?
What questions would you like to ask a refugee?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The number of refugees is (1) ____ around the world. Many people are fleeing their countries because of war; others because they are (2) ____ in their homeland. They all want to find a new (3) ____ in a safe country. Multinational companies will help around 250,000 refugees. They will give them a job. The companies made this offer on World Refugee Day. Adidas, Amazon, Pepsi and Starbucks are some of the more than 40 corporations who will help (4) ____ people over the next three years. Kelly Clements, the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, was (5) ____ about this news. She said: "The commitments that businesses are going to make are (6) ____ essential."

Kelly Clements said more than 110 million people have been displaced worldwide. Around 12 million of (7) ____ are from Ukraine. More than 6.8 million have fled Syria and 5.7 million have left Afghanistan. Ms Kelly said: "Every number is a story of an (8) ____ family who left everything, seeking safety, seeking protection and wanting to be able to rebuild." An Amazon spokesperson explained why (9) ____ refugees would benefit the company. He said: "This is good for us (10) ____ a company because the opportunity to add diversity to our workforce will continue to make us a (11) ____ company." He added that: "Diversity brings innovation, creativity and different [points of (12) ____]."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) increased (b) increase (c) increasing (d) increases
(a) unsafe (b) safe (c) safeguard (d) safe
(a) live (b) life (c) lively (d) lifer
(a) placed (b) misplaced (c) replaced (d) displaced
(a) happily (b) happiness (c) happy (d) happily
(a) absolute (b) absolutely (c) absolutism (d) absolutist
(a) these (b) all (c) one (d) whole
(a) just (b) sole (c) lone (d) individual
(a) hire (b) hires (c) hiring (d) higher
(a) was (b) is (c) has (d) as
(a) strength (b) stronger (c) strongly (d) strengthen
(a) view (b) looking (c) vision (d) scene

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The number of refugees is rinniagecs
Many people are felenig their countries
40 ipstaronroco who will help
lciddaeps people
mmcmteoitsn that businesses are going to make
absolutely aeeltissn

Paragraph 2

more than 110 onmlili people
a story of an iidanvidlu family
seeking safety, seeking eiotpnroct
hiring refugees would entebfi the company
add iytvidser to our workforce
aonovtinni, creativity and different points of view

Put the text back together

(...) Afghanistan. Ms Kelly said: "Every number is a story of an individual family who left everything, seeking safety,
(...) of war; others because they are unsafe in their homeland. They all want to find a new life in a safe
(...) company." He added that: "Diversity brings innovation, creativity and different [points of view]."
(...) "The commitments that businesses are going to make are absolutely essential."
(...) of the more than 40 corporations who will help displaced people over the next three years. Kelly Clements, the U.N.
(...) are from Ukraine. More than 6.8 million have fled Syria and 5.7 million have left
(...) country. Multinational companies will help around 250,000 refugees. They will give them a
(...) refugees would benefit the company. He said: "This is good for us as a company
( 1 )The number of refugees is increasing around the world. Many people are fleeing their countries because
(...) because the opportunity to add diversity to our workforce will continue to make us a stronger
(...) Kelly Clements said more than 110 million people have been displaced worldwide. Around 12 million of these
(...) job. The companies made this offer on World Refugee Day. Adidas, Amazon, Pepsi and Starbucks are some
(...) seeking protection and wanting to be able to rebuild." An Amazon spokesperson explained why hiring
(...) Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, was happy about this news. She said:

Put the words in the right order

fleeing People of because war . countries are their
safe a life in country . Find a new
refugees . help companies 250,000 around will Multinational
people . will displaced Forty corporations help who
businesses The commitments make . that to are going
displaced been people 110 million have worldwide . More than
of individual . number a story an is Every
for good is This a as company . us
continue Our us workforce will make stronger . to
added brings He diversity and creativity . innovation that

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The number / numeral of refugees is increasing around the world. Many people are fleeing / fled their countries because of war; others because they are safe / unsafe in their homeland. They all want to find a new lively / life in a safe country. Multinational companies will help around 250,000 refugees. They will give them a / the job. The companies made this offer on World Refugee Day. Adidas, Amazon, Pepsi and Starbucks are some of the most / more than 40 corporations who will help displaced people / person over the next three years. Kelly Clements, the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, was unhappy / happy about this news. She said: "The commitments that / what businesses are going to make are absolutely essentially / essential."

Kelly Clements said more than 110 million people have been replaced / displaced worldwide. Around 12 million of these are from / going Ukraine. More than 6.8 million have fed / fled Syria and 5.7 million have left Afghanistan. Ms Kelly said: "Every number is a story of an / a individual family who left everything, seeking / seek safety, seeking protection and wanting to be able for / to rebuild." An Amazon spokesperson explained why hiring refugees would benefit / beneficial the company. He said: "This is good for us as a company because / so the opportunity to add diversity to our workforce will continue to make us a stronger / strongly company." He added that: "Diversity brings innovation, creativity and different points / pants of view."

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)

Th_ n_mb_r _f r_f_g__s _s _ncr__s_ng _r__nd th_ w_rld. M_ny p__pl_ _r_ fl___ng th__r c__ntr__s b_c__s_ _f w_r; _th_rs b_c__s_ th_y _r_ _ns_f_ _n th__r h_m_l_nd. Th_y _ll w_nt t_ f_nd _ n_w l_f_ _n _ s_f_ c__ntry. M_lt_n_t__n_l c_mp_n__s w_ll h_lp _r__nd 250,000 r_f_g__s. Th_y w_ll g_v_ th_m _ j_b. Th_ c_mp_n__s m_d_ th_s _ff_r _n W_rld R_f_g__ D_y. _d_d_s, _m_z_n, P_ps_ _nd St_rb_cks _r_ s_m_ _f th_ m_r_ th_n 40 c_rp_r_t__ns wh_ w_ll h_lp d_spl_c_d p__pl_ _v_r th_ n_xt thr__ y__rs. K_lly Cl_m_nts, th_ _.N. D_p_ty H_gh C_mm_ss__n_r f_r R_f_g__s, w_s h_ppy _b__t th_s n_ws. Sh_ s__d: "Th_ c_mm_tm_nts th_t b_s_n_ss_s _r_ g__ng t_ m_k_ _r_ _bs_l_t_ly _ss_nt__l."

K_lly Cl_m_nts s__d m_r_ th_n 110 m_ll__n p__pl_ h_v_ b__n d_spl_c_d w_rldw_d_. _r__nd 12 m_ll__n _f th_s_ _r_ fr_m _kr__n_. M_r_ th_n 6.8 m_ll__n h_v_ fl_d Syr__ _nd 5.7 m_ll__n h_v_ l_ft _fgh_n_st_n. Ms K_lly s__d: "_v_ry n_mb_r _s _ st_ry _f _n _nd_v_d__l f_m_ly wh_ l_ft _v_ryth_ng, s__k_ng s_f_ty, s__k_ng pr_t_ct__n _nd w_nt_ng t_ b_ _bl_ t_ r_b__ld." _n _m_z_n sp_k_sp_rs_n _xpl__n_d why h_r_ng r_f_g__s w__ld b_n_f_t th_ c_mp_ny. H_ s__d: "Th_s _s g__d f_r _s _s _ c_mp_ny b_c__s_ th_ _pp_rt_n_ty t_ _dd d_v_rs_ty t_ __r w_rkf_rc_ w_ll c_nt_n__ t_ m_k_ _s _ str_ng_r c_mp_ny." H_ _dd_d th_t: "D_v_rs_ty br_ngs _nn_v_t__n, cr__t_v_ty _nd d_ff_r_nt [p__nts _f v__w]."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the number of refugees is increasing around the world many people are fleeing their countries because of war others because they are unsafe in their homeland they all want to find a new life in a safe country multinational companies will help around 250000 refugees they will give them a job the companies made this offer on world refugee day adidas amazon pepsi and starbucks are some of the more than 40 corporations who will help displaced people over the next three years kelly clements the un deputy high commissioner for refugees was happy about this news she said the commitments that businesses are going to make are absolutely essential

kelly clements said more than 110 million people have been displaced worldwide around 12 million of these are from ukraine more than 68 million have fled syria and 57 million have left afghanistan ms kelly said every number is a story of an individual family who left everything seeking safety seeking protection and wanting to be able to rebuild an amazon spokesperson explained why hiring refugees would benefit the company he said this is good for us as a company because the opportunity to add diversity to our workforce will continue to make us a stronger company he added that diversity brings innovation creativity and different points of view

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Thenumberofrefugeesisincreasingaroundtheworld.Manypeoplearefl
eeingtheircountriesbecauseofwar;othersbecausetheyareunsafeinth
eirhomeland.Theyallwanttofindanewlifeinasafecountry.Multination
alcompanieswillhelparound250,000refugees.Theywillgivethemajob
.ThecompaniesmadethisofferonWorldRefugeeDay.Adidas,Amazon,
PepsiandStarbucksaresomeofthemorethan40corporationswhowillh
elpdisplacedpeopleoverthenextthreeyears.KellyClements,theU.N.D
eputyHighCommissionerforRefugees,washappyaboutthisnews.She
said:"Thecommitmentsthatbusinessesaregoingtomakeareabsolutel
yessential."KellyClementssaidmorethan110millionpeoplehavebeen
displacedworldwide.Around12millionofthesearefromUkraine.Moret
han6.8millionhavefledSyriaand5.7millionhaveleftAfghanistan.MsK
ellysaid:"Everynumberisastoryofanindividualfamilywholefteverythi
ng,seekingsafety,seekingprotectionandwantingtobeabletorebuild."
AnAmazonspokespersonexplainedwhyhiringrefugeeswouldbenefitt
hecompany.Hesaid:"Thisisgoodforusasacompanybecausetheoppor
tunitytoadddiversitytoourworkforcewillcontinuetomakeusastronger
company."Headdedthat:"Diversitybringsinnovation,creativityanddi
fferent[pointsofview]."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

More companies should take more responsibility and help refugees. 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. REFUGEES: Make a poster about refugees. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. WORLD REFUGEE DAY: Write a magazine article about all of us in some way celebrating World Refugee Day. 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 refugees. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to help refugees. 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.)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English Lesson: Refugees

Home | Help This Site

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS