Breaking News English Lesson: Vertical Napping

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Company makes booth for vertical napping (25th September 2023)

The Reading / Listening - Vertical Napping - Level 6

If you ever feel the need to sleep while standing, a company in Japan has catered to your needs. The Koyoju Plywood Corporation on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido has unveiled the "Giraffenap" booth. This ingenious cubicle allows the user to sleep in a vertical position. It will allow office workers and commuters to catch forty winks without the need for a bed. The designers say a 20-minute nap improves mental performance and increases productivity by reducing fatigue. It also boosts concentration and aids memory retention. The Giraffenap pods come in two designs – the futuristic-looking 'Spacia' and the lattice wood 'Forest'. They will go on sale in December at an expected price of around $20,000.

The Giraffenap website says there is a need to refresh while at work. It says: "It's so common these days to work non-stop without an opportunity to properly recover from physical fatigue or stress, often resulting in unwanted sleepiness during the day. Now it's time to break the stereotype that nodding off on the job is a sign of boredom or laziness." The site added that naps allow for "more efficient and fulfilling work". The website stated that napping reduces drowsiness, and improves ingenuity and creativeness. The designers offered some advice for an effective snooze. The optimal time is 15 to 20 minutes, and all naps should take place before 3 p.m. In addition, you should not lie down as this leads to deep sleep.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Vertical Napping - Level 4 or Vertical Napping - Level 5

Sources

https://g-nap.com https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/standing-sleeping-pods-coming-to-tokyo-cafe-promise-to-relieve-fatigue-and-stress https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14998728 https://news.yahoo.com/cafe-tokyo-install-vertical-pods-214036829.html

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. NAPPING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about napping. 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?
sleep / standing / needs / booth / a vertical position / designer / mental performance /
refresh / common / opportunity / fatigue / stress / stereotype / laziness / ingenuity
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NAP: Students A strongly believe schools should educate children about the importance of napping; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SLEEP: How can these things affect sleep? What can we do to improve them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Things	Improvements
Position
Studying
Food
Work
Stress
Exercise

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. REFRESH: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "refresh". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. HELP WITH SLEEP: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to help with sleep at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Reading
Darkness
Good pillow
Exercise
Counting sheep
Music
Hard work
Milk

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	cater to	a.	A person who travels some distance to work on a regular basis.
2.	unveiled	b.	Provide someone with what is needed or required.
3.	ingenious	c.	Clever, original, and inventive.
4.	commuter	d.	Extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.
5.	catch forty winks	e.	The fact of keeping something in one's memory.
6.	fatigue	f.	Showed or announced publicly for the first time.
7.	retention	g.	Take a nap.

Paragraph 2

8.	stereotype	h.	A feeling of being sleepy and lethargic; sleepiness.
9.	efficient	i.	Best or most favourable.
10.	fulfilling	j.	A short, light sleep, especially during the day.
11.	drowsiness	k.	Making someone satisfied or happy through allowing their character or abilities to develop fully.
12.	ingenuity	l.	The quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
13.	snooze	m.	A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
14.	optimal	n.	Of a person - working in a well-organized and competent way.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says most people feel the need to sleep while standing. T / F
The new sleeping cubicle is named after an animal. T / F
The designers say a 40-minute nap is perfect for reducing fatigue. T / F
One of the cubicles is a futuristic looking and is called 'Forest'. T / F
The company says many people work non-stop these days. T / F
The company said there was a stereotype that napping people are lazy. T / F
The designers said it's better not to nap after 3 p.m. T / F
The designers said it's best to lie down while napping. T / F

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

catered to
unveiled
ingenious
catch 40 winks
fatigue
common
stereotype
boredom
efficient
optimal

cliché
take a nap
monotony
made public
typical
labour-saving
provided for
best
creative
weariness

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

a company in Japan has catered
catch forty
reducing
It also boosts concentration and aids
They will go on
properly recover from
Now it's time to break
efficient and
The designers offered some
you should not lie down as this

advice for an effective snooze
fatigue
leads to deep sleep
winks
fulfilling work
the stereotype
memory retention
to your needs
physical fatigue
sale in December

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

ingenious
fatigue
expected
catered
futuristic
winks
unveiled
memory

If you ever feel the need to sleep while standing, a company in Japan has (1) _____________________ to your needs. The Koyoju Plywood Corporation on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido has (2) _____________________ the "Giraffenap" booth. This (3) _____________________ cubicle allows the user to sleep in a vertical position. It will allow office workers and commuters to catch forty (4) _____________________ without the need for a bed. The designers say a 20-minute nap improves mental performance and increases productivity by reducing (5) _____________________. It also boosts concentration and aids (6) _____________________ retention. The Giraffenap pods come in two designs – the (7) _____________________ -looking 'Spacia' and the lattice wood 'Forest'. They will go on sale in December at an (8) _____________________ price of around $20,000.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

efficient
opportunity
stereotype
optimal
refresh
deep
sleepiness
ingenuity

The Giraffenap website says there is a need to (9) _____________________ while at work. It says: "It's so common these days to work non-stop without an (10) _____________________ to properly recover from physical fatigue or stress, often resulting in unwanted (11) _____________________ during the day. Now it's time to break the (12) _____________________ that nodding off on the job is a sign of boredom or laziness." The site added that naps allow for "more (13) _____________________ and fulfilling work". The website stated that napping reduces drowsiness, and improves (14) _____________________ and creativeness. The designers offered some advice for an effective snooze. The (15) _____________________ time is 15 to 20 minutes, and all naps should take place before 3 p.m. In addition, you should not lie down as this leads to (16) _____________________ sleep.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) If you ever feel the need to sleep while standing, a company in Japan has catered _____
     a. to your need
     b. to your needs
     c. to your needy
     d. to your kneads
2) It will allow office workers and commuters to ______
     a. catch forty dinks
     b. catch forty blinks
     c. catch forty thinks
     d. catch forty winks
3) a 20-minute nap improves mental performance and increases productivity ______
     a. by reducing fatigue
     b. by reducing fatigues
     c. by reducing fatigued
     d. by reducing far teak
4) It also boosts concentration and ______
     a. aids memory intention
     b. aids memory abstention
     c. aids memory retention
   d. aids memory contention
5) They will go on sale in December at ______
     a. an expected price
     b. unexpected price
     c. an expect it price
     d. an ex-specked price

6) Now it's time to ______
     a. break the stereos type
     b. break the stereo tape
     c. break the stereo tip
     d. break the stereotype
7) The site added that naps allow for more efficient ______
     a. and full, filling work
     b. and full, fill-in work
     c. and full, filling-in work
     d. and fulfilling work
8) The website stated that napping reduces drowsiness, and improves ______
     a. ingenuity and creatively
     b. ingenuity and creationless
     c. ingenuous and creativeness
     d. ingenuity and creativeness
9) The designers offered some advice for ______
     a. ineffective snooze
     b. in effective snooze
     c. an effective snooze
     d. an effect tiff snooze
10) In addition, you should not lie down as this leads ______
     a. too deep sleep
     b. to deep sleep
     c. to deeps sleep
     d. two deep sleeps

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

If you ever feel the need to (1) ____________________, a company in Japan has catered to your needs. The Koyoju Plywood Corporation on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido (2) ____________________ "Giraffenap" booth. This ingenious cubicle allows the user to sleep in a vertical position. It will allow office workers and commuters to (3) ____________________ without the need for a bed. The designers say a 20-minute nap improves mental performance and increases productivity (4) ____________________. It also boosts concentration and (5) ____________________. The Giraffenap pods come in two designs – the futuristic-looking 'Spacia' and the lattice wood 'Forest'. They will go on sale in December at (6) ____________________ of around $20,000.

The Giraffenap website says there is a need (7) ____________________ at work. It says: "It's so common these days to work non-stop without an opportunity to properly recover from (8) ____________________ stress, often resulting in unwanted sleepiness during the day. Now it's time to break the stereotype that (9) ____________________ the job is a sign of boredom or laziness." The site added that naps allow for "more (10) ____________________ work". The website stated that napping reduces drowsiness, and improves ingenuity and creativeness. The designers offered some advice for an effective snooze. The (11) ____________________ 15 to 20 minutes, and all naps should take place before 3 p.m. In addition, you should not lie down as this (12) ____________________ sleep.

Comprehension questions

Who has catered to people's needs?
How many winks can people catch using the napping pod?
What do the designers say a 20-minute nap reduces?
What's the name of the lattice wood capsule?
How much will the napping capsules probably cost?
What's it common to do at work nowadays?
What did the Giraffenap company say it was time to break?
What time should people not take a nap after?
What's the best length of time for a good snooze?
What does lying down lead to?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who has catered to people's needs?
a) a sleep expert
b) the Giraffenap company
c) a catering company
d) a zoo
2) How many winks can people catch using the napping pod?
a) 30
b) 24
c) 14
d) 40
3) What do the designers say a 20-minute nap reduces?
a) sleep
b) mistakes
c) fatigue
d) headaches
4) What's the name of the lattice wood capsule?
a) Forest
b) Amazon
c) Jungle
d) Treetops
5) How much will the napping capsules probably cost?
a) around $10,000
b) around $20,000
c) around $15,000
d) around $25,000

6) What's it common to do at work nowadays?
a) work non-stop
b) sleep
c) yawn
d) burn out
7) What did the Giraffenap company say it was time to break?
a) beds
b) old habits
c) a stereotype
d) time
8) What time should people not take a nap after?
a) 3 p.m.
b) 2 p.m.
c) 4 p.m.
d) 1 p.m.
9) What's the best length of time for a good snooze?
a) 20 to 25 minutes
b) 10 to 15 minutes
c) 25 to 30 minutes
d) 15 to 20 minutes
10) What does lying down lead to?
a) bad dreams
b) headaches
c) deep sleep
d) no work

Role play

Role A – Reading
You think reading is the best thing to get to sleep. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): darkness, a good pillow or music.

Role B – Darkness
You think darkness is the best thing to get to sleep. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): reading, a good pillow or music.

Role C – Good Pillow
You think a good pillow is the best thing to get to sleep. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): darkness, reading or music.

Role D – Music
You think music is the best thing to get to sleep. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): darkness, a good pillow or reading.

After reading / listening

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

'vertical'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'nap'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

need

booth

allow

fatigue

boosts

sale

common

break

sign

reduces

optimal

lie

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 - Vertical Napping

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 'vertical'?
What is the best position in which to sleep?
What do you think of sleeping vertically?
Would you like a Giraffenap booth?
What problems do you have sleeping?
How important is it to take a nap?
How often do you catch forty winks?
What do you do to boost your concentration?
What do you do to aid your memory retention?

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 'nap'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you do to refresh yourself?
What do you do that makes you feel fatigued?
Where and when do you nod off?
How fulfilling is the work you do?
What can we do to reduce drowsiness?
What's the best amount of time to sleep each day?
What questions would you like to ask the designers?

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)

If you ever feel the (1) ____ to sleep while standing, a company in Japan has (2) ____ to your needs. The Koyoju Plywood Corporation on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido has unveiled the "Giraffenap" booth. This (3) ____ cubicle allows the user to sleep in a vertical position. It will allow office workers and commuters to catch forty (4) ____ without the need for a bed. The designers say a 20-minute nap improves mental performance and increases productivity by reducing fatigue. It also boosts concentration and aids memory (5) ____. The Giraffenap pods come in two designs – the futuristic-looking 'Spacia' and the lattice wood 'Forest'. They will go on sale in December at an (6) ____ price of around $20,000.

The Giraffenap website says there is a need to refresh while at work. It says: "It's so (7) ____ these days to work non-stop without an opportunity to properly recover from physical fatigue or stress, often resulting (8) ____ unwanted sleepiness during the day. Now it's time to break the stereotype that nodding (9) ____ on the job is a sign of boredom or laziness." The site added that naps allow for "more efficient and (10) ____ work". The website stated that napping reduces drowsiness, and improves ingenuity and creativeness. The designers offered some advice for an effective (11) ____. The optimal time is 15 to 20 minutes, and all naps should take place before 3 p.m. In addition, you should not lie down as this leads to (12) ____ sleep.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) need (b) necessary (c) necessitate (d) needy
(a) cratered (b) created (c) catered (d) creative
(a) ingenuous (b) genial (c) ingenious (d) genie
(a) flicks (b) blinks (c) dinks (d) winks
(a) retention (b) attraction (c) detention (d) intention
(a) expect (b) expected (c) expects (d) expecting
(a) commoner (b) commonly (c) commons (d) common
(a) at (b) in (c) of (d) by
(a) up (b) by (c) off (d) at
(a) filing (b) filling (c) refuelling (d) fulfilling
(a) fizzle (b) muzzle (c) nozzle (d) snooze
(a) long (b) deep (c) broad (d) wide

Spelling

Paragraph 1

ctdraee to your needs
lvuiende the "Giraffenap" booth
This enoiingsu cubicle
office workers and trmsmeuoc
aids memory enettirno
ealittc wood

Paragraph 2

physical ftiuaeg
break the erypeotets
a sign of boredom or snliaesz
more niceiftef and fulfilling work
napping reduces ndsoriswse
improves utiegynni and creativeness

Put the text back together

(...)   common these days to work non-stop without an opportunity to properly recover from physical fatigue
(...)   concentration and aids memory retention. The Giraffenap pods come in two designs – the futuristic-
(...)   on the job is a sign of boredom or laziness." The site added that naps allow
(...)   needs. The Koyoju Plywood Corporation on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido has unveiled
(...)   and creativeness. The designers offered some advice for an effective snooze. The optimal time is 15 to 20 minutes,
(...)   and all naps should take place before 3 p.m. In addition, you should not lie down as this leads to deep sleep.
(...)   and commuters to catch forty winks without the need for a bed. The designers say a 20-minute nap
(...)   The Giraffenap website says there is a need to refresh while at work. It says: "It's so
(...)   or stress, often resulting in unwanted sleepiness during the day. Now it's time to break the stereotype that nodding off
(...)   for "more efficient and fulfilling work". The website stated that napping reduces drowsiness, and improves ingenuity
( 1 ) If you ever feel the need to sleep while standing, a company in Japan has catered to your
(...)   improves mental performance and increases productivity by reducing fatigue. It also boosts
(...)   looking 'Spacia' and the lattice wood 'Forest'. They will go on sale in December at an expected price of around $20,000.
(...)   the "Giraffenap" booth. This ingenious cubicle allows the user to sleep in a vertical position. It will allow office workers

Put the words in the right order

the to sleep Feel while need standing .
has Japanese catered company to needs . your A
cubicle ingenious This user to allows sleep . the
catch forty will It commuters winks . to allow
nap mental 20-minute performance . a say improves Designers
refresh a need at while work . to There's
Work to an opportunity without properly recover . non-stop
Now the break it's to stereotype . time
napping website stated drowsiness . The that reduces
some an offered effective snooze . advice for Designers

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

If you ever feel the need to sleep while standing, a company in Japan has sated / catered to your needs. The Koyoju Plywood Corporation on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido has unveiled / unravelled the "Giraffenap" booth. This ingenious cuticle / cubicle allows the user to sleep in / on a vertical position. It will allow office workers and commuters to handle / catch forty winks without the need on / for a bed. The designers say a 20-minute nap improves mental / mentally performance and increases productivity by reducing fatigue. It also boasts / boosts concentration and aids memory retention. The Giraffenap pods enter / come in two designs – the futuristic-looking 'Spacia' and the lattice wood 'Forest'. They will go on / in sale in December at an expected price of around $20,000.

The Giraffenap website says there is a need / needy to refresh while at work. It says: "It's so commonly / common these days to work non-stop without an opportunity to proper / properly recover from physical fatigue or stress, often resulting / consequences in unwanted sleepiness during the day. Now it's time to break the stereotype that nodding on / off on the job is a sign of boredom or laziness." The site added that naps allow to / for "more efficient and fulfilling work". The website stated that napping reduces drowsy / drowsiness, and improves ingenuity and creativeness. The designers offered some advice / advise for an effective snooze. The optimal / subliminal time is 15 to 20 minutes, and all naps should take place before 3 p.m. In addition, you should not lie down as this leads to bottomless / deep sleep.

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)

_f y__ _v_r f__l th_ n__d t_ sl__p wh_l_ st_nd_ng, _ c_mp_ny _n J_p_n h_s c_t_r_d t_ y__r n__ds. Th_ K_y_j_ Plyw__d C_rp_r_t__n _n J_p_n's n_rth_rnm_st _sl_nd _f H_kk__d_ h_s _nv__l_d th_ "G_r_ff_n_p" b__th. Th_s _ng_n___s c_b_cl_ _ll_ws th_ _s_r t_ sl__p _n _ v_rt_c_l p_s_t__n. _t w_ll _ll_w _ff_c_ w_rk_rs _nd c_mm_t_rs t_ c_tch f_rty w_nks w_th__t th_ n__d f_r _ b_d. Th_ d_s_gn_rs s_y _ 20-m_n_t_ n_p _mpr_v_s m_nt_l p_rf_rm_nc_ _nd _ncr__s_s pr_d_ct_v_ty by r_d_c_ng f_t_g__. _t _ls_ b__sts c_nc_ntr_t__n _nd __ds m_m_ry r_t_nt__n. Th_ G_r_ff_n_p p_ds c_m_ _n tw_ d_s_gns – th_ f_t_r_st_c-l__k_ng 'Sp_c__' _nd th_ l_tt_c_ w__d 'F_r_st'. Th_y w_ll g_ _n s_l_ _n D_c_mb_r _t _n _xp_ct_d pr_c_ _f _r__nd $20,000.

Th_ G_r_ff_n_p w_bs_t_ s_ys th_r_ _s _ n__d t_ r_fr_sh wh_l_ _t w_rk. _t s_ys: "_t's s_ c_mm_n th_s_ d_ys t_ w_rk n_n-st_p w_th__t _n _pp_rt_n_ty t_ pr_p_rly r_c_v_r fr_m phys_c_l f_t_g__ _r str_ss, _ft_n r_s_lt_ng _n _nw_nt_d sl__p_n_ss d_r_ng th_ d_y. N_w _t's t_m_ t_ br__k th_ st_r__typ_ th_t n_dd_ng _ff _n th_ j_b _s _ s_gn _f b_r_d_m _r l_z_n_ss." Th_ s_t_ _dd_d th_t n_ps _ll_w f_r "m_r_ _ff_c__nt _nd f_lf_ll_ng w_rk". Th_ w_bs_t_ st_t_d th_t n_pp_ng r_d_c_s dr_ws_n_ss, _nd _mpr_v_s _ng_n__ty _nd cr__t_v_n_ss. Th_ d_s_gn_rs _ff_r_d s_m_ _dv_c_ f_r _n _ff_ct_v_ sn__z_. Th_ _pt_m_l t_m_ _s 15 t_ 20 m_n_t_s, _nd _ll n_ps sh__ld t_k_ pl_c_ b_f_r_ 3 pm. _n _dd_t__n, y__ sh__ld n_t l__ d_wn _s th_s l__ds t_ d__p sl__p.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

if you ever feel the need to sleep while standing a company in japan has catered to your needs the koyoju plywood corporation on japans northernmost island of hokkaido has unveiled the giraffenap booth this ingenious cubicle allows the user to sleep in a vertical position it will allow office workers and commuters to catch forty winks without the need for a bed the designers say a 20minute nap improves mental performance and increases productivity by reducing fatigue it also boosts concentration and aids memory retention the giraffenap pods come in two designs the futuristiclooking spacia and the lattice wood forest they will go on sale in december at an expected price of around 20000

the giraffenap website says there is a need to refresh while at work it says its so common these days to work nonstop without an opportunity to properly recover from physical fatigue or stress often resulting in unwanted sleepiness during the day now its time to break the stereotype that nodding off on the job is a sign of boredom or laziness the site added that naps allow for more efficient and fulfilling work the website stated that napping reduces drowsiness and improves ingenuity and creativeness the designers offered some advice for an effective snooze the optimal time is 15 to 20 minutes and all naps should take place before 3 p.m in addition you should not lie down as this leads to deep sleep

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Ifyoueverfeeltheneedtosleepwhilestanding,acompanyinJapanhasca
teredtoyourneeds.TheKoyojuPlywoodCorporationonJapan'snorther
nmostislandofHokkaidohasunveiledthe"Giraffenap"booth.Thisinge
niouscubicleallowstheusertosleepinaverticalposition.Itwillallowoffic
eworkersandcommuterstocatchfortywinkswithouttheneedforabed.
Thedesignerssaya20-minutenapimprovesmentalperformanceandin
creasesproductivitybyreducingfatigue.Italsoboostsconcentrationan
daidsmemoryretention.TheGiraffenappodscomeintwodesigns–thef
uturistic-looking'Spacia'andthelatticewood'Forest'.Theywillgoonsa
leinDecemberatanexpectedpriceofaround$20,000.TheGiraffenapw
ebsitesaysthereisaneedtorefreshwhileatwork.Itsays:"It'ssocommo
nthesedaystoworknon-stopwithoutanopportunitytoproperlyreco
verfromphysicalfatigueorstress,oftenresultinginunwantedsleepines
sduringtheday.Nowit'stimetobreakthestereotypethatnoddingoffont
hejobisasignofboredomorlaziness."Thesiteaddedthatnapsallowfor"
moreefficientandfulfillingwork".Thewebsitestatedthatnappingreduc
esdrowsiness,andimprovesingenuityandcreativeness.Thedesigners
offeredsomeadviceforaneffectivesnooze.Theoptimaltimeis15to20m
inutes,andallnapsshouldtakeplacebefore3p.m.Inaddition,youshoul
dnotliedownasthisleadstodeepsleep.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

There should be a compulsory daily national nap time. 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. NAPPING: Make a poster about napping. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. COMPULSORY NAPS: Write a magazine article about making afternoon naps compulsory. 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 napping. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how best to nap. 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: Vertical Napping

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