Breaking News English Lesson: Syrian refugees

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Millions of Syrian refugees ready to go home (12th December 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Syrian refugees - Level 3

Millions of Syrian refugees could soon go home. They are waiting to see what happens in Syria following the fall of the country's former president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria with an iron fist for 24 years. After rebels took control of parts of Syria on the 6th of December, thousands of refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt started returning to their hometowns. The United Nations believes there are close to 5 million refugees in countries that border Syria. Of these, two million are school-aged children. An additional 1.3 million refugees are living in other countries, mostly in Europe. Turkey's president said: "As Syria gains more stability, God willing, voluntary, safe…returns will increase."

Many of the returning refugees have spoken to journalists. Muhammed Zin, 28, told the Associated Press news agency: "Assad was shooting us, killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over." He fled the capital Damascus in 2016, five years after Syria's civil war broke out in 2011. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters: "This is a feeling we've been waiting 14 years for. We feel psychologically free, we can express ourselves. The country is free, and the barriers have been broken down." He was hopeful for the future. He added: "Syrians have to create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's a new phase."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Syrian refugees - Level 0, Syrian refugees - Level 1 or Syrian refugees - Level 2

Sources

https://apnews.com/article/turkey-syrian-refugees-return-border-crossing-b0559be5103a7ef505e7206477f9db04
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-syrian-refugees-start-returning-from-turkey-lebanon-after-assads-fall/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14171809/thousands-Syrians-home-end-civil-war-Families-reunited.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. 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 / waiting / president / an iron fist / control / hometown / border / safe /
journalists / news agency / war / capital / feeling / express ourselves / hopeful / care
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PEACE: Students A strongly believe there will be peace in the Middle East soon; Students B strongly believe this will not happen. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. THE MIDDLE EAST: What do you know about these countries? What do you want to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	What I Want to Know
Syria
Jordan
Lebanon
Iraq
Iran
Egypt

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. PRESIDENT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "president". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. REBUILDING: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things to rebuild a country at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Schools
Airports
Internet
Water supply
Roads
Hospitals
Police force
Newspapers

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	refugee	a.	A way of controlling people, in a very strict and often violent way.
2.	former	b.	A person who leaves their country because it is not safe to live there anymore.
3.	an iron fist	c.	People who fight against the government or leaders because they want change.
4.	rebels (noun)	d.	To be at / touch the edge of another place or country.
5.	border (verb)	e.	Something or someone that was in the past but not now.
6.	stability	f.	Something you choose to do and are not forced to do.
7.	voluntary	g.	When something is calm, steady, and not changing.

Paragraph 2

8.	journalist	h.	The past of "flee," meaning to run away from danger.
9.	fled	i.	To say or show what you think or feel.
10.	civil war	j.	A person who writes or talks about news for a newspaper, TV, or website.
11.	psychologically	k.	A war between people from the same country.
12.	express	l.	Things that stop you from going somewhere or doing something.
13.	barriers	m.	About our mind and our feelings.
14.	phase	n.	A period of time in which something happens or changes.

Before reading / listening

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

Two million Syrian refugees have gone home this week. T / F
Bashar al-Assad controlled Syria for 34 years. T / F
The U.N. thinks there are over six million Syrian refugees. T / F
Most of Syria's refugees are living in Europe. T / F
Refugees are refusing to talk to journalists. T / F
A refugee called Muhammed fled Syria in 2016. T / F
A civil war started in Syria more than 14 years ago. T / F
A refugee said Syria has started a new phase in its history. T / F

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

refugee
former
returning
border
safe
journalists
fled
broke out
barriers
phase

going back
started
ex
escaped
reporters
obstacles
displaced person
stage
secure
neighbour

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

Millions of Syrian refugees could
following the fall of the country's
After rebels took
5 million refugees in countries
two million are school-
He fled the
Syria's civil war
barriers have been
He was hopeful
It's a new

former president
broken down
that border Syria
broke out in 2011
control of parts of Syria
phase
soon go home
for the future
capital Damascus in 2016
aged children

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

additional
fist
safe
soon
mostly
fall
close
thousands

Millions of Syrian refugees could (1) ______________________________________________ go home. They are waiting to see what happens in Syria following the (2) ______________________________________________ of the country's former president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria with an iron (3) ______________________________________________ for 24 years. After rebels took control of parts of Syria on the 6th of December, (4) ______________________________________________ of refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt started returning to their hometowns. The United Nations believes there are (5) ______________________________________________ to 5 million refugees in countries that border Syria. Of these, two million are school-aged children. An (6) ______________________________________________ 1.3 million refugees are living in other countries, (7) ______________________________________________ in Europe. Turkey's president said: "As Syria gains more stability, God willing, voluntary, (8) ______________________________________________ …returns will increase."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

civil
returning
feeling
shooting
war
phase
barriers
future

Many of the (9) ______________________________________________ refugees have spoken to journalists. Muhammed Zin, 28, told the Associated Press news agency: "Assad was (10) ______________________________________________ us, killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the (11) ______________________________________________ is over." He fled the capital Damascus in 2016, five years after Syria's (12) ______________________________________________ war broke out in 2011. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters: "This is a (13) ______________________________________________ we've been waiting 14 years for. We feel psychologically free, we can express ourselves. The country is free, and the (14) ______________________________________________ have been broken down." He was hopeful for the (15) ______________________________________________. He added: "Syrians have to create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's a new (16) ______________________________________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) waiting to see what happens in Syria following the fall of the _____
     a. country's former precedent
     b. country's former appears dent
     c. country's former press identity
     d. country's former president
2) He ruled Syria with ______
     a. an iron fast
     b. an iron fist
     c. an iron first
     d. an iron fits
3) there are close to 5 million refugees in countries ______
     a. that bordering Syria
     b. what border Syria
     c. there border Syria
     d. that border Syria
4) An additional 1.3 million refugees are living in other countries, ______
     a. mostly in Europe
     b. mostly on Europe
     c. mostly ying Europe
     d. most laying Europe
5) God willing, voluntary, safe…______
     a. returns will decrease
     b. returns will in crease
     c. returns will on crease
     d. returns will increase

6) Many of the returning refugees have ______
     a. speaking to journalists
     b. spoke to journalists
     c. spoke in to journalists
     d. spoken to journalists
7) Muhammed Zin, 28, told the Associated ______
     a. Press new agency
     b. Pressed news agency
     c. Press news agency
     d. Dress news agency
8) I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over. He ______
     a. bled the capital
     b. fled the capital
     c. fed the capital
     d. flied the capital
9) The country is free, and the barriers have ______
     a. been broken down
     b. being broken down
     c. bin broken down
     d. bean broken down
10) create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's ______
     a. a new phrase
     b. a new faze
     c. a new fate
     d. a new phase

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Millions of Syrian refugees (1) __________________________________________________ home. They are waiting to see what happens in Syria (2) __________________________________________________ of the country's former president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria with an iron fist for 24 years. After (3) __________________________________________________ of parts of Syria on the 6th of December, (4) __________________________________________________ in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt started returning to their hometowns. The United Nations believes there are close to 5 million refugees in (5) __________________________________________________ Syria. Of these, two million are school-aged children. An additional 1.3 million refugees are living in other countries, mostly in Europe. Turkey's president said: "As Syria (6) __________________________________________________, God willing, voluntary, safe…returns will increase."

Many (7) __________________________________________________ refugees have spoken to journalists. Muhammed Zin, 28, told the Associated Press news agency: "Assad was shooting us, killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the (8) __________________________________________________." He fled the capital Damascus in 2016, five years after Syria's (9) __________________________________________________ out in 2011. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters: "This is a feeling we've been waiting 14 years for. We feel psychologically free, we (10) __________________________________________________. The country is free, and the barriers have been broken down." He (11) __________________________________________________ the future. He added: "Syrians have to create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's (12) __________________________________________________."

Comprehension questions

What are millions of Syrian refugees waiting to see?
For how long was Bashar al-Assad leader of Syria?
Who took control of parts of Syria?
How many Syrian refugees are in countries that neighbour Syria?
What does Turkey's president hope will increase?
Who did Muhammed Zin talk to?
When did Muhammed Zin flee Syria's capital city?
What started in 2011?
What did a refugee called Malak Matar say had broken down?
What is Malak Matar hopeful for?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What are millions of Syrian refugees waiting to see?
a) their house
b) What happens in Syria
c) the destruction
d) the Syrian border
2) For how long was Bashar al-Assad leader of Syria?
a) 27 years
b) 26 years
c) 25 years
d) 24 years
3) Who took control of parts of Syria?
a) soldiers
b) the U.N.
c) rebels
d) U.S. soldiers
4) How many Syrian refugees are in countries that neighbour Syria?
a) nearly five million
b) over five million
c) exactly five million
d) around five million
5) What does Turkey's president hope will increase?
a) hope
b) returns
c) the army
d) U.N. peace keepers

6) Who did Muhammed Zin talk to?
a) the Associated Press (journalists)
b) the BBC
c) Bashar al-Assad
d) his family
7) When did Muhammed Zin flee Syria's capital city?
a) in 2014
b) in 2015
c) in 2016
d) in 2018
8) What started in 2011?
a) the Syrian Civil War
b) the Syrian Arab Army
c) the Iraq War
d) an epidemic
9) What did a refugee called Malak Matar say had broken down?
a) the rule of law
b) his car
c) society
d) barriers
10) What is Malak Matar hopeful for?
a) a new job
b) peace
c) the future
d) a new house

Role play

Role A – Schools
You think schools is the most important things a country needs after war. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the Internet, a police force or roads.

Role B – Internet
You think the Internet is the most important thing a country needs after war. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): schools, a police force or roads.

Role C – Police Force
You think a police force is the most important thing a country needs after war. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the Internet, schools or roads.

Role D – Roads
You think roads are the most important things a country needs after war. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the Internet, a police force or schools.

After reading / listening

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

'refugee'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'home'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

soon

fist

thousands

close

mostly

safe

spoken

shooting

five

14

barriers

care

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 - Syrian 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 'refugee'?
What do you know about Syria?
What do you know about the Syrian refugees?
What news have you heard about Syria?
What do you know about Bashar al-Assad?
How do you feel about the fall of Bashar al-Assad?
Why are there so many Syrian refugees?
What can you do to help the Syrian refugees?
What advice do you have for the Syrian refugees?

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 'home'?
What do you think about what you read?
How would you feel if you had to flee your home?
How would you feel if your country was at war?
Has your country ever had a civil war?
How free are you in your country?
How hopeful are you for the future?
What do you think Syria will look like in a year from now?
What questions would you like to ask the rebel leader?

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)

Millions of Syrian refugees could (1) ____ go home. They are waiting to see what happens in Syria following the fall of the country's (2) ____ president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria with an iron (3) ____ for 24 years. After rebels took control of parts of Syria on the 6th of December, thousands of refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt started returning to (4) ____ hometowns. The United Nations believes there are close to 5 million refugees in countries (5) ____ border Syria. Of these, two million are school-aged children. An additional 1.3 million refugees are living in other countries, mostly in Europe. Turkey's president said: "As Syria gains more (6) ____, God willing, voluntary, safe…returns will increase."

Many of the returning refugees have (7) ____ to journalists. Muhammed Zin, 28, told the Associated Press news agency: "Assad was shooting us, killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is (8) ____." He fled the capital Damascus in 2016, five years after Syria's civil war broke out in 2011. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters: "This is a feeling we've been (9) ____ 14 years for. We feel psychologically free, we can (10) ____ ourselves. The country is free, and the barriers have been broken (11) ____." He was hopeful for the future. He added: "Syrians have to create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's a new (12) ____."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) quick (b) once (c) last (d) soon
(a) firmer (b) farmer (c) framer (d) former
(a) palm (b) fist (c) finger (d) thumb
(a) they (b) them (c) their (d) there
(a) that (b) what (c) this (d) there
(a) stability (b) stable (c) stables (d) stabs
(a) voiced (b) talk (c) speech (d) spoken
(a) over (b) end (c) finish (d) up
(a) hope (b) waiting (c) end (d) happy
(a) repress (b) press (c) express (d) impress
(a) below (b) less (c) down (d) in
(a) phrase (b) phase (c) phaser (d) phased

Spelling

Paragraph 1

the country's frermo president
He ruled Syria with an inor fist
blseer took control of parts of Syria
An noidadtial 1.3 million refugees
As Syria gains more aitisltby
tnauyvolr, safe…returns

Paragraph 2

refugees have spoken to otulanjsisr
He fled the aapiclt Damascus
Syria's ivicl war broke out in 2011
we can pseresx ourselves
the brrsirae have been broken down
It's a new hsepa

Put the text back together

(...) fist for 24 years. After rebels took control of parts of Syria on the 6th of December, thousands of
(...) Many of the returning refugees have spoken to journalists. Muhammed Zin, 28, told the Associated Press news
(...) agency: "Assad was shooting us, killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war
(...) been broken down." He was hopeful for the future. He added: "Syrians have
(...) are close to 5 million refugees in countries that border Syria. Of these, two million are school-
(...) is over." He fled the capital Damascus in 2016, five years after Syria's civil war broke
(...) of the country's former president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria with an iron
(...) 14 years for. We feel psychologically free, we can express ourselves. The country is free, and the barriers have
(...) aged children. An additional 1.3 million refugees are living in other countries, mostly in Europe. Turkey's
( 1 ) Millions of Syrian refugees could soon go home. They are waiting to see what happens in Syria following the fall
(...) out in 2011. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters: "This is a feeling we've been waiting
(...) president said: "As Syria gains more stability, God willing, voluntary, safe…returns will increase."
(...) to create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's a new phase."
(...) refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt started returning to their hometowns. The United Nations believes there

Put the words in the right order

of Millions refugees go Syrian could home . soon
They're happens Syria . to in see waiting what
He iron fist . Syria ruled an with
took After of control parts rebels of Syria .
these, million Of two children . are school-aged
spoken have refugees Many the journalists . of to
after broke Five years Syria's war out . civil
been feeling is waiting for . a we've This
in barriers been Syria have The down . broken
is Create country organized . a well that

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Millions of Syrian refugees could soon going / go home. They are waiting to see what happens in Syria following the drop / fall of the country's former president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria with an iron / steel fist for 24 years. After rebels took / gave control of parts of Syria on the 6th of December, thousands of refugees at / in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt started returning to their / them hometowns. The United Nations believes there are close to 5 million refugees in countries that border / bordering Syria. Of these, two million are school-aged children. An addition / additional 1.3 million refugees are living in other countries, mostly on / in Europe. Turkey's president said: "As Syria gains more stability, God willing, voluntary, safety / safe…returns will increase."

Many of the returning refugees have speaking / spoken to journalists. Muhammed Zin, 28, told the Associated Press news agency: "Assad was shooting / shoot us, killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is end / over." He fled / flees the capital Damascus in 2016, five years after Syria's civil war broke up / out in 2011. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters: "This is a feeling we've being / been waiting 14 years for. We feel psychologically free / freedom, we can express ourselves. The country is free, and the barriers have been broken away / down." He was hopeful for the future. He added: "Syrians have to create a country what / that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's a new phase / phrase."

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

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

M_ll__ns _f Syr__n r_f_g__s c__ld s__n g_ h_m_. Th_y _r_ w__t_ng t_ s__ wh_t h_pp_ns _n Syr__ f_ll_w_ng th_ f_ll _f th_ c__ntry's f_rm_r pr_s_d_nt B_sh_r _l-_ss_d. H_ r_l_d Syr__ w_th _n _r_n f_st f_r 24 y__rs. _ft_r r_b_ls t__k c_ntr_l _f p_rts _f Syr__ _n th_ 6th _f D_c_mb_r, th__s_nds _f r_f_g__s _n T_rk_y, J_rd_n, L_b_n_n, _r_q _nd _gypt st_rt_d r_t_rn_ng t_ th__r h_m_t_wns. Th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns b_l__v_s th_r_ _r_ cl_s_ t_ 5 m_ll__n r_f_g__s _n c__ntr__s th_t b_rd_r Syr__. _f th_s_, tw_ m_ll__n _r_ sch__l-_g_d ch_ldr_n. _n _dd_t__n_l 1.3 m_ll__n r_f_g__s _r_ l_v_ng _n _th_r c__ntr__s, m_stly _n __r_p_. T_rk_y's pr_s_d_nt s__d: "_s Syr__ g__ns m_r_ st_b_l_ty, G_d w_ll_ng, v_l_nt_ry, s_f_…r_t_rns w_ll _ncr__s_."

M_ny _f th_ r_t_rn_ng r_f_g__s h_v_ sp_k_n t_ j__rn_l_sts. M_h_mm_d Z_n, 28, t_ld th_ _ss_c__t_d Pr_ss n_ws _g_ncy: "_ss_d w_s sh__t_ng _s, k_ll_ng _s. _ w_ll r_t_rn t_ Syr__ n_w. Th_nk G_d, th_ w_r _s _v_r." H_ fl_d th_ c_p_t_l D_m_sc_s _n 2016, f_v_ y__rs _ft_r Syr__'s c_v_l w_r br_k_ __t _n 2011. _n_th_r r_t_rn__, M_l_k M_t_r, t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "Th_s _s _ f__l_ng w_'v_ b__n w__t_ng 14 y__rs f_r. W_ f__l psych_l_g_c_lly fr__, w_ c_n _xpr_ss __rs_lv_s. Th_ c__ntry _s fr__, _nd th_ b_rr__rs h_v_ b__n br_k_n d_wn." H_ w_s h_p_f_l f_r th_ f_t_r_. H_ _dd_d: "Syr__ns h_v_ t_ cr__t_ _ c__ntry th_t _s w_ll _rg_n_z_d _nd t_k_s c_r_ _f _ts p__pl_. _t's _ n_w ph_s_."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

millions of syrian refugees could soon go home they are waiting to see what happens in syria following the fall of the countrys former president bashar alassad he ruled syria with an iron fist for 24 years after rebels took control of parts of syria on the 6th of december thousands of refugees in turkey jordan lebanon iraq and egypt started returning to their hometowns the united nations believes there are close to 5 million refugees in countries that border syria of these two million are schoolaged children an additional 13 million refugees are living in other countries mostly in europe turkeys president said as syria gains more stability god willing voluntary safereturns will increase

many of the returning refugees have spoken to journalists muhammed zin 28 told the associated press news agency assad was shooting us killing us i will return to syria now thank god the war is over he fled the capital damascus in 2016 five years after syrias civil war broke out in 2011 another returnee malak matar told reporters this is a feeling weve been waiting 14 years for we feel psychologically free we can express ourselves the country is free and the barriers have been broken down he was hopeful for the future he added syrians have to create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people its a new phase

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

MillionsofSyrianrefugeescouldsoongohome.Theyarewaitingtoseew
hathappensinSyriafollowingthefallofthecountry'sformerpresidentB
asharal-Assad.HeruledSyriawithanironfistfor24years.Afterrebelsto
okcontrolofpartsofSyriaonthe6thofDecember,thousandsofrefugeesi
nTurkey,Jordan,Lebanon,IraqandEgyptstartedreturningtotheirhom
etowns.TheUnitedNationsbelievestherearecloseto5millionrefugeesi
ncountriesthatborderSyria.Ofthese,twomillionareschool-agedchild
ren.Anadditional1.3millionrefugeesarelivinginothercountries,mostl
yinEurope.Turkey'spresidentsaid:"AsSyriagainsmorestability,Godw
illing,voluntary,safe…returnswillincrease."Manyofthereturningrefu
geeshavespokentojournalists.MuhammedZin,28,toldtheAssociated
Pressnewsagency:"Assadwasshootingus,killingus.IwillreturntoSyri
anow.ThankGod,thewarisover."HefledthecapitalDamascusin2016,f
iveyearsafterSyria'scivilwarbrokeoutin2011.Anotherreturnee,Mala
kMatar,toldreporters:"Thisisafeelingwe'vebeenwaiting14yearsfor.
Wefeelpsychologicallyfree,wecanexpressourselves.Thecountryisfre
e,andthebarriershavebeenbrokendown."Hewashopefulforthefuture
.Headded:"Syrianshavetocreateacountrythatiswellorganizedandta
kescareofitspeople.It'sanewphase."

Free writing

Write about Syrian refugees for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The Middle East is a more secure place today than it was a year ago. 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. PEACE: Write a magazine article about the U.N. helping to create a peaceful Syria. 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 the 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.)

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Breaking News English Lesson: Syrian refugees

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