The Reading / Listening - Visas - Level 3

China has made a big change to its visa system. More people can now visit the country without a visa. Citizens of 74 countries now have visa-free access to enter for up to 30 days. In addition, citizens from 54 countries can stay in-transit for 240 hours, but they must have a ticket to a third country. China's government is slowly expanding its visa-free entry process, so it can grow its tourism industry and its economy. It started allowing visitors from more countries in 2023. Almost every European country and many nations from South America, Asia, and the Middle East have been added since then. More than 20 million foreign visitors entered China without a visa in 2024.

The number of Chinese tourists at sights in China still greatly outnumbers international tourists. However, the country is preparing for a big increase in the number of overseas travellers. Tour companies are trying to find guides and staff, to help more and more customers. Gao Jun, an English-speaking tour guide with 20 years of experience, is very busy. He said: "I'm flooded with tours, and I'm struggling to keep up." He has started a new business to train new tour guides. Jenny Zhao, a director of the luxury WildChina tour company, said: "The new visa policies are 100 per cent beneficial to us." She said business was up by 50 per cent compared to before the pandemic.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Visas - Level 0,  Visas - Level 1   or  Visas - Level 2

Sources
  • https://apnews.com/article/china-visa-free-entry-transit-tourism-48ff1727c87e11becd18e6d1a113f49d
  • https://macaonews.org/news/greater-china/china-tourism-visa-free-policy/
  • https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/ap-as-china-visa-free-1.500190397


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. TRAVEL VISAS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about travel visas. 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?
       China / big changes / visa / countries / transit / ticket / tourism / industry / visitors /
       sights / overseas / guides / tours / experience / busy / tour guides / wild / luxury
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NO VISAS: Students A strongly believe we don't need visas to travel overseas; Students B strongly believe we do. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CHINA: What do you know about China? 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

History

 

 

Food

 

 

Sport

 

 

Arts

 

 

Geography

 

 

Cities

 

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

  • The Great Wall of China
  • Big Ben
  • The Pyramids
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Taj Mahal
  • Niagara Falls
  • The Parthenon
  • Mount Fuji

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. system a. The chance to enter or use something.
      2. access (noun) b. People who belong to a country.
      3. in addition c. A way to do or organize something.
      4. citizens d. Getting bigger or growing.
      5. in-transit e. Going through a place while traveling to another place.
      6. expanding f. Many businesses that do the same kind of work.
      7. industry g. Also; something extra.

    Paragraph 2

      8. tourist h. Good or helpful.
      9. sights (noun) i. Having too much work.
      10. outnumber j. Finding something hard to do.
      11. flooded k. A person who travels for fun.
      12. struggling l. Famous or interesting places to visit.
      13. keep up m. To move or work as fast as someone or something.
      14. beneficial n. To be more in number than something else.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. China has made a few small changes to its visa system.     T / F
  2. Citizens of 74 countries can spend 2 months in China without a visa.     T / F
  3. Visitors from 54 countries can stay in-transit in China for 10 days.     T / F
  4. Not all citizens from European countries can visit China visa free.     T / F
  5. International tourists now outnumber Chinese tourists at sights in China. T / F
  6. Tour companies in China are in need of tour guides.     T / F
  7. A tour guide said he experienced floods on a recent tour.     T / F
  8. A director of a luxury tour company said visas were bad for business.    T / F

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

  1. system
  2. citizens
  3. expanding
  4. allowing
  5. foreign
  6. greatly
  7. staff
  8. flooded
  9. struggling
  10. beneficial
  1. increasing
  2. trying hard
  3. process
  4. very much
  5. letting
  6. snowed under
  7. passport holders
  8. helpful
  9. overseas
  10. workers

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

  1. have visa-free access to
  2. stay in-
  3. China's government is slowly expanding
  4. the Middle
  5. 20 million foreign visitors entered China
  6. the country is preparing
  7. an English-speaking tour guide with
  8. I'm struggling to
  9. The new visa policies are 100 per cent
  10. She said business was
  1. its visa-free entry process
  2. beneficial to us
  3. without a visa in 2024
  4. for a big increase
  5. transit for 240 hours
  6. up by 50 per cent
  7. East
  8. 20 years of experience
  9. enter for up to 30 days
  10. keep up

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
ticket
industry
system
since
transit
access
nations
expanding

China has made a big change to its visa (1) ______________________________________________. More people can now visit the country without a visa. Citizens of 74 countries now have visa-free (2) ______________________________________________ to enter for up to 30 days. In addition, citizens from 54 countries can stay in-(3) ______________________________________________ for 240 hours, but they must have a (4) ______________________________________________ to a third country. China's government is slowly (5) ______________________________________________ its visa-free entry process, so it can grow its tourism (6) ______________________________________________ and its economy. It started allowing visitors from more countries in 2023. Almost every European country and many (7) ______________________________________________ from South America, Asia, and the Middle East have been added (8) ______________________________________________ then. More than 20 million foreign visitors entered China without a visa in 2024.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
experience
train
sights
compared
preparing
struggling
beneficial
guides

The number of Chinese tourists at (9) ______________________________________________ in China still greatly outnumbers international tourists. However, the country is (10) ______________________________________________ for a big increase in the number of overseas travellers. Tour companies are trying to find (11) ______________________________________________ and staff, to help more and more customers. Gao Jun, an English-speaking tour guide with 20 years of (12) ______________________________________________, is very busy. He said: "I'm flooded with tours, and I'm (13) ______________________________________________ to keep up." He has started a new business to (14) ______________________________________________ new tour guides. Jenny Zhao, a director of the luxury WildChina tour company, said: "The new visa policies are 100 per cent (15) ______________________________________________ to us." She said business was up by 50 per cent (16) ______________________________________________ to before the pandemic.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) China has made a big change to ______
     a.  it's visa system
     b.  its visa systemic
     c.  its visa system
     d.  that's visa system
2)  stay in-transit for 240 hours, but they must have a ticket to ______
     a.  a three country
     b.  a thirds country
     c.  a third country
     d.  a thirdly country
3)  expanding its visa-free entry process, so it can grow its tourism industry ______
     a.  and its economy
     b.  and its economic
     c.  end its economy
     d.  and its economics
4)  It started allowing visitors from more ______
     a.  countries on 2023
     b.  countries at 2023
     c.  countries in 2023
     d.  countries to 2023
5)  many nations from South America, Asia, and the Middle East have been ______
     a.  add it since then
     b.  added since them
     c.  added sins then
     d.  added since then

6)  tourists at sights in China still greatly ______
     a.  outnumber international tourists
     b.  outnumbers international touristy
     c.  outnumbers international tourist
     d.  outnumbers international tourists
7)  the country is preparing for a big increase in the number ______
     a.  off overseas travellers
     b.  of oversees travellers
     c.  of overseas travellers
     d.  of over seats travellers
8)  I'm flooded with tours, and I'm struggling ______
     a.  to kept up
     b.  to keep up
     c.  to keep pup
     d.  took key pup
9)  The new visa policies are 100 per cent ______
     a.  benefit to us
     b.  beneficial to us
     c.  beneficial too us
     d.  been official to us
10)  She said business was up by 50 per cent _______
     a.  compared at before
     b.  compared to be four
     c.  compared for before
     d.  compared to before

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

China has made a big change to (1) __________________________________________________. More people can now visit the country without a visa. Citizens of 74 countries now have visa-free (2) __________________________________________________ for up to 30 days. In addition, citizens from 54 countries can stay in-transit for 240 hours, but they must have a (3) __________________________________________________ third country. China's government is slowly expanding its visa-free entry process, so it can grow (4) __________________________________________________ and its economy. It started allowing visitors from more countries in 2023. Almost every European country and (5) __________________________________________________ South America, Asia, and the Middle East have been added since then. More than 20 million foreign visitors entered China (6) __________________________________________________ in 2024.

The number of Chinese (7) __________________________________________________ in China still greatly outnumbers international tourists. However, the country is preparing for a big increase in (8) __________________________________________________ overseas travellers. Tour companies are trying to find guides and staff, to (9) __________________________________________________ more customers. Gao Jun, an English-speaking tour guide with 20 years of experience, is very busy. He said: "I'm flooded with tours, and I'm (10) __________________________________________________ up." He has started a new business to train new tour guides. Jenny Zhao, a director of the luxury WildChina tour company, said: "The new visa policies are 100 per cent (11) __________________________________________________." She said business was up by 50 per cent (12) __________________________________________________ the pandemic.

Comprehension questions

  1. For how long can citizens from 74 countries visit China without a visa?
  2. For how long can citizens from 54 countries visit China in-transit?
  3. What does China want to grow besides its economy?
  4. When did China start allowing more tourists into the country?
  5. How many overseas visitors went to China in 2024?
  6. What does the article say outnumbers international tourists at sights?
  7. What are tour companies trying to find?
  8. What did a tour guide say he was flooded with?
  9. What kind of tours does the company WildChina offer?
  10. By how much has business increased at WildChina since the pandemic?

Multiple choice quiz

1) For how long can citizens from 74 countries visit China without a visa?
a) 240 hours
b) 60 days
c) one month
d) 30 days
2) For how long can citizens from 54 countries visit China in-transit?
a) one week
b) 240 hours (10 days)
c) two weeks
d) 48 hours
3) What does China want to grow besides its economy?
a) its place in top travel destinations
b) rice
c) its tourism industry
d) its own food
4) When did China start allowing more tourists into the country?
a) 2023
b) 2022
c) 2021
d) 2020
5) How many overseas visitors went to China in 2024?
a) around 20 million
b) exactly 20 million
c) more than 20 million
d) just fewer than 20 million

6) What does the article say outnumbers international tourists at sights?
a) staff
b) Chinese tourists
c) tour guides
d) Terracotta Warriors
7) What are tour companies trying to find?
a) hotel rooms
b) new places to visit
c) a secret, lost city
d) guides and staff
8) What did a tour guide say he was flooded with?
a) tours
b) water
c) requests
d) complaints
9) What kind of tours does the company WildChina offer?
a) budget tours
b) adventure tours
c) luxury tours
d) safaris
10) By how much has business increased at WildChina since the pandemic?
a) by 60%
b) by 50%
c) by 40%
d) by 30%

Role play

Role  A – The Great Wall of China
You think the Great Wall of China is the world's greatest sight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sights. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Pyramids, Taj Mahal or Mount Fuji.

Role  B – The Pyramids
You think the Pyramids is the world's greatest sight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sights. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal or Mount Fuji.

Role  C – Taj Mahal
You think Taj Mahal is the world's greatest sight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sights. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Pyramids, the Great Wall of China or Mount Fuji.

Role  D – Mount Fuji
You think Mount Fuji is the world's greatest sight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sights. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Pyramids, Taj Mahal or the Great Wall of China.

After reading / listening

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

'China'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'visa'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • change
    • access
    • 54
    • slowly
    • started
    • almost
    • number
    • big
    • help
    • flooded
    • luxury
    • business

    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 - Visas

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'China'?
    3. What do you know about China?
    4. Where in China would you like to go?
    5. What do you think of visas?
    6. What are the good things about travelling overseas?
    7. What do you think of lots of tourists coming to your country?
    8. How important is the tourism industry in your country?
    9. How many countries have you visited?
    10. Which countries would you like to visit?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'visa'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What are the most famous places in China to visit?
    5. How would the world be different without visa regulations?
    6. What are the bad things about travelling overseas?
    7. What are the best sights in your country?
    8. What do you think of the job of a tour guide?
    9. What do you know about overtourism?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a tour guide in China?

    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)

    China has made a big (1) ____ to its visa system. More people can now visit the country without a visa. Citizens of 74 countries now have visa-free (2) ____ to enter for up to 30 days. In addition, citizens from 54 countries can stay (3) ____-transit for 240 hours, but they must have a ticket to a third country. China's government is slowly expanding its visa-free entry process, (4) ____ it can grow its tourism industry and its economy. It started allowing visitors from more countries in 2023. Almost (5) ____ European country and many nations from South America, Asia, and the Middle East have been added (6) ____ then. More than 20 million foreign visitors entered China without a visa in 2024.

    The number of Chinese tourists at (7) ____ in China still greatly outnumbers international tourists. However, the country is preparing (8) ____ a big increase in the number of overseas travellers. Tour companies are trying to find guides and (9) ____, to help more and more customers. Gao Jun, an English-speaking tour guide with 20 years (10) ____ experience, is very busy. He said: "I'm flooded with tours, and I'm struggling to keep (11) ____." He has started a new business to train new tour guides. Jenny Zhao, a director of the luxury WildChina tour company, said: "The new visa policies are 100 per cent (12) ____ to us." She said business was up by 50 per cent compared to before the pandemic.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     change     (b)     charge     (c)     changing     (d)     charger    
    2. (a)     excess     (b)     recess     (c)     access     (d)     success    
    3. (a)     out     (b)     up     (c)     in     (d)     to    
    4. (a)     that     (b)     how     (c)     that     (d)     so    
    5. (a)     every     (b)     everywhere     (c)     whole     (d)     all    
    6. (a)     for     (b)     since     (c)     before     (d)     in    
    7. (a)     sight     (b)     sites     (c)     sighs     (d)     sights    
    8. (a)     of     (b)     for     (c)     from     (d)     at    
    9. (a)     stuff     (b)     stiff     (c)     staff     (d)     staffer    
    10. (a)     by     (b)     in     (c)     to     (d)     of    
    11. (a)     down     (b)     in     (c)     out     (d)     up    
    12. (a)     benefit     (b)     beneficial     (c)     benefits     (d)     beneficiary

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a big change to its visa symtes
    2. cnziseit of 74 countries
    3. have visa-free csseca
    4. stay in- rtnitsa for 240 hours
    5. so it can grow its tourism sdinrtuy
    6. More than 20 million figroen visitors

    Paragraph 2

    1. greatly runutobems international tourists
    2. the country is preparing for a big eacneisr
    3. I'm oefdold with tours
    4. The new visa eioispcl
    5. 100 per cent eicefanilb to us
    6. mapdcore to before the pandemic

    Put the text back together

    (    )      addition, citizens from 54 countries can stay in-transit for 240 hours, but they must have a ticket to a third
    (    )      beneficial to us." She said business was up by 50 per cent compared to before the pandemic.
    (  1  )     China has made a big change to its visa system. More people can now visit the country without a
    (    )      country. China's government is slowly expanding its visa-free entry process, so it can grow its tourism
    (    )      every European country and many nations from South America, Asia, and the Middle East have been added since
    (    )      guide with 20 years of experience, is very busy. He said: "I'm flooded with tours, and I'm struggling to keep
    (    )      industry and its economy. It started allowing visitors from more countries in 2023. Almost
    (    )      of the luxury WildChina tour company, said: "The new visa policies are 100 per cent
    (    )      The number of Chinese tourists at sights in China still greatly outnumbers international
    (    )      then. More than 20 million foreign visitors entered China without a visa in 2024.
    (    )      tourists. However, the country is preparing for a big increase in the number of overseas travellers. Tour companies are
    (    )      trying to find guides and staff, to help more and more customers. Gao Jun, an English-speaking tour
    (    )      up." He has started a new business to train new tour guides. Jenny Zhao, a director
    (    )      visa. Citizens of 74 countries now have visa-free access to enter for up to 30 days. In

    Put the words in the right order

    1. China   has   visa   to   system   made   a   its   change   .
    2. More   the   visit   country   people   now   can   .
    3. Citizens   in-transit   from   countries   54   stay   can   .
    4. They   tickets   third   have   a   to   must   country   .
    5. It   countries   more   allowing   started   visitors   from   .
    6. The   in   sights   tourists   at   of   China   number   .
    7. A   the   increase   of   travellers   in   number   big   .
    8. Tour   find   trying   companies   are   guides   to   .
    9. New   100%   us   to   are   beneficial   visa   policies   .
    10. Business   by   to   up   50%   before   compared   was   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    China has made a big charge / change to its visa system. More people can now visit the country without / within a visa. Citizens of 74 countries now have visa-free excess / access to enter for up / down to 30 days. In addition, citizens from 54 countries can stay on-transit / in-transit for 240 hours, but they must have a ticket to a third country. China's government is slowly expanding its / it's visa-free entry process, so it can grow its tourism industry and its economic / economy. It started allowing visitors from mere / more countries in 2023. Almost every European country and many national / nations from South America, Asia, and the Middle East have been added since then. More than 20 million foreign visitors entry / entered China without a visa in 2024.

    The number / numeral of Chinese tourists at sights in China still greatly outnumbers international tourists. However, the country is preparation / preparing for a big increase in / on the number of overseas travellers. Tour companies are trying to find guides and stuff / staff, to help more and more customers. Gao Jun, an English-speaking tour guide with 20 years off / of experience, is very busy. He said: "I'm flooded with tears / tours, and I'm struggling to keep up." He has started a new / news business to train new tour guides. Jenny Zhao, a director / direction of the luxury WildChina tour company, said: "The new visa policies are 100 per cent benefit / beneficial to us." She said business was up by 50 per cent compared at / to before the pandemic.

    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)

    Ch_na  has  mad_  a  b_g  chang_  t_  _ts  v_sa  syst_m.  M_r_  p__pl_  can  n_w  v_s_t  th_  c__ntry  w_th__t  a  v_sa.  C_t_z_ns  _f  74  c__ntr__s  n_w  hav_  v_sa-fr__  acc_ss  t_  _nt_r  f_r  _p  t_  30  days.  _n  add_t__n,  c_t_z_ns  fr_m  54  c__ntr__s  can  stay  _n-trans_t  f_r  240  h__rs,  b_t  th_y  m_st  hav_  a  t_ck_t  t_  a  th_rd  c__ntry.  Ch_na's  g_v_rnm_nt  _s  sl_wly  _xpand_ng  _ts  v_sa-fr__  _ntry  pr_c_ss,  s_  _t  can  gr_w  _ts  t__r_sm  _nd_stry  and  _ts  _c_n_my.  _t  start_d  all_w_ng  v_s_t_rs  fr_m  m_r_  c__ntr__s  _n  2023.  Alm_st  _v_ry  __r_p_an  c__ntry  and  many  nat__ns  fr_m  S__th  Am_r_ca,  As_a,  and  th_  M_ddl_  _ast  hav_  b__n  add_d  s_nc_  th_n.  M_r_  than  20  m_ll__n  f_r__gn  v_s_t_rs  _nt_r_d  Ch_na  w_th__t  a  v_sa  _n  2024.

    Th_  n_mb_r  _f  Ch_n_s_  t__r_sts  at  s_ghts  _n  Ch_na  st_ll  gr_atly  __tn_mb_rs  _nt_rnat__nal  t__r_sts.  H_w_v_r,  th_  c__ntry  _s  pr_par_ng  f_r  a  b_g  _ncr_as_  _n  th_  n_mb_r  _f  _v_rs_as  trav_ll_rs.  T__r  c_mpan__s  ar_  try_ng  t_  f_nd  g__d_s  and  staff,  t_  h_lp  m_r_  and  m_r_  c_st_m_rs.  Ga_  J_n,  an  _ngl_sh-sp_ak_ng  t__r  g__d_  w_th  20  y_ars  _f  _xp_r__nc_,  _s  v_ry  b_sy.  H_  sa_d:  "_'m  fl__d_d  w_th  t__rs,  and  _'m  str_ggl_ng  t_  k__p  _p."  H_  has  start_d  a  n_w  b_s_n_ss  t_  tra_n  n_w  t__r  g__d_s.  J_nny  Zha_,  a  d_r_ct_r  _f  th_  l_x_ry  W_ldCh_na  t__r  c_mpany,  sa_d:  "Th_  n_w  v_sa  p_l_c__s  ar_  100  p_r  c_nt  b_n_f_c_al  t_  _s."  Sh_  sa_d  b_s_n_ss  was  _p  by  50  p_r  c_nt  c_mpar_d  t_  b_f_r_  th_  pand_m_c.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    china has made a big change to its visa system more people can now visit the country without a visa citizens of 74 countries now have visafree access to enter for up to 30 days in addition citizens from 54 countries can stay intransit for 240 hours but they must have a ticket to a third country chinas government is slowly expanding its visafree entry process so it can grow its tourism industry and its economy it started allowing visitors from more countries in 2023 almost every european country and many nations from south america asia and the middle east have been added since then more than 20 million foreign visitors entered china without a visa in 2024

    the number of chinese tourists at sights in china still greatly outnumbers international tourists however the country is preparing for a big increase in the number of overseas travellers tour companies are trying to find guides and staff to help more and more customers gao jun an englishspeaking tour guide with 20 years of experience is very busy he said im flooded with tours and im struggling to keep up he has started a new business to train new tour guides jenny zhao a director of the luxury wildchina tour company said the new visa policies are 100 per cent beneficial to us she said business was up by 50 per cent compared to before the pandemic

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Chinahasmadeabigchangetoitsvisasystem.Morepeoplecannowvisitt
    hecountrywithoutavisa.Citizensof74countriesnowhavevisa-freeac
    cesstoenterforupto30days.Inaddition,citizensfrom54countriescans
    tayin-transitfor240hours,buttheymusthaveatickettoathirdcountr
    y.China'sgovernmentisslowlyexpandingitsvisa-freeentryprocess,s
    oitcangrowitstourismindustryanditseconomy.Itstartedallowingvisit
    orsfrommorecountriesin2023.AlmosteveryEuropeancountryandma
    nynationsfromSouthAmerica,Asia,andtheMiddleEasthavebeenadde
    dsincethen.Morethan20millionforeignvisitorsenteredChinawithouta
    visain2024.ThenumberofChinesetouristsatsightsinChinastillgreatly
    outnumbersinternationaltourists.However,thecountryispreparingfo
    rabigincreaseinthenumberofoverseastravellers.Tourcompaniesaret
    ryingtofindguidesandstaff,tohelpmoreandmorecustomers.GaoJun,
    anEnglish-speakingtourguidewith20yearsofexperience,isverybus
    y.Hesaid:"I'mfloodedwithtours,andI'mstrugglingtokeepup."Hehass
    tartedanewbusinesstotrainnewtourguides.JennyZhao,adirectorofth
    eluxuryWildChinatourcompany,said:"Thenewvisapoliciesare100per
    centbeneficialtous."Shesaidbusinesswasupby50percentcomparedt
    obeforethepandemic.

    Free writing

    Write about China visa for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    No one should need a visa to visit any country. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. TRAVEL VISAS: Make a poster about travel visas. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. NO VISAS: Write a magazine article about ending all travel visas to any country. 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 travel visas. Ask him/her three questions about travel visas. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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