Breaking News English Lesson: School Discipline

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El Salvador cracks down on discipline in schools (25th August 2025)

The Reading / Listening - School Discipline - Level 6

El Salvador is cracking down on school discipline. President Nayib Bukele has appointed a former army captain, Karla Trigueros, as education minister. She has started inspecting schools wearing army fatigues. Ms Trigueros is also a physician and was head of the country's vaccination logistics during the coronavirus pandemic. One of her first edicts was to require all school principals to become role models. School heads will be required to greet students as they come through the school gates each morning. They will also scrutinize pupils' haircuts and uniforms. Trigueros warned schools that: "Failure to comply with these provisions…will be considered a serious breach of administrative responsibility."

The main focus of El Salvador's new education initiative is on appearance and conduct. In particular, boys are required to have closely-cropped, military-style haircuts, while all students must wear tidy uniforms and greet all teachers respectfully. There has been mixed reaction to the new policy. A leading teachers' union called it a "regrettable militarization" of schools. It was concerned that the country was veering back to the days of military dictatorship. It said: "We are concerned that the already [endemic] abuses of power against students will increase." However, many parents are supportive of the new rules. One said: "That's how you straighten children out from a young age."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

School Discipline - Level 4 or School Discipline - Level 5

Sources

https://apnews.com/article/el-salvador-schools-haircuts-bukele-3a0a0080021eedeaea6dede87f5ef117
https://www.dw.com/en/el-salvador-schools-enforce-military-style-haircut-checks/a-73740667
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/edgar-haircuts-mohawks-prohibited-el-salvador-schools-military-captain-rcna226672

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. SCHOOL DISCIPLINE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about school discipline. 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?
El Salvador / school discipline / army captain / education minister / logistics / haircut /
focus / initiative / uniforms / teachers / militarization / students / abuses / parents
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. STRONGER DISCIPLINE: Students A strongly believe all schools need stronger discipline; Students B strongly believe they don't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. RULES: What rules are needed in these places? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What	Why
Schools
Trains
The army
Prisons
Malls
Offices

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. HAIRCUT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "haircut". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SCHOOL RULES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important school rules at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Arrive on time
Do your homework
No bullying
Participate in class
Wear the uniform
Keep your hair short
No running
Be polite

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	cracking down	a.	A doctor.
2.	inspecting	b.	Using strong action to stop something bad.
3.	fatigues (noun)	c.	Special clothes soldiers wear for work.
4.	physician	d.	Look at something very closely.
5.	logistics	e.	Do what a rule or order says.
6.	scrutinize	f.	Looking at something carefully to check it.
7.	comply	g.	The planning of moving and supplying things.

Paragraph 2

8.	initiative (noun)	h.	Changing direction.
9.	conduct (noun)	i.	Correct someone’s bad behaviour.
10.	cropped	j.	Something common in a certain place or group.
11.	veering	k.	Cut very short.
12.	dictatorship	l.	A government where one person has all the power.
13.	endemic	m.	A new plan or action to solve a problem.
14.	straighten out	n.	The way someone behaves.

Before reading / listening

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

El Salvador's education minister used to be an army captain. T / F
El Salvador's education minister visits schools dressed in army uniform. T / F
El Salvador's education minister wants all students to be models. T / F
School principals must check students' haircuts every morning. T / F
Schoolboys and girls in El Salvador must have very short hair. T / F
A teachers' union is fully behind El Salvador's new education policy. T / F
The teachers' union is concerned schools are being militarized. T / F
A parent said it is not the job of schools to straighten students out. T / F

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

cracking down on
former
logistics
greet
breach
initiative
cropped
regrettable
abuses
supportive

planning
misuses
violation
unfortunate
strategy
one-time
in favour
trimmed
getting tough on
welcome

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

wearing army
head of the country's vaccination
They will also scrutinize
Failure to comply
a serious
closely-cropped, military-
a regrettable militarization
veering back to the days
abuses
That's how you straighten

of power
with these provisions
of schools
fatigues
children out
pupils' haircuts
style haircuts
breach
logistics
of military dictatorship

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

uniforms
former
breach
logistics
inspecting
through
comply
edicts

El Salvador is cracking down on school discipline. President Nayib Bukele has appointed a (1) _________________________________ army captain, Karla Trigueros, as education minister. She has started (2) _________________________________ schools wearing army fatigues. Ms Trigueros is also a physician and was head of the country's vaccination (3) _________________________________ during the coronavirus pandemic. One of her first (4) _________________________________ was to require all school principals to become role models. School heads will be required to greet students as they come (5) _________________________________ the school gates each morning. They will also scrutinize pupils' haircuts and (6) _________________________________. Trigueros warned schools that: "Failure to (7) _________________________________ with these provisions...will be considered a serious (8) _________________________________ of administrative responsibility."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

cropped
straighten
focus
power
reaction
supportive
tidy
concerned

The main (9) _________________________________ of El Salvador's new education initiative is on appearance and conduct. In particular, boys are required to have closely-(10) _________________________________, military-style haircuts, while all students must wear (11) _________________________________ uniforms and greet all teachers respectfully. There has been mixed (12) _________________________________ to the new policy. A leading teachers' union called it a "regrettable militarization" of schools. It was (13) _________________________________ that the country was veering back to the days of military dictatorship. It said: "We are concerned that the already [endemic] abuses of (14) _________________________________ against students will increase." However, many parents are (15) _________________________________ of the new rules. One said: "That's how you (16) _________________________________ children out from a young age."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) She has started inspecting schools ______
     a. wearing army fatigue
     b. wearing army fatigued
     c. wearing army fatigues
     d. wearing army batiks
2) Ms Trigueros is also a physician and was head of the ______
     a. country's vaccination logisticians
     b. country's vaccination logics
     c. country's vaccination lodge sticks
     d. country's vaccination logistics
3) One of her first edicts was to require all school principals to ______
     a. become role models
     b. become roll models
     c. become real models
     d. become reel models
4) School heads will be required to greet students as they come through ______
     a. the school gaits
     b. the school grates
     c. the school gates
     d. the school agates
5) Failure to comply with these provisions will be considered ______
     a. a serious breach
     b. a serious bleach
     c. a serious beach
     d. a serious beech

6) The main focus of El Salvador's new education initiative is on ______
     a. appearance end contract
     b. appearance and conduct
     c. appearance and con duct
     d. appearance and conned duct
7) In particular, boys are required to have closely-cropped, ______
     a. milita-styled haircuts
     b. milita-style haircuts
     c. military-stylish haircuts
     d. military-style haircuts
8) It was concerned that the country was veering back to the days ______
     a. of military dictatorship
     b. of military dictators' ship
     c. of military dictators' hip
     d. of military dictate a ship
9) We are concerned that the already endemic abuses of power against ______
     a. student swill increase
     b. students willing crease
     c. students will increase
     d. students will ink crease
10) That’s how you straighten children out from ______
     a. a young aged
     b. a young adage
     c. a young gauge
     d. a young age

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

El Salvador is cracking down on school discipline. President Nayib Bukele has (1) _______________________________________________ army captain, Karla Trigueros, as education minister. She has started inspecting schools (2) ______________________________________________. Ms Trigueros is also a physician and was head of the country's (3) _______________________________________________ the coronavirus pandemic. One of her first edicts was to require all school principals to become role models. School heads will be (4) _______________________________________________ students as they come through the school gates each morning. They will also scrutinize pupils' haircuts and uniforms. Trigueros warned schools that: "(5) _______________________________________________ with these provisions...will be considered a (6) _______________________________________________ administrative responsibility."

The main focus of El Salvador's new (7) _______________________________________________ on appearance and conduct. In particular, boys are required to have closely-cropped, (8) _______________________________________________, while all students must wear tidy uniforms and greet all teachers respectfully. There has (9) _______________________________________________ to the new policy. A leading teachers' union called it (10) _______________________________________________ of schools. It was concerned that the country was veering back to the days of military dictatorship. It said: "We are concerned that the already (11) _______________________________________________ power against students will increase." However, many parents are supportive of the new rules. One said: "That's (12) _______________________________________________ children out from a young age."

Comprehension questions

What was the education minister's former role in the army?
What did the education minister wear when she visited schools?
What does the education minister want school principals to become?
What will principals check as they greet students at the school gates?
What will failure to follow the new rules be a serious breach of?
What kind of haircut are schoolboys required to have?
What kind of reaction has there been to the new rules on discipline?
Who likened the rules to a "regrettable militarization of schools"?
What is a union worried the country is veering back towards?
What did a parent say the rules will do to children?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What was the education minister's former role in the army?
a) sergeant
b) major
c) captain
d) general
2) What did the education minister wear when she visited schools?
a) army fatigues
b) a suit
c) a professor's gown
d) jeans and a t-shirt
3) What does the education minister want school principals to become?
a) happy
b) future government ministers
c) leaders in IT
d) role models
4) What will principals check as they greet students at the school gates?
a) attendance
b) haircuts and uniforms
c) homework
d) student lunches
5) What will failure to follow the new rules be a serious breach of?
a) the law
b) the rules
c) administrative responsibility
d) morality

6) What kind of haircut are schoolboys required to have?
a) fashionable haircuts
b) closely-cropped, military-style haircuts
c) nice haircuts
d) any styles the boys like
7) What kind of reaction has there been to the new rules on discipline?
a) plenty of reaction
b) furious reaction
c) none
d) mixed reaction
8) Who likened the rules to a "regrettable militarization of schools"?
a) the army
b) a leading teachers' union
c) a parents' association
d) school principals
9) What is a union worried the country is veering back towards?
a) military dictatorship
b) the Stone Age
c) the turn of the century
d) a lack of education
10) What did a parent say the rules will do to children?
a) make them sad
b) make them study harder
c) make them rebel
d) straighten them out

Role play

Role A – Wear the Uniform
You think wearing the uniform is the most important school rule. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their rules. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): keeping your hair short, no bullying or arriving on time.

Role B – Keep Your Hair Short
You think keeping your hair short is the most important school rule. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their rules. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): wearing the uniform, no bullying or arriving on time.

Role C – No Bullying
You think no bullying is the most important school rule. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their rules. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): keeping your hair short, wearing the uniform or arriving on time.

Role D – Arrive on Time
You think arriving on time is the most important school rule. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their rules. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): keeping your hair short, no bullying or wearing the uniform.

After reading / listening

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

'school'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'discipline'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

appointed

inspecting

logistics

role

gates

serious

main

cropped

greet

back

power

age

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 - School Discipline

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 'discipline'?
What was school discipline like when you were a student?
Are army captains well suited to instill discipline in schoolchildren?
What message does an education secretary wearing fatigues send?
How can school principals be good role models?
What rules should there be on haircuts and uniforms?
What should happen to principals whose schools fail to comply?
Are you a good disciplinarian?
What rules do you not like to follow?

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 'school'?
What do you think about what you read?
How important is discipline in schools?
What difference does it make if students have closely-cropped hair?
To what degree are the new rules a move towards militarization?
What new disciplinary rules would you introduce in your country?
How good are you at self-discipline?
What do you think children think about school discipline?
What questions would you like to ask a school principal?

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)

El Salvador is cracking down on school discipline. President Nayib Bukele has (1) ____ a former army captain, Karla Trigueros, as education minister. She has started inspecting schools wearing army fatigues. Ms Trigueros is also a (2) ____ and was head of the country's vaccination (3) ____ during the coronavirus pandemic. One of her first (4) ____ was to require all school principals to become role models. School heads will be required to greet students (5) ____ they come through the school gates each morning. They will also scrutinize pupils' haircuts and uniforms. Trigueros warned schools that "Failure to comply with these provisions...will be considered a serious breach (6) ____ administrative responsibility."

The main focus of El Salvador's new education initiative is (7) ____ appearance and conduct. In particular, boys are required to have closely-cropped, military-style haircuts, while all students must wear tidy uniforms and greet (8) ____ teachers respectfully. There has been (9) ____ reaction to the new policy. A leading teachers' union called it a "regrettable militarization" of schools. It was concerned that the country was veering (10) ____ to the days of military dictatorship. It said: "We are concerned that the already [endemic] abuses of power against students will increase." However, many parents are (11) ____ of the new rules. One said: "That's how you straighten children (12) ____ from a young age."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) pointed (b) appointed (c) disappointed (d) appoints
(a) physical (b) physics (c) physique (d) physician
(a) rustic (b) logistics (c) caustic (d) elastics
(a) edits (b) editors (c) edicts (d) editions
(a) is (b) has (c) as (d) was
(a) of (b) on (c) at (d) by
(a) as (b) by (c) at (d) on
(a) all (b) them (c) new (d) English
(a) combined (b) mixed (c) stirred (d) linked
(a) forward (b) up (c) back (d) towards
(a) supporting (b) supporter (c) supportive (d) supports
(a) from (b) out (c) of (d) as

Spelling

Paragraph 1

appointed a former army captain
wearing army fatigues
the country's vaccination logistics
One of her first edicts
They will also scrutinize pupils' haircuts
Failure to comply with these provisions

Paragraph 2

El Salvador's new education initiative
There has been mixed reaction
the country was veering back
the days of military dictatorship
endemic abuses of power
parents are supportive of the new rules

Put the text back together

(    )    back to the days of military dictatorship. It said: "We are concerned that the already [endemic] abuses
(    )    captain, Karla Trigueros, as education minister. She has started inspecting schools wearing army
(    )    comply with these provisions...will be considered a serious breach of administrative responsibility."
(    )    conduct. In particular, boys are required to have closely-cropped, military-style haircuts, while all students must wear tidy
( 1 )    El Salvador is cracking down on school discipline. President Nayib Bukele has appointed a former army
(    )    fatigues. Ms Trigueros is also a physician and was head of the country's vaccination logistics during the coronavirus
(    )    models. School heads will be required to greet students as they come through the school gates each
(    )    morning. They will also scrutinize pupils' haircuts and uniforms. Trigueros warned schools that: "Failure to
(    )    of power against students will increase." However, many parents are supportive of the new
(    )    pandemic. One of her first edicts was to require all school principals to become role
(    )    rules. One said: "That's how you straighten children out from a young age."
(    )    The main focus of El Salvador's new education initiative is on appearance and
(    )    uniforms and greet all teachers respectfully. There has been mixed reaction to the new policy. A leading teachers'
(    )    union called it a "regrettable militarization" of schools. It was concerned that the country was veering

Put the words in the right order

El Salvador cracking discipline on school is down .
She fatigues inspecting has wearing army schools started .
Require to become role all principals models school .
Greet through gates they students come as the .
They scrutinize uniforms also haircuts pupils and will .
Boys haircuts to closely-cropped, are required military-style have .
Wear greet respectfully and tidy all teachers uniforms .
There been mixed has policy the to reaction .
Veering dictatorship military of days the back to .
Straighten young a children out from age .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

El Salvador is cracking down / up on school discipline. President Nayib Bukele has appointed a firmer / former army captain, Karla Trigueros, as education minister. She has started inspection / inspecting schools wearing army fatigued / fatigues. Ms Trigueros is also a physician and was head of the country's vaccination logistics during / while the coronavirus pandemic. One of her first edicts was for / to require all school principals to become role models. School heads will be required to greet students has / as they come through the school gates each morning. They will also scrutinize / excoriate pupils' haircuts and uniforms. Trigueros warned schools that: "Failure to comply at / with these provisions...will be considered a serious breach / broach of administrative responsibility."

The mainly / main focus of El Salvador's new education initiative is in / on appearance and conduct. In particular, boys are / be required to have closely-cropped, military-style haircuts, what / while all students must wear tidy uniforms and greet them / all teachers respectfully. There has been mixed reaction to the new policy. A leading teachers' union called it a "regrettable militarization" to / of schools. It was concerned that the country was veering back / forward to the days of military dictatorship. It said: "We are concerned this / that the already [endemic] abuses of power against students will increase." However, many parents are supportive of / to the new rules. One said: "That's how you straight / straighten children out from a young age."

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)

_l S_lv_d_r _s cr_ck_ng d_wn _n sch__l d_sc_pl_n_. Pr_s_d_nt N_y_b B_k_l_ h_s _pp__nt_d _ f_rm_r _rmy c_pt__n, K_rl_ Tr_g__r_s, _s _d_c_t__n m_n_st_r. Sh_ h_s st_rt_d _nsp_ct_ng sch__ls w__r_ng _rmy f_t_g__s. Ms Tr_g__r_s _s _ls_ _ phys_c__n _nd w_s h__d _f th_ c__ntry's v_cc_n_t__n l_g_st_cs d_r_ng th_ c_r_n_v_r_s p_nd_m_c. _n_ _f h_r f_rst _d_cts w_s t_ r_q__r_ _ll sch__l pr_nc_p_ls t_ b_c_m_ r_l_ m_d_ls. Sch__l h__ds w_ll b_ r_q__r_d t_ gr__t st_d_nts _s th_y c_m_ thr__gh th_ sch__l g_t_s __ch m_rn_ng. Th_y w_ll _ls_ scr_t_n_z_ p_p_ls' h__rc_ts _nd _n_f_rms. Tr_g__r_s w_rn_d sch__ls th_t: "F__l_r_ t_ c_mply w_th th_s_ pr_v_s__ns...w_ll b_ c_ns_d_r_d _ s_r___s br__ch _f _dm_n_str_t_v_ r_sp_ns_b_l_ty."

Th_ m__n f_c_s _f _l S_lv_d_r's n_w _d_c_t__n _n_t__t_v_ _s _n _pp__r_nc_ _nd c_nd_ct. _n p_rt_c_l_r, b_ys _r_ r_q__r_d t_ h_v_ cl_s_ly-cr_pp_d, m_l_t_ry-styl_ h__rc_ts, wh_l_ _ll st_d_nts m_st w__r t_dy _n_f_rms _nd gr__t _ll t__ch_rs r_sp_ctf_lly. Th_r_ h_s b__n m_x_d r__ct__n t_ th_ n_w p_l_cy. _ l__d_ng t__ch_rs' _n__n c_ll_d _t _ "r_gr_tt_bl_ m_l_t_r_z_t__n" _f sch__ls. _t w_s c_nc_rn_d th_t th_ c__ntry w_s v__r_ng b_ck t_ th_ d_ys _f m_l_t_ry d_ct_t_rsh_p. _t s__d: "W_ _r_ c_nc_rn_d th_t th_ _lr__dy _nd_m_c _b_s_s _f p_w_r _g__nst st_d_nts w_ll _ncr__s_." H_w_v_r, m_ny p_r_nts _r_ s_pp_rt_v_ _f th_ n_w r_l_s. _n_ s__d: "Th_t’s h_w y__ str__ght_n ch_ldr_n __t fr_m _ y__ng _g_."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

el salvador is cracking down on school discipline president nayib bukele has appointed a former army captain karla trigueros as education minister she has started inspecting schools wearing army fatigues ms trigueros is also a physician and was head of the countrys vaccination logistics during the coronavirus pandemic one of her first edicts was to require all school principals to become role models school heads will be required to greet students as they come through the school gates each morning they will also scrutinize pupils haircuts and uniforms trigueros warned schools that failure to comply with these provisions will be considered a serious breach of administrative responsibility

the main focus of el salvadors new education initiative is on appearance and conduct in particular boys are required to have closely cropped militarystyle haircuts while all students must wear tidy uniforms and greet all teachers respectfully there has been mixed reaction to the new policy a leading teachers union called it a regrettable militarization of schools it was concerned that the country was veering back to the days of military dictatorship it said we are concerned that the already [endemic] abuses of power against students will increase however many parents are supportive of the new rules one said thats how you straighten children out from a young age

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

ElSalvadoriscrackingdownonschooldiscipline.PresidentNayibBukele
hasappointedaformerarmycaptain,KarlaTrigueros,aseducationmini
ster.Shehasstartedinspectingschoolswearingarmyfatigues.MsTrigu
erosisalsoaphysicianandwasheadofthecountry'svaccinationlogistics
duringthecoronaviruspandemic.Oneofherfirstedictswastorequireall
schoolprincipalstobecomerolemodels.Schoolheadswillberequiredto
greetstudentsastheycomethroughtheschoolgateseachmorning.The
ywillalsoscrutinizepupils'haircutsanduniforms.Trigueroswarnedsch
oolsthat:"Failuretocomplywiththeseprovisions...willbeconsideredas
eriousbreachofadministrativeresponsibility."ThemainfocusofElSalv
ador'sneweducationinitiativeisonappearanceandconduct.Inparticul
ar,boysarerequiredtohaveclosely-cropped,military-stylehaircuts,w
hileallstudentsmustweartidyuniformsandgreetallteachersrespectful
ly.Therehasbeenmixedreactiontothenewpolicy.Aleadingteachers'u
nioncalledita"regrettablemilitarization"ofschools.Itwasconcernedth
atthecountrywasveeringbacktothedaysofmilitarydictatorship.Itsaid
:"Weareconcernedthatthealready[endemic]abusesofpoweragainst
studentswillincrease."However,manyparentsaresupportiveofthene
wrules.Onesaid:"That'showyoustraightenchildrenoutfromayounga
ge."

Free writing

Write about school discipline for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Discipline in all schools should be very strict. 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. SCHOOL DISCIPLINE: Make a poster about school discipline. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. HAIRCUTS: Write a magazine article about requiring all schoolchildren to have very short haircuts. 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 school discipline. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to create better discipline in schools. 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: School Discipline

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