The Reading / Listening - First Dates - Level 3

First dates can be romantic and the start of a beautiful relationship. However, many people wonder when the best time is to contact their partner after that first meeting. Scientists studied the best time to send a text after a first date. Researchers at Leuphana University in Germany asked 500 people about this matter and published their findings in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. The researchers found the best time to text is the morning after the date. This shows the other person you are happy and are interested in a second date. They said waiting too long could be a mistake because it sends the wrong message that you are not interested.

The study involved asking the test participants to imagine having an enjoyable first date at a nice Italian restaurant. They then had to rate how much they wanted a second meeting, depending on when they received a text from their date. They had to decide whether being texted the next morning or two days later made them feel happiest. The researchers said a follow-up text the morning after the date made people want to take the relationship further. The Psychology Today website agreed and wrote: "A next-morning text shows you're interested and had a good time." The study looked at texting — the more modern method of communication. It did not look into traditional phone calls.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    First Dates - Level 0 First Dates - Level 1   or  First Dates - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/09/first-date-best-time-text-leuphana-university-luneburg/
  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-psychology-of-relationships/202601/how-long-should-you-wait-to-text-after-a-date
  • https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02654075251377184


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. FIRST DATES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about first dates. 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?
       first dates / romantic / relationships / first meeting / partner / text / a second date /
       study / imagine / Italian restaurant / feeing happiest / the morning after / phone calls
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NO PHONES: Students A strongly believe phones are a no-no on a first date; Students B strongly believe they're OK. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. NO TEXTING: Why should you not text in these situations? Have you texted in these situations? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Why?

You

On a first date

 

 

While driving

 

 

In class

 

 

At a funeral

 

 

When you're angry

 

 

In bed

 

 

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. RELATIONSHIP: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "relationship". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. GOING ON A DATE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best places to go on a date at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • An Italian restaurant
  • A beach
  • The cinema
  • A shopping mall
  • Karaoke
  • A museum
  • An amusement park
  • A riverside park

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. relationship a. Talk to or write to someone.
      2. wonder (verb) b. A romantic connection between two people.; the way people are connected to each other.
      3. contact (verb) c. A problem or situation to think about.
      4. matter d. Made ready for people to read or see.
      5. published e. Think about something and want to know more.
      6. findings f. Information sent to someone.
      7. message g. Things that are found or learned.

    Paragraph 2

      8. involved h. Nice and fun.
      9. enjoyable i. New and of today's time.
      10. depending on j. Had or included (something) as a necessary or part of something.
      11. further k. Changing because of something else.
      12. modern l. Talking or sharing information with others.
      13. communication m. At or to a more advanced or successful stage.
      14. traditional n. Older; done for a long time in a society or culture.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says all first dates are romantic and beautiful.     T / F
  2. Researchers asked 500 people about when to text after a first date.     T / F
  3. The article says 9 am the morning after a date is the best time to text.    T / F
  4. Waiting too long to send a text means you are not interesting.     T / F
  5. The test participants went to an Italian restaurant on a first date.     T / F
  6. Test participants had to rate how much they wanted a follow-up date.     T / F
  7. A text the next morning shows you had a good time on the first date.     T / F
  8. The research also looked at phoning after a first date.     T / F

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

  1. relationship
  2. wonder
  3. matter
  4. findings
  5. message
  6. enjoyable
  7. next
  8. method
  9. communication
  10. look into
  1. following
  2. conclusion
  3. entertaining
  4. issue
  5. investigate
  6. romance
  7. meaning
  8. chatting
  9. think about
  10. means

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

  1. First dates can be
  2. many people wonder when the
  3. published their
  4. the best time to text
  5. it sends the wrong
  6. having an enjoyable first date at
  7. when they received a text
  8. being texted the next
  9. the date made people want to take the
  10. the more modern method
  1. morning
  2. is the morning
  3. romantic
  4. message
  5. relationship further
  6. of communication
  7. findings
  8. from their date
  9. best time is
  10. a nice Italian restaurant

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
best
start
matter
message
meeting
interested
wonder
morning

First dates can be romantic and the (1) ______________________________________________ of a beautiful relationship. However, many people (2) ______________________________________________ when the best time is to contact their partner after that first (3) ______________________________________________. Scientists studied the best time to send a text after a first date. Researchers at Leuphana University in Germany asked 500 people about this (4) ______________________________________________ and published their findings in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. The researchers found the (5) ______________________________________________ time to text is the (6) ______________________________________________ after the date. This shows the other person you are happy and are (7) ______________________________________________ in a second date. They said waiting too long could be a mistake because it sends the wrong (8) ______________________________________________ that you are not interested.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
follow
time
second
traditional
participants
further
modern
whether

The study involved asking the test (9) ______________________________________________ to imagine having an enjoyable first date at a nice Italian restaurant. They then had to rate how much they wanted a (10) ______________________________________________ meeting, depending on when they received a text from their date. They had to decide (11) ______________________________________________ being texted the next morning or two days later made them feel happiest. The researchers said a (12) ______________________________________________ -up text the morning after the date made people want to take the relationship (13) ______________________________________________. The Psychology Today website agreed and wrote: "A next-morning text shows you're interested and had a good (14) ______________________________________________." The study looked at texting — the more (15) ______________________________________________ method of communication. It did not look into (16) ______________________________________________ phone calls.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) First dates can be romantic and the start of ______
     a.  a beautifully relationship
     b.  a beauty full relationship
     c.  a beautiful relationship
     d.  a beaut tearful relationship
2)  many people wonder when the best time is to ______
     a.  contract their partner
     b.  contact there partner
     c.  contact their partnered
     d.  contact their partner
3)  Scientists studied the best time to send a text after ______
     a.  a first date
     b.  a fast date
     c.  a firstly date
     d.  a thirst date
4)  The researchers found the best time to text is the morning ______
     a.  aft a the date
     b.  aft other date
     c.  after the date
     d.  after then date
5)  waiting too long could be a mistake because it sends ______
     a.  the wrong massage
     b.  the wrongly message
     c.  the wrong message
     d.  the rung message

6)  imagine having an enjoyable first date at a ______
     a.  nice Italian restaurant
     b.  nicely Italian restaurant
     c.  nice Italian restaurants
     d.  nice Italian restauranteur
7)  They then had to rate how much they wanted ______
     a.  a seconds meeting
     b.  a secondly meeting
     c.  a second meeting
     d.  a double meeting
8)  decide whether being texted the next morning or two days later made ______
     a.  them fell happiest
     b.  them fuel happiest
     c.  them full happiest
     d.  them feel happiest
9)  a follow-up text the morning after the date made people want to take ______
     a.  the relationship future
     b.  the relationship further
     c.  the relationship far the
     d.  the relationship fur the
10)  The study looked at texting — the more modern ______
     a.  method to communication
     b.  method oft communication
     c.  method off communication
     d.  method of communication

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

First dates can (1) __________________________________________________ the start of a beautiful relationship. However, many people wonder when the best time (2) __________________________________________________ their partner after that first meeting. Scientists studied the best time to send a text after a first date. Researchers at Leuphana University in Germany asked 500 people about this (3) __________________________________________________ their findings in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. The researchers (4) __________________________________________________ time to text is the morning after the date. This shows the other person you are happy and are (5) __________________________________________________ second date. They said waiting too long could be a mistake because it sends the (6) __________________________________________________ you are not interested.

The study involved asking the (7) __________________________________________________ imagine having an enjoyable first date at a nice Italian restaurant. They then had to rate how much they wanted a second meeting, (8) __________________________________________________ they received a text from their date. They had to decide whether being texted the next morning or two days later made them feel happiest. The researchers said a (9) _________________________________________________ the morning after the date made people want to take the relationship further. The Psychology Today website (10) __________________________________________________: "A next-morning text shows you're interested and had a good time." The study looked at texting — the (11) __________________________________________________ of communication. It did not (12) __________________________________________________ phone calls.

Comprehension questions

  1. What does the article say first dates can be the start of?
  2. In which country did this research take place?
  3. How many people participated in the research in the article?
  4. If you text the morning after a first date, how do you feel?
  5. What kind of message does waiting too long to text after a date send?
  6. Where did the participants have to imagine going on a date?
  7. What was the second option mentioned about when to receive a text?
  8. What did a text the morning after the date make people want to do?
  9. What did a psychology website say you'd had if you texted the next day?
  10. What kind of communication did the article not look at?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say first dates can be the start of?
a) the road to marriage
b) something special
c) long-lasting friendships
d) a beautiful relationship
2) In which country did this research take place?
a) Georgia
b) Germany
c) Gambia
d) Greece
3) How many people participated in the research in the article?
a) seven hundred
b) six hundred
c) five hundred
d) three hundred
4) If you text the morning after a first date, how do you feel?
a) happy
b) excited
c) nervous
d) worried
5) What kind of message does waiting too long to text after a date send?
a) the right message
b) a sad message
c) the wrong message
d) a painful message

6) Where did the participants have to imagine going on a date?
a) a paradise beach
b) to an Italian restaurant
c) a shopping mall
d) a movie theatre
7) What was the second option mentioned about when to receive a text?
a) a week later
b) a few hours later
c) three days later
d) two days later
8) What did a text the morning after the date make people want to do?
a) take the relationship further
b) text back
c) fall in love
d) sing
9) What did a psychology website say you'd had if you texted the next day?
a) too much to drink
b) a good smartphone
c) a good time
d) happy memories
10) What kind of communication did the article not look at?
a) intercultural communication
b) phone calls
c) body language
d) non-verbal communication

Role play

Role  A – An Italian Restaurant
You think an Italian restaurant is the best place for a first date. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a museum, a shopping mall or the beach.

Role  B – A Museum
You think a museum is the best place for a first date. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): an Italian restaurant, a shopping mall or the beach.

Role  C – A Shopping Mall
You think a shopping mall is the best place for a first date. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a museum, an Italian restaurant or the beach.

Role  D – The Beach
You think the beach is the best place for a first date. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a museum, a shopping mall or an Italian restaurant.

After reading / listening

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

'texts'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'dates'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • start
    • wonder
    • 500
    • shows
    • happy
    • wrong
    • asking
    • rate
    • decide
    • take
    • good
    • modern

    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 - First Dates

    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 'date'?
    3. What do you think of first dates?
    4. What can you do to make a first date successful?
    5. Have you ever had a bad first date?
    6. When is the best time to contact someone after a first date?
    7. Where is the best place to go on a first date?
    8. What should people write in a text after a first date?
    9. What should you wear on a first date?
    10. What advice do you have for people on a first date?

    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 'text'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of Italian restaurants for a first date?
    5. Why are Italian restaurants popular for a first date?
    6. Are first or second dates better?
    7. Should people not use their smartphones on a first date?
    8. Have you ever not had a second date?
    9. Is it better to phone or text someone after a first date?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    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)

    First dates can be (1) ____ and the start of a beautiful relationship. However, many people wonder when the best time is to (2) ____ their partner after that first meeting. Scientists studied the best time to send a text (3) ____ a first date. Researchers at Leuphana University in Germany asked 500 people about this matter and published their (4) ____ in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. The researchers found the best time to text is the morning after the date. This shows the other person you are happy and are interested (5) ____ a second date. They said waiting too long could be a mistake because it sends the wrong message that you are not (6) ____.

    The study involved asking the test participants to (7) ____ having an enjoyable first date at a nice Italian restaurant. They then had to rate how much they wanted a (8) ____ meeting, depending on when they received a text from their date. They had to decide whether (9) ____ texted the next morning or two days later made them feel happiest. The researchers said a follow-(10) ____ text the morning after the date made people want to take the relationship further. The Psychology Today website agreed and wrote: "A next-morning text shows you're interested and had a (11) ____ time." The study looked at texting - the more modern method (12) ____ communication. It did not look into traditional phone calls.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     romantic     (b)     romantically     (c)     romance     (d)     romancer    
    2. (a)     contract     (b)     contraction     (c)     contact     (d)     contacts    
    3. (a)     earlier     (b)     later     (c)     before     (d)     after    
    4. (a)     finds     (b)     findings     (c)     find     (d)     finders    
    5. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     in    
    6. (a)     interest     (b)     interests     (c)     interested     (d)     interestingly    
    7. (a)     imagined     (b)     imagine     (c)     imagines     (d)     imagination    
    8. (a)     second     (b)     secondly     (c)     seconds     (d)     secondly    
    9. (a)     being     (b)     been     (c)     be     (d)     is    
    10. (a)     down     (b)     in     (c)     up     (d)     on    
    11. (a)     goodness     (b)     best     (c)     goods     (d)     good    
    12. (a)     up     (b)     of     (c)     on     (d)     in

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the start of a beautiful olntipheirsa
    2. people erwdon when the best time is
    3. esitsstinc studied the best time
    4. dhsiblpue their findings
    5. estterdeni in a second date
    6. it sends the wrong semaegs

    Paragraph 2

    1. asking the test itanitsprpac
    2. having an eajonyble first date
    3. at a nice Italian usrtenarta
    4. gylcsyhoop today
    5. the more modern meodth of communication
    6. inoritaaltd phone calls

    Put the text back together

    (    )   at texting — the more modern method of communication. It did not look into traditional phone calls.
    (    )   because it sends the wrong message that you are not interested.
    (  1  )   First dates can be romantic and the start of a beautiful relationship. However, many people wonder
    (    )   found the best time to text is the morning after the date. This shows the other
    (    )   Italian restaurant. They then had to rate how much they wanted a second meeting, depending
    (    )   matter and published their findings in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. The researchers
    (    )   morning or two days later made them feel happiest. The researchers said a follow-up
    (    )   on when they received a text from their date. They had to decide whether being texted the next
    (    )   person you are happy and are interested in a second date. They said waiting too long could be a mistake
    (    )   text the morning after the date made people want to take the relationship further. The Psychology Today
    (    )   The study involved asking the test participants to imagine having an enjoyable first date at a nice
    (    )   time to send a text after a first date. Researchers at Leuphana University in Germany asked 500 people about this
    (    )   website agreed and wrote: "A next-morning text shows you're interested and had a good time." The study looked
    (    )   when the best time is to contact their partner after that first meeting. Scientists studied the best

    Put the words in the right order

    1. best   is   .   Many   people   the   time   when   wonder
    2. after   .   is   morning   text   The   the   time   to
    3. a   and   are   date   .   happy   second   want   You're
    4. a   be   could   long   mistake   .   too   Waiting
    5. interested   .   It   message   not   sends   that   the   you're
    6. a   how   meeting   .   much   Rate   second   they   wanted
    7. days   feel   happiest   .   later   made   them   Two
    8. A   after   date   .   follow-up   morning   text   the   the
    9. a   and   are   good   had   interested   time   .   You
    10. calls   .   did   into   It   look   not   phone   traditional

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    First dates can be romantic / romance and the start of a beautiful relationship. However, many people wander / wonder when the best time is to contact / contract their partner after that first met / meeting. Scientists studied the best time to sending / send a text after a first date. Researchers at Leuphana University in Germany asked 500 people about this / a matter and published their findings in a / the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. The researchers found the best time to text is / for the morning after the date. This shows the other person you are happy / happily and are interested in a second date. They said waiting too long could be a mistake because it sends the wrongly / wrong message that you are not interested.

    The study involving / involved asking the test participants to imagine having an enjoyable first date at a nice Italian restaurant. They then had to date / rate how much they wanted a second meeting, depends / depending on when they received a text from their / them date. They had to decide whether being / been texted the next morning or two days later made them feel happiest. The researchers said a follow-up text the morning later / after the date made people want to take the relationship fur / further. The Psychology Today website agreed and wrote: "A next-morning text show / shows you're interested and had a good time." The study looked at texting — the much / more modern method of communication. It did not look into traditional phone / phoning calls.

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

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

    F_rst  d_t_s  c_n  b_  r_m_nt_c  _nd  th_  st_rt  _f  _  b___t_f_l  r_l_t__nsh_p.  H_w_v_r,  m_ny  p__pl_  w_nd_r  wh_n  th_  b_st  t_m_  _s  t_  c_nt_ct  th__r  p_rtn_r  _ft_r  th_t  f_rst  m__t_ng.  Sc__nt_sts  st_d__d  th_  b_st  t_m_  t_  s_nd  _  t_xt  _ft_r  _  f_rst  d_t_.  R_s__rch_rs  _t  L__ph_n_  _n_v_rs_ty  _n  G_rm_ny  _sk_d  500  p__pl_  _b__t  th_s  m_tt_r  _nd  p_bl_sh_d  th__r  f_nd_ngs  _n  th_  J__rn_l  _f  S_c__l  _nd  P_rs_n_l  R_l_t__nsh_ps.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  f__nd  th_  b_st  t_m_  t_  t_xt  _s  th_  m_rn_ng  _ft_r  th_  d_t_.  Th_s  sh_ws  th_  _th_r  p_rs_n  y__  _r_  h_ppy  _nd  _r_  _nt_r_st_d  _n  _  s_c_nd  d_t_.  Th_y  s__d  w__t_ng  t__  l_ng  c__ld  b_  _  m_st_k_  b_c__s_  _t  s_nds  th_  wr_ng  m_ss_g_  th_t  y__  _r_  n_t  _nt_r_st_d.

    Th_  st_dy  _nv_lv_d  _sk_ng  th_  t_st  p_rt_c_p_nts  t_  _m_g_n_  h_v_ng  _n  _nj_y_bl_  f_rst  d_t_  _t  _  n_c_  _t_l__n  r_st__r_nt.  Th_y  th_n  h_d  t_  r_t_  h_w  m_ch  th_y  w_nt_d  _  s_c_nd  m__t_ng,  d_p_nd_ng  _n  wh_n  th_y  r_c__v_d  _  t_xt  fr_m  th__r  d_t_.  Th_y  h_d  t_  d_c_d_  wh_th_r  b__ng  t_xt_d  th_  n_xt  m_rn_ng  _r  tw_  d_ys  l_t_r  m_d_  th_m  f__l  h_pp__st.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  s__d  _  f_ll_w-_p  t_xt  th_  m_rn_ng  _ft_r  th_  d_t_  m_d_  p__pl_  w_nt  t_  t_k_  th_  r_l_t__nsh_p  f_rth_r.  Th_  Psych_l_gy  T_d_y  w_bs_t_  _gr__d  _nd  wr_t_:  "_  n_xt-m_rn_ng  t_xt  sh_ws  y__'r_  _nt_r_st_d  _nd  h_d  _  g__d  t_m_."  Th_  st_dy  l__k_d  _t  t_xt_ng  -  th_  m_r_  m_d_rn  m_th_d  _f  c_mm_n_c_t__n.  _t  d_d  n_t  l__k  _nt_  tr_d_t__n_l  ph_n_  c_lls.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    first dates can be romantic and the start of a beautiful relationship however many people wonder when the best time is to contact their partner after that first meeting scientists studied the best time to send a text after a first date researchers at leuphana university in germany asked 500 people about this matter and published their findings in the journal of social and personal relationships the researchers found the best time to text is the morning after the date this shows the other person you are happy and are interested in a second date they said waiting too long could be a mistake because it sends the wrong message that you are not interested

    the study involved asking the test participants to imagine having an enjoyable first date at a nice italian restaurant they then had to rate how much they wanted a second meeting depending on when they received a text from their date they had to decide whether being texted the next morning or two days later made them feel happiest the researchers said a followup text the morning after the date made people want to take the relationship further the psychology today website agreed and wrote a nextmorning text shows youre interested and had a good time the study looked at texting the more modern method of communication it did not look into traditional phone calls

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Firstdatescanberomanticandthestartofabeautifulrelationship.Howe
    ver,manypeoplewonderwhenthebesttimeistocontacttheirpartneraft
    erthatfirstmeeting.Scientistsstudiedthebesttimetosendatextafteraf
    irstdate.ResearchersatLeuphanaUniversityinGermanyasked500peo
    pleaboutthismatterandpublishedtheirfindingsintheJournalofSociala
    ndPersonalRelationships.Theresearchersfoundthebesttimetotextist
    hemorningafterthedate.Thisshowstheotherpersonyouarehappyand
    areinterestedinaseconddate.Theysaidwaitingtoolongcouldbeamista
    kebecauseitsendsthewrongmessagethatyouarenotinterested.Thest
    udyinvolvedaskingthetestparticipantstoimaginehavinganenjoyable
    firstdateataniceItalianrestaurant.Theythenhadtoratehowmuchthey
    wantedasecondmeeting,dependingonwhentheyreceivedatextfromt
    heirdate.Theyhadtodecidewhetherbeingtextedthenextmorningortw
    odayslatermadethemfeelhappiest.Theresearcherssaidafollow-upte
    xtthemorningafterthedatemadepeoplewanttotaketherelationshipfu
    rther.ThePsychologyTodaywebsiteagreedandwrote:"Anext-mornin
    gtextshowsyou'reinterestedandhadagoodtime."Thestudylookedatt
    exting-themoremodernmethodofcommunication.Itdidnotlookintot
    raditionalphonecalls.

    Free writing

    Write about first-date text for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    A text is better than a phone call the morning after a romantic date. 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. FIRST DATES: Make a poster about first dates. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. NO TEXTING: Write a magazine article about banning texting during first dates. 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 first dates. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make a first date successful. 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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