Breaking News English Lesson: Looksmaxxing

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The new 'looksmaxxing' trend could be risky (14th April 2026)

The Reading / Listening - Looksmaxxing - Level 3

A new trend among young men is causing doctors to worry. The trend is called "looksmaxxing". Men who follow it want to maximize their looks. They want to have a more physically attractive face and body. They do this through many different methods. Some of these are dangerous. One method is bone smashing. This involves putting pressure on bones in the face to make them change shape. Many men do this to try to get a "square" jaw. They want to look stronger by having a "power jaw". Another thing young men are doing is having cosmetic surgery and using fillers in their cheeks, under their eyes, and in their lips. These things can remove wrinkles and make men look younger.

Many doctors are concerned that men who follow looksmaxxing are damaging their physical and mental health. Many things can go wrong with bone smashing and cosmetic surgery. Moreover, mental health experts warn that young men can develop anxiety if they constantly worry about their looks and body shape. Anda Solea, an expert on looksmaxxing, said problems start for men when looks become the only thing in their lives. Dr Stuart Murray, from the University of Southern California, warned that too many young men are falling "into the trap of dissatisfaction and low self-esteem". He hopes men will "focus on more sustainable ways to generate their self-esteem".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Looksmaxxing - Level 0, Looksmaxxing - Level 1 or Looksmaxxing - Level 2

Sources

https://theticker.org/19045/science/looksmaxxing-raises-health-concerns/
https://wjla.com/news/local/looksmaxxing-dangerous-rise-extreme-fitness-trend-young-men-boy-kibble-clavicular-diet-warning-long-term-health-consequences-beef-rice-harmful-colorectal-cancer-warning-signs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looksmaxxing

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. LOOKS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about looks. 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?
trend / young men / doctor / worry / looks / physically attractive / bones / jaw / lips
mental health / cosmetic surgery / health experts / dissatisfaction / self-esteem
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. LOOKS DON'T MATTER: Students A strongly believe looks don't matter; Students B strongly believe looks really matter. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. GOOD LOOKING: How good are these things at making us better looking? Would (or do) you do/use these? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How Good	You
Cosmetic surgery
Exercise
Fillers
High-protein diet
Sleep
Anti-ageing cream

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. MEN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "men". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ATTRACTIVENESS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most attractive things about a person at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Nice smile
Hair
Kindness
Height
Intelligence
Big muscles
Nice eyes
Sense of humour

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	trend	a.	To make something as big or as good as possible.
2.	maximize	b.	Nice to look at.
3.	looks	c.	Lines on the skin, usually on the face, that come with age.
4.	attractive	d.	The way someone or something appears.
5.	jaw	e.	Medical operations to change how a person looks.
6.	cosmetic surgery	f.	A general direction/fashion in which something is changing.
7.	wrinkles	g.	The lower part/bone of your face, under your mouth.

Paragraph 2

8.	concerned	h.	A person who knows a lot about a subject.
9.	expert	i.	A feeling of worry or nervousness.
10.	anxiety	j.	Able to continue for a long time without harm.
11.	trap	k.	A feeling of not being happy with something.
12.	dissatisfaction	l.	Something that is hard to escape from.
13.	self-esteem	m.	Worried about something.
14.	sustainable	n.	How you feel about your own value or worth.

Before reading / listening

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

Doctors are worried about old men following a new trend. T / F
Men who follow the looksmaxxing trend want better bodies. T / F
One part of looksmaxxing is changing the shape of bones on the face. T / F
Men are having cosmetic surgery to give them bigger wrinkles. T / F
Doctors say looksmaxxing can harm mental and physical health. T / F
The article says looksmaxxing can cause anxiety in young men. T / F
An expert said looksmaxxing is the most important thing for some men. T / F
A doctor hopes men will lower their self-esteem. T / F

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

causing
looks
attractive
remove
younger
concerned
damaging
expert
dissatisfaction
self-esteem

good-looking
specialist
take away
harming
appearance
self-respect
making
unhappiness
more youthful
worried

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

A new trend among
have a more physically attractive
They want to look
cosmetic
These things can remove
damaging their physical and mental
men can develop anxiety if they
looks become the only thing in
falling into the
focus on more sustainable

surgery
their lives
young men
wrinkles
constantly worry
ways
face and body
trap
stronger
health

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

attractive
change
wrinkles
bone
surgery
causing
looks
look

A new trend among young men is (1) ______________________________________________ doctors to worry. The trend is called "looksmaxxing". Men who follow it want to maximize their (2) ______________________________________________. They want to have a more physically (3) ______________________________________________ face and body. They do this through many different methods. Some of these are dangerous. One method is (4) ______________________________________________ smashing. This involves putting pressure on bones in the face to make them (5) ______________________________________________ shape. Many men do this to try to get a "square" jaw. They want to (6) ______________________________________________ stronger by having a "power jaw". Another thing young men are doing is having cosmetic (7) ______________________________________________ and using fillers in their cheeks, under their eyes, and in their lips. These things can remove (8) ______________________________________________ and make men look younger.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

start
low
experts
lives
focus
follow
shape
trap

Many doctors are concerned that men who (9) ______________________________________________ looksmaxxing are damaging their physical and mental health. Many things can go wrong with bone smashing and cosmetic surgery. Moreover, mental health (10) ______________________________________________ warn that young men can develop anxiety if they constantly worry about their looks and body (11) ______________________________________________. Anda Solea, an expert on looksmaxxing, said problems (12) ______________________________________________ for men when looks become the only thing in their (13) ______________________________________________. Dr Stuart Murray, from the University of Southern California, warned that too many young men are falling "into the (14) ______________________________________________ of dissatisfaction and (15) ______________________________________________ self-esteem". He hopes men will "(16) ______________________________________________ on more sustainable ways to generate their self-esteem".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) A new trend among young men is causing ______
     a. doctors too worry
     b. doctor to worry
     c. doctors to worry
     d. doctors to worried
2) Men who follow it want to ______
     a. maximize there looks
     b. maximize their looks
     c. maximize they looks
     d. maximize them looks
3) This involves putting pressure on bones in the face to make ______
     a. them chance shaped
     b. them change shapely
     c. them change shape
     d. them chance shape
4) Another thing young men are doing is ______
     a. having cosmetic sugary
     b. having cosmetic surge airy
     c. having cosmetics surgery
     d. having cosmetic surgery
5) using fillers in their cheeks, under their eyes, and ______
     a. in their lips
     b. in their laps
     c. in their lops
     d. in their rips

6) men who follow looksmaxxing are damaging their physical ______
     a. end mental health
     b. and mentally health
     c. and mental healthy
     d. and mental health
7) mental health experts warn that young men ______
     a. can develop anxious
     b. can develop anxiety
     c. can develops anxiety
     d. canned develop anxiety
8) problems start for men when looks become the only thing ______
     a. on their lives
     b. in them lives
     c. in their lives
     d. in their live
9) warned that too many young men are falling ______
     a. unto the trap
     b. into the trap
     c. into the clap
     d. into the trip
10) focus on more sustainable ways to generate ______
     a. their selfie-steam
     b. their self-esteem
     c. their sell fist team
     d. there's elf esteemed

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A (1) __________________________________________________ young men is causing doctors to worry. The trend is called "looksmaxxing". Men who follow it want (2) __________________________________________________ looks. They want to have a more physically attractive face and body. They do this through many different methods. Some of these are dangerous. One method (3) __________________________________________________. This involves putting pressure on bones in the face to make them change shape. Many men do this to try to get (4) __________________________________________________. They want to look stronger by having a "power jaw". Another thing young men are doing is (5) __________________________________________________ and using fillers in their cheeks, under their eyes, and in their lips. These things can remove (6) __________________________________________________ men look younger.

Many doctors (7) __________________________________________________ men who follow looksmaxxing are damaging their physical and mental health. Many things can (8) __________________________________________________ bone smashing and cosmetic surgery. Moreover, mental health experts warn that young men (9) __________________________________________________ if they constantly worry about their looks and body shape. Anda Solea, (10) __________________________________________________ looksmaxxing, said problems start for men when looks become the only thing in their lives. Dr Stuart Murray, from the University of Southern California, warned that too many young men are falling "into (11) __________________________________________________ dissatisfaction and low self-esteem". He hopes men will "focus on more sustainable ways (12) __________________________________________________ self-esteem".

Comprehension questions

Who is worried about young men?
What does the article say men want to maximize?
What shape of jaw do many young men want?
What are men putting in their cheeks?
What do young men want to remove from their face?
What are men damaging besides their physical health?
What can young men develop if they worry too much?
Who is Anda Solea?
What trap are young men falling into?
What did a doctor say young men should focus on increasing?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who is worried about young men?
a) old men
b) doctors
c) young women
d) experts
2) What does the article say men want to maximize?
a) their time
b) their money
c) their happiness
d) their looks
3) What shape of jaw do many young men want?
a) a square jaw
b) a triangular jaw
c) an oval jaw
d) a pentagonal jaw
4) What are men putting in their cheeks?
a) their tongues
b) marshmallows
c) filler
d) cotton wool
5) What do young men want to remove from their face?
a) spots
b) wrinkles
c) greasy
d) hair

6) What are men damaging besides their physical health?
a) their jobs
b) their relationships
c) their mental health
d) their hips
7) What can young men develop if they worry too much?
a) baldness
b) heart problems
c) technique
d) anxiety
8) Who is Anda Solea?
a) an expert on looksmaxxing
b) a cosmetic surgeon
c) a wrinkle remover
d) a power jaw designer
9) What trap are young men falling into?
a) the trap of dissatisfaction and low self-esteem
b) a beat trap
c) a deep trap
d) a difficult-to-get-out-of trap
10) What did a doctor say young men should focus on increasing?
a) their money
b) self-esteem
c) muscle size
d) circle of friends

Role play

Role A – A Nice Smile
You think a nice smile is the most attractive thing about a person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): lovely hair, big muscles or kindness.

Role B – Hair
You think lovely hair is the most attractive thing about a person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): a nice smile, big muscles or kindness.

Role C – Big Muscles
You think big muscles is the most attractive thing about a person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): lovely hair, a nice smile or kindness.

Role D – Kindness
You think kindness is the most attractive thing about a person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): lovely hair, big muscles or a nice smile.

After reading / listening

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

'looks'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'trend'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

new

want

through

change

doing

remove

concerned

wrong

develop

thing

falling

focus

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 - Looksmaxxing

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 'looks'?
How happy are you with your looks?
What do you know about looksmaxxing?
What do you do to look better?
What do you think of 'bone smashing'?
What do you think of cosmetic surgery?
How much do you worry about wrinkles?
What would you like to change about yourself?
What advice do you have for looksmaxxers?

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 'trend'?
What do you think about what you read?
Why might looksmaxxing harm people's mental health?
Are you ever anxious about your looks?
What do you think of photos of perfect bodies on social media?
Do you have low or high self-esteem?
Should we teach children to not worry about their looks?
What do you think of the cosmetics industry?
What questions would you like to ask the doctors?

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)

A new trend among young men is (1) ____ doctors to worry. The trend is called "looksmaxxing". Men who follow it want to maximize their (2) ____. They want to have a more physically attractive face and body. They do this (3) ____ many different methods. Some of these are dangerous. One method is bone smashing. This involves putting pressure on bones (4) ____ the face to make them change shape. Many men do this to try to get a "square" jaw. They want to look stronger by (5) ____ a "power jaw". Another thing young men are doing is having cosmetic surgery and using fillers in their cheeks, under their eyes, and in their (6) ____. These things can remove wrinkles and make men look younger.

Many doctors are concerned that men who follow looksmaxxing are damaging (7) ____ physical and mental health. Many things can go wrong with bone smashing and cosmetic surgery. Moreover, mental health (8) ____ warn that young men can develop anxiety if they constantly worry about their looks and body shape. Anda Solea, an expert (9) ____ looksmaxxing, said problems start for men when looks become the only thing in their (10) ____. Dr Stuart Murray, from the University of Southern California, warned that too many young men are (11) ____ "into the trap of dissatisfaction and low self-esteem". He hopes men will "focus (12) ____ more sustainable ways to generate their self-esteem".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a)     caused     (b)     cause     (c)     causing     (d)     causes
(a)     looks     (b)     looked     (c)     looking     (d)     locks
(a)     through     (b)     though     (c)     thorough     (d)     thought
(a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     up
(a)     had     (b)     have     (c)     has     (d)     having
(a)     rips     (b)     dips     (c)     pips     (d)     lips
(a)     their     (b)     they     (c)     them     (d)     us
(a)     accepts     (b)     expats     (c)     expects     (d)     experts
(a)     on     (b)     up     (c)     as     (d)     for
(a)     lived     (b)     lives     (c)     living     (d)     live
(a)     fallen     (b)     falling     (c)     fell     (d)     falls
(a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     by     (d)     of

Spelling

Paragraph 1

a more physically tteairtacv face
putting erressup on bones
try to get a qraues jaw
having cosmetic urgreys
using fillers in their kceshe
These things can remove nkrisewl

Paragraph 2

damaging their hyaspicl and mental health
mental health sepexrt
they tnstoylcna worry about their looks
falling into the trap of ftaiocsdtsiasni
low fsle-smetee
focus on more isltubaasen ways

Put the text back together

( 1 )   A new trend among young men is causing doctors to worry. The trend is called "looksmaxxing". Men who
(    )   and body. They do this through many different methods. Some of these are dangerous. One method is bone
(    )   doing is having cosmetic surgery and using fillers in their cheeks, under their eyes, and in their
(    )   experts warn that young men can develop anxiety if they constantly worry about their looks and body
(    )   follow it want to maximize their looks. They want to have a more physically attractive face
(    )   lips. These things can remove wrinkles and make men look younger.
(    )   Many doctors are concerned that men who follow looksmaxxing are damaging their physical and
(    )   mental health. Many things can go wrong with bone smashing and cosmetic surgery. Moreover, mental health
(    )   on more sustainable ways to generate their self-esteem".
(    )   shape. Anda Solea, an expert on looksmaxxing, said problems start for men when looks become the only
(    )   smashing. This involves putting pressure on bones in the face to make them change shape. Many men do
(    )   thing in their lives. Dr Stuart Murray, from the University of Southern California, warned that too many
(    )   this to try to get a "square" jaw. They want to look stronger by having a "power jaw". Another thing young men are
(    )   young men are falling "into the trap of dissatisfaction and low self-esteem". He hopes men will "focus

Put the words in the right order

a attractive face have more They to want .
bones involves method on pressure putting This .
a by having jaw Look power stronger .
Another are cosmetic having is men surgery thing .
and look make men Remove wrinkles younger .
about are concerned Doctors follow looksmaxxing men who .
bone can go Many smashing things with wrong .
anxiety can develop Experts men that warn young .
become in lives Looks only the their thing .
generate More self-esteem sustainable their to ways .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A new trend / trendy among young men is causing doctors to worry. The trend is called "looksmaxxing". Men who follow them / it want to maximize their looks / looking. They want to have a more physically attractive face and body. They do this through / though many different methods. Some of these are dangerous. One method is bone smashing. This involve / involves putting pressure on bones in the face to make them change sharp / shape. Many men do this to try to / for get a "square" jaw. They want to look stronger by having a "power jaw". Another thing young men are done / doing is having cosmetic surgery and using fillers in their checks / cheeks, under their eyes, and in their lips. These things can remove / removal wrinkles and make men look younger.

Many doctors are cornered / concerned that men who follow looksmaxxing are damaging them / their physical and mental health. Many things can go long / wrong with bone smashing and cosmetic surgery. Moreover, mental health experts / expats warn that young men can develop anxiety / anxious if they constantly worry around / about their looks and body shape. Anda Solea, an expert on looksmaxxing, said problems start for / to men when looks become the only thing in their lives / live. Dr Stuart Murray, from the University of Southern California, warned that too many young men are falling / felling "into the trap of dissatisfaction and low self-esteem". He hopes men will "focus on more sustainable ways / way to generate their self-esteem".

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)

_ n_w tr_nd _m_ng y__ng m_n _s c__s_ng d_ct_rs t_ w_rry. Th_ tr_nd _s c_ll_d "l__ksm_xx_ng". M_n wh_ f_ll_w _t w_nt t_ m_x_m_z_ th__r l__ks. Th_y w_nt t_ h_v_ _ m_r_ phys_c_lly _ttr_ct_v_ f_c_ _nd b_dy. Th_y d_ th_s thr__gh m_ny d_ff_r_nt m_th_ds. S_m_ _f th_s_ _r_ d_ng_r__s. _n_ m_th_d _s b_n_ sm_sh_ng. Th_s _nv_lv_s p_tt_ng pr_ss_r_ _n b_n_s _n th_ f_c_ t_ m_k_ th_m ch_ng_ sh_p_. M_ny m_n d_ th_s t_ try t_ g_t _ "sq__r_" j_w. Th_y w_nt t_ l__k str_ng_r by h_v_ng _ "p_w_r j_w". _n_th_r th_ng y__ng m_n _r_ d__ng _s h_v_ng c_sm_t_c s_rg_ry _nd _s_ng f_ll_rs _n th__r ch__ks, _nd_r th__r _y_s, _nd _n th__r l_ps. Th_s_ th_ngs c_n r_m_v_ wr_nkl_s _nd m_k_ m_n l__k y__ng_r.

M_ny d_ct_rs _r_ c_nc_rn_d th_t m_n wh_ f_ll_w l__ksm_xx_ng _r_ d_m_g_ng th__r phys_c_l _nd m_nt_l h__lth. M_ny th_ngs c_n g_ wr_ng w_th b_n_ sm_sh_ng _nd c_sm_t_c s_rg_ry. M_r__v_r, m_nt_l h__lth _xp_rts w_rn th_t y__ng m_n c_n d_v_l_p _nx__ty _f th_y c_nst_ntly w_rry _b__t th__r l__ks _nd b_dy sh_p_. _nd_ S_l__, _n _xp_rt _n l__ksm_xx_ng, s__d pr_bl_ms st_rt f_r m_n wh_n l__ks b_c_m_ th_ _nly th_ng _n th__r l_v_s. Dr St__rt M_rr_y, fr_m th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f S__th_rn C_l_f_rn__, w_rn_d th_t t__ m_ny y__ng m_n _r_ f_ll_ng "_nt_ th_ tr_p _f d_ss_t_sf_ct__n _nd l_w s_lf-_st__m". H_ h_p_s m_n w_ll "f_c_s _n m_r_ s_st__n_bl_ w_ys t_ g_n_r_t_ th__r s_lf-_st__m".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a new trend among young men is causing doctors to worry the trend is called looksmaxxing men who follow it want to maximize their looks they want to have a more physically attractive face and body they do this through many different methods some of these are dangerous one method is bone smashing this involves putting pressure on bones in the face to make them change shape many men do this to try to get a square jaw they want to look stronger by having a power jaw another thing young men are doing is having cosmetic surgery and using fillers in their cheeks under their eyes and in their lips these things can remove wrinkles and make men look younger

many doctors are concerned that men who follow looksmaxxing are damaging their physical and mental health many things can go wrong with bone smashing and cosmetic surgery moreover mental health experts warn that young men can develop anxiety if they constantly worry about their looks and body shape anda solea an expert on looksmaxxing said problems start for men when looks become the only thing in their lives dr stuart murray from the university of southern california warned that too many young men are falling into the trap of dissatisfaction and low selfesteem he hopes men will focus on more sustainable ways to generate their selfesteem

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Anewtrendamongyoungmeniscausingdoctorstoworry.Thetrendiscal
led"looksmaxxing".Menwhofollowitwanttomaximizetheirlooks.They
wanttohaveamorephysicallyattractivefaceandbody.Theydothisthro
ughmanydifferentmethods.Someofthesearedangerous.Onemethod
isbonesmashing.Thisinvolvesputtingpressureonbonesinthefacetom
akethemchangeshape.Manymendothistotrytogeta"square"jaw.The
ywanttolookstrongerbyhavinga"powerjaw".Anotherthingyoungme
naredoingishavingcosmeticsurgeryandusingfillersintheircheeks,un
dertheireyes,andintheirlips.Thesethingscanremovewrinklesandma
kemenlookyounger.Manydoctorsareconcernedthatmenwhofollowlo
oksmaxxingaredamagingtheirphysicalandmentalhealth.Manything
scangowrongwithbonesmashingandcosmeticsurgery.Moreover,me
ntalhealthexpertswarnthatyoungmencandevelopanxietyiftheycons
tantlyworryabouttheirlooksandbodyshape.AndaSolea,anexpertonlo
oksmaxxing,saidproblemsstartformenwhenlooksbecometheonlythi
ngintheirlives.DrStuartMurray,fromtheUniversityofSouthernCalifor
nia,warnedthattoomanyyoungmenarefalling"intothetrapofdissatisf
actionandlowself-esteem".Hehopesmenwill"focusonmoresustaina
blewaystogeneratetheirself-esteem".

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

No one should care about their looks. 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. TRENDS: Make a poster about trends. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. LOOKS: Write a magazine article about children having lessons about looks not being important. 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 looks. Ask him/her three questions about looking good. Give him/her three of your opinions on why looks are or are not important. 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: Looksmaxxing

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