Breaking News English Lesson: Bayeux Tapestry

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Bayeux Tapestry back in UK after 900 years (13th July 2026)

The Reading / Listening - Bayeux Tapestry - Level 6

The Bayeux Tapestry has returned to Britain for the first time in more than 900 years. The famed, 68-metre-long tapestry is an embroidered artwork and important historical document. It chronicles 58 events surrounding the successful military invasion and takeover of England in 1066 by France's Duke William of Normandy. It shows the death of England's King Harold II, who was hit in the eye by an arrow at the Battle of Hastings. Historians believe the tapestry was made in England as a gift for William. For the past 900 years, it has been preserved in Bayeux, France. It is now at the British Museum in London, where it will be put on display between September 2026 and July 2027.

The tapestry was transported with military precision by an art transportation specialist. There was heavy police protection as the historic masterpiece made its journey under the cover of darkness to the British capital. It was encased in a climate-controlled box with technology to minimize shocks. The director of the British Museum called the operation a "monumental effort". Millions of people are expected to see it. A museum spokesperson said: "Every British child knows the date of 1066 — the Battle of Hastings." This battle changed the course of British history. The UK's culture secretary called it "a pivotal period in our national story and our shared heritage and friendship with France".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Bayeux Tapestry - Level 4 or Bayeux Tapestry - Level 5

Sources

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260708-bayeux-tapestry-to-arrive-in-london-in-secret-high-stakes-operation
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/10/style/bayeux-tapestry-arrives-britain-scli-intl
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/10/bayeux-tapestry-smuggled-into-britain-for-first-visit-in-1000-years

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. THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the Bayeux Tapestry. 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?
tapestry / Britain / embroidered / historical document / military / invasion / historian /
precision / art / specialist / masterpiece / capital / museum / 1066 / heritage / France
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. RETURN: Students A strongly believe all historical artefacts should be returned to their country of origin; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ARTEFACTS: What do you know about these historical artefacts? What do you want to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	What I Want to Know
Bayeux Tapestry
Dead Sea Scrolls
Tutankhamun's gold mask
The Terracotta Army
The Rosetta Stone
Aztec Sun Stone

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

History
Archaeology
Technology
Food
Fashion
Football
Space
Music

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	tapestry	a.	Shown for people to see.
2.	embroidered	b.	A picture or cloth made by weaving coloured wool thread together.
3.	chronicle (verb)	c.	When one person or group takes control of something.
4.	invasion	d.	Decorated with patterns made by sewing with thread.
5.	takeover	e.	When an army enters a country to take control of it.
6.	preserved	f.	Record or describe events in the order that they happened.
7.	on display	g.	Kept safe and in good condition.

Paragraph 2

8.	military	h.	Connected with an army or soldiers.
9.	precision	i.	Very important because it changes what happens next.
10.	masterpiece	j.	Great care to be exact and correct.
11.	minimize	k.	Very large, important, or impressive.
12.	shocks (noun)	l.	A work of art that is very beautiful or important.
13.	monumental	m.	Make something as small or as little as possible.
14.	pivotal	n.	Hard hits or sudden strong movements.

Before reading / listening

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

The last time the tapestry was in England was exactly 900 years ago. T / F
The tapestry is 68 metres in length. T / F
There are 58 different events shown on the tapestry. T / F
The tapestry was a present for a king of England. T / F
The tapestry was protected by the army as it moved to London. T / F
Specialist movers transported the tapestry at night. T / F
The article says British children know 1,066 dates. T / F
The article says the Battle of Hastings changed French. T / F

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

embroidered
chronicles
invasion
preserved
display
specialist
masterpiece
monumental
course
pivotal

kept
huge
occupation
gem
direction
decorated
show
decisive
describes
expert

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

an embroidered
It chronicles
the successful military invasion and
hit in the eye
it will be put
The tapestry was transported with
heavy police
made its journey under the cover
Millions of people are
a pivotal period

of darkness
on display
in our national story
military precision
artwork
expected to see it
by an arrow
58 events
protection
takeover of England

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

military
arrow
display
returned
preserved
artwork
death
gift

The Bayeux Tapestry has (1) _________________________________ to Britain for the first time in more than 900 years. The famed, 68-metre-long tapestry is an embroidered (2) _________________________________ and important historical document. It chronicles 58 events surrounding the successful (3) _________________________________ invasion and takeover of England in 1066 by France's Duke William of Normandy. It shows the (4) _________________________________ of England's King Harold II, who was hit in the eye at the Battle of Hastings by an (5) _________________________________. Historians believe the tapestry was made in England as a (6) _________________________________ for William. For the past 900 years, it has been (7) _________________________________ in Bayeux, France. It is now at the British Museum in London, where it will be put on (8) _________________________________ between September 2026 and July 2027.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

darkness
expected
heritage
precision
pivotal
shocks
masterpiece
course

The tapestry was transported with military (9) _________________________________ by an art transportation specialist. There was heavy police protection as the historic (10) _________________________________ made its journey under the cover of (11) _________________________________ to the British capital. It was encased in a climate-controlled box with technology to minimize (12) _________________________________. The director of the British Museum called the operation a "monumental effort". Millions of people are (13) _________________________________ to see it. A museum spokesperson said: "Every British child knows the date of 1066 — the Battle of Hastings." This battle changed the (14) _________________________________ of British history. The UK's culture secretary called it "a (15) _________________________________ period in our national story and our shared (16) _________________________________ and friendship with France".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The famed, 68-metre-long tapestry is an embroidered artwork and ______
     a. importance historical document
     b. important historical documented
     c. important historical document
     d. importantly historical document
2) It chronicles 58 events surrounding the ______
     a. successful military invaders
     b. successful military invasion
     c. successful military invading
     d. successful military inversion
3) It shows the death of England's King Harold II, who was hit in the eye ______
     a. by an arrow
     b. by a narrow
     c. buyer an arrow
     d. buyer narrow
4) Historians believe the tapestry was made in England as a ______
     a. gilt for William
     b. rift for William
     c. girth for William
   d. gift for William
5) It is now at the British Museum in London, where it will be ______
     a. put in displayed
     b. put on display
     c. putting display
     d. put on displayed

6) The tapestry was transported with military precision by an ______
     a. art transportation specialism
     b. art transportation specialist
     c. are transportation specialist
     d. art transportation special list
7) the historic masterpiece made its journey under the ______
     a. cover off darkness
     b. cover of dark nest
     c. cover of darkness
     d. cover of darken nest
8) The director of the British Museum called the operation ______
     a. a monument tall effort
     b. a monumentally effort
     c. a monument all effort
     d. a monumental effort
9) the Battle of Hastings. This battle changed the course ______
     a. of British historical
     b. of British history
     c. of British historian
     d. of British historically
10) a pivotal period in our national story and ______
     a. our shared heritage
     b. our shared hermitage
     c. our shared inherit age
     d. our sharing heritage

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Bayeux Tapestry has returned to Britain for the first time in more than 900 years. The famed, 68-metre-long tapestry (1) _______________________________________________ artwork and important historical document. It chronicles 58 events surrounding the successful (2) _______________________________________________ takeover of England in 1066 by France's Duke William of Normandy. It shows (3) _______________________________________________ England's King Harold II, who was hit in the eye by (4) _______________________________________________ the Battle of Hastings. Historians believe the tapestry was made in England as a gift for William. For the past 900 years, it has (5) _______________________________________________ Bayeux, France. It is now at the British Museum in London, where it will be (6) _______________________________________________ between September 2026 and July 2027.

The tapestry was transported with (7) _______________________________________________ an art transportation specialist. There was (8) _______________________________________________ as the historic masterpiece made its journey under the (9) _______________________________________________ to the British capital. It was encased in a climate-controlled box with technology to minimize shocks. The director of the British Museum called the operation (10) _______________________________________________. Millions of people are expected to see it. A museum spokesperson said: "Every British child knows the date of 1066 — the Battle of Hastings." This battle (11) _______________________________________________ of British history. The UK's culture secretary called it "a pivotal period in our national story and our (12) _______________________________________________ friendship with France".

Comprehension questions

How long is the Bayeux Tapestry?
How many events are pictures on the tapestry?
What killed England's King Harold II?
What was the Bayeux Tapestry made for?
Where will the Bayeux Tapestry be put on display?
When did the Bayeux Tapestry get transported from France to London?
What was the tapestry protected against in a special box?
How many people are expected to see the Bayeux Tapestry in London?
What does the article say the Battle of Hastings changed?
Who said the Battle of Hastings was "a pivotal period" in British history?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How long is the Bayeux Tapestry?
a) 58 metres
b) 68 metres
c) 78 metres
d) 88 metres
2) How many events are pictures on the tapestry?
a) 28
b) 38
c) 48
d) 58
3) What killed England's King Harold II?
a) a gun
b) an axe
c) an arrow
d) a rock
4) What was the Bayeux Tapestry made for?
a) a gift
b) a decoration
c) a work of installation art
d) a peace offering
5) Where will the Bayeux Tapestry be put on display?
a) Bayeux
b) the British Museum
c) Paris
d) the French Embassy

6) When did the Bayeux Tapestry get transported from France to London?
a) at night
b) a week ago
c) at 8:32
d) at lunchtime
7) What was the tapestry protected against in a special box?
a) pollution
b) light
c) shocks
d) theft
8) How many people are expected to see the Bayeux Tapestry in London?
a) millions
b) tens of millions
c) hundreds of thousands
d) 7,900,000
9) What does the article say the Battle of Hastings changed?
a) language
b) Britain's geography
c) warfare
d) the course of British history
10) Who said the Battle of Hastings was "a pivotal period" in British history?
a) France's president
b) the mayor of Bayeux
c) the UK's culture secretary
d) the mayor of Hastings

Role play

Role A – Museums of History
You think history museums are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their museums. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): technology museums, music museums or food museums.

Role B – Museums of Technology
You think technology museums are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their museums. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): history museums, music museums or food museums.

Role C – Museums of Music
You think music museums are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their museums. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): technology museums, history museums or food museums.

Role D – Museums of Food
You think food museums are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their museums. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): technology museums, music museums or history museums.

After reading / listening

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

'artwork'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'museum'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

famed

chronicles

shows

gift

past

now

transported

cover

box

effort

changed

story

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 - Bayeux Tapestry

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 'artwork'?
What do you know about British history?
What historical artefacts are there in your country?
Would you like to see the Bayeux Tapestry?
What is the most significant historical event in your country?
Has your country ever been invaded?
Has your country ever invaded another country?
What's your favourite museum?
What is your national museum like?

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 'museum'?
What do you think about what you read?
What influence has French had on the English language?
What significant dates are there in your country's history?
What changed the course of your nation's history?
Why was the transportation of the tapestry so secretive?
Who are your country's best friends?
Who does your country have shared heritage with?
What questions would you like to ask the British Museum?

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)

The Bayeux Tapestry has returned to Britain for the first time in more than 900 years. The (1) ____, 68-metre-long tapestry is an embroidered artwork and important (2) ____ document. It chronicles 58 events surrounding the successful (3) ____ invasion and takeover of England in 1066 by France's Duke William of Normandy. It shows the death of England's King Harold II, who was hit in the eye by an arrow at the Battle of Hastings. Historians believe the tapestry was made in England (4) ____ a gift for William. For the past 900 years, it has been preserved (5) ____ Bayeux, France. It is now at the British Museum in London, where it will be put (6) ____ display between September 2026 and July 2027.

The tapestry was transported with military precision by an art transportation specialist. There was (7) ____ police protection as the historic masterpiece made its journey (8) ____ the cover of darkness to the British capital. It was encased in a climate-controlled box with technology to minimize shocks. The director of the British Museum called the operation a "monumental (9) ____ ". Millions of people are expected to see it. A museum spokesperson said: "Every British child knows the date (10) ____ 1066 — the Battle of Hastings." This battle changed the (11) ____ of British history. The UK's culture secretary called it "a pivotal period in our national story and our (12) ____ heritage and friendship with France".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) renown (b) notoriety (c) famed (d) infamy
(a) historical (b) historian (c) historically (d) histories
(a) military (b) militia (c) militaristic (d) militate
(a) as (b) has (c) was (d) 'twas
(a) at (b) of (c) by (d) in
(a) at (b) up (c) in (d) on
(a) heavy (b) bulky (c) stout (d) dense
(a) over (b) below (c) above (d) under
(a) effort (b) affront (c) affect (d) affliction
(a) in (b) of (c) in (d) to
(a) curse (b) course (c) coarse (d) caress
(a) shared (b) sharing (c) shares (d) share

Spelling

Paragraph 1

an dibreeomdre artwork
It encrolhcis 58 events
the successful military vinsaoni
hit in the eye by an roraw
it has been vrpeeedsr in Bayeux
it will be put on pylsdai

Paragraph 2

transported with military oinpiscer
the historic rpeaitecsem
It was eencdas in a climate-controlled box
a lneunamotm effort
a ovpialt period in our national story
our shared egaeriht and friendship

Put the text back together

(    )   1066 — the Battle of Hastings." This battle changed the course of British history. The UK's culture
(    )   68-metre-long tapestry is an embroidered artwork and important historical document. It chronicles 58 events
(    )   expected to see it. A museum spokesperson said: "Every British child knows the date of
(    )   eye by an arrow at the Battle of Hastings. Historians believe the tapestry was made in England as a
(    )   France's Duke William of Normandy. It shows the death of England's King Harold II, who was hit in the
(    )   gift for William. For the past 900 years, it has been preserved in Bayeux, France. It is now at
(    )   of the British Museum called the operation a "monumental effort". Millions of people are
(    )   protection as the historic masterpiece made its journey under the cover of darkness to
(    )   secretary called it "a pivotal period in our national story and our shared heritage and friendship with France".
(    )   surrounding the successful military invasion and takeover of England in 1066 by
( 1 )   The Bayeux Tapestry has returned to Britain for the first time in more than 900 years. The famed,
(    )   the British capital. It was encased in a climate-controlled box with technology to minimize shocks. The director
(    )   the British Museum in London, where it will be put on display between September 2026 and July 2027.
(    )   The tapestry was transported with military precision by an art transportation specialist. There was heavy police

Put the words in the right order

68-metre-long an artwork embroidered famed, is tapestry The .
chronicles events invasion It military surrounding successful the .
believe England Historians in made tapestry the was .
900 been For has years, it preserved .
at in is It London museum now the .
military precision tapestry The transported was with .
cover darkness journey Made of the its under .
are expected it Millions of people see to .
battle British changed course history of the This .
a in It's national our period pivotal story .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The Bayeux Tapestry has returned to Britain for the first time in / on more than 900 years. The fame / famed, 68-metre-long tapestry is an embroidered / embroider artwork and important historical document. It chronicles / chronic 58 events surrounding / surrounded the successful military invasion and takeover of England in 1066 by / to France's Duke William of Normandy. It shows the death of England's King Harold II, who was hit on / in the eye by an arrow at the Battle of Hastings. Historians believe the tapestry was made in England as a grift / gift for William. For the past 900 years, it has been preserved / persevered in Bayeux, France. It is now at the British Museum in London, where it will be put in / on display between September 2026 and July 2027.

The tapestry was transported with military precision / precise by an art transportation specialist. There was heavy police protective / protection as the historic masterpiece made its journey over / under the cover of darkness to the British capital. It was encased / engrossed in a climate-controlled box with technology to maximize / minimize shocks. The director of the British Museum called the operation / operational a "monumental effort". Millions of people are expected for / to see it. A museum spokesperson said: "Every British child knows the date of 1066 — the Battle of Hastings." This battle changed the course / coarse of British history. The UK's culture secretary called it "a pivotal / pivot period in our national story and our shared / sharing heritage and friendship with France".

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)

Th_ B_y__x T_p_stry h_s r_t_rn_d t_ Br_t__n f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _n m_r_ th_n 900 y__rs. Th_ f_m_d, 68-m_tr_-l_ng t_p_stry _s _n _mbr__d_r_d _rtw_rk _nd _mp_rt_nt h_st_r_c_l d_c_m_nt. _t chr_n_cl_s 58 _v_nts s_rr__nd_ng th_ s_cc_ssf_l m_l_t_ry _nv_s__n _nd t_k__v_r _f _ngl_nd _n 1066 by Fr_nc_'s D_k_ W_ll__m _f N_rm_ndy. _t sh_ws th_ d__th _f _ngl_nd's K_ng H_r_ld, wh_ w_s h_t _n th_ _y_ by _n _rr_w _t th_ B_ttl_ _f H_st_ngs. H_st_r__ns b_l__v_ th_ t_p_stry w_s m_d_ _n _ngl_nd _s _ g_ft f_r W_ll__m. F_r th_ p_st 900 y__rs, _t h_s b__n pr_s_rv_d _n B_y__x, Fr_nc_. _t _s n_w _t th_ Br_t_sh M_s__m _n L_nd_n, wh_r_ _t w_ll b_ p_t _n d_spl_y b_tw__n S_pt_mb_r 2026 _nd J_ly 2027.

Th_ t_p_stry w_s tr_nsp_rt_d w_th m_l_t_ry pr_c_s__n by _n _rt tr_nsp_rt_t__n sp_c__l_st. Th_r_ w_s h__vy p_l_c_ pr_t_ct__n _s th_ h_st_r_c m_st_rp__c_ m_d_ _ts j__rn_y _nd_r th_ c_v_r _f d_rkn_ss t_ th_ Br_t_sh c_p_t_l. _t w_s _nc_s_d _n _ cl_m_t_-c_ntr_ll_d b_x w_th t_chn_l_gy t_ m_n_m_z_ sh_cks. Th_ d_r_ct_r _f th_ Br_t_sh M_s__m c_ll_d th_ _p_r_t__n _ "m_n_m_nt_l _ff_rt". M_ll__ns _f p__pl_ _r_ _xp_ct_d t_ s__ _t. _ m_s__m sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d: "_v_ry Br_t_sh ch_ld kn_ws th_ d_t_ _f 1066 — th_ B_ttl_ _f H_st_ngs." Th_s b_ttl_ ch_ng_d th_ c__rs_ _f Br_t_sh h_st_ry. Th_ _K's c_lt_r_ s_cr_t_ry c_ll_d _t "_ p_v_t_l p_r__d _n __r n_t__n_l st_ry _nd __r sh_r_d h_r_t_g_ _nd fr__ndsh_p w_th Fr_nc_".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the bayeux tapestry has returned to britain for the first time in more than 900 years the famed 68metrelong tapestry is an embroidered artwork and important historical document it chronicles 58 events surrounding the successful military invasion and takeover of england in 1066 by frances duke william of normandy it shows the death of englands king harold who was hit in the eye by an arrow at the battle of hastings historians believe the tapestry was made in england as a gift for william for the past 900 years it has been preserved in bayeux france it is now at the british museum in london where it will be put on display between september 2026 and july 2027

the tapestry was transported with military precision by an art transportation specialist there was heavy police protection as the historic masterpiece made its journey under the cover of darkness to the british capital it was encased in a climatecontrolled box with technology to minimize shocks the director of the british museum called the operation a monumental effort millions of people are expected to see it a museum spokesperson said every british child knows the date of 1066 the battle of hastings this battle changed the course of british history the uks culture secretary called it a pivotal period in our national story and our shared heritage and friendship with france

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheBayeuxTapestryhasreturnedtoBritainforthefirsttimeinmorethan
900years.Thefamed,68-metre-longtapestryisanembroideredartwo
rkandimportanthistoricaldocument.Itchronicles58eventssurroundi
ngthesuccessfulmilitaryinvasionandtakeoverofEnglandin1066byFra
nce'sDukeWilliamofNormandy.ItshowsthedeathofEngland'sKingHa
roldII,whowashitintheeyebyanarrowattheBattleofHastings.Historia
nsbelievethetapestrywasmadeinEnglandasagiftforWilliam.Forthepa
st900years,ithasbeenpreservedinBayeux,France.ItisnowattheBritis
hMuseuminLondon,whereitwillbeputondisplaybetweenSeptember2
026andJuly2027.Thetapestrywastransportedwithmilitaryprecisionb
yanarttransportationspecialist.Therewasheavypoliceprotectionasth
ehistoricmasterpiecemadeitsjourneyunderthecoverofdarknesstoth
eBritishcapital.Itwasencasedinaclimate-controlledboxwithtechnolo
gytominimizeshocks.ThedirectoroftheBritishMuseumcalledtheoper
ationa"monumentaleffort".Millionsofpeopleareexpectedtoseeit.Am
useumspokespersonsaid:"EveryBritishchildknowsthedateof1066—
theBattleofHastings."ThisbattlechangedthecourseofBritishhistory.T
heUK'sculturesecretarycalledit"apivotalperiodinournationalstoryan
doursharedheritageandfriendshipwithFrance".

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

All historical artefacts should be in their country of origin. 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. THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY: Make a poster about the Bayeux Tapestry. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. RETURNING ARTEFACTS: Write a magazine article about all countries returning the artefacts they have from other countries. 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 the Bayeux Tapestry. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on historical artefacts. 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: Bayeux Tapestry

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