. First Dates - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
First Dates - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
First Dates - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: First Dates

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:

  • 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 :-)

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

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News

"Much has been said and written on the utility of newspapers; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools."

The Portland Eastern Herald (June 8, 1795)

"News is history in its first and best form, its vivid and fascinating form, and. history is the pale and tranquil reflection of it."

Mark Twain, in his autobiography (1906)

"Current events provide authentic learning experiences for students at all grade levels. In studying current events, students are required to use a range of cognitive, affective, critical thinking and research skills."

Haas, M. and Laughlin, M. (2000) Teaching Current Events: It's Status in Social Studies Today.

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 See a sample
  • 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. 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.

• 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:

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.

Academic writing

A text is better than a phone call the morning after a romantic date. 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. 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

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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