. Humanoids - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Humanoids - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Humanoids - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: Humanoids

The South Korean car maker Hyundai has announced plans to introduce 30,000 humanoid robots into its car plants. This will gradually take place over the next decade. The humanoids (called Atlas) are being manufactured by Hyundai's subsidiary Boston Dynamics. Atlas was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Hyundai stated on its website that Atlas would advance human-robot collaboration. It added that the robot would assist in "evolving hardware-driven robotics into adaptive, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to amplify human potential". Hyundai's vice-chairperson acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to train it.

A life-sized Atlas was put through its paces on stage in Las Vegas. It wowed the audience with a flawless display of its dexterity. Its movements were incredibly human-like as it swivelled, swung its arms, marched around like a human, and demonstrated remarkable balance. Hyundai expects the humanoid robots to work side by side with human staff. The robots will collect data, learn movements, and improve through artificial intelligence software. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said: "The convergence of robotics and AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer and more enriching."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

  • https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/newsroom/detail/0000001100
  • https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/hyundai-boston-dynamics-unveil-humanoid-robot-atlas-ces-rcna252483
  • https://www.axios.com/2026/01/05/hyundai-humanoid-robots-boston-dynamics

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 :-)

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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. HUMANOID ROBOTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about humanoid robots. 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? car makers / plans / car plants / the next decade / electronics / robot / potential / jobs stage / audience / dexterity / balance / human staff / software / robotics / innovation Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. HUMANOID ROBOTS: Students A strongly believe humanoids will be essential in our future; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. HUMAN POTENTIAL: How might humanoids amplify human potential in these areas? How good would this be for you? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Human potential amplification

How good?

Studying

Fitness

Social skills

Hobbies

Love

Food

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • English homework help
  • Companionship
  • Fitness coach
  • Personal bodyguard
  • Personal chef
  • Giver of advice
  • Cleaner
  • Chauffeur
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. plants (noun) a. Shown to people for the first time. 2. subsidiary b. Big buildings/factories where people and machines make things. 3. unveiled c. Working together with other people. 4. collaboration d. Slowly changing and getting better over time. 5. evolving e. A company that is owned by a bigger company. 6. amplify f. Said that something is true. 7. acknowledged g. To make something bigger or stronger.

Paragraph 2

8. put through its paces h. Made people feel very surprised and impressed. 9. wowed i. Turned from side to side. 10. flawless j. Made to do many challenging things to see how well it works. 11. dexterity k. Perfect, with no mistakes. 12. swivelled l. When two or more things come together. 13. convergence m. The ability to move hands or body well. 14. enriching n. Making life better or more enjoyable. Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. Hyundai will put 30,000 humanoid robots in its plants starting in 2036. T / F
  2. The company making the robots is a Hyundai subsidiary called Atlas. T / F
  3. The robots were showcased at an electronics show in Las Vegas. T / F
  4. Hyundai said the robots would not lead to any job losses. T / F
  5. A robot was asked to pace up and down in a Las Vegas stage. T / F
  6. The humanoid robots will work alongside humans in Hyundai's plants. T / F
  7. AI software will help the robots learn and move. T / F
  8. Hyundai said AI and robotics would enrich our lives. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. extraordinary
  2. partnership
  3. perfect
  4. slowly
  5. change
  6. launched
  7. step forward
  8. manufacturer
  9. coming together
  10. expand
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. introduce 30,000 humanoid robots
  2. This will gradually take place
  3. Atlas would advance human-
  4. intelligence-driven robots designed to
  5. some people would be needed
  6. A life-sized Atlas was put through
  7. It wowed the audience with a flawless
  8. work side by side
  9. The convergence of robotics
  10. make human life safer and
  1. amplify human potential
  2. to train it
  3. and AI
  4. into its car plants
  5. display of its dexterity
  6. more enriching
  7. its paces
  8. over the next decade
  9. with human staff
  10. robot collaboration
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. evolving gradually amplify plants unveiled train announced advance

The South Korean car maker Hyundai has (1) _________________________________ plans to introduce 30,000 humanoid robots into its car (2) _________________________________. This will (3) _________________________________ take place over the next decade. The humanoids (called Atlas) are being manufactured by Hyundai's subsidiary Boston Dynamics. Atlas was (4) _________________________________ at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Hyundai stated on its website that Atlas would (5) _________________________________ human-robot collaboration. It added that the robot would assist in "(6) _________________________________ hardware-driven robotics into adaptive, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to (7) _________________________________ human potential". Hyundai's vice-chairperson acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to (8) _________________________________ it.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

convergence dexterity expects innovation paces enriching improve marched

A life-sized Atlas was put through its (9) _________________________________ on stage in Las Vegas. It wowed the audience with a flawless display of its (10) _________________________________. Its movements were incredibly human-like as it swivelled, swung its arms, (11) _________________________________ around like a human, and demonstrated remarkable balance. Hyundai (12) _________________________________ the humanoid robots to work side by side with human staff. The robots will collect data, learn movements, and (13) _________________________________ through artificial intelligence software. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said: "The (14) _________________________________ of robotics and AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative (15) _________________________________ that will make human life safer and more (16) _________________________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Hyundai has announced plans to introduce 30,000 humanoid robots into ＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. its car plans b. its car planes c. its car planets d. its car plants 2) This will gradually take place ＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. overly the next decade b. overt the next decade c. over the next decade d. overt a next decade 3) It added that the robot would assist in "evolving ＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. hardware-driving robotics b. hardware-driven robotics c. hardware-riven robotics d. hardware-drivel robotics 4) into adaptive, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to ＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. ample fly human potential b. amp refry human potential c. ramp a fly human potential d. amplify human potential 5) people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed ＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. too train it b. to train it c. to train its d. toot train it

6) A life-sized Atlas was put through its ＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. paces on stage b. bases on stage c. races on stage d. laces on stage 7) It wowed the audience with a flawless display ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. of its dexterity b. of its dexterous c. of its decks temerity d. of its austerity 8) Hyundai expects the humanoid robots to work side by side ＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. with human staff b. with human stuff c. with human stiff d. with human starve 9) The convergence of robotics and AI represents more than ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. a technological advance meant b. a technological advancement c. a technologically advancement d. a technologically advance mint 10) It is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer ＿＿＿＿＿＿ a. and mare enriching b. and mire enriching c. and mere enriching d. and more enriching

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The South Korean car maker Hyundai has announced (1) _______________________________________________ 30,000 humanoid robots into its car plants. This will (2) _______________________________________________ over the next decade. The humanoids (called Atlas) are being manufactured by Hyundai's subsidiary Boston Dynamics. Atlas (3) _______________________________________________ the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Hyundai stated on its website that Atlas would advance (4) _______________________________________________. It added that the robot would assist in "evolving hardware-driven (5) _______________________________________________, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to amplify human potential". Hyundai's vice-chairperson (6) _______________________________________________ could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to train it.

A life-sized Atlas was put (7) _______________________________________________ on stage in Las Vegas. It wowed the audience with a (8) _______________________________________________ its dexterity. Its movements were incredibly human-like as it swivelled, swung its arms, (9) _______________________________________________ a human, and demonstrated remarkable balance. Hyundai expects the humanoid robots to (10) _______________________________________________ side with human staff. The robots will collect data, learn movements, and improve through artificial intelligence software. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said: "The (11) _______________________________________________ and AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer (12) _______________________________________________."

Comprehension questions
  1. Over what period of time will Hyundai roll out the humanoid robots?
  2. Who is making the humanoid robots?
  3. Where did Hyundai put its robot on show?
  4. What will the robots amplify in humans?
  5. What might some people lose because of the humanoid robots?
  6. How did the audience react when they saw a robot perform?
  7. What did the robot swing?
  8. Who will the robots work alongside with?
  9. What will the robots learn via artificial intelligence software?
  10. How will the technology change human life besides making it safer?
Multiple choice quiz

1) Over what period of time will Hyundai roll out the humanoid robots? a) 20 years b) 10 years c) eight years d) five years 2) Who is making the humanoid robots? a) A company called Dynamic Boston. b) A company called Hyundai Dynamics. c) A company called Dynamic Hyundai. d) A company called Boston Dynamics. 3) Where did Hyundai put its robot on show? a) Los Alamo b) Los Angeles c) Las Vegas d) Las Palmas 4) What will the robots amplify in humans? a) human potential b) sound c) intelligence d) hearing 5) What might some people lose because of the humanoid robots? a) their hair b) their jobs c) their minds d) money

6) How did the audience react when they saw a robot perform? a) They were wowed. b) They were nonplussed. c) They laughed. d) They were ecstatic. 7) What did the robot swing? a) another robot b) a gold club c) its arms d) a car 8) Who will the robots work alongside with? a) human staff b) other robots c) management d) CEOs 9) What will the robots learn via artificial intelligence software? a) mechanics b) English c) motor maintenance d) movements 10) How will the technology change human life besides making it safer? a) Humans will be poorer. b) It will make it worse. c) It will be more enriching. d) Everyone will live a life of luxury.

Role play

Role A – English Homework Help You think help with English homework is the best reason to have a humanoid robot. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): companionship, a personal chef or a fitness coach.

Role B – Companionship You think companionship is the best reason to have a humanoid robot. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): help with English homework, a personal chef or a fitness coach.

Role C – Personal Chef You think a personal chef is the best reason to have a humanoid robot. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): companionship, help with English homework or a fitness coach.

Role D – Fitness Coach You think a fitness coach is the best reason to have a humanoid robot. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): companionship, a personal chef or help with English homework.

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 - Humanoids

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 'robot'?
  3. What do you know about Hyundai?
  4. What do you think of humanoid robots?
  5. Should robots or humans make cars in factories?
  6. What do you think of 'human-robot collaboration'?
  7. What human potential could artificial intelligence advance?
  8. What do you think of robots taking people's jobs?
  9. What will humanoid robots be doing for us in 50 years from now?
  10. How could a humanoid robot help your life?

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 'humanoid'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. What are the benefits of robots looking like humans?
  5. What can robots do better than humans?
  6. What can humans do better than robots?
  7. Will a robot team ever beat a human team at sport?
  8. How will robots make our life 'more enriching'?
  9. What are the biggest dangers of robot humanoids?
  10. What questions would you like to ask the boss of Hyundai?
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 South Korean car (1) ____ Hyundai has announced plans to introduce 30,000 humanoid robots into its car (2) ____. This will gradually take place over the next decade. The humanoids (called Atlas) are being manufactured by Hyundai's (3) ____ Boston Dynamics. Atlas was (4) ____ at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Hyundai stated on its website that Atlas would advance human-robot collaboration. It added that the robot would assist (5) ____ "evolving hardware-driven robotics into adaptive, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to (6) ____ human potential". Hyundai's vice-chairperson acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to train it.

A life-sized Atlas was put through its (7) ____ on stage in Las Vegas. It wowed the audience with a flawless display of its dexterity. Its movements were incredibly human-like as it swivelled, (8) ____ its arms, marched around like a human, and demonstrated (9) ____ balance. Hyundai expects the humanoid robots to work side by side with human staff. The robots will collect data, learn movements, and improve (10) ____ artificial intelligence software. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said: "The convergence (11) ____ robotics and AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer and more (12) ____."

Which of these words go in the above text?

  1. (a) maker (b) mark (c) marking (d) marker
  2. (a) moss (b) shrubs (c) plants (d) foliage
  3. (a) subsidy (b) subsidence (c) subsidiary (d) substitute
  4. (a) upstaged (b) enveloped (c) unwieldy (d) unveiled
  5. (a) in (b) of (c) by (d) to
  6. (a) usurp (b) revolve (c) convolute (d) amplify
  7. (a) races (b) faces (c) laces (d) paces
  8. (a) swinging (b) swung (c) swinger (d) swings
  9. (a) debatable (b) precarious (c) remarkable (d) mundane
  10. (a) thru (b) though (c) thorough (d) through
  11. (a) to (b) down (c) up (d) of
  12. (a) enrichment (b) enriching (c) richly (d) enrich
Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. manufactured by Hyundai's rydsaibsui Boston Dynamics
  2. devulnei at the Consumer Electronics Show
  3. advance human-robot obooalirtncal
  4. vvgnleoi hardware-driven robotics
  5. robots designed to plyaimf human potential
  6. eokwcdngdale that people could lose their jobs
Paragraph 2
  1. It wowed the aiduneec
  2. a flawless display of its exettrdiy
  3. incredibly human-like as it islwdeevl
  4. demonstrated emkrrabela balance
  5. The ncegrcneveo of robotics and AI
  6. It is a transformative oiinnaovtn
Put the text back together

( ) A life-sized Atlas was put through its paces on stage in Las Vegas. It wowed the audience with a flawless ( ) acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to train it. ( ) arms, marched around like a human, and demonstrated remarkable balance. Hyundai expects the humanoid ( ) collaboration. It added that the robot would assist in "evolving hardware-driven robotics into adaptive, artificial ( ) display of its dexterity. Its movements were incredibly human-like as it swivelled, swung its ( ) in Las Vegas. Hyundai stated on its website that Atlas would advance human-robot ( ) innovation that will make human life safer and more enriching." ( ) intelligence-driven robots designed to amplify human potential". Hyundai's vice-chairperson ( ) manufactured by Hyundai's subsidiary Boston Dynamics. Atlas was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show ( ) movements, and improve through artificial intelligence software. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said: "The convergence ( ) of robotics and AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative ( ) plants. This will gradually take place over the next decade. The humanoids (called Atlas) are being ( ) robots to work side by side with human staff. The robots will collect data, learn ( 1 ) The South Korean car maker Hyundai has announced plans to introduce 30,000 humanoid robots into its car

Put the words in the right order
  1. Introduce humanoid 30,000 into robots car its plants .
  2. will This place take the over decade next .
  3. The are humanoids manufactured being Hyundai's by subsidiary .
  4. people Some lose could jobs their Atlas to .
  5. Some would people needed be train to it .
  6. was Atlas through put paces its stage on .
  7. It the wowed with audience flawless a display .
  8. expects Hyundai to robots side work side by .
  9. The represents convergence than more technological a advancement .
  10. innovations Transformative will that human make safer life .
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The South Korean car maker Hyundai has announced plants / plans to introduce 30,000 humanoid robots into its car planes / plants. This will gradually take place over the next decade. The humanoids (called Atlas) are being manufacturing / manufactured by Hyundai's subsidiary Boston Dynamics. Atlas was veiled / unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Hyundai state / stated on its website that Atlas would advance human-robot corroboration / collaboration. It added that the robot would assist in "evolving hardware-driven robocops / robotics into adaptive, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to amplify / volume human potential". Hyundai's vice-chairperson knowledgeable / acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needy / needed to train it.

A life-sized Atlas was put through its paces / pacemakers on stage in Las Vegas. It vowed / wowed the audience with a clawless / flawless display of its dexterity. Its movements were incredibly human-like as it swivelled, swung / swing its arms, marched around like / such a human, and demonstrated remarkable balance / imbalance. Hyundai expects the humanoid robots to work side by side with / to human staff. The robots will collect data, learn movements, and improve through / thorough artificial intelligence software. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said: "The convergence up / of robotics and AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer and more enriching / enrich."

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_ S__th K_r__n c_r m_k_r Hy_nd__ h_s _nn__nc_d pl_ns t_ _ntr_d_c_ 30,000 h_m_n__d r_b_ts _nt_ _ts c_r pl_nts. Th_s w_ll gr_d__lly t_k_ pl_c_ _v_r th_ n_xt d_c_d_. Th_ h_m_n__ds (c_ll_d _tl_s) _r_ b__ng m_n_f_ct_r_d by Hy_nd__'s s_bs_d__ry B_st_n Dyn_m_cs. _tl_s w_s _nv__l_d _t th_ C_ns_m_r _l_ctr_n_cs Sh_w _n L_s V_g_s. Hy_nd__ st_t_d _n _ts w_bs_t_ th_t _tl_s w__ld _dv_nc_ h_m_n-r_b_t c_ll_b_r_t__n. _t _dd_d th_t th_ r_b_t w__ld _ss_st _n "_v_lv_ng h_rdw_r_-dr_v_n r_b_t_cs _nt_ _d_pt_v_, _rt_f_c__l _nt_ll_g_nc_-dr_v_n r_b_ts d_s_gn_d t_ _mpl_fy h_m_n p_t_nt__l". Hy_nd__'s v_c_-ch__rp_rs_n _ckn_wl_dg_d th_t p__pl_ c__ld l_s_ th__r j_bs t_ _tl_s, b_t s_m_ p__pl_ w__ld b_ n__d_d t_ tr__n _t.

_ l_f_-s_z_d _tl_s w_s p_t thr__gh _ts p_c_s _n st_g_ _n L_s V_g_s. _t w_w_d th_ __d__nc_ w_th _ fl_wl_ss d_spl_y _f _ts d_xt_r_ty. _ts m_v_m_nts w_r_ _ncr_d_bly h_m_n-l_k_ _s _t sw_v_ll_d, sw_ng _ts _rms, m_rch_d _r__nd l_k_ _ h_m_n, _nd d_m_nstr_t_d r_m_rk_bl_ b_l_nc_. Hy_nd__ _xp_cts th_ h_m_n__d r_b_ts t_ w_rk s_d_ by s_d_ w_th h_m_n st_ff. Th_ r_b_ts w_ll c_ll_ct d_t_, l__rn m_v_m_nts, _nd _mpr_v_ thr__gh _rt_f_c__l _nt_ll_g_nc_ s_ftw_r_. _ B_st_n Dyn_m_cs sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d: "Th_ c_nv_rg_nc_ _f r_b_t_cs _nd __ r_pr_s_nts m_r_ th_n _ t_chn_l_g_c_l _dv_nc_m_nt. _t _s _ tr_nsf_rm_t_v_ _nn_v_t__n th_t w_ll m_k_ h_m_n l_f_ s_f_r _nd m_r_ _nr_ch_ng."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the south korean car maker hyundai has announced plans to introduce 30000 humanoid robots into its car plants this will gradually take place over the next decade the humanoids called atlas are being manufactured by hyundais subsidiary boston dynamics atlas was unveiled at the consumer electronics show in las vegas hyundai stated on its website that atlas would advance humanrobot collaboration it added that the robot would assist in evolving hardwaredriven robotics into adaptive artificial intelligencedriven robots designed to amplify human potential hyundais vice chairperson acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to atlas but some people would be needed to train it

a lifesized atlas was put through its paces on stage in las vegas it wowed the audience with a flawless display of its dexterity its movements were incredibly humanlike as it swivelled swung its arms marched around like a human and demonstrated remarkable balance hyundai expects the humanoid robots to work side by side with human staff the robots will collect data learn movements and improve through artificial intelligence software a boston dynamics spokesperson said the convergence of robotics and ai represents more than a technological advancement it is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer and more enriching

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheSouthKoreancarmakerHyundaihasannouncedplanstointroduce3 0,000humanoidrobotsintoitscarplants.Thiswillgraduallytakeplaceo verthenextdecade.Thehumanoids(calledAtlas)arebeingmanufactur edbyHyundai'ssubsidiaryBostonDynamics.AtlaswasunveiledattheC onsumerElectronicsShowinLasVegas.Hyundaistatedonitswebsiteth atAtlaswouldadvancehuman-robotcollaboration.Itaddedthatthero botwouldassistin"evolvinghardware-drivenroboticsintoadaptive,art ificialintelligence-drivenrobotsdesignedtoamplifyhumanpotential". Hyundai'svice-chairpersonacknowledgedthatpeoplecouldlosetheir jobstoAtlas,butsomepeoplewouldbeneededtotrainit.Alife-sizedAtla swasputthroughitspacesonstageinLasVegasItwowedtheaudiencewi thaflawlessdisplayofitsdexterity.Itsmovementswereincrediblyhuma n-likeasitswivelled,swungitsarms,marchedaroundlikeahuman,and demonstratedremarkablebalance.Hyundaiexpectsthehumanoidrob otstoworksidebysidewithhumanstaff.Therobotswillcollectdata,learn movements,andimprovethroughartificialintelligencesoftware.ABost onDynamicsspokespersonsaid:"TheconvergenceofroboticsandAIre presentsmorethanatechnologicaladvancement.Itisatransformativei nnovationthatwillmakehumanlifesaferandmoreenriching."

Free writing

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

Academic writing

People who need jobs should never be replaced by robots. 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. HUMANOID ROBOTS: Make a poster about humanoid robots. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. MORE ROBOTS: Write a magazine article about making more robots to help us. 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 humanoid robots. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on having more robots in the workplace. 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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