Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

13-year-old invents new Braille printer (18th February, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

A 13-year-old American has made a cheap machine that can help blind people read. People who cannot see can read by using Braille – a system of small bumps that people touch to read the letters. Machines that make these small bumps into words, sentences and paragraphs are very expensive. They are called Braille embossers and usually cost at least $2,000. The American teenager, Shubham Banerjee, made a new Braille embosser from a Lego kit that lets people create robots. It costs just $350. Banerjee has called his new device the Braigo – a combination of the words Braille and Lego. It works by translating electronic text into Braille and then printing it using a computer or mobile device.

Banerjee designed his Braigo last year for a school science fair. Since then, he has caught the interest of Silicon Valley in the USA. The technology giant Intel invested in Banerjee's machine last November, but they did not say how much money they put in. Banerjee also got $35,000 from his father to help him start the project. His father works as a computer engineer at Intel. He spoke about why he gave so much money to his son, saying: "We as parents started to get involved more, thinking that he's on to something and this innovation process has to continue." Banerjee told the AP news agency that: "My end goal would probably be having most of the blind people...using my Braille printer."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/242000
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2917874/Boy-13-builds-Braille-printer-Legos-starts-company.html#ixzz3RoQTV1SS
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/20/shubham-banerjee-braille-printer_n_6508032.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. BRAILLE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Braille. 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?

13-year-old / cheap /machine / Braille / paragraphs / teenager / device / text / printing / science / technology / money / engineer / innovation / continue / news agency

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. MACHINE: How could new machines help us do these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Machines available now	Machines of the future
Study English
Lose weight
Housework
Live longer
Save money
Make friends

4. TEENAGERS: Students A strongly believe teenagers are better at technology than older people; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. DEVICES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most useful at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• laptop computer

• smart watch

• mobile phone

• gaming console

• car GPS

• food processor

• coffee maker

• barcode scanner

6. READ: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "read". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	A 13-year-old British kid has made a machine to help the blind.	T / F
b.	Traditional machines that print Braille are very expensive.	T / F
c.	The machine the teenager made costs just $350.	T / F
d.	People can use the new machine and print Braille from a computer.	T / F
e.	The teenager made his machine for his school science fair.	T / F
f.	The tech giant Intel wanted to invest in the machine, but didn't.	T / F
g.	The teenager's father refused to give him any money to help him.	T / F
h.	The teen's parents wanted their son to stop working on the machine.	T / F

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

1.	cheap	a.	invented
2.	touch	b.	make
3.	at least	c.	attention
4.	create	d.	feel
5.	combination	e.	method
6.	designed	f.	inexpensive
7.	interest	g.	aim
8.	involved	h.	mixture
9.	process	i.	no less than
10.	goal	j.	interested

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

1.	a cheap machine that can	a.	of Silicon Valley
2.	read by	b.	that people touch
3.	a system of small bumps	c.	science fair
4.	Machines that make these small	d.	involved more
5.	translating electronic	e.	help blind people
6.	a school	f.	text into Braille
7.	he has caught the interest	g.	goal
8.	they did not say how much	h.	using Braille
9.	parents started to get	i.	money they put in
10.	My end	j.	bumps into words

GAP FILL

A 13-year-old American has made a cheap machine that can help (1) ____________ people read. People who cannot see can read by using Braille – a system of small (2) ____________ that people touch to read the letters. Machines that make these small bumps into words, (3) ____________ and paragraphs are very expensive. They are called Braille embossers and usually (4) ____________ at least $2,000. The American teenager, Shubham Banerjee, made a new Braille embosser from a Lego kit that lets people (5) ____________ robots. It costs just $350. Banerjee has called his new (6) ____________ the Braigo – a combination of the words Braille and Lego. It works by (7) ____________ electronic text into Braille and then printing it using a computer or (8) ____________ device.

cost
bumps
translating
blind
device
mobile
sentences
create

Banerjee designed his Braigo last year for a school (9) ____________ fair. Since then, he has caught the (10) ____________ of Silicon Valley in the USA. The technology giant Intel (11) ____________ in Banerjee's machine last November, but they did not say how much money they (12) ____________ in. Banerjee also got $35,000 from his father to help him start the (13) ____________. His father works as a computer engineer at Intel. He spoke about why he gave so much money to his son, saying: "We as parents started to get (14) ____________ more, thinking that he's on to something and this innovation (15) ____________ has to continue." Banerjee told the AP news (16) ____________ that: "My end goal would probably be having most of the blind people...using my Braille printer."

put
science
involved
invested
agency
interest
process
project

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	A 13-year-old American has made a cheap machine that can ______ read
	a. help blind people b. helped blind people c. helps blind people d. helping blind people
2)	a system of small bumps that people ______ the letters
	a. touch too read b. touch to read c. touch two read d. touch through read
3)	They are called Braille embossers and usually ______ $2,000
	a. cost that least b. cost most least c. cost at least d. cost as least
4)	a new Braille embosser from a Lego kit that ______ robots
	a. lets people creates b. lets people created c. lets people create d. lets people creating
5)	It works by translating electronic text into Braille and then printing ______ computer
	a. it using the b. it use in a c. it you sing a d. it using a
6)	Banerjee designed his Braigo last year for a school ______
	a. science flair b. science fare c. science fair d. science fear
7)	Since then, he has caught ______ Silicon Valley
	a. the interest of b. the interests of c. the interesting of d. the interested of
8)	Banerjee also got $35,000 from his father to help him ______
	a. start a project b. start the project c. start this project d. start that project
9)	thinking that he's on to something and this innovation ______ continue
	a. processed has to b. processed had to c. processed had to d. process has to
10)	My end goal would probably ______ of the blind people
	a. be have in most b. behaving most c. been having most d. be having most

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A 13-year-old American has made (1) ___________________ that can help blind people read. People who cannot (2) ___________________ using Braille – a system of small bumps that people touch to read the letters. Machines (3) ___________________ small bumps into words, sentences and paragraphs are very expensive. They are called Braille embossers and (4) ___________________ $2,000. The American teenager, Shubham Banerjee, made a new Braille embosser from a Lego kit that lets people create robots. It costs just $350. Banerjee (5) ___________________ device the Braigo – a combination of the words Braille and Lego. It works by translating (6) ___________________ Braille and then printing it using a computer or mobile device.

Banerjee designed his Braigo last year for (7) ___________________. Since then, he has (8) ___________________ Silicon Valley in the USA. The technology giant Intel invested in Banerjee's machine last November, but they did not (9) ___________________ money they put in. Banerjee also got $35,000 from his father (10) ___________________ the project. His father works as a computer engineer at Intel. He spoke about why he gave so much money to his son, saying: "We as parents (11) ___________________ involved more, thinking that he's on to something and this innovation process has to continue." Banerjee told the AP news agency that: "My end goal would probably (12) ___________________ the blind people...using my Braille printer."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Where is the teenager from?
2.	What is Braille?
3.	How much do Braille embossers usually cost?
4.	What is the name of Mr Banerjee's printer?
5.	What does the new machine translate into Braille?
6.	Why did Mr Banerjee design his device?
7.	Which American company has invested in Mr Banerjee?
8.	How much did Mr Banerjee's father give him?
9.	What is Shubham Banerjee's father's job?
10.	What is it that Mr Banerjee's parents wanted to continue?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Where is the teenager from?	6.	Why did Mr Banerjee design his device?
	a) UAE b) UK c) USA d) Uruguay		a) as a hobby b) for a school science fair c) Intel told him to d) to get money from his father
2.	What is Braille?	7.	Which American company has invested in Mr Banerjee?
	a) a system of bumps to help the blind read b) a machine c) a computer language d) the name of a new device		a) Facebook b) IBM c) Apple d) Intel
3.	How much do Braille embossers usually cost?	8.	How much did Mr Banerjee's father give him?
	a) around $2,000 b) exactly $2,000 c) just under $2,000 d) at least $2,000		a) $13,500 b) $35,000 c) $13,500 d) $30,500
4.	What is the name of Mr Banerjee's printer?	9.	What is Shubham Banerjee's father's job?
	a) Braille Print Go b) Braigo c) Banerjee d) Brinter		a) a computer engineer b) a printer c) a scientist d) a school teacher
5.	What does the new machine translate into Braille?	10.	What is it that Mr Banerjee's parents wanted to continue?
	a) photocopies b) library books c) electronic texts d) computer languages		a) having more children b) a holiday c) voluntary work d) their son's innovation process

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Laptop computer

You think a laptop computer is the best device ever. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their devises aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): a gaming console, a food processor or a mobile phone.

Role B – Gaming console

You think a gaming console is the best device ever. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their devises aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): a laptop computer, a food processor or a mobile phone.

Role C – Food processor

You think a food processor is the best device ever. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their devises aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): a gaming console, a laptop computer or a mobile phone.

Role D – Mobile phone

You think a mobile phone is the best device ever. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their devises aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): a gaming console, a food processor or a laptop computer.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

word

sentence

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:

help
words
least
create
combination
text

last
giant
put
start
continue
end

BRAILLE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Braille 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

BRAILLE DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'invention'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	What do you think about Braille?
5)	What do you think about a 13-year-old inventing this?
6)	What do you think of the name Braigo?
7)	Would you like a translating device?
8)	How difficult do you think it is to learn Braille?
9)	How do you think you start learning to use Braille?
10)	How might this device change the lives of blind people?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What kind of things did you do in science class?
13)	What opportunities are there today for kids who are good with technology?
14)	How do you think Banerjee felt when Intel invested in him?
15)	What do you think of his father for helping him with money?
16)	Did you have any business ideas when you were at school?
17)	How much potential do children have to innovate?
18)	What do you think the next 10 years will be like for Banerjee?
19)	What is your goal in life?
20)	What questions would you like to ask Mr Banerjee?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

A 13-year-old American has made a cheap (1) ____ that can help blind people read. People who cannot see can read by using Braille – a system of small (2) ____ that people touch to read the letters. Machines that make these small bumps into words, sentences and paragraphs are very expensive. They are called Braille embossers and usually (3) ____ at least $2,000. The American teenager, Shubham Banerjee, made a new Braille embosser from a Lego kit that (4) ____ people create robots. It costs (5) ____ $350. Banerjee has called his new device the Braigo – a combination of the words Braille and Lego. It works by translating (6) ____ text into Braille and then printing it using a computer or mobile device.

Banerjee designed his Braigo last year for a school science (7) ____. Since then, he has caught the interest of Silicon Valley in the USA. The technology giant Intel invested (8) ____ Banerjee's machine last November, but they did not say how much money they (9) ____ in. Banerjee also got $35,000 from his father to help him start the project. His father works as a computer engineer at Intel. He spoke about why he gave so much money to his son, saying: "We (10) ____ parents started to get involved more, thinking that he's on (11) ____ something and this innovation process has to continue." Banerjee told the AP news agency that: "My (12) ____ goal would probably be having most of the blind people...using my Braille printer."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	machines	(b)	machine	(c)	machination	(d)	machinery
2.	(a)	stumps	(b)	bumps	(c)	humps	(d)	lumps
3.	(a)	costed	(b)	costing	(c)	costs	(d)	cost
4.	(a)	wets	(b)	lets	(c)	vets	(d)	bets
5.	(a)	adjust	(b)	justly	(c)	justice	(d)	just
6.	(a)	electricity	(b)	electrical	(c)	electronic	(d)	electric
7.	(a)	fair	(b)	fare	(c)	far	(d)	fear
8.	(a)	at	(b)	on	(c)	in	(d)	to
9.	(a)	deposit	(b)	saved	(c)	invested	(d)	put
10.	(a)	as	(b)	has	(c)	was	(d)	is
11.	(a)	on	(b)	as	(c)	by	(d)	at
12.	(a)	end	(b)	rush	(c)	score	(d)	target

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	a cheap enimhac
2.	words, neecnesst and paragraphs
3.	a Lego kit that lets people etarec robots
4.	a ciboonanmti of the words
5.	translating oilcretnec text into Braille
6.	using a computer or mobile civdee
Paragraph 2
7.	Banerjee sgedenid his Braigo last year
8.	he has caught the nsereitt of Silicon Valley
9.	help him start the cjrepto
10.	a computer gnieenre
11.	innovation scesrpo
12.	the AP news ngaecy

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	to something and this innovation process has to continue." Banerjee told the AP news agency
( )	paragraphs are very expensive. They are called Braille embossers and usually cost at
( )	read. People who cannot see can read by using Braille – a system of small
( )	of Silicon Valley in the USA. The technology giant Intel invested in Banerjee's machine last November, but they did not
( )	the project. His father works as a computer engineer at Intel. He spoke about why he gave so much
( )	that: "My end goal would probably be having most of the blind people...using my Braille printer."
( )	say how much money they put in. Banerjee also got $35,000 from his father to help him start
( )	create robots. It costs just $350. Banerjee has called his new device the Braigo – a combination
( )	least $2,000. The American teenager, Shubham Banerjee, made a new Braille embosser from a Lego kit that lets people
( )	money to his son, saying: "We as parents started to get involved more, thinking that he's on
( 1 )	A 13-year-old American has made a cheap machine that can help blind people
( )	Banerjee designed his Braigo last year for a school science fair. Since then, he has caught the interest
( )	bumps that people touch to read the letters. Machines that make these small bumps into words, sentences and
( )	of the words Braille and Lego. It works by translating electronic text into Braille and then printing it using a computer or mobile device.

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	cheap can people A that blind machine help read .
2.	small bumps A that system people of touch .
3.	these small Machines bumps that into make words .
4.	robots that lets A people Lego create kit .
5.	Braille translating electronic It text works into by .
6.	fair Banerjee designed his Braigo last year for a science .
7.	Valley Silicon of interest the caught has he , then Since .
8.	his him from got help $35,000 also to , Banerjee father .
9.	gave money about he much spoke why so He his .
10.	Braille Most blind my the using printer of people .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A 13-year-old American has made a cheap / cheapest machine that can help blind people / person read. People who cannot see can read by using Braille – a system of small bumps that people touch to read a / the letters. Machines that make them / these small bumps into words, sentences and paragraphs are very / much expensive. They are called Braille embossers and usually cost to / at least $2,000. The American teenager, Shubham Banerjee, made / make a new Braille embosser from a Lego kit that gets / lets people create robots. It costs just $350. Banerjee has called / calling his new device the Braigo – a combination of the words Braille and Lego. It works by translating electrical / electronic text into Braille and then printing it using a computer or mobile device.

Banerjee designed his Braigo last first / year for a school science fair. Since then, he has caught / hold the interest of Silicon Valley in the USA. The technology giant / monster Intel invested in / on Banerjee's machine last November, but they did not speak / say how much money they put in. Banerjee also got $35,000 from his father to help / aid him start the project. His father works as / was a computer engineer at Intel. He spoke about why he gave such / so much money to his son, saying: "We as parents started to get involved more, thinking that he's off / on to something and this innovation process has to continue." Banerjee told the AP news agency that: "My end goal would probably be having most of the blind people...using / used my Braille printer."

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

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ 13-y__r-_ld _m_r_c_n h_s m_d_ _ ch__p m_ch_n_ th_t c_n h_lp bl_nd p__pl_ r__d. P__pl_ wh_ c_nn_t s__ c_n r__d by _s_ng Br__ll_ – _ syst_m _f sm_ll b_mps th_t p__pl_ t__ch t_ r__d th_ l_tt_rs. M_ch_n_s th_t m_k_ th_s_ sm_ll b_mps _nt_ w_rds, s_nt_nc_s _nd p_r_gr_phs _r_ v_ry _xp_ns_v_. Th_y _r_ c_ll_d Br__ll_ _mb_ss_rs _nd _s__lly c_st _t l__st $2,000. Th_ _m_r_c_n t__n_g_r, Sh_bh_m B_n_rj__, m_d_ _ n_w Br__ll_ _mb_ss_r fr_m _ L_g_ k_t th_t l_ts p__pl_ cr__t_ r_b_ts. _t c_sts j_st $350. B_n_rj__ h_s c_ll_d h_s n_w d_v_c_ th_ Br__g_ – _ c_mb_n_t__n _f th_ w_rds Br__ll_ _nd L_g_. _t w_rks by tr_nsl_t_ng _l_ctr_n_c t_xt _nt_ Br__ll_ _nd th_n pr_nt_ng _t _s_ng _ c_mp_t_r _r m_b_l_ d_v_c_.

B_n_rj__ d_s_gn_d h_s Br__g_ l_st y__r f_r _ sch__l sc__nc_ f__r. S_nc_ th_n, h_ h_s c__ght th_ _nt_r_st _f S_l_c_n V_ll_y _n th_ _S_. Th_ t_chn_l_gy g__nt _nt_l _nv_st_d _n B_n_rj__'s m_ch_n_ l_st N_v_mb_r, b_t th_y d_d n_t s_y h_w m_ch m_n_y th_y p_t _n. B_n_rj__ _ls_ g_t $35,000 fr_m h_s f_th_r t_ h_lp h_m st_rt th_ pr_j_ct. H_s f_th_r w_rks _s _ c_mp_t_r _ng_n__r _t _nt_l. H_ sp_k_ _b__t why h_ g_v_ s_ m_ch m_n_y t_ h_s s_n, s_y_ng: "W_ _s p_r_nts st_rt_d t_ g_t _nv_lv_d m_r_, th_nk_ng th_t h_'s _n t_ s_m_th_ng _nd th_s _nn_v_t__n pr_c_ss h_s t_ c_nt_n__." B_n_rj__ t_ld th_ _P n_ws _g_ncy th_t: "My _nd g__l w__ld pr_b_bly b_ h_v_ng m_st _f th_ bl_nd p__pl_..._s_ng my Br__ll_ pr_nt_r."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a 13-year-old american has made a cheap machine that can help blind people read people who cannot see can read by using braille – a system of small bumps that people touch to read the letters machines that make these small bumps into words sentences and paragraphs are very expensive they are called braille embossers and usually cost at least $2000 the american teenager shubham banerjee made a new braille embosser from a lego kit that lets people create robots it costs just $350 banerjee has called his new device the braigo – a combination of the words braille and lego it works by translating electronic text into braille and then printing it using a computer or mobile device

banerjee designed his braigo last year for a school science fair since then he has caught the interest of silicon valley in the usa the technology giant intel invested in banerjee's machine last november but they did not say how much money they put in banerjee also got $35000 from his father to help him start the project his father works as a computer engineer at intel he spoke about why he gave so much money to his son saying "we as parents started to get involved more thinking that he's on to something and this innovation process has to continue" banerjee told the ap news agency that "my end goal would probably be having most of the blind peopleusing my braille printer"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

A13-year-oldAmericanhasmadeacheapmachinethatcanhelpblindp
eopleread.PeoplewhocannotseecanreadbyusingBraille–asyste
mofsmallbumpsthatpeopletouchtoreadtheletters.Machinesthatmak
ethesesmallbumpsintowords,sentencesandparagraphsareveryexpe
nsive.TheyarecalledBrailleembossersandusuallycostatleast$2,000.
TheAmericanteenager,ShubhamBanerjee,madeanewBrailleemboss
erfromaLegokitthatletspeoplecreaterobots.Itcostsjust$350.Banerj
eehascalledhisnewdevicetheBraigo–acombinationofthewordsBraill
eandLego.ItworksbytranslatingelectronictextintoBrailleandthenpri
ntingitusingacomputerormobiledevice.BanerjeedesignedhisBraigol
astyearforaschoolsciencefair.Sincethen,hehascaughttheinterestofS
iliconValleyintheUSA.ThetechnologygiantIntelinvestedinBanerjee's
machinelastNovember,buttheydidnotsayhowmuchmoneytheyputin
.Banerjeealsogot$35,000fromhisfathertohelphimstarttheproject.Hi
sfatherworksasacomputerengineeratIntel.Hespokeaboutwhyhe
gavesomuchmoneytohisson,saying:"Weasparentsstartedtogetinvo
lvedmore,thinkingthathe'sontosomethingandthisinnovationprocess
hastocontinue."BanerjeetoldtheAPnewsagencythat:"Myendgoalwo
uldprobablybehavingmostoftheblindpeople...usingmyBrailleprinter
."

FREE WRITING

Write about Braille for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Teenagers should be given jobs in technology companies. 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 Braille. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. BRAILLE: Make a poster about the Braille printer. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. THE BRAIGO: Write a magazine article about Shubham Banerjee's Braigo. Include imaginary interviews with Banerjee and a blind person.

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 Braille. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on the new device. 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	cheap	a.	inexpensive
2	touch	b.	feel
3.	at least	c.	no less than
4.	create	d.	make
5.	combination	e.	mixture
6.	designed	f.	invented
7.	interest	g.	attention
8.	involved	h.	interested
9.	process	i.	method
10.	goal	j.	aim

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The USA
2.	A system of bumps to help the blind read
3.	At least $2,000
4.	The Braigo
5.	Electronic text
6.	For a school science fair
7.	Intel
8.	$35,000
9.	A computer engineer
10.	The innovation process

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

d

4.

b

5.

c

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

a

10.

d

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

13-year-old invents new Braille printer (18th February, 2015)

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS