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Arab League agrees to make Arab army (1st April, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The Arab League has agreed to make a joint Arab "army" that could have 40,000 special troops. It will be a little like NATO. When one of the member countries of the joint army is being attacked, the other countries will help defend it. Any member country can ask for help and the other countries will help it. Arab League members say the new Arab military force will help with the many security issues there are in the Middle East. The Arab League tweeted that there will be meetings over the next month to study how to create the force. The findings of the meetings will be presented to the defence ministers of Arab nations within four months. The defence ministers will then decide which countries will provide the soldiers and equipment.

Not all Arab League countries supported the idea of a joint Arab military force. Iraq said it was against creating such a force. It said one Arab country should not use its military in another Arab country. An Iraqi spokesperson said the best way to sort out problems was to have meetings and discussions. Lebanon also had worries about the possible new force. It said any military action should have the agreement of most countries. The Arab League also discussed the current challenges in the region. It asked the Houthi forces in Yemen to leave the capital Sanaa and give up their weapons. League members also discussed the best way to bring peace and stability back to Syria.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/03/29/Arab-League-Summit-.html
http://www.timesofoman.com/News/49577/Article-Arab-League-leaders-reach-consensus-on-unified-force
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/03/sisi-arab-nations-create-joint-military-force-150329103508213.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. THE MIDDLE EAST: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the Middle East. 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?

agreed / special / army / attacked / military / meetings / findings / defence ministers / supported / problems / military action / agreement / current challenges / weapons

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

3. ISSUES: What's the best way to sort out the issues in the Middle East? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Pros	Cons
Military action
Arab League force
Investment
Discussions
Education
Civil wars

4. ARAB LEAGUE: Students A strongly believe the Arab League force will work,; Students B strongly believe it will not. 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. SECURITY: Rank these with your partner. Put the countries with the biggest security issues at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• Syria

• Afghanistan

• Iraq

• Libya

• Yemen

• Egypt

• Pakistan

• Lebanon

6. ARMY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "army". 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.	The new Arab League force will have up to 100,000 soldiers.	T / F
b.	The article says the new force will be closely linked to NATO.	T / F
c.	The article says the force will operate in areas outside the Middle East.	T / F
d.	Defence ministers will choose which countries provide the soldiers.	T / F
e.	The new force has the backing of all Arab countries.	T / F
f.	Iraq said discussions were better than military action by the new force.	T / F
g.	The Arab League asked the Houthis in Yemen to give up their weapons.	T / F
h.	The Arab League talked about peace in Syria.	T / F

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

1.	make	a.	arms
2.	help	b.	choose
3.	issues	c.	give
4.	decide	d.	talked about
5.	provide	e.	concerns
6.	idea	f.	form
7.	worries	g.	present
8.	current	h.	problems
9.	weapons	i.	assistance
10.	discussed	j.	concept

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

1.	40,000 special	a.	issues
2.	Any member country can	b.	such a force
3.	security	c.	and equipment
4.	defence	d.	the idea
5.	which countries will provide the soldiers	e.	in the region
6.	Not all Arab League countries supported	f.	out problems
7.	it was against creating	g.	troops
8.	sort	h.	back to Syria
9.	current challenges	i.	ask for help
10.	bring peace and stability	j.	ministers

GAP FILL

The Arab League has (1) ____________ to make a joint Arab "army" that could have 40,000 special (2) ____________. It will be a little like NATO. When one of the member countries of the joint army is being attacked, the other countries will help (3) ____________ it. Any member country can ask for (4) ____________ and the other countries will help it. Arab League members say the new Arab military force will help with the many security (5) ____________ there are in the Middle East. The Arab League tweeted that there will be meetings over the (6) ____________ month to study how to create the force. The (7) ____________ of the meetings will be presented to the defence ministers of Arab nations within four months. The defence ministers will then decide which countries will provide the soldiers and (8) ____________.

defend
agreed
findings
issues
troops
equipment
help
next

Not all Arab League countries supported the (9) ____________ of a joint Arab military force. Iraq said it was against creating (10) ____________ a force. It said one Arab country should not use its military in another Arab country. An Iraqi spokesperson said the best (11) ____________ to sort out problems was to have meetings and (12) ____________. Lebanon also had worries about the (13) ____________ new force. It said any military action should have the agreement of most countries. The Arab League also discussed the (14) ____________ challenges in the region. It asked the Houthi forces in Yemen to leave the (15) ____________ Sanaa and give up their weapons. League members also discussed the best way to bring peace and (16) ____________ back to Syria.

such
possible
idea
capital
discussions
stability
way
current

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	a joint Arab "army" that could have 40,000 ______
	a. specialist troops b. specialise troops c. specially troops d. special troops
2)	the new Arab military force will help with the many ______
	a. security reissues b. security tissues c. security issues d. security issued
3)	there will be meetings over the next month to study how to ______
	a. create a force b. create the force c. create this force d. create that force
4)	presented to the defence ministers of Arab nations ______
	a. within for months b. within fore months c. within far months d. within four months
5)	The defence ministers will then decide which countries will ______
	a. provide the soldiers b. provide the soldier c. provide all soldiers d. provide these soldiers
6)	Not all Arab League countries supported the idea of a joint Arab ______
	a. militarily force b. militaries force c. military force d. militarise force
7)	It said one Arab country should not use its military _____ country
	a. in the other Arab b. in another Arab c. in an other Arab d. in the others Arab
8)	It said any military action should have the agreement ______
	a. of most countries b. of mast countries c. of mist countries d. of must countries
9)	It asked the Houthi forces in Yemen to leave ______
	a. the capitals Sanaa b. the capital Sanaa c. the capitalise Sanaa d. the cap it all Sanaa
10)	members also discussed the best way to bring peace and stability ______
	a. back to Syria b. pack to Syria c. backs to Syria d. backing to Syria

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The Arab League (1) ___________________ make a joint Arab "army" that could have 40,000 special troops. It will be a little like NATO. When one of the member countries of the joint army (2) ___________________, the other countries will help defend it. Any member country can ask for help and the other countries will help it. Arab League members say the new Arab military force will help with the many (3) ___________________ there are in the Middle East. The Arab League tweeted that there will be meetings over the next month to study how to (4) ___________________. The findings of the meetings will (5) ___________________ the defence ministers of Arab nations within four months. The defence ministers will then decide which countries will (6) ___________________ and equipment.

Not all Arab League countries supported the (7) ___________________ Arab military force. Iraq (8) ___________________ creating such a force. It said one Arab country should not (9) ___________________ in another Arab country. An Iraqi spokesperson said the best way to sort out problems was to have meetings and discussions. Lebanon also had worries about the possible new force. It said any military action should (10) ___________________ of most countries. The Arab League also discussed the current challenges (11) ___________________. It asked the Houthi forces in Yemen to leave the capital Sanaa and give up their weapons. League members also discussed the best way to bring (12) ___________________ back to Syria.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How many troops might the military force have?
2.	What can member countries ask other countries for?
3.	What will the new force help with in the Middle East?
4.	When will meetings take place?
5.	Who will decide which countries will provide the soldiers?
6.	Which country is against the idea of a special military force?
7.	Which country said most countries should agree on military action?
8.	What did the Arab League also discuss about the region?
9.	Who did the Arab League ask to leave Yemen's capital?
10.	What did the Arab League want to return to Syria?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How many troops might the military force have?	6.	Which country is against the idea of a special military force?
	a) 40,000 b) 45,000 c) 50,000 d) 55,000		a) Lebanon b) Syria c) Yemen d) Iraq
2.	What can member countries ask other countries for?	7.	Which country said most countries should agree on military action?
	a) advice b) money c) help d) weapons		a) Syria b) Lebanon c) Yemen d) Iraq
3.	What will the new force help with in the Middle East?	8.	What did the Arab League also discuss about the region?
	a) training rebels b) security issues c) building d) setting up banks		a) tourism b) expansion c) sports d) current challenges
4.	When will meetings take place?	9.	Who did the Arab League ask to leave Yemen's capital?
	a) next year b) May 12th c) next month d) over the next month		a) NATO b) the president c) Houthi forces d) the government
5.	Who will decide which countries will provide the soldiers?	10.	What did the Arab League want to return to Syria?
	a) defence ministers b) Saudi Arabia c) the United Nations d) NATO		a) the president b) peace c) ancient treasures d) soldiers

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Syria

You think Syria has the biggest problems. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their country's problems aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which of these has the easiest problems to solve (and why): Afghanistan, Yemen or Iraq.

Role B – Afghanistan

You think Afghanistan has the biggest problems. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their country's problems aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which of these has the easiest problems to solve (and why): Syria, Yemen or Iraq.

Role C – Yemen

You think Yemen has the biggest problems. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their country's problems aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which of these has the easiest problems to solve (and why): Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq.

Role D – Iraq

You think Iraq has the biggest problems. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their country's problems aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which of these has the easiest problems to solve (and why): Afghanistan, Yemen or Syria.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

special

troop

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:

agreed
defend
ask
tweeted
create
provide

idea
another
best
most
region
peace

THE MIDDLE EAST SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about the Middle East 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.

THE MIDDLE EAST 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 'army'?
3)	What do you think of the idea from the Arab League?
4)	What would the Arab League military force do?
5)	How successful do you think the force would be?
6)	Why would the Arab League force be like NATO?
7)	What do you know about the Middle East?
8)	What security issues are there in the Middle East?
9)	Why are Arab League countries talking about this now?
10)	Which countries will be best in the new military force?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Why don't all Arab countries agree with the new force?
13)	What do you think of Iraq's argument?
14)	Should all countries sort out problems with discussions instead of wars?
15)	How can we sort out the problems in Yemen?
16)	How can we sort out the problems in Syria?
17)	When and how will peace and stability come to the region?
18)	What do you think the rest of the world thinks about the force?
19)	What advice do you have for the Arab League?
20)	What would you like to ask the head of the Arab League?

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

The Arab League has agreed to make a joint Arab "army" that could have 40,000 (1) ____ troops. It will be a little (2) ____ NATO. When one of the member countries of the joint army is being attacked, the other countries will help defend it. Any member country can ask for (3) ____ and the other countries will help it. Arab League members say the new Arab military force will help with the many security issues there (4) ____ in the Middle East. The Arab League tweeted that there will be meetings over the next month to study how to create the force. The (5) ____ of the meetings will be presented to the defence ministers of Arab nations within four months. The defence ministers will then decide which countries will (6) ____ the soldiers and equipment.

Not all Arab League countries supported the idea (7) ____ a joint Arab military force. Iraq said it was against creating (8) ____ a force. It said one Arab country should not use its military in another Arab country. An Iraqi spokesperson said the best way to sort (9) ____ problems was to have meetings and discussions. Lebanon also had worries about the (10) ____ new force. It said any military action should have the agreement of most countries. The Arab League also discussed the current challenges in the region. It asked the Houthi forces in Yemen to leave the capital Sanaa and give (11) ____ their weapons. League members also discussed the best way to bring peace and stability (12) ____ to Syria.

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

1.	(a)	specialise	(b)	specially	(c)	special	(d)	specialism
2.	(a)	like	(b)	similar	(c)	same	(d)	adore
3.	(a)	help	(b)	helping	(c)	helps	(d)	helped
4.	(a)	are	(b)	be	(c)	is	(d)	being
5.	(a)	finds	(b)	findings	(c)	funds	(d)	founds
6.	(a)	provides	(b)	provider	(c)	provision	(d)	provide
7.	(a)	for	(b)	from	(c)	of	(d)	by
8.	(a)	that	(b)	much	(c)	so	(d)	such
9.	(a)	out	(b)	up	(c)	in	(d)	down
10.	(a)	possibility	(b)	possible	(c)	possibly	(d)	possibles
11.	(a)	in	(b)	up	(c)	to	(d)	for
12.	(a)	up	(b)	back	(c)	down	(d)	forward

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	40,000 special stoorp
2.	the other countries will help nddfee it
3.	security essuis
4.	The fisningd of the meetings
5.	dcefene ministers
6.	provide the soldiers and eqpnmteiu
Paragraph 2
7.	countries oepudprst the idea
8.	have meetings and uncosdsiiss
9.	the gemeterna of most countries
10.	the current challenges in the neiorg
11.	give up their neasopw
12.	peace and bsiatylit

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	way to sort out problems was to have meetings and discussions. Lebanon also had worries
( )	attacked, the other countries will help defend it. Any member country can ask for help and the other countries will
( )	help it. Arab League members say the new Arab military force will help with the many security
( )	troops. It will be a little like NATO. When one of the member countries of the joint army is being
( )	region. It asked the Houthi forces in Yemen to leave the capital Sanaa and give
( )	issues there are in the Middle East. The Arab League tweeted that there will be meetings over the next month to study
( )	up their weapons. League members also discussed the best way to bring peace and stability back to Syria.
( )	about the possible new force. It said any military action should have the agreement
( )	four months. The defence ministers will then decide which countries will provide the soldiers and equipment.
( )	of most countries. The Arab League also discussed the current challenges in the
( )	Not all Arab League countries supported the idea of a joint Arab military force. Iraq said it was against creating such
( )	a force. It said one Arab country should not use its military in another Arab country. An Iraqi spokesperson said the best
( )	how to create the force. The findings of the meetings will be presented to the defence ministers of Arab nations within
( 1 )	The Arab League has agreed to make a joint Arab "army" that could have 40,000 special

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	40,000 have army A special that joint troops could Arab .
2.	member Any help for ask can country .
3.	the Help many in East the issues Middle with security .
4.	findings be of presented the meetings The will .
5.	defence decide The then will countries ministers which .
6.	idea League countries Not supported all the Arab .
7.	against a Iraq was such it creating force said .
8.	countries the agreement Action of should most have .
9.	up capital give weapons the and their Leave Sanaa .
10.	Syria to back stability and peace bring to way best The .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The Arab League has agreed / agreement to make a joint Arab "army" that could have 40,000 special troops. It will be a little similar / like NATO. When one of the member countries of the joining / joint army is being attacked, the other countries will help defend / defence it. Any member country can ask by / for help and the other countries will help it. Arab League members say the new Arab military force will help with the many / much security issues there are in the Middle East. The Arab League tweeted that there will be meeting / meetings over the next month to study how to create the force. The findings / finds of the meetings will be presented to the defence ministers of Arab nations within / with four months. The defence ministers will then decide which countries will provide the soldiers and equip / equipment.

Not all Arab League countries supported the ideal / idea of a joint Arab military force. Iraq said it was against / again creating such a force. It said one Arab country should not used / use its military in another Arab country. An Iraqi spokesperson said the best way to sort in / out problems was to have meetings and discussions. Lebanon also had worries / worrying about the possible new force. It said any / many military action should have the agreement of / for most countries. The Arab League also discussed the current / currency challenges in the region. It asked the Houthi forces in Yemen to leave the capital Sanaa and take / give up their weapons. League members also discussed the best way to bring peace and stable / stability back to Syria.

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)

Th_ _r_b L__g__ h_s _gr__d t_ m_k_ _ j__nt _r_b "_rmy" th_t c__ld h_v_ 40,000 sp_c__l tr__ps. _t w_ll b_ _ l_ttl_ l_k_ N_T_. Wh_n _n_ _f th_ m_mb_r c__ntr__s _f th_ j__nt _rmy _s b__ng _tt_ck_d, th_ _th_r c__ntr__s w_ll h_lp d_f_nd _t. _ny m_mb_r c__ntry c_n _sk f_r h_lp _nd th_ _th_r c__ntr__s w_ll h_lp _t. _r_b L__g__ m_mb_rs s_y th_ n_w _r_b m_l_t_ry f_rc_ w_ll h_lp w_th th_ m_ny s_c_r_ty _ss__s th_r_ _r_ _n th_ M_ddl_ __st. Th_ _r_b L__g__ tw__t_d th_t th_r_ w_ll b_ m__t_ngs _v_r th_ n_xt m_nth t_ st_dy h_w t_ cr__t_ th_ f_rc_. Th_ f_nd_ngs _f th_ m__t_ngs w_ll b_ pr_s_nt_d t_ th_ d_f_nc_ m_n_st_rs _f _r_b n_t__ns w_th_n f__r m_nths. Th_ d_f_nc_ m_n_st_rs w_ll th_n d_c_d_ wh_ch c__ntr__s w_ll pr_v_d_ th_ s_ld__rs _nd _q__pm_nt.

N_t _ll _r_b L__g__ c__ntr__s s_pp_rt_d th_ _d__ _f _ j__nt _r_b m_l_t_ry f_rc_. _r_q s__d _t w_s _g__nst cr__t_ng s_ch _ f_rc_. _t s__d _n_ _r_b c__ntry sh__ld n_t _s_ _ts m_l_t_ry _n _n_th_r _r_b c__ntry. _n _r_q_ sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d th_ b_st w_y t_ s_rt __t pr_bl_ms w_s t_ h_v_ m__t_ngs _nd d_sc_ss__ns. L_b_n_n _ls_ h_d w_rr__s _b__t th_ p_ss_bl_ n_w f_rc_. _t s__d _ny m_l_t_ry _ct__n sh__ld h_v_ th_ _gr__m_nt _f m_st c__ntr__s. Th_ _r_b L__g__ _ls_ d_sc_ss_d th_ c_rr_nt ch_ll_ng_s _n th_ r_g__n. _t _sk_d th_ H__th_ f_rc_s _n Y_m_n t_ l__v_ th_ c_p_t_l S_n__ _nd g_v_ _p th__r w__p_ns. L__g__ m_mb_rs _ls_ d_sc_ss_d th_ b_st w_y t_ br_ng p__c_ _nd st_b_l_ty b_ck t_ Syr__.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the arab league has agreed to make a joint arab "army" that could have 40000 special troops it will be a little like nato when one of the member countries of the joint army is being attacked the other countries will help defend it any member country can ask for help and the other countries will help it arab league members say the new arab military force will help with the many security issues there are in the middle east the arab league tweeted that there will be meetings over the next month to study how to create the force the findings of the meetings will be presented to the defence ministers of arab nations within four months the defence ministers will then decide which countries will provide the soldiers and equipment

not all arab league countries supported the idea of a joint arab military force iraq said it was against creating such a force it said one arab country should not use its military in another arab country an iraqi spokesperson said the best way to sort out problems was to have meetings and discussions lebanon also had worries about the possible new force it said any military action should have the agreement of most countries the arab league also discussed the current challenges in the region it asked the houthi forces in yemen to leave the capital sanaa and give up their weapons league members also discussed the best way to bring peace and stability back to syria

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheArabLeaguehasagreedtomakeajointArab"army"thatcouldhave4
0,000specialtroops.ItwillbealittlelikeNATO.Whenoneofthememberc
ountriesofthejointarmyisbeingattacked,theothercountrieswillhelpd
efendit.Anymembercountrycanaskforhelpandtheothercountrieswill
helpit.ArabLeaguememberssaythenewArabmilitaryforcewillhelpwit
hthemanysecurityissuesthereareintheMiddleEast.TheArabLeaguet
weetedthattherewillbemeetingsoverthenextmonthtostudyhowtocre
atetheforce.Thefindingsofthemeetingswillbepresentedtothedefenc
eministersofArabnationswithinfourmonths.Thedefenceministerswill
thendecidewhichcountrieswillprovidethesoldiersandequipment.Not
allArabLeaguecountriessupportedtheideaofajointArabmilitaryforce.
Iraqsaiditwasagainstcreatingsuchaforce.ItsaidoneArabcountryshou
ldnotuseitsmilitaryinanotherArabcountry.AnIraqispokespersonsaid
thebestwaytosortoutproblemswastohavemeetingsanddiscussions.L
ebanonalsohadworriesaboutthepossiblenewforce.Itsaidanymilitary
actionshouldhavetheagreementofmostcountries.TheArabLeagueals
odiscussedthecurrentchallengesintheregion.ItaskedtheHouthiforce
sinYementoleavethecapitalSanaaandgiveuptheirweapons.Leaguem
embersalsodiscussedthebestwaytobringpeaceandstabilitybacktoSy
ria.

FREE WRITING

Write about the Middle East for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

The Arab League military force is a good thing. 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 the Middle East. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. THE MIDDLE EAST: Make a poster about the Middle East. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. THE MILITARY FORCE: Write a magazine article about the new Arab League military force. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on the Middle East. Ask him/her three questions about the Middle East. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to bring peace and stability to the region. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	make	a.	form
2	help	b.	assistance
3.	issues	c.	problems
4.	decide	d.	choose
5.	provide	e.	give
6.	idea	f.	concept
7.	worries	g.	concerns
8.	current	h.	present
9.	weapons	i.	arms
10.	discussed	j.	talked about

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	40,000
2.	Help
3.	Security issues
4.	Over the next month
5.	Defence ministers
6.	Iraq
7.	Lebanon
8.	Current challenges
9.	Houthi forces
10.	Peace

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

b

4.

d

5.

a

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

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

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Arab League agrees to make Arab army (1st April, 2015)

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