Breaking News English Lesson on Women-Only Trains

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Women-only train cars starting in Germany (31st March, 2016)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A train operator in Germany is launching a women and children only service on its trains. The initiative for the segregated carriages is an attempt to help women feel safer. There will be two specialised compartments on all of the company's trains that run between the cities of Leipzig and Chemnitz. The carriages will be located next to the one in which the train conductor is situated. The new carriages are causing quite a stir in Germany. Some people on social media are suggesting the move is a reaction to an increase in reported incidents of sexual harassment and assault in Germany. Rail executives stress this is not the case, but is instead a new policy aimed at increasing security for women and children.

The use of women-only carriages on trains is not new. There have been dedicated cars on trains in many other countries for decades. In Japan, such carriages were first introduced in 1912. Last year there was a call from Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition party to the government in Britain to re-introduce such carriages. British trains used to have 'Ladies Only' carriages up until 1977. Mr Corbyn's comments resulted in a backlash from female politicians. His colleague Yvette Cooper observed that while sexual harassment and violence against women was a serious issue, women-only carriages were not the answer. Cooper said the move would be, "turning the clock back and not tackling the problem".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

https://www.rt.com/news/337480-gender-segregation-germany/
http://www.mediaite.com/online/amid-fears-of-assault-from-migrants-german-train-offers-cars-just-for-women/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women-only_passenger_car

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. WOMEN-ONLY TRAINS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about women-only trains. 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?

train operator / initiative / segregated carriages / conductor / social media / security / dedicated / decades / opposition / ladies only / backlash / politicians / violence

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

3. WOMEN-ONLY: What are the advantages and disadvantages of these women-only things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Shopping malls
Train carriages
Hotels
Bars
Schools
Towns

4. MEN-ONLY: Students A strongly believe men-only train carriages are a good idea; Students B strongly believe they aren't. 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. TRANSPORT: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• train

• bus

• taxi

• airplane

• ferry

• helicopter

• bicycle

• car

6. TRAIN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "train". 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 rail company will start carriages for women and children only.	T / F
b.	Each train will have one segregated carriage.	T / F
c.	The trains with segregated cars will run between eight German cities.	T / F
d.	Rail bosses say the move is because of sexual harassment.	T / F
e.	Japan introduced its first women-only carriages in 1912.	T / F
f.	Britain ended women-only carriages in 1977.	T / F
g.	Female politicians in the UK oppose the idea of women-only carriages.	T / F
h.	Female politicians in the UK want all clocks turned back.	T / F

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

1.	launching	a.	appeal
2.	segregated	b.	response
3.	located	c.	co-worker
4.	reaction	d.	separated
5.	stress	e.	remarks
6.	call	f.	addressing
7.	comments	g.	starting
8.	colleague	h.	matter
9.	issue	i.	situated
10.	tackling	j.	emphasise

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

1.	trains that	a.	the opposition party
2.	social	b.	case
3.	sexual	c.	for decades
4.	executives stress this is not the	d.	harassment
5.	aimed at increasing security	e.	harassment
6.	in many other countries	f.	a backlash
7.	the leader of	g.	for women
8.	Corbyn's comments resulted in	h.	clock back
9.	sexual	i.	media
10.	turning the	j.	run between the cities

GAP FILL

A train (1) ____________ in Germany is launching a women and children only service on its trains. The (2) ____________ for the segregated carriages is an (3) ____________ to help women feel safer. There will be two specialised compartments on all of the company's trains that (4) ____________ between the cities of Leipzig and Chemnitz. The carriages will be located next to the one in which the train conductor is (5) ____________. The new carriages are causing quite a stir in Germany. Some people on social media are suggesting the move is a (6) ____________ to an increase in reported incidents of sexual harassment and assault in Germany. Rail executives stress this is not the (7) ____________, but is instead a new policy (8) ____________ at increasing security for women and children.

attempt
situated
case
operator
aimed
initiative
run
reaction

The use of women-only carriages on trains is not new. There have been (9) ____________ cars on trains in many other countries for decades. In Japan, such carriages were first introduced in 1912. Last year there was a (10) ____________ from Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the (11) ____________ party to the government in Britain, to re-introduce such carriages. British trains used to have 'Ladies Only' carriages up until 1977. Mr Corbyn's comments resulted in a (12) ____________ from female politicians. His (13) ____________ Yvette Cooper observed that while sexual harassment and (14) ____________ against women was a serious (15) ____________, women-only carriages were not the answer. Cooper said the move would be, "turning the (16) ____________ back and not tackling the problem".

violence
call
dedicated
clock
backlash
issue
opposition
colleague

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	A train operator in Germany is launching a women and children only ______
	a. service on its trains b. service on its trains c. service on its trains d. service on its trains
2)	The initiative for the segregated carriages is an attempt to help ______
	a. women feel safer b. women feel safer c. women feel safer d. women feel safer
3)	The carriages will be located next to the one in which the train ______
	a. conductor is situated b. conductor is situated c. conductor is situated d. conductor is situated
4)	a reaction to an increase in reported incidents of sexual harassment ______
	a. and assault b. and assault c. and assault d. and assault
5)	Rail executives stress this is ______
	a. not the case b. not the case c. not the case d. not the case
6)	There have been dedicated cars on trains in many other ______
	a. countries for decades b. countries for decades c. countries for decades d. countries for decades
7)	Last year there was a call from Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of ______
	a. the opposition party b. the opposition party c. the opposition party d. the opposition party
8)	Mr Corbyn's comments resulted in a backlash from ______
	a. female politicians b. female politicians c. female politicians d. female politicians
9)	Cooper observed that while sexual harassment and violence against women ______
	a. was a serious issue b. was a serious issue c. was a serious issue d. was a serious issue
10)	Cooper said the move would be, "turning ______"
	a. the clock back b. the clock back c. the clock back d. the clock back

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A train operator in Germany (1) ___________________ women and children only service on its trains. The initiative (2) ___________________ carriages is an attempt to help women feel safer. There will be two specialised compartments on all of the company's trains (3) ___________________ the cities of Leipzig and Chemnitz. The carriages will be located next to the one in (4) ___________________ conductor is situated. The new carriages are causing quite a stir in Germany. Some people on social media are suggesting the move (5) ___________________ an increase in reported incidents of sexual harassment and assault in Germany. Rail executives stress this is not the case, but is instead a new policy (6) ___________________ security for women and children.

The use of women-only carriages on (7) ___________________. There have been dedicated cars on trains in many other countries for decades. In Japan, such carriages were first introduced in 1912. Last year (8) ___________________ from Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition party to the government in Britain, to re-introduce such carriages. British trains used to have 'Ladies Only' (9) ___________________ 1977. Mr Corbyn's comments resulted (10) ___________________ from female politicians. His colleague Yvette Cooper observed that while sexual harassment and violence against women (11) ___________________ issue, women-only carriages were not the answer. Cooper said the move would be, "turning (12) ___________________ and not tackling the problem".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who are the segregated train carriages for?
2.	How many segregated carriages will there be on the trains?
3.	What rail employee will be in the carriage next to the segregated ones?
4.	What do some people say the carriages are in reaction to?
5.	Who said the carriages were to increase security?
6.	Which country introduced women-only carriages in 1912?
7.	When did women-only carriages end in Britain?
8.	Who is Jeremy Corbyn?
9.	What did Yvette Cooper say about women-only carriages?
10.	What did Ms Cooper say women-only carriages would be turning back?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who are the segregated train carriages for?	6.	Which country introduced women-only carriages in 1912?
	a) women b) women, children and the aged c) women and children d) children		a) Portugal b) Japan c) Saudi Arabia d) Mexico
2.	How many segregated carriages will there be on the trains?	7.	When did women-only carriages end in Britain?
	a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5		a) 1977 b) 1976 c) 1978 d) 1975
3.	What rail employee will be in the carriage next to the segregated ones?	8.	Who is Jeremy Corbyn?
	a) the train conductor b) the driver c) the boss d) the ticket collector		a) an expert of train safety b) a train driver c) leader of the UK's opposition party d) boss of the railway company
4.	What do some people say the carriages are in reaction to?	9.	What did Yvette Cooper say about women-only carriages?
	a) conservatism b) sexual harassment c) comments from women d) the past		a) nothing b) men should not be allowed in them c) they were necessary d) they were not the answer
5.	Who said the carriages were to increase security?	10.	What did Ms Cooper say women-only carriages would be turning back?
	a) a journalist b) the police c) women d) rail executives		a) the clock b) the years c) a price book d) time

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Trains

You think trains are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their modes of transport aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): airplanes, taxis or buses.

Role B – Airplanes

You think airplanes are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their modes of transport aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): trains, taxis or buses.

Role C – Taxis

You think taxis are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their modes of transport aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): airplanes, trains or buses.

Role D – Buses

You think buses are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their modes of transport aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): airplanes, taxis or trains.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

women

only

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:

launching
attempt
run
next
move
instead

use
decades
1912
1977
colleague
problem

WOMEN-ONLY TRAINS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about women-only trains 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.

WOMEN-ONLY TRAINS 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 'train'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	What do you think of women-only cars on trains?
5)	How safe is public transport in your country for women?
6)	Why might people disagree with the women-only carriages?
7)	What other areas of society should be segregated?
8)	What else could rail companies do to keep women safe?
9)	Should boys and girls be segregated in schools?
10)	What do you think of the idea of women-only malls and hotels?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What are the disadvantages of women-only train carriages?
13)	Is having women-only train carriages sexist?
14)	What problems have you had on trains?
15)	How much equality is there for women in your country?
16)	What do you think of the idea of men-only train carriages?
17)	Would you prefer a female family member to use women-only transportation?
18)	What do you think of rail travel?
19)	What is the answer to tackling sexual harassment?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the rail company's CEO?

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 train operator in Germany is launching a women and children only service on its trains. The (1) ____ for the segregated carriages is an (2) ____ to help women feel safer. There will be two specialised compartments on (3) ____ of the company's trains that run between the cities of Leipzig and Chemnitz. The carriages will be located next to the one in which the train conductor is (4) ____. The new carriages are causing quite a stir in Germany. Some people on social media are suggesting the move is a reaction to an increase (5) ____ reported incidents of sexual harassment and assault in Germany. Rail executives stress this is not the (6) ____, but is instead a new policy aimed at increasing security for women and children.

The use of women-only carriages on trains is not new. There have been (7) ____ cars on trains in many other countries for decades. In Japan, such carriages were first introduced in 1912. Last year there was a (8) ____ from Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition party to the government in Britain, to re-introduce (9) ____ carriages. British trains used to have 'Ladies Only' carriages up until 1977. Mr Corbyn's comments resulted (10) ____ a backlash from female politicians. His colleague Yvette Cooper observed that (11) ____ sexual harassment and violence against women was a serious issue, women-only carriages were not the answer. Cooper said the move would be, "turning the (12) ____ back and not tackling the problem".

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

1.	(a)	initials	(b)	initialing	(c)	initiative	(d)	initialising
2.	(a)	attempt	(b)	try	(c)	prototype	(d)	arrange
3.	(a)	all	(b)	whole	(c)	every	(d)	entire
4.	(a)	situated	(b)	saturated	(c)	satiated	(d)	stratified
5.	(a)	to	(b)	of	(c)	by	(d)	in
6.	(a)	wallet	(b)	bag	(c)	box	(d)	case
7.	(a)	dedicated	(b)	detracted	(c)	delineated	(d)	deselected
8.	(a)	urge	(b)	whisper	(c)	shout	(d)	call
9.	(a)	such	(b)	surge	(c)	scratch	(d)	search
10.	(a)	to	(b)	in	(c)	of	(d)	as
11.	(a)	whence	(b)	while	(c)	whim	(d)	whisk
12.	(a)	clock	(b)	watch	(c)	timepiece	(d)	cuckoo

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	A train prortoea in Germany
2.	geesretgda carriages
3.	the one in which the train tcnudcroo is situated
4.	the move is a oncreiat
5.	sexual resanhamst
6.	Rail eetiuvcxse
Paragraph 2
7.	aeidddetc cars
8.	the leader of the poisioontp party
9.	Corbyn's comments resulted in a kcalashb
10.	female oinlptiicas
11.	neocevli against women
12.	tgianklc the problem

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	resulted in a backlash from female politicians. His colleague Yvette Cooper observed that while sexual
( )	harassment and violence against women was a serious issue, women-only carriages were not
( )	located next to the one in which the train conductor is situated. The new carriages are causing quite a
( )	the answer. Cooper said the move would be, "turning the clock back and not tackling the problem".
( )	of sexual harassment and assault in Germany. Rail executives stress this is not the
( )	call from Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition party to the government in Britain, to re-introduce such
( )	carriages. British trains used to have 'Ladies Only' carriages up until 1977. Mr Corbyn's comments
( )	The use of women-only carriages on trains is not new. There have been dedicated cars on trains in many other
( )	case, but is instead a new policy aimed at increasing security for women and children.
( )	countries for decades. In Japan, such carriages were first introduced in 1912. Last year there was a
( )	all of the company's trains that run between the cities of Leipzig and Chemnitz. The carriages will be
( )	for the segregated carriages is an attempt to help women feel safer. There will be two specialised compartments on
( )	stir in Germany. Some people on social media are suggesting the move is a reaction to an increase in reported incidents
( 1 )	A train operator in Germany is launching a women and children only service on its trains. The initiative

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	feel women help to attempt An safer .
2.	trains specialised all company's Two on the compartments of .
3.	causing quite a stir in Germany The new carriages are .
4.	this is Rail not executives the stress case .
5.	new at for A aimed security policy increasing women .
6.	on - use new trains only of is carriages women The not .
7.	trains on dedicated have been countries many cars in There .
8.	the The the to of party government leader opposition .
9.	issue serious a was women against Violence .
10.	tackling clock not problem the and the Turning back .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A train operator in Germany is launching / launched a women and children only service on its trains. The initiation / initiative for the segregated carriages is an attempt / attempting to help women feel safer. There will be two specialised compartments on every / all of the company's trains that run between / among the cities of Leipzig and Chemnitz. The carriages will be located next to the one in which the train conductor is situation / situated. The new carriages are causing quite / quiet a stir in Germany. Some people on social media are suggesting / suggestion the move is a reaction to an increase in reported incidents / incident of sexual harassment and assault in Germany. Rail executives stress this is not the case, but is instead a new policy aimed at / to increasing security for women and children.

The use / used of women-only carriages on trains is not new. There have been dedicated / dedication cars on trains in many other / another countries for decades. In Japan, such carriages were first / firstly introduced in 1912. Last year there was a caller / call from Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition party to the government in Britain, to re-introduce such carriage / carriages. British trains used to have 'Ladies Only' carriages up until 1977. Mr Corbyn's comments resulted / resulting in a backlash from female politicians. His colleague / collegiate Yvette Cooper observed that while sexual harassment and violence again / against women was a serious issue, women-only carriages were not the answer. Cooper said the move would be, "turning the clock back and not tackling / tacking the problem".

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)

_ tr__n _p_r_t_r _n G_rm_ny _s l__nch_ng _ w_m_n _nd ch_ldr_n _nly s_rv_c_ _n _ts tr__ns. Th_ _n_t__t_v_ f_r th_ s_gr_g_t_d c_rr__g_s _s _n _tt_mpt t_ h_lp w_m_n f__l s_f_r. Th_r_ w_ll b_ tw_ sp_c__l_s_d c_mp_rtm_nts _n _ll _f th_ c_mp_ny's tr__ns th_t r_n b_tw__n th_ c_t__s _f L__pz_g _nd Ch_mn_tz. Th_ c_rr__g_s w_ll b_ l_c_t_d n_xt t_ th_ _n_ _n wh_ch th_ tr__n c_nd_ct_r _s s_t__t_d. Th_ n_w c_rr__g_s _r_ c__s_ng q__t_ _ st_r _n G_rm_ny. S_m_ p__pl_ _n s_c__l m_d__ _r_ s_gg_st_ng th_ m_v_ _s _ r__ct__n t_ _n _ncr__s_ _n r_p_rt_d _nc_d_nts _f s_x__l h_r_ssm_nt _nd _ss__lt _n G_rm_ny. R__l _x_c_t_v_s str_ss th_s _s n_t th_ c_s_, b_t _s _nst__d _ n_w p_l_cy __m_d _t _ncr__s_ng s_c_r_ty f_r w_m_n _nd ch_ldr_n.

Th_ _s_ _f w_m_n-_nly c_rr__g_s _n tr__ns _s n_t n_w. Th_r_ h_v_ b__n d_d_c_t_d c_rs _n tr__ns _n m_ny _th_r c__ntr__s f_r d_c_d_s. _n J_p_n, s_ch c_rr__g_s w_r_ f_rst _ntr_d_c_d _n 1912. L_st y__r th_r_ w_s _ c_ll fr_m J_r_my C_rbyn, th_ l__d_r _f th_ _pp_s_t__n p_rty t_ th_ g_v_rnm_nt _n Br_t__n, t_ r_-_ntr_d_c_ s_ch c_rr__g_s. Br_t_sh tr__ns _s_d t_ h_v_ 'L_d__s _nly' c_rr__g_s _p _nt_l 1977. Mr C_rbyn's c_mm_nts r_s_lt_d _n _ b_ckl_sh fr_m f_m_l_ p_l_t_c__ns. H_s c_ll__g__ Yv_tt_ C__p_r _bs_rv_d th_t wh_l_ s_x__l h_r_ssm_nt _nd v__l_nc_ _g__nst w_m_n w_s _ s_r___s _ss__, w_m_n-_nly c_rr__g_s w_r_ n_t th_ _nsw_r. C__p_r s__d th_ m_v_ w__ld b_, "t_rn_ng th_ cl_ck b_ck _nd n_t t_ckl_ng th_ pr_bl_m".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a train operator in germany is launching a women and children only service on its trains the initiative for the segregated carriages is an attempt to help women feel safer there will be two specialised compartments on all of the company's trains that run between the cities of leipzig and chemnitz the carriages will be located next to the one in which the train conductor is situated the new carriages are causing quite a stir in germany some people on social media are suggesting the move is a reaction to an increase in reported incidents of sexual harassment and assault in germany rail executives stress this is not the case but is instead a new policy aimed at increasing security for women and children

the use of women-only carriages on trains is not new there have been dedicated cars on trains in many other countries for decades in japan such carriages were first introduced in 1912 last year there was a call from jeremy corbyn the leader of the opposition party to the government in Britain, to re-introduce such carriages british trains used to have 'ladies only' carriages up until 1977 mr corbyn's comments resulted in a backlash from female politicians his colleague yvette cooper observed that while sexual harassment and violence against women was a serious issue women-only carriages were not the answer cooper said the move would be "turning the clock back and not tackling the problem"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AtrainoperatorinGermanyislaunchingawomenandchildrenonlyservi
ceonitstrains.Theinitiativeforthesegregatedcarriagesisanattemptto
helpwomenfeelsafer.Therewillbetwospecialisedcompartmentsonall
ofthecompany'strainsthatrunbetweenthecitiesofLeipzigandChemni
tz.Thecarriageswillbelocatednexttotheoneinwhichthetrainconducto
rissituated.ThenewcarriagesarecausingquiteastirinGermany.Some
peopleonsocialmediaaresuggestingthemoveisareactiontoanincreas
einreportedincidentsofsexualharassmentandassaultinGermany.Rai
lexecutivesstressthisisnotthecase,butisinsteadanewpolicyaimedati
ncreasingsecurityforwomenandchildren.Theuseofwomen-onlycarr
iagesontrainsisnotnew.Therehavebeendedicatedcarsontrainsinman
yothercountriesfordecades.InJapan,suchcarriageswerefirstintroduc
edin1912.LastyeartherewasacallfromJeremyCorbyn,theleaderofth
eoppositionpartytothegovernmentinBritain,tore-introducesuchca
rriages.Britishtrainsusedtohave'LadiesOnly'carriagesupuntil1977.
MrCorbyn'scommentsresultedinabacklashfromfemalepoliticians.Hi
scolleagueYvetteCooperobservedthatwhilesexualharassmentandvi
olenceagainstwomenwasaseriousissue,women-onlycarriagesw
erenottheanswer.Coopersaidthemovewouldbe,"turningtheclockbac
kandnottacklingtheproblem".

FREE WRITING

Write about women-only trains for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

There should be men-only and women-only carriages on trains. 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 women-only trains. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. WOMEN-ONLY: Write a magazine article about women-only trains. 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 the boss of the rail company. Ask him/her three questions about the women-only trains. Give him/her three ideas on how to make rail travel better. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

F

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	launching	a.	starting
2.	segregated	b.	separated
3.	located	c.	situated
4.	reaction	d.	response
5.	stress	e.	emphasise
6.	call	f.	appeal
7.	comments	g.	remarks
8.	colleague	h.	co-worker
9.	issue	i.	matter
10.	tackling	j.	addressing

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Women and children
2.	Two
3.	The train conductor
4.	Sexual harassment
5.	Rail executives
6.	Japan
7.	1977
8.	Leader of the opposition party in the UK
9.	They were not the answer
10.	The clock

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

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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Breaking News English Lesson on Women-Only Trains

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Women-only train cars starting in Germany (31st March, 2016)

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