The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov is branching out into fashion. The weapons manufacturer is one of Russia's most famous companies. It makes the well-known AK-47 assault rifle. The company said it has to make different things because of Western sanctions. Many countries stopped buying Russian weapons after the conflict in Ukraine started. Before the sanctions, Kalashnikov sold 70 per cent of its hunting and sporting weapons to Europe and the USA. Kalashnikov will soon launch a fashion label. It will make 'military style' casual clothing and accessories. There are also plans to open 60 Kalashnikov clothes stores across Russia by the end of this year.

Kalashnikov is not the first Russian arms company to move into fashion. UralVagonZavod, the makers of tanks and other military vehicles, opened a shop in 2014 selling T-shirts, jackets, shoes and bags. Most of its products have images of its tanks on them. The Kalashnikov CEO Alexei Krivoruchko said his company would still make most of its money from making guns. He said: "In addition to the development of new products, by 2017 we plan to double our sales of small arms." He said the company will, "start the mass production of not less than 10 new products". A marketing manager said Kalashnikov's fashions could sell well because of a rise in patriotism in Russia.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0,  Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-36228350
  • http://sputniknews.com/business/20160506/1039183639/russia-kalashnikov-clothing.html#ixzz47wlxLMRB
  • https://www.rt.com/news/342198-kalashnikov-military-style-clothing/


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. MILITARY FASHION: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about military fashion. 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?

       branching out / weapons / famous / sanctions / hunting / fashion label / stores /
       the first / military vehicles / T-shirts / tanks / development / double / patriotism

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

3. GUNS: Students A strongly believe guns should be banned; Students B strongly believe they shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. BRANCHING OUT: What do you think of these examples of companies branching out? Are they a good or bad idea? Why? Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Ferrari coffee shops
  • Apple cars
  • Louis Vuitton ice cream
  • Amazon banks
  • McDonald's mobile phones
  • Disney make up
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. FASHION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "fashion". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. FASHION LABELS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Zara
  • Uniqlo
  • Burberry
  • Oakley
  • Kalashnikov
  • Gap
  • Louis Vuitton
  • Adidas

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Kalashnikov is the maker of a rifle called the AK-47.     T / F
  2. Europe and the USA used to buy 50% of Kalashnikov's weapons.     T / F
  3. Kalashnikov's clothing will be in a formal, sporting style.     T / F
  4. Kalashnikov plans to open 60 stores across the world this year.     T / F
  5. Kalashnikov is the first Russian arms maker to move into fashion.     T / F
  6. Kalashnikov will still make most of its money from guns.     T / F
  7. Kalashnikov wants to make at least 10 new products.     T / F
  8. Kalashnikov could do well because Russians are proud of their country.    T / F

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

  1. arms
  2. branching out
  3. sanctions
  4. conflict
  5. launch
  6. making
  7. images
  8. products
  9. rise
  10. patriotism
  1. war
  2. start
  3. pictures
  4. expanding
  5. increase
  6. nationalism
  7. weapons
  8. producing
  9. goods
  10. penalties

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

  1. Kalashnikov is branching
  2. after the conflict
  3. Kalashnikov will soon launch
  4. casual clothing and
  5. by the end
  6. military
  7. most of its money
  8. we plan to double
  9. mass production of not less
  10. because of a rise
  1. than 10 new products
  2. from making guns
  3. of this year
  4. vehicles
  5. out into fashion
  6. our sales
  7. in Ukraine started
  8. accessories
  9. in patriotism
  10. a fashion label

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
known
hunting
sanctions
plans
branching
end
conflict
label

The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov is (1) ____________ out into fashion. The weapons manufacturer is one of Russia's most famous companies. It makes the well-(2) ____________ AK-47 assault rifle. The company said it has to make different things because of Western (3) ____________. Many countries stopped buying Russian weapons after the (4) ____________ in Ukraine started. Before the sanctions, Kalashnikov sold 70 per cent of its (5) ____________ and sporting weapons to Europe and the USA. Kalashnikov will soon launch a fashion (6) ____________. It will make 'military style' casual clothing and accessories. There are also (7) ____________ to open 60 Kalashnikov clothes stores across Russia by the (8) ____________ of this year.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
images
move
less
addition
rise
vehicles
most
sales

Kalashnikov is not the first Russian arms company to (9) ____________ into fashion. UralVagonZavod, the makers of tanks and other military (10) ____________, opened a shop in 2014 selling T-shirts, jackets, shoes and bags. Most of its products have (11) ____________ of its tanks on them. The Kalashnikov CEO Alexei Krivoruchko said his company would still make (12) ____________ of its money from making guns. He said: "In (13) ____________ to the development of new products, by 2017 we plan to double our (14) ____________ of small arms." He said the company will, "start the mass production of not (15) ____________ than 10 new products". A marketing manager said Kalashnikov's fashions could sell well because of a (16) ____________ in patriotism in Russia.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov is branching ______
     a.  out onto fashion
     b.  out tin to fashion
     c.  out ton to fashion
     d.  out into fashion

2)  It makes the well-known AK-47 ______
     a.  assault ruffle
     b.  assault rifle
     c.  assault rifled
     d.  assault rival

3)  The company said it has to make different things because ______
     a.  on Western sanctions
     b.  off Western sanctions
     c.  of Western sanctions
     d.  of Western sanction

4)  Many countries stopped buying Russian weapons after the conflict ______
     a.  on Ukraine started
     b.  in Ukraine started
     c.  of Ukraine started
     d.  an Ukraine started

5)  It will make 'military style' casual clothing ______
     a.  and access or rise
     b.  and accessories
     c.  and excess arise
     d.  and excess or rise

6)  UralVagonZavod, the makers of tanks and ______
     a.  other militarily vehicles
     b.  other military vehicle
     c.  another military vehicles
     d.  other military vehicles

7)  Most of its products have images of its ______
     a.  tanks on them
     b.  thanks on them
     c.  tacks in them
     d.  tanks in them

8) CEO Alexei Krivoruchko said his company would still make most of its money ______
     a.  from making gun
     b.  from making guns
     c.  from make in guns
     d.  from make in gun

9)  In addition to the development of new products, by 2017 we plan to ______
     a.  double your sale
     b.  double hour sales
     c.  double our sells
     d.  double our sales

10)  A marketing manager said Kalashnikov's fashions could sell well because of ______
     a.  a raise in patriotism
     b.  arise in patriotism
     c.  a risen in patriotism
     d.  a rise in patriotism

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov is (1) ___________________ fashion. The weapons manufacturer is one of Russia's most famous companies. It makes (2) ___________________ AK-47 assault rifle. The company said it has to make different (3) ___________________ Western sanctions. Many countries stopped buying Russian weapons (4) ___________________ in Ukraine started. Before the sanctions, Kalashnikov sold 70 per cent of its hunting and sporting weapons to Europe and the USA. Kalashnikov will soon (5) ___________________ label. It will make 'military style' casual clothing and accessories. There are also plans to open 60 Kalashnikov clothes stores across Russia (6) ___________________ this year.

Kalashnikov (7) ___________________ Russian arms company to move into fashion. UralVagonZavod, the makers of tanks (8) ________________ vehicles, opened a shop in 2014 selling T-shirts, jackets, shoes and bags. Most of its products (9) ___________________ its tanks on them. The Kalashnikov CEO Alexei Krivoruchko said his company would still make most of its money from making guns. He said: "(10) ___________________ the development of new products, by 2017 we plan to (11) ________________ of small arms." He said the company will, "start the mass production of not less than 10 new products". A marketing manager said Kalashnikov's fashions (12) ___________________ because of a rise in patriotism in Russia.

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the Russian company Kalashnikov branching out into?
  2. What is the name of Kalashnikov's famous rifle?
  3. How much of Kalashnikov's sporting and hunting rifles did Europe and the USA buy?
  4. What style of clothing will Kalashnikov's clothes be?
  5. How many stores does Kalashnikov want to open?
  6. How many Russian arms makers moved into fashion before Kalashnikov?
  7. What image did UralVagonZavod put on its clothes?
  8. What will Kalashnikov make most of its money from?
  9. How many new products does Kalashnikov want to start making?
  10. What is there a rise in that might make the Kalashnikov clothes sell well?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the Russian company Kalashnikov branching out into?
a) fashion
b) trees
c) Europe
d) sporting goods

2) What is the name of Kalashnikov's famous rifle?
a) the Kalash
b) Ak-Ak
c) AK-47
d) CP-18

3) What style of clothing will Kalashnikov's clothes be?
a) hip-hop style
b) military style
c) haute couture
d) sporting style

4) How much of Kalashnikov's sporting and hunting rifles did Europe and the USA buy?
a) 75%
b) 65%
c) 60%
d) 70%

5) How many stores does Kalashnikov want to open?
a) 60
b) 70
c) 80
d) 120

6) How many Russian arms makers moved into fashion before Kalashnikov?
a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1

7) What image did UralVagonZavod put on its clothes?
a) the Russian flag
b) tanks
c) bears
d) cabbages

8) What will Kalashnikov make most of its money from?
a) tanks
b) vodka
c) clothes
d) guns

9) How many new products does Kalashnikov want to start making?
a) around 10
b) up to 10
c) at least 10
d) 10

10) What is there a rise in that might make the Kalashnikov clothes sell well?
a) prices
b) patriotism
c) tourism
d) height

Role play

Role A —Kalashnikov

You think Kalashnikov is the best fashion brand. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their brands. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Adidas, Gap or Louis Vuitton.

Role B —Adidas

You think Adidas is the best fashion brand. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their brands. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Kalashnikov, Gap or Louis Vuitton.

Role C —Gap

You think Gap is the best fashion brand. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their brands. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Adidas, Kalashnikov or Louis Vuitton.

Role D —Louis Vuitton

You think Louis Vuitton is the best fashion brand. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their brands. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Adidas, Gap or Kalashnikov.

After reading / listening

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

'fashion'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'brand'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • first
    • other
    • images
    • most
    • 2017
    • 10
    • branching
    • known
    • stopped
    • 70
    • launch
    • 60

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Russian weapons maker now a fashion brand

    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 'gun'?
    3. What do you know about Kalashnikov?
    4. What do you think about what you read?
    5. What do you think of Kalashnikov branching out into fashion?
    6. What other things could Kalashnikov make?
    7. How successful do you think Kalashnikov clothes will be?
    8. What's your favourite fashion label, and why?
    9. What do you think of military style clothes?
    10. Would you like to go to a Kalashnikov store?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What kind of clothes do you like?
    3. What kind of clothes should Kalashnikov make and sell?
    4. What do you think of clothes with images of tanks and guns on them?
    5. What do you think of gun companies?
    6. What other companies would do well at selling clothes?
    7. What advice do you have for the Kalashnikov CEO?
    8. Would Kalashnikov clothes sell well in your country?
    9. How patriotic are you?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the CEO of Kalashnikov?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov is (1) ____ out into fashion. The weapons manufacturer is one of Russia's most famous companies. It makes the well- (2) ____ AK-47 assault rifle. The company said it has to make different things because (3) ____ Western sanctions. Many countries stopped buying Russian weapons after the conflict in Ukraine started. Before the sanctions, Kalashnikov sold 70 per cent of its (4) ____ and sporting weapons to Europe and the USA. Kalashnikov will soon launch a fashion label. It will make 'military style' (5) ____ clothing and accessories. There are also plans to open 60 Kalashnikov clothes stores across Russia by the (6) ____ of this year.

    Kalashnikov is not the first Russian arms company to move into fashion. UralVagonZavod, the makers of tanks and other (7) ____ vehicles, opened a shop in 2014 (8) ____ T-shirts, jackets, shoes and bags. Most of its products have images of its tanks on them. The Kalashnikov CEO Alexei Krivoruchko said his company would still (9) ____ most of its money from making guns. He said: "In addition to the development of new products, by 2017 we plan to (10) ____ our sales of (11) ____ arms." He said the company will, "start the mass production of not less than 10 new products". A marketing manager said Kalashnikov's fashions could sell well because of a (12) ____ in patriotism in Russia.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a) branching     (b)) brunching     (c) blanching     (d) bunching    
    2. (a) knowing     (b) knows     (c) known     (d) know    
    3. (a) for     (b) by     (c) of     (d) at    
    4. (a) hunted     (b) hunts     (c) hunters     (d) hunting    
    5. (a) casual     (b) causal     (c) causes     (d) casually    
    6. (a) ends     (b) end     (c) ended     (d) endure    
    7. (a) millet     (b) militant     (c) militia     (d) military    
    8. (a) sales     (b) selling     (c) sold     (d) seals    
    9. (a) have     (b) do     (c) make     (d) feed    
    10. (a) duo     (b) double     (c) twice     (d) twofold    
    11. (a) tiny     (b) miniscule     (c) little     (d) small    
    12. (a) up     (b) rise     (c) risen     (d) increase

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. rnhcnaigb out into fashion
    2. the well-known AK-47 autsasl rifle
    3. because of Western stnisonac
    4. after the tlncciof in Ukraine started
    5. hauncl a fashion label
    6. saluca clothing and accessories

    Paragraph 2

    1. tanks and other mayrliti vehicles
    2. T-shirts, ktejsac, shoes and bags
    3. Most of its sdutrcop have images
    4. we plan to ouebld our sales
    5. start the mass rdnuocoitp
    6. a rise in osrtaitpmi

    Put the text back together

    1. (    )   and bags. Most of its products have images of its tanks on them. The Kalashnikov CEO Alexei Krivoruchko said
    2. (    )   arms." He said the company will, "start the mass production of not less than 10 new
    3. (    )   to make different things because of Western sanctions. Many countries stopped buying Russian weapons after the
    4. (    )   style' casual clothing and accessories. There are also plans to open 60 Kalashnikov
    5. (    )   Kalashnikov is not the first Russian arms company to move into fashion. UralVagonZavod, the makers
    6. (    )   addition to the development of new products, by 2017 we plan to double our sales of small
    7. (    )   weapons to Europe and the USA. Kalashnikov will soon launch a fashion label. It will make 'military
    8. (    )   his company would still make most of its money from making guns. He said: "In
    9. (    )   of Russia's most famous companies. It makes the well-known AK-47 assault rifle. The company said it has
    10. (    )   of tanks and other military vehicles, opened a shop in 2014 selling T-shirts, jackets, shoes
    11. (    )   products". A marketing manager said Kalashnikov's fashions could sell well because of a rise in patriotism in Russia.
    12. (    )   clothes stores across Russia by the end of this year.
    13. (    )   conflict in Ukraine started. Before the sanctions, Kalashnikov sold 70 per cent of its hunting and sporting
    14. (  1  )  The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov is branching out into fashion. The weapons manufacturer is one

    Put the words in the right order

    1. fashion into  out  branching is  Kalashnikov  maker  arms  Russian  The .
    2. weapons   Russia's   manufacturer   most   is   famous   one   The   of   .
    3. of   It  make   because  sanctions   to  things   Western  has   different  .
    4. in   weapons  Ukraine   after   Stopped  the   buying  conflict   Russian  .
    5. 60   clothes   across   Open   Kalashnikov   stores   Russia   .
    6. fashion   first   company   into   the   arms   move   Not   Russian   to   .
    7. tanks   on   them   Most   of   its   products   have   images   of   its   .
    8. we   plan   to   double   our   sales   of   small   arms   By   2017   .
    9. than   10   new  products  Start  the   mass  production   of   not   less  .
    10. in   could   because   rise   Fashions   well   a   patriotism   sell   of   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The Russian arms maker / market Kalashnikov is branching out into / onto fashion. The weapons manufacturer is one for / of Russia's most famous companies. It makes the well-known AK-47 assault rifle. The company said it has to make difference / different things because of Western sanctions. Many countries stopped buying / bought Russian weapons after the conflict in Ukraine starts / started. Before the sanctions, Kalashnikov sold / selling 70 per cent of its hunted / hunting and sporting weapons to Europe and the USA. Kalashnikov will soon / sooner launch a fashion label. It will make 'military style' casual / causal clothing and accessories. There are also plans to open 60 Kalashnikov clothes stores across Russia by the end of this year.

    Kalashnikov is not the firstly / first Russian arms company to move into fashion. UralVagonZavod, the makers of thanks / tanks and other military vehicles, opened a shop in 2014 sales / selling T-shirts, jackets, shoes and bags. Most of its products have image / images of its tanks on / in them. The Kalashnikov CEO Alexei Krivoruchko said his company would still make most by / of its money from making guns. He said: "On / In addition to the development of new products, by 2017 we plan to / two double our sales of small arms." He said the company will, "start the mass / masses production of not less than 10 new products". A marketing manager said Kalashnikov's fashions could sell well because of a raise / rise in patriotism in Russia.

    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_ss__n _rms m_k_r K_l_shn_k_v _s br_nch_ng __t _nt_ f_sh__n. Th_ w__p_ns m_n_f_ct_r_r _s _n_ _f R_ss__'s m_st f_m__s c_mp_n__s. _t m_k_s th_ w_ll-kn_wn _K-47 _ss__lt r_fl_. Th_ c_mp_ny s__d _t h_s t_ m_k_ d_ff_r_nt th_ngs b_c__s_ _f W_st_rn s_nct__ns. M_ny c__ntr__s st_pp_d b_y_ng R_ss__n w__p_ns _ft_r th_ c_nfl_ct _n _kr__n_ st_rt_d. B_f_r_ th_ s_nct__ns, K_l_shn_k_v s_ld 70 p_r c_nt _f _ts h_nt_ng _nd sp_rt_ng w__p_ns t_ __r_p_ _nd th_ _S_. K_l_shn_k_v w_ll s__n l__nch _ f_sh__n l_b_l. _t w_ll m_k_ 'm_l_t_ry styl_' c_s__l cl_th_ng _nd _cc_ss_r__s. Th_r_ _r_ _ls_ pl_ns t_ _p_n 60 K_l_shn_k_v cl_th_s st_r_s _cr_ss R_ss__ by th_ _nd _f th_s y__r.

    K_l_shn_k_v _s n_t th_ f_rst R_ss__n _rms c_mp_ny t_ m_v_ _nt_ f_sh__n. _r_lV_g_nZ_v_d, th_ m_k_rs _f t_nks _nd _th_r m_l_t_ry v_h_cl_s, _p_n_d _ sh_p _n 2014 s_ll_ng T-sh_rts, j_ck_ts, sh__s _nd b_gs. M_st _f _ts pr_d_cts h_v_ _m_g_s _f _ts t_nks _n th_m. Th_ K_l_shn_k_v C__ _l_x__ Kr_v_r_chk_ s__d h_s c_mp_ny w__ld st_ll m_k_ m_st _f _ts m_n_y fr_m m_k_ng g_ns. H_ s__d: "_n _dd_t__n t_ th_ d_v_l_pm_nt _f n_w pr_d_cts, by 2017 w_ pl_n t_ d__bl_ __r s_l_s _f sm_ll _rms." H_ s__d th_ c_mp_ny w_ll, "st_rt th_ m_ss pr_d_ct__n _f n_t l_ss th_n 10 n_w pr_d_cts". _ m_rk_t_ng m_n_g_r s__d K_l_shn_k_v's f_sh__ns c__ld s_ll w_ll b_c__s_ _f _ r_s_ _n p_tr__t_sm _n R_ss__.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the russian arms maker kalashnikov is branching out into fashion the weapons manufacturer is one of russia's most famous companies it makes the well-known ak-47 assault rifle the company said it has to make different things because of western sanctions many countries stopped buying russian weapons after the conflict in ukraine started before the sanctions kalashnikov sold 70 per cent of its hunting and sporting weapons to europe and the usa kalashnikov will soon launch a fashion label it will make 'military style' casual clothing and accessories there are also plans to open 60 kalashnikov clothes stores across russia by the end of this year

    kalashnikov is not the first russian arms company to move into fashion uralvagonzavod the makers of tanks and other military vehicles opened a shop in 2014 selling t-shirts jackets shoes and bags most of its products have images of its tanks on them the kalashnikov ceo alexei krivoruchko said his company would still make most of its money from making guns he said "in addition to the development of new products by 2017 we plan to double our sales of small arms" he said the company will "start the mass production of not less than 10 new products" a marketing manager said kalashnikov's fashions could sell well because of a rise in patriotism in russia

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheRussianarmsmakerKalashnikovisbranchingoutintofashion.Thew
    eaponsmanufacturerisoneofRussia'smostfamouscompanies.Itmak
    esthewell-knownAK-47assaultrifle.Thecompanysaidithastomakedif
    ferentthingsbecauseofWesternsanctions.Manycountriesstoppedbu
    yingRussianweaponsaftertheconflictinUkrainestarted.Beforethesan
    ctions,Kalashnikovsold70percentofitshuntingandsportingweaponst
    oEuropeandtheUSA.Kalashnikovwillsoonlaunchafashionlabel.Itwill
    make'militarystyle'casualclothingandaccessories.Therearealsoplan
    stoopen60KalashnikovclothesstoresacrossRussiabytheendofthisye
    ar.KalashnikovisnotthefirstRussianarmscompanytomoveintofashio
    n.UralVagonZavod,themakersoftanksandothermilitaryvehicles,op
    enedashopin2014sellingT-shirts,jackets,shoesandbags.Mostofitsp
    roductshaveimagesofitstanksonthem.TheKalashnikovCEOAlexeiKri
    voruchkosaidhiscompanywouldstillmakemostofitsmoneyfrommaki
    ngguns.Hesaid:"Inadditiontothedevelopmentofnewproducts,by201
    7weplantodoubleoursalesofsmallarms."Hesaidthecompanywill,"sta
    rtthemassproductionofnotlessthan10newproducts".Amarketingma
    nagersaidKalashnikov'sfashionscouldsellwellbecauseofariseinpatri
    otisminRussia.

    Free writing

    Write about military fashion for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    A gun maker should not sell clothes. Discuss.

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    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 Kalashnikov. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. MILITARY CLOTHES: Make a poster about military clothing. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. KALASHNIKOV: Write a magazine article about Kalashnikov. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against the company making clothes.

    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 fashion. Ask him/her three questions about Kalashnikov. Give him/her three of your ideas on how Kalashnikov can make more money. 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

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

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