The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has announced his country will move away from the USA and work more closely with China. President Duterte made the announcement in China's capital Beijing. He was meeting with Chinese leaders to talk about future cooperation between the Philippines and China. Mr Duterte also hinted he might work more closely with Russia. He said: "Maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world - China, the Philippines and Russia. Duterte said he would end military and economic agreements with the USA. He told the USA: "Your stay in my country was for your own benefit. So it is time to say goodbye, my friend."

President Duterte's announcement could change many things in the Asia-Pacific region. It will mean China is stronger in the area and the USA is weaker. It is possible that Duterte may ask the USA to leave its military bases in the Philippines. The loss of the Philippines bases would be a big problem for the USA. A White House spokesman said: "If the Philippines are out…that starts to raise questions about our whole approach to the region." This break from the US comes after 65 years of close partnership between the two countries. The Russian newspaper 'Russia Today' commented on the changing relations in the Asia-Pacific region. It wrote: "China has just turned a former rival into a regional ally."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0,  Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/20/politics/rodrigo-duterte-us-interests-philippines/
  • http://www.manilatimes.net/duterte-announces-separation-us/292340/
  • https://www.rt.com/news/363465-duterte-china-goodbye-us/


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. THE PHILIPPINES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about The Philippines. 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?

       president / move away / announcement / future / cooperation / military / goodbye /
       Asia / Pacific / military bases / loss / approach / partnership / newspaper / rival / ally

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

3. ALLY: Students A strongly believe China is a better ally than the USA; Students B strongly believe the USA is a better ally than China.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. PARTNERSHIP: What would be good about a partnership with these countries? Talk about this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • USA
  • China
  • Russia
  • Brazil
  • India
  • Egypt
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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

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

6. USA: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about the USA at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • people
  • music
  • dollar
  • foreign policy
  • democracy
  • movies
  • food
  • cities

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The Philippines ambassador said her country will split from the USA.     T / F
  2. An announcement about splitting from the USA was made in China.     T / F
  3. The Philippines might also form stronger links with Russia.     T / F
  4. The Philippines president said it was time to say goodbye to the USA.     T / F
  5. The USA will now become weaker in the Asia-Pacific region.     T / F
  6. The USA may have to give up its Philippine naval bases.     T / F
  7. The USA and Philippines have been partners for 165 years.     T / F
  8. China and the Philippines have now become regional rivals.     T / F

 

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

  1. announced
  2. cooperation
  3. hinted
  4. end
  5. benefit
  6. area
  7. raise
  8. countries
  9. former
  10. ally
  1. nations
  2. finish
  3. good
  4. partner
  5. joint action
  6. ex-
  7. region
  8. made it known
  9. bring up
  10. suggested

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

  1. his country will move
  2. talk about future
  3. there are three of
  4. he would end military and
  5. Your stay in my country was for
  6. ask the USA to leave its military
  7. raise questions about our whole
  8. 65 years of close
  9. changing relations in the
  10. China has just turned a former
  1. rival into a regional ally
  2. economic agreements
  3. Asia-Pacific region
  4. approach
  5. away from the USA
  6. cooperation
  7. partnership
  8. your own benefit
  9. bases
  10. us against the world

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
against
cooperation
closely
economic
announced
goodbye
capital
hinted

The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has (1) ____________ his country will move away from the USA and work more (2) ____________ with China. President Duterte made the announcement in China's (3) ____________ Beijing. He was meeting with Chinese leaders to talk about future (4) ____________ between the Philippines and China. Mr Duterte also (5) ____________ he might work more closely with Russia. He said: "Maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us (6) ____________ the world - China, the Philippines and Russia." Duterte said he would end military and (7) ____________ agreements with the USA. He told the USA: "Your stay in my country was for your own benefit. So it is time to say (8) ____________, my friend."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
bases
region
close
military
rival
weaker
relations
approach

President Duterte's announcement could change many things in the Asia-Pacific (9) ____________. It will mean China is stronger in the area and the USA is (10) ____________. It is possible that Duterte may ask the USA to leave its (11) ____________ bases in the Philippines. The loss of the Philippines (12) ____________ would be a big problem for the USA. A White House spokesman said: "If the Philippines are out…that starts to raise questions about our whole (13) ____________ to the region." This break from the US comes after 65 years of (14) ____________ partnership between the two countries. The Russian newspaper 'Russia Today' commented on the changing (15) ____________ in the Asia-Pacific region. It wrote: "China has just turned a former (16) ____________ into a regional ally."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  his country will move away from the USA and work ______ China
     a.  more closed with
     b.  more closely within
     c.  more close to with
     d.  more closely with

2)  President Duterte made the announcement in China's ______
     a.  capitals Beijing
     b.  cap it all Beijing
     c.  capita all Beijing
     d.  capital Beijing

3)  He was meeting with Chinese leaders to talk about ______
     a.  future cooperating
     b.  future cooperated
     c.  future cooperation
     d.  future corporation

4)  talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us ______
     a.  against a world
     b.  against the world
     c.  against our world
     d.  against then world

5)  Your stay in my country was for your ______
     a.  own benefits
     b.  owns benefit
     c.  own benefit
     d.  owned benefit

6)  Duterte's announcement could change many things in the ______
     a.  Asia-Pacific regional
     b.  Asia-Pacific legions
     c.  Asia-Pacific legion
     d.  Asia-Pacific region

7)  It will mean China is stronger in the area and ______
     a.  the USA is weak hour
     b.  the USA is weak are
     c.  the USA is weaker
     d.  the USA is wee car

8)  It is possible that Duterte may ask the USA to leave ______
     a.  its military bases
     b.  its military basis
     c.  its military base is
     d.  its military bay cyst

9)  that starts to raise questions about our ______
     a.  hole approach
     b.  whole approach
     c.  holy approach
     d.  whale approach

10)  China has just turned a former rival into ______
     a.  a regional all lie
     b.  a regional a lie
     c.  a regional all a lie
     d.  a regional ally

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte (1) ___________________ country will move away from the USA and (2) ___________________ with China. President Duterte made the announcement in China's capital Beijing. He (3) ___________________ Chinese leaders to talk about future cooperation between the Philippines and China. Mr Duterte also hinted he might work more closely with Russia. He said: "Maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three (4) ___________________ world - China, the Philippines and Russia." Duterte said he would end military and (5) ___________________ with the USA. He told the USA: "Your stay in my country was for (6) ___________________. So it is time to say goodbye, my friend."

President Duterte's announcement could (7) ___________________ in the Asia-Pacific region. It will mean China is stronger in the area and the USA is weaker. It is possible that Duterte may ask the USA (8) ___________________ bases in the Philippines. The loss of the Philippines bases would be (9) ___________________ for the USA. A White House spokesman said: "If the Philippines are out…that starts to raise questions about our whole (10) ___________________ region." This break from the US comes after 65 years of (11) ___________________ between the two countries. The Russian newspaper 'Russia Today' commented on the changing relations in the Asia-Pacific region. It wrote: "China has just turned a former rival (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. What will the Philippines do more closely with China?
  2. When will China and the Philippines cooperate?
  3. Where did the Philippines president say he might go?
  4. What agreements will the Philippines end with the USA?
  5. What did President Duterte say it was time to say to the USA?
  6. What will happen to the USA's power in the Asia-Pacific region?
  7. What might the USA have to leave in the Philippines?
  8. How long have the USA and the Philippines been partners?
  9. What is the name of the newspaper mentioned in the article?
  10. What has China turned a former rival into?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What will the Philippines do more closely with China?
a) compete
b) spy
c) work
d) play

2) When will China and the Philippines cooperate?
a) in the future
b) at a conference
c) in the WTO in New York
d) 2023

3) Where did the Philippines president say he might go?
a) India
b) Brazil
c) the USA
d) Russia

4) What agreements will the Philippines end with the USA?
a) sports and culture
b) military and economic
c) oil and gas
d) business and financial

5) What did President Duterte say it was time to say to the USA?
a) see you next time
b) good luck
c) goodbye
d) thank you

6) What will happen to the USA's power in the Asia-Pacific region?
a) people will steal it
b) it will be weaker
c) nothing
d) it will recharge

7) What might the USA have to leave in the Philippines?
a) investments
b) embassies
c) pride
d) military bases

8) How long have the USA and the Philippines been partners?
a) 56 years
b) 65 years
c) 165 years
d) 156 years

9) What is the name of the newspaper mentioned in the article?
a) Russia Today
b) Manila Times
c) Beijing Daily
d) New York Times

10) What has China turned a former rival into?
a) an investment
b) a ghost
c) a monster
d) an ally

Role play

Role A — Democracy

You think democracy is the best thing about the USA. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food, music or foreign policy.

Role B — Food

You think food is the best thing about the USA. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): democracy, music or foreign policy.

Role C — Music

You think music is the best thing about the USA. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food, democracy or foreign policy.

Role D — Foreign policy

You think foreign policy is the best thing about the USA. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food, music or democracy.

After reading / listening

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

'rival'

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

    • and 'ally'.

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

    • • 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:

    • things
    • weaker
    • loss
    • raise
    • 65
    • rival
    • move
    • capital
    • future
    • hinted
    • end
    • say

    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 - Philippines to split from USA

    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 country name 'Philippines'?
    3. What do you know about the Philippines?
    4. What do you think about what you read?
    5. What do you think of the Philippines breaking ties with the USA?
    6. Is the Philippines better working with China or the USA?
    7. What do you think of the "three of us against the world" comment?
    8. What can go wrong for the Philippines with breaking from the USA?
    9. How important is the USA for your country?
    10. What advice do you have for President Duterte?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What will change in the Asia-Pacific region from now?
    3. Why does the USA have military bases in the Philippines?
    4. What problems would there be if the USA military left the Philippines?
    5. What do you think the Philippines' neighbours think?
    6. How will this change relations between China and the USA?
    7. How would the world be different if China was the biggest superpower?
    8. What do you think Russia thinks about this?
    9. How important is China for your country?
    10. What questions would you like to ask President Duterte?

    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 president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has (1) ____ his country will move away from the USA and work more (2) ____ with China. President Duterte made the announcement in China's capital Beijing. He was meeting with Chinese leaders to talk about future (3) ____ between the Philippines and China. Mr Duterte also hinted he might work more closely with Russia. He said: "Maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us (4) ____ the world - China, the Philippines and Russia." Duterte said he would (5) ____ military and economic agreements with the USA. He told the USA: "Your stay in my country was for your own (6) ____. So it is time to say goodbye, my friend."

    President Duterte's announcement could change many (7) ____ in the Asia-Pacific region. It will mean China is stronger in the area and the USA is weaker. It is possible that Duterte may ask the USA to leave its military (8) ____ in the Philippines. The loss (9) ____ the Philippines bases would be a big problem for the USA. A White House spokesman said: "If the Philippines are out…that starts to raise questions about our (10) ____ approach to the region." This break from the US comes (11) ____ 65 years of close partnership between the two countries. The Russian newspaper 'Russia Today' commented (12) ____ the changing relations in the Asia-Pacific region. It wrote: "China has just turned a former rival into a regional ally."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     denounced     (b)     announced     (c)     renounced     (d)     flounced    
    2. (a)     close     (b)     closely     (c)     closest     (d)     closer    
    3. (a)     contribution     (b)     captivation     (c)     corporation     (d)     cooperation    
    4. (a)     gains     (b)     against     (c)     again     (d)     gangsters    
    5. (a)     ending     (b)     end     (c)     ends     (d)     ended    
    6. (a)     beneficial     (b)     beneficiary     (c)     benefit     (d)     benefactors     
    7. (a)     stuff     (b)     goods     (c)     things     (d)     artifacts    
    8. (a)     basis     (b)     braces     (c)     bases     (d)     basses    
    9. (a)     at     (b)     from     (c)     for     (d)     of    
    10. (a)     whale     (b)     holy     (c)     hole     (d)     whole    
    11. (a)     after     (b)     next     (c)     then     (d)     post    
    12. (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     to

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. noncnuaed his country will move
    2. talk about future pirnoeacoot
    3. work more eylolsc with Russia
    4. three of us igsanat the world
    5. rmiytail and economic agreements
    6. for your own tniebef

    Paragraph 2

    1. in the Asia-Pacific ongeri
    2. that starts to ersai questions
    3. our whole acppohra
    4. changing ntirolaes
    5. a former ilavr
    6. a regional layl

    Put the text back together

    (    )     approach to the region." This break from the US comes after 65 years of close partnership between the two

    (    )     capital Beijing. He was meeting with Chinese leaders to talk about future cooperation between the Philippines

    (    )     your own benefit. So it is time to say goodbye, my friend."

    (    )     President Duterte's announcement could change many things in the Asia-Pacific region. It will mean China is

    (    )     stronger in the area and the USA is weaker. It is possible that Duterte may ask the USA to leave its military

    (    )     would end military and economic agreements with the USA. He told the USA: "Your stay in my country was for

    (    )     Asia-Pacific region. It wrote: "China has just turned a former rival into a regional ally."

    (    )     countries. The Russian newspaper 'Russia Today' commented on the changing relations in the

    (  1  )     The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has announced his country will move away

    (    )     spokesman said: "If the Philippines are out…that starts to raise questions about our whole

    (    )     bases in the Philippines. The loss of the Philippines bases would be a big problem for the USA. A White House

    (    )     from the USA and work more closely with China. President Duterte made the announcement in China's

    (    )     and China. Mr Duterte also hinted he might work more closely with Russia. He said: "Maybe I will also go to Russia to

    (    )     talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world - China, the Philippines and Russia." Duterte said he

    Put the words in the right order

    1. move   Announced   away   his   from   country   the   will   USA   .
    2. Beijing   capital   China's   in   announcement   the   made   Duterte   .
    3. talk   with   about  Chinese  future   leaders   cooperation  to  Meeting  .
    4. closely   more   work   might   he   Hinted   Russia   with   .
    5. your   Your   my   for   benefit   in   was   own   stay   country   .
    6. in   region   the   Change   Asia   many   -   things   Pacific   .
    7. China   area   is   It   stronger   will   in   mean   the   .
    8. be   a   big   problem  The   loss   of   the   Philippines   bases   would   .
    9. the   our   region   whole   Raise   approach   questions   to   about   .
    10. a   regional   ally   China   has   just   turned   a   former   rival   into   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has announcement / announced his country will move / movement away from the USA and work more closely with China. President Duterte made the announcement in China's capital / capitalise Beijing. He was meeting with Chinese leader / leaders to talk about future corporation / cooperation between the Philippines and China. Mr Duterte also hinted he might work more close / closely with Russia. He said: "Maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of them / us against the world / planet - China, the Philippines and Russia." Duterte said he would end military and economic agreements / agrees with the USA. He told the USA: "Your stay in my country was for your own beneficial / benefit. So it is time to say goodbye, my friend."

    President Duterte's announcement could change much / many things in the Asia-Pacific region / regional. It will mean China is stronger in / on the area and the USA is weaker. It is possible that Duterte may ask the USA to leave its militia / military bases in the Philippines. The loss of the Philippines basis / bases would be a big problem for the USA. A White House spokesman said: "If the Philippines are out…that starts to rise / raise questions about our whole approach to the region." This break / beak from the US comes after 65 years of close / closely partnership between the two countries. The Russian newspaper 'Russia Today' commented on the changing relations in the Asia-Pacific region. It wrote: "China has just turned a farmer / former rival into a regional ally / all."

    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_ pr_s_d_nt _f th_ Ph_l_pp_n_s R_dr_g_ D_t_rt_ h_s _nn__nc_d h_s c__ntry w_ll m_v_ _w_y fr_m th_ _S_ _nd w_rk m_r_ cl_s_ly w_th Ch_n_. Pr_s_d_nt D_t_rt_ m_d_ th_ _nn__nc_m_nt _n Ch_n_'s c_p_t_l B__j_ng. H_ w_s m__t_ng w_th Ch_n_s_ l__d_rs t_ t_lk _b__t f_t_r_ c__p_r_t__n b_tw__n th_ Ph_l_pp_n_s _nd Ch_n_. Mr D_t_rt_ _ls_ h_nt_d h_ m_ght w_rk m_r_ cl_s_ly w_th R_ss__. H_ s__d: "M_yb_ _ w_ll _ls_ g_ t_ R_ss__ t_ t_lk t_ P_t_n _nd t_ll h_m th_t th_r_ _r_ thr__ _f _s _g__nst th_ w_rld - Ch_n_, th_ Ph_l_pp_n_s _nd R_ss__." D_t_rt_ s__d h_ w__ld _nd m_l_t_ry _nd _c_n_m_c _gr__m_nts w_th th_ _S_. H_ t_ld th_ _S_: "Y__r st_y _n my c__ntry w_s f_r y__r _wn b_n_f_t. S_ _t _s t_m_ t_ s_y g__dby_, my fr__nd."

    Pr_s_d_nt D_t_rt_'s _nn__nc_m_nt c__ld ch_ng_ m_ny th_ngs _n th_ _s__-P_c_f_c r_g__n. _t w_ll m__n Ch_n_ _s str_ng_r _n th_ _r__ _nd th_ _S_ _s w__k_r. _t _s p_ss_bl_ th_t D_t_rt_ m_y _sk th_ _S_ t_ l__v_ _ts m_l_t_ry b_s_s _n th_ Ph_l_pp_n_s. Th_ l_ss _f th_ Ph_l_pp_n_s b_s_s w__ld b_ _ b_g pr_bl_m f_r th_ _S_. _ Wh_t_ H__s_ sp_k_sm_n s__d: "_f th_ Ph_l_pp_n_s _r_ __t…th_t st_rts t_ r__s_ q__st__ns _b__t __r wh_l_ _ppr__ch t_ th_ r_g__n." Th_s br__k fr_m th_ _S c_m_s _ft_r 65 y__rs _f cl_s_ p_rtn_rsh_p b_tw__n th_ tw_ c__ntr__s. Th_ R_ss__n n_wsp_p_r 'R_ss__ T_d_y' c_mm_nt_d _n th_ ch_ng_ng r_l_t__ns _n th_ _s__-P_c_f_c r_g__n. _t wr_t_: "Ch_n_ h_s j_st t_rn_d _ f_rm_r r_v_l _nt_ _ r_g__n_l _lly."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the president of the philippines rodrigo duterte has announced his country will move away from the usa and work more closely with china president duterte made the announcement in china's capital beijing he was meeting with chinese leaders to talk about future cooperation between the philippines and china mr duterte also hinted he might work more closely with russia he said "maybe i will also go to russia to talk to putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world - china the philippines and russia" duterte said he would end military and economic agreements with the usa he told the usa "your stay in my country was for your own benefit so it is time to say goodbye my friend"

    president duterte's announcement could change many things in the asia-pacific region it will mean china is stronger in the area and the usa is weaker it is possible that duterte may ask the usa to leave its military bases in the philippines the loss of the philippines bases would be a big problem for the usa a white house spokesman said "if the philippines are out…that starts to raise questions about our whole approach to the region" this break from the us comes after 65 years of close partnership between the two countries the russian newspaper 'russia today' commented on the changing relations in the asia-pacific region it wrote "china has just turned a former rival into a regional ally"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThepresidentofthePhilippinesRodrigoDutertehasannouncedhiscoun
    trywillmoveawayfromtheUSAandworkmorecloselywithChina.Presid
    entDutertemadetheannouncementinChina'scapitalBeijing.Hewasm
    eetingwithChineseleaderstotalkaboutfuturecooperationbetweenthe
    PhilippinesandChina.MrDutertealsohintedhemightworkmoreclosely
    withRussia.Hesaid:"MaybeIwillalsogotoRussiatotalktoPutinandtellh
    imthattherearethreeofusagainsttheworld-China,thePhilippinesan
    dRussia."Dutertesaidhewouldendmilitaryandeconomicagreements
    withtheUSA.HetoldtheUSA:"Yourstayinmycountrywasforyourownb
    enefit.Soitistimetosaygoodbye,myfriend."PresidentDuterte'sannou
    ncementcouldchangemanythingsintheAsia-Pacificregion.Itwillm
    eanChinaisstrongerintheareaandtheUSAisweaker.ItispossiblethatD
    utertemayasktheUSAtoleaveitsmilitarybasesinthePhilippines.Thelo
    ssofthePhilippinesbaseswouldbeabigproblemfortheUSA.AWhiteHou
    sespokesmansaid:"IfthePhilippinesareout…thatstartstoraisequesti
    onsaboutourwholeapproachtotheregion."ThisbreakfromtheUScome
    safter65yearsofclosepartnershipbetweenthetwocountries.TheRussi
    annewspaper'RussiaToday'commentedonthechangingrelationsinth
    eAsia-Pacificregion.Itwrote:"Chinahasjustturnedaformerrivalint
    oaregionalally."

    Free writing

    Write about the Philippines for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    China would be a better partner than the USA. 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 this story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. CHANGING RELATIONS: Write a magazine article about the Philippines moving towards China and away from the USA. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

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

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

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on international relations. Ask him/her three questions about the Philippines' new direction. Give him/her three of your ideas on what the Philippines should do. 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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