The Reading / Listening - Household Help - Level 3

Working families in two towns in Germany will get government help with the housework. The towns are in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The government decided to test a new project to help people, especially women, who work overtime. The plan is to give vouchers to employees who work extra hours. The employees can use the vouchers to get help with the housework, such as cleaning, laundry, ironing, vacuuming and dusting. The idea behind the project is to help support family life and to reduce the shadow economy. The shadow economy is when people pay for goods and services in cash but do not pay tax on them. This means the government loses a lot of money.

Government spokesman Christian Rauch explained more about the project. He said: "Our experience shows that well-qualified women work fewer hours than they would like because they want to carry out household duties in addition to family responsibilities. If these women increase their working hours by five to ten hours and receive a voucher from us, they can afford quality help with the housework." He added that the new system would also create more jobs for people in the household-help industry and create more tax for the government. Another spokesman, Dr. Ralf Kleindiek, said: "With professional help in the home, it is easier to balance work and family life."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Household Help - Level 0,  Household Help - Level 1   or  Household Help - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39675081
  • http://www.faz.net/aktuell/beruf-chance/arbeitswelt/modellprojekt-in-wuerttemberg-gutscheine-fuer-die-angemeldete-putzfrau-14981573.html
  • https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/aktuelles/presse/pressemitteilungen/projektstart--gutscheine-fuer-haushaltsnahe-dienstleistungen/115886


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. HOUSEWORK: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about housework. 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?

       working / families / housework / project / vouchers / laundry / support / cash / tax
       spokesman / experience / duties / quality / system / industry / professional / balance

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

3. SUPPORT: Students A strongly believe the government should help families with the housework; Students B strongly believe that is silly.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. HOUSEWORK DUTIES: How can we make housework duties more fun? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

Laundry

 

 

 

Dusting

 

 

 

Vacuuming

 

 

 

Washing dishes

 

 

 

Ironing

 

 

 

Cleaning toilets

 

 

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

6. DUTIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst housework duties at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • vacuuming
  • cleaning
  • cooking
  • house repairs
  • laundry
  • ironing
  • washing dishes
  • dusting

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Families all across Germany will get government help with housework.    T / F
  2. The new project is especially aimed at men.     T / F
  3. The government also wants to get people to pay more tax.     T / F
  4. The shadow economy helps the government to get more money.     T / F
  5. A spokesman said well-qualified women want to work less.     T / F
  6. Women need to work an extra five to ten hours to get a voucher.     T / F
  7. The new system will help to create more jobs.     T / F
  8. A spokesman said the project will help to balance work and family life.    T / F

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

  1. help
  2. especially
  3. employees
  4. laundry
  5. reduce
  6. explained
  7. carry out
  8. duties
  9. create
  10. professional
  1. lower
  2. do
  3. particularly
  4. make
  5. washing
  6. responsibilities
  7. assistance
  8. described
  9. paid
  10. workers

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

  1. give vouchers to employees who
  2. laundry, ironing, vacuuming
  3. shadow
  4. people pay for goods and services
  5. This means the government loses
  6. carry out household
  7. increase their working hours
  8. they can afford quality
  9. create more tax
  10. it is easier to balance
  1. economy
  2. duties
  3. a lot of money
  4. for the government
  5. by five to ten hours
  6. work extra hours
  7. work and family life
  8. in cash
  9. help with the housework
  10. and dusting

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
project
test
loses
extra
help
goods
laundry
especially

Working families in two towns in Germany will get government (1) ____________ with the housework. The towns are in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The government decided to (2) ____________ a new project to help people, (3) ____________ women, who work overtime. The plan is to give vouchers to employees who work (4) ____________ hours. The employees can use the vouchers to get help with the housework, such as cleaning, (5) ____________, ironing, vacuuming and dusting. The idea behind the (6) ____________ is to help support family life and to reduce the shadow economy. The shadow economy is when people pay for (7) ____________ and services in cash but do not pay tax on them. This means the government (8) ____________ a lot of money.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
experience
system
explained
balance
afford
help
addition
industry

Government spokesman Christian Rauch (9) ____________ more about the project. He said: "Our (10) ____________ shows that well-qualified women work fewer hours than they would like because they want to carry out household duties in (11) ____________ to family responsibilities. If these women increase their working hours by five to ten hours and receive a voucher from us, they can (12) ____________ quality help with the housework." He added that the new (13) ____________ would also create more jobs for people in the household-help (14) ____________ and create more tax for the government. Another spokesman, Dr. Ralf Kleindiek, said: "With professional (15) ____________ in the home, it is easier to (16) ____________ work and family life."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  a new project to help people, especially women, who ______
     a.  works overtime
     b.  worker over time
     c.  work overtime
     d.  work over time

2)  The plan is to give vouchers to employees who ______
     a.  work extra hour
     b.  work extra hours
     c.  work extra hourly
     d.  work extra hourlong

3)  help with the housework, such as cleaning, laundry, ironing, vacuuming ______
     a.  and dusting
     b.  and busting
     c.  and gusting
     d.  and ousting

4)  The idea behind the project is to help support family life and to reduce ______
     a.  the shadows economy
     b.  the shadow economy
     c.  the shadowed economy
     d.  the shadowy economy

5)  when people pay for goods and services in cash but do ______ them
     a.  not paid tax on
     b.  not payee tax on
     c.  not pays tax on
     d.  not pay tax on

6)  Government spokesman Christian Rauch explained more ______
     a.  about the projected
     b.  about the projects
     c.  about the project
     d.  about the projection

7)  work fewer hours than they would like because they want to carry ______
     a.  out household duty
     b.  out household duties
     c.  out household beauties
     d.  out household beauty

8)  increase their working hours by five to ten hours and ______
     a.  receive the voucher
     b.  receive a voucher
     c.  receives a voucher
     d.  received a voucher

9)  the new system would also create more jobs for people in the ______ industry
     a.  household-helps
     b.  household-help
     c.  household-helping
     d.  household-helper

10)  With professional help in the home, it is easier to balance work ______
     a.  and family rife
     b.  and family lively
     c.  and family live
     d.  and family life

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Working (1) ___________________ towns in Germany will get government help with the housework. The towns are in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The government decided (2) ___________________ project to help people, especially women, who work overtime. (3) ___________________ give vouchers to employees who work extra hours. The employees can use the vouchers to get help with the housework, such as cleaning, laundry, (4) ___________________ and dusting. The idea behind the project is to help support family life and (5) ___________________ shadow economy. The shadow economy is when people pay for goods and services in cash but do not pay tax on them. This means the government (6) ___________________ money.

Government spokesman Christian Rauch (7) ___________________ the project. He said: "Our experience shows that well-qualified women work fewer hours than they would like because they (8) ___________________ household duties (9) ___________________ family responsibilities. If these women increase their working hours by five to ten hours and receive a voucher from us, they (10) ___________________ help with the housework." He added that the new system (11) ___________________ more jobs for people in the household-help industry and create more tax for the government. Another spokesman, Dr. Ralf Kleindiek, said: "With professional help in the home, it is easier to (12) ___________________ family life."

Comprehension questions

  1. How many German towns are trying out the new project?
  2. Who in particular do officials want to help with this project?
  3. What can employees exchange for help with the housework?
  4. What does the government hope to reduce with the project?
  5. What does the article say the government loses a lot of?
  6. Who is Christian Rauch?
  7. What do well-qualified women want to do instead of working more hours?
  8. How many hours longer should women work to get a voucher?
  9. What will the new project create besides more taxes?
  10. What will the project mean people can balance work with?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many German towns are trying out the new project?
a) one
b) two
c) three
d) four

2) Who in particular do officials want to help with this project?
a) fathers
b) older people
c) younger people
d) women

3) What can employees exchange for help with the housework?
a) tax cuts
b) food
c) vouchers
d) money

4) What does the government hope to reduce with the project?
a) the shadow economy
b) money
c) tax
d) goods and services

5) What does the article say the government loses a lot of?
a) women
b) tax
c) payment
d) workers

6) Who is Christian Rauch?
a) a government spokesman
b) the project leader
c) a tax specialist
d) a lawyer

7) What do well-qualified women want to do instead of working more hours?
a) study
b) exercise
c) housework
d) drink coffee

8) How many hours longer should women work to get a voucher?
a) 5 to 10
b) 10 to 15
c) 15 to 20
d) 20 to 25

9) What will the new project create besides more taxes?
a) happiness
b) a strong economy
c) a mess
d) more jobs

10) What will the project mean people can balance work with?
a) relaxation
b) stress
c) family life
d) tax

Role play

Role  A – Laundry

You think laundry is the worst household duty. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their duties are great fun. Also, tell the others which is the most exciting of these (and why): dusting, vacuuming or ironing.

Role  B – Dusting

You think dusting is the worst household duty. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their duties are great fun. Also, tell the others which is the most exciting of these (and why): laundry, vacuuming or ironing.

Role  C – Vacuuming

You think vacuuming is the worst household duty. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their duties are great fun. Also, tell the others which is the most exciting of these (and why): dusting, laundry or ironing.

Role  D – Ironing

You think ironing is the worst household duty. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their duties are great fun. Also, tell the others which is the most exciting of these (and why):  dusting, vacuuming or laundry.

After reading / listening

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

'house'

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

    • and 'work'.

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

    • • 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:

    • explained
    • fewer
    • increase
    • quality
    • system
    • balance
    • towns
    • new
    • extra
    • behind
    • goods
    • lot

    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 - Families get government help with housework

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'housework'?
    3. What do you think of housework?
    4. What do you think of the new project?
    5. What do you think of people getting paid to do housework?
    6. What do you think of doing the laundry?
    7. How can governments support family life?
    8. What do you think of the shadow economy?
    9. Should we pay more tax to the government?
    10. Would this voucher system work in your country?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'help'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What housework do you hate doing?
    5. Should both people in a marriage share housework equally?
    6. What are the good things about doing housework?
    7. What housework needs doing in your house right now?
    8. How can robots help with the housework?
    9. How difficult is it to balance work and family life?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the government officials?

    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)

    Working families in two towns in Germany will (1) ____ government help with the housework. The towns are in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The government decided to (2) ____ a new project to help people, especially women, who work overtime. The plan (3) ____ to give vouchers to employees who work extra hours. The employees can use the vouchers to get help with the housework, such (4) ____ cleaning, laundry, ironing, vacuuming and dusting. The idea behind the project is to help support family life and to (5) ____ the shadow economy. The shadow economy is when people pay for goods and services in cash but do not pay tax on (6) ____. This means the government loses a lot of money.

    Government spokesman Christian Rauch explained more about the project. He said: "Our experience shows that (7) ____-qualified women work fewer hours than they would like because they want to carry (8) ____ household duties in addition to family responsibilities. If these women increase their working hours (9) ____ five to ten hours and receive a voucher from (10) ____, they can afford quality help with the housework." He added that the new system would also create more jobs for people in the household-help industry and create more (11) ____ for the government. Another spokesman, Dr. Ralf Kleindiek, said: "With professional help in the home, it is easier (12) ____ balance work and family life."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     get     (b)     getting     (c)     got     (d)     gets    
    2. (a)     taste     (b)     trust     (c)     test     (d)     toast    
    3. (a)     do     (b)     is     (c)     have     (d)     be    
    4. (a)     has     (b)     was     (c)     is     (d)     as    
    5. (a)     reduce     (b)     low     (c)     smaller     (d)     less    
    6. (a)     this     (b)     that     (c)     they     (d)     them    
    7. (a)     great     (b)     well     (c)     nice     (d)     good    
    8. (a)     off     (b)     in     (c)     up     (d)     out    
    9. (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     by     (d)     in    
    10. (a)     we     (b)     us     (c)     they     (d)     them    
    11. (a)     tax     (b)     taxis     (c)     taxi     (d)     taxed    
    12. (a)     of     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     for

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. test a new ocrjetp
    2. help people, lyslpiecae women
    3. eopmeesyl who work extra hours
    4. use the rhouecsv to get help
    5. cleaning, nrudaly, ironing, vacuuming and dusting
    6. help ptsopur family life

    Paragraph 2

    1. well-dfaleiiuq women
    2. carry out household eiutsd
    3. in aidtonid to family responsibilities
    4. they can afford atliuqy help
    5. in the household-help iusnrdty
    6. it is easier to aelcanb work and family life

    Put the text back together

    (    )     with the housework." He added that the new system would also create more jobs for

    (    )     in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The government decided to test a new project to help

    (  1  )     Working families in two towns in Germany will get government help with the housework. The towns are

    (    )     cash but do not pay tax on them. This means the government loses a lot of money.

    (    )     hours. The employees can use the vouchers to get help with the housework, such as cleaning, laundry, ironing,

    (    )     Government spokesman Christian Rauch explained more about the project. He said: "Our experience shows that well-

    (    )     economy. The shadow economy is when people pay for goods and services in

    (    )     out household duties in addition to family responsibilities. If these women increase their working hours by five

    (    )     vacuuming and dusting. The idea behind the project is to help support family life and to reduce the shadow

    (    )     people, especially women, who work overtime. The plan is to give vouchers to employees who work extra

    (    )     spokesman, Dr. Ralf Kleindiek, said: "With professional help in the home, it is easier to balance work and family life."

    (    )     qualified women work fewer hours than they would like because they want to carry

    (    )     people in the household-help industry and create more tax for the government. Another

    (    )     to ten hours and receive a voucher from us, they can afford quality help

    Put the words in the right order

    1. project   new   a   test   to   decided   government   The   .
    2. vouchers   the   to   housework   get   Use   help   the   with   .
    3. project   is   to   help   support  family   life   The   idea   behind   the   .
    4. cash   in   services   and   goods   for   Pay   tax   pay   not   do   but   .
    5. the   of   government   money   loses   This   a   means   lot   .
    6. fewer   like   hours   Qualified   than   women   they   work   would   .
    7. hours   their   by   ten   increase   hours   to   Women   working   five   .
    8. create   for   new   also   jobs   The   would   more   people   system   .
    9. the   create   government   more   Help   tax   industry   for   and   .
    10. It   work   is   and   easier   family   to   life   balance   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Working families in / on two towns in Germany will get government help with them / the housework. The towns are in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. The government decide / decided to test a new project to help people, especially / special women, who work overtime. The plan is to give vouchers to employees / employs who work extra hours. The employees can use the vouchers to be / get help with the housework, such as cleaning, laundry, ironing, vacuuming and rusting / dusting. The idea behind the project is to help support / supporting family life and to reduce the shadow economy. The shadow economy is when people pay for goods and services in / on cash but do not pay tax on them. This means the government loses the / a lot of money.

    Government spokesman Christian Rauch explained / explanation more about the project. He said: "Our experience shown / shows that well-qualified women work fewer / further hours than they would like because they want to carry out household duties on / in addition to family responsibilities. If these women increase their / them working hours by five to ten hours and receive a voucher from us, they can afford qualify / quality help with the housework." He added that the new / news system would also create more jobs for people in the household-help industry / industrial and create more tax for the government. Other / Another spokesmsan, Dr. Ralf Kleindiek, said: "With professional help in the home, it is easier to balance work and family live / life."

    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)

    W_rk_ng f_m_l__s _n tw_ t_wns _n G_rm_ny w_ll g_t g_v_rnm_nt h_lp w_th th_ h__s_w_rk. Th_ t_wns _r_ _n th_ G_rm_n st_t_ _f B_d_n-W__rtt_mb_rg. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt d_c_d_d t_ t_st _ n_w pr_j_ct t_ h_lp p__pl_, _sp_c__lly w_m_n, wh_ w_rk _v_rt_m_. Th_ pl_n _s t_ g_v_ v__ch_rs t_ _mpl_y__s wh_ w_rk _xtr_ h__rs. Th_ _mpl_y__s c_n _s_ th_ v__ch_rs t_ g_t h_lp w_th th_ h__s_w_rk, s_ch _s cl__n_ng, l__ndry, _r_n_ng, v_c__m_ng _nd d_st_ng. Th_ _d__ b_h_nd th_ pr_j_ct _s t_ h_lp s_pp_rt f_m_ly l_f_ _nd t_ r_d_c_ th_ sh_d_w _c_n_my. Th_ sh_d_w _c_n_my _s wh_n p__pl_ p_y f_r g__ds _nd s_rv_c_s _n c_sh b_t d_ n_t p_y t_x _n th_m. Th_s m__ns th_ g_v_rnm_nt l_s_s _ l_t _f m_n_y.

    G_v_rnm_nt sp_k_sm_n Chr_st__n R__ch _xpl__n_d m_r_ _b__t th_ pr_j_ct. H_ s__d: "__r _xp_r__nc_ sh_ws th_t w_ll-q__l_f__d w_m_n w_rk f_w_r h__rs th_n th_y w__ld l_k_ b_c__s_ th_y w_nt t_ c_rry __t h__s_h_ld d_t__s _n _dd_t__n t_ f_m_ly r_sp_ns_b_l_t__s. _f th_s_ w_m_n _ncr__s_ th__r w_rk_ng h__rs by f_v_ t_ t_n h__rs _nd r_c__v_ _ v__ch_r fr_m _s, th_y c_n _ff_rd q__l_ty h_lp w_th th_ h__s_w_rk." H_ _dd_d th_t th_ n_w syst_m w__ld _ls_ cr__t_ m_r_ j_bs f_r p__pl_ _n th_ h__s_h_ld-h_lp _nd_stry _nd cr__t_ m_r_ t_x f_r th_ g_v_rnm_nt. _n_th_r sp_k_sm_n, Dr. R_lf Kl__nd__k, s__d: "W_th pr_f_ss__n_l h_lp _n th_ h_m_, _t _s __s__r t_ b_l_nc_ w_rk _nd f_m_ly l_f_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    working families in two towns in germany will get government help with the housework the towns are in the german state of baden-wuerttemberg the government decided to test a new project to help people especially women who work overtime the plan is to give vouchers to employees who work extra hours the employees can use the vouchers to get help with the housework such as cleaning laundry ironing vacuuming and dusting the idea behind the project is to help support family life and to reduce the shadow economy the shadow economy is when people pay for goods and services in cash but do not pay tax on them this means the government loses a lot of money

    government spokesman christian rauch explained more about the project he said "our experience shows that well-qualified women work fewer hours than they would like because they want to carry out household duties in addition to family responsibilities if these women increase their working hours by five to ten hours and receive a voucher from us they can afford quality help with the housework" he added that the new system would also create more jobs for people in the household-help industry and create more tax for the government another spokesman dr ralf kleindiek said "with professional help in the home it is easier to balance work and family life"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    WorkingfamiliesintwotownsinGermanywillgetgovernmenthelpwitht
    hehousework.ThetownsareintheGermanstateofBaden-Wuerttem
    berg.Thegovernmentdecidedtotestanewprojecttohelppeople,especi
    allywomen,whoworkovertime.Theplanistogivevoucherstoemployee
    swhoworkextrahours.Theemployeescanusethevoucherstogethelpw
    iththehousework,suchascleaning,laundry,ironing,vacuuminganddu
    sting.Theideabehindtheprojectistohelpsupportfamilylifeandtoreduc
    etheshadoweconomy.Theshadoweconomyiswhenpeoplepayforgoo
    dsandservicesincashbutdonotpaytaxonthem.Thismeansthegovern
    mentlosesalotofmoney.GovernmentspokesmanChristianRauchexpl
    ainedmoreabouttheproject.Hesaid:"Ourexperienceshowsthatwell-
    qualifiedwomenworkfewerhoursthantheywouldlikebecausetheywa
    nttocarryouthouseholddutiesinadditiontofamilyresponsibilities.Ifth
    esewomenincreasetheirworkinghoursbyfivetotenhoursandreceivea
    voucherfromus,theycanaffordqualityhelpwiththehousework."Head
    dedthatthenewsystemwouldalsocreatemorejobsforpeopleinthehou
    sehold-helpindustryandcreatemoretaxforthegovernment.Anothers
    pokesman,Dr.RalfKleindiek,said:"Withprofessionalhelpinthehome,i
    tiseasiertobalanceworkandfamilylife."

    Free writing

    Write about household help for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    People should get money for doing housework. 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 housework. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. PAID JOB: Write a magazine article about housework being a paid job. 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 housework. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can make housework easier. 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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