The Reading / Listening - Alien Attack - Level 3

America's space agency NASA has an exciting new job opening to protect Earth from aliens. The position is for a Planetary Protection Officer (PPO). The successful applicant will be responsible for making sure no life forms from outer space come to Earth. The PPO makes sure astronauts and space equipment do not come back from space with any alien bacteria. The position was posted on the usajobs.gov website. According to the post, the new PPO will get a yearly salary of up to $187,000. The job contract is for three years, but could be extended for an additional two years. It is one of the most unique job positions in the world. NASA only employs two PPOs. The job is only open to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals.

People who want to apply for the job must be well qualified. Candidates must have "broad engineering expertise" and have a degree in physical science, engineering or mathematics. The candidate must also show they have experience in "planning, executing, or overseeing elements of space programs of national significance". A final requirement is that the candidate has "skills in diplomacy that resulted in win-win solutions during extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions". The new PPO will be responsible for planning several future NASA missions. One of these will be a trip to one of Jupiter's icy moons, Europa. The mission will search for signs of alien life on the moon.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Alien Attack - Level 0,  Alien Attack - Level 1   or  Alien Attack - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/474414000
  • http://nypost.com/2017/08/01/nasa-job-opening-to-protect-earth-from-aliens-has-6-figure-salary/
  • http://www.newsweek.com/nasa-hiring-planetary-protection-officer-save-earth-aliens-645254


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. ALIENS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about aliens. 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?

       space agency / Earth / aliens / applicant / outer space / salary / unique / citizens /
       qualified / candidates / engineering / skills / diplomacy / discussions / missions

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

3. GOOD: Students A strongly believe aliens visiting Earth would be a good thing; Students B strongly believe it would be a bad thing.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. PROTECTING EARTH: How can we protect Earth from these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What would you do?

What should governments do?

Alien attack

 

 

Alien bacteria

 

 

Asteroid strike

 

 

Cyber wars

 

 

Global warming

 

 

Nuclear wars

 

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

6. JOB INTERVIEW: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things for a job interview at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • diplomacy skills
  • general knowledge
  • ambition
  • nice smile
  • qualifications
  • nice suit
  • confidence
  • experience

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The abbreviation for NASA's new job opening is POP.     T / F
  2. The successful candidate will check astronauts for alien bacteria.     T / F
  3. The contract for the NASA job is for five years.     T / F
  4. The job is open for anyone with experience of space programmes.     T / F
  5. Candidates need to have experience in engineering.     T / F
  6. The successful candidate has experience of win-win solutions.     T / F
  7. The successful candidate will have to help plan future NASA missions.     T / F
  8. The article says a mission to a Jupiter moon will look for rocks.     T / F

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

  1. opening
  2. applicant
  3. come back
  4. yearly
  5. additional
  6. expertise
  7. elements
  8. significance
  9. several
  10. mission
  1. skill
  2. annual
  3. a number of
  4. candidate
  5. parts
  6. extra
  7. vacancy
  8. journey
  9. return
  10. importance

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

  1. successful
  2. life forms from outer
  3. The job contract
  4. It is one of the most unique
  5. The job is only open
  6. well
  7. a degree
  8. space programs of national
  9. win-win
  10. The mission will search for signs of
  1. job positions in the world
  2. alien life on the moon
  3. qualified
  4. applicant
  5. in physical science
  6. is for three years
  7. space
  8. solutions
  9. to U.S. citizens
  10. significance

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
bacteria
additional
applicant
citizens
yearly
outer
unique
opening

America's space agency NASA has an exciting new job (1) ____________ to protect Earth from aliens. The position is for a Planetary Protection Officer (PPO). The successful (2) ____________ will be responsible for making sure no life forms from (3) ____________ space come to Earth. The PPO makes sure astronauts and space equipment do not come back from space with any alien (4) ____________. The position was posted on the usajobs.gov website. According to the post, the new PPO will get a (5) ____________ salary of up to $187,000. The job contract is for three years, but could be extended for an (6) ____________ two years. It is one of the most (7) ____________ job positions in the world. NASA only employs two PPOs. The job is only open to U.S. (8) ____________ and U.S. nationals.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
win
apply
elements
signs
several
icy
candidate
degree

People who want to (9) ____________ for the job must be well qualified. Candidates must have "broad engineering expertise" and have a (10) ____________ in physical science, engineering or mathematics. The candidate must also show they have experience in "planning, executing, or overseeing (11) ____________ of space programs of national significance". A final requirement is that the (12) ____________ has "skills in diplomacy that resulted in win-(13) ____________ solutions during extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions". The new PPO will be responsible for planning (14) ____________ future NASA missions. One of these will be a trip to one to Jupiter’s (15) ____________ moons, Europa. The mission will search for (16) ____________ of alien life on the moon.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  NASA has an exciting new job opening to protect ______
     a.  earthy from aliens
     b.  Earthling from aliens
     c.  Earth from aliens
     d.  earths from aliens

2)  be responsible for making sure no life forms from outer ______ Earth
     a.  space come too
     b.  space come two
     c.  space come toe
     d.  space come to

3) astronauts and space equipment do not come back from space with ______
     a.  any alien bacteria
     b.  any aliens bacteria
     c.  any alienating bacteria
     d.  any a lion bacteria

4)  According to the post, the new PPO will get ______
     a.  a yearly salaried
     b.  a yearly celery
     c.  a yearly sell airy
     d.  a yearly salary

5)  The job is only open to U.S. citizens and ______
     a.  U.S. nationalize
     b.  U.S. nationalist
     c.  U.S. national
     d.  U.S. nationals

6)  People who want to apply for the job must ______
     a.  be well qualify
     b.  be well cool a fried
     c.  be well qualified
     d.  be well qualification

7)  Candidates must have "broad engineering expertise" and have a degree ______
     a.  in physically science
     b.  in physical science
     c.  on physical science
     d.  in physical scientist

8)  planning, executing, or overseeing elements of space programs of ______
     a.  national significance
     b.  national significant
     c.  national signify cans
     d.  national significantly

9)  A final requirement is that the candidate has "skills in diplomacy that resulted in ______
     a.  win-won solutions
     b.  won-win solutions
     c.  won-won solutions
     d.  win-win solutions

10)  The new PPO will be responsible for planning several future ______
     a.  NASA missionaries
     b.  NASA missives
     c.  NASA machines
     d.  NASA missions

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

America's space agency NASA (1) ___________________ new job opening to protect Earth from aliens. The position is for a Planetary Protection Officer (PPO). The (2) ___________________ will be responsible for making sure no life forms from outer space come to Earth. The PPO makes sure astronauts and space equipment do not come back from (3) ___________________ alien bacteria. The position was posted on the usajobs.gov website. According to the post, the new PPO will (4) ___________________ salary of up to $187,000. The job contract is for three years, but could be extended (5) ___________________ two years. It is one of the most unique job positions in the world. NASA only employs two PPOs. The (6) ___________________ open to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals.

People who want (7) ___________________ the job must be well qualified. Candidates must have "broad engineering expertise" and (8) ___________________ physical science, engineering or mathematics. The candidate must also show they have (9) ___________________ "planning, executing, or overseeing elements of space programs of national significance". A final requirement is that the candidate has "skills in diplomacy that (10) ___________________ solutions during extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions". The new PPO will be responsible for planning several future NASA missions. (11) ___________________ will be a trip to one to Jupiter’s icy moons, Europa. The mission will search for signs (12) ___________________ the moon.

Comprehension questions

  1. What does PPO mean?
  2. How much is the salary?
  3. How long is the contract for?
  4. How many PPOs are there in the world?
  5. Who can apply for the job?
  6. What kind of expertise must candidates have?
  7. What kind of solutions must the PPO deliver?
  8. What will the new PPO be responsible for planning?
  9. Which planet's moons will there be a mission to?
  10. What will the mission search for on one of the moons?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does PPO mean?
a) Positive Planets Organization
b) Planetary Protection Officer
c) Protect Planets Online
d) Pluto Power Orbit

2) How much is the salary?
a) up to $167,000
b) up to $178,000
c) up to $176,000
d) up to $187,000

3) How long is the contract for?
a) 3 1/2 years
b) 13 years
c) 3 years
d) 30 years

4) How many PPOs are there in the world?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

5) Who can apply for the job?
a) anyone
b) US nationals and citizens
c) only engineering graduates
d) only astronauts

6) What kind of expertise must candidates have?
a) engineering expertise
b) astronomy expertise
c) aviation expertise
d) general knowledge expertise

7) What kind of solutions must the PPO deliver?
a) won-won
b) win-lose
c) win-win
d) win-won

8) What will the new PPO be responsible for planning?
a) future NASA missions
b) parties
c) new space rockets
d) training programmes

9) Which planet's moons will there be a mission to?
a) Uranus'
b) Neptune's
c) Saturn's
d) Jupiter's

10) What will the mission search for on one of the moons?
a) food
b) rocks
c) signs of alien life
d) a wifi signal

Role play

Role  A – Qualifications

You think qualifications are the most important thing to pass an interview. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): confidence, experience or a nice suit.

Role  B – Confidence

You think confidence is the most important thing to pass an interview. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): qualifications, experience or a nice suit.

Role  C – Experience

You think experience is the most important thing to pass an interview. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): confidence, qualifications or a nice suit.

Role  D – Nice Suit

You think a nice suit is the most important thing to pass an interview. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): confidence, experience or qualifications.

After reading / listening

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

'alien'

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

    • and 'attack'.

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

    • • 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:

    • well
    • degree
    • also
    • final
    • several
    • signs
    • opening
    • sure
    • back
    • yearly
    • three
    • employs

    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 - New NASA job – to protect Earth from aliens

    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 'space'?
    3. Why would you be good at this job?
    4. What do you know about NASA?
    5. Are there aliens out there?
    6. What three questions would you ask an alien?
    7. Why might aliens want to attack Earth?
    8. Who should aliens talk to on Earth, and why?
    9. What problems might alien bacteria cause on Earth?
    10. What would a PPO do every day?

    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 'alien'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How could we stop aliens attacking Earth?
    5. How are your skills in diplomacy?
    6. When was the last win-win situation you were in?
    7. Why are many aliens in movies cute?
    8. What's the best aliens movie you've seen?
    9. What would NASA do if they found life on another planet?
    10. What questions would you like to ask NASA?

    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)

    America's space agency NASA has an (1) ____ new job opening to protect Earth from aliens. The position is (2) ____ a Planetary Protection Officer (PPO). The successful applicant will be responsible for making sure no life (3) ____ from outer space come to Earth. The PPO makes sure astronauts and space equipment do not come back from space with any alien bacteria. The position was posted on the usajobs.gov website. According (4) ____ the post, the new PPO will get a yearly salary of up to $187,000. The job contract is for three years, but could be extended for an (5) ____ two years. It is one of the most unique job positions in the world. NASA only employs two PPOs. The job is only (6) ____ to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals.

    People who want to apply for the job must be (7) ____ qualified. Candidates must have "broad engineering expertise" and have a degree (8) ____ physical science, engineering or mathematics. The candidate must also show they have experience in "planning, executing, or overseeing (9) ____ of space programs of national significance". A final requirement is that the candidate has "skills in diplomacy that resulted in win-(10) ____ solutions during extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions". The new PPO will be responsible for planning (11) ____ future NASA missions. One of these will be a trip to one to Jupiter’s icy moons, Europa. The mission will (12) ____ for signs of alien life on the moon.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     excitement     (b)     excite     (c)     excited     (d)     exciting    
    2. (a)     at     (b)     by     (c)     from     (d)     for    
    3. (a)     farms     (b)     forms     (c)     firms     (d)     films    
    4. (a)     of     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     on    
    5. (a)     conditional     (b)     traditional     (c)     additional     (d)     situational    
    6. (a)     open     (b)     ajar     (c)     wide     (d)     spread    
    7. (a)     nice     (b)     well     (c)     best     (d)     good    
    8. (a)     in     (b)     on     (c)     by     (d)     at    
    9. (a)     cements     (b)     elements     (c)     compartments     (d)     comments    
    10. (a)     winner     (b)     winning     (c)     win     (d)     won    
    11. (a)     digital     (b)     decimal     (c)     several     (d)     numeral    
    12. (a)     comb     (b)     sift     (c)     view     (d)     search

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. America's space caneyg NASA
    2. The ssfccluesu applicant
    3. space qnetmepiu
    4. for an adatlniodi two years
    5. one of the most nuiqeu job positions
    6. only open to U.S. teciizsn

    Paragraph 2

    1. engineering ptserxeie
    2. a egdere in physical science
    3. programs of atnlnaoi significance
    4. win-win tsolionus
    5. psseobielrn for planning
    6. The smsiino will search for signs of alien life

    Put the text back together

    (    )     a Planetary Protection Officer (PPO). The successful applicant will be responsible for making sure no life

    (    )     show they have experience in "planning, executing, or overseeing elements of space programs of national

    (    )     forms from outer space come to Earth. The PPO makes sure astronauts and space equipment do not come

    (    )     back from space with any alien bacteria. The position was posted on the usajobs.gov website. According

    (    )     the world. NASA only employs two PPOs. The job is only open to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals.

    (    )     of Jupiter's icy moons, Europa. The mission will search for signs of alien life on the moon.

    (    )     People who want to apply for the job must be well qualified. Candidates must have "broad engineering

    (    )     to the post, the new PPO will get a yearly salary of up to $187,000. The job contract is for three

    (    )     significance". A final requirement is that the candidate has "skills in diplomacy that resulted in win-

    (    )     expertise" and have a degree in physical science, engineering or mathematics. The candidate must also

    (    )     years, but could be extended for an additional two years. It is one of the most unique job positions in

    (  1  )     America's space agency NASA has an exciting new job opening to protect Earth from aliens. The position is for

    (    )     responsible for planning several future NASA missions. One of these will be a trip to one

    (    )     win solutions during extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions". The new PPO will be

    Put the words in the right order

    1. exciting   agency   new   NASA   job   has   America's   an   space   .
    2. space   Making  from   sure   come  no   to   life   Earth   forms  outer   .
    3. with   bacteria   come   space   alien   not   from   any   Do   back   .
    4. the   of   one   is   It   world   the   in   positions   job   unique   most   .
    5. open   is   US   to   nationals   US   The   citizens   job   and   only   .
    6. well  be  must  job   the  for   apply   to  want   who   People  qualified  .
    7. candidate   The   experience   have   they   show   also   must   .
    8. in   win   in   resulted   -   Skills   that   win   solutions   diplomacy   .
    9. future   missions   for   several   NASA   Responsible   planning   .
    10. will   mission  The  moon   the   on  life   alien  of   signs  for   search   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    America's space agency NASA has an excitement / exciting new job opening to protect Earth from aliens / alien. The position is for a Planetary Protection Officer (PPO). The successful applicant will be responsible for making / make sure no life forms from outer space comes / come to Earth. The PPO makes sure astronauts and space equipped / equipment do not come back from space with any alien bacteria. The position was posted on the usajobs.gov website. According / Accord to the post, the new PPO will get a yearly / year salary of up to $187,000. The job contract / contact is for three years, but could be extended for an additionally / additional two years. It is one of the most unique job positions in the world. NASA only employs two PPOs. The job is only open to U.S. citizens and U.S. national / nationals.

    People who want to applicant / apply for the job must be well qualified. Candidates must have "broad / brand engineering expertise" and have a degree on / in physical science, engineering or mathematics. The candidate must also show / showing they have experience in "planning, executing, or overseeing elements / element of space programs of national significance". A final requirement is that the candidate have / has "skills in diplomacy that resulted in win-win solutions during / while extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions". The new PPO will be responsibility / responsible for planning several future NASA missions. One of them / these will be a trip to one to Jupiter’s icy moons, Europa. The mission will search for signs of alien life / live on the moon.

    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)

    _m_r_c_'s sp_c_ _g_ncy N_S_ h_s _n _xc_t_ng n_w j_b _p_n_ng t_ pr_t_ct __rth fr_m _l__ns. Th_ p_s_t__n _s f_r _ Pl_n_t_ry Pr_t_ct__n _ff_c_r (PP_). Th_ s_cc_ssf_l _ppl_c_nt w_ll b_ r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r m_k_ng s_r_ n_ l_f_ f_rms fr_m __t_r sp_c_ c_m_ t_ __rth. Th_ PP_ m_k_s s_r_ _str_n__ts _nd sp_c_ _q__pm_nt d_ n_t c_m_ b_ck fr_m sp_c_ w_th _ny _l__n b_ct_r__. Th_ p_s_t__n w_s p_st_d _n th_ _s_j_bs.g_v w_bs_t_. _cc_rd_ng t_ th_ p_st, th_ n_w PP_ w_ll g_t _ y__rly s_l_ry _f _p t_ $187,000. Th_ j_b c_ntr_ct _s f_r thr__ y__rs, b_t c__ld b_ _xt_nd_d f_r _n _dd_t__n_l tw_ y__rs. _t _s _n_ _f th_ m_st _n_q__ j_b p_s_t__ns _n th_ w_rld. N_S_ _nly _mpl_ys tw_ PP_s. Th_ j_b _s _nly _p_n t_ _.S. c_t_z_ns _nd _.S. n_t__n_ls.

    P__pl_ wh_ w_nt t_ _pply f_r th_ j_b m_st b_ w_ll q__l_f__d. C_nd_d_t_s m_st h_v_ "br__d _ng_n__r_ng _xp_rt_s_" _nd h_v_ _ d_gr__ _n phys_c_l sc__nc_, _ng_n__r_ng _r m_th_m_t_cs. Th_ c_nd_d_t_ m_st _ls_ sh_w th_y h_v_ _xp_r__nc_ _n "pl_nn_ng, _x_c_t_ng, _r _v_rs___ng _l_m_nts _f sp_c_ pr_gr_ms _f n_t__n_l s_gn_f_c_nc_". _ f_n_l r_q__r_m_nt _s th_t th_ c_nd_d_t_ h_s "sk_lls _n d_pl_m_cy th_t r_s_lt_d _n w_n-w_n s_l_t__ns d_r_ng _xtr_m_ly d_ff_c_lt _nd c_mpl_x m_lt_l_t_r_l d_sc_ss__ns". Th_ n_w PP_ w_ll b_ r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r pl_nn_ng s_v_r_l f_t_r_ N_S_ m_ss__ns. _n_ _f th_s_ w_ll b_ _ tr_p t_ _n_ t_ J_p_t_r’s _cy m__ns, __r_p_. Th_ m_ss__n w_ll s__rch f_r s_gns _f _l__n l_f_ _n th_ m__n.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    america's space agency nasa has an exciting new job opening to protect earth from aliens the position is for a planetary protection officer (ppo) the successful applicant will be responsible for making sure no life forms from outer space come to earth the ppo makes sure astronauts and space equipment do not come back from space with any alien bacteria the position was posted on the usajobsgov website according to the post the new ppo will get a yearly salary of up to $187000 the job contract is for three years but could be extended for an additional two years it is one of the most unique job positions in the world nasa only employs two ppos the job is only open to us citizens and us nationals

    people who want to apply for the job must be well qualified candidates must have "broad engineering expertise" and have a degree in physical science engineering or mathematics the candidate must also show they have experience in "planning executing or overseeing elements of space programs of national significance" a final requirement is that the candidate has "skills in diplomacy that resulted in win-win solutions during extremely difficult and complex multilateral discussions" the new ppo will be responsible for planning several future nasa missions one of these will be a trip to one to jupiter’s icy moons europa the mission will search for signs of alien life on the moon

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    America'sspaceagencyNASAhasanexcitingnewjobopeningtoprotect
    Earthfromaliens.ThepositionisforaPlanetaryProtectionOfficer(PPO).
    Thesuccessfulapplicantwillberesponsibleformakingsurenolifeformsf
    romouterspacecometoEarth.ThePPOmakessureastronautsandspac
    eequipmentdonotcomebackfromspacewithanyalienbacteria.Thepos
    itionwaspostedontheusajobs.govwebsite.Accordingtothepost,then
    ewPPOwillgetayearlysalaryofupto$187,000.Thejobcontractisforthr
    eeyears,butcouldbeextendedforanadditionaltwoyears.Itisoneofthe
    mostuniquejobpositionsintheworld.NASAonlyemploystwoPPOs.The
    jobisonlyopentoU.S.citizensandU.S.nationals.Peoplewhowanttoapp
    lyforthejobmustbewellqualified.Candidatesmusthave"broadengine
    eringexpertise"andhaveadegreeinphysicalscience,engineeringorm
    athematics.Thecandidatemustalsoshowtheyhaveexperiencein"plan
    ning,executing,oroverseeingelementsofspaceprogramsofnationalsi
    gnificance".Afinalrequirementisthatthecandidatehas"skillsindiplom
    acythatresultedinwin-winsolutionsduringextremelydifficultandcom
    plexmultilateraldiscussions".ThenewPPOwillberesponsibleforplanni
    ngseveralfutureNASAmissions.OneofthesewillbeatriptoonetoJupite
    r'sicymoons,Europa.Themissionwillsearchforsignsofalienlifeonthem
    oon.

    Free writing

    Write about alien attack for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    The Earth needs protecting from alien life. 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 news. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. EARTH PROTECTION: Write a magazine article about protecting Earth from aliens. 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 aliens. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to protect Earth from aliens. 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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