The Reading / Listening - Veils - Level 3

A new law in Austria means there is now a ban on full-face veils. This means Muslim women will not be allowed to wear a full-face veil in public in the country. The new law says faces must be visible from the hairline to the chin. The government said the law is to protect traditional Austrian values. The law bans Muslim veils such as the burka or niqab. Muslim groups have said the law is very unfair because it goes against human rights and religious freedom. They say that just a tiny minority of Austrian Muslims wears full-face veils. They put the number at around 150. Officials say the law will damage Austria's economy. They say many Muslim tourists will decide not to visit Austria.

Austria is the third European country to ban the wearing of the veil. France and Belgium introduced similar bans in 2011. Other countries in Europe could follow. The Dutch government is currently working on passing a ban and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the full-face veil should be banned in Germany "wherever it is legally possible". Carla Amina Bhagajati of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria talked about how unfair the new law is. She said the "handful" of fully veiled women in Austria are now "criminalized" and "restricted to their homes". A supporter of the ban Emma Schwaiger said: "It's not right that those living here don't show their faces."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Veils - Level 0,  Veils - Level 1   or  Veils - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/9/30/austria-burqa-ban-comes-into-force
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41457427
  • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/01/austrias-burka-ban-comes-force-prohibiting-face-veils-public/


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. VEILS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about veils. 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?

       law / ban / full-face veil / in public / government / unfair / human rights / freedom /
       a third / similar / currently / legally / religious / community / criminalized / right

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

3. CLOTHES: Students A strongly believe people should be allowed to wear what they want; Students B strongly believe they shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. TRADITIONAL DRESS: What do you know about the traditional dress of these people?  Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What they wear

What you know / want to know

Arabs

 

 

Japanese

 

 

Nigerians

 

 

Scottish

 

 

Maori

 

 

Indian

 

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

6. BANNED: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that are most important to ban at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

 
  • drugs
  • coal
  • fast food
  • cars

 
  • guns
  • alcohol
  • nuclear weapons
  • English homework

 
  • guns
  • alcohol
  • nuclear weapons
  • English homework
  • drugs
  • coal
  • fast food
  • cars

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Muslim women in Austria aren't allowed to wear a full-face veil at home. T / F
  2. An Austrian law says Muslim women must show their faces.     T / F
  3. Muslim groups said very few Austrian women wear a full-face veil.     T / F
  4. The ban on full-face veils could hurt Austria's tourism industry.     T / F
  5. There are now four countries in Europe to ban full-face veils.     T / F
  6. Germany's leader does not want a full-face veil in Germany.     T / F
  7. A Muslim group said the new law made some women criminals.     T / F
  8. A supporter of the ban agreed women could wear the full-face veil.     T / F

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

  1. allowed
  2. protect
  3. unfair
  4. tiny
  5. damage
  6. introduced
  7. passing
  8. a handful of
  9. restricted
  10. supporter
  1. approving
  2. unjust
  3. harm
  4. limited
  5. permitted
  6. backer
  7. started
  8. keep safe
  9. a few
  10. very small

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

  1. wear a full-face veil
  2. the law is to protect
  3. it goes against human rights
  4. They put the number
  5. They say many Muslim tourists will
  6. the third European country to ban
  7. The Dutch government is currently working
  8. wherever it is legally
  9. the "handful"
  10. A supporter
  1. on passing a ban
  2. decide not to visit Austria
  3. the wearing of the veil
  4. in public
  5. of fully veiled women
  6. and religious freedom
  7. of the ban
  8. at around 150
  9. possible
  10. traditional Austrian values

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
tiny
public
visit
traditional
allowed
number
against
chin

A new law in Austria means there is now a ban on full-face veils. This means Muslim women will not be (1) ____________ to wear a full-face veil in (2) ____________ in the country. The new law says faces must be visible from the hairline to the                       (3) ____________. The government said the law is to protect    (4) ____________ Austrian values. The law bans Muslim veils such as the burka or niqab. Muslim groups have said the law is very unfair because it goes (5) ____________ human rights and religious freedom. They say that just a (6) ____________ minority of Austrian Muslims wears full-face veils. They put the   (7) ____________ at around 150. Officials say the law will damage Austria's economy. They say many Muslim tourists will decide not to (8) ____________ Austria.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
passing
unfair
similar
supporter
legally
now
follow
handful

Austria is the third European country to ban the wearing of the veil. France and Belgium introduced (9) ____________ bans in 2011. Other countries in Europe could (10) ____________. The Dutch government is currently working on (11) ____________ a ban and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the full-face veil should be banned in Germany "wherever it is (12) ____________ possible". Carla Amina Bhagajati of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria talked about how (13) ____________ the new law is. She said the "(14) ____________" of fully veiled women in Austria are (15) ____________ "criminalized" and "restricted to their homes". A (16) ____________ of the ban Emma Schwaiger said: "It's not right that those living here don't show their faces."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The new law says faces must be visible from the hairline ______
     a.  of the chin
     b.  too the chin
     c.  at the chin
     d.  to the chin

2)  The government said the law is to protect traditional ______
     a.  Austrian values
     b.  Austrian valves
     c.  Austrian vales
     d.  Austrian valuables

3)  the law is very unfair because it goes against human rights and ______
     a.  religiously freedom
     b.  religion freedom
     c.  religions freedom
     d.  religious freedom

4)  Officials say the law will damage ______
     a.  Austria's economic
     b.  Austria's economy
     c.  Austria's economical
     d.  Austria's economically

5)  They say many Muslim tourists will decide not ______
     a.  to visits Austria
     b.  to visit Austria
     c.  to visited Austria
     d.  to visiting Austria

6)  Austria is the third European country to ban the ______ veil
     a.  wear ring of the
     b.  wearing of the
     c.  wear in off the
     d.  wearing off the

7)  The Dutch government is currently working on ______
     a.  pass in a ban
     b.  passing in a ban
     c.  passed in a ban
     d.  passing a ban

8)  the full-face veil should be banned in Germany "wherever it is ______"
     a.  legalize possible
     b.  legally possible
     c.  legality possible
     d.  legal lie possible

9)  the "handful" of fully veiled women in Austria are ______
     a.  now "criminalized"
     b.  now "criminalizes"
     c.  now "criminalize"
     d.  now "criminalizing"

10)  It's not right that those living here don't ______
     a.  shown their faces
     b.  shows their faces
     c.  show their faces
     d.  showed their faces

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new law in Austria means there is (1) ___________________ full-face veils. This means Muslim women will (2) ___________________ to wear a full-face veil in public in the country. The new law says faces must be visible from the (3) ___________________ chin. The government said the law is to protect traditional Austrian values. The law bans Muslim veils such as the burka or niqab. Muslim groups have said the law (4) ___________________ because it goes against human rights and religious freedom. They say that just (5) ___________________ of Austrian Muslims wears full-face veils. They put the number at around 150. Officials say the law will damage Austria's economy. They say many Muslim tourists will (6) ___________________ visit Austria.

Austria is the third European country to ban (7) ___________________ the veil. France and Belgium introduced (8) ___________________ 2011. Other countries in Europe could follow. The Dutch government is currently working (9) ___________________ ban and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the full-face veil should be banned in Germany "wherever it is (10) ___________________". Carla Amina Bhagajati of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria talked about how (11) ___________________ law is. She said the "handful" of fully veiled women in Austria are now "criminalized" and "restricted to their homes". A supporter of the ban Emma Schwaiger said: "It's not right that those living (12) ___________________ their faces."

Comprehension questions

  1. Where can't Muslims in Austria wear a full-face veil?
  2. What did Austria's government say the law protected?
  3. What kind of minority of Austrian women wear a full-face veil?
  4. How many Muslim women might be wearing a full-face veil in Austria?
  5. Who might decide not to visit Austria because of the ban?
  6. How many countries have now banned the full-face veil?
  7. When did Belgium start its ban on full-face veils?
  8. Which government did the article say is currently working on a ban?
  9. How many fully-veiled women did the article report were criminalized?
  10. What did a supporter of the ban say people should show?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where can't Muslims in Austria wear a full-face veil?
a) at private parties
b) in airplanes
c) at home
d) in public

2) What did Austria's government say the law protected?
a) human rights
b) traditional values
c) women
d) religious freedom

3) What kind of minority of Austrian women wear a full-face veil?
a) a big majority
b) a good majority
c) a tiny minority
d) a sizeable minority

4) How many Muslim women might be wearing a full-face veil in Austria?
a) about 150
b) about 1,500
c) about 15,000
d) about 150,000

5) Who might decide not to visit Austria because of the ban?
a) supporters
b) women
c) Muslim tourists
d) a chancellor

6) How many countries have now banned the full-face veil?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5

7) When did Belgium start its ban on full-face veils?
a) 2009
b) 2012
c) 2010
d) 2011

8) Which government did the article say is currently working on a ban?
a) the Dutch government
b) the British government
c) the German government
d) the French government

9) How many fully-veiled women did the article report were criminalized?
a) thousands
b) tens of thousands
c) a handful
d) an unknown number

10) What did a supporter of the ban say people should show?
a) their passport
b) their face
c) their veil
d) their home

Role play

Role  A – Drugs

You think drugs are the most important thing to ban. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things shouldn't be banned. Also, tell the others which is the last of these that should be banned (and why): coal, guns or English homework.

Role  B – Coal

You think coal is the most important thing to ban. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things shouldn't be banned. Also, tell the others which is the last of these that should be banned (and why): drugs, guns or English homework.

Role  C – Guns

You think guns are the most important thing to ban. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things shouldn't be banned. Also, tell the others which is the last of these that should be banned (and why): coal, drugs or English homework.

Role  D – English homework

You think English homework is the most important thing to ban. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things shouldn't be banned. Also, tell the others which is the last of these that should be banned (and why):  coal, guns or drugs.

After reading / listening

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

'veil'

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

    • and 'ban'.

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

    • • 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:

    • similar
    • currently
    • passing
    • legally
    • handful
    • show
    • means
    • visible
    • values
    • unfair
    • number
    • visit

    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 - Austria bans full-face veils

    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 'veil'?
    3. Why are European countries banning the full-face veil?
    4. What do you think of the ban?
    5. Should people be allowed to wear what they want in public?
    6. How might a full-face veil hurt a country's 'traditional values'?
    7. Is the ban against human rights?
    8. Is the law against the full-face veil unfair?
    9. Are countries who ban the veil intolerant?
    10. How could the ban hurt Austria's economy?

    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 'ban'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Should countries allow anyone to follow their religion?
    5. What advice do you have for Muslim women in Austria?
    6. Is the world becoming more intolerant?
    7. How can different cultures live together better?
    8. How do you think Muslim Austrians feel about the ban?
    9. Why do people have to show their faces?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Austria's leader?

    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)

    A new law in Austria means there is (1) ____ a ban on full-face veils. This means Muslim women will not be allowed to wear a full-face veil (2) ____ public in the country. The new law says faces must be (3) ____ from the hairline to the chin. The government said the law is to protect traditional Austrian values. The law bans Muslim veils such (4) ____ the burka or niqab. Muslim groups have said the law is very unfair because it goes against human rights and (5) ____ freedom. They say that just a tiny minority of Austrian Muslims wears full-face veils. They put the number at around 150. Officials say the law will damage Austria's (6) ____. They say many Muslim tourists will decide not to visit Austria.

    Austria is the third European country to ban the wearing (7) ____ the veil. France and Belgium introduced similar bans in 2011. Other countries in Europe could follow. The Dutch government is (8) ____ working on passing a ban and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the full-face veil should (9) ____ banned in Germany "wherever it is legally possible". Carla Amina Bhagajati of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria talked about how unfair the new law is. She said the "(10) ____" of fully veiled women in Austria are now "criminalized" and "(11) ____ to their homes". A supporter of the ban Emma Schwaiger said: "It's not right that (12) ____ living here don't show their faces."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     know     (b)     knowing     (c)     now     (d)     none    
    2. (a)     in     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    3. (a)     visible     (b)     visibly     (c)     visibility     (d)     invisibility    
    4. (a)     as     (b)     is     (c)     was     (d)     has    
    5. (a)     religiously     (b)     religious     (c)     religions     (d)     religion    
    6. (a)     economic     (b)     economically     (c)     economize     (d)     economy    
    7. (a)     for     (b)     off     (c)     of     (d)     from    
    8. (a)     currants     (b)     currency     (c)     currents     (d)     currently    
    9. (a)     be     (b)     being     (c)     been     (d)     was    
    10. (a)     heart full     (b)     handful     (c)     stomach full     (d)     headful    
    11. (a)     restricts     (b)     restricted     (c)     restriction     (d)     restricting    
    12. (a)     them     (b)     they     (c)     those     (d)     these

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. faces must be blsivie
    2. protect lntdaioaitr Austrian values
    3. isrioegul freedom
    4. just a tiny nyrmtiio
    5. the law will damage Austria's yneoocm.
    6. otsursti will decide not to visit

    Paragraph 2

    1. Belgium introduced rsalmii bans in 2011
    2. crtelnyru working on passing a ban
    3. wherever it is gayelll possible
    4. how iafurn the new law is
    5. rserietcdt to their homes
    6. A puorspert of the ban

    Put the text back together

    (    )     economy. They say many Muslim tourists will decide not to visit Austria.

    (    )     in Germany "wherever it is legally possible". Carla Amina Bhagajati of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria

    (    )     bans in 2011. Other countries in Europe could follow. The Dutch government is currently working

    (  1  )     A new law in Austria means there is now a ban on full-face veils. This means Muslim women will not be allowed

    (    )     talked about how unfair the new law is. She said the "handful" of fully veiled women in Austria are now

    (    )     said: "It's not right that those living here don't show their faces."

    (    )     on passing a ban and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the full-face veil should be banned

    (    )     rights and religious freedom. They say that just a tiny minority of Austrian Muslims wears full-face veils. They put

    (    )     as the burka or niqab. Muslim groups have said the law is very unfair because it goes against human

    (    )     to the chin. The government said the law is to protect traditional Austrian values. The law bans Muslim veils such

    (    )     the number at around 150. Officials say the law will damage Austria's

    (    )     Austria is the third European country to ban the wearing of the veil. France and Belgium introduced similar

    (    )     "criminalized" and "restricted to their homes". A supporter of the ban Emma Schwaiger

    (    )     to wear a full-face veil in public in the country. The new law says faces must be visible from the hairline

    Put the words in the right order

    1. new   Austria   now   A   in   is   ban   law   there   a   means   .
    2. public   full-  be  in   a   not  veil  wear  will  face  to  Women  allowed  .
    3. Muslim   law   groups   is   have   very   said   unfair   the   .
    4. will   law   the   say   Officials   economy   Austria's   damage   .
    5. to   tourists   visit   will   Austria   decide   Many   not   Muslim   .
    6. veil   the   country   the   is   European   ban   Austria   third   to   .
    7. currently   The   working   Dutch   on   government   a   is   ban   .
    8. in   Banned   possible   legally   is   it   wherever   Germany   .
    9. Austria   The   women   fully   handful   in   veiled   of   .
    10. faces   living   don't   their   Those   here   show   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new law in Austria means there is now / know a ban on full-face veils. This means Muslim women will not be allowed to wear a full-face veil on / in public in the country. The new law says faces must be visibly / visible from the hairline to / up the chin. The government said the law is to protect traditional / traditionally Austrian values. The law bans Muslim veils such was / as the burka or niqab. Muslim groups have said the law is very unfairly / unfair because it goes against human rights and religious freedom. They say that just a tinny / tiny minority of Austrian Muslims wears full-face veils. They put the number / numbered at around 150. Officials say the law will damage Austria's economy. They say many Muslim tourists will decision / decide not to visit Austria.

    Austria is the third European country for / to ban the wearing of the veil. France and Belgium introduced similar bans at / in 2011. Other countries in Europe could follow / following. The Dutch government is currently / currency working on passing a ban and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the full-face veil should being / be banned in Germany "wherever it is legally possible / possibly". Carla Amina Bhagajati of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria talked about what / how unfair the new law is. She said the "handful" of filling / fully veiled women in Austria are now "criminalized" and "restricted to their / them homes". A supporter of the ban Emma Schwaiger said: "It's not right that those living here don't show / showing their faces."

    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)

    _ n_w l_w _n __str__ m__ns th_r_ _s n_w _ b_n _n f_ll-f_c_ v__ls. Th_s m__ns M_sl_m w_m_n w_ll n_t b_ _ll_w_d t_ w__r _ f_ll-f_c_ v__l _n p_bl_c _n th_ c__ntry. Th_ n_w l_w s_ys f_c_s m_st b_ v_s_bl_ fr_m th_ h__rl_n_ t_ th_ ch_n. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt s__d th_ l_w _s t_ pr_t_ct tr_d_t__n_l __str__n v_l__s. Th_ l_w b_ns M_sl_m v__ls s_ch _s th_ b_rk_ _r n_q_b. M_sl_m gr__ps h_v_ s__d th_ l_w _s v_ry _nf__r b_c__s_ _t g__s _g__nst h_m_n r_ghts _nd r_l_g___s fr__d_m. Th_y s_y th_t j_st _ t_ny m_n_r_ty _f __str__n M_sl_ms w__rs f_ll-f_c_ v__ls. Th_y p_t th_ n_mb_r _t _r__nd 150. _ff_c__ls s_y th_ l_w w_ll d_m_g_ __str__'s _c_n_my. Th_y s_y m_ny M_sl_m t__r_sts w_ll d_c_d_ n_t t_ v_s_t __str__.

    __str__ _s th_ th_rd __r_p__n c__ntry t_ b_n th_ w__r_ng _f th_ v__l. Fr_nc_ _nd B_lg__m _ntr_d_c_d s_m_l_r b_ns _n 2011. _th_r c__ntr__s _n __r_p_ c__ld f_ll_w. Th_ D_tch g_v_rnm_nt _s c_rr_ntly w_rk_ng _n p_ss_ng _ b_n _nd G_rm_n Ch_nc_ll_r _ng_l_ M_rk_l h_s s__d th_t th_ f_ll-f_c_ v__l sh__ld b_ b_nn_d _n G_rm_ny "wh_r_v_r _t _s l_g_lly p_ss_bl_". C_rl_ _m_n_ Bh_g_j_t_ _f th_ _sl_m_c R_l_g___s C_mm_n_ty _n __str__ t_lk_d _b__t h_w _nf__r th_ n_w l_w _s. Sh_ s__d th_ "h_ndf_l" _f f_lly v__l_d w_m_n _n __str__ _r_ n_w "cr_m_n_l_z_d" _nd "r_str_ct_d t_ th__r h_m_s". _ s_pp_rt_r _f th_ b_n _mm_ Schw__g_r s__d: "_t's n_t r_ght th_t th_s_ l_v_ng h_r_ d_n't sh_w th__r f_c_s."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new law in austria means there is now a ban on full-face veils this means muslim women will not be allowed to wear a full-face veil in public in the country the new law says faces must be visible from the hairline to the chin the government said the law is to protect traditional austrian values the law bans muslim veils such as the burka or niqab muslim groups have said the law is very unfair because it goes against human rights and religious freedom they say that just a tiny minority of austrian muslims wears full-face veils they put the number at around 150 officials say the law will damage austria's economy they say many muslim tourists will decide not to visit austria

    austria is the third european country to ban the wearing of the veil france and belgium introduced similar bans in 2011 other countries in europe could follow the dutch government is currently working on passing a ban and german chancellor angela merkel has said that the full-face veil should be banned in germany "wherever it is legally possible" carla amina bhagajati of the islamic religious community in austria talked about how unfair the new law is she said the "handful" of fully veiled women in austria are now "criminalized" and "restricted to their homes" a supporter of the ban emma schwaiger said "it's not right that those living here don't show their faces"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AnewlawinAustriameansthereisnowabanonfull-faceveils.Thismean
    sMuslimwomenwillnotbeallowedtowearafull-faceveilinpublicinth
    ecountry.Thenewlawsaysfacesmustbevisiblefromthehairlinetothec
    hin.ThegovernmentsaidthelawistoprotecttraditionalAustrianvalues.
    ThelawbansMuslimveilssuchastheburkaorniqab.Muslimgroupshave
    saidthelawisveryunfairbecauseitgoesagainsthumanrightsandreligio
    usfreedom.TheysaythatjustatinyminorityofAustrianMuslimswearsf
    ull-faceveils.Theyputthenumberataround150.Officialssaythelaww
    illdamageAustria'seconomy.TheysaymanyMuslimtouristswilldecide
    nottovisitAustria.AustriaisthethirdEuropeancountrytobanthewearin
    goftheveil.FranceandBelgiumintroducedsimilarbansin2011.Otherco
    untriesinEuropecouldfollow.TheDutchgovernmentiscurrentlyworkin
    gonpassingabanandGermanChancellorAngelaMerkelhassaidthatthe
    full-faceveilshouldbebannedinGermany"whereveritislegallypossi
    ble".CarlaAminaBhagajatioftheIslamicReligiousCommunityinAustri
    atalkedabouthowunfairthenewlawis.Shesaidthe"handful"offullyveil
    edwomeninAustriaarenow"criminalized"and"restrictedtotheirhome
    s".AsupporterofthebanEmmaSchwaigersaid:"It'snotrightthatthosel
    ivingheredon'tshowtheirfaces."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Muslim veils should never be banned. 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. VEILS: Make a poster about veils. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. DRESS: Write a magazine article about people being allowed to wear anything they want in public. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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

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

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on veils. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on bans on veils. 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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