Breaking News English Lesson on Robert Mugabe

Home | Help This Site

Thousands call for Zimbabwe's Mugabe to resign (20th November, 2017)

The Reading / Listening - Robert Mugabe - Level 3

There could be a big change in Zimbabwe. Thousands of people are in the streets asking for President Robert Mugabe to resign. The army removed President Mugabe from power on Wednesday. It was angry after Mr Mugabe fired his deputy president. This meant his wife, Grace Mugabe, could have been in line to take over as president. The army did not like this and took control of the capital city. The army said it wanted to remove the "criminals" around Mr Mugabe. Members of Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party are calling for Mr Mugabe to step down as president. Even veterans of Zimbabwe's war for independence are saying Mr Mugabe should quit. They were among Mugabe's most loyal supporters.

Robert Mugabe is 93 years old and is the oldest leader of any country in the world. He became the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980 and then became President in 1987. He has stayed in power for 37 years. Mr Mugabe was an important figure in Zimbabwe's fight for independence. Zimbabwe used to be called Rhodesia and was a British colony. Mugabe was a key part of the 1965-1980 civil war against British rule. This war lead to elections in 1980. Robert Mugabe and the Zanu party won the elections by a landslide. Many people are now happy his time as leader is coming to an end. One street protestor, Frank Mutsindikwa, 34, said: "I've been waiting all my life for this day. Free at last. We are free at last."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Robert Mugabe - Level 0, Robert Mugabe - Level 1 or Robert Mugabe - Level 2

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42035981
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-politics-harare/party-set-to-sack-mugabe-zimbabweans-celebrate-expected-downfall-idUSKBN1DI08B
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/18/565050178/thousands-march-through-zimbabwes-capital-to-urge-mugabe-to-step-down

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. ZIMBABWE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Zimbabwe. 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?

change / thousands / streets / angry / president / army / capital city / veterans / loyal
93 years old / power / important / figure / colony / civil war / elections / leader / free

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

3. QUIT: Students A strongly believe Robert Mugabe should quit; Students B strongly believe he shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. LEADER: How important are these things for a leader? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How Important?	Why?
Intelligence
Looks
Ideas
Honesty
Strength
Determination

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

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

6. INDEPENDENCE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things for an independent country at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Strong leaders
Strong currency
Strong economy
Friendly neighbours
Flag
National Anthem
Borders
Army

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	resign	a.	A strong feeling of not being pleased; annoyed.
2.	army	b.	In a row waiting to move ahead or be next.
3.	removed	c.	Leave a job or other position because.
4.	angry	d.	Being free from outside control.
5.	in line	e.	All of the people (soldiers) in a fighting group (usually for a country).
6.	criminals	f.	Took something or someone away or off from the position or position he/she/it was in.
7.	independence	g.	People who have dome things against the law.

Paragraph 2

8.	loyal	h.	A formal and organized way of choosing a leader.
9.	leader	i.	Giving or showing non-stop support to someone or something.
10.	figure	j.	The person in charge (the boss) of a group, company, country, etc.
11.	colony	k.	Very, very important.
12.	key	l.	A country or area under the control of another country.
13.	civil war	m.	An important, famous or special person.
14.	elections	n.	A conflict (war) between people of the same country.

Before reading / listening

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

The article said hundreds of people are in the streets in Zimbabwe. T / F
Zimbabwe's navy removed Mugabe from power on Wednesday. T / F
Robert Mugabe fired his deputy finance minister. T / F
Zimbabwe war veterans are calling for Mr Mugabe to resign. T / F
Robert Mugabe is the world's oldest national leader. T / F
Robert Mugabe has stayed in power for 27 years. T / F
Robert Mugabe played an important part in Zimbabwe's civil war. T / F
A street protestor said we waited all his life for Mr Mugabe to go. T / F

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

resign
angry
remove
ruling
loyal
leader
country
figure
key
at last

person
faithful
quit
ruler
finally
take away
important
nation
furious
governing

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

Thousands of people are
could have been in
took control of the capital
calling for Mr Mugabe to step
They were among Mugabe's most
the oldest leader of any
Zimbabwe's fight
the Zanu party won the elections
his time as leader is
I've been waiting all

my life for this day
loyal supporters
for independence
coming to an end
line to take over
by a landslide
in the streets
down as president
country in the world
city

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

ruling
change
loyal
fired
capital
down
resign
line

There could be a big (1) ____________ in Zimbabwe. Thousands of people are in the streets asking for President Robert Mugabe to (2) ____________. The army removed President Mugabe from power on Wednesday. It was angry after Mr Mugabe (3) ____________ his deputy president. This meant his wife, Grace Mugabe, could have been in (4) ____________ to take over as president. The army did not like this and took control of the (5) ____________ city. The army said it wanted to remove the "criminals" around Mr Mugabe. Members of Mr Mugabe's (6) ____________ Zanu-PF party are calling for Mr Mugabe to step (7) ____________ as president. Even veterans of Zimbabwe's war for independence are saying Mr Mugabe should quit. They were among Mugabe's most (8) ____________ supporters.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

colony
landslide
power
last
oldest
end
figure
elections

Robert Mugabe is 93 years old and is the (9) ____________ leader of any country in the world. He became the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980 and then became President in 1987. He has stayed in (10) ____________ for 37 years. Mr Mugabe was an important (11) ____________ in Zimbabwe's fight for independence. Zimbabwe used to be called Rhodesia and was a British (12) ____________. Mugabe was a key part of the 1965-1980 civil war against British rule. This war lead to (13) ____________ in 1980. Robert Mugabe and the Zanu party won the elections by a (14) ____________. Many people are now happy his time as leader is coming to an (15) ____________. One street protestor, Frank Mutsindikwa, 34, said: "I've been waiting all my life for this day. Free at last. We are free at (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Thousands of people are in the streets asking for President Robert Mugabe ______
     a. to design
     b. to resign
     c. to consign
     d. to sign

2) The army removed President Mugabe ______ Wednesday
     a. from powerful on
     b. from powers on
     c. from powered on
     d. from power on

3) This meant his wife, Grace Mugabe, could have been in line to ______ president
     a. taken over as
   b. take over as
     c. take over has
     d. take over was

4) The army said it wanted to remove the ______ Mr Mugabe
     a. "criminals" abound
     b. "criminals" a round
     c. "criminals" round
     d. "criminals" around

5) They were among Mugabe's most ______
     a. loyal supporters
     b. royal supporters
     c. loyally supporters
     d. royally supporters

6) Robert Mugabe is 93 years old and is the oldest leader of any country ______
     a. on the world
     b. in the world
     c. at the world
     d. of the world

7) Mr Mugabe was an important ______ Zimbabwe's fight
     a. figuring
     b. fig are in
     c. figure in
     d. fig your in

8) Mugabe was a key part of the 1965-1980 civil ______ British rule
     a. wars against
     b. warrior against
     c. war against
     d. warring against

9) Robert Mugabe and the Zanu party won the elections ______
     a. buy a landslide
     b. buyer landslide
     c. by a landslide
     d. buy your landslide

10) Frank Mutsindikwa, 34, said: "I've been waiting all my ______ day"
     a. live for this
     b. life for this
     c. rife for this
     d. rival for this

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

There could be (1) ___________________ in Zimbabwe. Thousands of people are in the streets asking for President Robert Mugabe to resign. The army removed President Mugabe (2) ___________________ Wednesday. It was angry after Mr Mugabe fired his deputy president. This meant his wife, Grace Mugabe, could have (3) ___________________ to take over as president. The army did not like this and (4) ___________________ the capital city. The army said it wanted to remove the "criminals" around Mr Mugabe. Members of Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party are calling for Mr Mugabe to (5) ___________________ president. Even veterans of Zimbabwe's war for independence are saying Mr Mugabe should quit. They were among Mugabe's (6) ___________________.

Robert Mugabe is 93 years old and is (7) ___________________ of any country in the world. He became the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980 and then became President in 1987. He has (8) ___________________ for 37 years. Mr Mugabe was (9) ___________________ in Zimbabwe's fight for independence. Zimbabwe used to be called Rhodesia and was a British colony. Mugabe was (10) ___________________ of the 1965-1980 civil war against British rule. This war lead to elections in 1980. Robert Mugabe and the Zanu party won the elections (11) ___________________. Many people are now happy his time as leader is coming to an end. One street protestor, Frank Mutsindikwa, 34, said: "I've been (12) ___________________ life for this day. Free at last. We are free at last."

Comprehension questions

How many people are in the streets of Zimbabwe?
On what day of the week did the army remove Mr Mugabe from power?
What did the army want to remove from around Mr Mugabe?
What is the name of Zimbabwe's ruling party?
Who are among Mr Mugabe's most loyal supporters?
How old is Robert Mugabe?
For how long has Robert Mugabe been in power?
When was Zimbabwe's civil war?
By how much did Mr Mugabe win the 1980 elections?
How long has a 34-year-old been waiting for Mr Mugabe to go?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many people are in the streets of Zimbabwe?
a) hundreds
b) thousands
c) hundreds of thousands
d) millions

2) On what day of the week did the army remove Mr Mugabe from power?
a) Monday
b) Sunday
c) Friday
d) Wednesday

3) What did the army want to remove from around Mr Mugabe?
a) criminals
b) ministers
c) responsibilities
d) duties

4) What is the name of Zimbabwe's ruling party?
a) Nazu-FP
b) Zanu-FP
c) Zanu-PF
d) Nazu-PF

5) Who are among Mr Mugabe's most loyal supporters?
a) protestors
b) war veterans
c) the army
d) rulers

6) How old is Robert Mugabe?
a) 91
b) 92
c) 93
d) 94

7) For how long has Robert Mugabe been in power?
a) 34 years
b) 35 years
c) 36 years
d) 37 years

8) When was Zimbabwe's civil war?
a) 1965-1980
b) 1966-1980
c) 1967-1980
d) 1968-1980

9) By how much did Mr Mugabe win the 1980 elections?
a) a landslide
b) an earthquake
c) a typhoon
d) a volcano

10) How long has a 34-year-old been waiting for Mr Mugabe to go?
a) 24 years
b) all his life
c) 8 months
d) 3 days

Role play

Role A – Flag

You think a flag is the most important thing for a newly independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a national anthem, a strong currency or a strong army.

Role B – National Anthem

You think a national anthem is the most important thing for a newly independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a flag, a strong currency or a strong army.

Role C – Strong Currency

You think a strong currency is the most important thing for a newly independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a national anthem, a flag or a strong army.

Role D – Strong Army

You think a strong army is the most important thing for a newly independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a national anthem, a strong currency or a flag.

After reading / listening

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

'resign'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'president'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

93

1987

37

war

happy

free

change

power

wife

city

step

loyal

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 - Thousands call for Zimbabwe's Mugabe to resign

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'resign'?
What do you know about Robert Mugabe?
What recent news have you seen on Robert Mugabe?
What big change does your country need?
Why did the army remove Robert Mugabe from power?
What is wrong with Robert Mugabe's wife becoming president?
Has Mr Mugabe been a good president?
What will Zimbabwe be like this time next year?
What advice do you have for Robert Mugabe?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'president'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about Zimbabwe?
Should there be an age limit for world leaders?
Who are the important figures in your country's history?
What do you know about colonies?
How happy are you with the leader of your country?
What have you been waiting all your life for?
What questions would you like to ask Robert Mugabe?

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)

There could be a big (1) ____ in Zimbabwe. Thousands of people are in the streets asking for President Robert Mugabe to (2) ____. The army removed President Mugabe from (3) ____ on Wednesday. It was angry after Mr Mugabe fired his deputy president. This meant his wife, Grace Mugabe, could have been (4) ____ line to take over as president. The army did not like this and took control of the capital city. The army said it wanted to remove the "criminals" (5) ____ Mr Mugabe. Members of Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party are calling for Mr Mugabe to step down as president. (6) ____ veterans of Zimbabwe's war for independence are saying Mr Mugabe should quit. They were among Mugabe's most loyal supporters.

Robert Mugabe is 93 years old and is the oldest leader of (7) ____ country in the world. He became the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980 and then became President in 1987. He has stayed (8) ____ power for 37 years. Mr Mugabe was an important figure in Zimbabwe's fight for independence. Zimbabwe used to be (9) ____ Rhodesia and was a British colony. Mugabe was a (10) ____ part of the 1965-1980 civil war against British rule. This war lead to elections in 1980. Robert Mugabe and the Zanu party won the elections by a (11) ____. Many people are now happy his time as leader is coming to an end. One street protestor, Frank Mutsindikwa, 34, said: "I've been (12) ____ all my life for this day. Free at last. We are free at last."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) changes (b) changing (c) change (d) changed
(a) resign (b) redesign (c) resin (d) design
(a) power (b) powerful (c) powerless (d) powered
(a) in (b) on (c) at (d) by
(a) rounded (b) about (c) abound (d) around
(a) Event (b) Ever (c) Every (d) Even
(a) any (b) some (c) all (d) many
(a) by (b) as (c) on (d) in
(a) called (b) call (c) calling (d) calls
(a) lock (b) key (c) hole (d) unlock
(a) earthquake (b) landslide (c) typhoon (d) volcano
(a) waiting (b) waiting (c) waited (d) waits

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The army eeomrvd President Mugabe
It was gayrn
Mugabe fired his updeyt president
remove the rismncali
Zimbabwe's war for depdeecinenn
Mugabe's most llyoa supporters

Paragraph 2

the oldest lareed
He has stayed in wreop for 37 years
an important eguirf
a British coylno
the Zanu party won the noesitcle
street rreopttos

Put the text back together

( ) on Wednesday. It was angry after Mr Mugabe fired his deputy president. This meant his wife, Grace Mugabe, could have

( ) for President Robert Mugabe to resign. The army removed President Mugabe from power

( ) world. He became the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980 and then became President in 1987. He has stayed in

( ) Robert Mugabe is 93 years old and is the oldest leader of any country in the

( ) to remove the "criminals" around Mr Mugabe. Members of Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party are

( ) calling for Mr Mugabe to step down as president. Even veterans of Zimbabwe's war for

( ) landslide. Many people are now happy his time as leader is coming to an end. One street

( ) rule. This war lead to elections in 1980. Robert Mugabe and the Zanu party won the elections by a

( ) power for 37 years. Mr Mugabe was an important figure in Zimbabwe's fight for independence. Zimbabwe used

( 1 ) There could be a big change in Zimbabwe. Thousands of people are in the streets asking

( ) to be called Rhodesia and was a British colony. Mugabe was a key part of the 1965-1980 civil war against British

( ) been in line to take over as president. The army did not like this and took control of the capital city. The army said it wanted

( ) protestor, Frank Mutsindikwa, 34, said: "I've been waiting all my life for this day. Free at last. We are free at last."

( ) independence are saying Mr Mugabe should quit. They were among Mugabe's most loyal supporters.

Put the words in the right order

in streets of are the Thousands people .
army President from The removed Mugabe power .
control like The this army and did took not .
the it criminals wanted The to army remove said .
war Zimbabwe's of Veterans independence for .
the of world any The country oldest in leader .
has He years 37 for power in stayed .
was Mugabe war civil 1965- the of part 1980 key a .
end is His coming time to as an leader .
day my for I've waiting life this been all .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

There could be the / a big change in Zimbabwe. Thousands of people are in the streets asking for President Robert Mugabe to redesign / resign. The army removal / removed President Mugabe from power / powerful on Wednesday. It was angry / angrily after Mr Mugabe fired his deputy president. This meant his wife, Grace Mugabe, could have been / being in line to take over as president. The army did not like this and took / taken control of the capital city. The army said it wanted to remove / removal the "criminals" around Mr Mugabe. Members of Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party are calling for Mr Mugabe to step down has / as president. Even veterans of Zimbabwe's war for independence are saying Mr Mugabe should quit. They were among Mugabe's most loyally / loyal supporters.

Robert Mugabe is 93 years old and is the oldest leader of many / any country in the world. He became the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980 and then became President in 1987. He has stayed in / on power for 37 years. Mr Mugabe was an importance / important figure in Zimbabwe's fight for independence / independent. Zimbabwe used to be called Rhodesia and was a British / Britain colony. Mugabe was a key / keyed part of the 1965-1980 civil war against British rule / ruler. This war lead to elections in 1980. Robert Mugabe and the Zanu party won the elections by a landslide / earthquake. Many people are now happy his time as leader is coming to an ends / end. One street protestor, Frank Mutsindikwa, 34, said: "I've been waiting all my life / live for this day. Free at last. We are free at last."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_r_ c__ld b_ _ b_g ch_ng_ _n Z_mb_bw_. Th__s_nds _f p__pl_ _r_ _n th_ str__ts _sk_ng f_r Pr_s_d_nt R_b_rt M_g_b_ t_ r_s_gn. Th_ _rmy r_m_v_d Pr_s_d_nt M_g_b_ fr_m p_w_r _n W_dn_sd_y. _t w_s _ngry _ft_r Mr M_g_b_ f_r_d h_s d_p_ty pr_s_d_nt. Th_s m__nt h_s w_f_, Gr_c_ M_g_b_, c__ld h_v_ b__n _n l_n_ t_ t_k_ _v_r _s pr_s_d_nt. Th_ _rmy d_d n_t l_k_ th_s _nd t__k c_ntr_l _f th_ c_p_t_l c_ty. Th_ _rmy s__d _t w_nt_d t_ r_m_v_ th_ "cr_m_n_ls" _r__nd Mr M_g_b_. M_mb_rs _f Mr M_g_b_'s r_l_ng Z_n_-PF p_rty _r_ c_ll_ng f_r Mr M_g_b_ t_ st_p d_wn _s pr_s_d_nt. _v_n v_t_r_ns _f Z_mb_bw_'s w_r f_r _nd_p_nd_nc_ _r_ s_y_ng Mr M_g_b_ sh__ld q__t. Th_y w_r_ _m_ng M_g_b_'s m_st l_y_l s_pp_rt_rs.

R_b_rt M_g_b_ _s 93 y__rs _ld _nd _s th_ _ld_st l__d_r _f _ny c__ntry _n th_ w_rld. H_ b_c_m_ th_ Pr_m_ M_n_st_r _f Z_mb_bw_ _n 1980 _nd th_n b_c_m_ Pr_s_d_nt _n 1987. H_ h_s st_y_d _n p_w_r f_r 37 y__rs. Mr M_g_b_ w_s _n _mp_rt_nt f_g_r_ _n Z_mb_bw_'s f_ght f_r _nd_p_nd_nc_. Z_mb_bw_ _s_d t_ b_ c_ll_d Rh_d_s__ _nd w_s _ Br_t_sh c_l_ny. M_g_b_ w_s _ k_y p_rt _f th_ 1965-1980 c_v_l w_r _g__nst Br_t_sh r_l_. Th_s w_r l__d t_ _l_ct__ns _n 1980. R_b_rt M_g_b_ _nd th_ Z_n_ p_rty w_n th_ _l_ct__ns by _ l_ndsl_d_. M_ny p__pl_ _r_ n_w h_ppy h_s t_m_ _s l__d_r _s c_m_ng t_ _n _nd. _n_ str__t pr_t_st_r, Fr_nk M_ts_nd_kw_, 34, s__d: "_'v_ b__n w__t_ng _ll my l_f_ f_r th_s d_y. Fr__ _t l_st. W_ _r_ fr__ _t l_st."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

there could be a big change in zimbabwe thousands of people are in the streets asking for president robert mugabe to resign the army removed president mugabe from power on wednesday it was angry after mr mugabe fired his deputy president this meant his wife grace mugabe could have been in line to take over as president the army did not like this and took control of the capital city the army said it wanted to remove the "criminals" around mr mugabe members of mr mugabe's ruling zanu-pf party are calling for mr mugabe to step down as president even veterans of zimbabwe's war for independence are saying mr mugabe should quit they were among mugabe's most loyal supporters

robert mugabe is 93 years old and is the oldest leader of any country in the world he became the prime minister of zimbabwe in 1980 and then became president in 1987 he has stayed in power for 37 years mr mugabe was an important figure in zimbabwe's fight for independence zimbabwe used to be called rhodesia and was a british colony mugabe was a key part of the 1965-1980 civil war against british rule this war lead to elections in 1980 robert mugabe and the zanu party won the elections by a landslide many people are now happy his time as leader is coming to an end one street protestor frank mutsindikwa 34 said "i've been waiting all my life for this day free at last we are free at last"

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TherecouldbeabigchangeinZimbabwe.Thousandsofpeopleareinthes
treetsaskingforPresidentRobertMugabetoresign.ThearmyremovedP
residentMugabefrompoweronWednesday.ItwasangryafterMrMugab
efiredhisdeputypresident.Thismeanthiswife,GraceMugabe,couldha
vebeeninlinetotakeoveraspresident.Thearmydidnotlikethisandtook
controlofthecapitalcity.Thearmysaiditwantedtoremovethe"criminal
s"aroundMrMugabe.MembersofMrMugabe'srulingZanu-PFpartyar
ecallingforMrMugabetostepdownaspresident.EvenveteransofZimba
bwe'swarforindependencearesayingMrMugabeshouldquit.Theywer
eamongMugabe'smostloyalsupporters.RobertMugabeis93yearsold
andistheoldestleaderofanycountryintheworld.HebecamethePrimeM
inisterofZimbabwein1980andthenbecamePresidentin1987.Hehasst
ayedinpowerfor37years.MrMugabewasanimportantfigureinZimbab
we'sfightforindependence.ZimbabweusedtobecalledRhodesiaandw
asaBritishcolony.Mugabewasakeypartofthe1965-1980civilwarag
ainstBritishrule.Thiswarleadtoelectionsin1980.RobertMugabeandth
eZanupartywontheelectionsbyalandslide.Manypeoplearenowhappy
histimeasleaderiscomingtoanend.Onestreetprotestor,FrankMutsind
ikwa,34,said:"I'vebeenwaitingallmylifeforthisday.Freeatlast.Weare
freeatlast."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Who is the greatest leader of a country? Give three reasons why you think so.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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

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

4. RESIGN: Write a magazine article about whether or not Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe should resign. 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 Zimbabwe. Ask him/her three questions about the country. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. 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.)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English Lesson on Robert Mugabe

Home | Help This Site

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS