The Reading / Listening - eSwatini - Level 6

The king of the tiny African nation of Swaziland has changed his country's name to eSwatini. The new name means "land of the Swazis" in the local Swati language. King Mswati III is an absolute monarch, which means he has the power to manage his country as he likes. He renamed his land on Thursday at celebrations marking 50 years of Swazi independence from Britain. The day also coincided with his 50th birthday. Speaking at the nation's Golden Jubilee celebrations, he said: "African countries, on getting independence, reverted to their ancient names before they were colonized. So from now on, the country will officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini."

The change of name has been talked about in official circles for years. The king has regularly referred to Swaziland as eSwatini in addresses in his country's parliament, at the United Nations General Assembly and to the African Union. Swaziland gained independence from Britain in 1968, but unlike other former British colonies, it retained its colonial-era name. Nyasaland became Malawi, Northern Rhodesia renamed itself Zambia, Bechuanaland changed its name to Botswana, and Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. King Mswati said that from now on, people would not confuse his country with Switzerland. The UN, Google Maps and Internet companies now have to add eSwatini to their databases.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    eSwatini - Level 4  or  eSwatini - Level 5

Sources
  • https://mpumalanganews.co.za/335886/king-mswati-iii-renames-swaziland-kingdom-eswatini/
  • http://allafrica.com/stories/201804200114.html
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/world/africa/swaziland-eswatini-name-change.html


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. COUNTRY NAMES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about country names. 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?
       tiny / nation / local / language / power / celebrations / independence / ancient /
       official circles / regularly / parliament / colonies / Switzerland / Google Maps
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. MONARCHY: Students A strongly believe every country needs a monarchy; Students B strongly believe it doesn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. AFRICAN NATIONS: What do you know or would like to know about these African countries? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I know

What I would like to know

eSwatini

 

 

Malawi

 

 

Zambia

 

 

Botswana

 

 

Zimbabwe

 

 

Congo

 

 
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. LAND: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "land". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. COUNTRY: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things for a country at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • a monarchy
  • regular elections
  • a sea port
  • railways
  • an old name
  • a colourful flag
  • a national anthem
  • a strong army

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. tiny a. The action of enjoying an important event or occasion by engaging in a happy social, activity.
      2. absolute b. Having unlimited power.
      3. monarch c. Acknowledging, honoring, or celebrating an important event or occasion with a particular action.
      4. marking d. Very, very small.
      5. coincided e. Returned to a previous state, practice, topic, etc.
      6. celebrations f. A supreme ruler / head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor.
      7. reverted g. Happened at or during the same time as something else.

    Paragraph 2

      8. referred h. Having previously filled a particular role or been a particular thing.
      9. parliament i. Being free from outside control; not depending on another's authority.
      10. independence j. Continued to have something; kept possession of something.
      11. former k. Mentioned or spoke about.
      12. colonial l. The group of leaders that makes decisions about how a country is run.
      13. retained m. Identify wrongly; mistake.
      14. confuse n. Relating to a situation when a country or area is under the full or partial political control of another country, usually a faraway one, and occupied by people from that country.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The country name eSwatini means "land of the Swati".     T / F
  2. King Mswati III is 50 years old.     T / F
  3. The renamed eSwatini just celebrated its 50th year of independence.     T / F
  4. The king followed other African nations in choosing a pre-colonial name.  T / F
  5. The change of the country's name was first talked about last year.     T / F
  6. King Mswati often used the name eSwatini in the UN General Assembly.  T / F
  7. The colonial name of Botswana was Nyasaland.     T / F
  8. The article said Google Maps has already changed Swaziland to eSwatini. T / F

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

  1. tiny
  2. monarch
  3. reverted
  4. ancient
  5. colonized
  6. parliament
  7. former
  8. era
  9. from now on
  10. confuse
  1. legislature
  2. old
  3. occupied
  4. mistake
  5. sovereign
  6. period
  7. very small
  8. henceforth
  9. one-time
  10. went back

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

  1. The king of the
  2. land of
  3. King Mswati III is an absolute
  4. he has the power to manage
  5. the nation's Golden Jubilee
  6. talked about in official
  7. addresses in his country's
  8. Swaziland gained independence
  9. people would not confuse his country
  10. add eSwatini
  1. monarch
  2. from Britain
  3. celebrations
  4. to their databases
  5. the Swazis
  6. parliament
  7. tiny African nation
  8. with Switzerland
  9. his country as he likes
  10. circles

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
local
ancient
independence
officially
tiny
colonized
power
coincided

The king of the (1) ____________ African nation of Swaziland has changed his country's name to eSwatini. The new name means "land of the Swazis" in the (2) ____________ Swati language. King Mswati III is an absolute monarch, which means he has the (3) ____________ to manage his country as he likes. He renamed his land on Thursday at celebrations marking 50 years of Swazi (4) ____________ from Britain. The day also        (5) ____________ with his 50th birthday. Speaking at the nation's Golden Jubilee celebrations, he said: "African countries, on getting independence, reverted to their (6) ____________ names before they were (7) ____________. So from now on, the country will (8) ____________ be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
addresses
databases
circles
itself
regularly
confuse
colonial
gained

The change of name has been talked about in official (9) ____________ for years. The king has (10) ____________ referred to Swaziland as eSwatini in (11) ____________ in his country's parliament, at the United Nations General Assembly and to the African Union. Swaziland (12) ____________ independence from Britain in 1968, but unlike other former British colonies, it retained its (13) ____________ -era name. Nyasaland became Malawi, Northern Rhodesia renamed (14) ____________ Zambia, Bechuanaland changed its name to Botswana, and Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. King Mswati said that from now on, people would not (15) ____________ his country with Switzerland. The UN, Google Maps and Internet companies now have to add eSwatini to their (16) ____________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The king of the tiny African ______
     a.  national of Swaziland
     b.  nation off Swaziland
     c.  nation of Swaziland
     d.  nation from Swaziland
2)  The new name means "land of the Swazis" ______ Swati language
     a.  on the locally
     b.  in a local
     c.  in the local
     d.  in the locally
3)  which means he has the power to manage his country ______
     a.  has he likes
     b.  as he likes
     c.  was he likes
     d.  that's he likes
4)  He renamed his land on Thursday at celebrations ______
     a.  making 50 years
     b.  mark in 50 years
     c.  marked in 50 years
     d.  marking 50 years
5)  African countries, on getting independence, ______ ancient names
     a.  resorted to their
     b.  revolted to their
     c.  diverted to their
     d.  reverted to their

6)  The change of name has been talked about in official ______
     a.  circles for years
     b.  ovals for years
     c.  shapes for years
     d.  squares for years
7)  but unlike other former British colonies, it retained ______ name
     a.  its colonial-era
     b.  its colonial-air a
     c.  its colonial-area
     d.  its colonial-error
8)  Nyasaland became Malawi, Northern Rhodesia ______ Zambia
     a.  revamped itself
     b.  regained itself
     c.  renamed itself
     d.  reigned itself
9)  King Mswati said that from now on, people would ______ country
     a.  not confuses his
     b.  not confuse this
     c.  not confused his
     d.  not confuse his
10)  Internet companies now have to add eSwatini ______
     a.  too their databases
     b.  two their database is
     c.  to their databases
     d.  thru their databases

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The king of the (1) ___________________ of Swaziland has changed his country's name to eSwatini. The new (2) ___________________ of the Swazis" in the local Swati language. King Mswati III is an absolute monarch, which means he has the (3) ___________________ his country as he likes. He renamed his land on Thursday at celebrations marking 50 years of Swazi independence from Britain. The day (4) ___________________ his 50th birthday. Speaking at the nation's Golden Jubilee celebrations, he said: "African countries, (5) ___________________, reverted to their ancient names before they were colonized. So from now on, the country will (6) ___________________ as the Kingdom of eSwatini."

The change of name has been talked about (7) ___________________ for years. The king has (8) ___________________ Swaziland as eSwatini in addresses in his country's parliament, at the United Nations General Assembly and to the African Union. Swaziland (9) ___________________ Britain in 1968, but unlike other (10) ___________________, it retained its colonial-era name. Nyasaland became Malawi, Northern Rhodesia renamed itself Zambia, Bechuanaland changed its name to Botswana, and Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. King Mswati said that (11) ___________________, people would (12) ___________________ country with Switzerland. The UN, Google Maps and Internet companies now have to add eSwatini to their databases.

Comprehension questions

  1. What did the article say about the size of Swaziland?
  2. What does eSwatini mean?
  3. How old is King Mswati III?
  4. What jubilee did the article mention?
  5. What names did King Mswati say African nations reverted to?
  6. Where had the name change been talked about?
  7. In what year did Swaziland get its independence from Britain?
  8. What was the colonial name of Zambia?
  9. Which country would people no longer confuse Swaziland with?
  10. What will Google Maps now have to change?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did the article say about the size of Swaziland?
a) it was the world's smallest nation
b) it was tiny
c) it was the size of New York
d) it was growing
2) What does eSwatini mean?
a) God's rich country
b) land of the brave
c) land of the Swatini
d) land of the Swazis
3) How old is King Mswati III?
a) 50
b) 51
c) 49
d) 55
4) What jubilee did the article mention?
a) the Diamond Jubilee
b) the Platinum Jubilee
c) the Golden Jubilee
d) the Silver Jubilee
5) What names did King Mswati say African nations reverted to?
a) local names
b) ancient names
c) international names
d) geographical names

6) Where had the name change been talked about?
a) in the African Union
b) at the UN
c) in official circles
d) in the newspapers
7) In what year did Swaziland get its independence from Britain?
a) 1965
b) 1967
c) 1969
d) 1968
8) What was the colonial name of Zambia?
a) Northern Rhodesia
b) Bechuanaland
c) Nyasaland
d) Zaire
9) Which country would people no longer confuse Swaziland with?
a) Switzerland
b) South Africa
c) Lesotho
d) Senegal
10) What will Google Maps now have to change?
a) a border
b) its databases
c) its web page
d) its search engine

Role play

Role  A – A Colourful Flag
You think a country needs a colourful flag most. 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 sea port or a monarchy.

Role  B – A National Anthem
You think a country needs a national anthem most. 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 colourful flag, a sea port or a monarchy.

Role  C – A Sea Port
You think a country needs a sea port most. 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 colourful flag or a monarchy.

Role  D – A Monarchy
You think a country needs a monarchy most. 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 sea port or a colourful flag.

After reading / listening

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

'country'

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

    • and 'name'.

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

    • • 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:

    • circles
    • regularly
    • gained
    • renamed
    • confuse
    • add
    • tiny
    • local
    • power
    • 50
    • ancient
    • kingdom

    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 - Swaziland changes its name to eSwatini

    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 'country'?
    3. What do you know about Swaziland?
    4. What do you think of the new name of eSwatini?
    5. Should there still be absolute monarchs in the world?
    6. What is the point of having a monarch?
    7. What should happen in a country's independence celebrations?
    8. How much do you like your country's name?
    9. How did colonization change the world?
    10. What do you know about King Mswati III?

    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 'kingdom'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What would you change your country's name to?
    5. How many countries would you like to visit?
    6. Will the number of countries increase or decrease in the future?
    7. How good are you at naming the world's countries?
    8. How are Switzerland and Swaziland similar and different?
    9. How does a name change affect a country and its people?
    10. What questions would you like to ask King Mswati III?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The king of the (1) ____ African nation of Swaziland has changed his country's name to eSwatini. The new name means "land of the Swazis" in the (2) ____ Swati language. King Mswati III is an (3) ____ monarch, which means he has the power to manage his country as he likes. He renamed his land on Thursday at celebrations (4) ____ 50 years of Swazi independence from Britain. The day also coincided with his 50th birthday. Speaking at the nation's Golden Jubilee celebrations, he said: "African countries, (5) ____ getting independence, reverted to their ancient names before they were colonized. So from now on, the country will (6) ____ be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini."

    The change of name has been talked about in official (7) ____ for years. The king has regularly referred to Swaziland (8) ____ eSwatini in addresses in his country's parliament, at the United Nations General Assembly and to the African Union. Swaziland (9) ____ independence from Britain in 1968, but unlike other former British colonies, it retained its colonial-(10) ____ name. Nyasaland became Malawi, Northern Rhodesia renamed itself Zambia, Bechuanaland changed its name to Botswana, and Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. King Mswati said that from now on, people would not (11) ____ his country with Switzerland. The UN, Google Maps and Internet companies now have to (12) ____ eSwatini to their databases.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     tinged     (b)     tiny     (c)     tinted     (d)     tinny    
    2. (a)     locally     (b)     local     (c)     localized     (d)     locality    
    3. (a)     absolution     (b)     absolutely     (c)     absolved     (d)     absolute    
    4. (a)     marketing     (b)     marking     (c)     making     (d)     makeover    
    5. (a)     as     (b)     up     (c)     an     (d)     on    
    6. (a)     offices     (b)     officiated     (c)     officially     (d)     officialdom    
    7. (a)     circles     (b)     ovals     (c)     squares     (d)     shapes    
    8. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     as     (d)     in    
    9. (a)     wrangled     (b)     reaped     (c)     scooped     (d)     gained    
    10. (a)     era     (b)     epoch     (c)     phase     (d)     generation    
    11. (a)     confuse     (b)     twist     (c)     bewilder     (d)     baffle    
    12. (a)     add     (b)     affix     (c)     annex     (d)     attach

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. King Mswati III is an absolute cmahrno
    2. ecetabnilosr marking 50 years
    3. the nation's Golden ibJeuel
    4. reverted to their aetninc names
    5. before they were oolzcedin
    6. known as the gKnomdi of eSwatini

    Paragraph 2

    1. talked about in cfiaoifl circles for years
    2. regularly efrderre to Swaziland
    3. in his country's mitparalen
    4. Swaziland gained eecdpdnieenn from Britain
    5. retained its naolocli-era name
    6. secfonu his country with Switzerland

    Put the text back together

    (...)  on, the country will officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini."
    (...)  of the Swazis" in the local Swati language. King Mswati III is an absolute monarch, which means he has the power
    (...)  at the nation's Golden Jubilee celebrations, he said: "African countries, on getting
    (  1  ) The king of the tiny African nation of Swaziland has changed his country's name to eSwatini. The new name means "land
    (...)  to manage his country as he likes. He renamed his land on Thursday at celebrations marking 50 years
    (...)  Maps and Internet companies now have to add eSwatini to their databases.
    (...)  of Swazi independence from Britain. The day also coincided with his 50th birthday. Speaking
    (...)  The change of name has been talked about in official circles for years. The king has regularly
    (...)  colonies, it retained its colonial-era name. Nyasaland became Malawi, Northern Rhodesia renamed itself
    (...)  independence, reverted to their ancient names before they were colonized. So from now
    (...)  referred to Swaziland as eSwatini in addresses in his country's parliament, at the United Nations General Assembly and to
    (...)  Zambia, Bechuanaland changed its name to Botswana, and Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. King Mswati
    (...)  said that from now on, people would not confuse his country with Switzerland. The UN, Google
    (...)  the African Union. Swaziland gained independence from Britain in 1968, but unlike other former British

    Put the words in the right order

    1. nation   .   the   African   king   The   of   tiny
    2. his   has   the   power   He   manage   country   .   to
    3. The   birthday   .   coincided   with   also   his   50th   day
    4. the   nation's   celebrations   .   Golden   Speaking   at   Jubilee
    5. Their   names   were   colonized   .   ancient   before   they
    6. about   for   in   years   .   official   Talked   circles
    7. gained   Swaziland   Britain   from   in   1968   .   independence
    8. colonial-era   colonies,   name   .   its   other   retained   it   Unlike
    9. not   confuse   his   with   would   country   People   Switzerland   .
    10. add   to   have   Companies   to   databases   .   their   eSwatini

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The king of the tinny / tiny African nation of Swaziland has changed his country's name to eSwatini. The new name meant / means "land of the Swazis" in the local / locally Swati language. King Mswati III is an absolutely / absolute monarch, which means he has the power to manage his country as he likes. He renamed his land on Thursday at celebratory / celebrations marking / making 50 years of Swazi independence from Britain. The day also coincided / coincidence with his 50th birthday. Speaking at the nation's Golden Jubilee celebrations, he said: "African countries, as / on getting independence, reverted / reported to their ancient names before they were colonized. So from now on, the country will official / officially be known as the Kingdom of eSwatini."

    The charge / change of name has been talked about in official ovals / circles for years. The king has regularly conferred / referred to Swaziland as eSwatini in addresses / address in his country's parliament, at the United Nations General Assembly and to the African Union. Swaziland gained / fought independence from Britain in 1968, but like / unlike other former British colonies, it retained its colonial-era name. Nyasaland became Malawi, Northern Rhodesia renamed oneself / itself Zambia, Bechuanaland changed its name to Botswana, and Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. King Mswati said that from now off /on, people would not confuse / refuse his country with Switzerland. The UN, Google Maps and Internet companies now have to add / plus eSwatini to their databases.

    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)

    T h_  k_n g  _f   t h_  t_n y   A f r_c_n   n_t__ n  _f   S w_z_l_n d   h_s   c h_n g_d   h_s   c__ n t r y ' s   n_m_  t_ _S w_t_n_.   T h_  n_w   n_m_  m__ n s   " l_n d  _f   t h_  S w_z_s "  _n   t h_  l_c_l   S w_t_  l_n g__ g_.   K_n g   M s w_t_  I I I  _s  _n  _b s_l_t_  m_n_r c h ,   w h_c h   m__ n s   h_  h_s   t h_  p_w_r   t_  m_n_g_  h_s   c__ n t r y  _s   h_  l_k_s .   H_  r_n_m_d   h_s   l_n d  _n   T h_r s d_y  _t   c_l_b r_t__ n s   m_r k_n g   5 0   y__ r s  _f   S w_z_ _n d_p_n d_n c_  f r_m   B r_t__ n .   T h_  d_y  _l s_  c__ n c_d_d   w_t h   h_s   5 0 t h   b_r t h d_y .   S p__ k_n g  _t   t h_  n_t__ n ' s   G_l d_n   J_b_l__   c_l_b r_t__ n s ,   h_  s__ d :   " A f r_c_n   c__ n t r__ s ,  _n   g_t t_n g  _n d_p_n d_n c_,   r_v_r t_d   t_  t h__ r  _n c__ n t   n_m_s   b_f_r_  t h_y   w_r_  c_l_n_z_d .   S_  f r_m   n_w  _n ,   t h_  c__ n t r y   w_l l  _f f_c__ l l y   b_  k n_w n  _s   t h_  K_n g d_m  _f  _S w_t_n_. "

    T h_  c h_n g_ _f   n_m_  h_s   b__ n   t_l k_d  _b__ t  _n  _f f_c__ l   c_r c l_s   f_r   y__ r s .   T h_  k_n g   h_s   r_g_l_r l y   r_f_r r_d   t_  S w_z_l_n d  _s  _S w_t_n_ _n  _d d r_s s_s  _n   h_s   c__ n t r y ' s   p_r l__ m_n t ,  _t   t h_  U n_t_d   N_t__ n s   G_n_r_l   A s s_m b l y  _n d   t_  t h_  A f r_c_n   U n__ n .   S w_z_l_n d   g__ n_d  _n d_p_n d_n c_  f r_m   B r_t__ n  _n   1 9 6 8 ,   b_t  _n l_k_ _t h_r   f_r m_r   B r_t_s h   c_l_n__ s ,  _t   r_t__ n_d  _t s   c_l_n__ l -_r_  n_m_.   N y_s_l_n d   b_c_m_  M_l_w_,   N_r t h_r n   R h_d_s__   r_n_m_d  _t s_l f   Z_m b__ ,   B_c h__ n_l_n d   c h_n g_d  _t s   n_m_  t_  B_t s w_n_,  _n d   R h_d_s__   b_c_m_  Z_m b_b w_.   K_n g   M s w_t_  s__ d   t h_t   f r_m   n_w  _n ,   p__ p l_  w__ l d   n_t   c_n f_s_  h_s   c__ n t r y   w_t h   S w_t z_r l_n d .   T h_  U N ,   G__ g l_  M_p s  _n d   I n t_r n_t   c_m p_n__ s   n_w   h_v_  t_ _d d  _S w_t_n_  t_  t h__ r   d_t_b_s_s .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the king of the tiny african nation of swaziland has changed his countrys name to eswatini the new name means land of the swazis in the local swati language king mswati iii is an absolute monarch which means he has the power to manage his country as he likes he renamed his land on thursday at celebrations marking 50 years of swazi independence from britain the day also coincided with his 50th birthday speaking at the nations golden jubilee celebrations he said african countries on getting independence reverted to their ancient names before they were colonized so from now on the country will officially be known as the kingdom of eswatini

    the change of name has been talked about in official circles for years the king has regularly referred to swaziland as eswatini in addresses in his countrys parliament at the united nations general assembly and to the african union swaziland gained independence from britain in 1968 but unlike other former british colonies it retained its colonialera name nyasaland became malawi northern rhodesia renamed itself zambia bechuanaland changed its name to botswana and rhodesia became zimbabwe king mswati said that from now on people would not confuse his country with switzerland the un google maps and internet companies now have to add eswatini to their databases.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThekingofthetinyAfricannationofSwazilandhaschangedhiscountry's
    nametoeSwatini.Thenewnamemeans"landoftheSwazis"inthelocalS
    watilanguage.KingMswatiIIIisanabsolutemonarch,whichmeansheh
    asthepowertomanagehiscountryashelikes.HerenamedhislandonTh
    ursdayatcelebrationsmarking50yearsofSwaziindependencefromBri
    tain.Thedayalsocoincidedwithhis50thbirthday.Speakingatthenation
    'sGoldenJubileecelebrations,hesaid:"Africancountries,ongettingind
    ependence,revertedtotheirancientnamesbeforetheywerecolonized.
    Sofromnowon,thecountrywillofficiallybeknownastheKingdomofeSw
    atini."Thechangeofnamehasbeentalkedaboutinofficialcirclesforyear
    s.ThekinghasregularlyreferredtoSwazilandaseSwatiniinaddressesin
    hiscountry'sparliament,attheUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyandtot
    heAfricanUnion.SwazilandgainedindependencefromBritainin1968,b
    utunlikeotherformerBritishcolonies,itretaineditscolonial-eranam
    e.NyasalandbecameMalawi,NorthernRhodesiarenameditselfZambi
    a,BechuanalandchangeditsnametoBotswana,andRhodesiabecame
    Zimbabwe.KingMswatisaidthatfromnowon,peoplewouldnotconfuse
    hiscountrywithSwitzerland.TheUN,GoogleMapsandInternetcompan
    iesnowhavetoaddeSwatinitotheirdatabases.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Why is a country's name important? Do you like the name of your nation?

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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 story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. COUNTRY NAMES: Make a poster about country names. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ANCIENT NAMES: Write a magazine article renaming all countries to their ancient names. 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 country names. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on this. 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

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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