The Reading / Listening - Baghdad University - Level 6

For the first time ever, an Iraqi University has been listed among the best universities in the world. The University of Baghdad has made it onto the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This is an annual list of the world's top 1,250 universities for research and development. The University of Baghdad has been ranked in the range from 801 to a thousand on the list of best universities. Phil Baty, the editorial director of the Times, stated that the university had "distinguished" itself for having a "very strong international cooperation". He said the University of Baghdad had played an integral role in the reconstruction of Iraq after its recent conflicts and internal strife.

The University of Baghdad (also called Baghdad University) is the largest university in Iraq and the second largest in the Arab world, behind the University of Cairo. Its roots go as far back as the year 1067, when it was known as Abu Haneefa. The first of the university's modern departments was founded in 1908. It was formally established as the University of Baghdad in 1956. It managed to stay open throughout the invasions and occupations of Iraq during this century. The ranking on the Times list is seen as a prestigious accolade by many of its academics and students. One student said: "I am so proud of Baghdad University. It means the world to us to be held in such high esteem."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Baghdad University - Level 4  or  Baghdad University - Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.asianews.it/news-en/In-first-ever,-Iraqi-University-listed-among-best-in-the-world-45052.html
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45627486
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Baghdad


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. UNIVERSITY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about university. 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?
       the first time / universities / Baghdad / research / development / range / cooperation
       roots / modern / established / invasion / occupation / accolade / academics / esteem
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ESSENTIAL: Students A strongly believe it is essential to go to university; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. EDUCATION: What was your experience of these places? How can they be improved? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Your experience

Improvements

Kindergarten

 

 

Elementary school

 

 

Junior high school

 

 

High school

 

 

University

 

 

E-learning

 

 
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. RESEARCH: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "research". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. DEPARTMENTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best departments to study in at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Political science
  • Mathematics
  • History
  • Modern languages
  • Engineering
  • Pharmacy
  • IT
  • Business studies

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. listed a. Shown dignity or authority in one's appearance or manner.
      2. annual b. An angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues.
      3. ranked c. Put or printed a number of connected items in order.
      4. distinguished d. Gave someone or something a position or place within a grading system.
      5. cooperation e. Happening once every year.
      6. integral f. The process of working together to the reach the same end.
      7. strife g. Necessary to make a whole complete; essential or fundamental.

    Paragraph 2

      8. roots h. Established or originated an institution or organization.
      9. founded i. Officially.
      10. formally j. An award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit.
      11. invasions k. The basic cause, source, or origin of something.
      12. occupations l. Respect and admiration, typically for a person.
      13. accolade m. The state of being controlled by an army that has taken control of one's country.
      14. esteem n. An instance of going into a country or region to take it over with an armed force.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Baghdad University is the second Iraqi university to get on the list.     T / F
  2. Baghdad University got in the top 500 universities in the world.     T / F
  3. The Times said praised the university for its international cooperation.     T / F
  4. The Times said the university should have done more to rebuild Iraq.     T / F
  5. Baghdad University is the largest university in Iraq.     T / F
  6. The origins of Baghdad University start in 1067.     T / F
  7. The University of Baghdad was established in 1956.     T / F
  8. A student said the University of Baghdad was held in low esteem.     T / F

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

  1. ever
  2. annual
  3. range
  4. distinguished
  5. integral
  6. roots
  7. founded
  8. throughout
  9. accolade
  10. esteem
  1. singled out
  2. origins
  3. honor
  4. yearly
  5. for the whole of
  6. respect
  7. area
  8. set up
  9. in history
  10. basic

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

  1. For the first time
  2. listed among the best universities in
  3. This is an annual
  4. in the range from 801
  5. after its recent conflicts and internal
  6. the second largest in the
  7. Its roots go as far back
  8. throughout the invasions
  9. a prestigious
  10. It means the world
  1. as the year 1067
  2. to a thousand
  3. to us
  4. strife
  5. the world
  6. and occupations
  7. ever
  8. accolade
  9. Arab world
  10. list

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
distinguished
ranked
among
conflicts
editorial
ever
integral
annual

For the first time (1) ____________, an Iraqi University has been listed (2) ____________ the best universities in the world. The University of Baghdad has made it onto the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This is an (3) ____________ list of the world's top 1,250 universities for research and development. The University of Baghdad has been (4) ____________ in the range from 801 to a thousand on the list of best universities. Phil Baty, the (5) ____________ director of the Times, stated that the university had "(6) ____________" itself for having a "very strong international cooperation". He said the University of Baghdad had played an (7) ____________ role in the reconstruction of Iraq after its recent (8) ____________ and internal strife.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
world
throughout
academics
proud
esteem
founded
far
ranking

The University of Baghdad (also called Baghdad University) is the largest university in Iraq and the second largest in the Arab (9) ____________, behind the University of Cairo. Its roots go as (10) ____________ back as the year 1067, when it was known as Abu Haneefa. The first of the university's modern departments was (11) ____________ in 1908. It was formally established as the University of Baghdad in 1956. It managed to stay open (12) ____________ the invasions and occupations of Iraq during this century. The (13) ____________ on the Times list is seen as a prestigious accolade by many of its (14) ____________ and students. One student said: "I am so (15) ____________ of Baghdad University. It means the world to us to be held in such high (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  For the first time ever, an Iraqi University has been ______ the best
     a.  list it among
     b.  listing among
     c.  listed among
     d.  wrist it among
2)  made it onto the Times Higher Education World ______
     a.  University Rankings
     b.  University Rank Inns
     c.  University Wrangling
     d.  University Wrangle Inns
3)  The University of Baghdad has been ranked in the ______ 801 to a thousand
     a.  strange from
     b.  grange from
     c.  arrange from
     d.  range from
4)  the editorial director of the Times stated that the university ______
     a.  had distinguished itself
     b.  had distinguished its elf
     c.  had distinguished it self
     d.  had distinguished it's self
5)  the reconstruction of Iraq after its recent conflicts ______
     a.  and internal strive
     b.  and internal stripe
     c.  and internal strike
     d.  and internal strife

6)  Its roots go as far ______ year 1067
     a.  back was the
     b.  back has the
     c.  back as the
     d.  back is the
7)  The first of the university's modern departments ______ 1908
     a.  was floundered in
     b.  was founded in
     c.  was found it in
     d.  was found did in
8)  It managed to stay open throughout the invasions and ______ Iraq
     a.  occupy chance of
     b.  occupations of
     c.  occupy chances of
     d.  occupation soft
9)  The ranking on the Times list is seen as a ______
     a.  prestigious acolyte
     b.  prestigious percolate
     c.  prestigious accolade
     d.  prestigious accelerate
10)  It means the world to us to be held in ______
     a.  such highly esteem
     b.  such high esteem
     c.  such height esteem
     d.  such holy esteem

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

For the (1) ___________________, an Iraqi University has been listed among the best universities in the world. The University of Baghdad has made it onto the Times Higher Education (2) ___________________. This is an annual list of the world's top 1,250 universities for research and development. The University of Baghdad has been ranked (3) ___________________ from 801 to a thousand on the list of best universities. Phil Baty, the (4) ___________________ the Times, stated that the university had "distinguished" itself for having a "very strong international cooperation". He said the University of Baghdad had played (5) ___________________ in the reconstruction of Iraq after its recent conflicts (6) ___________________.

The University of Baghdad (also called Baghdad University) is the largest university in Iraq and the (7) ___________________ the Arab world, behind the University of Cairo. Its (8) ___________________ far back as the year 1067, when it was known as Abu Haneefa. The first of the university's modern departments was founded in 1908. (9) ___________________ established as the University of Baghdad in 1956. It managed to stay open throughout the (10) ___________________ of Iraq during this century. The ranking on the Times (11) ___________________ as a prestigious accolade by many of its academics and students. One student said: "I am so proud of Baghdad University. It means the world to us to be held in (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. How many times have Iraqi universities now been in these rankings?
  2. How many universities are on the Times list?
  3. In what range is the University of Baghdad?
  4. What is the position of Phil Baty in the Times?
  5. What did Mr Baty say the university had played a big role in?
  6. What is the largest university in the Arab world?
  7. What year does the origins of the university go back to?
  8. When was the university formally established?
  9. What prestigious thing do people view the ranking as being?
  10. What did a student say people hold the university in?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many times have Iraqi universities now been in these rankings?
a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1
2) How many universities are on the Times list?
a) 801
b) 1,250
c) 1,000
d) 1,067
3) In what range is the University of Baghdad?
a) 401-500
b) 701-900
c) 801-1,000
d) 601-700
4) What is the position of Phil Baty in the Times?
a) editorial director
b) CEO
c) education correspondent
d) lawyer
5) What did Mr Baty say the university had played a big role in?
a) global politics
b) the local community
c) Iraq's reconstruction
d) education

6) What is the largest university in the Arab world?
a) Amman University
b) Cairo University
c) Dubai University
d) Kuwait University
7) What year does the origins of the university go back to?
a) 1670
b) 1760
c) 1076
d) 1067
8) When was the university formally established?
a) 1956
b) 1965
c) 1695
d) 1596
9) What prestigious thing do people view the ranking as being?
a) an event
b) a trophy
c) an accolade
d) a victory
10) What did a student say people hold the university in?
a) a newspaper
b) high esteem
c) their phones
d) their hearts

Role play

Role  A – Engineering
You think engineering is the best subject to study at university. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their subjects. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): IT, business studies or English.

Role  B – Information Technology
You think IT is the best subject to study at university. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their subjects. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): engineering, business studies or English.

Role  C – Business Studies
You think business studies is the best subject to study at university. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their subjects. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): IT, engineering or English.

Role  D – English
You think English is the best subject to study at university. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their subjects. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): IT, business studies or engineering.

After reading / listening

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

'university'

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

    • and 'education'.

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

    • • 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:

    • largest
    • roots
    • modern
    • 1956
    • many
    • high
    • ever
    • annual
    • made
    • range
    • stated
    • role

    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 - Baghdad University gets into world rankings

    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 'university'?
    3. What do you think of universities?
    4. What do you think of Baghdad University getting into the rankings?
    5. How can universities be improved?
    6. How important is this for Baghdad University?
    7. What do you think are the best universities in the world?
    8. What do you think of having a list of best universities?
    9. Why are the best universities in the UK and USA?
    10. What part might the university have played in Iraq's reconstruction?

    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 'study'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What are universities like in your country?
    5. How important is it to go to university?
    6. Are universities only for the elite?
    7. What is your image of Baghdad University?
    8. What would you like to study at university?
    9. Why might students be proud of the university?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the head of Baghdad University?

    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)

    For the first time (1) ____, an Iraqi University has been listed (2) ____ the best universities in the world. The University of Baghdad has made it onto the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This is an (3) ____ list of the world's top 1,250 universities for research and development. The University of Baghdad has been ranked in the (4) ____ from 801 to a thousand on the list of best universities. Phil Baty, the editorial director of the Times, stated that the university had "distinguished" itself for having a "very strong international cooperation". He said the University of Baghdad had played an (5) ____ role in the reconstruction of Iraq after its recent conflicts and internal (6) ____.

    The University of Baghdad (also called Baghdad University) is the largest university in Iraq and the second largest in the Arab (7) ____, behind the University of Cairo. Its roots go as (8) ____ back as the year 1067, when it was known as Abu Haneefa. The first of the university's modern departments was (9) ____ in 1908. It was formally established as the University of Baghdad in 1956. It (10) ____ to stay open throughout the invasions and occupations of Iraq during this century. The ranking on the Times list is seen as a prestigious (11) ____ by many of its academics and students. One student said: "I am so proud of Baghdad University. It means the world to us to be held in such (12) ____ esteem."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     ever     (b)     every     (c)     even     (d)     eventually    
    2. (a)     between     (b)     on     (c)     among     (d)     that    
    3. (a)     annul     (b)     anal     (c)     annals     (d)     annual    
    4. (a)     arrange     (b)     range     (c)     grange     (d)     derange    
    5. (a)     secreted     (b)     segregate     (c)     integer     (d)     integral    
    6. (a)     waif     (b)     scruff     (c)     strife     (d)     staff    
    7. (a)     globe     (b)     world     (c)     hemisphere     (d)     planet    
    8. (a)     far     (b)     behind     (c)     past     (d)     before    
    9. (a)     founded     (b)     floundered     (c)     fondled     (d)     fanned    
    10. (a)     charged     (b)     carried     (c)     managed     (d)     effected    
    11. (a)     volume     (b)     media     (c)     charity     (d)     accolade    
    12. (a)     highs     (b)     height     (c)     highly     (d)     heighten

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. listed amgno the best universities
    2. an anulna list
    3. the university had iithgndsiused itself
    4. played an itrlegan role
    5. after its recent sltinoccf
    6. internal stfrie

    Paragraph 2

    1. the university's eromnd departments
    2. It was flaormly established
    3. throughout the inovansis and occupations
    4. a prestigious lcdecaoa
    5. many of its cdamcaies and students
    6. held in such high mseeet

    Put the text back together

    (  1  ) For the first time ever, an Iraqi University has been listed among the best universities in the
    (...)  strong international cooperation". He said the University of Baghdad had played an integral
    (...)  director of the Times, stated that the university had "distinguished" itself for having a "very
    (...)  open throughout the invasions and occupations of Iraq during this century. The ranking on the Times list is seen
    (...)  founded in 1908. It was formally established as the University of Baghdad in 1956. It managed to stay
    (...)  ranked in the range from 801 to a thousand on the list of best universities. Phil Baty, the editorial
    (...)  largest in the Arab world, behind the University of Cairo. Its roots go as far back as the
    (...)  proud of Baghdad University. It means the world to us to be held in such high esteem."
    (...)  role in the reconstruction of Iraq after its recent conflicts and internal strife.
    (...)  The University of Baghdad (also called Baghdad University) is the largest university in Iraq and the second
    (...)  world. The University of Baghdad has made it onto the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This is an
    (...)  annual list of the world's top 1,250 universities for research and development. The University of Baghdad has been
    (...)  year 1067, when it was known as Abu Haneefa. The first of the university's modern departments was
    (...)  as a prestigious accolade by many of its academics and students. One student said: "I am so

    Put the words in the right order

    1. in   world   .   best   the   Listed   universities   among   the
    2. world's   universities   .   list   top   the   An   of   annual
    3. in   the   1,000   .   range   801   Ranked   to   from
    4. had   itself   .   the   that   He   university   stated   distinguished
    5. reconstruction   Iraq   .   role   of   the   An   in   integral
    6. second   the   the   world   .   largest   It's   Arab   in
    7. as   Go   back   as   far   the   year   1067   .
    8. throughout   invasions   .   stay   to   It   open   managed   the
    9. accolade   many   .   a   by   Seen   prestigious   as
    10. held   be   To   in   high   esteem   .   such

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    For the first time never / ever, an Iraqi University has been listed among the best universities in / on the world. The University of Baghdad has made it onto the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This is an annual / annually list of the world's top 1,250 universities for / from research and development. The University of Baghdad has been raked / ranked in the range from 801 to a thousand on the list of best universities. Phil Baty, the editorial / edit director of the Times, stated that the university had "distinguished" itself for had / having a "very strong international cooperation". He said the University of Baghdad had played an integer / integral role in the reconstruction of Iraq post / after its recent conflicts and internal / internally strife.

    The University of Baghdad (also called / calls Baghdad University) is the largest university in Iraq and the second largest in the Arab world, behind / before the University of Cairo. Its roots / routes go as far back as the year 1067, when it was knowing / known as Abu Haneefa. The first of the university's modern departments was floundered / founded in 1908. It was formally established as / was the University of Baghdad in 1956. It managed to stay / stray open throughout the invasions and occupations of Iraq during this century. The ranking on the Times list is seeing / seen as a prestigious accolade by many of its academia / academics and students. One student said: "I am so proud of Baghdad University. It means the world / word to us to be held in such high esteem."

    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)

    F_r t h_ f_r s t t_m_ _v_r , _n I r_q_ U n_v_r s_t y h_s b__ n l_s t_d _m_n g t h_ b_s t _n_v_r s_t__ s _n t h_ w_r l d . T h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f B_g h d_d h_s m_d_ _t _n t_ t h_ T_m_s H_g h_r E d_c_t__ n W_r l d U n_v_r s_t y R_n k_n g s . T h_s _s _n _n n__ l l_s t _f t h_ w_r l d ' s t_p 1 , 2 5 0 _n_v_r s_t__ s f_r r_s__ r c h _n d d_v_l_p m_n t . T h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f B_g h d_d h_s b__ n r_n k_d _n t h_ r_n g_ f r_m 8 0 1 t_ _ t h__ s_n d _n t h_ l_s t _f b_s t _n_v_r s_t__ s . P h_l B_t y , t h_ _d_t_r__ l d_r_c t_r _f t h_ T_m_s , s t_t_d t h_t t h_ _n_v_r s_t y h_d " d_s t_n g__ s h_d " _t s_l f f_r h_v_n g _ " v_r y s t r_n g _n t_r n_t__ n_l c__ p_r_t__ n " . H_ s__ d t h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f B_g h d_d h_d p l_y_d _n _n t_g r_l r_l_ _n t h_ r_c_n s t r_c t__ n _f I r_q _f t_r _t s r_c_n t c_n f l_c t s _n d _n t_r n_l s t r_f_.

    T h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f B_g h d_d (_l s_ c_l l_d B_g h d_d U n_v_r s_t y ) _s t h_ l_r g_s t _n_v_r s_t y _n I r_q _n d t h_ s_c_n d l_r g_s t _n t h_ A r_b w_r l d , b_h_n d t h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f C__ r_. I t s r__ t s g_ _s f_r b_c k _s t h_ y__ r 1 0 6 7 , w h_n _t w_s k n_w n _s A b_ H_n__ f_. T h_ f_r s t _f t h_ _n_v_r s_t y ' s m_d_r n d_p_r t m_n t s w_s f__ n d_d _n 1 9 0 8 . I t w_s f_r m_l l y _s t_b l_s h_d _s t h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f B_g h d_d _n 1 9 5 6 . I t m_n_g_d t_ s t_y _p_n t h r__ g h__ t t h_ _n v_s__ n s _n d _c c_p_t__ n s _f I r_q d_r_n g t h_s c_n t_r y . T h_ r_n k_n g _n t h_ T_m_s l_s t _s s__ n _s _ p r_s t_g___s _c c_l_d_ b y m_n y _f _t s _c_d_m_c s _n d s t_d_n t s . O n_ s t_d_n t s__ d : " I _m s_ p r__ d _f B_g h d_d U n_v_r s_t y . I t m__ n s t h_ w_r l d t_ _s t_ b_ h_l d _n s_c h h_g h _s t__ m . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    for the first time ever an iraqi university has been listed among the best universities in the world the university of baghdad has made it onto the times higher education world university rankings this is an annual list of the worlds top 1250 universities for research and development the university of baghdad has been ranked in the range from 801 to a thousand on the list of best universities phil baty the editorial director of the times stated that the university had distinguished itself for having a very strong international cooperation he said the university of baghdad had played an integral role in the reconstruction of iraq after its recent conflicts and internal strife

    the university of baghdad also called baghdad university is the largest university in iraq and the second largest in the arab world behind the university of cairo its roots go as far back as the year 1067 when it was known as abu haneefa the first of the universitys modern departments was founded in 1908 it was formally established as the university of baghdad in 1956 it managed to stay open throughout the invasions and occupations of iraq during this century the ranking on the times list is seen as a prestigious accolade by many of its academics and students one student said i am so proud of baghdad university it means the world to us to be held in such high esteem"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Forthefirsttimeever,anIraqiUniversityhasbeenlistedamongthebestu
    niversitiesintheworld.TheUniversityofBaghdadhasmadeitontotheTi
    mesHigherEducationWorldUniversityRankings.Thisisanannuallistof
    theworld'stop1,250universitiesforresearchanddevelopment.TheUni
    versityofBaghdadhasbeenrankedintherangefrom801toathousando
    nthelistofbestuniversities.PhilBaty,theeditorialdirectoroftheTimes,s
    tatedthattheuniversityhad"distinguished"itselfforhavinga"verystro
    nginternationalcooperation".HesaidtheUniversityofBaghdadhadpla
    yedanintegralroleinthereconstructionofIraqafteritsrecentconflictsa
    ndinternalstrife.TheUniversityofBaghdad(alsocalledBaghdadUniver
    sity)isthelargestuniversityinIraqandthesecondlargestintheArabworl
    d,behindtheUniversityofCairo.Itsrootsgoasfarbackastheyear1067,
    whenitwasknownasAbuHaneefa.Thefirstoftheuniversity'smodernde
    partmentswasfoundedin1908.ItwasformallyestablishedastheUnive
    rsityofBaghdadin1956.Itmanagedtostayopenthroughouttheinvasio
    nsandoccupationsofIraqduringthiscentury.TherankingontheTimesli
    stisseenasaprestigiousaccoladebymanyofitsacademicsandstudents
    .Onestudentsaid:"IamsoproudofBaghdadUniversity.Itmeansthewo
    rldtoustobeheldinsuchhighesteem."

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Going to university guarantees a better life. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    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. UNIVERSITY: Make a poster about university. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ESSENTIAL: Write a magazine article about university being essential for everyone. 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 university. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on universities. 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

    Thank You