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Father of modern computing to appear on banknote (22nd July, 2019)

The Reading / Listening - Alan Turing - Level 6

Alan Turing, the man widely recognised as being the father of modern computer science, has been honored by being selected to appear on a United Kingdom banknote. Mr Turing was chosen ahead of a wealth of notable British historical figures and luminaries to be the face of the new £50 note. Turing was instrumental in helping Britain and its allies win World War II. He led a team of codebreakers to crack the Enigma code the Nazis used to send messages to warships and military commanders. He invented the now famous British Bombe to do this. This was a giant computer, which ushered in the birth of modern computing and the beginnings of artificial intelligence.

Alan Turing was a mathematical genius who also excelled in the sciences. He was born in London in 1912. He graduated from Cambridge University and then outlined his vision for creating an algorithm-based computing machine. He said of his invention: "This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be." His idea is central to the computers we use today. His brilliance led to his being asked to join the WWII code-breaking team. Despite his pivotal role in ending that war, he was persecuted in the post-war years for being homosexual. Being gay was illegal in the UK until 1967. He chose to be chemically castrated rather than go to prison. Turing died in 1954, aged 41, in an apparent suicide.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Alan Turing - Level 4 or Alan Turing - Level 5

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/15/alan-turing-father-of-modern-computing-50-pound-note
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2019/07/15/alan-turing-face-new-50-note-first-lgbt-community/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-48994393

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. COMPUTERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about computers. 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?
computing / science / banknote / historical figures / World War II / code / artificial /
intelligence / genius / the sciences / algorithm / brilliance / pivotal / role / homosexual
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. COMPUTER SCIENCE: Students A strongly believe all schoolchildren should learn computer science; Students B strongly believe it isn't necessary to do this. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. NOTABLE FIGURES: Who are the most notable figures in your country? What is so notable about them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Who?	Why?
Science
Sports
Literature
Music
Business
Politics

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

chemistry
biology
geology
neuroscience
physics
computing
astronomy
maths

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	widely	a.	A group of nation staking military action together.
2.	recognised	b.	Showed official appreciation of; reward formally.
3.	honored	c.	People who inspire or influence others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere.
4.	luminaries	d.	To a large degree.
5.	instrumental	e.	Caused or marked the start of something new.
6.	allies	f.	Regarded with great respect.
7.	ushered in	g.	Serving as an key player or means in pursuing an aim or policy.

Paragraph 2

8.	genius	h.	A sample or suggestion of something that lies ahead.
9.	excelled	i.	Gave a summary of something.
10.	outlined	j.	Subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs.
11.	foretaste	k.	A person who is exceptionally intelligent or creative, either generally or in some particular respect.
12.	brilliance	l.	Was amazingly good at or proficient in an activity or subject.
13.	persecuted	m.	The action of killing oneself intentionally.
14.	suicide	n.	Exceptional talent or intelligence.

Before reading / listening

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

The article said Alan Turing isn't widely recognized in computing. T / F
Alan Turing will appear on a new £100 note. T / F
Turing helped crack a World War II code called Commando. T / F
Alan Turing helped bring about the emergence of artificial intelligence. T / F
Turing excelled in maths and the sciences. T / F
Alan Turing graduated from Cambridge University in 1912. T / F
Alan Turing played a pivotal role in ending WWII early. T / F
It is believed Mr Turing took his own life. T / F

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

recognised
wealth
figures
commanders
birth
vision
brilliance
persecuted
chose
apparent

plan
harassed
emergence
supposed
acknowledged
abundance
opted
leaders
genius
people

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

a wealth of notable British
Turing was instrumental
send messages to warships
ushered in the birth
the beginnings of
Alan Turing was a
creating an algorithm-
This is only a foretaste
his pivotal
Turing died in 1954, aged 41, in

artificial intelligence
an apparent suicide
mathematical genius
based computing machine
and military commanders
historical figures
role in ending that war
of modern computing
of what is to come
in helping Britain

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

crack
notable
beginnings
luminaries
widely
ushered
selected
military

Alan Turing, the man (1) ____________ recognised as being the father of modern computer science, has been honored by being (2) ____________ to appear on a United Kingdom banknote. Mr Turing was chosen ahead of a wealth of (3) ____________ British historical figures and (4) ____________ to be the face of the new £50 note. Turing was instrumental in helping Britain and its allies win World War II. He led a team of codebreakers to (5) ____________ the Enigma code the Nazis used to send messages to warships and (6) ____________ commanders. He invented the now famous British Bombe to do this. This was a giant computer, which (7) ____________ in the birth of modern computing and the (8) ____________ of artificial intelligence.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

graduated
pivotal
foretaste
apparent
genius
illegal
vision
central

Alan Turing was a mathematical (9) ____________ who also excelled in the sciences. He was born in London in 1912. He (10) ____________ from Cambridge University and then outlined his (11) ____________ for creating an algorithm-based computing machine. He said of his invention: "This is only a (12) ____________ of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be." His idea is (13) ____________ to the computers we use today. His brilliance led to his being asked to join the WWII code-breaking team. Despite his (14) ____________ role in ending that war, he was persecuted in the post-war years for being homosexual. Being gay was (15) ____________ in the UK until 1967. He chose to be chemically castrated rather than go to prison. Turing died in 1954, aged 41, in an (16) ____________ suicide.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) the father of modern computer science has been honored by being ______
     a. select it to appear
     b. selected to appear
     c. selected to a peer
     d. selected tour pear
2) Mr Turing was chosen ahead of a wealth of notable British ______
     a. historical figure
     b. historical figurines
     c. historical figures
     d. historical figured
3) He led a team of codebreakers to crack the ______
     a. Enigma code
     b. Enigma coda
     c. Enigma codes
     d. Enigma coded
4) the Nazis used to send messages to warships and ______
     a. militarily commanders
     b. militia tree commanders
     c. milli-tree commanders
     d. military commanders
5) This was a giant computer, which ushered in the ______ computing
     a. birth off modern
     b. birth if modern
     c. birth of modern
     d. birth have modern

6) Alan Turing was a mathematical genius who also ______ sciences
     a. excelled on the
     b. excelled in the
     c. excelled of the
     d. excelled as the
7) He graduated from Cambridge University and then ______
     a. outlined this vision
     b. outlined his vision
     c. outline his derision
     d. outlined his derision
8) This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the ______ is going to be
     a. shadow of that
     b. shadow off what
     c. shadow of what
     d. shading of what
9) being asked to join the WWII code-breaking team. Despite ______
     a. his pivot all role
     b. his pivot tall role
     c. his pivot role
     d. his pivotal role
10) Turing died in 1954, aged 41, in an ______
     a. apparently suicide
     b. apparent suicidal
     c. apparent suicide
     d. apparently suicides

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Alan Turing, the man widely recognised as being the father of modern computer science, has been (1) ___________________ selected to appear on a United Kingdom banknote. Mr Turing was chosen ahead of a (2) ___________________ British historical figures and luminaries to be the face of the new £50 note. Turing was instrumental in helping Britain and its allies win World War II. He led a team of (3) ___________________ the Enigma code the Nazis used to send messages to (4) ___________________ commanders. He invented the now famous British Bombe to do this. This was a giant computer, (5) ___________________ the birth of modern computing and the (6) ___________________ intelligence.

Alan Turing was a mathematical (7) ___________________ excelled in the sciences. He was born in London in 1912. He graduated from Cambridge University and then (8) ___________________ for creating an algorithm-based computing machine. He said of his invention: "This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and (9) ___________________ of what is going to be." His idea is central to the computers we use today. His brilliance led to his being asked to join the WWII code-breaking team. Despite (10) ___________________ in ending that war, he was persecuted in the post-war years for being homosexual. Being (11) ___________________ in the UK until 1967. He chose to be chemically castrated rather than go to prison. Turing died in 1954, aged 41, in (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

Who was Mr Turing chosen ahead of to appear on a banknote?
What denomination of banknote will Mr Turing appear on?
What is the name of the code that Alan Turing cracked?
What is the name of the computer that Alan Turing made?
What is Alan Turing usher in the birth of?
When was Alan Turing born?
What was Mr Turing's vision of computers based on?
What did Mr Turing say his vision was only a shadow of?
What was Alan Turing persecuted for in the UK after WWII?
In what year did Alan Turing die?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who was Mr Turing chosen ahead of to appear on a banknote?
a) other computing giants
b) British historical figures and luminaries
c) many writers and poets
d) 15 British prime ministers
2) What denomination of banknote will Mr Turing appear on?
a) the £5 note
b) the £10 note
c) the £100 note
d) the £50 note
3) What is the name of the code that Alan Turing cracked?
a) Enigma
b) Commando
c) Generation
d) Success
4) What is the name of the computer that Alan Turing made?
a) Apple
b) IBM
c) the British Bombe
d) the English Rose
5) What did Alan Turing usher in the birth of?
a) algorithms
b) modern computing
c) digital code
d) the computer mouse

6) When was Alan Turing born?
a) 1909
b) 1911
c) 1912
d) 1910
7) What was Mr Turing's vision of computers based on?
a) Egyptian hieroglyphics
b) plasma
c) quantum physics
d) an algorithm
8) What did Mr Turing say his vision was only a shadow of?
a) what is going to be
b) what always was
c) what could be
d) what was to be
9) What was Alan Turing persecuted for in the UK after WWII?
a) being homosexual
b) spying
c) not doing enough
d) his politics
10) In what year did Alan Turing die?
a) 1952
b) 1954
c) 1953
d) 1951

Role play

Role A – Physics
You think physics is the most important science. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sciences. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): computing, neuroscience or astronomy.

Role B – Computing
You think computing is the most important science. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sciences. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): physics, neuroscience or astronomy.

Role C – Neuroscience
You think neuroscience is the most important science. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sciences. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): computing, physics or astronomy.

Role D – Astronomy
You think astronomy is the most important science. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their sciences. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): computing, neuroscience or physics.

After reading / listening

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

'modern'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'computing'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

genius

vision

shadow

join

gay

41

widely

ahead

instrumental

crack

now

giant

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 - Father of modern computing to appear on banknote

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 'computing'?
What do you know about Alan Turing?
What do you know about the people on your banknotes?
How did the beginnings of computing begin?
Who do you think are the biggest historical figures?
How do you think Alan Turing helped in World War II?
What will computers be like in 50 years from now?
How useful is it to study computer science?
What do you know about artificial intelligence?

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 'banknote'?
What do you think about what you read?
What would you like to be a genius at?
How good were you at sciences?
How has Alan Turing changed the world?
What is an algorithm?
What three adjectives best describe this story?
How sad was the end of Alan Turing's life?
What questions would you like to ask an Alan Turing biographer?

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)

Alan Turing, the man (1) ____ recognised as being the father of modern computer science, has been honored by being selected to appear on a United Kingdom banknote. Mr Turing was chosen (2) ____ of a wealth of notable British historical figures and luminaries to be the face of the new £50 note. Turing was (3) ____ in helping Britain and its (4) ____ win World War II. He led a team of codebreakers to crack the Enigma code the Nazis used to send messages to warships and military commanders. He invented the (5) ____ famous British Bombe to do this. This was a giant computer, which ushered in the (6) ____ of modern computing and the beginnings of artificial intelligence.

Alan Turing was a mathematical (7) ____ who also excelled in the sciences. He was born in London in 1912. He graduated from Cambridge University and then outlined his vision (8) ____ creating an algorithm-based computing machine. He said of his invention: "This is only a (9) ____ of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be." His idea is central to the computers we use today. His brilliance led to his being asked to join the WWII code-breaking team. Despite his (10) ____ role in ending that war, he was persecuted in the (11) ____-war years for being homosexual. Being gay was illegal in the UK until 1967. He chose to be chemically castrated rather than go to prison. Turing died in 1954, aged 41, in an (12) ____ suicide.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) widely (b) widen (c) width (d) wides
(a) before (b) previous (c) ahead (d) forward
(a) equipment (b) geared (c) instrumental (d) tooling
(a) ailments (b) ails (c) allied (d) allies
(a) new (b) non (c) now (d) ne'er
(a) baptism (b) birth (c) bear (d) extraction
(a) genie (b) genius (c) gene (d) geneticist
(a) vase (b) vision (c) derision (d) decider
(a) tasty (b) aftertaste (c) foretaste (d) tasteless
(a) hinge (b) fulcrum (c) axis (d) pivotal
(a) finished (b) mail (c) post (d) pole
(a) apparel (b) apparels (c) apparently (d) apparent

Spelling

Paragraph 1

widely secgenorid as being the father
a wealth of notable British olsthiicar figures
Turing was tlamtiernusn in helping Britain
amryitli commanders
rsedehu in the birth of modern computing
the beginnings of ticiraaifl intelligence

Paragraph 2

a mathematical neuigs
an ihgmotrla-based computing machine
His eiblalnric led to his being asked
Despite his ilvpato role in ending that war
he was rtseeucdpe in the post-war years
in an pnarptae suicide

Put the text back together

(...) in the birth of modern computing and the beginnings of artificial intelligence.
(...) honored by being selected to appear on a United Kingdom banknote. Mr Turing was chosen ahead
(...) in London in 1912. He graduated from Cambridge University and then outlined his vision for creating an algorithm-
(...) shadow of what is going to be." His idea is central to the computers we use today. His brilliance
( 1 ) Alan Turing, the man widely recognised as being the father of modern computer science, has been
(...) in helping Britain and its allies win World War II. He led a team of codebreakers to
(...) castrated rather than go to prison. Turing died in 1954, aged 41, in an apparent suicide.
(...) based computing machine. He said of his invention: "This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the
(...) crack the Enigma code the Nazis used to send messages to warships and military
(...) Alan Turing was a mathematical genius who also excelled in the sciences. He was born
(...) in the post-war years for being homosexual. Being gay was illegal in the UK until 1967. He chose to be chemically
(...) of a wealth of notable British historical figures and luminaries to be the face of the new £50 note. Turing was instrumental
(...) led to his being asked to join the WWII code-breaking team. Despite his pivotal role in ending that war, he was persecuted
(...) commanders. He invented the now famous British Bombe to do this. This was a giant computer, which ushered

Put the words in the right order

banknote . a on U .K . Being to selected appear
figures . Ahead historical notable of of wealth a
win . allies helping and Instrumental its in Britain
codebreakers Enigma to team code . the crack A of
of ushered computing . birth in the This modern
to foretaste of what come . a is Only
role his Despite war . ending pivotal that in
for being homosexual . Persecuted years post-war the in
was gay 1967 . Britain Being illegal until in
suicide . apparent in in died an 1954 Turing

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Alan Turing, the man widely recognised / recognition as being the father of modern computer science, has been / being honored by being selected to appear on a United Kingdom banknote. Mr Turing was chosen heading / ahead of a wealth of note / notable British historical figures and luminaries / illuminations to be the face / fierce of the new £50 note. Turing was instrumental in helping Britain and its allied / allies win World War II. He led a team of codebreakers to crack / chip the Enigma code the Nazis used to send messages to warships and military commanders. He invented the now famous British Bombe to do this. This was a giant computer, which ushered in the born / birth of modern computing and the beginnings at / of artificial intelligence.

Alan Turing was a mathematical genie / genius who also excelled in the sciences. He was born in London in 1912. He graduated from Cambridge University and then lined / outlined his vision for creating an algorithm-based computing engine / machine. He said of his invention: "This is only a forecast / foretaste of what is to come, and only the shade / shadow of what is going to be." His idea is central to the computers we use today. His brilliance / brilliant led to his being asked to join the WWII code-breaking team. Despite his pivotal roll / role in ending that war, he was persecuted in the post-war years for being homosexuality / homosexual. Being gay was illegal in the UK until 1967. He chose to be chemically castrated rather / prefer than go to prison. Turing died in 1954, aged 41, in an apparently / apparent suicide.

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)

A l_n T_r_n g , t h_ m_n w_d_l y r_c_g n_s_d _s b__ n g t h_ f_t h_r _f m_d_r n c_m p_t_r s c__ n c_, h_s b__ n h_n_r_d b y b__ n g s_l_c t_d t_ _p p__ r _n _ U n_t_d K_n g d_m b_n k n_t_. M r T_r_n g w_s c h_s_n _h__ d _f _ w__ l t h _f n_t_b l_ B r_t_s h h_s t_r_c_l f_g_r_s _n d l_m_n_r__ s t_ b_ t h_ f_c_ _f t h_ n_w £ 5 0 n_t_. T_r_n g w_s _n s t r_m_n t_l _n h_l p_n g B r_t__ n _n d _t s _l l__ s w_n W_r l d W_r I I . H_ l_d _ t__ m _f c_d_b r__ k_r s t_ c r_c k t h_ E n_g m_ c_d_ t h_ N_z_s _s_d t_ s_n d m_s s_g_s t_ w_r s h_p s _n d m_l_t_r y c_m m_n d_r s . H_ _n v_n t_d t h_ n_w f_m__ s B r_t_s h B_m b_ t_ d_ t h_s . T h_s w_s _ g__ n t c_m p_t_r , w h_c h _s h_r_d _n t h_ b_r t h _f m_d_r n c_m p_t_n g _n d t h_ b_g_n n_n g s _f _r t_f_c__ l _n t_l l_g_n c_.

A l_n T_r_n g w_s _ m_t h_m_t_c_l g_n__ s w h_ _l s_ _x c_l l_d _n t h_ s c__ n c_s . H_ w_s b_r n _n L_n d_n _n 1 9 1 2 . H_ g r_d__ t_d f r_m C_m b r_d g_ U n_v_r s_t y _n d t h_n __ t l_n_d h_s v_s__ n f_r c r__ t_n g _n _l g_r_t h m - b_s_d c_m p_t_n g m_c h_n_. H_ s__ d _f h_s _n v_n t__ n : " T h_s _s _n l y _ f_r_t_s t_ _f w h_t _s t_ c_m_, _n d _n l y t h_ s h_d_w _f w h_t _s g__ n g t_ b_. " H_s _d__ _s c_n t r_l t_ t h_ c_m p_t_r s w_ _s_ t_d_y . H_s b r_l l__ n c_ l_d t_ h_s b__ n g _s k_d t_ j__ n t h_ W W I I c_d_- b r__ k_n g t__ m . D_s p_t_ h_s p_v_t_l r_l_ _n _n d_n g t h_t w_r , h_ w_s p_r s_c_t_d _n t h_ p_s t - w_r y__ r s f_r b__ n g h_m_s_x__ l . B__ n g g_y w_s _l l_g_l _n t h_ U K _n t_l 1 9 6 7 . H_ c h_s_ t_ b_ c h_m_c_l l y c_s t r_t_d r_t h_r t h_n g_ t_ p r_s_n . T_r_n g d__ d _n 1 9 5 4 , _g_d 4 1 , _n _n _p p_r_n t s__ c_d_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

alan turing the man widely recognised as being the father of modern computer science has been honored by being selected to appear on a united kingdom banknote mr turing was chosen ahead of a wealth of notable british historical figures and luminaries to be the face of the new 50 note turing was instrumental in helping britain and its allies win world war ii he led a team of codebreakers to crack the enigma code the nazis used to send messages to warships and military commanders he invented the now famous british bombe to do this this was a giant computer which ushered in the birth of modern computing and the beginnings of artificial intelligence

alan turing was a mathematical genius who also excelled in the sciences he was born in london in 1912 he graduated from cambridge university and then outlined his vision for creating an algorithmbased computing machine he said of his invention this is only a foretaste of what is to come and only the shadow of what is going to be his idea is central to the computers we use today his brilliance led to his being asked to join the wwii codebreaking team despite his pivotal role in ending that war he was persecuted in the postwar years for being homosexual being gay was illegal in the uk until 1967 he chose to be chemically castrated rather than go to prison turing died in 1954 aged 41 in an apparent suicide.

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

AlanTuring,themanwidelyrecognisedasbeingthefatherofmodernco
mputerscience,hasbeenhonoredbybeingselectedtoappearonaUnite
dKingdombanknote.MrTuringwaschosenaheadofawealthofnotableB
ritishhistoricalfiguresandluminariestobethefaceofthenew£50note.T
uringwasinstrumentalinhelpingBritainanditsallieswinWorldWarII.H
eledateamofcodebreakerstocracktheEnigmacodetheNazisusedtose
ndmessagestowarshipsandmilitarycommanders.Heinventedtheno
wfamousBritishBombetodothis.Thiswasagiantcomputer,whichushe
redinthebirthofmoderncomputingandthebeginningsofartificialintelli
gence.AlanTuringwasamathematicalgeniuswhoalsoexcelledinthesci
ences.HewasborninLondonin1912.HegraduatedfromCambridgeUni
versityandthenoutlinedhisvisionforcreatinganalgorithm-basedcom
putingmachine.Hesaidofhisinvention:"Thisisonlyaforetasteofwhatis
tocome,andonlytheshadowofwhatisgoingtobe."Hisideaiscentraltoth
ecomputersweusetoday.HisbrillianceledtohisbeingaskedtojointheW
WIIcode-breakingteam.Despitehispivotalroleinendingthatwar,hew
aspersecutedinthepost-waryearsforbeinghomosexual.Beinggaywa
sillegalintheUKuntil1967.Hechosetobechemicallycastratedratherth
angotoprison.Turingdiedin1954,aged41,inanapparentsuicide.

Free writing

Write about the lesson page for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The computer is the greatest invention in the past 200 years. 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. ALAN TURING: Make a poster about Alan Turing. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. COMPUTERS: Write a magazine article about computers. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.
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 computers. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on the three things computers are most useful for. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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Breaking News English Lesson on Alan Turing

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