The Reading / Listening - Free Trade Deal - Level 3

Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries have signed the world's biggest free trade deal. It is called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The countries include 10 Southeast Asian economies along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. These countries account for around 30 per cent of the global economy. The idea for the RCEP started in 2012. The governments have been talking to each other since then. China was key in pushing the deal forward to help economies during the coronavirus pandemic. An economics expert said: "COVID-19 has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more eager than ever to have positive economic growth."

Leaders of the 15 governments believe the free trade deal will help their countries and the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese Premier said: "The fact the RCEP has been signed after eight years of negotiations brings a ray of light and hope amid the clouds." He added: "It clearly shows that multilateralism is the right way, and represents the right direction of the global economy and humanity's progress." South Korea said: "We believe that the RCEP, being the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an important step forward toward an ideal framework of global trade and investment." It said the deal included, "a diverse mix of developed, developing and least developed economies."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Free Trade Deal - Level 0,  Free Trade Deal - Level 1   or  Free Trade Deal - Level 2

Sources
  • https://news.yahoo.com/huge-asian-trade-pact-signed-002503549.html
  • http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201115000235&np=1&mp=1
  • http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-11/15/c_139517711.htm


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. TRADE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about trade. 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?
       Asian / Pacific / trade / deal / economies / global / government / key / pandemic /
       leaders / negotiations / ray / light / direction / humanity / important step / diverse
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WORLD FREE TRADE: Students A strongly believe a world free trade deal would be great; Students B strongly believe it wouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ECONOMIES: What do you know about these economies? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

China

 

The USA

 

Japan

 

The UAE

 

India

 

Iran

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

  • Trade
  • Education
  • Roads
  • Wi-fi
  • Equality
  • Peace
  • Water
  • No corruption

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. include a. A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.
      2. account b. Caused someone to remember someone or something.
      3. global c. Was inside or part of something.
      4. pandemic d. Supply, is or make up a set amount.
      5. expert e. Of a disease that is all over a whole country or the world.
      6. eager f. Wanting to do or have something very much.
      7. reminded g. Relating to the whole world; worldwide.

    Paragraph 2

      8. region h. All of the people on Earth.
      9. negotiations i. A course along which someone or something moves.
      10. hope j. Shows what is happening.
      11. represents k. An area or part of a country or the world.
      12. direction l. A basic structure underlying a system.
      13. humanity m. Talks and discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.
      14. framework n. A feeling and wish for a something to happen in the future.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Nearly a dozen countries signed a free trade deal.     T / F
  2. Ten Southeast Asian countries signed the new free trade deal.     T / F
  3. The countries in the deal make up nearly a third of the global economy.   T / F
  4. China was reluctant to sign the deal.     T / F
  5. Countries talked about the deal for eight years.     T / F
  6. China's Premier said the deal brings a laser beam of light.     T / F
  7. The Premier said the deal shows multilateralism is the wrong way.     T / F
  8. South Korea said all countries' economies in the deal were developed.     T / F

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

  1. comprehensive
  2. along with
  3. global
  4. key
  5. growth
  6. help
  7. right
  8. direction
  9. arrangement
  10. diverse
  1. correct
  2. important
  3. aid
  4. mixed
  5. as well as
  6. agreement
  7. development
  8. full
  9. way
  10. worldwide

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

  1. countries have signed the world's
  2. account
  3. reminded the region of why trade
  4. governments are more eager
  5. have positive economic
  6. a ray of light
  7. the right
  8. an ideal framework
  9. a diverse
  10. developing and least developed
  1. than ever
  2. economies
  3. growth
  4. direction
  5. mix
  6. biggest free trade deal
  7. of global trade
  8. and hope
  9. matters
  10. for around 30 per cent

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
along
pushing
signed
eager
talking
include
expert
account

Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries have (1) _____________________ the world's biggest free trade deal. It is called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The countries (2) _____________________ 10 Southeast Asian economies (3) _____________________ with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. These countries (4) _____________________ for around 30 per cent of the global economy. The idea for the RCEP started in 2012. The governments have been (5) _____________________ to each other since then. China was key in (6) _____________________ the deal forward to help economies during the coronavirus pandemic. An economics (7) _____________________ said: "COVID-19 has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more (8) _____________________ than ever to have positive economic growth."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
fact
important
right
help
diverse
being
ray
progress

Leaders of the 15 governments believe the free trade deal will (9) _____________________ their countries and the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese Premier said: "The (10) _____________________ the RCEP has been signed after eight years of negotiations brings a (11) _____________________ of light and hope amid the clouds." He added: "It clearly shows that multilateralism is the right way, and represents the (12) _____________________ direction of the global economy and humanity's (13) _____________________." South Korea said: "We believe that the RCEP, (14) _____________________ the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an (15) _____________________ step forward toward an ideal framework of global trade and investment." It said the deal included, "a (16) _____________________ mix of developed, developing and least developed economies."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries have signed the world's biggest ______
     a.  freed trade deal
     b.  freeze trade deal
     c.  freer trade deal
     d.  free trade deal
2) started in 2012. These countries account for around 30 per cent of the ______
     a.  globally economy
     b.  globalise economy
     c.  global economy
     d.  globe all economy
3)  The governments have been talking to each ______
     a.  others since then
     b.  other since then
     c.  other sense then
     d.  other sins then
4)  key in pushing the deal forward to help economies during the ______
     a.  coronavirus endemic
     b.  coronavirus panda mic
     c.  coronavirus pan dermis
     d.  coronavirus pandemic
5)  reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more ______
     a.  eager than never
     b.  eager than even
     c.  eager than ever
     d.  eager than every

6)  governments believe the free trade deal will help their countries and the ______
     a.  Asia-Pacific legion
     b.  Asia-Pacific regional
     c.  Asia-Pacific region
     d.  Asia-Pacific rejoin
7)  The fact the RCEP has been signed after eight years of negotiations brings a ______
     a.  ray of light
     b.  lay of light
     c.  way of light
     d.  bay of light
8)  It clearly shows that multilateralism is the right way, and represents ______
     a.  the left direction
     b.  the right direction
     c.  the wrong direction
     d.  the light direction
9)  represents an important step forward toward ______
     a.  an ideal framed work
     b.  an ideal frame works
     c.  an ideal frame worker
     d.  an ideal framework
10)  a diverse mix of developed, developing and least ______
     a.  develops economies
     b.  developed economies
     c.  develop economies
     d.  developer economies

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries (1) ____________________ world's biggest free trade deal. It is called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The (2) ____________________ Southeast Asian economies along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. These countries (3) ____________________ 30 per cent of the global economy. The idea for the RCEP started in 2012. The governments have been talking to (4) ____________________ then. China was key in pushing (5) ____________________ to help economies during the coronavirus pandemic. An economics expert said: "COVID-19 has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are (6) ____________________ ever to have positive economic growth."

(7) ____________________ 15 governments believe the free trade deal will help their countries and the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese Premier said: "The fact the RCEP has been signed after eight (8) ____________________ brings a ray of light and hope amid the clouds." He added: "It clearly shows that multilateralism is (9) ____________________, and represents the right direction of the global economy and humanity's progress." South Korea said: "(10) ____________________ the RCEP, being the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an important (11) ____________________ an ideal framework of global trade and investment." It said the deal included, "a diverse mix of developed, developing (12) ____________________ economies."

Comprehension questions

  1. How many countries signed the free trade deal?
  2. How many Southeast Asian nations signed the deal?
  3. How much of the global economy do the countries represent?
  4. When did talks about the deal first start?
  5. What positive thing did an economics expert say the region wants?
  6. What did China's premier say the negotiations brought?
  7. What did China's premier say multilateralism was?
  8. What is going in the right direction, besides the global economy?
  9. What is the deal an ideal framework of, besides global trade?
  10. What kind of mix of economies did South Korea say the deal was?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many countries signed the free trade deal?
a) eight
b) twelve
c) fifteen
d) ten
2) How many Southeast Asian nations signed the deal?
a) 10
b) 12
c) 15
d) 8
3) How much of the global economy do the countries represent?
a) exactly 30%
b) just over 30%
c) just under 30%
d) around 30%
4) When did talks about the deal first start?
a) 2011
b) 2012
c) 2013
d) 2014
5) What positive thing did an economics expert say the region wants?
a) leadership
b) development
c) economic growth
d) profit

6) What did China's premier say the negotiations brought?
a) profit
b) a ray of light
c) clean water
d) peace
7) What did China's premier say multilateralism was?
a) a good idea
b) difficult
c) perfect
d) the right way
8) What is going in the right direction, besides the global economy?
a) talks
b) humanity's progress
c) profit figures
d) the world
9) What is the deal an ideal framework of, besides global trade?
a) investment
b) peace
c) negotiations
d) collaboration
10) What kind of mix of economies did South Korea say the deal was?
a) a strange mix
b) an interesting mix
c) a perfect mix
d) a diverse mix

Role play

Role  A – Trade
You think trade is the most important for a developing country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): education, equality or no corruption.

Role  B – Education
You think education is the most important for a developing country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): trade, equality or no corruption.

Role  C – Equality
You think equality is the most important for a developing country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): education, trade or no corruption.

Role  D – No Corruption
You think no corruption is the most important for a developing country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): education, equality or trade.

After reading / listening

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

'trade'

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

    • and 'deal'.

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

    • • 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:

    • signed
    • started
    • around
    • 10
    • talking
    • reminded
    • believe
    • eight
    • clearly
    • progress
    • largest
    • least

    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 - Free Trade Deal

    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 'trade'?
    3. What do you know about trade deals?
    4. Who are your country's trading partners?
    5. What does your country trade in?
    6. How important is this new trade bloc?
    7. How will the free trade deal help the countries?
    8. How has COVID-19 affected your country?
    9. Why does trade matter?
    10. Should there be a world free trade deal?

    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 'deal'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do countries talk about in trade negotiations?
    5. What do you think of the global economy?
    6. What do you think about humanity's progress?
    7. Would you be good at trading?
    8. Should other countries join the RCEP free trade deal?
    9. How can a developing country become a developed country?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the economists?

    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)

    Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries have (1) ____ the world's biggest free trade deal. It is called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The countries (2) ____ 10 Southeast Asian economies (3) ____ with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. These countries (4) ____ for around 30 per cent of the global economy. The idea for the RCEP started in 2012. The governments have been talking to each other since then. China was key (5) ____ pushing the deal forward to help economies during the coronavirus pandemic. An economics expert said: "COVID-19 has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more (6) ____ than ever to have positive economic growth."

    Leaders of the 15 governments (7) ____ the free trade deal will help their countries and the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese Premier said: "The fact the RCEP has been signed after eight years of negotiations brings a (8) ____ of light and hope amid the clouds." He added: "It clearly shows that multilateralism is the right way, and represents the right (9) ____ of the global economy and humanity's progress." South Korea said: "We believe that the RCEP, (10) ____ the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an important (11) ____ forward toward an ideal framework of global trade and investment." It said the deal included, "a diverse (12) ____ of developed, developing and least developed economies."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     singed     (b)     sang     (c)     signed     (d)     signature    
    2. (a)     include     (b)     inclusion     (c)     inclusive     (d)     incisive    
    3. (a)     along     (b)     within     (c)     operate     (d)     country    
    4. (a)     account     (b)     abound     (c)     arouse     (d)     amount    
    5. (a)     on     (b)     of     (c)     as     (d)     in    
    6. (a)     ogre     (b)     auger     (c)     ager     (d)     eager    
    7. (a)     believe     (b)     belief     (c)     believer     (d)     believes    
    8. (a)     way     (b)     lay     (c)     bay     (d)     ray    
    9. (a)     direction     (b)     command     (c)     conduct     (d)     attitude    
    10. (a)     been     (b)     being     (c)     is     (d)     was    
    11. (a)     stair     (b)     step     (c)     ladder     (d)     case    
    12. (a)     mix     (b)     nix     (c)     pix     (d)     fix

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Asian and Pacific countries have igedsn
    2. These countries otcaunc for around 30 per cent
    3. An economics xeterp
    4. reminded the onerig of why trade matters
    5. governments are more rgaee than ever
    6. positive ocoimcen growth

    Paragraph 2

    1. eight years of oioteansntig
    2. represents the right crdnteioi
    3. humanity's prsgsero
    4. an ideal krwfraemo
    5. global trade and ttmnneeisv
    6. a edivers mix

    Put the text back together

    (...)  Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The countries include 10 Southeast Asian
    (...)  signed after eight years of negotiations brings a ray of light and hope amid the clouds." He added: "It clearly shows that multilateralism is the right
    (...)  for around 30 per cent of the global economy. The idea for the RCEP started in 2012. The governments have been talking
    (...)  way, and represents the right direction of the global economy and humanity's progress." South Korea
    (...)  matters and governments are more eager than ever to have positive economic growth."
    (...)  important step forward toward an ideal framework of global trade and investment." It said the deal
    (...)  included, "a diverse mix of developed, developing and least developed economies."
    (...)  Leaders of the 15 governments believe the free trade deal will help their
    (...)  countries and the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese Premier said: "The fact the RCEP has been
    (...)  pandemic. An economics expert said: "COVID-19 has reminded the region of why trade
    (...)  said: "We believe that the RCEP, being the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an
    (.1.) Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries have signed the world's biggest free trade deal. It is called the Regional
    (...)  economies along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. These countries account
    (...)  to each other since then. China was key in pushing the deal forward to help economies during the coronavirus

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Countries   the   biggest   trade   deal   .   world's   signed   have
    2. in   idea   RCEP   The   2012   .   for   started   the
    3. in   forward   .   pushing   key   was   the   China   deal
    4. matters   .   reminded   why   trade   COVID-19   region   of   the
    5. to   growth   .   positive   ever   than   have   economic   Eager
    6. trade   free   deal   help   The   countries   .   their   will
    7. Years   negotiations   of   light   .   bring   ray   a   of
    8. that   multilateralism   shows   It   the   way   .   right   is
    9. important   framework   .   forward   An   toward   ideal   step   an
    10. included   said   a   diverse   the   deal   mix   .   It

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries have singed / signed the world's biggest free trade deal. It is called / calling the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The countries inclusion / include 10 Southeast Asian economies longing / along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. These countries account for around 30 per cent of the globally / global economy. The idea from / for the RCEP started in 2012. The governments have been talking to each / one other since then. China was key in pushing / heaving the deal forward to help economies during the coronavirus pandemic. An economics expert / expertly said: "COVID-19 has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more ogre / eager than ever to have positive economic growth."

    Leaders of the 15 governments believe / belief the free trade deal will help their countries and the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese Premier said: "The fact / opinion the RCEP has been signed before / after eight years of negotiations brings a way / ray of light and hope amid the clouds." He added: "It clearly shows that multilateralism is the right / light way, and represents the right direction to / of the global economy and humanity's progress." South Korea said: "We believe that / what the RCEP, being the world's largest free trade arrangement, represents an importance / important step forward toward an ideal framework of global trade and investment." It said the deal included, "a reverse / diverse mix of developed, developing and least / lost developed economies."

    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_ft__n _s__n _nd P_c_f_c c__ntr__s h_v_ s_gn_d th_ w_rld's b_gg_st fr__ tr_d_ d__l. _t _s c_ll_d th_ R_g__n_l C_mpr_h_ns_v_ _c_n_m_c P_rtn_rsh_p (RC_P). Th_ c__ntr__s _ncl_d_ 10 S__th__st _s__n _c_n_m__s _l_ng w_th Ch_n_, J_p_n, S__th K_r__, __str_l__ _nd N_w Z__l_nd. Th_s_ c__ntr__s _cc__nt f_r _r__nd 30 p_r c_nt _f th_ gl_b_l _c_n_my. Th_ _d__ f_r th_ RC_P st_rt_d _n 2012. Th_ g_v_rnm_nts h_v_ b__n t_lk_ng t_ __ch _th_r s_nc_ th_n. Ch_n_ w_s k_y _n p_sh_ng th_ d__l f_rw_rd t_ h_lp _c_n_m__s d_r_ng th_ c_r_n_v_r_s p_nd_m_c. _n _c_n_m_cs _xp_rt s__d: "C_V_D-19 h_s r_m_nd_d th_ r_g__n _f why tr_d_ m_tt_rs _nd g_v_rnm_nts _r_ m_r_ __g_r th_n _v_r t_ h_v_ p_s_t_v_ _c_n_m_c gr_wth."

    L__d_rs _f th_ 15 g_v_rnm_nts b_l__v_ th_ fr__ tr_d_ d__l w_ll h_lp th__r c__ntr__s _nd th_ _s__-P_c_f_c r_g__n. Th_ Ch_n_s_ Pr_m__r s__d: "Th_ f_ct th_ RC_P h_s b__n s_gn_d _ft_r __ght y__rs _f n_g_t__t__ns br_ngs _ r_y _f l_ght _nd h_p_ _m_d th_ cl__ds." H_ _dd_d: "_t cl__rly sh_ws th_t m_lt_l_t_r_l_sm _s th_ r_ght w_y, _nd r_pr_s_nts th_ r_ght d_r_ct__n _f th_ gl_b_l _c_n_my _nd h_m_n_ty's pr_gr_ss." S__th K_r__ s__d: "W_ b_l__v_ th_t th_ RC_P, b__ng th_ w_rld's l_rg_st fr__ tr_d_ _rr_ng_m_nt, r_pr_s_nts _n _mp_rt_nt st_p f_rw_rd t_w_rd _n _d__l fr_m_w_rk _f gl_b_l tr_d_ _nd _nv_stm_nt." _t s__d th_ d__l _ncl_d_d, "_ d_v_rs_ m_x _f d_v_l_p_d, d_v_l_p_ng _nd l__st d_v_l_p_d _c_n_m__s."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    fifteen asian and pacific countries have signed the worlds biggest free trade deal it is called the regional comprehensive economic partnership rcep the countries include 10 southeast asian economies along with china japan south korea australia and new zealand these countries account for around 30 per cent of the global economy the idea for the rcep started in 2012 the governments have been talking to each other since then china was key in pushing the deal forward to help economies during the coronavirus pandemic an economics expert said covid19 has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more eager than ever to have positive economic growth

    leaders of the 15 governments believe the free trade deal will help their countries and the asiapacific region the chinese premier said the fact the rcep has been signed after eight years of negotiations brings a ray of light and hope amid the clouds he added it clearly shows that multilateralism is the right way and represents the right direction of the global economy and humanitys progress south korea said we believe that the rcep being the worlds largest free trade arrangement represents an important step forward toward an ideal framework of global trade and investment it said the deal included a diverse mix of developed developing and least developed economies

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    FifteenAsianandPacificcountrieshavesignedtheworld'sbiggestfreetr
    adedeal.ItiscalledtheRegionalComprehensiveEconomicPartnership(
    RCEP).Thecountriesinclude10SoutheastAsianeconomiesalongwithC
    hina,Japan,SouthKorea,AustraliaandNewZealand.Thesecountriesa
    ccountforaround30percentoftheglobaleconomy.TheideafortheRCEP
    startedin2012.Thegovernmentshavebeentalkingtoeachothersincet
    hen.Chinawaskeyinpushingthedealforwardtohelpeconomiesduringt
    hecoronaviruspandemic.Aneconomicsexpertsaid:"COVID-19hasre
    mindedtheregionofwhytrademattersandgovernmentsaremoreeage
    rthanevertohavepositiveeconomicgrowth."Leadersofthe15govern
    mentsbelievethefreetradedealwillhelptheircountriesandtheAsia-P
    acificregion.TheChinesePremiersaid:"ThefacttheRCEPhasbeensign
    edaftereightyearsofnegotiationsbringsarayoflightandhopeamidthec
    louds."Headded:"Itclearlyshowsthatmultilateralismistherightway,a
    ndrepresentstherightdirectionoftheglobaleconomyandhumanity'sp
    rogress."SouthKoreasaid:"WebelievethattheRCEP,beingtheworld'sl
    argestfreetradearrangement,representsanimportantstepforwardto
    wardanidealframeworkofglobaltradeandinvestment."Itsaidthedeali
    ncluded,"adiversemixofdeveloped,developingandleastdevelopedec
    onomies."

    Free writing

    Write about free trade deal for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    The whole world should sign a free trade deal. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. TRADE: Make a poster about trade. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. FREE TRADE WORLD: Write a magazine article about the whole world signing a free trade deal. 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 trade. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on free trade. 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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