Breaking News English Lesson: Courage

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UK Queen honours health service for its courage (7th July, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - Courage - Level 3

The Queen in the United Kingdom has given the country's highest possible award for civilians to its National Health Service (NHS). The Queen gave the NHS a George Cross. This is a special medal for heroism and bravery. The award was given because of the heroic efforts doctors, nurses and care staff made during the coronavirus pandemic. The Queen hand wrote a personal message to the NHS. She said she gave the award "with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation". She added: "This award recognises all NHS staff....Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication."

Many workers in the NHS are happy that they have been recognised by the Queen for their services. However, many others said they would prefer a pay rise. The NHS has been on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 in the UK. There has been great public support for a pay rise for nurses, but the government only gave them a 1% increase. There were over 60 protests in the UK over the weekend for better pay and conditions. A doctor said: "We demand funding for a safe NHS, fair pay and respect for staff." A workers' union leader said: "The best way to show appreciation for health workers who have gone 'above and beyond' is to give them a decent pay rise, urgently."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Courage - Level 0, Courage - Level 1 or Courage - Level 2

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jul/05/queen-awards-george-cross-to-nhs-to-mark-70-years-of-public-service
https://uk.style.yahoo.com/queen-gives-courageous-dedicated-nhs-221400461.html
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/health-unions-demand-better-nhs-workers-anniversary

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. COURAGE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about courage. 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?
Queen / United Kingdom / award / health / heroism / bravery / pandemic / courage /
happy / pay rise / front line / public support / weekend / pay / conditions / urgently
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NURSES: Students A strongly believe nurses should be paid more than politicians; Students B strongly believe politicians should be paid more than nurses. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. MEDAL: Should these workers get a medal? Why / Why not? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Yes/No	Why?/Why Not?
Nurses
English teachers
Actors
Electricians
Store workers
Software coders

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. QUEEN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "queen". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. HIGHEST AWARD: Rank these with your partner. Put the workers who deserve the highest award at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Nurses
Taxi drivers
Bakers
Postal workers
Store shelf fillers
Car mechanics
Politicians
English teachers

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	award	a.	Kind feelings and concern for other people who are having a bad or sad time.
2.	civilian	b.	Great bravery.
3.	heroism	c.	A feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment.
4.	pandemic	d.	A prize or other thing given to honor an achievement.
5.	pleasure	e.	Feeling or showing thanks for kindness.
6.	grateful	f.	A person not in the armed services or the police force.
7.	compassion	g.	There being a disease all over a whole country or the world.

Paragraph 2

8.	prefer	h.	The things that affect the way people live or work, especially their safety or health.
9.	front line	i.	Money given by an organization or government for a particular purpose.
10.	protest	j.	Knowing and enjoying the good qualities of someone or something.
11.	conditions	k.	The area that is closest to danger or to the action.
12.	funding	l.	A deep liking for someone because of their abilities or achievements.
13.	respect	m.	Groups of people meeting somewhere to say they are unhappy about something.
14.	appreciation	n.	Like one thing or person better than another or others.

Before reading / listening

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

Health workers in the UK got the highest possible civilian award. T / F
The medal the health workers got was for bravery and heroism. T / F
The British Queen typed a message for the health workers. T / F
The Queen recognised health workers for over 70 years service. T / F
Many UK health workers would like a pay rise instead of a medal. T / F
Health workers have been on the front line fighting COVID-19. T / F
The British public thinks a 1% pay rise is enough for nurses. T / F
A union leader said the medal was the best way to thank nurses. T / F

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

award
civilians
heroic
pleasure
compassion
recognised
prefer
funding
appreciation
decent

like better
happiness
acknowledged
private citizens
proper
prize
kindness
thanks
brave
money

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

the country's highest possible
This is a special medal for
The award was given because of the heroic
The Queen hand wrote
courage, compassion
happy that they have been recognised
The NHS has been on the front
the government only gave them
The best way to show appreciation
give them a decent pay

and dedication
efforts
a 1% increase
line
a personal message
award
rise
for health workers
heroism and bravery
by the Queen

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

pandemic
bravery
recent
possible
decades
heroic
dedication
behalf

The Queen in the United Kingdom has given the country's highest (1) _____________________ award for civilians to its National Health Service (NHS). The Queen gave the NHS a George Cross. This is a special medal for heroism and (2) _____________________. The award was given because of the (3) _____________________ efforts doctors, nurses and care staff made during the coronavirus (4) _____________________. The Queen hand wrote a personal message to the NHS. She said she gave the award "with great pleasure, on (5) _____________________ of a grateful nation". She added: "This award recognises all NHS staff....Over more than seven (6) _____________________, and especially in (7) _____________________ times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and (8) ___________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

public
services
urgently
protests
beyond'
prefer
increase
respect

Many workers in the NHS are happy that they have been recognised by the Queen for their (9) _____________________. However, many others said they would (10) _____________________ a pay rise. The NHS has been on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 in the UK. There has been great (11) _____________________ support for a pay rise for nurses, but the government only gave them a 1% (12) _____________________. There were over 60 (13) _____________________ in the UK over the weekend for better pay and conditions. A doctor said: "We demand funding for a safe NHS, fair pay and (14) _____________________ for staff." A workers' union leader said: "The best way to show appreciation for health workers who have gone 'above and (15) ____________________' is to give them a decent pay rise, (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The Queen in the United Kingdom has given the country's highest possible ______
     a. award for civilian
     b. award for civil vans
     c. award for civil yarns
     d. award for civilians
2) This is a special medal for ______
     a. heroism and bravery
     b. heroism and brave
     c. heroism and bribery
     d. heroism and bray very
3) She said she gave the award "with great pleasure, on behalf of ______
     a. a great full nation
     b. a graceful nation
     c. a grateful nation
     d. a grey full nation
4) all NHS staff....Over more than seven decades, and especially ______
     a. in recently times
     b. in recent times
     c. in lease sent times
     d. in lease entry times
5) you have supported the people of our country with courage, ______
     a. compassionate and dedicate
     b. compassion and dedicate
     c. compassionate and dedication
     d. compassion and dedication

6) workers in the NHS are happy that they have been recognised by the Queen ______
     a. form their services
     b. fore their services
     c. four their services
     d. for their services
7) However, many others said they would ______ rise
     a. prefer a pay
     b. proffer a pay
     c. pre fur a pay
     d. preen fur a pay
8) support for a pay rise for nurses, but the government only gave them ______
     a. a 1% ink crease
     b. a 1% ink rise
     c. a 1% increase
     d. a 1% increased
9) A doctor said: "We demand funding for a safe NHS, fair ______"
     a. paid end respect
     b. pay and respect
     c. pray end respect
     d. prey and respect
10) workers who have gone 'above and beyond' is to give them a decent ______
     a. pay arise, urgent
     b. pay risen, urgent
     c. pay riser, urgently
     d. pay rise, urgently

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Queen in the United Kingdom has given the (1) ____________________ award for civilians to its National Health Service (NHS). The Queen gave the NHS a George Cross. This (2) ____________________ medal for heroism and bravery. The award was given because of the heroic efforts doctors, nurses and care staff (3) ____________________ coronavirus pandemic. The Queen (4) ____________________ personal message to the NHS. She said she gave the award "with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation". She added: "This award recognises all NHS staff....Over (5) ____________________ decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our (6) ____________________, compassion and dedication."

Many workers in the NHS (7) ____________________ they have been recognised by the Queen for their services. However, many others said they would (8) ____________________ rise. The NHS has been on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 in the UK. There has been (9) ____________________ for a pay rise for nurses, but the government only gave them a 1% increase. There were (10) ____________________ in the UK over the weekend for better pay and conditions. A doctor said: "We demand funding for a safe NHS, fair pay and (11) ____________________." A workers' union leader said: "The best way to show appreciation for health workers who have gone 'above and beyond' is to give (12) ____________________ pay rise, urgently."

Comprehension questions

Who is the George Cross usually given to?
What is the George Cross for, besides heroism and courage?
How did the Queen write a message to health workers?
Who did the Queen say she gave the award on behalf of?
How long has Britain's NHS been going?
What would many NHS workers like instead of a medal?
What kind of line does the article sat the NHS has been on?
How much of a pay rise did the nurses get?
How many protests were there over the weekend?
Who said health workers should get a "decent pay rise, urgently"?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who is the George Cross usually given to?
a) royalty
b) health workers
c) soldiers
d) civilians
2) What is the George Cross for, besides heroism and courage?
a) fighting
b) bravery
c) hard work
d) innovation
3) How did the Queen write a message to health workers?
a) she dictated it
b) on a smartphone
c) on an old typewriter
d) by hand
4) Who did the Queen say she gave the award on behalf of?
a) doctors and nurses
b) her family
c) a grateful nation
d) the NHS
5) How long has Britain's NHS been going?
a) over 60 years
b) over 80 years
c) over 50 years
d) over 70 years

6) What would many NHS workers like instead of a medal?
a) longer holidays
b) better PPE
c) a pay rise
d) no overtime
7) What kind of line does the article sat the NHS has been on?
a) the front line
b) the baseline
c) the centre line
d) the hard line
8) How much of a pay rise did the nurses get?
a) 3%
b) 2%
c) 1%
d) 45
9) How many protests were there over the weekend?
a) just under 60
b) over 60
c) about 60
d) exactly 60
10) Who said health workers should get a "decent pay rise, urgently"?
a) a workers' union
b) a nursing group
c) surgeons
d) hospital patients

Role play

Role A – Nurses
You think nurses deserve the highest award. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their workers do not need an award. Also, tell the others who is the least deserving of an award of these (and why): bakers, English teachers or taxi drivers.

Role B – Bakers
You think bakers deserve the highest award. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their workers do not need an award. Also, tell the others who is the least deserving of an award of these (and why): nurses, English teachers or taxi drivers.

Role C – English Teachers
You think English teachers deserve the highest award. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their workers do not need an award. Also, tell the others who is the least deserving of an award of these (and why): bakers, nurses or taxi drivers.

Role D – Taxi Drivers
You think taxi drivers deserve the highest award. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their workers do not need an award. Also, tell the others who is the least deserving of an award of these (and why): bakers, English teachers or nurses.

After reading / listening

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

'health'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'service'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

possible

special

care

hand

behalf

recent

happy

prefer

public

60

demand

urgently

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 - Courage

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 'health service'?
What is the national health service like in your country?
What do you think of giving a medal to a health service?
How heroic and brave have nurses and doctors been in the pandemic?
Who is braver, a nurse or a politician?
Have you ever received an award or a medal?
Have you ever been brave or courageous?
What do you know about the British Queen?
What advice do you have for nurses and doctors?

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 'courage'?
What do you think about what you read?
Would you prefer a medal or a pay rise?
How much of a pay rise should nurses get?
Should nurses or politicians be paid more?
Would you be a good nurse?
What three adjectives would you use to describe nurses?
When was the last time you went 'above and beyond'?
What questions would you like to ask Britain's Queen?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The Queen in the United Kingdom has given the country's (1) ____ possible award for civilians to its National Health Service (NHS). The Queen gave the NHS a George Cross. This is a (2) ____ medal for heroism and bravery. The award was given because (3) ____ the heroic efforts doctors, nurses and care staff made during the coronavirus pandemic. The Queen hand wrote a personal message to the NHS. She said she gave the award "(4) ____ great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation". She added: "This award recognises all NHS staff....Over more than seven decades, and especially (5) ____ recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and (6) ____."

Many workers in the NHS are happy that they have been recognised by the Queen for (7) ____ services. However, many others said they would prefer a pay rise. The NHS has been on the front (8) ____ in the fight against COVID-19 in the UK. There has been great public support for a pay rise for nurses, but the government only gave them a 1% increase. There were over 60 (9) ____ in the UK over the weekend for better pay and conditions. A doctor said: "We demand funding for a (10) ____ NHS, fair pay and respect for staff." A workers' union leader said: "The best way to (11) ____ appreciation for health workers who have gone 'above and beyond' is to give them a decent pay rise, (12) ____."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) must (b) highest (c) most (d) tallest
(a) specially (b) special (c) specials (d) specialise
(a) to (b) in (c) at (d) of
(a) to (b) on (c) at (d) as
(a) as (b) in (c) for (d) at
(a) objection (b) injection (c) dedication (d) vaccination
(a) them (b) they (c) their (d) there
(a) bench (b) edge (c) line (d) box
(a) portends (b) protects (c) pretends (d) protests
(a) safe (b) safety (c) safes (d) safeguard
(a) show (b) view (c) look (d) watch
(a) urgency (b) urgent (c) urgently (d) urge

Spelling

Paragraph 1

award for iianlvsci
a special medal for heroism and yarervb
with great pueaslre
on behalf of a frgtuael nation
especially in cteern times
courage, compassion and andditicoe

Paragraph 2

they would rerpef a pay rise
There has been great public stuppor
There were over 60 pesrttos
fair pay and reecspt
show aoerpicpitan for health workers
give them a decent pay rise, egnyrltu

Put the text back together

(...) supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication."
(...) Service (NHS). The Queen gave the NHS a George Cross. This is a special medal for heroism and
(...) workers who have gone 'above and beyond' is to give them a decent pay rise, urgently."
(...) a 1% increase. There were over 60 protests in the UK over the weekend for better
(...) for staff." A workers' union leader said: "The best way to show appreciation for health
(...) COVID-19 in the UK. There has been great public support for a pay rise for nurses, but the government only gave them
(...) Many workers in the NHS are happy that they have been recognised by the Queen for their services. However, many
( 1 ) The Queen in the United Kingdom has given the country's highest possible award for civilians to its National Health
(...) others said they would prefer a pay rise. The NHS has been on the front line in the fight against
(...) the award "with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation". She added: "This award
(...) recognises all NHS staff....Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have
(...) made during the coronavirus pandemic. The Queen hand wrote a personal message to the NHS. She said she gave
(...) bravery. The award was given because of the heroic efforts doctors, nurses and care staff
(...) pay and conditions. A doctor said: "We demand funding for a safe NHS, fair pay and respect

Put the words in the right order

award highest The country's possible civilians . for
This heroism . for a medal is special
Queen hand wrote a message the to The NHS .
seven and times . decades, Over in recent especially
have country . our the You supported of people
the NHS in happy . Many are workers
said Others they would a prefer pay rise .
been on NHS has The line . front the
increase . 1% a them government only gave The
to appreciation way workers . best show The for

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The Queen in the United Kingdom has given the country's highest possibly / possible award for civilians to / at its National Health Service (NHS). The Queen gave the NHS a George Cross. This is a specially / special medal for heroism and bravery. The award was taken / given because of the heroic efforts doctors, nurses and care / cares staff made during the coronavirus pandemic. The Queen hand written / wrote a personal message to the NHS. She said she gave the award "with great pressure / pleasure, on behalf / whole of a grateful nation". She added: "This award recognises all NHS staff....Over more than seven decades, and especially on / in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compasses / compassion and dedication."

Many workers on / in the NHS are happy that they have been known / recognised by the Queen for their services. However, much / many others said they would prefer a pay arise / rise. The NHS has been on the front line in the fight against / again COVID-19 in the UK. There has been great public support for a pay rise for nurses, but the government only give / gave them a 1% increase. There were over 60 protests / protects in the UK over the weekend for better pay and conditions. A doctor said: "We demand funding for a safe / safety NHS, fair pay and respect for staff." A workers' union leader said: "The best way to show / look appreciation for health workers who have gone 'above and beyond' is to give them a decent pay rise, urgently / urgent."

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

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

Th_ Q___n _n th_ _n_t_d K_ngd_m h_s g_v_n th_ c__ntry's h_gh_st p_ss_bl_ _w_rd f_r c_v_l__ns t_ _ts N_t__n_l H__lth S_rv_c_ (NHS). Th_ Q___n g_v_ th_ NHS _ G__rg_ Cr_ss. Th_s _s _ sp_c__l m_d_l f_r h_r__sm _nd br_v_ry. Th_ _w_rd w_s g_v_n b_c__s_ _f th_ h_r__c _ff_rts d_ct_rs, n_rs_s _nd c_r_ st_ff m_d_ d_r_ng th_ c_r_n_v_r_s p_nd_m_c. Th_ Q___n h_nd wr_t_ _ p_rs_n_l m_ss_g_ t_ th_ NHS. Sh_ s__d sh_ g_v_ th_ _w_rd "w_th gr__t pl__s_r_, _n b_h_lf _f _ gr_t_f_l n_t__n". Sh_ _dd_d: "Th_s _w_rd r_c_gn_s_s _ll NHS st_ff...._v_r m_r_ th_n s_v_n d_c_d_s, _nd _sp_c__lly _n r_c_nt t_m_s, y__ h_v_ s_pp_rt_d th_ p__pl_ _f __r c__ntry w_th c__r_g_, c_mp_ss__n _nd d_d_c_t__n."

M_ny w_rk_rs _n th_ NHS _r_ h_ppy th_t th_y h_v_ b__n r_c_gn_s_d by th_ Q___n f_r th__r s_rv_c_s. H_w_v_r, m_ny _th_rs s__d th_y w__ld pr_f_r _ p_y r_s_. Th_ NHS h_s b__n _n th_ fr_nt l_n_ _n th_ f_ght _g__nst C_V_D-19 _n th_ _K. Th_r_ h_s b__n gr__t p_bl_c s_pp_rt f_r _ p_y r_s_ f_r n_rs_s, b_t th_ g_v_rnm_nt _nly g_v_ th_m _ 1% _ncr__s_. Th_r_ w_r_ _v_r 60 pr_t_sts _n th_ _K _v_r th_ w__k_nd f_r b_tt_r p_y _nd c_nd_t__ns. _ d_ct_r s__d: "W_ d_m_nd f_nd_ng f_r _ s_f_ NHS, f__r p_y _nd r_sp_ct f_r st_ff." _ w_rk_rs' _n__n l__d_r s__d: "Th_ b_st w_y t_ sh_w _ppr_c__t__n f_r h__lth w_rk_rs wh_ h_v_ g_n_ '_b_v_ _nd b_y_nd' _s t_ g_v_ th_m _ d_c_nt p_y r_s_, _rg_ntly."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the queen in the united kingdom has given the countrys highest possible award for civilians to its national health service nhs the queen gave the nhs a george cross this is a special medal for heroism and bravery the award was given because of the heroic efforts doctors nurses and care staff made during the coronavirus pandemic the queen hand wrote a personal message to the nhs she said she gave the award with great pleasure on behalf of a grateful nation she added this award recognises all nhs staff over more than seven decades and especially in recent times you have supported the people of our country with courage compassion and dedication

many workers in the nhs are happy that they have been recognised by the queen for their services however many others said they would prefer a pay rise the nhs has been on the front line in the fight against covid19 in the uk there has been great public support for a pay rise for nurses but the government only gave them a 1 increase there were over 60 protests in the uk over the weekend for better pay and conditions a doctor said we demand funding for a safe nhs fair pay and respect for staff a workers union leader said the best way to show appreciation for health workers who have gone above and beyond is to give them a decent pay rise urgently

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheQueenintheUnitedKingdomhasgiventhecountry'shighestpossibl
eawardforcivilianstoitsNationalHealthService(NHS).TheQueengave
theNHSaGeorgeCross.Thisisaspecialmedalforheroismandbravery.T
heawardwasgivenbecauseoftheheroiceffortsdoctors,nursesandcare
staffmadeduringthecoronaviruspandemic.TheQueenhandwroteape
rsonalmessagetotheNHS.Shesaidshegavetheaward"withgreatpleas
ure,onbehalfofagratefulnation".Sheadded:"Thisawardrecognisesall
NHSstaff....Overmorethansevendecades,andespeciallyinrecenttim
es,youhavesupportedthepeopleofourcountrywithcourage,compassi
onanddedication."ManyworkersintheNHSarehappythattheyhavebe
enrecognisedbytheQueenfortheirservices.However,manyotherssai
dtheywouldpreferapayrise.TheNHShasbeenonthefrontlineinthefigh
tagainstCOVID-19intheUK.Therehasbeengreatpublicsupportforapa
yrisefornurses,butthegovernmentonlygavethema1%increase.Ther
ewereover60protestsintheUKovertheweekendforbetterpayandcond
itions.Adoctorsaid:"WedemandfundingforasafeNHS,fairpayandresp
ectforstaff."Aworkers'unionleadersaid:"Thebestwaytoshowappreci
ationforhealthworkerswhohavegone'aboveandbeyond'istogivethe
madecentpayrise,urgently."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Nurses should be paid more than politicians. 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. COURAGE: Make a poster about courage. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. NURSES PAY: Write a magazine article about giving all nurses worldwide a huge pay rise. 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 courage. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three examples of times you have been courageous. 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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