Breaking News English Lesson: Turtle

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Turtle's walk delays planes at Tokyo airport (30th September, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - Turtle - Level 3

There are many reasons for delays at airports. Sometimes it's bad weather, sometimes it's a technical problem, and other times it's a passenger who is late to the boarding gate. Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan has added a new cause of flight delays – a turtle going for a walk. The runway at Narita had to close for 12 minutes because a 2.1-kilogram turtle was spotted on the tarmac. The pilot of an airplane waiting to take off told air traffic controllers about the small reptile at around 11:35am. There was an immediate search for it. This caused the delay of five flights. Airport staff managed to locate the creature. They safely removed it with a net. They reported that it was unharmed.

A Narita Airport spokesperson said she believed the turtle lived in a nearby pond. It managed to get under a fence alongside the airport and crawl onto the runway. The turtle might have decided to sunbathe because of the warm weather. It was a lot warmer than usual at the airport for the time of the year. Shortly after the turtle was caught, an A380 airplane took off from the runway. By coincidence, the A380 was painted in a turtle design. The plane was from the Japanese airline ANA. It was going to the island of Okinawa in the south of Japan. An ANA spokesperson said: "Turtles are seen as bringing good luck. We hope this turtle, who came to see the flight off, signals a bright future."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Turtle - Level 0, Turtle - Level 1 or Turtle - Level 2

Sources

https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0007810712 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/28/turtle-slow-moving-reptile-delays-five-planes-at-japan-airport https://simpleflying.com/tokyo-tortoise-trouble/

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. TURTLES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about turtles. 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?
delays / airports / bad weather / technical problems / flight delays / pilot / creature /
turtle / pond / sunbathe / airplane / runway / coincidence / island / good luck / future
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. AIRPORT SECURITY: Students A strongly believe airports should increase their security so turtles can't get in; Students B strongly believe that's silly. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. REPTILES: What do you know about these reptiles? How much do you like them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	How Much I Like Them
Turtles
Komodo dragons
Snakes
Geckos
Alligators
Chameleons

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. DELAY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "delay". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. AIRPORT DELAYS: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that are most likely to cause flight delays at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Turtles
Late passengers
Security alerts
Weather
Technical problems
Bird strikes
Cabin cleaning
Waiting for luggage

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	delay	a.	The special airplane road inside an airport on which airplanes land and take off.
2.	technical problem	b.	A traveller in a taxi or car, or on a bus, train, airplane, ship, etc., but NOT the driver, pilot, or crew.
3.	passenger	c.	A difficulty because something went wrong with a machine.
4.	boarding gate	d.	Find.
5.	runway	e.	A length of time by which something is late or postponed.
6.	spotted	f.	The area of an airport where people sit and wait to get on the airplane.
7.	locate	g.	Saw something that might have been difficult to see.

Paragraph 2

8.	pond	h.	A barrier around a park, house or building that keeps people and animals out.
9.	fence	i.	Two things that strangely happen at the same time without being planned.
10.	crawl	j.	Shows that something will happen.
11.	sunbathe	k.	Move forward very slowly.
12.	coincidence	l.	A journey made through the air or in space by an airplane, helicopter, space ship, etc.
13.	flight	m.	Sit or lie in the sun, especially to get darker skin or to keep warm.
14.	signal	n.	A small area of water that is usually made by humans.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says there are a few things that cause airport delays. T / F
A turtle on the tarmac shut a runway at a Tokyo airport for 12 minutes. T / F
The turtle was spotted at 11:35 at night. T / F
The turtle caused the delay of five flights from the airport. T / F
The turtle had escaped from a cage in the baggage area. T / F
The turtle may have wanted to sunbathe on the runway. T / F
One of the delayed planes was painted in a turtle design. T / F
Turtles are seen as a sign of good luck. T / F

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

reasons
technical
spotted
immediate
unharmed
nearby
caught
coincidence
spokesperson
signals

neighbourhood
safe
chance
mechanical
indicates
instant
causes
representative
seen
captured

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

There are many reasons
sometimes it's a technical
a passenger who is late
air traffic
This caused the delay
she believed the turtle lived
It managed to get under a
It was a lot warmer
the A380 was painted
Turtles are seen as

bringing good luck
to the boarding gate
of five flights
than usual
fence alongside the airport
for delays at airports
in a turtle design
problem
in a nearby pond
controllers

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

flight
locate
delays
air
technical
unharmed
spotted
reptile

There are many reasons for (1) _____________________ at airports. Sometimes it's bad weather, sometimes it's a (2) _____________________ problem, and other times it's a passenger who is late to the boarding gate. Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan has added a new cause of (3) _____________________ delays - a turtle going for a walk. The runway at Narita had to close for 12 minutes because a 2.1-kilogram turtle was (4) _____________________ on the tarmac. The pilot of an airplane waiting to take off told (5) _____________________ traffic controllers about the small (6) _____________________ at around 11:35am. There was an immediate search for it. This caused the delay of five flights. Airport staff managed to (7) _____________________ the creature. They safely removed it with a net. They reported that it was (8) _____________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

sunbathe
south
nearby
luck
design
crawl
bright
time

A Narita Airport spokesperson said she believed the turtle lived in a (9) _____________________ pond. It managed to get under a fence alongside the airport and (10) _____________________ onto the runway. The turtle might have decided to (11) _____________________ because of the warm weather. It was a lot warmer than usual at the airport for the (12) _____________________ of the year. Shortly after the turtle was caught, an A380 airplane took off from the runway. By coincidence, the A380 was painted in a turtle (13) _____________________. The plane was from the Japanese airline ANA. It was going to the island of Okinawa in the (14) _____________________ of Japan. An ANA spokesperson said: "Turtles are seen as bringing good (15) _____________________. We hope this turtle, who came to see the flight off, signals a (16) _____________________ future."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) and other times it's a passenger who is late to ______
     a. the boarded gate
     b. the bored din gate
     c. the bore din gate
     d. the boarding gate
2) Narita had to close for 12 minutes because a 2.1-kilogram turtle was spotted ______
     a. on a tarmac
     b. on the tarmac
     c. on them tarmac
     d. in the tarmac
3) The pilot of an airplane waiting to take off told air traffic controllers about ______
     a. the snail reptile
     b. the small reptile
     c. these mall reptile
     d. these small reptile
4) This caused the delay of five flights. Airport staff managed to ______
     a. locale the creature
     b. low crate the creature
     c. locate the creature
     d. lock ate the creature
5) They safely removed it with a net. They reported that ______
     a. it was in harmed
     b. it was harmed
     c. it wasn't unharmed
     d. it was unharmed

6) A Narita Airport spokesperson said she believed the turtle lived in ______
     a. a nearby pond
     b. a nearly pond
     c. anew by pond
     d. a newbie pond
7) crawl onto the runway. The turtle might have ______
     a. decide it to sunbathe
     b. decided to sunburn
     c. decide it to sunburn
     d. decided to sunbathe
8) It was going to the island of Okinawa in the ______
     a. southern of Japan
     b. south of Japan
     c. southerly of Japan
     d. southwardly of Japan
9) An ANA spokesperson said turtles are seen as ______
     a. bringing goodly luck
     b. bringing goodness luck
     c. bringing goods luck
     d. bringing good luck
10) We hope this turtle, who came to see the flight off, signals ______
     a. a bride future
     b. a blight future
     c. a brightly future
     d. a bright future

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

There are many (1) ____________________ at airports. Sometimes it's bad weather, sometimes it's (2) ____________________, and other times it's a passenger who is late to the boarding gate. Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan has added (3) ____________________ of flight delays - a turtle going for a walk. The runway at Narita had to close for 12 minutes because a 2.1-kilogram turtle (4) ____________________ the tarmac. The pilot of an airplane waiting to take off told air traffic controllers about the small reptile at around 11:35am. There was (5) ____________________ for it. This caused the delay of five flights. Airport staff managed to locate the creature. They (6) ____________________ with a net. They reported that it was unharmed.

A Narita Airport spokesperson said she believed the turtle lived (7) ____________________ pond. It managed to get under a fence alongside the airport and crawl onto the runway. The turtle might have (8) ____________________ because of the warm weather. It was a lot warmer than usual at the airport for the time of the year. Shortly after the turtle was caught, an A380 airplane (9) ____________________ the runway. By coincidence, the A380 was painted in (10) ____________________. The plane was from the Japanese airline ANA. It was going to the island of Okinawa in the south of Japan. An ANA spokesperson said: "Turtles are seen as (11) ____________________. We hope this turtle, who came to see the flight off, (12) ____________________ future."

Comprehension questions

What kind of problems does the article say might cause airport delays?
For how long did the turtle close the airport?
Who told air traffic controllers about the turtle?
How many flights did the walking turtle delay?
What did airport staff use to capture the turtle?
Where did a spokesperson say the turtle lived?
How was the weather at the airport?
What design did an A380 plane have?
Where was the A380 plane headed?
What are turtles seen as bringing?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of problems does the article say might cause airport delays?
a) security issues
b) technical problems
c) late food delivery
d) fuel problems
2) For how long did the turtle close the airport?
a) 15 minutes
b) 20 minutes
c) 11 minutes
d) 12 minutes
3) Who told air traffic controllers about the turtle?
a) a cabin attendant
b) a passenger
c) a pilot
d) a turtle lover
4) How many flights did the walking turtle delay?
a) 5
b) 6
c) 7
d) 8
5) What did airport staff use to capture the turtle?
a) a cage
b) a net
c) a piece of lettuce
d) a robot

6) Where did a spokesperson say the turtle lived?
a) in a nearby pond
b) in the departure lounge
c) in the Amazon
d) in the mountains
7) How was the weather at the airport?
a) windy
b) tropical
c) warm
d) chilly
8) What design did an A380 plane have?
a) a turtle design
b) a new design
c) an island design
d) a cloud design
9) Where was the A380 plane headed?
a) New York
b) Thailand
c) Hawaii
d) a Japanese island
10) What are turtles seen as bringing?
a) carrots
b) peace
c) good luck
d) problems

Role play

Role A – A Walking Turtle
You think a walking turtle is the most annoying reason for a flight delay. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their reasons aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): a late passenger, a security alert or bad weather.

Role B – A Late Passenger
You think a late passenger is the most annoying reason for a flight delay. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their reasons aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): a walking turtle, a security alert or bad weather.

Role C – A Security Alert
You think a security alert is the most annoying reason for a flight delay. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their reasons aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): a late passenger, a walking turtle or bad weather.

Role D – Bad Weather
You think bad weather is the most annoying reason for a flight delay. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their reasons aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): a late passenger, a security alert or a walking turtle.

After reading / listening

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

'plane'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'airport'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

many

late

close

pilot

search

net

pond

decided

usual

painted

south

hope

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 - Turtle

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 'plane'?
What do you think of turtles?
Have you ever been delayed?
What do you think of airports?
Have you ever experienced technical problems?
What do you think of turtles going for a walk?
Should airports introduce anti-turtle security?
How do you feel when you are delayed?
What damage could the turtle have caused?

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 'airport'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about turtles?
Why do turtles like to sunbathe?
What do you think of the coincidence mentioned in this news?
What was the last coincidence you experienced?
Why are turtles seen as bringing good luck?
Do you think you will have a bright future?
What questions would you like to ask the pilot?

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)

There are many reasons (1) ____ delays at airports. Sometimes it's bad weather, sometimes it's a technical problem, and other times it's a passenger who is late to the (2) ____ gate. Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan has added a new cause of flight delays - a turtle going (3) ____ a walk. The runway at Narita had to close for 12 minutes because a 2.1-kilogram turtle was (4) ____ on the tarmac. The pilot of an airplane waiting to take off (5) ____ air traffic controllers about the small reptile at around 11:35am. There was an immediate search for it. This caused the delay of five flights. Airport staff managed to (6) ____ the creature. They safely removed it with a net. They reported that it was unharmed.

A Narita Airport spokesperson said she believed the turtle lived in a (7) ____ pond. It managed to get under a fence (8) ____ the airport and crawl onto the runway. The turtle might have decided to sunbathe because of the warm weather. It was a lot warmer than usual at the airport for the time of the year. (9) ____ after the turtle was caught, an A380 airplane took off from the runway. (10) ____ coincidence, the A380 was painted in a turtle design. The plane was from the Japanese airline ANA. It was going to the island of Okinawa in the (11) ____ of Japan. An ANA spokesperson said: "Turtles are seen as bringing good luck. We hope this turtle, who came to see the flight off, signals a (12) ____ future."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) on (b) at (c) for (d) to
(a) boarding (b) boarded (c) boarder (d) board
(a) for (b) by (c) in (d) exercise
(a) spotted (b) dotted (c) specked (d) blemished
(a) spoke (b) told (c) said (d) voiced
(a) locating (b) location (c) locater (d) locate
(a) nearly (b) nearing (c) nearby (d) nears
(a) sides (b) longing (c) side (d) alongside
(a) Shortly (b) Shorts (c) Shorten (d) Short
(a) On (b) By (c) At (d) Of
(a) southern (b) south (c) southwards (d) southerly
(a) brighten (b) brightly (c) bright (d) blight

Spelling

Paragraph 1

There are many reasons for ealdsy
sometimes it's a athliccen problem
spotted on the cartam
air atfrcif controllers
There was an teaimidem search
They safely eevrdom it with a net

Paragraph 2

the turtle lived in a yraneb pond
get under a cfene
unhtabes because of the warm weather
Shortly after the turtle was ugcath
By cencdioncei, the A380 was painted in a turtle design
signals a btgihr future

Put the text back together

(...) cause of flight delays - a turtle going for a walk. The runway at Narita had to close for
(...) after the turtle was caught, an A380 airplane took off from the runway. By coincidence, the A380 was painted in a turtle
(...) the warm weather. It was a lot warmer than usual at the airport for the time of the year. Shortly
(...) off told air traffic controllers about the small reptile at around 11:35am. There was an immediate
(...) the creature. They safely removed it with a net. They reported that it was unharmed.
(...) search for it. This caused the delay of five flights. Airport staff managed to locate
(...) in the south of Japan. An ANA spokesperson said: "Turtles are seen as bringing good
(...) design. The plane was from the Japanese airline ANA. It was going to the island of Okinawa
(...) A Narita Airport spokesperson said she believed the turtle lived in a nearby pond. It managed to get under a
(...) fence alongside the airport and crawl onto the runway. The turtle might have decided to sunbathe because of
(...) problem, and other times it's a passenger who is late to the boarding gate. Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan has added a new
( 1 ) There are many reasons for delays at airports. Sometimes it's bad weather, sometimes it's a technical
(...) 12 minutes because a 2.1-kilogram turtle was spotted on the tarmac. The pilot of an airplane waiting to take
(...) luck. We hope this turtle, who came to see the flight off, signals a bright future."

Put the words in the right order

reasons delays are for There at airports . many
to gate . boarding late Passengers who the are
2.1-kilogram the on was turtle spotted A tarmac .
caused flights . of delay This the five
They safely with it net . removed a
She pond . nearby lived believed in it a
have to The decided might sunbathe . turtle
usual than warmer airport . lot at A the
Japanese plane The airline the was from ANA .
as are Turtles bringing good luck . seen

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

There are many reasons for delay / delays at airports. Sometimes it's bad weather, sometimes it's a technical problem, and another / other times it's a passenger who is late to the boarding fence / gate. Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan has added a new case / cause of flight delays - a turtle going for a walk. The runaway / runway at Narita had to close for 12 minutes because a 2.1-kilogram turtle was spotted / spotty on the tarmac. The pilot of an airplane waiting to take on / off told air traffic controllers about the small reptile on / at around 11:35am. There was an immediately / immediate search for it. This caused the delay of five flights. Airport staff managed to locate the creature. They safely removed / removal it with a net. They reported that it was unharmed.

A Narita Airport spokesperson said she belief / believed the turtle lived in a nearby pond. It managed to get under a fence alongside / side the airport and crawl onto the runway. The turtle might have decided / decision to sunbathe because of the warmth / warm weather. It was a lot warmer than usual at the airport for the time of the year. Shortly / Short after the turtle was caught, an A380 airplane took off from the runway. By confidence / coincidence, the A380 was painted in a turtle designer / design. The plane was from the Japanese airline ANA. It was going to the island of Okinawa in the south / southern of Japan. An ANA spokesperson said: "Turtles are seen as bringing good lucky / luck. We hope this turtle, who came to see the flight off, signals a blight / bright future."

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_r_ _r_ m_ny r__s_ns f_r d_l_ys _t __rp_rts. S_m_t_m_s _t's b_d w__th_r, s_m_t_m_s _t's _ t_chn_c_l pr_bl_m, _nd _th_r t_m_s _t's _ p_ss_ng_r wh_ _s l_t_ t_ th_ b__rd_ng g_t_. N_r_t_ __rp_rt _n T_ky_, J_p_n h_s _dd_d _ n_w c__s_ _f fl_ght d_l_ys - _ t_rtl_ g__ng f_r _ w_lk. Th_ r_nw_y _t N_r_t_ h_d t_ cl_s_ f_r 12 m_n_t_s b_c__s_ _ 2.1-k_l_gr_m t_rtl_ w_s sp_tt_d _n th_ t_rm_c. Th_ p_l_t _f _n __rpl_n_ w__t_ng t_ t_k_ _ff t_ld __r tr_ff_c c_ntr_ll_rs _b__t th_ sm_ll r_pt_l_ _t _r__nd 11:35_m. Th_r_ w_s _n _mm_d__t_ s__rch f_r _t. Th_s c__s_d th_ d_l_y _f f_v_ fl_ghts. __rp_rt st_ff m_n_g_d t_ l_c_t_ th_ cr__t_r_. Th_y s_f_ly r_m_v_d _t w_th _ n_t. Th_y r_p_rt_d th_t _t w_s _nh_rm_d.

_ N_r_t_ __rp_rt sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d sh_ b_l__v_d th_ t_rtl_ l_v_d _n _ n__rby p_nd. _t m_n_g_d t_ g_t _nd_r _ f_nc_ _l_ngs_d_ th_ __rp_rt _nd cr_wl _nt_ th_ r_nw_y. Th_ t_rtl_ m_ght h_v_ d_c_d_d t_ s_nb_th_ b_c__s_ _f th_ w_rm w__th_r. _t w_s _ l_t w_rm_r th_n _s__l _t th_ __rp_rt f_r th_ t_m_ _f th_ y__r. Sh_rtly _ft_r th_ t_rtl_ w_s c__ght, _n _380 __rpl_n_ t__k _ff fr_m th_ r_nw_y. By c__nc_d_nc_, th_ _380 w_s p__nt_d _n _ t_rtl_ d_s_gn. Th_ pl_n_ w_s fr_m th_ J_p_n_s_ __rl_n_ _N_. _t w_s g__ng t_ th_ _sl_nd _f _k_n_w_ _n th_ s__th _f J_p_n. _n _N_ sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d: "T_rtl_s _r_ s__n _s br_ng_ng g__d l_ck. W_ h_p_ th_s t_rtl_ wh_ c_m_ t_ s__ th_ fl_ght _ff s_gn_ls _ br_ght f_t_r_."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

there are many reasons for delays at airports sometimes its bad weather sometimes its a technical problem and other times its a passenger who is late to the boarding gate narita airport in tokyo japan has added a new cause of flight delays a turtle going for a walk the runway at narita had to close for 12 minutes because a 21kilogram turtle was spotted on the tarmac the pilot of an airplane waiting to take off told air traffic controllers about the small reptile at around 1135am there was an immediate search for it this caused the delay of five flights airport staff managed to locate the creature they safely removed it with a net they reported that it was unharmed

a narita airport spokesperson said she believed the turtle lived in a nearby pond it managed to get under a fence alongside the airport and crawl onto the runway the turtle might have decided to sunbathe because of the warm weather it was a lot warmer than usual at the airport for the time of the year shortly after the turtle was caught an a380 airplane took off from the runway by coincidence the a380 was painted in a turtle design the plane was from the japanese airline ana it was going to the island of okinawa in the south of japan an ana spokesperson said turtles are seen as bringing good luck we hope this turtle, who came to see the flight off, signals a bright future

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Therearemanyreasonsfordelaysatairports.Sometimesit'sbadweath
er,sometimesit'satechnicalproblem,andothertimesit'sapassengerw
hoislatetotheboardinggate.NaritaAirportinTokyo,Japanhasaddedan
ewcauseofflightdelays-aturtlegoingforawalk.TherunwayatNaritaha
dtoclosefor12minutesbecausea2.1-kilogramturtlewasspottedonth
etarmac.Thepilotofanairplanewaitingtotakeofftoldairtrafficcontrolle
rsaboutthesmallreptileataround11:35am.Therewasanimmediatese
archforit.Thiscausedthedelayoffiveflights.Airportstaffmanagedtoloc
atethecreature.Theysafelyremoveditwithanet.Theyreportedthatitw
asunharmed.ANaritaAirportspokespersonsaidshebelievedtheturtlel
ivedinanearbypond.Itmanagedtogetunderafencealongsidetheairpo
rtandcrawlontotherunway.Theturtlemighthavedecidedtosunbatheb
ecauseofthewarmweather.Itwasalotwarmerthanusualattheairportf
orthetimeoftheyear.Shortlyaftertheturtlewascaught,anA380airplan
etookofffromtherunway.Bycoincidence,theA380waspaintedinaturtl
edesign.TheplanewasfromtheJapaneseairlineANA.Itwasgoingtothei
slandofOkinawainthesouthofJapan.AnANAspokespersonsaid:"Turtl
esareseenasbringinggoodluck.Wehopethisturtle,whocametoseethe
flightoff,signalsabrightfuture."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Airports need better security. 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. TURTLES: Make a poster about turtles. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. AIRPORT SECURITY: Write a magazine article about airports increasing security to stop turtles getting on the runway. 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 turtles. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on turtles. 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: Turtle

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