Breaking News English Lesson: Japan Tourism

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Japan opens to foreign tourists after two years (30th May, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Japan Tourism - Level 6

Japan will reopen to overseas tourists and end its two-year pandemic closure. The government has decided to allow tourists from 98 countries from June the 10th. However, the opening will be tightly controlled. Initially, only package tour groups will be allowed in. A daily cap of 20,000 arrivals has been set. Authorities will monitor their movements to track any spread of Covid-19. All visitors have to test negative for Covid before they travel to Japan. Some may have to undergo an additional test and quarantine for three days. Japan has among the strictest border controls of any country. Its self-imposed isolation has played a part in its relatively low number of coronavirus cases.

Japan's change of stance is welcome news for its tourism industry, which has suffered heavily over the past two years. The number of overseas visitors has fallen by over 99 per cent since pre-pandemic days. Japan saw a record 32 million foreign visitors in 2019. It was on track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2020. However, Covid caused the number of inbound tourists to plummet to just 250,000 in 2021. The president of the Japanese airline ANA said: "I hope the border controls are loosened at the same pace as in other G7 countries to revitalize the local economy." Japan's loosening of its entry restrictions is timely. Last week, the World Economic Forum ranked Japan highest on its list of global travel destinations.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Japan Tourism - Level 4 or Japan Tourism - Level 5

Sources

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/05/a51ff4ef039b-japan-tops-world-tourism-ranking-despite-covid-restrictions.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61612599
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2004/

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. TOURISM: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about tourism. 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?
Japan / overseas / tourists / pandemic / package tour / arrivals / quarantine / border /
stance / welcome news / industry / goal / president / airline / economy / destination
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PACKAGE TOURS: Students A strongly believe package tours are the best wayto travel; Students B strongly believe independent travel is better. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. JAPAN: What do you know about these things? What do you think of them? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

	What I Know	What I Think
Mt. Fuji
Sushi
Bonsai
Origami
Karate
Pokemon

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. OVERSEAS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "overseas". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. DESTINATIONS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best travel destinations at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Japan
India
New Zealand
Kenya
Germany
Canada
Belize
Brazil

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	closure	a.	Experience or be subjected to something that is usually annoying or bad.
2.	initially	b.	An upper limit put on something.
3.	cap	c.	At first.
4.	set	d.	The process or fact of being totally alone.
5.	undergo	e.	An act or process of closing a border or frontier.
6.	quarantine	f.	Decide on and announce.
7.	isolation	g.	A period or place of isolation in which people who have been exposed to infectious or contagious diseases are placed.

Paragraph 2

8.	stance	h.	Following a course that is likely to achieve what is required.
9.	on track	i.	Give something new life and vitality.
10.	plummet	j.	Done or happening at a favourable or useful time.
11.	pace	k.	Fall or drop straight down at high speed.
12.	revitalize	l.	Limits or controls on someone or something.
13.	restrictions	m.	The speed or rate at which something happens or develops.
14.	timely	n.	The attitude of a person or organization towards something.

Before reading / listening

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

Japan closed its borders to overseas tourists around two years ago. T / F
Japan will allow in tourists from 98 countries. T / F
All visitors to Japan will have to quarantine for three days. T / F
Japan has the strictest border controls of any nation in the world. T / F
The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan fell by more than 99%. T / F
Over 40 million tourists visited Japan in 2020. T / F
Japan saw just a quarter-of-a-million visitors in 2021. T / F
The World Economic Forum ranked Japan as the top tourist destination. T / F

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

end
tightly
cap
spread
relatively
stance
suffered
goal
plummet
restrictions

objective
limit
comparatively
been damaged
limitations
strictly
plunge
draw to a close
position
expansion

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

end its two-year pandemic
package
Authorities will monitor their movements to
quarantine
played a part in its relatively
Japan's change of stance
on track
revitalize
Japan's loosening of its entry restrictions
its list of global travel

is timely
low number
is welcome news
the local economy
track any spread
to achieve its goal
closure
destinations
for three days
tour groups

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

package
negative
closure
track
strictest
tightly
imposed
quarantine

Japan will reopen to overseas tourists and end its two-year pandemic (1) _____________________. The government has decided to allow tourists from 98 countries from June the 10th. However, the opening will be (2) _____________________ controlled. Initially, only (3) _____________________ tour groups will be allowed in. A daily cap of 20,000 arrivals has been set. Authorities will monitor their movements to (4) _____________________ any spread of Covid-19. All visitors have to test (5) _____________________ for Covid before they travel to Japan. Some may have to undergo an additional test and (6) _____________________ for three days. Japan has among the (7) _____________________ border controls of any country. Its self- (8) _____________________ isolation has played a part in its relatively low number of coronavirus cases.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

heavily
achieve
destinations
pace
record
timely
stance
inbound

Japan's change of (9) _____________________ is welcome news for its tourism industry, which has suffered (10) _____________________ over the past two years. The number of overseas visitors has fallen by over 99 per cent since pre-pandemic days. Japan saw a (11) _____________________ 32 million foreign visitors in 2019. It was on track to (12) _____________________ its goal of 40 million in 2020. However, Covid caused the number of (13) _____________________ tourists to plummet to just 250,000 in 2021. The president of the Japanese airline ANA said: "I hope the border controls are loosened at the same (14) _____________________ as in other G7 countries to revitalize the local economy." Japan's loosening of its entry restrictions is (15) _____________________. Last week, the World Economic Forum ranked Japan highest on its list of global travel (16) _____________________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Japan will reopen to overseas tourists and end its two-______
     a. year pandemic close your
   b. year pandemic close sure
     c. year pandemic closure
     d. year pandemic clothes sure
2) A daily cap of 20,000 arrivals ______
     a. has been let
     b. has been set
     c. has been met
     d. has been bet
3) Authorities will monitor their movements to track any ______
     a. spread off Covid-19
     b. spreads of Covid-19
     c. spread of Covid-19
     d. spared of Covid-19
4) Some may have to undergo an additional ______
     a. test and quarantine
     b. test and quarantines
     c. test and quarry on time
     d. test and quarrel any time
5) Its self-imposed isolation has ______
     a. played a part
     b. play dab art
     c. played apart
     d. play depart

6) Japan's change of stance is welcome news for ______
     a. its tourism industrial
     b. its tourism in dust try
     c. its tourism in dust tree
     d. its tourism industry
7) The number of overseas visitors has fallen by over 99 per cent since ______
     a. pre-pandemic daze
     b. pre-pandemic daily
     c. pre-pandemic days
     d. pre-pandemic day
8) foreign visitors in 2019. It was on track to ______
     a. achieve its goal
     b. achieve that's goal
     c. achieve vet's goal
     d. achieves a goal
9) However, Covid caused the number of inbound ______
     a. tourists too plummet
     b. tourists to plum mitt
     c. tourists to plummet
     d. tourists to plum might
10) Japanese airline ANA said: "I hope the border controls are loosened at ______
     a. the same pace
     b. the same space
     c. the same apace
     d. the same place

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Japan will reopen to overseas tourists and end its (1) ____________________. The government has decided to allow tourists from 98 countries from June the 10th. However, the opening will (2) ____________________. Initially, only package tour groups will be allowed in. A (3) ____________________ 20,000 arrivals has been set. Authorities will monitor their movements to (4) ____________________ of Covid-19. All visitors have to test negative for Covid before they travel to Japan. Some may have (5) ____________________ additional test and quarantine for three days. Japan has among the strictest border controls of any country. Its self-imposed isolation has played a part in (6) ____________________ number of coronavirus cases.

Japan's (7) ____________________ is welcome news for its tourism industry, which has suffered heavily over the past two years. The number of overseas visitors has fallen by over 99 per cent (8) ____________________. Japan saw a record 32 million foreign visitors in 2019. It was on track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2020. However, Covid caused the (9) ____________________ tourists (10) ____________________ just 250,000 in 2021. The president of the Japanese airline ANA said: "I hope the border controls (11) ____________________ the same pace as in other G7 countries to revitalize the local economy." Japan's loosening of (12) ____________________ is timely. Last week, the World Economic Forum ranked Japan highest on its list of global travel destinations.

Comprehension questions

When will Japan open up to tourists from 98 countries?
What is the daily cap Japan has set on visitor numbers?
What will authorities monitor?
What might some people need to do besides have a covid test?
What has played a part in Japan's relatively low coronavirus numbers?
What is welcome news for Japan's tourism industry?
By how much did visitor numbers to Japan fall in the past two years?
What was Japan's target for tourist numbers in 2020?
What does an airline boss hope will be revitalized?
Who ranked Japan as its top tourist destination?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When will Japan open up to tourists from 98 countries?
a) July 10
b) June 10
c) July 20
d) June 20
2) What is the daily cap Japan has set on visitor numbers?
a) 15,000
b) 25,000
c) 20,000
d) 30,000
3) What will authorities monitor?
a) passports
b) new strains of covid
c) monkeypox
d) the movement of tourists
4) What might some people need to do besides have a covid test?
a) say where they will stay
b) quarantine
c) complete a questionnaire
d) download an app
5) What has played a part in Japan's relatively low coronavirus numbers?
a) its self-imposed isolation
b) the weather
c) masks
d) lockdowns

6) What is welcome news for Japan's tourism industry?
a) Japan's change of stance
b) no masks
c) the Internet
d) a rise in global tourism
7) By how much did visitor numbers to Japan fall in the past two years?
a) just less than 99%
b) by around 99%
c) exactly 99%
d) by more than 99%
8) What was Japan's target for tourist numbers in 2020?
a) 30 million
b) 60 million
c) 40 million
d) 50 million
9) What does an airline boss hope will be revitalized?
a) air travel
b) tourist sites
c) the mask industry
d) the local economy
10) Who ranked Japan as its top tourist destination?
a) Japan's government
b) the World Economic Forum
c) the United Nations
d) Trip Advisor

Role play

Role A – Japan
You think Japan is the best travel destination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their destinations. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): Kenya, Canada or Brazil.

Role B – Kenya
You think Kenya is the best travel destination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their destinations. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): Japan, Canada or Brazil.

Role C – Canada
You think Canada is the best travel destination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their destinations. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): Kenya, Japan or Brazil.

Role D – Brazil
You think Brazil is the best travel destination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their destinations. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): Kenya, Canada or Japan.

After reading / listening

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

'Japan'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'tourism'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

end

tightly

cap

negative

three

part

welcome

99

40

250,000

G7

highest

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 - Japan Tourism

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 'Japan'?
What do you know about Japan?
What is Japan like as a travel destination?
What places in Japan would you really like to visit?
How did your country do during Covid?
Why did Japan have relatively fewer coronavirus cases?
Was Japan right to close to tourists for two years?
Is it better to travel as part of a package tour or as a solo traveller?
How do you feel about international travel now?

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 'tourism'?
What do you think about what you read?
What's your country like for tourism?
What are the benefits of having no overseas visitors?
What are the benefits of international tourism?
Is it better to travel domestically rather than internationally?
What do you think of foreign tourists who come to your country?
What do you think is the best global travel destination?
What questions would you like to ask a hotelier in Japan?

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)

Japan will reopen to overseas tourists and end its two-year pandemic (1) ____. The government has decided to allow tourists from 98 countries from June the 10th. However, the (2) ____ will be tightly controlled. Initially, only package tour groups will be allowed in. A daily (3) ____ of 20,000 arrivals has been set. Authorities will monitor their movements to track any spread of Covid-19. All visitors have to (4) ____ negative for Covid before they travel to Japan. Some may have to (5) ____ an additional test and quarantine for three days. Japan has among the strictest border controls of any country. Its self-(6) ____ isolation has played a part in its relatively low number of coronavirus cases.

Japan's change of (7) ____ is welcome news for its tourism industry, which has suffered heavily over the past two years. The number of overseas visitors has fallen by over 99 per cent since pre-pandemic days. Japan saw a record 32 million foreign visitors in 2019. It was (8) ____ track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2020. However, Covid caused the number of inbound tourists to (9) ____ to just 250,000 in 2021. The president of the Japanese airline ANA said: "I hope the border controls are loosened at the same (10) ____ as in other G7 countries to revitalize the local economy." Japan's loosening of its entry restrictions is (11) ____. Last week, the World Economic Forum ranked Japan highest (12) ____ its list of global travel destinations.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) closet (b) enclosure (c) closure (d) closing
(a) opening (b) opener (c) opens (d) opened
(a) cap (b) peak (c) hat (d) beret
(a) test (b) have (c) do (d) take
(a) redo (b) overcome (c) rehash (d) undergo
(a) supposed (b) reposed (c) composed (d) imposed
(a) stance (b) chance (c) perchance (d) distance
(a) up (b) at (c) in (d) on
(a) plummet (b) skyrocket (c) escalate (d) swell
(a) apace (b) pace (c) space (d) outpace
(a) timed (b) timely (c) timer (d) times
(a) on (b) at (c) in (d) as

Spelling

Paragraph 1

its two-year pandemic orlescu
the opening will be ityghlt controlled
atilIiynl, only package tour groups will be allowed
quaantienr for three days
Its self-imposed iooastiln
its vetylaeril low number

Paragraph 2

Japan's change of ntasce
the number of unonibd tourists
mpultem to just 250,000
ieezlirtav the local economy
loosening of its entry nstriitrecso
its list of global travel dieoittssann

Put the text back together

(...) to allow tourists from 98 countries from June the 10th. However, the opening will be tightly
(...) controlled. Initially, only package tour groups will be allowed in. A daily cap of 20,000 arrivals has been set. Authorities will monitor
(...) days. Japan saw a record 32 million foreign visitors in 2019. It was on track to achieve its goal
(...) of 40 million in 2020. However, Covid caused the number of inbound tourists to plummet to just 250,000 in 2021. The president
(...) travel to Japan. Some may have to undergo an additional test and quarantine
(...) timely. Last week, the World Economic Forum ranked Japan highest on its list of global travel destinations.
(...) for three days. Japan has among the strictest border controls of any country. Its self-
(...) pace as in other G7 countries to revitalize the local economy." Japan's loosening of its entry restrictions is
(...) of the Japanese airline ANA said: "I hope the border controls are loosened at the same
( 1 ) Japan will reopen to overseas tourists and end its two-year pandemic closure. The government has decided
(...) imposed isolation has played a part in its relatively low number of coronavirus cases.
(...) their movements to track any spread of Covid-19. All visitors have to test negative for Covid before they
(...) heavily over the past two years. The number of overseas visitors has fallen by over 99 per cent since pre-pandemic
(...) Japan's change of stance is welcome news for its tourism industry, which has suffered

Put the words in the right order

allow government decided tourists . to The has
has cap set . arrivals of 20,000 A been
have for to Covid . All visitors negative test
border any Among strictest of country . controls the
low its part a number . Played in relatively
is Japan's news . of welcome change stance
visitors has fallen . of number The overseas
on was its to track goal . It achieve
I hope the controls loosened . are border
restrictions is of its entry timely . loosening Japan's

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Japan will reopen to overseas tourists and end its two-year pandemic closure / enclosure. The government has decided to allow tourists from 98 countries from June the 10th. However, the opener / opening will be tightly controlled. Initially, only packaging / package tour groups will be allowed in. A daily cap / hat of 20,000 arrivals has been let / set. Authorities will monitor their movements to track any spread / spared of Covid-19. All visitors have to test negative for Covid before they travel to Japan. Some may have to undergo / overdo an additional test and quarantine for three days. Japan has among the strictest / strictly border controls of any country. Its self-imposed isolation / resolution has played a part in its relatively / relative low number of coronavirus cases.

Japan's change of stage / stance is welcome news for its tourism industry, which has suffered heavy / heavily over the past two years. The number of overseas visitors has felled / fallen by over 99 per cent since pre-pandemic days. Japan saw a record 32 million foreign visitors in 2019. It was on trick / track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2020. However, Covid caused the number of outbound / inbound tourists to plummet / plumbing to just 250,000 in 2021. The president of the Japanese airline ANA said: "I hope the border controls are lost / loosened at the same pace as in other G7 countries to revitalize the locals / local economy." Japan's loosening of its entry restrictions is timely / timed. Last week, the World Economic Forum ranked Japan highest on its list of global travel destination / destinations.

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

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

J_p_n w_ll r__p_n t_ _v_rs__s t__r_sts _nd _nd _ts tw_-y__r p_nd_m_c cl_s_r_. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt h_s d_c_d_d t_ _ll_w t__r_sts fr_m 98 c__ntr__s fr_m J_n_ th_ 10th. H_w_v_r, th_ _p_n_ng w_ll b_ t_ghtly c_ntr_ll_d. _n_t__lly, _nly p_ck_g_ t__r gr__ps w_ll b_ _ll_w_d _n. _ d__ly c_p _f 20,000 _rr_v_ls h_s b__n s_t. __th_r_t__s w_ll m_n_t_r th__r m_v_m_nts t_ tr_ck _ny spr__d _f C_v_d-19. _ll v_s_t_rs h_v_ t_ t_st n_g_t_v_ f_r C_v_d b_f_r_ th_y tr_v_l t_ J_p_n. S_m_ m_y h_v_ t_ _nd_rg_ _n _dd_t__n_l t_st _nd q__r_nt_n_ f_r thr__ d_ys. J_p_n h_s _m_ng th_ str_ct_st b_rd_r c_ntr_ls _f _ny c__ntry. _ts s_lf-_mp_s_d _s_l_t__n h_s pl_y_d _ p_rt _n _ts r_l_t_v_ly l_w n_mb_r _f c_r_n_v_r_s c_s_s.

J_p_n's ch_ng_ _f st_nc_ _s w_lc_m_ n_ws f_r _ts t__r_sm _nd_stry, wh_ch h_s s_ff_r_d h__v_ly _v_r th_ p_st tw_ y__rs. Th_ n_mb_r _f _v_rs__s v_s_t_rs h_s f_ll_n by _v_r 99 p_r c_nt s_nc_ pr_-p_nd_m_c d_ys. J_p_n s_w _ r_c_rd 32 m_ll__n f_r__gn v_s_t_rs _n 2019. _t w_s _n tr_ck t_ _ch__v_ _ts g__l _f 40 m_ll__n _n 2020. H_w_v_r, C_v_d c__s_d th_ n_mb_r _f _nb__nd t__r_sts t_ pl_mm_t t_ j_st 250,000 _n 2021. Th_ pr_s_d_nt _f th_ J_p_n_s_ __rl_n_ _N_ s__d: "_ h_p_ th_ b_rd_r c_ntr_ls _r_ l__s_n_d _t th_ s_m_ p_c_ _s _n _th_r G7 c__ntr__s t_ r_v_t_l_z_ th_ l_c_l _c_n_my." J_p_n's l__s_n_ng _f _ts _ntry r_str_ct__ns _s t_m_ly. L_st w__k, th_ W_rld _c_n_m_c F_r_m r_nk_d J_p_n h_gh_st _n _ts l_st _f gl_b_l tr_v_l d_st_n_t__ns.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

japan will reopen to overseas tourists and end its twoyear pandemic closure the government has decided to allow tourists from 98 countries from june the 10th however the opening will be tightly controlled initially only package tour groups will be allowed in a daily cap of 20000 arrivals has been set authorities will monitor their movements to track any spread of covid19 all visitors have to test negative for covid before they travel to japan some may have to undergo an additional test and quarantine for three days japan has among the strictest border controls of any country its selfimposed isolation has played a part in its relatively low number of coronavirus cases

japans change of stance is welcome news for its tourism industry which has suffered heavily over the past two years the number of overseas visitors has fallen by over 99 per cent since prepandemic days japan saw a record 32 million foreign visitors in 2019 it was on track to achieve its goal of 40 million in 2020 however covid caused the number of inbound tourists to plummet to just 250000 in 2021 the president of the japanese airline ana said i hope the border controls are loosened at the same pace as in other g7 countries to revitalize the local economy japans loosening of its entry restrictions is timely last week the world economic forum ranked japan highest on its list of global travel destinations

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Japanwillreopentooverseastouristsandenditstwo-yearpandemicclo
sure.Thegovernmenthasdecidedtoallowtouristsfrom98countriesfro
mJunethe10th.However,theopeningwillbetightlycontrolled.Initially,
onlypackagetourgroupswillbeallowedin.Adailycapof20,000arrivalsh
asbeenset.Authoritieswillmonitortheirmovementstotrackanyspread
ofCovid-19.AllvisitorshavetotestnegativeforCovidbeforetheytravelt
oJapan.Somemayhavetoundergoanadditionaltestandquarantinefor
threedays.Japanhasamongthestrictestbordercontrolsofanycountry.
Itsself-imposedisolationhasplayedapartinitsrelativelylownumbero
fcoronaviruscases.Japan'schangeofstanceiswelcomenewsforitstour
ismindustry,whichhassufferedheavilyoverthepasttwoyears.Thenu
mberofoverseasvisitorshasfallenbyover99percentsincepre-pande
micdays.Japansawarecord32millionforeignvisitorsin2019.Itwasont
racktoachieveitsgoalof40millionin2020.However,Covidcausedthen
umberofinboundtouriststoplummettojust250,000in2021.Thepresid
entoftheJapaneseairlineANAsaid:"Ihopethebordercontrolsareloose
nedatthesamepaceasinotherG7countriestorevitalizethelocalecono
my."Japan'slooseningofitsentryrestrictionsistimely.Lastweek,theW
orldEconomicForumrankedJapanhighestonitslistofglobaltraveldesti

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

My country should be the world's top tourist destination. 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. JAPAN: Make a poster about Japan. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. TOURISM: Write a magazine article about international tourism. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.
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 tourism. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how tourism can be more environmentally friendly. 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: Japan Tourism

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