Breaking News English Lesson: Police Officers

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Footballer unhurt after gunfight during mugging (6th June, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Police Officers - Level 6

A Premier League footballer has had a lucky escape thanks to the heroic efforts of an off-duty police officer in Brazil. Brazilian fullback Emerson Royal, 23, was on holiday in the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo. He was outside a nightclub taking photos with the police officer. He was suddenly accosted by the thief, who was armed with a handgun. The would-be assailant demanded Mr Royal's watch and other belongings. Fortunately for Royal, the police officer sprang into action and chased the thief down the street. The two became involved in a 29-shot gunfight. The footballer escaped unharmed, but was shaken by the attempted robbery. The police officer was shot in the back, but is now recovering in hospital.

Mr Royal, a defender for the London club Tottenham Hotspur, said he would be eternally grateful for the officer's heroics. He wrote: "God sends angels to Earth. This is confirmed every day in my life. This human being…risked his own life to save mine." Royal's father described the event as a "horror scene". He said he would not wish such a thing on anyone. He added: "I don't remember well. It all happened in a flash and the adrenaline was running." High profile footballers have become a target for criminals in recent years. The website "Insider" reported there have been more than 20 assaults on and robberies of soccer stars and their families across Europe's top leagues since 2019.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Police Officers - Level 4 or Police Officers - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61685720
https://www.marca.com/en/football/tottenham/2022/06/03/629a4d5de2704e1f058b45c7.html
https://www.insider.com/elite-soccer-stars-robbed-burgled-alarming-rate-experts-fear-deaths-2021-12

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. POLICE OFFICERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about police officers. 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?
Premier League / lucky / escape / off-duty / nightclub / thief / belongings / footballer /
London / grateful / Earth / risk / horror scene / adrenaline / high profile / robberies
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SECURITY: Students A strongly believe famous people should be given security; Students B strongly believe this isn't necessary. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. DANGEROUS JOBS: How dangerous are these jobs? What are the dangers? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How Dangerous?	What the Dangers Are?
Police officer
Fire fighter
Soldier
Miner
Construction worker
Gas engineer

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

Mugging
Shoplifting
Pickpocketing
Trespassing
Petty theft
Vandalism
Speeding
Disorderly conduct

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	escape	a.	Get away from a dangerous situation.
2.	heroic	b.	A person's movable possessions.
3.	accosted	c.	Having the characteristics of being very brave.
4.	would-be	d.	A person who physically attacks another.
5.	assailant	e.	Approached and addressed someone boldly or aggressively.
6.	belongings	f.	Desiring or aspiring to be a specified type of person.
7.	shaken	g.	Shocked by an unpleasant experience.

Paragraph 2

8.	eternally	h.	Attracting much attention or publicity.
9.	confirmed	i.	A hormone that increases rates of blood circulation, breathing and metabolism.
10.	in a flash	j.	In a way that continues or lasts forever.
11.	adrenaline	k.	Make a physical attack on.
12.	high-profile	l.	Established the truth or correctness of something previously believed or suspected to be the case.
13.	assault	m.	The action of stealing things from a person, home or other building.
14.	robbery	n.	Very, very quickly; all of a sudden.

Before reading / listening

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

An off-duty police officer protected a footballer from a man with a gun. T / F
The police officer helped the footballer inside his home in Brazil. T / F
The police officer and thief had a 29-shot gunfight. T / F
The police officer escaped unharmed. T / F
The footballer described the police officer as being an angel. T / F
The footballer's father said he clearly remembers the whole attack. T / F
The father said everything happened so slowly. T / F
Around 20 top-league footballers are attacked every year. T / F

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

off-duty
accosted
assailant
thief
recovering
eternally
risked
in a flash
target
assaults

endangered
attacker
forever
confronted
fair game
very quickly
recuperating
attacks
not working
robber

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

had a lucky
thanks to the heroic efforts
He was suddenly accosted
The would-
the police officer sprang
he would be eternally
risked his own life
It all happened
the adrenaline
Europe's top

to save mine
be assailant
leagues
into action
by the thief
in a flash
of an off-duty police officer
was running
grateful
escape

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

accosted
belongings
lucky
involved
assailant
shaken
duty
sprang

A Premier League footballer has had a (1) _____________________ escape thanks to the heroic efforts of an off- (2) _____________________ police officer in Brazil. Brazilian fullback Emerson Royal, 23, was on holiday in the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo. He was outside a nightclub taking photos with the police officer. He was suddenly (3) _____________________ by the thief, who was armed with a handgun. The would-be (4) _____________________ demanded Mr Royal's watch and other (5) _____________________. Fortunately for Royal, the police officer (6) _____________________ into action and chased the thief down the street. The two became (7) _____________________ in a 29-shot gunfight. The footballer escaped unharmed, but was (8) _____________________ by the attempted robbery. The police officer was shot in the back, but is now recovering in hospital.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

confirmed
horror
assaults
risked
adrenaline
eternally
flash
target

Mr Royal, a defender for the London club Tottenham Hotspur, said he would be (9) _____________________ grateful for the officer's heroics. He wrote: "God sends angels to Earth. This is (10) _____________________ every day in my life. This human being... (11) _____________________ his own life to save mine." Royal's father described the event as a "(12) _____________________ scene". He said he would not wish such a thing on anyone. He added: "I don't remember well. It all happened in a (13) _____________________ and the (14) _____________________ was running." High profile footballers have become a (15) _____________________ for criminals in recent years. The website "Insider" reported there have been more than 20 (16) _____________________ on and robberies of soccer stars and their families across Europe's top leagues since 2019.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) A Premier League footballer has had a lucky escape thanks to ______
     a. the heroic effects
     b. the heroic affects
     c. the heroic efforts
     d. the heroic affronts
2) He was outside a nightclub taking photos with the police officer. He ______
     a. was suddenly a cost it
     b. was suddenly accustomed
     c. was suddenly accosted
     d. was suddenly accost it
3) The would-be assailant demanded Mr Royal's watch ______
     a. and other belongings
     b. and other belonging
     c. and other belong sings
     d. and other be longings
4) The footballer escaped unharmed, but was shaken by ______
     a. the attempted robber Brie
     b. the attempted rob berry
     c. the attempted robberies
     d. the attempted robbery
5) The police officer was shot in the back, but is now ______
     a. recovering in hospital
     b. recovering on hospital
     c. recovering an hospital
     d. recover ring in hospital

6) he would be eternally grateful for ______
     a. the officer's hear rocks
     b. the officer's here rolls
     c. the officer's hero ricks
     d. the officer's heroics
7) This human being...risked his own life ______
     a. to save nine
     b. to save mine
     c. to save mind
     d. to save main
8) Royal's father described the event as ______
     a. a "horror seen"
     b. a "horror scream"
     c. a "horror scene"
     d. a "horror scenery"
9) I don't remember well. It all happened in a flash and ______ running
     a. the added reeling was
     b. the add drawling was
     c. the adrenaline was
     d. the add drain a line was
10) The website "Insider" reported there have been more ______
     a. than 20 assaults
     b. then 20 a sorts
     c. than 20 assault
     d. than 20 as sorts

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A Premier League footballer has had (1) ____________________ thanks to the heroic efforts of an (2) ____________________ officer in Brazil. Brazilian fullback Emerson Royal, 23, was on holiday in the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo. He was outside a nightclub taking photos with the police officer. He was (3) ____________________ the thief, who was armed with a handgun. The would-be assailant demanded Mr Royal's watch (4) ____________________. Fortunately for Royal, the police officer sprang into action and chased the thief down the street. The two (5) ____________________ a 29-shot gunfight. The footballer escaped unharmed, but was shaken by (6) ____________________. The police officer was shot in the back, but is now recovering in hospital.

Mr Royal, a defender for the London club Tottenham Hotspur, said he would (7) ____________________ for the officer's heroics. He wrote: "God sends angels to Earth. This is confirmed every day in my life. This human being... (8) ____________________ life to save mine." Royal's father described the event as a "horror scene". He said he would (9) ____________________ a thing on anyone. He added: "I don't remember well. It all happened in a flash and the (10) ____________________." High profile footballers have become a target for criminals in recent years. The website "Insider" reported there have been more than 20 (11) ____________________ robberies of soccer stars and their families across Europe's (12) ____________________ 2019.

Comprehension questions

What kind of escape does the article say the footballer had?
What kind of place was the footballer outside?
What did the attacker want besides the footballer's watch?
How many bullets were fired during a gunfight?
Where is the hero police officer now?
Where does the footballer play his football?
What did the footballer say the police officer risked?
What did the footballer's father say the scene was like?
What did the father say was running?
How many assaults have there been on soccer stars and their families?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of escape does the article say the footballer had?
a) a planned
b) a narrow escape
c) a huge escape
d) a lucky escape
2) What kind of place was the footballer outside?
a) a football stadium
b) a nightclub
c) a fast food restaurant
d) a police station
3) What did the attacker want besides the footballer's watch?
a) a gold necklace
b) his wallet
c) his Nike trainers
d) other belongings
4) How many bullets were fired during a gunfight?
a) 27
b) 29
c) 28
d) 26
5) Where is the hero police officer now?
a) at work
b) playing football
c) in a TV station
d) in hospital

6) Where does the footballer play his football?
a) Brazil
b) Manchester
c) London
d) Madrid
7) What did the footballer say the police officer risked?
a) his life
b) is job
c) his gun
d) his reputation
8) What did the footballer's father say the scene was like?
a) a crime scene
b) chaos
c) a horror scene
d) a movie scene
9) What did the father say was running?
a) footballers
b) adrenaline
c) the thief
d) the police officer
10) How many assaults have there been on soccer stars and their families?
a) more than 20
b) around 20
c) exactly 20
d) just fewer than 20

Role play

Role A – Mugging
You think mugging is the worst crime. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their crimes aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): shoplifting, pickpocketing or vandalism.

Role B – Shoplifting
You think shoplifting is the worst crime. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their crimes aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): mugging, pickpocketing or vandalism.

Role C – Pickpocketing
You think pickpocketing is the worst crime. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their crimes aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): shoplifting, mugging or vandalism.

Role D – Vandalism
You think vandalism is the worst crime. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their crimes aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): shoplifting, pickpocketing or mugging.

After reading / listening

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

'gun'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'fight'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

lucky

outside

other

action

29

back

grateful

day

horror

well

recent

across

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 - Police Officers

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 'footballer'?
What do you think of soccer?
What do you know about the Premier League?
How dangerous is your city at night?
What would you do if you were assaulted?
What do you think of the police?
What do you think of the police officer in this story?
Should the police officer get an award?
How can we stop muggings?

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 'police officer'?
What do you think about what you read?
Would you like to be a police officer?
What are the good and bad things about being a police officer?
Have you ever been eternally grateful to anyone?
What do you think people are taught during police training?
Why are soccer players becoming targets of criminals?
Should soccer players get more security?
What questions would you like to ask the footballer?

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)

A Premier League footballer has had a (1) ____ escape thanks to the (2) ____ efforts of an off-duty police officer in Brazil. Brazilian fullback Emerson Royal, 23, was on holiday in the Brazilian city (3) ____ Sao Paolo. He was outside a nightclub taking photos with the police officer. He was suddenly (4) ____ by the thief, who was armed with a handgun. The would-be assailant demanded Mr Royal's watch and other belongings. Fortunately for Royal, the police officer (5) ____ into action and chased the thief down the street. The two became involved in a 29-shot gunfight. The footballer escaped unharmed, but was (6) ____ by the attempted robbery. The police officer was shot in the back, but is now recovering in hospital.

Mr Royal, a (7) ____ for the London club Tottenham Hotspur, said he would be eternally grateful for the officer's heroics. He wrote: "God sends angels to Earth. This is (8) ____ every day in my life. This human being...risked his own life to save mine." Royal's father described the event as a "horror scene". He said he would not wish such a thing on anyone. He added: "I don't remember well. It all happened in a (9) ____ and the adrenaline was (10) ____." High profile footballers have become a target for criminals in recent years. The website "Insider" reported there have been more than 20 assaults (11) ____ and robberies of soccer stars and their families across Europe's (12) ____ leagues since 2019.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) lucks (b) luckily (c) lucked (d) lucky
(a) heroism (b) heroic (c) heroics (d) heroically
(a) at (b) of (c) on (d) by
(a) accused (b) acclaimed (c) accosted (d) accepted
(a) coiled (b) squashed (c) sprang (d) dragged
(a) shaken (b) alerted (c) thought (d) backed
(a) defence (b) defending (c) defender (d) deafened
(a) confirmed (b) apologised (c) swept (d) advised
(a) flesh (b) flash (c) fish (d) fishy
(a) jogging (b) catching (c) running (d) staging
(a) in (b) at (c) on (d) by
(a) summit (b) up (c) height (d) top

Spelling

Paragraph 1

thanks to the heroic frsefot
suddenly tecdocsa by the thief
The would-be stalsaain
became vdinvloe in a 29-shot gunfight
The footballer psacdee unharmed
shaken by the attempted erbbryo

Paragraph 2

he would be nyereltla grateful
the officer's ireshco
This is iofmdcren every day
the anndearlie was running
High orlfipe footballers
more than 20 tssslaau

Put the text back together

(...) belongings. Fortunately for Royal, the police officer sprang into action and chased the thief down the street. The two became
(...) Mr Royal, a defender for the London club Tottenham Hotspur, said he would be eternally
(...) duty police officer in Brazil. Brazilian fullback Emerson Royal, 23, was on holiday in the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo. He was outside a
(...) involved in a 29-shot gunfight. The footballer escaped unharmed, but was shaken
(...) his own life to save mine." Royal's father described the event as a "horror scene". He said he would not wish
(...) on and robberies of soccer stars and their families across Europe's top leagues since 2019.
(...) adrenaline was running." High profile footballers have become a target for criminals
(...) in recent years. The website "Insider" reported there have been more than 20 assaults
(...) by the attempted robbery. The police officer was shot in the back, but is now recovering in hospital.
( 1 ) A Premier League footballer has had a lucky escape thanks to the heroic efforts of an off-
(...) such a thing on anyone. He added: "I don't remember well. It all happened in a flash and the
(...) armed with a handgun. The would-be assailant demanded Mr Royal's watch and other
(...) grateful for the officer's heroics. He wrote: "God sends angels to Earth. This is confirmed every day in my life. This human being...risked
(...) nightclub taking photos with the police officer. He was suddenly accosted by the thief, who was

Put the words in the right order

escape . Premier footballer lucky a A League had
police heroic an efforts off-duty The officer . of
the sprang chased He and thief . into action
a involved two in became 29-shot The gunfight .
officer police back . was the in The shot
officer's grateful He'll eternally heroics . for be the
his risked save life own mine . He to
on such a He thing anyone . wouldn't wish
for footballers have a criminals target become High-profile .
soccer Robberies their of families . stars and

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A Premier League footballer has had a lucky / luckily escape thanks to the heroic / heroically efforts of an off-duty police officer in Brazil. Brazilian fullback Emerson Royal, 23, was on / in holiday in the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo. He was outside a nightclub taking photos with the police officer. He was suddenly accustomed / accosted by the thief, who was armed with a handgun. The would-be assailant / assault demanded Mr Royal's watch and other belongs / belongings. Fortunately for Royal, the police officer sprang into / onto action and chased the thief down the street. The two became involved in / on a 29-shot gunfight. The footballer escaped unharmed, but was shaken / shook by the attempted robbery. The police officer was shot in the back, but is now recovery / recovering in hospital.

Mr Royal, a defender for the London club Tottenham Hotspur, said he would be eternally / eternal grateful for the officer's heroics. He wrote: "God sends angels to / in Earth. This is confirmed every day in my life. This human being...risked his own life to save / safety mine." Royal's father described the event was / as a "horror scene". He said he would not wish thus / such a thing in / on anyone. He added: "I don't remember well. It all happened in a flash / flesh and the adrenaline was running." High profile footballers have become a target for criminals / criminal in recent years. The website "Insider" reported there have been more than 20 assaults in / on and robberies of soccer stars and their families across Europe's top leagues for / since 2019.

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)

_ Pr_m__r L__g__ f__tb_ll_r h_s h_d _ l_cky _sc_p_ th_nks t_ th_ h_r__c _ff_rts _f _n _ff-d_ty p_l_c_ _ff_c_r _n Br_z_l. Br_z_l__n f_llb_ck _m_rs_n R_y_l, 23, w_s _n h_l_d_y _n th_ Br_z_l__n c_ty _f S__ P__l_. H_ w_s __ts_d_ _ n_ghtcl_b t_k_ng ph_t_s w_th th_ p_l_c_ _ff_c_r. H_ w_s s_dd_nly _cc_st_d by th_ th__f, wh_ w_s _rm_d w_th _ h_ndg_n. Th_ w__ld-b_ _ss__l_nt d_m_nd_d Mr R_y_l's w_tch _nd _th_r b_l_ng_ngs. F_rt_n_t_ly f_r R_y_l, th_ p_l_c_ _ff_c_r spr_ng _nt_ _ct__n _nd ch_s_d th_ th__f d_wn th_ str__t. Th_ tw_ b_c_m_ _nv_lv_d _n _ 29-sh_t g_nf_ght. Th_ f__tb_ll_r _sc_p_d _nh_rm_d, b_t w_s sh_k_n by th_ _tt_mpt_d r_bb_ry. Th_ p_l_c_ _ff_c_r w_s sh_t _n th_ b_ck, b_t _s n_w r_c_v_r_ng _n h_sp_t_l.

Mr R_y_l, _ d_f_nd_r f_r th_ L_nd_n cl_b T_tt_nh_m H_tsp_r, s__d h_ w__ld b_ _t_rn_lly gr_t_f_l f_r th_ _ff_c_r's h_r__cs. H_ wr_t_: "G_d s_nds _ng_ls t_ __rth. Th_s _s c_nf_rm_d _v_ry d_y _n my l_f_. Th_s h_m_n b__ng...r_sk_d h_s _wn l_f_ t_ s_v_ m_n_." R_y_l's f_th_r d_scr_b_d th_ _v_nt _s _ "h_rr_r sc_n_". H_ s__d h_ w__ld n_t w_sh s_ch _ th_ng _n _ny_n_. H_ _dd_d: "_ d_n't r_m_mb_r w_ll. _t _ll h_pp_n_d _n _ fl_sh _nd th_ _dr_n_l_n_ w_s r_nn_ng." H_gh pr_f_l_ f__tb_ll_rs h_v_ b_c_m_ _ t_rg_t f_r cr_m_n_ls _n r_c_nt y__rs. Th_ w_bs_t_ "_ns_d_r" r_p_rt_d th_r_ h_v_ b__n m_r_ th_n 20 _ss__lts _n _nd r_bb_r__s _f s_cc_r st_rs _nd th__r f_m_l__s _cr_ss __r_p_'s t_p l__g__s s_nc_ 2019.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a premier league footballer has had a lucky escape thanks to the heroic efforts of an offduty police officer in brazil brazilian fullback emerson royal 23 was on holiday in the brazilian city of sao paolo he was outside a nightclub taking photos with the police officer he was suddenly accosted by the thief who was armed with a handgun the wouldbe assailant demanded mr royals watch and other belongings fortunately for royal the police officer sprang into action and chased the thief down the street the two became involved in a 29shot gunfight the footballer escaped unharmed but was shaken by the attempted robbery the police officer was shot in the back but is now recovering in hospital

mr royal a defender for the london club tottenham hotspur said he would be eternally grateful for the officers heroics he wrote god sends angels to earth this is confirmed every day in my life this human beingrisked his own life to save mine royals father described the event as a horror scene he said he would not wish such a thing on anyone he added i dont remember well it all happened in a flash and the adrenaline was running high profile footballers have become a target for criminals in recent years the website insider reported there have been more than 20 assaults on and robberies of soccer stars and their families across europes top leagues since 2019

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

APremierLeaguefootballerhashadaluckyescapethankstotheheroicef
fortsofanoff-dutypoliceofficerinBrazil.BrazilianfullbackEmersonRoy
al,23,wasonholidayintheBraziliancityofSaoPaolo.Hewasoutsideanig
htclubtakingphotoswiththepoliceofficer.Hewassuddenlyaccostedby
thethief,whowasarmedwithahandgun.Thewould-beassailantdema
ndedMrRoyal'swatchandotherbelongings.FortunatelyforRoyal,thep
oliceofficersprangintoactionandchasedthethiefdownthestreet.Thet
wobecameinvolvedina29-shotgunfight.Thefootballerescapedunhar
med,butwasshakenbytheattemptedrobbery.Thepoliceofficerwassh
otintheback,butisnowrecoveringinhospital.MrRoyal,adefenderforth
eLondonclubTottenhamHotspur,saidhewouldbeeternallygratefulfor
theofficer'sheroics.Hewrote:"GodsendsangelstoEarth.Thisisconfirm
edeverydayinmylife.Thishumanbeing...riskedhisownlifetosavemine
."Royal'sfatherdescribedtheeventasa"horrorscene".Hesaidhewould
notwishsuchathingonanyone.Headded:"Idon'trememberwell.Itallh
appenedinaflashandtheadrenalinewasrunning."Highprofilefootballe
rshavebecomeatargetforcriminalsinrecentyears.Thewebsite"Inside
r"reportedtherehavebeenmorethan20assaultsonandrobberiesofsoc
cerstarsandtheirfamiliesacrossEurope'stopleaguessince2019.

Free writing

Write about angel police officer for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Police officers are among the biggest heroes in the world today. 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. POLICE OFFICERS: Make a poster about police officers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. SECURITY: Write a magazine article about providing sports stars with security. 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 police officers. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on police officers. 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: Police Officers

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