Breaking News English Lesson: Neckties

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Ditch neckties to save energy, says Spain's PM (1st August, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Neckties - Level 6

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged his fellow citizens to ditch their neckties to help save energy and the planet. Mr Sanchez made his plea at a press conference on Friday. He addressed journalists tieless, and called on Spanish people to follow his lead amid the country's months-long heatwave. He stated: "I would like you to see that I am not wearing a tie. I have asked all ministers and public decision-makers to do likewise. That means we can all save energy." He added: "I would also like to ask the private sector that…they should not wear a tie either because, in that way, we will all be contributing to the energy savings that are so necessary for our country."

Mr Sanchez said Spain would soon adopt "urgent" energy-saving measures to tackle the climate crisis, and to reduce its reliance on Russian gas. Many other European countries are doing what they can to be less dependent on Russia for fuel in the wake of the Ukraine War. It is as yet unclear what actions Mr Sanchez will take to save energy. His government has already set restrictions on the use of air conditioners and heating appliances in the workplace. The recent heatwaves and rising energy prices have taken their toll on Spain. More than 500 people have passed away in the past two weeks because of the heat. Spain has also introduced a relief package of $9.2 billion to help people pay energy bills.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Neckties - Level 4 or Neckties - Level 5

Sources

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/07/29/tieless-pedro-sanchez-asks-spaniards-to-ditch-the-tie-to-save-energy
https://www.dw.com/en/spain-pm-sanchez-calls-on-office-workers-to-ditch-ties-to-save-on-energy/a-62654234
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/spanish-pm-calls-on-workers-to-stop-wearing-ties/ar-AA106y16

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. NECKTIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about neckties. 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?
fellow citizens / neckties / energy / the planet / heatwave / ministers / private sector /
urgent / climate crisis / gas / Ukraine War / air conditioners / energy prices / relief
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NEEDLESS: Students A strongly believe we don't need neckties; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ENERGY SAVING: How can we save energy with these things? Will you do this? Why / Why not? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How?	Do You Do This	Why (Not)?
Neckties
Computers
Water
Cars
Food
Clothes

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. PLANET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "planet". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CLOTHING: Rank these with your partner. Put the things we don't need to wear at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Neckties
Jewellery
Watches
Suit jackets
Perfume
Socks
Underwear
Cosmetics

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	urged	a.	Surrounded by; in the middle of.
2.	fellow	b.	Helping to cause or bring about.
3.	plea	c.	Really tried to get someone to do something.
4.	amid	d.	A request made in an urgent and emotional manner.
5.	likewise	e.	Sharing qualities or characteristics with other people.
6.	private sector	f.	In the same way.
7.	contributing	g.	The businesses in a country that are not under direct state control.

Paragraph 2

8.	tackle	h.	Dependence on or trust in someone or something.
9.	reliance	i.	Following someone or something, especially as a consequence.
10.	in the wake of	j.	The adverse effect of something.
11.	restriction	k.	Make big efforts to deal with a problem or difficult task.
12.	appliance	l.	A set of measures deigned to help people who are in difficult times.
13.	toll	m.	A device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task.
14.	relief package	n.	A limiting condition or measure, especially a legal one.

Before reading / listening

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

Spain's leader only asked fellows to not wear ties. T / F
Spain's leader wore a tie to a press conference about not wearing ties. T / F
Spain's leader wants public and private sector workers to ditch ties. T / F
Spain's leader ordered everyone to contribute to saving energy. T / F
Spain introduced urgent energy-saving measures last week. T / F
Many European companies are ditching Russian gas. T / F
Spain has introduced measures so people use air conditioners less. T / F
Spain has a $9.2 million to help people with power bills. T / F

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

urged
ditch
amid
likewise
contributing
adopt
dependent
restrictions
passed away
relief

in the middle of
died
playing a part in
reliant
abandon
limitations
aid
encouraged
approve
similarly

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

Pedro Sanchez has urged his fellow
press
called on Spanish people to follow
the private
we will all be contributing
soon adopt "urgent" energy-
reduce its reliance
in the wake
set restrictions on the use
rising energy prices have taken

his lead
of the Ukraine War
citizens
saving measures
of air conditioners
sector
conference
their toll
to the energy savings
on Russian gas

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

ministers
save
sector
fellow
amid
necessary
likewise
plea

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged his (1) _____________________ citizens to ditch their neckties to help (2) _____________________ energy and the planet. Mr Sanchez made his (3) _____________________ at a press conference on Friday. He addressed journalists tieless, and called on Spanish people to follow his lead (4) _____________________ the country's months-long heatwave. He stated: "I would like you to see that I am not wearing a tie. I have asked all (5) _____________________ and public decision-makers to do (6) _____________________. That means we can all save energy." He added: "I would also like to ask the private (7) _____________________ that...they should not wear a tie either because, in that way, we will all be contributing to the energy savings that are so (8) _____________________ for our country."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

wake
less
package
urgent
appliances
reliance
toll
yet

Mr Sanchez said Spain would soon adopt "(9) _____________________ " energy-saving measures to tackle the climate crisis, and to reduce its (10) _____________________ on Russian gas. Many other European countries are doing what they can to be (11) _____________________ dependent on Russia for fuel in the (12) _____________________ of the Ukraine War. It is as (13) _____________________ unclear what actions Mr Sanchez will take to save energy. His government has already set restrictions on the use of air conditioners and heating (14) _____________________ in the workplace. The recent heatwaves and rising energy prices have taken their (15) _____________________ on Spain. More than 500 people have passed away in the past two weeks because of the heat. Spain has also introduced a relief (16) _____________________ of $9.2 billion to help people pay energy bills.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) save energy and the planet. Mr Sanchez made his ______ press conference
     a. please at a
     b. plea yacht a
     c. plea at a
     d. pleat at a
2) He addressed journalists tieless, and called on Spanish people to ______
     a. follow his lead
     b. follow his load
     c. follow his reed
     d. follow his leader
3) I have asked all ministers and public decision-makers ______
     a. to do like woods
     b. to do like wires
     c. to do like wish
     d. to do likewise
4) That means we can all save energy." He added: "I would also like to ask ______
     a. the private sequent
     b. the private sequester
     c. the private sector
     d. the private section
5) we will all be contributing to the energy savings that ______
     a. are so necessary
     b. are sew necessary
     c. are sow necessary
     d. are sown necessary

6) Spain would soon adopt "urgent" energy-saving measures to _____ crisis
     a. tackle the climate
     b. tackles the climate
     c. tickle the climate
     d. tack all the climate
7) be less dependent on Russia for fuel in the ______ Ukraine War
     a. woke of the
     b. wake of the
     c. week of the
     d. ache of the
8) His government has already set restrictions on the use of air conditioners ______
     a. and heat in appliances
    b. and heating appliances
     c. and heat in appliances
     d. and heat thing appliances
9) The recent heatwaves and rising energy prices have taken their ______
     a. till on Spain
     b. tell on Spain
     c. toil on Spain
     d. toll on Spain
10) Spain has also introduced a relief ______ billion
     a. baggage of $9.2
     b. package of $9.2
     c. picket of $9.2
     d. packed of $9.2

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has (1) ____________________ citizens to ditch their neckties to help save energy and the planet. Mr Sanchez (2) ____________________ at a press conference on Friday. He addressed journalists tieless, and called on Spanish people to (3) ____________________ amid the country's months-long heatwave. He stated: "I would like you to see that I am not wearing a tie. I have asked all ministers and (4) ____________________ to do likewise. That means we can all save energy." He added: "I would also like to ask the (5) ____________________...they should not wear a tie either because, in that way, we will all be contributing to the energy savings that (6) ____________________ for our country."

Mr Sanchez said Spain would (7) ____________________ energy-saving measures to tackle the climate crisis, and to (8) ____________________ on Russian gas. Many other European countries are doing what they can to be less dependent on Russia for fuel in (9) ____________________ the Ukraine War. It is as yet unclear what actions Mr Sanchez will take to save energy. His government has already (10) ____________________ the use of air conditioners and heating appliances in the workplace. The recent heatwaves and rising energy prices have taken (11) ____________________ Spain. More than 500 people have passed away in the past two weeks because of the heat. Spain has also introduced (12) ____________________ of $9.2 billion to help people pay energy bills.

Comprehension questions

What might ditching neckties save besides energy?
Where did Spain's leader address journalists?
How long has Spain's heatwave been?
Who has Spain's leader asked not to wear a tie besides decision-makers?
What will everyone be doing by not wearing a tie?
What might energy-saving measures help to tackle?
What do European countries want to rely less on?
What has Spain set restrictions on using besides air conditioners?
What is the current death toll in Spain from heat waves?
How much is the relief package to help with people's energy bills?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What might ditching neckties save besides energy?
a) money
b) the planet
c) Spain
d) electricity companies
2) Where did Spain's leader address journalists?
a) in a city hall
b) in parliament
c) online
d) at a press conference
3) How long has Spain's heatwave been?
a) months
b) weeks
c) a month
d) a week
4) Who has Spain's leader asked not to wear a tie besides decision-makers?
a) rock stars
b) children
c) ministers
d) footballers
5) What will everyone be doing by not wearing a tie?
a) being scruffy
b) contributing to energy savings
c) chilling
d) helping to make society informal

6) What might energy-saving measures help to tackle?
a) the climate crisis
b) nuclear fusion
c) low profits
d) crime
7) What do European countries want to rely less on?
a) coal
b) each other
c) Russian gas
d) electricity
8) What has Spain set restrictions on using besides air conditioners?
a) heating appliances
b) cars
c) subway systems
d) microwave ovens
9) What is the current death toll in Spain from heat waves?
a) 500
b) 600
c) 700
d) 800

10) How much is the relief package to help with people's energy bills?
a) $92 billion
b) $2.9 billion
c) $29 billion
d) $9.2 billion

Role play

Role A – Neckties
You think neckties are the things we really don't need to wear. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are more important. Also, tell the others which is the most important of these (and why): socks, underwear or cosmetics.

Role B – Socks
You think socks are the things we really don't need to wear. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are more important. Also, tell the others which is the most important of these (and why): neckties, underwear or cosmetics.

Role C – Underwear
You think underwear are the things we really don't need to wear. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are more important. Also, tell the others which is the most important of these (and why): socks, neckties or cosmetics.

Role D – Cosmetics
You think cosmetics are the things we really don't need to wear. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are more important. Also, tell the others which is the most important of these (and why): socks, underwear or neckties.

After reading / listening

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

'necktie'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'energy'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

urged

plea

follow

likewise

private

all

urgent

reliance

fuel

set

toll

relief

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 - Neckties

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 'necktie'?
What do you think of neckties?
Should people be wearing neckties in the 21st century?
How will not wearing a tie save energy?
Has the recent hot weather affected you?
Should all workers wear shorts and T-shirts in hot weather?
What do you do to stay cool on hot weather?
What do you do to save energy?
What advice do you have for Spain's leader?

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 'energy'?
What do you think about what you read?
What useful purpose do neckties serve?
Does a necktie really make people hotter?
How worried are you about the climate crisis?
What can we use instead of air conditioners?
How can you reduce your energy bills?
How much higher will energy and food prices go?
What questions would you like to ask Spain's leader?

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)

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has (1) ____ his fellow citizens to ditch their neckties to help save energy and the planet. Mr Sanchez made his (2) ____ at a press conference on Friday. He addressed journalists tieless, and called on Spanish people to follow his lead (3) ____ the country's months-long heatwave. He stated: "I would like you to see that I am not wearing a tie. I have asked all ministers and public decision-makers to do (4) ____. That means we can all save energy." He added: "I would also like to ask the private sector that...they should not wear a tie either because, in that (5) ____, we will all be contributing to the energy savings that are (6) ____ necessary for our country."

Mr Sanchez said Spain would soon (7) ____ "urgent" energy-saving measures to tackle the climate crisis, and to reduce its reliance (8) ____ Russian gas. Many other European countries are doing what they can to be less dependent on Russia for fuel in the (9) ____ of the Ukraine War. It is as yet unclear what actions Mr Sanchez will take to save energy. His government has already (10) ____ restrictions on the use of air conditioners and heating appliances in the workplace. The recent heatwaves and rising energy prices have taken their (11) ____ on Spain. More than 500 people have passed away in the past two weeks because of the heat. Spain has also introduced a relief package (12) ____ $9.2 billion to help people pay energy bills.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) erred (b) raged (c) purged (d) urged
(a) pry (b) please (c) ply (d) plea
(a) amok (b) amid (c) among (d) amass
(a) likely (b) likelihood (c) likewise (d) likes
(a) certain (b) means (c) way (d) movement
(a) so (b) few (c) much (d) total
(a) adept (b) adopt (c) adapt (d) atop
(a) on (b) to (c) of (d) at
(a) doze (b) wake (c) sleep (d) dream
(a) let (b) bet (c) set (d) wet
(a) atoll (b) toil (c) toll (d) till
(a) by (b) on (c) at (d) of

Spelling

Paragraph 1

urged his fellow itenicsz
made his pela at a press conference
He edddsaser journalists tieless
daim the country's months-long heatwave
all mrsinties and public decision-makers
the private ocrtes

Paragraph 2

adopt "urgent" energy-saving eamsruse
reduce its clirenea on Russian gas
be less petddeenn on Russia
His government has already set rtinsesciotr
heating psaenlapci
introduced a efreli package of $9.2 billion

Put the text back together

(...) Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged his fellow citizens to ditch their neckties to help save
(...) to save energy. His government has already set restrictions on the use of air conditioners and heating
(...) contributing to the energy savings that are so necessary for our country."
(...) dependent on Russia for fuel in the wake of the Ukraine War. It is as yet unclear what actions Mr Sanchez will take
(...) on Spain. More than 500 people have passed away in the past two weeks because of the
(...) heat. Spain has also introduced a relief package of $9.2 billion to help people pay energy bills.
(...) likewise. That means we can all save energy." He added: "I would also like to ask the private
(...) heatwave. He stated: "I would like you to see that I am not wearing a tie. I have asked all ministers and public decision-makers to do
(...) journalists tieless, and called on Spanish people to follow his lead amid the country's months-long
(...) energy and the planet. Mr Sanchez made his plea at a press conference on Friday. He addressed
(...) appliances in the workplace. The recent heatwaves and rising energy prices have taken their toll
(...) Mr Sanchez said Spain would soon adopt "urgent" energy-saving measures to tackle the climate
(...) crisis, and to reduce its reliance on Russian gas. Many other European countries are doing what they can to be less
(...) sector that...they should not wear a tie either because, in that way, we will all be

Put the words in the right order

fellow neckties . to his ditch Urged their citizens
amid heatwave . Follow months-long the his lead country's
on to lead . Called his follow Spanish people
like the sector . ask I'd also to private
necessary our country . that for so are Savings
gas . It will reduce Russian reliance on its
what unclear actions . It is yet as
on restrictions Set air use conditioners the of
have More people than away . passed 500
help of package to people . relief A $9.2 billion

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has purged / urged his fellow citizens to ditch their neckties to help save / sieve energy and the planet. Mr Sanchez made his please / plea at a press conference on Friday. He addressed journalists tieless, and called on Spanish people to follow his lead amid / mid the country's months-long heatwave. He stated: "I would like you to see that / what I am not wearing a tie. I have asked all ministers and public decision-makers to do likewise / likely. That means we can all save energy." He added: "I would also like to ask the privates / private sector that...they should not wear a tie neither / either because, in that way, we will all be contribution / contributing to the energy savings that are so necessary / necessitates for our country."

Mr Sanchez said Spain would soon adopt "urgent" / "urgently" energy-saving measures to tackle the climate crisis, and to reduce its rely / reliance on Russian gas. Many other European countries are done / doing what they can to be less dependent on Russia for fuel in the awake / wake of the Ukraine War. It is as / was yet unclear what actions Mr Sanchez will take to save energy. His government has already set / let restrictions on the use of air conditioners and heating applicants / appliances in the workplace. The recent heatwaves and rising energy prices have taken their atoll / toll on Spain. More than 500 people have passed / past away in the past two weeks because of the heat. Spain has also introduced a relief / relieve package of $9.2 billion to help people pay energy bills.

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)

Sp__n's Pr_m_ M_n_st_r P_dr_ S_nch_z h_s _rg_d h_s f_ll_w c_t_z_ns t_ d_tch th__r n_ckt__s t_ h_lp s_v_ _n_rgy _nd th_ pl_n_t. Mr S_nch_z m_d_ h_s pl__ _t _ pr_ss c_nf_r_nc_ _n Fr_d_y. H_ _ddr_ss_d j__rn_l_sts t__l_ss, _nd c_ll_d _n Sp_n_sh p__pl_ t_ f_ll_w h_s l__d _m_d th_ c__ntry's m_nths-l_ng h__tw_v_. H_ st_t_d: "_ w__ld l_k_ y__ t_ s__ th_t _ _m n_t w__r_ng _ t__. _ h_v_ _sk_d _ll m_n_st_rs _nd p_bl_c d_c_s__n-m_k_rs t_ d_ l_k_w_s_. Th_t m__ns w_ c_n _ll s_v_ _n_rgy." H_ _dd_d: "_ w__ld _ls_ l_k_ t_ _sk th_ pr_v_t_ s_ct_r th_t...th_y sh__ld n_t w__r _ t__ __th_r b_c__s_, _n th_t w_y, w_ w_ll _ll b_ c_ntr_b_t_ng t_ th_ _n_rgy s_v_ngs th_t _r_ s_ n_c_ss_ry f_r __r c__ntry."

Mr S_nch_z s__d Sp__n w__ld s__n _d_pt "_rg_nt" _n_rgy-s_v_ng m__s_r_s t_ t_ckl_ th_ cl_m_t_ cr_s_s, _nd t_ r_d_c_ _ts r_l__nc_ _n R_ss__n g_s. M_ny _th_r __r_p__n c__ntr__s _r_ d__ng wh_t th_y c_n t_ b_ l_ss d_p_nd_nt _n R_ss__ f_r f__l _n th_ w_k_ _f th_ _kr__n_ W_r. _t _s _s y_t _ncl__r wh_t _ct__ns Mr S_nch_z w_ll t_k_ t_ s_v_ _n_rgy. H_s g_v_rnm_nt h_s _lr__dy s_t r_str_ct__ns _n th_ _s_ _f __r c_nd_t__n_rs _nd h__t_ng _ppl__nc_s _n th_ w_rkpl_c_. Th_ r_c_nt h__tw_v_s _nd r_s_ng _n_rgy pr_c_s h_v_ t_k_n th__r t_ll _n Sp__n. M_r_ th_n 500 p__pl_ h_v_ p_ss_d _w_y _n th_ p_st tw_ w__ks b_c__s_ _f th_ h__t. Sp__n h_s _ls_ _ntr_d_c_d _ r_l__f p_ck_g_ _f $9.2 b_ll__n t_ h_lp p__pl_ p_y _n_rgy b_lls.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

spains prime minister pedro sanchez has urged his fellow citizens to ditch their neckties to help save energy and the planet mr sanchez made his plea at a press conference on friday he addressed journalists tieless and called on spanish people to follow his lead amid the countrys monthslong heatwave he stated i would like you to see that i am not wearing a tie i have asked all ministers and public decisionmakers to do likewise that means we can all save energy he added i would also like to ask the private sector thatthey should not wear a tie either because in that way we will all be contributing to the energy savings that are so necessary for our country

mr sanchez said spain would soon adopt urgent energysaving measures to tackle the climate crisis and to reduce its reliance on russian gas many other european countries are doing what they can to be less dependent on russia for fuel in the wake of the ukraine war it is as yet unclear what actions mr sanchez will take to save energy his government has already set restrictions on the use of air conditioners and heating appliances in the workplace the recent heatwaves and rising energy prices have taken their toll on spain more than 500 people have passed away in the past two weeks because of the heat spain has also introduced a relief package of 92 billion to help people pay energy bills

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Spain'sPrimeMinisterPedroSanchezhasurgedhisfellowcitizenstoditc
htheirnecktiestohelpsaveenergyandtheplanet.MrSanchezmadehisp
leaatapressconferenceonFriday.Headdressedjournaliststieless,and
calledonSpanishpeopletofollowhisleadamidthecountry'smonths-lon
gheatwave.Hestated:"IwouldlikeyoutoseethatIamnotwearingatie.I
haveaskedallministersandpublicdecision-makerstodolikewise.Th
atmeanswecanallsaveenergy."Headded:"Iwouldalsoliketoaskthepri
vatesectorthat...theyshouldnotwearatieeitherbecause,inthatway,w
ewillallbecontributingtotheenergysavingsthataresonecessaryforour
country."MrSanchezsaidSpainwouldsoonadopt"urgent"energy-sav
ingmeasurestotackletheclimatecrisis,andtoreduceitsrelianceonRus
siangas.ManyotherEuropeancountriesaredoingwhattheycantobeles
sdependentonRussiaforfuelinthewakeoftheUkraineWar.Itisasyetun
clearwhatactionsMrSanchezwilltaketosaveenergy.Hisgovernmenth
asalreadysetrestrictionsontheuseofairconditionersandheatingappli
ancesintheworkplace.Therecentheatwavesandrisingenergypricesh
avetakentheirtollonSpain.Morethan500peoplehavepassedawayinth
epasttwoweeksbecauseoftheheat.Spainhasalsointroducedareliefpa
ckageof$9.2billiontohelppeoplepayenergybills.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Neckties are no longer necessary in the 21st century. 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. NECKTIES: Make a poster about neckties. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. END NECKTIES: Write a magazine article about eliminating the need to wear neckties. 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 neckties. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on neckties. 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: Neckties

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