Breaking News English Lesson: Army Haircuts

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Japan relaxes haircut rules to attract army recruits (19th February 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Army Haircuts - Level 6

The "short back and sides" haircut is ubiquitous among soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women in armies, navies and air forces worldwide. The Japanese Defence Ministry has just announced it will relax rules for new recruits to have this crewcut style. This is in a bid to attract more young people to its ranks. Many companies in Japan are experiencing staff shortages; and the military is no exception. From April this year, new enlistees to Japan's Self Defence Forces (SDF) will be allowed to have longer hair. Men will be able to sport longer hair on top, while female personnel can have long hair, provided it does not interfere with the wearing of a helmet or does not fall below the shoulders.

According to the Kyodo news agency, recruitment experts met last month to discuss how troop numbers could be boosted. Japan's defence forces are up against an ever-dwindling number of young people to recruit from. In addition, they have to compete with businesses who are more aggressively trying to lure new employees. Japan's Defence Minister said: "As our nation faces a serious workforce shortage, we recognize competition with others, including the private sector, to secure talent has been intensifying." He added that the easing of haircut rules would "change or eliminate regulations that lack rationality". In a related move, the ministry is considering allowing people with tattoos to join the SDF.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Army Haircuts - Level 4 or Army Haircuts - Level 5

Sources

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/02/17/japan/politics/sdf-recruits-hair-rules/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68327068
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14944309

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. HAIRCUTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about haircuts. 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?
haircut / ubiquitous / soldiers / sailors / air force / staff shortages / helmet / shoulders
recruitment / troop numbers / new employees / private sector / talent / tattoos
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SHORT HAIR: Students A strongly believe short hair is best; Students B strongly believe long hair is best. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. HAIR STYLES: What hair styles are best for these jobs? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Hair Style	Why?
Soldier
Teacher
Model
President
Rock star
Swimmer

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

Soldier
Sailor
Fighter pilot
Bomb disposal
Coast guard
Marine
Police officer
Prison officer

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	ubiquitous	a.	Something that is not usual, different from the norm.
2.	bid (noun)	b.	To wear or display something proudly or with confidence.
3.	ranks (noun)	c.	Something that is found everywhere.
4.	exception	d.	To get involved in something in a way that disrupts or affects it.
5.	sport (verb)	e.	An attempt to get or achieve something, like in an auction.
6.	personnel	f.	Groups or formations of people in organizations.
7.	interfere	g.	The people who work for a company or organization.

Paragraph 2

8.	expert	h.	To remove or get rid of something completely.
9.	boosted	i.	Someone who knows a lot about a certain subject or skill.
10.	dwindling	j.	Increased or raised; made stronger or better.
11.	lure (verb)	k.	A specific part or area of something, like a field of work or industry.
12.	sector	l.	To attract or tempt someone or something.
13.	secure (verb)	m.	Getting smaller or decreasing gradually.
14.	eliminate	n.	Succeed in getting something, especially with difficulty.

Before reading / listening

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

All soldiers around the world must have a very short hair style. T / F
Companies in Japan are also introducing new rules about hairstyles. T / F
The new rules on hair length will come into effect from April. T / F
Women in Japan's military will not need to wear a helmet. T / F
Experts hope the relaxed hair rules will increase the number of soldiers. T / F
Businesses are being aggressive to employees with long hair. T / F
A shortage of workers is one reason behind the relaxed rules. T / F
Japan's military will also allow people with tattoos to join the forces. T / F

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

ubiquitous
shortage
exception
sport
interfere
experts
boosted
dwindling
lure
eliminate

remove
have on show
specialists
omnipresent
entice
lack
increased
get in the way
decreasing
special case

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

ubiquitous
This is in a bid
companies in Japan are experiencing
Men will be able to sport
fall below
discuss how troop numbers
an ever-
trying to lure
our nation faces a serious workforce
allowing people

staff shortages
shortage
the shoulders
new employees
could be boosted
to attract more young people
with tattoos
among soldiers
dwindling number
longer hair

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

sport
navies
ranks
provided
ubiquitous
helmet
recruits
shortages

The "short back and sides" haircut is (1) _____________________ among soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women in armies, (2) _____________________ and air forces worldwide. The Japanese Defence Ministry has just announced it will relax rules for new (3) _____________________ to have this crewcut style. This in a bid to attract more young people to its (4) _____________________. Many companies in Japan are experiencing staff (5) _____________________; and the military is no exception. From April this year, new enlistees to Japan's Self Defence Forces (SDF) will be allowed to have longer hair. Men will be able to (6) _____________________ longer hair on top, while female personnel can have long hair, (7) _____________________ it does not interfere with the wearing of a (8) _____________________ or does not fall below the shoulders.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

dwindling
tattoos
workforce
experts
sector
boosted
lure
lack

According to the Kyodo news agency, recruitment (9) _____________________ met last month to discuss how troop numbers could be (10) _____________________. Japan's defence forces are up against an ever-(11) _____________________ number of young people to recruit from. In addition, they have to compete with businesses who are more aggressively trying to (12) _____________________ new employees. Japan's Defence Minister said: "As our nation faces a serious (13) _____________________ shortage, we recognize competition with others, including the private (14) _____________________, to secure talent has been intensifying." He added that the easing of haircut rules would "change or eliminate regulations that (15) _____________________ rationality". In a related move, the ministry is considering allowing people with (16) _____________________ to join the SDF.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The "short back and sides" haircut is ubiquitous among soldiers, ______
     a. sailors, and airmen
     b. sailors, and dare men
     c. sailors, and amen
     d. sailors, and ahem
2) The Japanese Defence Ministry has just announced it will relax rules ______
     a. for new recruits
     b. for knew recruits
     c. form new recruits
     d. four new recruits
3) This is in a bid to attract more young people ______
     a. two its ranks
     b. twits ranks
     c. to its ranks
     d. to its racks
4) are experiencing staff shortages; and the military ______
     a. is no excepting
     b. is no expecting
     c. is no exertion
     d. is no exception
5) female personnel can have long hair, provided it ______
     a. does not inter fear
     b. does not inter fears
     c. does not interfere
     d. does not interfered

6) recruitment experts met last month to discuss how troop numbers ______
     a. could be boosted
     b. could be boasted
     c. could be basted
     d. could be bested
7) defence forces are up against an ever-dwindling number of young people ______
     a. to recruit form
     b. to recruit farm
     c. to recruit frame
     d. to recruit from
8) compete with businesses who are more aggressively trying to ______
     a. allure new employees
     b. loo new employees
     c. lair new employees
     d. lure new employees
9) we recognize competition with others, including the private sector, ______
     a. too secure talent
     b. to secure talent
     c. tooth secure talent
     d. to sequitur talent
10) the easing of haircut rules would "change or eliminate regulations ______
     a. that slack rationality
     b. that alack rationality
     c. that lack rationality
     d. that lacquer rationality

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The "short (1) ____________________" haircut is ubiquitous among soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women in armies, navies and (2) ____________________. The Japanese Defence Ministry has just announced it will relax rules for (3) ____________________ have this crewcut style. This in a bid to attract more young people to its ranks. Many companies in Japan are experiencing staff shortages; and the military (4) ____________________. From April this year, new enlistees to Japan's Self Defence Forces (SDF) will be allowed to have longer hair. Men will be able to sport longer hair on top, (5) ____________________ can have long hair, provided it does (6) ____________________ the wearing of a helmet or does not fall below the shoulders.

According to the Kyodo news agency, (7) ____________________ last month to discuss how troop numbers could be boosted. Japan's defence forces are up against an (8) ____________________ of young people to recruit from. In addition, they have to compete with businesses who are more aggressively trying to (9) ____________________. Japan's Defence Minister said: "As our nation faces a serious workforce shortage, we recognize competition with others, including the private sector, (10) ____________________ has been intensifying." He added that the easing of haircut rules would "change or eliminate regulations (11) ____________________". In a related move, the ministry is considering allowing people with (12) ____________________ the SDF.

Comprehension questions

What does the article say is ubiquitous?
What does the Japanese Defence Ministry want to attract?
What is experiencing staff shortages?
When will the new rules regarding hair come onto force?
What will Japan's female soldiers have to be careful about wearing?
Who met last month to discuss boosting recruit numbers?
What are businesses aggressively trying to do?
What did Japan's Defence Minister say the nation was facing?
What did the Defence Minister say there was competition to secure?
Who also might be able to join the SDF in the future?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say is ubiquitous?
a) soldiers and sailors
b) the short back and sides haircut
c) long hair
d) wars and conflicts
2) What does the Japanese Defence Ministry want to attract?
a) the best
b) hair stylists
c) high school children
d) new recruits
3) What is experiencing staff shortages?
a) many companies in Japan
b) recruitment agencies
c) army training centres
d) the Japanese Defence Ministry
4) When will the new rules regarding hair come onto force?
a) June
b) May
c) April
d) March
5) What will Japan's female soldiers have to be careful about wearing?
a) hairclips
b) helmets
c) ribbons
d) hair spray

6) Who met last month to discuss boosting recruit numbers?
a) soldiers
b) the Japanese Defence Ministry
c) recruitment experts
d) recruits
7) What are businesses aggressively trying to do?
a) attract soldiers
b) make profits
c) encourage short hair
d) lure new employees
8) What did Japan's Defence Minister say the nation was facing?
a) a serious staff shortage
b) peril
c) defence spending cuts
d) a budget deficit
9) What did the Defence Minister say there was competition to secure?
a) talent
b) new weapons
c) international contracts
d) hairdressing scissors
10) Who also might be able to join the SDF in the future?
a) non-Japanese residents
b) people with tattoos
c) old people
d) high schoolers

Role play

Role A – Soldier
You think a soldier is the best job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their jobs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): sailor, fighter pilot or a marine.

Role B – Sailor
You think a sailor is the best job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their jobs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): soldier, fighter pilot or a marine.

Role C – Fighter Pilot
You think a fighter pilot is the best job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their jobs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): sailor, soldier or a marine.

Role D – Marine
You think a marine is the best job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their jobs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): sailor, fighter pilot or soldier.

After reading / listening

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

'army'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'haircut'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

back

style

bid

experiencing

sport

helmet

discuss

against

compete

lure

secure

move

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 - Army Haircuts

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 'haircut'?
What do you think of your hair style?
Do you like getting your hair cut?
What different hair styles have you had?
Should soldiers have short hair?
Why do those in the military have such short hair?
Do you think people will join the army if they can have long hair?
Would you like to join the military?
What are the good things about long and short hair?

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 'army'?
What do you think about what you read?
How can countries boost the number of people in their military?
Why do we need armies?
What are the benefits of joining the military?
Does requiring short hair 'lack rationality'?
Should people with tattoos be allowed to join the army?
What hair style would you really like to have?
What questions would you like to ask the recruiters?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The "short back and sides" haircut is (1) ____ among soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women in armies, (2) ____ and air forces worldwide. The Japanese Defence Ministry has just announced it will relax rules for new recruits to have this crewcut style. This in a (3) ____ to attract more young people to its ranks. Many companies in Japan are experiencing staff shortages; and the military is no (4) ____. From April this year, new enlistees to Japan's Self Defence Forces (SDF) will be allowed to have longer hair. Men will be able to (5) ____ longer hair on top, while female personnel can have long hair, provided it does not interfere (6) ____ the wearing of a helmet or does not fall below the shoulders.

According to the Kyodo news agency, recruitment (7) ____ met last month to discuss how troop numbers could be boosted. Japan's defence forces are (8) ____ against an ever-dwindling number of young people to recruit from. In addition, they have to (9) ____ with businesses who are more aggressively trying to (10) ____ new employees. Japan's Defence Minister said: "As our nation faces a serious workforce shortage, we recognize competition with others, including the private sector, to secure talent has been intensifying." He added that the (11) ____ of haircut rules would "change or eliminate regulations that (12) ____ rationality". In a related move, the ministry is considering allowing people with tattoos to join the SDF.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) ubiquitous (b) ubiquity (c) utility (d) utilitarian
(a) navvies (b) navels (c) navies (d) navigates
(a) lid (b) hid (c) bid (d) vid
(a) extension (b) exertion (c) acceptance (d) exception
(a) sport (b) play (c) game (d) pastime
(a) to (b) with (c) of (d) for
(a) expires (b) expects (c) expats (d) experts
(a) in (b) up (c) down (d) of
(a) contest (b) complete (c) compete (d) content
(a) lair (b) lure (c) lyre (d) allure
(a) easel (b) easier (c) eased (d) easing
(a) default (b) lack (c) missing (d) deficient

Spelling

Paragraph 1

oqubiutsiu among soldiers
armies, eaivsn and air forces
staff orgetassh
the military is no entxpcioe
female leonenspr
eirenfret with the wearing of a helmet

Paragraph 2

cererimtntu experts
an ever-dindinglw number
iegylaevssgr trying to lure new employees
including the private cstreo
change or etnmeiail regulations
lack itriaotnyla

Put the text back together

(...)   intensifying." He added that the easing of haircut rules would "change or eliminate regulations that lack rationality". In a related
(...)   According to the Kyodo news agency, recruitment experts met last month to discuss how troop
(...)   move, the ministry is considering allowing people with tattoos to join the SDF.
(...)   its ranks. Many companies in Japan are experiencing staff shortages; and the military is no
(...)   exception. From April this year, new enlistees to Japan's Self Defence Forces (SDF) will be allowed to have
(...)   longer hair. Men will be able to sport longer hair on top, while female
(...)   numbers could be boosted. Japan's defence forces are up against an ever-dwindling number of young people to recruit
( 1 ) The "short back and sides" haircut is ubiquitous among soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women in armies, navies
(...)   from. In addition, they have to compete with businesses who are more aggressively trying to
(...)   lure new employees. Japan's Defence Minister said: "As our nation faces a serious workforce
(...)   and air forces worldwide. The Japanese Defence Ministry has just announced it will relax
(...)   rules for new recruits to have this crewcut style. This is in a bid to attract more young people to
(...)   personnel can have long hair, provided it does not interfere with the wearing of a helmet or does not fall below the shoulders.
(...)   shortage, we recognize competition with others, including the private sector, to secure talent has been

Put the words in the right order

short and sides back The haircut ubiquitous . is
recruits . will It for relax new rules
It's attract people . a bid in young to
be hair . Men to will sport longer able
interfere not helmet . with It a wearing does
They how troop numbers be discussed boosted . could
number an against ever-dwindling young Up of people .
new to aggressively are Businesses employees . lure trying
shortage . a workforce serious Our nation faces
with tattoos join to people SDF . the Allowing

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The "short back and sides" haircut is ubiquity / ubiquitous among soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women in armies, navies and hair / air forces worldwide. The Japanese Defence Ministry has just announced / announcing it will relax rules for new recruits to have this crewcut stylish / style. This in a bid / bade to attract more young people to its ranks / rank. Many companies in Japan are experiencing staff shortages; and the military is no exception / expectation. From April this year, new enlistees to Japan's Self Defence Forces (SDF) will be allowed to have lengthy / longer hair. Men will be able to sport longer hair on top, while female personal / personnel can have long hair, provided it does not interfere with the wearing / wear of a helmet or does not fall below the shoulders.

According to the Kyodo news agency, recruitment expats / experts met last month to discuss how troop numbers could be boasted / boosted. Japan's defence forces are up / down against an ever-dwindling number of young people to recruit for / from. In addition, they have to compete with businesses who are more aggressively trying to lure / cure new employees. Japan's Defence Minister said: "As our nation faces a serious / seriously workforce shortage, we recognize competition with another / others, including the private factor / sector, to secure talent has been intensifying." He added that the easing of haircut rules would "change or eliminate regulations that slack / lack rationality". In a related move, the ministry is considering allowance / allowing people with tattoos to join the SDF.

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)

Th_ "sh_rt b_ck _nd s_d_s" h__rc_t _s _b_q__t__s _m_ng s_ld__rs, s__l_rs, _nd __rm_n _nd w_m_n _n _rm__s, n_v__s _nd __r f_rc_s w_rldw_d_. Th_ J_p_n_s_ D_f_nc_ M_n_stry h_s j_st _nn__nc_d _t w_ll r_l_x r_l_s f_r n_w r_cr__ts t_ h_v_ th_s cr_wc_t styl_. Th_s _n _ b_d t_ _ttr_ct m_r_ y__ng p__pl_ t_ _ts r_nks. M_ny c_mp_n__s _n J_p_n _r_ _xp_r__nc_ng st_ff sh_rt_g_s; _nd th_ m_l_t_ry _s n_ _xc_pt__n. Fr_m _pr_l th_s y__r, n_w _nl_st__s t_ J_p_n's S_lf D_f_nc_ F_rc_s (SDF) w_ll b_ _ll_w_d t_ h_v_ l_ng_r h__r. M_n w_ll b_ _bl_ t_ sp_rt l_ng_r h__r _n t_p, wh_l_ f_m_l_ p_rs_nn_l c_n h_v_ l_ng h__r, pr_v_d_d _t d__s n_t _nt_rf_r_ w_th th_ w__r_ng _f _ h_lm_t _r d__s n_t f_ll b_l_w th_ sh__ld_rs.

_cc_rd_ng t_ th_ Ky_d_ n_ws _g_ncy, r_cr__tm_nt _xp_rts m_t l_st m_nth t_ d_sc_ss h_w tr__p n_mb_rs c__ld b_ b__st_d. J_p_n's d_f_nc_ f_rc_s _r_ _p _g__nst _n _v_r-dw_ndl_ng n_mb_r _f y__ng p__pl_ t_ r_cr__t fr_m. _n _dd_t__n, th_y h_v_ t_ c_mp_t_ w_th b_s_n_ss_s wh_ _r_ m_r_ _ggr_ss_v_ly try_ng t_ l_r_ n_w _mpl_y__s. J_p_n's D_f_nc_ M_n_st_r s__d: "_s __r n_t__n f_c_s _ s_r___s w_rkf_rc_ sh_rt_g_, w_ r_c_gn_z_ c_mp_t_t__n w_th _th_rs, _ncl_d_ng th_ pr_v_t_ s_ct_r, t_ s_c_r_ t_l_nt h_s b__n _nt_ns_fy_ng." H_ _dd_d th_t th_ __s_ng _f h__rc_t r_l_s w__ld "ch_ng_ _r _l_m_n_t_ r_g_l_t__ns th_t l_ck r_t__n_l_ty". _n _ r_l_t_d m_v_, th_ m_n_stry _s c_ns_d_r_ng _ll_w_ng p__pl_ w_th t_tt__s t_ j__n th_ SDF.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the short back and sides haircut is ubiquitous among soldiers sailors and airmen and women in armies navies and air forces worldwide the japanese defence ministry has just announced it will relax rules for new recruits to have this crewcut style this in a bid to attract more young people to its ranks many companies in japan are experiencing staff shortages and the military is no exception from april this year new enlistees to japan's self defence forces sdf will be allowed to have longer hair men will be able to sport longer hair on top while female personnel can have long hair provided it does not interfere with the wearing of a helmet or does not fall below the shoulders

according to the kyodo news agency recruitment experts met last month to discuss how troop numbers could be boosted japan's defence forces are up against an ever-dwindling number of young people to recruit from in addition they have to compete with businesses who are more aggressively trying to lure new employees japan's defence minister said as our nation faces a serious workforce shortage we recognize competition with others including the private sector to secure talent has been intensifying he added that the easing of haircut rules would change or eliminate regulations that lack rationality in a related move the ministry is considering allowing people with tattoos to join the sdf

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

The"shortbackandsides"haircutisubiquitousamongsoldiers,sailors,a
ndairmenandwomeninarmies,naviesandairforcesworldwide.TheJap
aneseDefenceMinistryhasjustannounceditwillrelaxrulesfornewrecru
itstohavethiscrewcutstyle.Thisisinabidtoattractmoreyoungpeopleto
itsranks.ManycompaniesinJapanareexperiencingstaffshortages;an
dthemilitaryisnoexception.FromAprilthisyear,newenlisteestoJapan'
sSelfDefenceForces(SDF)willbeallowedtohavelongerhair.Menwillbe
abletosportlongerhairontop,whilefemalepersonnelcanhavelonghair
,provideditdoesnotinterferewiththewearingofahelmetordoesnotfall
belowtheshoulders.AccordingtotheKyodonewsagency,recruitment
xpertsmetlastmonthtodiscusshowtroopnumberscouldbeboosted.Ja
pan'sdefenceforcesareupagainstanever-dwindlingnumberofyoun
gpeopletorecruitfrom.Inaddition,theyhavetocompetewithbusinesse
swhoaremoreaggressivelytryingtolurenewemployees.Japan'sDefen
ceMinistersaid:"Asournationfacesaseriousworkforceshortage,were
cognizecompetitionwithothers,includingtheprivatesector,tosecuret
alenthasbeenintensifying."Headdedthateasingofhaircutruleswould"
changeoreliminateregulationsthatlackrationality".Inarelatedmove,
theministryisconsideringallowingpeoplewithtattoostojointheSDF.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

All of us should have very short hair to help save the planet. 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. HAIRCUTS: Make a poster about haircuts. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. SHORT HAIRCUTS: Write a magazine article about requiring everyone to have short haircuts to help save the planet. 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 haircuts. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on short haircuts. 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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