EDMONTON Weekly Newscasts Lesson Plan November 23, 2015 Newscasts are current news stories read at a slower pace than you might hear on the radio. These are prepared by CBC news editor Don Bell. Objectives: To develop listening skills To increase vocabulary To increase awareness of grammatical structures and functional language To increase knowledge of current events To provide a user-friendly, self-study tool for learners, as well as an ESL classroom resource for instructors Contents: Three news stories are featured in each weekly lesson plan. Each lesson contains vocabulary and listening comprehension activities. At the end of each lesson, you will find a complete transcript and an answer key. This lesson plan is aimed towards learners at an intermediate language level (i.e. Canadian Language Benchmarks 4-5 or equivalent). Learning English with CBC is a joint project with CBC Calgary, CBC Edmonton, and the Government of Alberta. Lesson Plan prepared by Kathleen Hall and Deidre Lake, Communication4Integration Inc. CBC 2015 Permission is granted to reproduce these pages for educational purposes only. For more information on copyright, please click: http://www.cbc.ca/permissions
NEWSCAST 1: HOLLANDE SAYS FRANCE IS AT WAR Photo Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/photos/paris-attacks-fran%c3%a7ois-hollande-says-france-at-war-1.3319985 WARM UP The picture shows an everyday scene on the streets in Paris. Describe what is happening in the picture. Have you seen such sights on the streets? VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Look at the following words and phrases. Circle the words you do not know. joint session ovation show of atrocity standstill shut down VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Match the words above with the correct definition below. WORD DEFINITION make something known; a demonstration of support s a stop in business or operation no movement or activity an extremely cruel and violent act a meeting between two or more decision-making groups continued applause; clapping from an audience (See answer key) 1
LISTENING ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 1. Take notes so that you can summarize the newscast. Use the following questions to help you: 1. Who is Hollande? 2. What did he say about France? 3. How did parliamentarians react? 4. What did they sing? 5. Why did France come to a standstill? 6. Name three things that reopened. 7. What colours lit up the Eiffel Tower? 8. What do these colours represent? How many of the questions where you able to answer? Circle your response: None Some Most All Listen to the newscast again if you were unable to answer all of the questions and then refer to the answer key. SPEAKING ACTIVITY 1 Summarize what you ve heard. If you are in a class, work with a partner. Take turns to summarize the newscast. If you are doing this lesson independently, record yourself summarizing the story and play it back. Circle your response. I was able to: a) summarize some of the details b) summarize most of the details LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 1 again and fill in the blanks with the words that you hear. Following the shootings and suicide bombings across Paris that killed 129, French Hollande told a of parliament that France is at war. Parliamentarians gave Hollande a before singing the French national in a unity following the worst atrocity France has seen since World War II. France came to a for a minute s silence to remember the dead, many of whom were young people killed as they enjoyed a night out. Life is slowly returning to normal. and re-opened after a 48-hour as did the Eiffel Tower, which lit up the night sky in the red, white, and blue colours of the French flag following two days of darkness. DISCUSSION QUESTION: How would you feel, or have you felt about living in a country that is at war? 2
NEWSCAST 2: TWO YOUNG CANADIANS TRAVELLING IN PARIS SPEAK TO CBC Photo Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/paris-attacks-alberta-tourists-hatfield-french-scott-1.3321266 WARM UP How did you feel when you heard about the attacks on Paris? Do you think Canada is safe from these kinds of attacks? VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Look at the words and phrases in the box below. Write the definition of the terms you understand. TERM amazed resiliency cut short wake of compassion unity thankful DEFINITION VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Now compare your definitions in the previous exercise to the definitions below. TERM amazed resiliency cut short wake of compassion unity thankful SYNONYMS surprised/shocked strength/spirit/toughness stop/interrupt/discontinue following/as a result of care/sympathy/concern harmony/togetherness/closeness happy/relieved/grateful 3
VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 3 Instructions: Now match the words and phrases with the definitions in the box below. TERM DEFINITION pity for the sufferings or misfortunes of others expressing gratitude and relief to end abruptly joined as a whole to be astonished the ability to recover quickly from difficulty happens after and often because of an event (See answer key) LISTENING ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 2 for overall comprehension. After listening, circle the definition that best describes this newscast for you: a) This newscast was very difficult to understand after listening one time. b) This newscast was difficult to understand after listening one time. c) This newscast was easy to understand after listening one time. d) This newscast was very easy to understand after listening one time. 4
LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 2 again. Put a checkmark in the box next to what is said by each person. An example is done for you. Jenica Hatfield (See answer key) Anastasia French-Scott The experience makes her thankful to live in Canada Terrorism brought all these people together They won t cut their trip short Parisians are coming together We are very, very lucky to live in Canada The love and unity in Paris are really strong We re so safe LISTENING ACTIVITY 3 Instructions: Listen to newscast 2 again and fill in the blanks with the word that you hear. Two young Alberta women travelling in Paris say they are at the of the French people. Jenica Hatfield and Anastasia French-Scott have no plans to their Paris trip in the the deadly attacks in that city. In an interview with CBC in Paris, Hatfield said Parisians are coming together. She added that it, may have been terrorism that brought all these people together, but the love, and the here is really strong. Scott-French said the experience makes her to live in Canada. We are very, very lucky that we don t have any terrorism, really, and that we re so safe, she said. (See answer key) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Do you think that there is a need to take extra precautions/safety measures in the wake of the Paris attacks? If so, what do you recommend that people do every day to make sure they are safe? If not, do you agree with Anastasia that we are safe? If so, why? 5
NEWSCAST 3: AN ALBERTA-BASED COMPANY OFFERS DISCOUNTED RENTAL APARTMENTS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES Photo Source:http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/boardwalk-promises-reduced-rents-for-syrian-refugees-1.3323698 WARM UP: The picture shows an Islamic family and members from a Social Services association meeting a Syrian family at the Edmonton International Airport. What do you think of this greeting? Compare this greeting with your arrival in Canada. VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Look at the words and phrases in the box below. Write the definition of the terms you understand. WORD/EXPRESSION agencies scrambling wave discounted massive resettlement set to transition affordable permanent challenge DEFINITION 6
VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Now compare your definitions with the definitions below for similarities or differences. WORD/EXPRESSION SYNONYMS agencies groups / organizations / charities scrambling rushing / moving quickly wave rise / expansion / increase discounted reduced / cheaper/ special offer / sale massive huge / giant / great resettlement relocation / immigration set to ready to / about to / preparing to transition change / changeover / move affordable inexpensive / cheap / reasonably priced permanent long-lasting / constant challenge a difficult task or situation / test VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 3 Instructions: Now match the words and phrases with the definitions in the box below. WORD/EXPRESSION DEFINITION something that will last or remain unchanged at a price that one is able to afford ready to leave the process of moving people to a different place to live very, very large a deduction in the amount or price of something a period of changing a movement or influx of people in large numbers moving with urgency or panic something that needs great effort a business or organization started to provide a special service LISTENING ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 3 for overall comprehension. Use the following questions to help you. 1. Who is about to arrive in Canada? 2. What is the name of the company that is going to help? 3. What does the company plan to offer? 4. Name 4 cities where the discounted apartments will be available. 5. How many refugees are set to come to Canada? 6. How many families will Boardwalk provide discounted housing for? 7
7. What does Sarah Hanafi say is the biggest challenge now? 8. Where does Sarah Hanafi work? 9. How does the Boardwalk news make her feel? How many of the questions where you able to answer? Circle your response: None Some Most All Listen to the newscast again if you were unable to answer all of the questions. Refer to the answer key afterwards. LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 3 again and fill in the blanks with the word that you hear. An Alberta-based company is providing some relief for agencies to find housing for the of Syrian refugees about to arrive in Canada. Boardwalk Rental Communities plans to offer rental apartments in Edmonton,, Fort McMurray, and, as well as other Canadian cities to help with the massive of 25,000 refugees arrive in Canada by the end of the year. Boardwalk s David McIlveen says the goal is to prepare a welcoming to housing for up to 350 refugee families in 2016. Finding housing for incoming refugees is the biggest need and at the moment, said Sarah Hanafi with the Islamic Family and Social Services Association. She said news of Boardwalk s plan leaves her and relieved. SPEAKING ACTIVITY 1 With a colleague or a friend, discuss the following questions: Boardwalk Rental Communities has offered to help to settle Syrian refugees to Canada. Can you think of other companies and industries that could help? How would you persuade these industries to offer their services? If you are in a classroom, share you answer with a partner or group. If you are working online, start a discussion with a friend or family member about this topic. 8
LANGUAGE FOCUS: INTRODUCTION TO REPORTED SPEECH In all of our newscasts this week, we heard people directly quoted exactly what they said word for word this is called direct speech. Reporters also told us indirectly what the speakers had said. This is called reported or indirect speech. See the example below: Notice that in reported speech, when talking about something already said, the reporting verb say becomes a past verb said, and the verb the speakers used have becomes the past verb had. That is often used after the reporting verb. LANGUAGE FOCUS: ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Look at the table below to see how spoken verb tenses are changed in reported speech. Tense Direct Speech Reported Speech present simple France is at war. He said (that) France was at present continuous past simple past continuous present perfect past perfect* does not change Enerjet is offering its planes for free. Parisians came together. Enerjet was flying people to and from the oilfields before the layoffs. The government hasn t decided how to settle the refugees yet. Canada had taken in large groups of refugees from many countries until recently. war. He said (that) Enerjet was offering its planes for free. She said (that) Parisians had come together. He said (that) Enerjet had been flying people to and from the oilfields before the layoffs. She said (that) the government hadn t decided how to settle the refugees yet. He said (that) Canada had taken in large groups of refugees from many countries until recently. 9
Modal Verbs will can Past Modals We will bring 25,000 refugees to Canada by the end of the year. We can help the government with the refugees. could should might would must When talking about something that is always said, for example: He said (that) they would bring 25,000 refugees to Canada by the end of the year. They said (that) they could help the government with the refugees. Do not change Does not change A stich in time saves nine. A stich in time saves nine. My mother always says that a stitch in time saves nine. Neither the reporting verb, nor the verb the speakers use is changed. LANGUAGE FOCUS: ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Look at the reporting verbs in the table below, and follow the instructions in the table. REPORTING VERBS The most common reporting verbs are: Present Tense Put these reporting verbs in the past tense in the following Verbs sentences: SAY They they were not afraid. TELL someone He the parliament that France was at war. ASK someone to/ They if they could help to relocate the refugees. if/indirect question SAY TELL someone ASK someone to/ if/indirect question Look at these direct quotations / spoken sentences called direct speech. The unity in Paris is really strong. Life is slowly returning to normal. Are 25,000 refugees coming to Canada? Complete the reported-speech sentences with past reporting verbs and spoken verbs. They the unity in Paris really strong. He us that life slowly returning to normal. He if 25,000 refugees coming to Canada. 10
It is important to remember that SAY must be followed by what was said. You cannot use: say me/said him... On the other hand, you must use: TELL her/told me. You cannot use tell followed directly by information, or what was told. (The exception is: tell the truth or told a lie). Introduction to indirect questions Using ASK is more difficult. You might need more study and practice. When using ASK in reported speech, we can use: ask him to Or we can make an indirect question: When is she coming? becomes He asked when she was coming. Is she coming? becomes He asked if she was coming. Notice that the subject and verb is she in the question becomes she was in the reportedspeech question. Often-used reporting verbs Present Tense Verb EXPLAIN PROMISE REMIND WARN DECIDE WONDER IF APOLOGIZE FOR Difficult reporting verbs that require the subjunctive, infinitive or gerund* ADVISE someone to be/doing something SUGGEST someone be/doing something AGREE to be/do ENCOURAGE someone to be/do INSIST someone/something be/do RECOMMEND someone be/do/doing something Write the simple past tense of these reporting verbs. Sample Sentences He advises us to be early. She suggests (that) we be early. We agree to be early They encourage us to be early. He insists (that) we be early. She recommends that they be early. 11
CBC EDMONTON TRANSCRIPTS OF WEEKLY NEWSCASTS WEEKLY NEWS STORIES Introduction Hi. This is Don Bell. You re listening to Learning English with CBC for the week of November 23rd. Newscast 1 Following the shootings and suicide bombings across Paris that killed 130, French President Hollande told a joint Hollande says session of parliament that France is at war. Parliamentarians France is at gave Hollande a standing ovation before singing the French war national anthem in a show of unity following the worst atrocity France has seen since World War II. TIME 0:00 0:11 Newscast 2 Two young Canadians travelling in Paris speak to CBC France came to a standstill for a minute s silence to remember the dead, many of whom were young people killed as they enjoyed a night out. Life is slowly returning to normal. Schools and museums reopened after a 48-hour shut-down as did the Eiffel Tower, which lit up the night sky in the red, white, and blue colours of the French flag following two days of darkness. Two young Alberta women travelling in Paris say they are amazed at the resiliency of the French people. Jenica Hatfield and Anastasia French-Scott have no plans to cut their Paris trip short in the wake of the deadly attacks in that city. In an interview with CBC in Paris, Hatfield said Parisians are coming together. She added that it, may have been terrorism that brought all these people together, but the love, compassion, and the unity here is really strong. Scott-French said the experience makes her thankful to live in Canada. We are very, very lucky that we don t have any terrorism, really, and that we're so safe, she said. 1:24 12
Newscast 3 An Albertabased company offers discounted rental apartments for Syrian refugees An Alberta-based company is providing some relief for agencies scrambling to find housing for the wave of Syrian refugees about to arrive in Canada. Boardwalk Rental Communities plans to offer discounted rental apartments in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, and Red Deer, as well as other Canadian cities to help with the massive resettlement of 25,000 refugees set to arrive in Canada by the end of the year. Boardwalk s David McIlveen says the goal is to prepare a welcoming transition to permanent housing for up to 350 refugee families in 2016. Finding affordable housing for incoming refugees is the biggest need and challenge at the moment, said Sarah Hanafi, with the Islamic Family and Social Services Association. She said news of Boardwalk s plan leaves her happy and relieved. 2:27 13
ANSWER KEY FOR NEWSCAST 1: HOLLANDE SAYS FRANCE IS AT WAR VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 2 WORD show of shut down standstill atrocity joint session ovation DEFINITION make something known; a demonstration of support a stop in business or operation no movement or activity an extremely cruel and violent act a meeting between two or more decision-making groups continued applause; clapping from an audience LISTENING ACTIVITY 1 1. Who is Hollande? The French President 2. What did he say about France? France is at war 3. How did parliamentarians react? They gave a standing ovation 4. What did they sing? The French National Anthem 5. Why did France come to a standstill? for a moment of silence to remember the dead 6. Name three things that reopened. Schools, museums, and the Eiffel Tower 7. What colours lit up the Eiffel Tower? red, white, and blue 8. What do these colours represent? The French flag LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 1 again and fill in the blanks with the words that you hear. Following the shootings and suicide bombings across Paris that killed 129, French President Hollande told a joint session of parliament that France is at war. Parliamentarians gave Hollande a standing ovation before singing the French national anthem in a show of unity following the worst atrocity France has seen since World War II. France came to a standstill for a minute s silence to remember the dead, many of whom were young people killed as they enjoyed a night out. Life is slowly returning to normal. Schools and museums re-opened after a 48-hour shut-down as did the Eiffel Tower, which lit up the night sky in the red, white, and blue colours of the French flag following two days of darkness. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Answers will vary 14
ANSWER KEY FOR NEWSCAST 2: PARIS ATTACKS HAVE ALBERTANS AMAZED AT FRENCH RESILIENCY VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Answers will vary VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 3 Term Definition compassion pity for the sufferings or misfortunes of others thankful expressing gratitude and relief show of to end abruptly cut short joined as a whole unity to be astonished amazed the ability to recover quickly from difficulty resiliency happens after and often because of an event wake of pity for the sufferings or misfortunes of others LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Jenica Hatfield Anastasia French-Scott The experience makes her thankful to live in Canada Terrorism brought all these people together They won t cut their trip short Parisians are coming together We are very, very lucky to live in Canada The love and unity in Paris are really strong We re so safe LISTENING ACTIVITY 3 Instructions: Listen to newscast 2 again and fill in the blanks with the word that you hear. Two young Alberta women travelling in Paris say they are amazed at the resiliency of the French people. Jenica Hatfield and Anastasia French-Scott have no plans to cut their Paris trip short in the wake of the deadly attacks in that city. In an interview with CBC in Paris, Hatfield said Parisians are coming together in a show of unity. She added that, there may have been terrorism that brought all these people together, but the love, compassion and the unity here is really strong. Scott-French said the experience makes her thankful to live in Canada. We are very, very lucky that we don t have any terrorism, really, and that we re so safe, she said. 15
ANSWER KEY FOR NEWSCAST 3: AN ALBERTA-BASED COMPANY OFFERS DISCOUNTED RENTAL APARTMENTS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Answers will vary VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 3 WORD/EXPRESSION SYNONYMS permanent something that will last or remain unchanged affordable at a price that one is able to afford set to ready to leave resettlement the process of moving people to a different place to live massive very, very large discounted a deduction in the amount or price of something transition a period of changing wave a movement or influx of people in large numbers scrambling moving with urgency or panic challenge something that needs great effort agencies a business or organization started to provide a special service LISTENING ACTIVITY 1 1. Who is about to arrive in Canada? Syrian refugees 2. What is the name of the company that is going to help? Boardwalk (Rental Communities) 3. What does the company plan to offer? discounted rental apartments 4. Name 4 cities where the discounted apartments will be available. Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Red Deer 5. How many refugees are set to come to Canada? 25,000 6. How many families will boardwalk provide discounted housing for? 350 7. What does Sarah Hanafi say is the biggest challenge now? finding affordable housing 8. Where does Sarah Hanafi work? Islamic Family and Social Services Association 9. How does the Boardwalk news make her feel? happy and relieved 16
LISTENING ACTIVITY 3 An Alberta-based company is providing some relief for agencies scrambling to find housing for the wave of Syrian refugees about to arrive in Canada. Boardwalk Rental Communities plans to offer discounted rental apartments in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, and Red Deer, as well as other Canadian cities to help with the massive resettlement of 25,000 refugees set to arrive in Canada by the end of the year. Boardwalk s David McIlveen says the goal is to prepare a welcoming transition to permanent housing for up to 350 refugee families in 2016. Finding affordable housing for incoming refugees is the biggest need and challenge at the moment, said Sarah Hanafi with the Islamic Family and Social Services Association. She said news of Boardwalk s plan leaves her happy and relieved. 17
LANGUAGE FOCUS REPORTING VERBS The most common reporting verbs are: Present Tense Verb Put these reporting verbs in the past tense in the following sentences: SAY They said they were not afraid. TELL someone He told the parliament that France was at war. ASK someone to/ if/indirect question SAY TELL someone ASK someone to/ if/indirect question They asked if they could help to relocate the refugees. Look at these direct quotations / spoken sentences called direct speech. The unity in Paris is really strong. Life is slowly returning to normal. Are 25,000 refugees coming to Canada? Complete the reported-speech sentences with past reporting verbs and spoken verbs. They said the unity in Paris was really strong. He told us that life was slowly returning to normal. He asked if 25,000 refugees were coming to Canada. Often used reporting verbs Present Tense Verb EXPLAIN PROMISE REMIND WARN DECIDE WONDER IF APOLOGIZE FOR Write the simple past tense of these reporting verbs explained promised reminded warned decided wondered if apologized for 18