The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Shareholders from the British fashion house Burberry are up in arms about a proposed pay package for its CEO. They rejected a resolution at the company's annual general meeting to provide newly-appointed CEO Christopher Bailey with a multi-million-dollar remuneration deal. The vote was 52.7 per cent against the resolution. Executives proposed to hand Mr Bailey a $12.3 million "golden hello", an annual salary of up to $17 million and shares worth up to $33 million by 2018. The share package has been called a "golden handcuffs" arrangement to stop him from joining a rival company in the next few years. He will also receive add-ons for pensions and performance bonuses.

Burberry chairman Sir John Peace defended the package. He said he was "disappointed" and would talk to shareholders. He said: "I want to understand why they felt so strongly to vote against." He said the packages for Bailey and his predecessor Angela Ahrendts were to keep "world-class executives" at the company. Under Ms Ahrendts' guidance between 2006 and 2014, the company's sales increased to over $3.4 billion, and shares gained more than threefold to $12 billion. Peace pointed out that many companies around the world would be willing to pay Mr Bailey a lot more. He added that Bailey was "worth every penny". Bailey joined Burberry in 2001 as Design Director and became Creative Director in 2004.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.scotsman.com/business/retail/burberry-investors-express-anger-at-pay-deal-1-3474357
  • http://online.wsj.com/articles/burberry-investors-rebel-over-ceos-pay-1405091150
  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2689242/Boss-major-fashion-brand-growing-pressure-shareholder-rebellion-20million-pay-deal.html#ixzz37DHne5TJ


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. CEO PAY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about CEO pay. 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?

 

shareholders / pay package / annual general meeting / executives / rival company / disappointed / vote / world class / guidance / shares / willing / creative director

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. PAY: What should the rules be? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Rules

Salary

 

Overtime

 

Pension

 

Performance

 

Shares

 

Golden hello

 

4. MAXIMUM: Students A strongly believe there should be a maximum salary; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
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5. JOBS: Rank these with your partner. Put the job that should get the highest salary at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • company CEO

  • soldier

  • doctor

  • president

  • sports star

  • miner

  • teacher

  • banker

6. SALARY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "salary". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

Burberry shareholders are up in arms about a salary package.

T / F

b.

The shareholders haven't yet rejected the pay deal.

T / F

c.

The new CEO will get over $12 million for joining the company.

T / F

d.

Burberry have offered the CEO a shares deal to stop him leaving.

T / F

e.

The chairman said he understood why shareholders felt bad.

T / F

f.

The chairman said world-class executives aren't interested in salary.

T / F

g.

The previous CEO triples the value of the company's share value.

T / F

h.

The present CEO joined the company over ten years ago.

T / F

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

1.

up in arms

a.

chosen

2.

rejected

b.

went on to say

3.

appointed

c.

justified

4.

annual

d.

turned down

5.

rival

e.

grew

6.

defended

f.

competitor

7.

guidance

g.

angry

8.

increased

h.

prepared

9.

willing

i.

direction

10.

added

j.

yearly

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

1.

are up in

a.

against the resolution

2.

newly-

b.

every penny

3.

The vote was 52.7 per cent

c.

bonuses

4.

stop him from

d.

talk to shareholders

5.

add-ons for pensions and performance

e.

arms about

6.

He said he was "disappointed" and would

f.

more than threefold

7.

keep "world-class executives"

g.

Mr Bailey a lot more

8.

shares gained

h.

appointed CEO

9.

willing to pay

i.

at the company

10.

worth

j.

joining a rival company

GAP FILL

Shareholders from the British fashion (1) ____________ Burberry are up in arms about a proposed pay package for its CEO. They (2) ____________ a resolution at the company's annual (3) ____________ meeting to provide newly-appointed CEO Christopher Bailey with a multi-million-dollar remuneration (4) ____________. The vote was 52.7 per cent against the resolution. Executives proposed to (5) ____________ Mr Bailey a $12.3 million "golden hello", an annual salary of up to $17 million and shares worth up to $33 million by 2018. The share package has been called a "golden (6) ____________ " arrangement to stop him from joining a (7) ____________ company in the next few years. He will also receive add-ons for pensions and performance (8) ____________.

 

 

hand
rival
general
bonuses
house
handcuffs
rejected
deal

Burberry chairman Sir John Peace defended the (9) ____________. He said he was "disappointed" and would talk to shareholders. He said: "I want to understand why they felt so (10) ____________ to vote against." He said the packages for Bailey and his predecessor Angela Ahrendts were to keep "world-(11) ____________ executives" at the company. Under Ms Ahrendts' (12) ____________ between 2006 and 2014, the company's sales increased to over $3.4 billion, and shares (13) ____________ more than threefold to $12 billion. Peace (14) ____________ out that many companies around the world would be (15) ____________ to pay Mr Bailey a lot more. He added that Bailey was "(16) ____________ every penny". Bailey joined Burberry in 2001 as Design Director and became Creative Director in 2004.

 

gained
worth
strongly
guidance
pointed
package
willing
class

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Shareholders from the British ______

 

a.  fashion house
b.  fashion houses
c.  fashion host
d.  fashion horse

2)

They rejected a resolution at the company's ______

 

a.  annual general's meeting
b.  annually general meeting
c.  annual general meeting
d.  annual general meetings

3)

a multi-million-dollar ______

 

a.  remuneration dealt
b.  remuneration deal
c.  remuneration deals
d.  remuneration dealer

4)

The share package has been called a golden ______

 

a.  handcuff arrangement
b.  handcuffs arrangements
c.  handcuff arrangements
d.  handcuffs arrangement

5)

He will also receive add-ons for pensions and ______

 

a.  performance bonus is
b.  performance bone as is
c.  performance bonuses
d.  performance bonus

6)

Burberry chairman Sir John Peace ______

 

a.  defending the package
b.  defended the packages
c.  defended the package
d.  defensive the packages

7)

the packages for Bailey and his ______

 

a.  predecessors Angela Ahrendts
b.  precursor Angela Ahrendts
c.  pre compressor Angela Ahrendts
d.  predecessor Angela Ahrendts

8)

shares gained more than ______

 

a.  three folds to $12 billion
b.  threes fold to $12 billion
c.  threefold to $12 billion
d.  tree fold to $12 billion

9)

Peace pointed out that many companies around the world would ______

 

a.  be willing to pays
b.  be willing two pay
c.  be willing too pay
d.  be willing to pay

10)

He added that Bailey was "worth ______"

 

a.  ever penny
b.  every pen knee
c.  every penny
d.  ever penny

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Shareholders from the British fashion house Burberry (1) ___________________ proposed pay package for its CEO. They rejected a resolution at the company's (2) ___________________ to provide newly-appointed CEO Christopher Bailey with a multi-million-dollar remuneration deal. The vote was 52.7 per cent (3) ___________________. Executives proposed to hand Mr Bailey a $12.3 million "golden hello", an annual salary of up to $17 million (4) ___________________ to $33 million by 2018. The share package has been called a "golden handcuffs" arrangement to stop him from joining (5) ___________________ in the next few years. He will also receive add-ons for pensions (6) ___________________.

Burberry chairman Sir John Peace (7) ___________________. He said he was "disappointed" and would talk to shareholders. He said: "I want to understand (8) ___________________ strongly to vote against." He said the packages for Bailey and his predecessor Angela Ahrendts were to keep "(9) ___________________" at the company. Under Ms Ahrendts' guidance between 2006 and 2014, the company's (10) ___________________ $3.4 billion, and shares gained more than threefold to $12 billion. Peace pointed out that many companies around the world (11) ___________________ Mr Bailey a lot more. He added that Bailey was "(12) ___________________". Bailey joined Burberry in 2001 as Design Director and became Creative Director in 2004.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What are shareholders up in arms about?

2.

At what kind of meeting did shareholders reject a resolution?

3.

How many people voted against the deal?

4.

How much could the shares package be worth?

5.

What will the CEO receive add-ons for?

6.

How did the chairman feel about the shareholders' decision?

7.

What does the chairman want to understand more?

8.

What kind of people does the chairman want to keep?

9.

By how many times did the previous CEO increase share value?

10.

When did the new CEO join Burberry?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What are shareholders up in arms about?

6.

How did the chairman feel about the shareholders' decision?

 

a) fashion
b) a new pay package
c) new designs
d) the choice of CEO

 

a) happy
b) up in arms
c) disappointed
d) ecstatic

2.

At what kind of meeting did shareholders reject a resolution?

7.

What does the chairman want to understand more?

 

a) a meeting of the board
b) an emergency meeting
c) a design meeting
d) an annual general meeting

 

a) his CEO's thinking
b) design
c) competitors' strategies
d) people's feelings

3.

How many people voted against the deal?

8.

What kind of people does the chairman want to keep?

 

a) 52.7%
b) 57.2%
c) 75.2%
d) 72.5%

 

a) world-class executives
b) innovative designers
c) financiers
d) IT experts

4.

How much could the shares package be worth?

9.

By how many times did the previous CEO increase share value?

 

a) $11 million
b) $22 million
c) $33 million
d) $44 million

 

a) three
b) four
c) five
d) six

5.

What will the CEO receive add-ons for?

10.

When did the new CEO join Burberry?

 

a) his Firefox Internet browser
b) pensions and performance bonuses
c) fashion designs
d) new stores opened

 

a) 2000
b) 2001
c) 2002
d) 2003

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Company CEO

You think a company CEO should get the highest salary. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their jobs shouldn't get the highest salary. Also, tell the others which of these should get the lowest (and why): a soldier, a doctor or a teacher.

Role  B – Soldier

You think a soldier should get the highest salary. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their jobs shouldn't get the highest salary. Also, tell the others which of these should get the lowest (and why): a company CEO, a doctor or a teacher.

Role  C – Doctor

You think a doctor should get the highest salary. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their jobs shouldn't get the highest salary. Also, tell the others which of these should get the lowest (and why): a soldier, a company CEO or a teacher.

Role  D – Teacher

You think a teacher should get the highest salary. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their jobs shouldn't get the highest salary. Also, tell the others which of these should get the lowest (and why):  a soldier, a doctor or a company CEO.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

golden

 

hello

 

 

  • 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:

  • house
  • general
  • vote
  • hello
  • share
  • few
  • disappointed
  • strongly
  • class
  • sales
  • willing
  • penny

CEO PAY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about CEO pay 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.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

CEO PAY DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'pay'?

c)

What do you think of a CEO getting a $17 million salary?

d)

Should CEO's get more pay than people who risk their lives?

e)

Should shareholders be able to block proposals from directors?

f)

What do you think of "golden" hellos, goodbyes and handcuffs?

g)

What makes a good CEO?

h)

How to people become CEOs?

i)

Do you think you would be a good CEO?

j)

What do you think of Burberry?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Would you vote for or against the remuneration package?

c)

Is it good business to pay top-quality CEOs lots of money?

d)

What positions should be paid more than company CEOs?

e)

Should CEOs get more if they add billions to their company's value?

f)

How much are you worth as a worker?

g)

Are you "worth every penny"?

h)

How does your performance compare to your colleagues'?

i)

How many bags does Burberry have to sell to pay Mr Bailey?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Burberry's chairman?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Shareholders from the British fashion (1) ____ Burberry are up in arms about a proposed pay package for its CEO. They rejected a resolution at the company's annual (2) ____ meeting to provide newly-appointed CEO Christopher Bailey with a multi-million-dollar remuneration (3) ____. The vote was 52.7 per cent against the resolution. Executives proposed to (4) ____ Mr Bailey a $12.3 million "golden hello", an annual salary of up to $17 million and shares (5) ____ up to $33 million by 2018. The share package has been called a "golden handcuffs" arrangement to stop him from joining a (6) ____ company in the next few years. He will also receive add-ons for pensions and performance bonuses.

Burberry chairman Sir John Peace (7) ____ the package. He said he was "disappointed" and would talk to shareholders. He said: "I want to understand why they felt so (8) ____ to vote against." He said the packages for Bailey and his predecessor Angela Ahrendts were to keep "world-(9) ____ executives" at the company. Under Ms Ahrendts' guidance between 2006 and 2014, the company's sales increased to over $3.4 billion, and shares (10) ____ more than threefold to $12 billion. Peace pointed (11) ____ that many companies around the world would be willing to pay Mr Bailey a lot more. He added that Bailey was "worth (12) ____ penny". Bailey joined Burberry in 2001 as Design Director and became Creative Director in 2004.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

house

(b)

home

(c)

mansion

(d)

residence

2.

(a)

rough

(b)

thereabouts

(c)

general

(d)

major

3.

(a)

pay

(b)

account

(c)

deal

(d)

contact

4.

(a)

foot

(b)

face

(c)

head

(d)

hand

5.

(a)

worth

(b)

worthy

(c)

worthless

(d)

worthwhile

6.

(a)

rivalry

(b)

rival

(c)

libel

(d)

libelous

7.

(a)

guarded

(b)

bunkered

(c)

fought

(d)

defended

8.

(a)

strengthen

(b)

strongly

(c)

strangle

(d)

stringently

9.

(a)

form

(b)

category

(c)

class

(d)

rank

10.

(a)

garnered

(b)

grained

(c)

gleaned

(d)

gained

11.

(a)

of

(b)

in

(c)

up

(d)

out

12.

(a)

whole

(b)

every

(c)

all

(d)

entire

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

a proposed pay ecaakgp

2.

They rejected the rsiunoeolt

3.

newly-doinaptep CEO

4.

a multi-million-dollar truironeemna deal

5.

a "golden handcuffs" aranteemgnr

6.

performance oesnsbu

Paragraph 2

7.

He said he was "ipapdediotsn"

8.

Bailey and his rocsedrepes Angela Ahrendts

9.

world-class etiecvxuse

10.

Under Ms Ahrendts' iadngeuc

11.

gained more than lfroedteh to $12 billion

12.

joined Burberry in 2001 as design driretoc

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

hello", an annual salary of up to $17 million and shares worth up to $33 million

(    )

more than threefold to $12 billion. Peace pointed out that many companies

(    )

was 52.7 per cent against the resolution. Executives proposed to hand Mr Bailey a $12.3 million "golden

(    )

predecessor Angela Ahrendts were to keep "world-class executives" at the company. Under Ms Ahrendts'

(    )

Burberry chairman Sir John Peace defended the package. He said he was "disappointed" and would talk to

(    )

company in the next few years. He will also receive add-ons for pensions and performance bonuses.

(    )

every penny". Bailey joined Burberry in 2001 as Design Director and became Creative Director in 2004.

(    )

guidance between 2006 and 2014, the company's sales increased to over $3.4 billion, and shares gained

(    )

shareholders. He said: "I want to understand why they felt so strongly to vote against." He said the packages for Bailey and his

(    )

package for its CEO. They rejected a resolution at the company's annual general

(    )

by 2018. The share package has been called a "golden handcuffs" arrangement to stop him from joining a rival

(    )

around the world would be willing to pay Mr Bailey a lot more. He added that Bailey was "worth

1  )

Shareholders from the British fashion house Burberry are up in arms about a proposed pay

(    )

meeting to provide newly-appointed CEO Christopher Bailey with a multi-million-dollar remuneration deal. The vote

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

its for package pay proposed a about arms in Up CEO.

2.

at meeting the company's A annual resolution general.

3.

52.7 was vote The resolution the against cent per.

4.

a in few Joining company next rival the years.

5.

- pensions will add for He receive ons also.

6.

and would He talk was to disappointed shareholders.

7.

they strongly want why so I understand felt to.

8.

$3.4 over to increased sales company's The billion.

9.

around would to Companies world willing the be pay.

10.

penny" added was every He Bailey "worth . that

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Shareholders from the British fashion house / home Burberry are up in arms about a proposed pay packed / package for its CEO. They rejected a resolution / revolution at the company's annual general meeting to provide newly-appointed CEO Christopher Bailey with a multi-million-dollar remuneration deal / dealt. The vote / voter was 52.7 per cent against the resolution. Executives supposed / proposed to hand Mr Bailey a $12.3 million "golden hello", an annually / annual salary of up to $17 million and shares worth up / round to $33 million by 2018. The share package has been called a "golden handcuffs" arrangement to stop him from joining a rivalry / rival company in the next few years. He will also receive add-ons / take-aways for pensions and performance bonuses.

Burberry chairman Sir John Peace defended / defensive the package. He said he was "disappointed" and would talk to shareholders. He said: "I want to understand why they felt so / such strongly to vote against." He said the packages for Bailey and his processor / predecessor Angela Ahrendts were to keep "world-class executives" at / of the company. Under Ms Ahrendts' guidance / guides between 2006 and 2014, the company's sales increased to over $3.4 billion, and shares regained / gained more than threefold / thrice to $12 billion. Peace pointed out / in that many companies around the world would be willing to pay Mr Bailey a lot more. He added that Bailey was "worth / worthless every penny". Bailey joined Burberry in 2001 has / as Design Director and became Creative Director in 2004.

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

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Sh_r_h_ld_rs fr_m th_ Br_t_sh f_sh__n h__s_ B_rb_rry _r_ _p _n _rms _b__t _ pr_p_s_d p_y p_ck_g_ f_r _ts C__. Th_y r_j_ct_d _ r_s_l_t__n _t th_ c_mp_ny's _nn__l g_n_r_l m__t_ng t_ pr_v_d_ n_wly-_pp__nt_d C__ Chr_st_ph_r B__l_y w_th _ m_lt_-m_ll__n-d_ll_r r_m_n_r_t__n d__l. Th_ v_t_ w_s 52.7 p_r c_nt _g__nst th_ r_s_l_t__n. _x_c_t_v_s pr_p_s_d t_ h_nd Mr B__l_y _ $12.3 m_ll__n "g_ld_n h_ll_", _n _nn__l s_l_ry _f _p t_ $17 m_ll__n _nd sh_r_s w_rth _p t_ $33 m_ll__n by 2018. Th_ sh_r_ p_ck_g_ h_s b__n c_ll_d _ "g_ld_n h_ndc_ffs" _rr_ng_m_nt t_ st_p h_m fr_m j__n_ng _ r_v_l c_mp_ny _n th_ n_xt f_w y__rs. H_ w_ll _ls_ r_c__v_ _dd-_ns f_r p_ns__ns _nd p_rf_rm_nc_ b_n_s_s.

B_rb_rry ch__rm_n S_r J_hn P__c_ d_f_nd_d th_ p_ck_g_. H_ s__d h_ w_s "d_s_pp__nt_d" _nd w__ld t_lk t_ sh_r_h_ld_rs. H_ s__d: "_ w_nt t_ _nd_rst_nd why th_y f_lt s_ str_ngly t_ v_t_ _g__nst." H_ s__d th_ p_ck_g_s f_r B__l_y _nd h_s pr_d_c_ss_r _ng_l_ _hr_ndts w_r_ t_ k__p "w_rld-cl_ss _x_c_t_v_s" _t th_ c_mp_ny. _nd_r Ms _hr_ndts' g__d_nc_ b_tw__n 2006 _nd 2014, th_ c_mp_ny's s_l_s _ncr__s_d t_ _v_r $3.4 b_ll__n, _nd sh_r_s g__n_d m_r_ th_n thr__f_ld t_ $12 b_ll__n. P__c_ p__nt_d __t th_t m_ny c_mp_n__s _r__nd th_ w_rld w__ld b_ w_ll_ng t_ p_y Mr B__l_y _ l_t m_r_. H_ _dd_d th_t B__l_y w_s "w_rth _v_ry p_nny". B__l_y j__n_d B_rb_rry _n 2001 _s D_s_gn D_r_ct_r _nd b_c_m_ Cr__t_v_ D_r_ct_r _n 2004.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

shareholders from the british fashion house burberry are up in arms about a proposed pay package for its ceo they rejected a resolution at the company's annual general meeting to provide newly-appointed ceo christopher bailey with a multi-million-dollar remuneration deal the vote was 527 per cent against the resolution executives proposed to hand mr bailey a $123 million "golden hello" an annual salary of up to $17 million and shares worth up to $33 million by 2018 the share package has been called a "golden handcuffs" arrangement to stop him from joining a rival company in the next few years he will also receive add-ons for pensions and performance bonuses

burberry chairman sir john peace defended the package he said he was "disappointed" and would talk to shareholders he said "i want to understand why they felt so strongly to vote against" he said the packages for bailey and his predecessor angela ahrendts were to keep "world-class executives" at the company under ms ahrendts' guidance between 2006 and 2014 the company's sales increased to over $34 billion and shares gained more than threefold to $12 billion peace pointed out that many companies around the world would be willing to pay mr bailey a lot more he added that bailey was "worth every penny" bailey joined burberry in 2001 as design director and became creative director in 2004

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ShareholdersfromtheBritishfashionhouseBurberryareupinarmsabo
utaproposedpaypackageforitsCEO.Theyrejectedaresolutionatthecom
pany'sannualgeneralmeetingtoprovidenewly-appointedCEOChristop
herBaileywithamulti-milliondollarremunerationdeal.Thevotewas
52.7percentagainsttheresolution.ExecutivesproposedtohandMrBaile
ya$12.3million"goldenhello",anannualsalaryofupto$17millionandsha
resworthupto$33millionby2018.Thesharepackagehasbeencalleda"g
oldenhandcuffs"arrangementtostophimfromjoiningarivalcompanyint
henextfewyears.Hewillalsoreceiveadd-onsforpensionsandperforman
cebonuses.BurberrychairmanSirJohnPeacedefendedthepackage.Hes
aidhewas"disappointed"andwouldtalktoshareholders.Hesaid:"Iwan
ttounderstandwhytheyfeltsostronglytovoteagainst."Hesaidthepack
agesforBaileyandhispredecessorAngelaAhrendtsweretokeep"world-c
lassexecutives"atthecompany.UnderMsAhrendts'guidancebetwee
n2006and2014,thecompany'ssalesincreasedtoover$3.4billion,andsh
aresgainedmorethanthreefoldto$12billion.Peacepointedoutthatman
ycompaniesaroundtheworldwouldbewillingtopayMrBaileyalotmo
re.HeaddedthatBaileywas"wortheverypenny".BaileyjoinedBurberryi
n2001asDesignDirectorandbecameCreativeDirectorin2004.

FREE WRITING

Write about CEO pay for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

A salary of $10 million is morally wrong, for anyone. Discuss.

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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 CEO pay. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. PAY: Make a poster about CEO pay. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. $10 MILLION: Write a magazine article about people getting a salary of $10 million. 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 a pay expert. Ask him/her three questions about CEO pay. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

up in arms

a.

angry

2.

rejected

b.

turned down

3.

appointed

c.

chosen

4.

annual

d.

yearly

5.

rival

e.

competitor

6.

defended

f.

justified

7.

guidance

g.

direction

8.

increased

h.

grew

9.

willing

i.

prepared

10.

added

j.

went on to say

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

A new pay package

2.

Annual general meeting

3.

52.7%

4.

$33 million

5.

Pensions and performance bonuses

6.

Disappointed

7.

Why people feel so strongly

8.

World-class executives

9.

Three

10.

2001

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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