The Reading / Listening - Level 5

An Indonesian sportswear maker has apologised for a label on its shirts that people thought was sexist. The label was on the shirts of one of the country's top football clubs. It read: "Washing instructions: Give this shirt to a woman. It's her job." The company issued its apology on March 9th, which was unfortunate timing as that just happened to be International Women's Day, an occasion to honour and celebrate women's achievements around the world. The company received a lot of complaints on social media from people who thought the label's wording was highly inappropriate.

The company quickly offered an apology. It said it did not mean to belittle women. A spokesperson tweeted: "The message is simply, instead of washing it in the wrong way, you might as well give it to a lady because they are more capable." It added: "There is no intention to humiliate women. In contrast, we want to tell the men to learn from women on how to take care of clothes." Many people felt the apology was also sexist. On a more positive note, The Asian Football Confederation launched its Women's Football Day on Sunday, designed to promote the women's game in Asia.

Try the same news story at these levels:

    Level 4 or  Level 6

Sources
  • http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/08/football_n_6825654.html
  • http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/03/08/uk-soccer-indonesia-sexist-idUKKBN0M405T20150308
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31786562


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 Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.

sportswear

a.

achievements

2.

a label on

b.

instructions

3.

Washing

c.

media

4.

unfortunate

d.

inappropriate

5.

honour and celebrate women's

e.

maker

6.

The company received a

f.

timing

7.

social

g.

its shirts

8.

the label's wording was highly

h.

lot of complaints



MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.

The company quickly offered

a.

wrong way

2.

it did not mean to

b.

note

3.

washing it in the

c.

women's game

4.

they are more

d.

from women

5.

There is no intention to

e.

belittle women

6.

tell the men to learn

f.

an apology

7.

On a more positive

g.

humiliate women

8.

designed to promote the

h.

capable

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

An Indonesian sportswear maker has apologised (1) ___________________ shirts that people thought was sexist. The label was on the shirts of one of the country's top football clubs. It read: " (2) ___________________: Give this shirt to a woman. It's her job." The company (3) ___________________ March 9th, which was (4) ___________________ as that just happened to be International Women's Day, an (5) ___________________ and celebrate women's achievements around the world. The company received a lot of complaints on social media from people who thought the label's wording was (6) ___________________.

The company quickly (7) ___________________. It said it did not mean to belittle women. A spokesperson tweeted: "The (8) ___________________, instead of washing it in the wrong way, (9) ___________________ give it to a lady because they (10) ___________________." It added: "There is no intention to humiliate women. In contrast, we want to tell the men to learn from women on (11) ___________________ of clothes." Many people felt the apology was also sexist. On a (12) ___________________, The Asian Football Confederation launched its Women's Football Day on Sunday, designed to promote the women's game in Asia.

SEXISM SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about sexism 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.

 

 

 

 

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

 

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

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

Help Support This Web Site

  • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Thank You