The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a new law to get people to read more. The law includes a large number of measures to support the government's wish for a higher literacy rate. Government employees will have paid time during working hours to read books. The law encourages private companies to create libraries at their offices, factories and other workplaces. It will also encourage shopping centres to offer spaces to set up public libraries so people can read when they go shopping. These libraries will be easy to use for people with reading disabilities. Even coffee shops at shopping malls will have to offer books and other reading materials to their customers.

The UAE's National Reading Law was issued by President Sheikh Khalifa. In May of this year, he launched the National Strategy for Reading, which has a 10-year goal to create a nation of "avid readers". It aims to make reading a lifelong habit for 50 per cent of the nation's adults and 80 per cent of school students. It also aims to get students to read an average of at least 20 books a year. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said the new law is: "A road map for building a reading, civilised society capable of change, and a world leader in development." Dr Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University, said that in the age of the Internet, it was still important for books and libraries to have their place in society.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/reading-law-opens-a-new-chapter-in-uae-1.1922410
  • http://www.timeoutdubai.com/aroundtown/news/74292-new-uae-law-will-give-employees-time-off-work-to-read
  • http://www.thenational.ae/uae/uaes-new-reading-law-hailed-for-encouraging-the-nation-to-pick-up-a-book


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. READING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about reading. 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?

       new law / number / measures / literacy / libraries / shopping centres / disabilities /
       strategy / avid readers / lifelong habit / average / society / development / Internet

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

3. DIGITAL: Students A strongly believe reading on digital devices is better than reading books; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. STRATEGIES: What are the best ways (strategies) to read? Talk about this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Reading exams
  • Unknown vocabulary
  • Novels
  • Instructions
  • Newspapers
  • Reading speed
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. LAW: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "law". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. READING MATERIAL: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • encyclopaedia
  • blogs
  • newspapers
  • manga / comics
  • biographies
  • travel guides
  • fantasy fiction
  • romance

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A new law in the UAE says people must read for 2 hours every day.     T / F
  2. Government workers will be able to read and get paid at work.     T / F
  3. The UAE wants shopping centres to create public libraries.     T / F
  4. Coffee shops will have to have books for customers to read.     T / F
  5. The law is part of a 25-year strategy for reading in the UAE.     T / F
  6. The UAE wants reading to be a lifelong habit for 80% of school students. T / F
  7. UAE students read an average of 20 or more books a year.     T / F
  8. A university president said libraries no longer have a place in society.     T / F

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

  1. introduced
  2. measures
  3. encourages
  4. set up
  5. offer
  6. avid
  7. habit
  8. nation
  9. road map
  10. age
  1. create
  2. brought in
  3. provide
  4. time
  5. custom
  6. plan
  7. actions
  8. keen
  9. supports
  10. country

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

  1. introduced a
  2. get people to read
  3. literacy
  4. set up public
  5. reading
  6. create a nation of avid
  7. make reading a lifelong
  8. read an average of at
  9. in the age
  10. libraries to have their
  1. libraries
  2. least 20 books
  3. materials
  4. of the Internet
  5. rate
  6. place in society
  7. new law
  8. habit
  9. readers
  10. more

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
workplaces
literacy
disabilities
law
materials
number
spaces
encourages

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a new (1) ____________ to get people to read more. The law includes a large (2) ____________of measures to support the government's wish for a higher (3) ____________rate. Government employees will have paid time during working hours to read books. The law (4) ____________private companies to create libraries at their offices, factories and other (5) ____________. It will also encourage shopping centres to offer (6) ____________to set up public libraries so people can read when they go shopping. These libraries will be easy to use for people with reading (7) ____________. Even coffee shops at shopping malls will have to offer books and other reading (8) ____________to their customers.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
habit
issued
age
average
place
avid
leader
map

The UAE’s National Reading Law was (9) ____________by President Sheikh Khalifa. In May of this year, he launched the National Strategy for Reading, which has a 10-year goal to create a nation of "(10) ____________readers". It aims to make reading a lifelong (11) ____________for 50 per cent of the nation's adults and 80 per cent of school students. It also aims to get students to read an (12) ____________of at least 20 books a year. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said the new law is: "A road (13) ____________for building a reading, civilised society capable of change, and a world (14) ____________in development." Dr Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University, said that in the (15) ____________of the Internet, it was still important for books and libraries to have their (16) ____________in society.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  UAE has introduced a new law to get people ______
     a.  to read many
     b.  to read more
     c.  to read most
     d.  to read much

2) a large number of measures to support the government's wish for a ______
     a.  higher literacy rates
     b.  highest literacy rate
     c.  higher literacy rate
     d.  higher literacies rate

3)  private companies to create libraries at their offices, factories ______
     a.  and another workplaces
     b.  and the other workplaces
     c.  and others workplaces
     d.  and other workplaces

4)  set up public libraries so people can read when ______
     a.  they go shopping
     b.  they go to shopping
     c.  them goes shopping
     d.  them go shopping

5)  shopping malls will have to offer books and other reading materials ______
     a.  to there customers
     b.  to their customers
     c.  to they're customers
     d.  to theirs customers

6)  …which has a 10-year goal to create a nation ______
     a.  of avid readers
     b.  of avidly readers
     c.  of rabid readers
     d.  of rabidly readers

7)  It also aims to get students to read an average of ______ books a year
     a.  at last 20
     b.  at lost 20
     c.  at lest 20
     d.  at least 20

8)  Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said the new law _______ …
     a.  is: "A mountain map
     b.  is: "A running map
     c.  is: "A road map
     d.  is: "A desert map

9)  building a reading, civilised society ______
     a.  capable of charge
     b.  capable of challenge
     c.  capable of cringe
     d.  capable of change

10)  it was still important for books and libraries to have their ______
     a.  place on society
     b.  place in society
     c.  place to society
     d.  place of society

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced (1) ___________________ people to read more. The law includes (2) ___________________ measures to support the government's wish for a higher literacy rate. Government employees will have (3) ___________________ working hours to read books. The law encourages private companies to create libraries at their offices, factories and other workplaces. It will also encourage shopping centres to offer spaces (4) ___________________ public libraries so people can read when they go shopping. These libraries will be (5) ___________________ people with reading disabilities. Even coffee shops at shopping malls will (6) ___________________ books and other reading materials to their customers.

The UAE’s National Reading Law was issued by President Sheikh Khalifa. In May (7) ___________________, he launched the National Strategy for Reading, which has a 10-year goal to create a nation (8) ___________________. It aims to make reading a lifelong habit for 50 per cent of the nation's adults and 80 per cent of school students. (9) ___________________ get students to read an average of at least 20 books a year. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said the new law is: "A (10) ___________________ building a reading, civilised society capable of change, and a world leader in development." Dr Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University, said that (11) ___________________ the Internet, it was still important for books and libraries to (12) ___________________ in society.

Comprehension questions

  1. How many measures is the UAE introducing for people to read more?
  2. Who will be paid to read books during working hours?
  3. What will the UAE encourage to set up public libraries?
  4. For whom will libraries be easy to use?
  5. What will coffee shops have to offer their customers?
  6. How long is the UAE National Strategy for Reading?
  7. What does the UAE want to make reading for 80% of school students?
  8. At least how many books a year does the UAE want students to read?
  9. What kind of map did the education minister say the new law was?
  10. Where did a university president say libraries have their place?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many measures is the UAE introducing for people to read more?
a) a few measures
b) numerous measures
c) a large number of measures
d) uncountable measures

2) Who will be paid to read books during working hours?
a) government workers
b) teachers
c) authors
d) lawmakers

3) What will the UAE encourage to set up public libraries?
a) train stations
b) shopping centres
c) sports stadiums
d) Internet cafes

4) For whom will libraries be easy to use?
a) students
b) tourists
c) babies
d) people with reading disabilities

5) What will coffee shops have to offer their customers?
a) camel milk coffee
b) healthy food
c) books
d) free Internet

6) How long is the UAE National Strategy for Reading?
a) 3 years
b) 10 years
c) 100 years
d) there is no limit

7) What does the UAE want to make reading for 80% of school students?
a) a challenge
b) great fun
c) extra homework
d) a lifelong habit

8) At least how many books a year does the UAE want students to read?
a) 10
b) 20
c) 30
d) 40

9) What kind of map did the education minister say the new law was?
a) a Google map
b) a road map
c) a desert map
d) a longitudinal map

10) Where did a university president say libraries have their place?
a) in society
b) in big cities
c) in the desert
d) in this era

Role play

Role A — Role A – Biographies

You think biographies are the best things to read. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are not so good about their reading material. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): travel guides, novels or manga or comics.

Role B — Role B – Travel Guides

You think travel guides are the best things to read. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are not so good about their reading material. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): biographies, novels or manga or comics.

Role C — Role C – Novels

You think novels are the best things to read. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are not so good about their reading material. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): travel guides, biographies or manga or comics.

Role D — Role D – Manga or Comics

You think manga or comics are the best things to read. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are not so good about their reading material. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): travel guides, novels or biographies.

After reading / listening

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

'reading'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'law'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • May
    • 10
    • 80
    • 20
    • map
    • place
    • introduced
    • wish
    • paid
    • spaces
    • easy
    • materials

    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 - New UAE law gives workers time off to read

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'reading'?
    3. How much do you like reading?
    4. What do you think about what you read?
    5. How long should people read each day?
    6. How important are libraries?
    7. What is your favourite library and why do you like it?
    8. What do you think of having libraries in shopping malls?
    9. Where is your favourite place to read, and why?
    10. What's your favourite book, and why?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What does your country do to encourage reading?
    3. What do you think of having a law that gets people to read?
    4. What can governments do to encourage reading?
    5. What is the benefit to society if people read more?
    6. Why do some people dislike reading?
    7. Is it better to read from a book or the Internet?
    8. Why do we still need libraries?
    9. How does reading change people?
    10. What questions would you like to ask an author?

    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 United Arab Emirates (UAE) has (1) ____ a new law to get people to read more. The law includes a large number of (2) ____ to support the government's wish for a higher literacy rate. Government employees will have paid time (3) ____ working hours to read books. The law encourages private companies to create libraries at their offices, factories and (4) ____ workplaces. It will also encourage shopping centres to offer spaces to set (5) ____ public libraries so people can read when they go shopping. These libraries will be easy to use for people with reading disabilities. Even coffee shops at shopping malls will have to offer books and other reading (6) ____ to their customers.

    The UAE’s National Reading Law was issued by President Sheikh Khalifa. In May of this year, he launched the National Strategy for Reading, which has a 10-year goal to create a nation of "(7) ____ readers". It aims to make reading a lifelong (8) ____ for 50 per cent of the nation's adults and 80 per cent of school students. It also aims to get students to read an average of (9) ____ least 20 books a year. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said the new law is: "A (10) ____ map for building a reading, civilised society (11) ____ of change, and a world leader in development." Dr Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University, said that in the age of the Internet, it was still important for books and libraries to have their (12) ____ in society.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     introduce     (b)     introducing     (c)     introduction     (d)     introduced    
    2. (a)     tapes     (b)     rulers     (c)     gauges     (d)     measures    
    3. (a)     while     (b)     during     (c)     for     (d)     by    
    4. (a)     another     (b)     the others     (c)     other     (d)     the other    
    5. (a)     up     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     to    
    6. (a)     materials     (b)     fabrics     (c)     linens     (d)     cloths    
    7. (a)     rabidly     (b)     avidly     (c)     rabid     (d)     avid    
    8. (a)     habit     (b)     routinely     (c)     regular     (d)     customary    
    9. (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     for     (d)     by    
    10. (a)     desert     (b)     Google     (c)     road     (d)     colour    
    11. (a)     capacity     (b)     culpable     (c)     capable     (d)     combustible    
    12. (a)     table     (b)     place     (c)     website     (d)     book

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a large number of rauesmse
    2. a higher cretialy rate
    3. offices, siotcfrea and other workplaces
    4. public silrireab
    5. people with reading litabseisiid
    6. reading raelmtais to their customers

    Paragraph 2

    1. dsuies by President Sheikh Khalifa
    2. he haucndle the National Strategy for Reading
    3. make reading a lifelong ihbta
    4. read an aeavegr of at least 20 books
    5. lvsieiidc (UK)   /   icidielvz (USA)  society
    6. have their place in osyctie

    Put the text back together

    (    )     employees will have paid time during working hours to read books. The law encourages private companies to

    (    )     up public libraries so people can read when they go shopping. These libraries will be

    (    )     students. It also aims to get students to read an average of at least 20 books a

    (    )     number of measures to support the government's wish for a higher literacy rate. Government

    (    )     easy to use for people with reading disabilities. Even coffee shops at shopping malls will have to offer

    (    )     the National Strategy for Reading, which has a 10-year goal to create a nation of "avid readers". It aims to make

    (    )     The UAE’s National Reading Law was issued by President Sheikh Khalifa. In May of this year, he launched

    (    )     said that in the age of the Internet, it was still important for books and libraries to have their place in society.

    (    )     year. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said the new law is: "A road map for building a reading, civilised

    1  )     The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a new law to get people to read more. The law includes a large

    (    )     society capable of change, and a world leader in development." Dr Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University,

    (    )     books and other reading materials to their customers.

    (    )     create libraries at their offices, factories and other workplaces. It will also encourage shopping centres to offer spaces to set

    (    )     reading a lifelong habit for 50 per cent of the nation's adults and 80 per cent of school

    Put the words in the right order

    1. law   people   more   new   get   read   a   to   to   Introduced   .
    2. a   the   higher   government's   literacy   wish   rate   for   Support   .
    3. will   to   also   offer   encourage   spaces   shopping   It   centres   .
    4. to   use  for  people  with  reading  disabilities  Libraries  will  be  easy  .
    5. at   will   offer   shops   malls   to   Coffee   shopping   have   books   .
    6. "avid  create   10   to   A   of   goal   .   nation   year   -   readers"   a   .
    7. It   habit   lifelong   a   reading   make   to   aims   .
    8. to  year   20  of  read  Get  books   at   an  students  a  least  average  .
    9. for   reading   society   map   a   civilised   road   building   ,   A   .
    10. to  have  their  place  in   society  Important  for  books  and  libraries  .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced / introduction a new law to get people to read more. The law includes / including a large number of measures to / for support the government's wish for a upper / higher literacy rate. Government employees will have paid time during / while working hours to read books. The law encourages private companies to create / creative libraries at their offices, factories and another / other workplaces. It will also encourage shopping centres to offer spaces to set down / up public libraries so people can read when they go / going shopping. These libraries will be easy to use for people with reading disabilities. Even coffee shops at shopping malls will have to offer books and other reading materials to them / their customers.

    The UAE’s National Reading Law was issued / issuing by President Sheikh Khalifa. In May of this year, he launched the National Strategy for Reading, which has / have a 10-year goal to create a nation of "avid / rabid readers". It aims to make / do reading a lifelong habit for 50 per cent of the nation's adults and 80 per cent of school students. It also aims to getting / get students to read an average of / for at least 20 books a year. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said the new law is: "A path / road map for building a reading, civilised society capability / capable of change, and a world leader in / on development." Dr Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University, said that in the age of the Internet, it was still important for books and libraries to have their place in social / society.

    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)

    Th_ _n_t_d _r_b _m_r_t_s (___) h_s _ntr_d_c_d _ n_w l_w t_ g_t p__pl_ t_ r__d m_r_. Th_ l_w _ncl_d_s _ l_rg_ n_mb_r _f m__s_r_s t_ s_pp_rt th_ g_v_rnm_nt's w_sh f_r _ h_gh_r l_t_r_cy r_t_. G_v_rnm_nt _mpl_y__s w_ll h_v_ p__d t_m_ d_r_ng w_rk_ng h__rs t_ r__d b__ks. Th_ l_w _nc__r_g_s pr_v_t_ c_mp_n__s t_ cr__t_ l_br_r__s _t th__r _ff_c_s, f_ct_r__s _nd _th_r w_rkpl_c_s. _t w_ll _ls_ _nc__r_g_ sh_pp_ng c_ntr_s t_ _ff_r sp_c_s t_ s_t _p p_bl_c l_br_r__s s_ p__pl_ c_n r__d wh_n th_y g_ sh_pp_ng. Th_s_ l_br_r__s w_ll b_ __sy t_ _s_ f_r p__pl_ w_th r__d_ng d_s_b_l_t__s. _v_n c_ff__ sh_ps _t sh_pp_ng m_lls w_ll h_v_ t_ _ff_r b__ks _nd _th_r r__d_ng m_t_r__ls t_ th__r c_st_m_rs.

    Th_ ___’s N_t__n_l R__d_ng L_w w_s _ss__d by Pr_s_d_nt Sh__kh Kh_l_f_. _n M_y _f th_s y__r, h_ l__nch_d th_ N_t__n_l Str_t_gy f_r R__d_ng, wh_ch h_s _ 10-y__r g__l t_ cr__t_ _ n_t__n _f "_v_d r__d_rs". _t __ms t_ m_k_ r__d_ng _ l_f_l_ng h_b_t f_r 50 p_r c_nt _f th_ n_t__n's _d_lts _nd 80 p_r c_nt _f sch__l st_d_nts. _t _ls_ __ms t_ g_t st_d_nts t_ r__d _n _v_r_g_ _f _t l__st 20 b__ks _ y__r. H_ss__n _l H_mm_d_, M_n_st_r _f _d_c_t__n, s__d th_ n_w l_w _s: "_ r__d m_p f_r b__ld_ng _ r__d_ng, c_v_l_s_d s_c__ty c_p_bl_ _f ch_ng_, _nd _ w_rld l__d_r _n d_v_l_pm_nt." Dr T_d L__rs_n, Pr_s_d_nt _f Kh_l_f_ _n_v_rs_ty, s__d th_t _n th_ _g_ _f th_ _nt_rn_t, _t w_s st_ll _mp_rt_nt f_r b__ks _nd l_br_r__s t_ h_v_ th__r pl_c_ _n s_c__ty.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the united arab emirates (uae) has introduced a new law to get people to read more the law includes a large number of measures to support the government's wish for a higher literacy rate government employees will have paid time during working hours to read books the law encourages private companies to create libraries at their offices factories and other workplaces it will also encourage shopping centres to offer spaces to set up public libraries so people can read when they go shopping these libraries will be easy to use for people with reading disabilities even coffee shops at shopping malls will have to offer books and other reading materials to their customers

    the uae’s national reading law was issued by president sheikh khalifa in may of this year he launched the national strategy for reading which has a 10-year goal to create a nation of "avid readers" it aims to make reading a lifelong habit for 50 per cent of the nation's adults and 80 per cent of school students it also aims to get students to read an average of at least 20 books a year hussain al hammadi minister of education said the new law is "a road map for building a reading civilised society capable of change and a world leader in development" dr tod laursen president of khalifa university said that in the age of the internet it was still important for books and libraries to have their place in society

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheUnitedArabEmirates(UAE)hasintroducedanewlawtogetpeopleto
    readmore.Thelawincludesalargenumberofmeasurestosupportthego
    vernment'swishforahigherliteracyrate.Governmentemployeeswillh
    avepaidtimeduringworkinghourstoreadbooks.Thelawencouragespri
    vatecompaniestocreatelibrariesattheiroffices,factoriesandotherwor
    kplaces.Itwillalsoencourageshoppingcentrestoofferspacestosetupp
    ubliclibrariessopeoplecanreadwhentheygoshopping.Theselibraries
    willbeeasytouseforpeoplewithreadingdisabilities.Evencoffeeshopsa
    tshoppingmallswillhavetoofferbooksandotherreadingmaterialstoth
    eircustomers.TheUAE’sNationalReadingLawwasissuedbyPresidentS
    heikhKhalifa.InMayofthisyear,helaunchedtheNationalStrategyforR
    eading,whichhasa10-yeargoaltocreateanationof"avidreaders".Itai
    mstomakereadingalifelonghabitfor50percentofthenation'sadultsan
    d80percentofschoolstudents.Italsoaimstogetstudentstoreadanaver
    ageofatleast20booksayear.HussainAlHammadi,MinisterofEducatio
    n,saidthenewlawis:"Aroadmapforbuildingareading,civilisedsocietyc
    apableofchange,andaworldleaderindevelopment."DrTodLaursen,Pr
    esidentofKhalifaUniversity,saidthatintheageoftheInternet,itwasstill
    importantforbooksandlibrariestohavetheirplaceinsociety.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Reading from a book is better than from a digital device. 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 the UAE's reading law. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. READING LAW: Write a magazine article about all countries needing a reading law. 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 reading. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to enjoy reading more. 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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