The Reading / Listening - Older Mothers - Level 3

New research suggests that the children of older mothers grow up to be happier. The study says children will also experience fewer behavioural problems and have fewer social and emotional difficulties. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark looked at data from a random sample of 4,741 mothers. Lead researcher Professor Dion Sommer said we become, "more mentally flexible with age, more tolerant of other people". He said this could be the reason why older mothers do not scold and physically discipline their children as much as younger mothers. He added that, "this style of parenting can contribute to a positive psycho-social environment" as the child grows up.

The findings of the research showed that the average age of the women while pregnant was about 31. Studies show that older mothers worry less during pregnancy and are happier and more positive about becoming parents and towards their children in general. This may mean they are more caring and supportive of their children. Older mothers also tend to be in more stable relationships, they are better off financially and they have had a better education. Researchers also found that children born to older mothers have a better language ability than those born to younger mothers. This may be because older mothers spend more time with their children and talk to them more often.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Older Mothers - Level 0 Older Mothers - Level 1   or  Older Mothers - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20170323/older-mothers-may-raise-better-behaved-kids-study-suggests
  • http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17405629.2016.1266248?journalCode=pedp20
  • http://www.news-medical.net/news/20170323/Children-born-to-older-mothers-are-at-an-advantage-report-researchers.aspx


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. OLDER MOTHERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about older mothers. 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?

       research / happier / experience / emotional / difficulties / flexible / discipline / positive
       average / pregnant / in general / supportive / relationships / financially / language

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

3. YOUNGER MOTHERS: Students A strongly believe mothers are better than older mothers; Students B strongly believe the opposite is true.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. PARENTING: What are the pros and cons of parenting? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Pros

Cons

Money

 

 

Sleep

 

 

Holidays

 

 

Happiness

 

 

Future

 

 

Mental health

 

 

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

6. HAPPY: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that make parents happiest at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • a child's first "I love you"
  • big hugs
  • bath time
  • reading together
  • a child's birth
  • children at play
  • child graduates university
  • child gets married

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A study says children of older mothers have fewer behavioral problems.  T / F
  2. The study is from a university in Denmark.     T / F
  3. Researchers looked at data from 4,741 mothers.     T / F
  4. The study said older mums scold children more than younger mums.    T / F
  5. The average age of the mothers in the study was 41.     T / F
  6. The study found that older mothers worried more about their pregnancy. T / F
  7. Older mothers are usually in more stable relationships.     T / F
  8. Younger mothers were found to talk to their children more.     T / F

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

  1. experience
  2. data
  3. tolerant
  4. discipline
  5. environment
  6. show
  7. in general
  8. stable
  9. ability
  10. talk
  1. control
  2. demonstrate
  3. secure
  4. surroundings
  5. speak
  6. open-minded
  7. talent
  8. come across
  9. usually
  10. information

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

  1. the children of older mothers
  2. fewer social and
  3. looked at data from a
  4. more tolerant
  5. older mothers do not scold and physically
  6. the average age of the women
  7. mothers worry less during
  8. children in
  9. Older mothers also tend to be in
  10. a better language
  1. random sample
  2. more stable relationships
  3. discipline their children
  4. emotional difficulties
  5. pregnancy
  6. general
  7. grow up to be happier
  8. ability
  9. of other people
  10. while pregnant

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
fewer
discipline
reason
data
suggests
style
difficulties
age

New research (1) ____________ that the children of older mothers grow up to be happier. The study says children will also experience (2) ____________ behavioural problems and have fewer social and emotional (3) ____________. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark looked at (4) ____________ from a random sample of 4,741 mothers. Lead researcher Professor Dion Sommer said we become, "more mentally flexible with                (5) ____________, more tolerant of other people". He said this could be the (6) ____________ why older mothers do not scold and physically (7) ____________ their children as much as younger mothers. He added that, "this (8) ____________ of parenting can contribute to a positive psycho-social environment" as the child grows up.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
off
supportive
spend
pregnancy
average
ability
tend
general

The findings of the research showed that the (9) ____________ age of the women while pregnant was about 31. Studies show that older mothers worry less during (10) ____________ and are happier and more positive about becoming parents and towards their children in (11) ____________. This may mean they are more caring and (12) ____________ of their children. Older mothers also (13) ____________ to be in more stable relationships, they are better (14) ____________ financially and they have had a better education. Researchers also found that children born to older mothers have a better language (15) ____________ than those born to younger mothers. This may be because older mothers (16) ____________ more time with their children and talk to them more often.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  New research suggests that the children of older mothers grow ______
     a.  up to be happy a
     b.  up to been happier
     c.  up too be happier
     d.  up to be happier

2)  fewer behavioural problems and have fewer social and ______
     a.  emotionally difficulty
     b.  emotionally difficult ties
     c.  emotional difficulties
     d.  emotionally difficulties

3)  Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark looked at data from ______
     a.  a random simple
     b.  a random sample
     c.  a random sump all
     d.  a random stamp all

4)  we become, "more mentally flexible with age, ______"
     a.  more tolerant
     b.  more tolerance
     c.  more toll errant
     d.  more taller ant

5)  the reason why older mothers do not scold and physically ______ children
     a.  discipline them
     b.  discipline there
     c.  discipline they're
     d.  discipline their

6)  Studies show that older mothers worry less ______
     a.  during pregnant see
     b.  jury pregnancy
     c.  jawing pregnancies
     d.  during pregnancy

7)  This may mean they are more caring and ______ children
     a.  support if of their
     b.  supportive off their
     c.  supportive of their
     d.  support I've of there

8)  Older mothers also tend to be in more ______
     a.  stay bull relationships
     b.  stable relationships
     c.  stay ball relationships
     d.  stable relationship

9)  Researchers also found that children born to older mothers have a better ______
     a.  language abilities
     b.  languages ability
     c.  languages abilities
     d.  language ability

10) older mothers spend more time with their children and talk to ______
     a.  them more off ten
     b.  them more oft than
     c.  them more often than
     d.  them more often

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

New research suggests that the (1) ___________________ mothers grow up to be happier. The study says children will also experience fewer behavioural problems and have fewer (2) ___________________ difficulties. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark (3) ___________________ from a random sample of 4,741 mothers. Lead researcher Professor Dion Sommer said we become, "more mentally (4) ___________________, more tolerant of other people". He said this could be the reason why older mothers do not (5) ___________________ discipline their children as much as younger mothers. He added that, "this style of parenting can contribute to a positive psycho-social environment" as (6) ___________________.

The findings of the research showed that (7) ___________________ the women while pregnant was about 31. Studies show that older mothers worry less (8) ___________________ and are happier and more positive about becoming parents and towards their (9) ___________________. This may mean they are more caring and supportive of their children. Older mothers also tend (10) ___________________ stable relationships, they are better off financially and they have had a better education. Researchers also found that children born to older mothers have a better (11) ___________________ than those born to younger mothers. This may be because older mothers (12) ___________________ with their children and talk to them more often.

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of problems will children of older mothers have fewer of?
  2. What country is this research from?
  3. How many mothers' data did researchers look at?
  4. What do older mothers become with other people?
  5. What do older mothers do less of physically to their children?
  6. What was the average age of pregnant mothers in the sample?
  7. What tends to be more stable with older mothers?
  8. In what way did the article say older mothers are better off?
  9. What ability is better in children of older mothers?
  10. Who do older mothers spend more time with?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What kind of problems will children of older mothers have fewer of?
a) behavioural problems
b) bullying
c) money problems
d) difficulty problems

2)  What country is this research from?
a) Sweden
b) Norway
c) Denmark
d) Finland

3)  How many mothers' data did researchers look at?
a) 4,417
b) 1,471
c) 7.417
d) 4,741

4)  What do older mothers become with other people?
a) strangers
b) more tolerant
c) monsters
d) friends

5)  What do older mothers do less of physically to their children?
a) discipline them
b) hug them
c) shout at them
d) use their real name

6)  What was the average age of pregnant mothers in the sample?
a) 51
b) 41
c) 21
d) 31

7)  What tends to be more stable with older mothers?
a) their mind
b) their balance
c) relationships
d) the weather

8)  In what way did the article say older mothers are better off?
a) emotionally
b) financially
c) health-wise
d) alone

9)  What ability is better in children of older mothers?
a) cooking
b) sciences
c) language
d) maths

10)  Who do older mothers spend more time with?
a) their husband
b) their children
c) their neighbours
d) their doctor

Role play

Role  A – 18

You think 18 is the best age to become a first-time parent. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ages. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): 25, 32 or 40.

Role  B – 25

You think 25 is the best age to become a first-time parent. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ages. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): 18, 32 or 40.

Role  C – 32

You think 32 is the best age to become a first-time parent. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ages. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): 25, 18 or 40.

Role  D – 40                              

You think 40 is the best age to become a first-time parent. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ages. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):  25, 32 or 18.

After reading / listening

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

'older'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'mother'.

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

    • age
    • less
    • general
    • tend
    • ability
    • talk
    • new
    • difficulties
    • data
    • other
    • much
    • positive

    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 - Older mothers may raise happier children

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'older'?
    3. How much do you agree with what you read?
    4. Why might younger women be better mothers?
    5. What is a good mother?
    6. Have you become a more tolerant person?
    7. How should parents discipline their children?
    8. How useful is scolding young children?
    9. What are the best three adjectives to describe a mother?
    10. Should high schools give weekly parenting classes to children?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'mother'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why might older women be better mothers?
    5. What is the best age for someone to become a parent?
    6. Is there a time when someone becomes too old to become a parent?
    7. How can society give more help to mothers (and fathers)?
    8. How difficult is the job of being a mother?
    9. Should mothers get paid for being a mother?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    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)

    New research (1) ____ that the children of older mothers grow up to be happier. The study says children will also experience (2) ____ behavioural problems and have fewer social and emotional difficulties. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark looked at data from a random (3) ____ of 4,741 mothers. Lead researcher Professor Dion Sommer said we become, "more (4) ____ flexible with age, more tolerant of other people". He said this could be the reason (5) ____ older mothers do not scold and physically discipline their children as much as younger mothers. He added that, "this style of (6) ____ can contribute to a positive psycho-social environment" as the child grows up.

    The findings of the research showed that the average age (7) ____ the women while pregnant was about 31. Studies show that older mothers worry less (8) ____ pregnancy and are happier and more positive about becoming parents and towards their children (9) ____ general. This may mean they are more caring and supportive (10) ____ their children. Older mothers also tend to be in more stable relationships, they are better (11) ____ financially and they have had a better education. Researchers also found that children born to older mothers have a better language ability than (12) ____ born to younger mothers. This may be because older mothers spend more time with their children and talk to them more often.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     suggest     (b)     suggests     (c)     suggestive     (d)     suggesting    
    2. (a)     less     (b)     fewer     (c)     lessen     (d)     lessens    
    3. (a)     sump     (b)     stamp     (c)     simple     (d)     sample    
    4. (a)     mentality     (b)     mentally     (c)     mental     (d)     menthol    
    5. (a)     how     (b)     why     (c)     why     (d)     what    
    6. (a)     parental     (b)     patented     (c)     parenting     (d)     patent    
    7. (a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     of     (d)     as    
    8. (a)     while     (b)     between     (c)     during     (d)     among    
    9. (a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     in    
    10. (a)     of     (b)     off     (c)     at     (d)     as    
    11. (a)     off     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     up    
    12. (a)     these     (b)     that     (c)     those     (d)     them

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. fewer social and emotional ieftfdlisuci
    2. a random psmlea of 4,741 mothers
    3. more nlarotte of other people
    4. this could be the rasneo why
    5. yclasyplih discipline their children
    6. a esvotiip psycho-social environment

     

    Paragraph 2

    1. the varegea age of the women
    2. older mothers worry less udrgni pregnancy
    3. more caring and rieupvspto
    4. they are better off iniclalfyna
    5. a better inctuoade
    6. a better language tibaiyl

    Put the text back together

    (    )     people". He said this could be the reason why older mothers do not scold and physically discipline their children as

    (    )     because older mothers spend more time with their children and talk to them more often.

    (    )     that older mothers worry less during pregnancy and are happier and more positive about becoming parents and towards

    (    )     experience fewer behavioural problems and have fewer social and emotional difficulties. Researchers from Aarhus University

    (    )     much as younger mothers. He added that, "this style of parenting can contribute

    1  )     New research suggests that the children of older mothers grow up to be happier. The study says children will also

    (    )     to a positive psycho-social environment" as the child grows up.

    (    )     The findings of the research showed that the average age of the women while pregnant was about 31. Studies show

    (    )     of their children. Older mothers also tend to be in more stable relationships, they are better off

    (    )     their children in general. This may mean they are more caring and supportive

    (    )     to older mothers have a better language ability than those born to younger mothers. This may be

    (    )     in Denmark looked at data from a random sample of 4,741 mothers. Lead

    (    )     financially and they have had a better education. Researchers also found that children born

    (    )     researcher Professor Dion Sommer said we become, "more mentally flexible with age, more tolerant of other

    Put the words in the right order

    1. be   mothers   happier   grow   Children   up   of   to   older   .
    2. experience   behavioural   Children   also   fewer   problems   will   .
    3. data   at   Looked   mothers   4,741   of   sample   random   a   from   .
    4. mentally   with   We   more   flexible   age   become   .
    5. younger  children  mothers  as  Physically   much  discipline  as   their  .
    6. pregnant   while   women   the   of   age   average   The   .
    7. mothers   Older   pregnancy   during   less   worry   .
    8. and   positive   becoming   Happier   more   about   parents   .
    9. relationships   also   be   stable  mothers   to   more  Older   tend   in   .
    10. mothers   Older   children   their   with   time   more   spend   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    New research suggests / suggestive that the children of older mothers growing / grow up to be happier. The study says children will also experience less / fewer behavioural problems and have fewer social and emotional difficult / difficulties. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark looked at / in data from a random simple / sample of 4,741 mothers. Lead researcher Professor Dion Sommer said we become, "more mentally flexible with old / age, are more tolerant / tolerance of other people". He said this could be the reason why older mothers do not scold and physical / physically discipline their children as much as younger mothers. He added that, "this stylish / style of parenting can contribute to a positive psycho-social environment" as the child grows up.

    The findings / funding of the research showed that the average age / old of the women while pregnant / pregnancy was about 31. Studies show that older mothers worry fewer / less during pregnancy and are happier and more positive about becoming / become parents and towards their children in generally / general. This may mean they are more caring and supportive of their children. Older mothers also tend to be in more stable / barn relationships, they are better on / off financially and they have had a better education. Researchers also found that children born to older mothers have a better language ability / able than those born to younger mothers. This may be because older mothers spend more time with their children and talk to / at them more often.

    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)

    N_w r_s__rch s_gg_sts th_t th_ ch_ldr_n _f _ld_r m_th_rs gr_w _p t_ b_ h_pp__r. Th_ st_dy s_ys ch_ldr_n w_ll _ls_ _xp_r__nc_ f_w_r b_h_v___r_l pr_bl_ms _nd h_v_ f_w_r s_c__l _nd _m_t__n_l d_ff_c_lt__s. R_s__rch_rs fr_m __rh_s _n_v_rs_ty _n D_nm_rk l__k_d _t d_t_ fr_m _ r_nd_m s_mpl_ _f 4,741 m_th_rs. L__d r_s__rch_r Pr_f_ss_r D__n S_mm_r s__d w_ b_c_m_, "m_r_ m_nt_lly fl_x_bl_ w_th _g_, _r_ m_r_ t_l_r_nt _f _th_r p__pl_". H_ s__d th_s c__ld b_ th_ r__s_n why _ld_r m_th_rs d_ n_t sc_ld _nd phys_c_lly d_sc_pl_n_ th__r ch_ldr_n _s m_ch _s y__ng_r m_th_rs. H_ _dd_d th_t, "th_s styl_ _f p_r_nt_ng c_n c_ntr_b_t_ t_ _ p_s_t_v_ psych_-s_c__l _nv_r_nm_nt" _s th_ ch_ld gr_ws _p.

    Th_ f_nd_ngs _f th_ r_s__rch sh_w_d th_t th_ _v_r_g_ _g_ _f th_ w_m_n wh_l_ pr_gn_nt w_s _b__t 31. St_d__s sh_w th_t _ld_r m_th_rs w_rry l_ss d_r_ng pr_gn_ncy _nd _r_ h_pp__r _nd m_r_ p_s_t_v_ _b__t b_c_m_ng p_r_nts _nd t_w_rds th__r ch_ldr_n _n g_n_r_l. Th_s m_y m__n th_y _r_ m_r_ c_r_ng _nd s_pp_rt_v_ _f th__r ch_ldr_n. _ld_r m_th_rs _ls_ t_nd t_ b_ _n m_r_ st_bl_ r_l_t__nsh_ps, th_y _r_ b_tt_r _ff f_n_nc__lly _nd th_y h_v_ h_d _ b_tt_r _d_c_t__n. R_s__rch_rs _ls_ f__nd th_t ch_ldr_n b_rn t_ _ld_r m_th_rs h_v_ _ b_tt_r l_ng__g_ _b_l_ty th_n th_s_ b_rn t_ y__ng_r m_th_rs. Th_s m_y b_ b_c__s_ _ld_r m_th_rs sp_nd m_r_ t_m_ w_th th__r ch_ldr_n _nd t_lk t_ th_m m_r_ _ft_n.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    new research suggests that the children of older mothers grow up to be happier the study says children will also experience fewer behavioural problems and have fewer social and emotional difficulties researchers from aarhus university in denmark looked at data from a random sample of 4741 mothers lead researcher professor dion sommer said we become "more mentally flexible with age are more tolerant of other people" he said this could be the reason why older mothers do not scold and physically discipline their children as much as younger mothers he added that "this style of parenting can contribute to a positive psycho-social environment" as the child grows up

    the findings of the research showed that the average age of the women while pregnant was about 31 studies show that older mothers worry less during pregnancy and are happier and more positive about becoming parents and towards their children in general this may mean they are more caring and supportive of their children older mothers also tend to be in more stable relationships they are better off financially and they have had a better education researchers also found that children born to older mothers have a better language ability than those born to younger mothers this may be because older mothers spend more time with their children and talk to them more often

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Newresearchsuggeststhatthechildrenofoldermothersgrowuptobeha
    ppier.Thestudysayschildrenwillalsoexperiencefewerbehaviouralpro
    blemsandhavefewersocialandemotionaldifficulties.Researchersfro
    mAarhusUniversityinDenmarklookedatdatafromarandomsampleof
    4,741mothers.LeadresearcherProfessorDionSommersaidwebecom
    e,"morementallyflexiblewithage,moretolerantofotherpeople".H
    esaidthiscouldbethereasonwhyoldermothersdonotscoldandphysical
    lydisciplinetheirchildrenasmuchasyoungermothers.Headdedthat,"t
    hisstyleofparentingcancontributetoapositivepsycho-socialenviro
    nment"asthechildgrowsup.Thefindingsoftheresearchshowedthatth
    eaverageageofthewomenwhilepregnantwasabout31.Studiesshowt
    hatoldermothersworrylessduringpregnancyandarehappierandmore
    positiveaboutbecomingparentsandtowardstheirchildreningeneral.T
    hismaymeantheyaremorecaringandsupportiveoftheirchildren.Older
    mothersalsotendtobeinmorestablerelationships,theyarebetterofffin
    anciallyandtheyhavehadabettereducation.Researchersalsofoundth
    atchildrenborntooldermothershaveabetterlanguageabilitythanthos
    eborntoyoungermothers.Thismaybebecauseoldermothersspendmo
    retimewiththeirchildrenandtalktothemmoreoften.

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Older mothers are better mothers. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. OLDER MOTHERS: Make a poster about older mothers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. PARENTING: Write a magazine article about having weekly parenting lessons for all children at high school. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

    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 older mothers. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three pieces of advice for older mothers. 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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