The Reading / Listening - Catalonia - Level 6

A general strike in Spain's region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police violence during Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it up. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for national unity.

The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote on independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political solution. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions of people." She also called for the resignation of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be on the cards. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate between the two sides.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Catalonia - Level 4  or  Catalonia - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/03/catalonia-goes-on-strike-as-calls-for-declaration-of-independence-grow.html
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41479048
  • http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/03/europe/catalonia-general-strike-protests-barcelona/index.html
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41493014


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. CATALONIAN INDEPENDENCE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Catalonian independence. 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?

       general strike / protest / violence / crackdown / referendum / nation / serious / unity
       mayor / independence / democratic / solution / resignation / crisis / community

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

3. NATIONAL UNITY: Students A strongly believe Catalonia should stay part of Spain; Students B strongly believe it should become independent.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. PROTESTS: What would you protest over? How would you protest? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Protest over…

Why?

How?

regional independence

 

 

war

 

 

tax rises

 

 

government corruption

 

 

nuclear power

 

 

other _____________

 

 

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

6. INDEPENDENCE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things an independent country needs at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • patriotic people
  • a national anthem
  • a strong army
  • a constitution
  • a flag
  • secure borders
  • UN acceptance
  • a strong economy

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Striking workers blocked many roads in Barcelona.     T / F
  2. Over 1,000 people were injured by police in Catalonia on Sunday.     T / F
  3. Spain's king said the referendum organizers were outside the law.     T / F
  4. The Spanish king called for Spaniards to be united.     T / F
  5. Barcelona's mayor said Catalans deserved to have a referendum.     T / F
  6. Barcelona's mayor said there no democratic response is necessary.     T / F
  7. The mayor doesn't think Spain's prime minister should resign.     T / F
  8. Spain's president said he would mediate between the two sides.     T / F

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

  1. region
  2. standstill
  3. protest
  4. injured
  5. address
  6. deserved
  7. response
  8. unrest
  9. crisis
  10. mediate
  1. demonstrate
  2. reply
  3. hurt
  4. negotiate
  5. area
  6. disorder
  7. emergency
  8. halt
  9. had a right
  10. speech

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

  1. A general
  2. Thousands of Catalans rallied and
  3. a crackdown
  4. a televised address
  5. the situation in Catalonia was extremely
  6. Catalan people deserved
  7. we need a political
  8. More unrest could be on the
  9. Other regions could follow
  10. help mediate between
  1. the two sides
  2. cards
  3. serious
  4. Catalonia's example
  5. to have a vote
  6. blocked roads
  7. strike
  8. to the nation
  9. solution
  10. against voters

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
televised
blocked
ordered
unity
region
situation
crackdown
condemned

A general strike in Spain's (1) ____________ of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and (2) ____________ roads to protest over Spanish police violence during Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a (3) ____________ against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and (4) ____________ the police to break it up. Spain's King Felipe VI has (5) ____________ the organizers of the referendum. In a (6) ____________ address to the nation, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the               (7) ____________ in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for national (8) ____________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
response
plunge
resignation
between
deserved
follow
inclusive
cards

The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people (9) ____________ to have a vote on independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic (10) ____________. And we need a political solution. And we need an (11) ____________ solution that listens to the cries of millions of people." She also called for the (12) ____________ of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be on the (13) ____________. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could (14) ____________ Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could (15) ____________ Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate (16) ____________ the two sides.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities ______
     a.  to a standard still
     b.  to a standing still
     c.  to a stood still
     d.  to a standstill

2)  Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish ______
     a.  police violent
     b.  police violence
     c.  police violently
     d.  police violation

3)  Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a ______ voters
     a.  cracked down against
     b.  cracker down against
     c.  cracks down against
     d.  crackdown against

4)  The Spanish government declared that the referendum ______
     a.  was illegally
     b.  was illegal
     c.  was ill eagle
     d.  was ill eager

5)  He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for ______
     a.  national disunity
     b.  national united
     c.  national unity
     d.  national unit tea

6)  She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a ______
     a.  politically solution
     b.  political solutions
     c.  politically solutions
     d.  political solution

7)  And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the ______
     a.  cries of millions
     b.  cried off millions
     c.  cries of million
     d.  cried of millions

8)  More unrest could be ______
     a.  on the barbs
     b.  on the cards
     c.  on the shards
     d.  on the yards

9)  plunge Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the ______ country
     a.  break-up of a
     b.  break-up of then
     c.  break-up of that
     d.  break-up of the

10)  Spain's president has called on the international community to ______
     a.  help mediate
     b.  help meditates
     c.  help mediated
     d.  help meditate

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A (1) ___________________ Spain's region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities (2) ___________________. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police (3) ___________________ Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend (4) ___________________ against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it up. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of the referendum. In a televised (5) ___________________ nation, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called (6) ___________________.

The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan (7) ___________________ have a vote on independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need (8) ___________________. And we need an inclusive solution that listens (9) ___________________ millions of people." She also called for the resignation of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could (10) ___________________. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further constitutional crisis and (11) ___________________ of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community (12) ___________________ between the two sides.

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of strike was there in Catalonia on Sunday?
  2. How many Catalans blocked Barcelona's roads in a protest?
  3. Who cracked down on voters and referendum staff?
  4. Who condemned the organizers of the referendum?
  5. What did the Spanish king call for?
  6. What did Barcelona's mayor say Catalans deserved?
  7. What kind of solution did Barcelona's mayor say was needed?
  8. Who did Barcelona's mayor ask to resign over this situation?
  9. What could a constitutional crisis risk breaking up?
  10. Who did Spain's president ask to help mediate between the two sides?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What kind of strike was there in Catalonia on Sunday?
a) a lightning strike
b) a general strike
c) a batting strike
d) a quick strike

2)  How many Catalans blocked Barcelona's roads in a protest?
a) 28,985
b) hundreds of thousands
c) thousands
d) millions

3)  Who cracked down on voters and referendum staff?
a) the European Union
b) the United Nations
c) everyday people
d) the Spanish police

4)  Who condemned the organizers of the referendum?
a) the European Union
b) Spain's king
c) the United Nations
d) Barcelona's mayor

5)  What did the Spanish king call for?
a) national unity
b) a fresh vote
c) sackings
d) Barcelona's mayor

6)  What did Barcelona's mayor say Catalans deserved?
a) a vote on independence
b) national unity
c) sackings
d) jobs

7)  What kind of solution did Barcelona's mayor say was needed?
a) a permanent solution
b) a liquid solution
c) a quick fix
d) a political solution

8)  Who did Barcelona's mayor ask to resign over this situation?
a) the chief of police
b) the president
c) the prime minister
d) the co-mayor

9)  What could a constitutional crisis risk breaking up?
a) Catalonia
b) the European Union
c) Europe
d) Spain

10)  Who did Spain's president ask to help mediate between the two sides?
a) the IMF
b) the international community
c) Spain's neighbours
d) the European Union

Role play

Role  A – A National Anthem

You think a national anthem is the most important thing for an independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): UN acceptance, a strong economy or a strong army.

Role  B – UN Acceptance

You think UN acceptance is the most important thing for an independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a national anthem, a strong economy or a strong army.

Role  C – A Strong Economy

You think a strong economy is the most important thing for an independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): UN acceptance, a national anthem or a strong army.

Role  D – A Strong Army

You think a strong army is the most important thing for an independent country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  UN acceptance, a strong economy or a national anthem.

After reading / listening

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

'vote'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'independence'.

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

    • mayor
    • response
    • cries
    • cards
    • follow
    • sides
    • general
    • roads
    • 900
    • staff
    • nation
    • unity

    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 - Catalonia workers strike for independence

    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 'independence'?
    3. What do you think of what's happening in Spain?
    4. What do you know of the referendum violence?
    5. Should Spain's government have stayed out of the referendum?
    6. Should Catalonia be able to become independent?
    7. Why do you think Spain is against Catalan independence?
    8. What would happen if Catalonia became independent?
    9. What advice do you have for Spain's government?
    10. How unified is your country?

    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 'vote'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What would happen if other Spanish regions wanted independence?
    5. What advice do you have for Spain's mayor?
    6. What damage could this situation do to the rest of Europe?
    7. What is the likelihood of a civil war in Spain?
    8. What advice do you have for Catalans?
    9. How can the international community help?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Catalans?

    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)

    A general strike in Spain's (1) ____ of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a (2) ____. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police violence (3) ____ Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown against voters and referendum (4) ____. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it (5) ____. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "(6) ____ serious" and called for national unity.

    The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote (7) ____ independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political (8) ____. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions of people." She also called for the (9) ____ of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be on the cards. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could (10) ____ Spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could (11) ____ Catalonia's example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help (12) ____ between the two sides.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     regions     (b)     legion     (c)     region     (d)     regional    
    2. (a)     standstill     (b)     still     (c)     standby     (d)     standard    
    3. (a)     during      (b)     while     (c)     among     (d)     despite    
    4. (a)     staff     (b)     stiff     (c)     stuff     (d)     stiffs    
    5. (a)     in     (b)     up     (c)     on     (d)     down    
    6. (a)     extremes     (b)     extremely     (c)     extremity     (d)     extremely    
    7. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    8. (a)     solutions     (b)     solve     (c)     soluble     (d)     solution    
    9. (a)     resignation     (b)     resigned     (c)     resigns     (d)     resign    
    10. (a)     plague     (b)     plunge     (c)     plug     (d)     splurge    
    11. (a)     follows     (b)     follow     (c)     following     (d)     followed    
    12. (a)     mediate     (b)     medium     (c)     median     (d)     meditate

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. to a iltntldass
    2. in a aknwcdroc against voters
    3. meocdendn the organizers
    4. In a steedvile address to the nation
    5. the situation in Catalonia was xemreytle serious
    6. called for national niuty

    Paragraph 2

    1. Catalan people deeerdsv to have a vote
    2. What we need is a democratic opsenrse
    3. we need an cievsnliu solution
    4. teiolcnrada of independence
    5. ngpuel Spain into a further constitutional crisis
    6. help meaidet between the two sides

    Put the text back together

    (    )     The mayor of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a vote on

    (    )     the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for national unity.

    1  )     A general strike in Spain's region of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and other cities to a

    (    )     own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate between the two sides.

    (    )     illegal and ordered the police to break it up. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers

    (    )     crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's example and have their

    (    )     of the referendum. In a televised address to the nation, he said they had put themselves "outside

    (    )     during Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown

    (    )     independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic response. And we need a political

    (    )     standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over Spanish police violence

    (    )     against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declared that the referendum was

    (    )     solution. And we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions

    (    )     of people." She also called for the resignation of Spain's prime minister. More unrest could be

    (    )     on the cards. Any declaration of independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further constitutional

    Put the words in the right order

    1. cities   a  of  standstill  Barcelona  Brought  and  large  to  parts  other  .
    2. a  crackdown  injured  Nearly   at  900   the  people  weekend  were  in  .
    3. illegal   that   the   referendum   was   government   declared   Spain's   .
    4. put   He   themselves   said   outside   they   the   had   law   .
    5. in   He   Catalonia   said   was   the   extremely   situation   serious   .
    6. Catalan  to   vote  The   deserved  a   independence  people  have   on   .
    7. of   people   A   solution   that   listens   to   the   cries   of   millions   .
    8. a   could   further   plunge   constitutional   Spain   crisis   into   It   .
    9. Other   example   Catalonia's   follow   could   regions   .
    10. help   to   community   international   the   on   Called   mediate   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A general strike in Spain's region / regional of Catalonia on Tuesday brought large parts of Barcelona and another / other cities to a standstill. Thousands of Catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest above / over Spanish police violence during / while Sunday's independence referendum. Nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend on / in a crackdown against voters and referendum staff. The Spanish government declaration / declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it down / up. Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned the organizers of / for the referendum. In a televised address to the nation / national, he said they had put themselves "outside the law". He said the situation in Catalonia was "extreme / extremely serious" and called for national unity.

    The mayor / mayoral of Barcelona told reporters that the Catalan people deserved to have a voting / vote on independence. She said: "What we need is a democratic / democratically response. And we need a political / politics solution. And we need an inclusive / included solution that listens to the cries of millions of people." She also called for the resignation of Spain's prime minister. More unrest / unrested could be on the cards. Any declaration of independently / independence by the Catalans could plunge Spain into a further / farther constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country. Other regions could follow Catalonia's exampled / example and have their own referendum. Spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate between / among the two sides.

    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)

    _ g_n_r_l str_k_ _n Sp__n's r_g__n _f C_t_l_n__ _n T__sd_y br__ght l_rg_ p_rts _f B_rc_l_n_ _nd _th_r c_t__s t_ _ st_ndst_ll. Th__s_nds _f C_t_l_ns r_ll__d _nd bl_ck_d r__ds t_ pr_t_st _v_r Sp_n_sh p_l_c_ v__l_nc_ d_r_ng S_nd_y's _nd_p_nd_nc_ r_f_r_nd_m. N__rly 900 p__pl_ w_r_ _nj_r_d _t th_ w__k_nd _n _ cr_ckd_wn _g__nst v_t_rs _nd r_f_r_nd_m st_ff. Th_ Sp_n_sh g_v_rnm_nt d_cl_r_d th_t th_ r_f_r_nd_m w_s _ll_g_l _nd _rd_r_d th_ p_l_c_ t_ br__k _t _p. Sp__n's K_ng F_l_p_ V_ h_s c_nd_mn_d th_ _rg_n_z_rs _f th_ r_f_r_nd_m. _n _ t_l_v_s_d _ddr_ss t_ th_ n_t__n, h_ s__d th_y h_d p_t th_ms_lv_s "__ts_d_ th_ l_w". H_ s__d th_ s_t__t__n _n C_t_l_n__ w_s "_xtr_m_ly s_r___s" _nd c_ll_d f_r n_t__n_l _n_ty.

    Th_ m_y_r _f B_rc_l_n_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs th_t th_ C_t_l_n p__pl_ d_s_rv_d t_ h_v_ _ v_t_ _n _nd_p_nd_nc_. Sh_ s__d: "Wh_t w_ n__d _s _ d_m_cr_t_c r_sp_ns_. _nd w_ n__d _ p_l_t_c_l s_l_t__n. _nd w_ n__d _n _ncl_s_v_ s_l_t__n th_t l_st_ns t_ th_ cr__s _f m_ll__ns _f p__pl_." Sh_ _ls_ c_ll_d f_r th_ r_s_gn_t__n _f Sp__n's pr_m_ m_n_st_r. M_r_ _nr_st c__ld b_ _n th_ c_rds. _ny d_cl_r_t__n _f _nd_p_nd_nc_ by th_ C_t_l_ns c__ld pl_ng_ Sp__n _nt_ _ f_rth_r c_nst_t_t__n_l cr_s_s _nd r_sk th_ br__k-_p _f th_ c__ntry. _th_r r_g__ns c__ld f_ll_w C_t_l_n__'s _x_mpl_ _nd h_v_ th__r _wn r_f_r_nd_m. Sp__n's pr_s_d_nt h_s c_ll_d _n th_ _nt_rn_t__n_l c_mm_n_ty t_ h_lp m_d__t_ b_tw__n th_ tw_ s_d_s.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a general strike in spain's region of catalonia on tuesday brought large parts of barcelona and other cities to a standstill thousands of catalans rallied and blocked roads to protest over spanish police violence during sunday's independence referendum nearly 900 people were injured at the weekend in a crackdown against voters and referendum staff the spanish government declared that the referendum was illegal and ordered the police to break it up spain's king felipe vi has condemned the organizers of the referendum in a televised address to the nation he said they had put themselves "outside the law" he said the situation in catalonia was "extremely serious" and called for national unity

    the mayor of barcelona told reporters that the catalan people deserved to have a vote on independence she said "what we need is a democratic response and we need a political solution and we need an inclusive solution that listens to the cries of millions of people" she also called for the resignation of spain's prime minister more unrest could be on the cards any declaration of independence by the catalans could plunge spain into a further constitutional crisis and risk the break-up of the country other regions could follow catalonia's example and have their own referendum spain's president has called on the international community to help mediate between the two sides

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AgeneralstrikeinSpain'sregionofCataloniaonTuesdaybroughtlargep
    artsofBarcelonaandothercitiestoastandstill.ThousandsofCatalansral
    liedandblockedroadstoprotestoverSpanishpoliceviolenceduringSun
    day'sindependencereferendum.Nearly900peoplewereinjuredatthe
    weekendinacrackdownagainstvotersandreferendumstaff.TheSpani
    shgovernmentdeclaredthatthereferendumwasillegalandorderedthe
    policetobreakitup.Spain'sKingFelipeVIhascondemnedtheorganizers
    ofthereferendum.Inatelevisedaddresstothenation,hesaidtheyhadp
    utthemselves"outsidethelaw".HesaidthesituationinCataloniawas"e
    xtremelyserious"andcalledfornationalunity.ThemayorofBarcelonat
    oldreportersthattheCatalanpeopledeservedtohaveavoteonindepen
    dence.Shesaid:"Whatweneedisademocraticresponse.Andweneeda
    politicalsolution.Andweneedaninclusivesolutionthatlistenstothecrie
    sofmillionsofpeople."ShealsocalledfortheresignationofSpain'sprime
    minister.Moreunrestcouldbeonthecards.Anydeclarationofindepend
    encebytheCatalanscouldplungeSpainintoafurtherconstitutionalcrisi
    sandriskthebreak-upofthecountry.OtherregionscouldfollowCataloni
    a'sexampleandhavetheirownreferendum.Spain'spresidenthascalle
    dontheinternationalcommunitytohelpmediatebetweenthetwosides.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    What are the pros and cons of Catalonia getting independence? Which side are you on?

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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 this news. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. CATALONIAN INDEPENDENCE: Make a poster about Catalonian independence. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. INDEPENDENCE: Write a magazine article about all regions that want independence being able to get it. 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 Catalonian independence. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas 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

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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