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Thai junta orders free World Cup TV for all (14th June, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Thailand has seen its fair share of upheaval and turmoil in the past few years. In an attempt to quell public unrest over the next month, the ruling military junta has ordered national broadcasters to air all games of the soccer World Cup for free. Many Thais are under curfew but the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) believes they will be happy if they can watch World Cup games for free. This will please poorer Thais who could not afford the special digital box needed to view the games. The NCPO arranged that all matches would be televised for free on the army-owned stations. It is not such good news for the satellite channel RS, which paid over $20 million for the broadcasting rights.

NCPO leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said the move is to "return happiness to the Thai people". It is part of the junta's "happiness campaign" aimed at winning hearts and minds following last month's coup. The campaign has also seen free concerts and free haircuts for the poor. The junta is also promising to subsidise farmers, cap the costs of basic foods and start major infrastructure projects. Many soccer-mad Thais will have to watch the free games at home as there is a late-night curfew in most of the country. Thailand’s national team is ranked 149th in the world rankings and has never qualified for the World Cup Finals. The tournament began on June the 12th and will finish on July the 13th.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/414872/military-wins-fans-hearts-again.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27790396
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/world-cup-for-free-how-thailand-s-junta-seeks-to-return-happiness-1.1863269#ixzz34P2GUtt9

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

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. FREE TV: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about free TV. 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?

fair share / upheaval / past few years / broadcasters / under curfew / televised / rights / happiness / free concerts / subsidise farmers / infrastructure / rankings / qualified

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

3. FREE: Should these be free? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Free? Yes / No	How would life be different?
TV
Internet
Telephone calls
Public transport
Education
Healthcare

4. HAPPINESS: Students A strongly believe happiness is more important than wealth; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. FREE STUFF: Rank these with your partner. Put the free things you want most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• phone calls

• public transport

• Internet

• healthcare

• education

• museums

• movies

• water

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

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	The article says Thailand has seen an unfair share of unrest.	T / F
b.	The Thai junta has ordered Internet providers to show live TV.	T / F
c.	Poorer Thai people could not afford the equipment for the World Cup.	T / F
d.	The article says the Junta will pay a satellite channel $20 million.	T / F
e.	The junta wants to make Thais happier with free World Cup games.	T / F
f.	The junta has also given people free haircuts.	T / F
g.	The Thai football team is in the world top 100.	T / F
h.	Thailand last qualified for the World Cup in 1978.	T / F

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

1.	turmoil	a.	give back
2.	quell	b.	watch
3.	free	c.	support
4.	view	d.	limit
5.	channel	e.	calm
6.	return	f.	got through
7.	aimed	g.	station
8.	subsidise	h.	disorder
9.	cap	i.	targeted
10.	qualified	j.	no charge

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

1.	Thailand has seen its fair	a.	air all games
2.	In an attempt to quell	b.	costs of basic foods
3.	broadcasters to	c.	owned stations
4.	free on the army-	d.	and minds
5.	$20 million for the	e.	share of upheaval
6.	return happiness	f.	broadcasting rights
7.	winning hearts	g.	curfew
8.	cap the	h.	public unrest
9.	a late-night	i.	for the World Cup Finals
10.	never qualified	j.	to the Thai people

GAP FILL

Thailand has seen its fair (1) ____________ of upheaval and turmoil in the past few years. In an attempt to (2) ____________ public unrest over the next month, the (3) ____________ military junta has ordered national broadcasters to (4) ____________ all games of the soccer World Cup for free. Many Thais are under (5) ____________ but the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) believes they will be happy if they can watch World Cup games for free. This will please (6) ____________ Thais who could not afford the special digital box needed to view the games. The NCPO arranged that all matches would be televised for free on the army-(7) ____________ stations. It is not such good news for the satellite channel RS, which paid over $20 million for the broadcasting (8) ____________.

curfew
owned
ruling
share
rights
poorer
quell
air

NCPO leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said the move is to "return happiness to the Thai people". It is (9) ____________ of the junta's "happiness campaign" (10) ____________ at winning hearts and minds following last month's (11) ____________. The campaign has also seen free concerts and free haircuts for the poor. The junta is also (12) ____________ to subsidise farmers, (13) ____________ the costs of basic foods and start major infrastructure (14) ____________. Many soccer-mad Thais will have to watch the free games at home as there is a late-night curfew in most of the country. Thailand's national team is (15) ____________ 149th in the world rankings and has never (16) ____________ for the World Cup Finals. The tournament began on June the 12th and will finish on July the 13th.

projects
coup
qualified
part
cap
ranked
aimed
promising

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Thailand has seen its fair share of ______
	a. upheaval and term oil b. upheaval and turn oil c. upheaval and turmoil d. upheaval and thermal
2)	In an attempt to quell ______
	a. public and rest b. public unrest c. public end rest d. public unless
3)	the ruling military junta has ordered national broadcasters to ______
	a. share all games b. fair all games c. air all games d. wear all games
4)	poorer Thais who could not afford the special digital box needed to ______
	a. view the games b. views the games c. phew the games d. brew the games
5)	the satellite channel RS, which paid over $20 million for the ______
	a. broadcasting rights b. broadcasting right c. broadcasting lights d. broadcasting light
6)	It is part of the junta's "______"
	a. happiness campaigns b. happiness campaigned c. happiness campaign d. happiness campaigners
7)	aimed at winning hearts and minds following ______
	a. last month's coo b. last month's clue c. last month's crew d. last month's coup
8)	The junta is also promising ______
	a. to subsidies farmers b. to subsidise farmers c. to subsidiaries farmers d. to subsides farmers
9)	Thais will have to watch the free games at home as there is a ______
	a. late-night curfews b. late-night car fuel c. late-night car few d. late-night curfew
10)	Thailand's national team is ranked 149th in ______
	a. the world ranking b. the world rankings c. the world rank inns d. the world rank kings

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Thailand (1) ___________________ share of upheaval and turmoil in the past few years. In an attempt to (2) ___________________ over the next month, the ruling military junta has ordered national broadcasters to air all games of the soccer World Cup for free. Many Thais (3) ___________________ but the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) believes they will be happy if they can watch World Cup games for free. This will please poorer Thais who (4) ___________________ the special digital box needed to view the games. The NCPO arranged that all matches would be televised (5) ___________________ army-owned stations. It is not such good news for the satellite channel RS, which paid over $20 million for (6) ___________________.

NCPO leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said the (7) ___________________ happiness to the Thai people". It is part of the junta's "happiness campaign" aimed at winning (8) ___________________ following last month's coup. The campaign has also seen free concerts and free haircuts for the poor. The junta is also promising to subsidise farmers, (9) ___________________ basic foods and start (10) ___________________ projects. Many soccer-mad Thais will have to watch the free games (11) ___________________ is a late-night curfew in most of the country. Thailand's national team is ranked 149th in the world rankings and (12) ___________________ for the World Cup Finals. The tournament began on June the 12th and will finish on July the 13th.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What has Thailand seen a fair share of in the past few years?
2.	What is the Thai junta attempting to quell?
3.	Who will the free games please most?
4.	On which channels will Thais be able to watch the free games?
5.	How much did a satellite channel pay to broadcast the games?
6.	What is the "happiness campaign" aimed at winning?
7.	What other free things has the junta provided?
8.	What does the junta intend to limit the price of?
9.	What is the current world ranking of the Thai national team?
10.	How many times has Thailand qualified for the World Cup?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What has Thailand seen a fair share of in the past few years?	6.	What is the "happiness campaign" aimed at winning?
	a) termites and weevils b) tourists and heavy drinking c) turmoil and upheaval d) tanning oil and heat waves		a) the 2018 World Cup b) hearts and minds c) money d) votes
2.	What is the Thai junta attempting to quell?	7.	What other free things has the junta provided?
	a) public dissatisfaction b) public rest c) heat waves d) a revolution		a) Internet and phone calls b) advice c) food and infrastructure d) haircuts and concerts
3.	Who will the free games please most?	8.	What does the junta intend to limit the price of?
	a) the army b) poorer Thais c) a satellite channel d) Thailand's football players		a) houses b) basic foods c) televisions d) public transport
4.	On which channels will Thais be able to watch the free games?	9.	What is the current world ranking of the Thai national team?
	a) the ones run by the national broadcasters b) the BBC and CNN c) Channels 3 and T5 d) the ones the army owns		a) 109th b) 149th c) 159th d) 119th
5.	How much did a satellite channel pay to broadcast the games?	10.	How many times has Thailand qualified for the World Cup?
	a) $200,000,000 b) a million dollars per game c) $20,000,000 d) too much		a) none b) one c) two d) three

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Public transport

You think public transport is the most useful thing to make available for free. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so useful about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): the Internet, healthcare or loans.

Role B – Internet

You think the Internet is the most useful thing to make available for free. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so useful about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): public transport, healthcare or loans.

Role C – Healthcare

You think healthcare is the most useful thing to make available for free. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so useful about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): the Internet, public transport or loans.

Role D – Loans

You think loans are the most useful things to make available for free. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so useful about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): the Internet, healthcare or public transport.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

fair

share

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:

few
air
under
poorer
good
paid

move
hearts
haircuts
cap
ranked
finish

FREE TV SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about free TV in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

FREE TV DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'free'?
c)	What do you think of Thailand's "happiness campaign"?
d)	What does your country do to make you happy?
e)	Should major sporting events be free on TV?
f)	What unrest has your country seen in recent years?
g)	What free things do the poor get in your country?
h)	Do you think free World Cup TV will make the junta popular?
i)	How popular is the FIFA World Cup in your country?
j)	Would free movies be better than free World Cup games?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What should be part of the "happiness campaign"?
c)	Is it better for a government to focus on happiness or wealth?
d)	What has your government done to win your heart and mind?
e)	What do you think of military coups?
f)	Do you think governments should cap the price of basic foods?
g)	How would you feel if there was a curfew in your country?
h)	How interested are you in the World Cup?
i)	What things should all governments provide for free?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the junta's leader?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

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

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Thailand has seen its (1) ____ share of upheaval and turmoil in the past few years. In an attempt to (2) ____ public unrest over the next month, the ruling military junta has ordered national broadcasters to (3) ____ all games of the soccer World Cup for free. Many Thais are (4) ____ curfew but the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) believes they will be happy if they can watch World Cup games for free. This will please poorer Thais who could not (5) ____ the special digital box needed to view the games. The NCPO arranged that all matches would be televised for free on the army-owned stations. It is not such good news for the satellite channel RS, which paid over $20 million for the broadcasting (6) ____.

NCPO leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said the move is to "return happiness to the Thai people". It is part of the junta's "happiness campaign" (7) ____ at winning hearts and minds following last month's (8) ____. The campaign has also seen free concerts and free haircuts for the poor. The junta is also promising to subsidise farmers, (9) ____ the costs of basic foods and start (10) ____ infrastructure projects. Many soccer-mad Thais will have to watch the free games at home as there is a late-night curfew in most of the country. Thailand's national team is (11) ____ 149th in the world rankings and has never (12) ____ for the World Cup Finals. The tournament began on June the 12th and will finish on July the 13th.

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

1.	(a)	fear	(b)	far	(c)	fair	(d)	flair
2.	(a)	quell	(b)	well	(c)	queue	(d)	quail
3.	(a)	air	(b)	wind	(c)	breeze	(d)	gust
4.	(a)	under	(b)	over	(c)	around	(d)	between
5.	(a)	fork out	(b)	work	(c)	pay	(d)	afford
6.	(a)	air	(b)	gear	(c)	views	(d)	rights
7.	(a)	aimed	(b)	viewed	(c)	refreshed	(d)	piloted
8.	(a)	clue	(b)	soup	(c)	reap	(d)	coup
9.	(a)	cap	(b)	cup	(c)	clip	(d)	cop
10.	(a)	sharp	(b)	major	(c)	bass	(d)	forte
11.	(a)	listed	(b)	ranked	(c)	classified	(d)	put
12.	(a)	qualified	(b)	won	(c)	played	(d)	kicked off

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	its fair share of hvpalaeu and turmoil
2.	an attempt to llequ public unrest
3.	Many Thais are under frwuec
4.	could not adorff the special digital box
5.	eelistvde for free
6.	$20 million for the dsatbgincoar rights
Paragraph 2
7.	happiness agnpcmai
8.	last month's pcuo
9.	sdiiubesz (USA) / siubisesd (UK) farmers
10.	urertnufsctira projects
11.	never idlfaqieu for the World Cup Finals
12.	The ttuernonam began on June

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	promising to subsidise farmers, cap the costs of basic foods and start major infrastructure
( )	qualified for the World Cup Finals. The tournament began on June the 12th and will finish on July the 13th.
( )	poorer Thais who could not afford the special digital box needed to view the games. The NCPO
( )	news for the satellite channel RS, which paid over $20 million for the broadcasting rights.
( )	Peace and Order (NCPO) believes they will be happy if they can watch World Cup games for free. This will please
( )	NCPO leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said the move is to "return happiness to the Thai people". It is part
( )	curfew in most of the country. Thailand's national team is ranked 149th in the world rankings and has never
( )	public unrest over the next month, the ruling military junta has ordered national broadcasters to air
( )	projects. Many soccer-mad Thais will have to watch the free games at home as there is a late-night
( )	of the junta's "happiness campaign" aimed at winning hearts and minds following last month's
( )	arranged that all matches would be televised for free on the army-owned stations. It is not such good
( )	coup. The campaign has also seen free concerts and free haircuts for the poor. The junta is also
( )	all games of the soccer World Cup for free. Many Thais are under curfew but the National Council for
( 1 )	Thailand has seen its fair share of upheaval and turmoil in the past few years. In an attempt to quell

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	upheaval its fair Thailand share has of seen.
2.	attempt to quell public unrest over the next month An.
3.	could the box who afford digital Thais not special.
4.	army stations for the owned Televised on - free.
5.	is not such good news for the satellite channel It.
6.	is the "happiness It of . part junta's campaign"
7.	following Winning last hearts month's and coup minds.
8.	is farmers also promising The to junta subsidise.
9.	games free the watch to have will Thais mad - Soccer.
10.	national ranked the Thailand's is in team 149th world.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Thailand has seen its fair share / shares of upheaval and turmoil in the past few years. In an attempt / attempting to quell public unrest over the next month, the ruling / ruler military junta has ordered national broadcasters to air / wind all games of the soccer World Cup for / as free. Many Thais are under / over curfew but the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) believes they will be happy if they can watch World Cup games for free. This will please poverty / poorer Thais who could not afford the specially / special digital box needed to view / viewing the games. The NCPO arranged that all matches would be televised for free on the army-owned stations. It is not such good news for the satellite channel RS, which paid over $20 million for the broadcasting rights / airs.

NCPO leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said the move / moving is to "return happiness to the Thai people". It is part / partner of the junta's "happiness campaign" aimed for / at winning hearts and minds following / followed last month's coup. The campaign has also seen / been free concerts and free haircuts for the poor. The junta is also promising to subsidise farmers, cap / cup the costs of basic foods and start major / majorly infrastructure projects. Many soccer-mad Thais will have to watch the free games at home as / has there is a late-night curfew in most of the country. Thailand's national / international team is ranked 149th in the world rankings and has never qualified from / for the World Cup Finals. The tournament began on June the 12th and will finish on July the 13th.

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__l_nd h_s s__n _ts f__r sh_r_ _f _ph__v_l _nd t_rm__l _n th_ p_st f_w y__rs. _n _n _tt_mpt t_ q__ll p_bl_c _nr_st _v_r th_ n_xt m_nth, th_ r_l_ng m_l_t_ry j_nt_ h_s _rd_r_d n_t__n_l br__dc_st_rs t_ __r _ll g_m_s _f th_ s_cc_r W_rld C_p f_r fr__. M_ny Th__s _r_ _nd_r c_rf_w b_t th_ N_t__n_l C__nc_l f_r P__c_ _nd _rd_r (NCP_) b_l__v_s th_y w_ll b_ h_ppy _f th_y c_n w_tch W_rld C_p g_m_s f_r fr__. Th_s w_ll pl__s_ p__r_r Th__s wh_ c__ld n_t _ff_rd th_ sp_c__l d_g_t_l b_x n__d_d t_ v__w th_ g_m_s. Th_ NCP_ _rr_ng_d th_t _ll m_tch_s w__ld b_ t_l_v_s_d f_r fr__ _n th_ _rmy-_wn_d st_t__ns. _t _s n_t s_ch g__d n_ws f_r th_ s_t_ll_t_ ch_nn_l RS, wh_ch p__d _v_r $20 m_ll__n f_r th_ br__dc_st_ng r_ghts.

NCP_ l__d_r Pr_y_th Ch_n-_ch_ s__d th_ m_v_ _s t_ "r_t_rn h_pp_n_ss t_ th_ Th__ p__pl_". _t _s p_rt _f th_ j_nt_'s "h_pp_n_ss c_mp__gn" __m_d _t w_nn_ng h__rts _nd m_nds f_ll_w_ng l_st m_nth's c__p. Th_ c_mp__gn h_s _ls_ s__n fr__ c_nc_rts _nd fr__ h__rc_ts f_r th_ p__r. Th_ j_nt_ _s _ls_ pr_m_s_ng t_ s_bs_d_s_ f_rm_rs, c_p th_ c_sts _f b_s_c f__ds _nd st_rt m_j_r _nfr_str_ct_r_ pr_j_cts. M_ny s_cc_r-m_d Th__s w_ll h_v_ t_ w_tch th_ fr__ g_m_s _t h_m_ _s th_r_ _s _ l_t_-n_ght c_rf_w _n m_st _f th_ c__ntry. Th__l_nd's n_t__n_l t__m _s r_nk_d 149th _n th_ w_rld r_nk_ngs _nd h_s n_v_r q__l_f__d f_r th_ W_rld C_p F_n_ls. Th_ t__rn_m_nt b_g_n _n J_n_ th_ 12th _nd w_ll f_n_sh _n J_ly th_ 13th.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

thailand has seen its fair share of upheaval and turmoil in the past few years in an attempt to quell public unrest over the next month the ruling military junta has ordered national broadcasters to air all games of the soccer world cup for free many thais are under curfew but the national council for peace and order (ncpo) believes they will be happy if they can watch world cup games for free this will please poorer thais who could not afford the special digital box needed to view the games the ncpo arranged that all matches would be televised for free on the army-owned stations it is not such good news for the satellite channel rs which paid over $20 million for the broadcasting rights

ncpo leader prayuth chan-ocha said the move is to "return happiness to the thai people" it is part of the junta's "happiness campaign" aimed at winning hearts and minds following last month's coup the campaign has also seen free concerts and free haircuts for the poor the junta is also promising to subsidise farmers cap the costs of basic foods and start major infrastructure projects many soccer-mad thais will have to watch the free games at home as there is a late-night curfew in most of the country thailand's national team is ranked 149th in the world rankings and has never qualified for the world cup finals the tournament began on june the 12th and will finish on july the 13th

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Thailandhasseenitsfairshareofupheavalandturmoilinthepastfew
years.Inanattempttoquellpublicunrestoverthenextmonth,theruli
ngmilitaryjuntahasorderednationalbroadcasterstoairallgamesof
thesoccerWorldCupforfree.ManyThaisareundercurfewbuttheNati
onalCouncilforPeaceandOrder(NCPO)believestheywillbehappyift
heycanwatchWorldCupgamesforfree.ThiswillpleasepoorerThais
whocouldnotaffordthespecialdigitalboxneededtoviewthegames.
TheNCPOarrangedthatallmatcheswouldbetelevisedforfreeonthe
army-ownedstations.Itisnotsuchgoodnewsforthesatellitech
annelRS,whichpaidover$20millionforthebroadcastingrights.NCP
OleaderPrayuthChan-ochasaidthemoveisto"returnhappinesst
otheThaipeople".Itispartofthejunta's"happinesscampaign"aime
datwinningheartsandmindsfollowinglastmonth'scoup.Thecampa
ignhasalsoseenfreeconcertsandfreehaircutsforthepoor.Thejunta
isalsopromisingtosubsidisefarmers,capthecostsofbasicfoodsand
startmajorinfrastructureprojects.Manysoccer-madThaiswillhav
etowatchthefreegamesathomeasthereisalate-nightcurfewi
nmostofthecountry.Thailand'snationalteamisranked149thinthe
worldrankingsandhasneverqualifiedfortheWorldCupFinals.Theto
urnamentbeganonJunethe12thandwillfinishonJulythe13th.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Governments should focus on happiness and not wealth. 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 Thailand's military junta. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. WORLD CUP: Make a poster about the 2014 World Cup. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. FREE TV: Write a magazine article about Thailand showing the World Cup games for free. 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 the leader of Thailand's junta. Ask him three questions about the free World Cup games on TV. Give him three more ideas for his "happiness campaign". 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	turmoil	a.	disorder
2.	quell	b.	calm
3.	free	c.	no charge
4.	view	d.	watch
5.	channel	e.	station
6.	return	f.	give back
7.	aimed	g.	targeted
8.	subsidise	h.	support
9.	cap	i.	limit
10.	qualified	j.	got through

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Upheaval and turmoil
2.	Public unrest
3.	Poorer Thais
4.	Army-owned channels
5.	$20 million
6.	Hearts and minds
7.	Concerts and haircuts
8.	Basic foods
9.	149th
10.	None

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

b

4.

d

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

b

9.

b

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

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

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Thai junta orders free World Cup TV for all (14th June, 2014)

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