Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

No work E-mail for workers on vacation (17th August, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

It is becoming more and more difficult for workers to switch off from work. Many workers answer or write e-mails on the train to and from work, during lunchtime and at home after work. A lot of people even check their work e-mail when they go on vacation to other countries. This might be changing. The German carmaker Daimler is giving its workers the choice to not receive e-mail when they are on holiday. This will mean employees will be able to relax on the beach instead of dealing with problems in their inbox. Daimler employees can choose to auto-delete all work e-mail while on vacation. Daimler says it wants workers to enjoy family time or "me time" while on vacation.

Daimler spokesman Oliver Wihofszki told reporters that staff would work better if they returned from holiday feeling refreshed. He said staff should return to work feeling refreshed and motivated. A human resources officer said: "Our employees should relax on holiday and not read work-related emails." Daimler's system is called 'Mail on Holiday'. The sender gets a reply that says: "I'm using 'Mail on Holiday'…your e-mails will be deleted….If you want me to read this e-mail personally, please be kind enough to send me the information [next week]." Not everyone thinks the system is a good idea. Customers may not like receiving a mail telling them to write again later and companies could lose business.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/daimler-and-disappearing-emails
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/the-digital-fightback-the-struggle-to-stop-work-taking-over-our-lives/
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/08/daimlers-german-employees-can-set-emails-to-auto-delete-during-vacation/376068/

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. EMAIL: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about email. 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?

workers / switch off / lunchtime / vacation / relax on the beach / inbox / me time / reporters / refreshed / motivated / human resources / personally / information / idea

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

3. ME TIME: What should you do during "me time" instead of working? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

Me Time	What you should do?	Why don't you?
Lunchtime
On the train / bus
After work
Weekends
On Vacation

4. NO WORK: Students A strongly believe people should never work outside of working hours; Students B strongly believe people should work outside working hours. 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. RELAX: Rank these with your partner. Put your favourite ways of relaxing at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• read a book

• surf the Internet

• listen to music

• chat to friends

• go to a restaurant

• sleep

• watch a movie

• go for a walk

6. VACATION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "vacation". 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.	A company is telling workers to switch off computers at work.	T / F
b.	A car company wants all workers to take holidays to the beach.	T / F
c.	Workers of the car company can choose to auto-delete work emails.	T / F
d.	The car company said "me time" is important for workers on holiday.	T / F
e.	The company said workers worked better after a refreshing holiday.	T / F
f.	The car company's mail system is called "Holiday on Mail".	T / F
g.	The mail system tells senders their mail will be deleted.	T / F
h.	The article says customers will like the mail system.	T / F

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

1.	difficult	a.	option
2.	check	b.	chill out
3.	choice	c.	energised
4.	relax	d.	binned
5.	choose	e.	problematic
6.	returned	f.	workers
7.	refreshed	g.	select
8.	employees	h.	look at
9.	deleted	i.	getting
10.	receiving	j.	got back

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

1.	It is becoming more	a.	not receive e-mail
2.	check their work e-mail when	b.	this e-mail personally
3.	giving its workers the choice to	c.	to enjoy family time
4.	relax on the beach instead	d.	related emails
5.	Daimler says it wants workers	e.	they go on vacation
6.	staff should return to work	f.	them to write again later
7.	read work-	g.	of dealing with problems
8.	you want me to read	h.	feeling refreshed
9.	Not everyone thinks the	i.	and more difficult
10.	receiving a mail telling	j.	system is a good idea

GAP FILL

It is becoming more and more difficult for workers to (1) ____________ off from work. Many workers (2) ____________ or write e-mails on the train to and from work, during lunchtime and at home after work. A lot of people (3) ____________ check their work e-mail when they go on vacation to other countries. This might be (4) ____________. The German carmaker Daimler is giving its workers the (5) ____________ to not receive e-mail when they are on holiday. This will mean employees will be able to (6) ____________ on the beach instead of (7) ____________ with problems in their inbox. Daimler employees can choose to auto-delete all work e-mail while on vacation. Daimler says it wants workers to enjoy family time or "(8) ____________ time" while on vacation.

relax
even
dealing
switch
changing
me
answer
choice

Daimler spokesman Oliver Wihofszki told reporters that staff would work better if they returned from holiday feeling (9) ____________. He said staff should return to work feeling refreshed and motivated. A human (10) ____________ officer said: "Our employees should relax on holiday and not read work-(11) ____________ emails." Daimler's system is called 'Mail on Holiday'. The (12) ____________ gets a reply that says: "I'm using 'Mail on Holiday'…your e-mails will be deleted….If you want me to read this e-mail (13) ____________, please be kind enough to send me the information [next week]." Not everyone thinks the (14) ____________ is a good idea. Customers may not like receiving a mail (15) ____________ them to write again later and companies could (16) ____________ business.

personally
telling
related
lose
refreshed
sender
resources
system

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	It is becoming more and more difficult for workers ______
	a. to switch off b. to switched off c. to switches off d. to switching off
2)	A lot of people even check their work e-mail when they ______
	a. go of vacation b. go out vacation c. go on vacation d. go in vacation
3)	The German carmaker Daimler is giving its _____
	a. workers the choose b. workers the choices c. workers the chosen d. workers the choice
4)	employees will be able to relax on the beach instead of ______
	a. dealt with problems b. deal in with problems c. dealing with problems d. deals in with problems
5)	Daimler says it wants workers to enjoy family time ______
	a. or "we time" b. or "my time" c. or "us time" d. or "me time"
6)	staff would work better if they returned from holiday ______
	a. feel in refreshed b. feeling refreshes c. feel in refreshes d. feeling refreshed
7)	Our employees should relax on holiday and not read ______
	a. work-relate it emails b. work-related emails c. work-relates emails d. work-rebated emails
8)	If you want me to read this ______
	a. e-mail personality b. e-mail purse anomaly c. e-mail person ally d. e-mail personally
9)	Not everyone thinks the system is ______
	a. the good idea b. as good idea c. a good idea d. a good ideas
10)	Customers may not like receiving a mail telling them ______
	a. to write again lately b. to write again later c. to rate again lately d. to rate to gain later

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

It is becoming more and more difficult for workers (1) ___________________ work. Many workers answer or write e-mails on the train to and from work, (2) ___________________ at home after work. A lot of people even check their work e-mail when they go on vacation to other countries. This (3) ___________________. The German carmaker Daimler is giving its workers the choice to not receive e-mail when they are on holiday. This will mean employees will (4) ___________________ on the beach (5) ___________________ problems in their inbox. Daimler employees can choose to auto-delete all work e-mail while on vacation. Daimler says it wants workers to enjoy family time or "me time" (6) ___________________.

Daimler spokesman Oliver Wihofszki told reporters that staff would work better (7) ___________________ from holiday feeling refreshed. He said staff should return to work feeling (8) ___________________. A human resources officer said: "Our employees should relax on holiday and not read (9) ___________________." Daimler's system is called 'Mail on Holiday'. The sender (10) ___________________ says: "I'm using 'Mail on Holiday'…your e-mails will be deleted….If you want me to read (11) ___________________, please be kind enough to send me the information [next week]." Not everyone thinks the system is a good idea. Customers may not like receiving a mail telling them to write again later and companies (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What is it becoming more difficult for workers to do?
2.	Where do many workers check mail going to and from work?
3.	What will some workers be able to do instead of dealing with problems?
4.	What can employees choose to do with work email while on holiday?
5.	What does Daimler want workers to do while on holiday?
6.	How should workers feel after returning from holiday?
7.	Who said workers should not read work-related mail on holiday?
8.	What is the mail system called?
9.	Who might not like being asked to write again later?
10.	What could companies lose because of the mail system?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What is it becoming more difficult for workers to do?	6.	How should workers feel after returning from holiday?
	a) switch off b) answer mails c) go on holiday d) understand mails		a) depressed b) tired c) sad d) refreshed
2.	Where do many workers check mail going to and from work?	7.	Who said workers should not read work-related mail on holiday?
	a) on their iPhones b) in Germany c) on the train d) on the back seat		a) workers' families b) the chairman c) a human resources officer d) workers
3.	What will some workers be able to do instead of dealing with problems?	8.	What is the mail system called?
	a) work harder b) create problems c) build more cars d) relax on the beach		a) Mail Delete b) Mail on Holiday c) Holiday Mail d) Delete on Holiday
4.	What can employees choose to do with work email while on holiday?	9.	Who might not like being asked to write again later?
	a) read it b) not receive it c) return it d) forward it to a manager		a) workers b) the chairman c) customers d) the mail provider
5.	What does Daimler want workers to do while on holiday?	10.	What could companies lose because of the mail system?
	a) relax b) read email c) visit other countries d) study		a) workers b) business c) systems d) holidays

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Reading a book

You think reading a book is the best way to relax. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least relaxing of these (and why): chatting to friends, sleeping or going for a walk.

Role B – Chatting to friends

You think chatting to friends is the best way to relax. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least relaxing of these (and why): reading a book, sleeping or going for a walk.

Role C – Sleeping

You think sleeping is the best way to relax. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least relaxing of these (and why): chatting to friends, reading a book or going for a walk.

Role D – Going for a walk

You think going for a walk is the best way to relax. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least relaxing of these (and why): chatting to friends, sleeping or reading a book.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

auto

delete

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:

more
check
choice
able
auto
me

reporters
human
related
reply
kind
lose

EMAIL SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about email 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.

EMAIL 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 'email'?
c)	What do you think of email?
d)	What makes you angry about email?
e)	Does email take up too much of your time?
f)	Why is it difficult for workers to switch off from work?
g)	What do you get email about?
h)	Which is better, email or Facebook messages? Why?
i)	What do you think of checking work email while on holiday?
j)	How important is "me time" to you?

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

EMAIL DISCUSSION

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Do you always feel refreshed after holidays?
c)	How important is email in your life?
d)	Are holidays becoming a thing of the past?
e)	What do you think of spam mail?
f)	Should people leave their iPhones at home when they go on holiday?
g)	What do you think of the 'Mail on Holiday' idea?
h)	Would you do a job where you had to answer email every day?
i)	Should workers always be in contact with their customers?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Daimler?

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

It is becoming more and (1) ____ difficult for workers to switch off from work. Many workers answer or write e-mails on the train to and (2) ____ work, during lunchtime and at home after work. A lot of people (3) ____ check their work e-mail when they go on vacation to other countries. This might be changing. The German carmaker Daimler is giving its workers the choice to (4) ____ receive e-mail when they are on holiday. This will mean employees will be able to relax on the beach instead of (5) ____ with problems in their inbox. Daimler employees can choose to auto-delete all work e-mail while on vacation. Daimler says it wants workers to enjoy family time or "(6) ____ time" while on vacation.

Daimler spokesman Oliver Wihofszki told reporters that staff would work better if they returned from holiday (7) ____ refreshed. He said staff should return to work feeling refreshed and motivated. A human (8) ____ officer said: "Our employees should relax on holiday and not read work-related emails." Daimler's system is called 'Mail on Holiday'. The sender gets a (9) ____ that says: "I'm using 'Mail on Holiday'…your e-mails will be deleted….If you want me to read this e-mail (10) ____, please be (11) ____ enough to send me the information [next week]." Not everyone thinks the system is a good idea. Customers may not like receiving a mail telling them to write again later and companies could (12) ____ business.

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

1.	(a)	more	(b)	most	(c)	many	(d)	much
2.	(a)	fro	(b)	form	(c)	from	(d)	for
3.	(a)	ever	(b)	event	(c)	even	(d)	every
4.	(a)	nod	(b)	non	(c)	now	(d)	not
5.	(a)	dealing	(b)	dealt	(c)	deals	(d)	dealer
6.	(a)	us	(b)	me	(c)	we	(d)	they
7.	(a)	doing	(b)	having	(c)	showing	(d)	feeling
8.	(a)	personnel	(b)	resources	(c)	people	(d)	wealth
9.	(a)	post	(b)	letter	(c)	reply	(d)	note
10.	(a)	publicly	(b)	personally	(c)	privately	(d)	potentially
11.	(a)	big	(b)	professional	(c)	worth	(d)	kind
12.	(a)	big	(b)	lose	(c)	start	(d)	trade

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	hctisw off from work
2.	anrswe or write e-mails
3.	go on vacation to other rsiuecnot
4.	the choice to not eivecre e-mail
5.	yeoepsmle will be able to relax
6.	auto-letdee all work e-mail
Paragraph 2
7.	Daimler opmnesksa Oliver Wihofszki
8.	rtrnudee from holiday feeling refreshed
9.	feeling refreshed and vmtitdeao
10.	read this e-mail alplrnyose
11.	the tssmey is a good idea
12.	companies could lose nibssesu

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	called 'Mail on Holiday'. The sender gets a reply that says: "I'm using 'Mail on Holiday'…your e-mails will be deleted….If you
( )	check their work e-mail when they go on vacation to other countries. This might be
( )	on holiday. This will mean employees will be able to relax on the beach instead
( )	refreshed. He said staff should return to work feeling refreshed and motivated. A human resources
( )	of dealing with problems in their inbox. Daimler employees can choose to auto-delete all work e-mail while on
( )	want me to read this e-mail personally, please be kind enough to send me the
( )	or write e-mails on the train to and from work, during lunchtime and at home after work. A lot of people even
( )	changing. The German carmaker Daimler is giving its workers the choice to not receive e-mail when they are
( )	information [next week]." Not everyone thinks the system is a good idea. Customers may not
( 1 )	It is becoming more and more difficult for workers to switch off from work. Many workers answer
( )	vacation. Daimler says it wants workers to enjoy family time or "me time" while on vacation.
( )	like receiving a mail telling them to write again later and companies could lose business.
( )	Daimler spokesman Oliver Wihofszki told reporters that staff would work better if they returned from holiday feeling
( )	officer said: "Our employees should relax on holiday and not read work-related emails." Daimler's system is

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	from More workers off for switch work difficult to.
2.	receive Giving the not workers to email its choice.
3.	Relax beach dealing the of problems on instead with.
4.	choose - work can auto all Employees to delete email.
5.	it to time says workers family Daimler wants enjoy.
6.	work staff to refreshed said return feeling He should.
7.	me this want read personally you to email If.
8.	Please enough me kind send information be to the.
9.	good Not the a thinks is idea everyone system.
10.	write mail to later a them again Receiving telling.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

It is becoming more and many / more difficult for workers to switch off from work. Many workers answer or write e-mails on the train to and fro / from work, during lunchtime and at home after work. A lot of people ever / even check their work e-mail when they go on vacation to other / another countries. This might / will be changing. The German carmaker Daimler is giving its workers the choosing / choice to not receive e-mail when they are on holiday. This will mean / meant employees will be able to relax on the beach instead of / for dealing with problems in their inbox. Daimler employees can choose to auto-delete all / every work e-mail while on vacation. Daimler says it wants workers to enjoy family time or "we / me time" while on vacation.

Daimler spokesman Oliver Wihofszki told reporters that stuff / staff would work better if they returned from holiday feeling / felt refreshed. He said staff should return to company / work feeling refreshed and motivated. A human resources officer said: "Our employees should relaxing / relax on holiday and not read work-related emails." Daimler's system is / be called 'Mail on Holiday'. The sender gets a / the reply that says: "I'm using 'Mail on Holiday'…your e-mails will be deletion / deleted….If you want me to read this e-mail personally / personality, please be kind enough to send me the information [next week]." Not everyone thinks / thinking the system is a good idea. Customers may not like receiving a mail telling them to write again later / lately and companies could lose business.

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)

_t _s b_c_m_ng m_r_ _nd m_r_ d_ff_c_lt f_r w_rk_rs t_ sw_tch _ff fr_m w_rk. M_ny w_rk_rs _nsw_r _r wr_t_ _-m__ls _n th_ tr__n t_ _nd fr_m w_rk, d_r_ng l_ncht_m_ _nd _t h_m_ _ft_r w_rk. _ l_t _f p__pl_ _v_n ch_ck th__r w_rk _-m__l wh_n th_y g_ _n v_c_t__n t_ _th_r c__ntr__s. Th_s m_ght b_ ch_ng_ng. Th_ G_rm_n c_rm_k_r D__ml_r _s g_v_ng _ts w_rk_rs th_ ch__c_ t_ n_t r_c__v_ _-m__l wh_n th_y _r_ _n h_l_d_y. Th_s w_ll m__n _mpl_y__s w_ll b_ _bl_ t_ r_l_x _n th_ b__ch _nst__d _f d__l_ng w_th pr_bl_ms _n th__r _nb_x. D__ml_r _mpl_y__s c_n ch__s_ t_ __t_-d_l_t_ _ll w_rk _-m__l wh_l_ _n v_c_t__n. D__ml_r s_ys _t w_nts w_rk_rs t_ _nj_y f_m_ly t_m_ _r "m_ t_m_" wh_l_ _n v_c_t__n.

D__ml_r sp_k_sm_n _l_v_r W_h_fszk_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs th_t st_ff w__ld w_rk b_tt_r _f th_y r_t_rn_d fr_m h_l_d_y f__l_ng r_fr_sh_d. H_ s__d st_ff sh__ld r_t_rn t_ w_rk f__l_ng r_fr_sh_d _nd m_t_v_t_d. _ h_m_n r_s__rc_s _ff_c_r s__d: "__r _mpl_y__s sh__ld r_l_x _n h_l_d_y _nd n_t r__d w_rk-r_l_t_d _m__ls." D__ml_r's syst_m _s c_ll_d 'M__l _n H_l_d_y'. Th_ s_nd_r g_ts _ r_ply th_t s_ys: "_'m _s_ng 'M__l _n H_l_d_y'…y__r _-m__ls w_ll b_ d_l_t_d…._f y__ w_nt m_ t_ r__d th_s _-m__l p_rs_n_lly, pl__s_ b_ k_nd _n__gh t_ s_nd m_ th_ _nf_rm_t__n [n_xt w__k]." N_t _v_ry_n_ th_nks th_ syst_m _s _ g__d _d__. C_st_m_rs m_y n_t l_k_ r_c__v_ng _ m__l t_ll_ng th_m t_ wr_t_ _g__n l_t_r _nd c_mp_n__s c__ld l_s_ b_s_n_ss.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

it is becoming more and more difficult for workers to switch off from work many workers answer or write e-mails on the train to and from work during lunchtime and at home after work a lot of people even check their work e-mail when they go on vacation to other countries this might be changing the german carmaker daimler is giving its workers the choice to not receive e-mail when they are on holiday this will mean employees will be able to relax on the beach instead of dealing with problems in their inbox daimler employees can choose to auto-delete all work e-mail while on vacation daimler says it wants workers to enjoy family time or "me time" while on vacation

daimler spokesman oliver wihofszki told reporters that staff would work better if they returned from holiday feeling refreshed he said staff should return to work feeling refreshed and motivated a human resources officer said "our employees should relax on holiday and not read work-related emails" daimler's system is called 'mail on holiday' the sender gets a reply that says "i'm using 'mail on holiday'…your e-mails will be deleted…if you want me to read this e-mail personally please be kind enough to send me the information [next week]" not everyone thinks the system is a good idea customers may not like receiving a mail telling them to write again later and companies could lose business

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Itisbecomingmoreandmoredifficultforworkerstoswitchofffromwor
k.Manyworkersanswerorwritee-mailsonthetraintoandfro
mwork,duringlunchtimeandathomeafterwork.Alotofpeopleevenc
hecktheirworke-mailwhentheygoonvacationtoothercountries.Thi
smightbechanging.TheGermancarmakerDaimlerisgivingitsworke
rsthechoicetonotreceivee-mailwhentheyareonholiday.Thiswillm
eanemployeeswillbeabletorelaxonthebeachinsteadofdealingwith
problemsintheirinbox.Daimleremployeescanchoosetoauto-dele
teallworke-mailwhileonvacation.Daimlersaysitwantsworkerstoe
njoyfamilytimeor"metime"whileonvacation.DaimlerspokesmanOl
iverWihofszkitoldreportersthatstaffwouldworkbetteriftheyreturne
dfromholidayfeelingrefreshed.Hesaidstaffshouldreturntoworkfeel
ingrefreshedandmotivated.Ahumanresourcesofficersaid:"Ourem
ployeesshouldrelaxonholidayandnotreadwork-relatedem
ails."Daimler'ssystemiscalled'MailonHoliday'.Thesendergetsarepl
ythatsays:"I'musing'MailonHoliday'…youre-mailswillbedeleted
….Ifyouwantmetoreadthise-mailpersonally,pleasebekindenoug
htosendmetheinformation[nextweek]."Noteveryonethinksthesys
temisagoodidea.Customersmaynotlikereceivingamailtellingthem
towriteagainlaterandcompaniescouldlosebusiness.

.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

People should not check work email at home. 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 work email. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. EMAIL: Make a poster about email and working. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. WORK EMAIL: Write a magazine article about looking at work email at home. 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 a human resources officer. Ask him/her three questions about work email at home. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to separate work from "me time". 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	difficult	a.	problematic
2.	check	b.	look at
3.	choice	c.	option
4.	relax	d.	chill out
5.	choose	e.	select
6.	returned	f.	got back
7.	refreshed	g.	energised
8.	employees	h.	workers
9.	deleted	i.	binned
10.	receiving	j.	getting

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Switch off from work
2.	On the train
3.	Relax on the beach
4.	To not receive work-related mail
5.	Relax
6.	Refreshed and motivated
7.	A human resources officer
8.	Mail on Holiday
9.	Customers
10.	Business

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

d

7.

c

8.

b

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

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

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

No work E-mail for workers on vacation (17th August, 2014)

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS