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Japan recession may hurt global economy (19th November, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Japan has slipped back into recession, leaving financial analysts to ponder over the implications for the global economy. Japan's economy unexpectedly shrank for the second consecutive quarter. Two successive negative quarters officially puts a country in recession. The slide in the last quarter has taken economists by surprise. Figures indicated that Japan's economy would grow by 2.1 per cent in the last quarter. Instead, gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 1.6 per cent between July and September. Many economists attribute the fall to April's increase in sales tax from five to eight per cent. Many Japanese consumers have tightened their purse strings and are simply not spending.

World leaders are worried that Japan's slide back into recession could be ominous for the global economy. British leader David Cameron said the world was on the brink of a second economic disaster. He told reporters he saw "red warning lights" for the global economy because of international "instability and uncertainty" and a slowing of growth in emerging markets, especially Brazil and China. Mr Cameron said the problems were "plain to see". He added: "The Eurozone is teetering on the brink of a possible third recession, with high unemployment, falling growth and the real risk of falling prices. Emerging markets, which were the driver of growth in the early stages of the recovery, are now slowing down."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-warns-of-new-global-economic-crisis-9864307.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30077122
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001724963

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. RECESSION: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about recession. 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?

recession / analysts / implications / negative quarters / GDP / consumers / spending / world leaders / ominous / global economy / economic disaster / growth / recovery

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

3. ECONOMY: What can we do to these things to help the economy? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What to do?	Why / How it would help
Tax
Inflation
Public spending
Interest rates
Jobs
Growth

4. BOOM: Students A strongly believe boom times for the global economy are over forever; Students B strongly believe not. 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. SPENDING: Rank these with your partner. Put the things you would cut back on most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• mobile phone

• eating out

• buying clothes

• electricity

• shopping

• hobbies

• going to cafes

• haircuts

6. GLOBAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "global". 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.	Financial analysts are pondering over the effects of Japans recession.	T / F
b.	Japan's economy has shrunk for two quarters in a row.	T / F
c.	Economists are not particularly surprised that Japan is in recession.	T / F
d.	Japanese consumers are putting strings around their purses.	T / F
e.	World leaders are not particularly concerned about news from Japan.	T / F
f.	Britain's leader said the world's second economic disaster had arrived.	T / F
g.	Britain's leader said the Eurozone was close to recession.	T / F
h.	Emerging markets are not growing as fast as they used to be.	T / F

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

1.	ponder	a.	financial resources
2.	consecutive	b.	phases
3.	indicated	c.	credit
4.	attribute	d.	showed
5.	purse strings	e.	close to
6.	ominous	f.	think about
7.	on the brink of	g.	up-and-coming
8.	emerging	h.	see-sawing
9.	teetering	i.	successive
10.	stages	j.	unpromising

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

1.	Japan has slipped	a.	shrank
2.	ponder over	b.	the brink
3.	Japan's economy unexpectedly	c.	strings
4.	gross domestic	d.	in the early stages
5.	tightened their purse	e.	back into recession
6.	could be ominous	f.	and uncertainty
7.	the world was on	g.	to see
8.	because of international instability	h.	the implications
9.	the problems were plain	i.	product
10.	the driver of growth	j.	for the global economy

GAP FILL

Japan has (1) ____________ back into recession, leaving financial analysts to ponder over the (2) ____________ for the global economy. Japan's economy unexpectedly (3) ____________ for the second consecutive quarter. Two successive negative quarters officially puts a country in recession. The (4) ____________ in the last quarter has taken economists by surprise. Figures indicated that Japan's economy would grow by 2.1 per cent in the last quarter. Instead, (5) ____________ domestic product (GDP) fell by 1.6 per cent between July and September. Many economists (6) ____________ the fall to April's increase in sales tax from five to eight per cent. Many Japanese consumers have (7) ____________ their purse (8) ____________ and are simply not spending.

shrank
slipped
tightened
implications
gross
strings
attribute
slide

World leaders are worried that Japan's slide back into recession could be (9) ____________ for the global economy. British leader David Cameron said the world was on the (10) ____________ of a second economic disaster. He told reporters he saw "red warning (11) ____________ " for the global economy because of international "instability and uncertainty" and a slowing of (12) ____________ in emerging markets, especially Brazil and China. Mr Cameron said the problems were "(13) ____________ to see". He added: "The Eurozone is teetering on the brink of a possible third recession, with (14) ____________ unemployment, falling growth and the real risk of falling prices. Emerging markets, which were the (15) ____________ of growth in the early stages of the (16) ____________, are now slowing down."

lights
ominous
driver
plain
recovery
brink
growth
high

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	…leaving financial analysts to ponder ______
	a. under the implications b. around the implications c. through the implications d. over the implications
2)	Japan's economy unexpectedly shrank for the second ______
	a. consecutively quarter b. consecutive quarters c. consecutive quarter d. consecutively quarters
3)	The slide in the last quarter has taken ______
	a. economists with surprise b. economists for surprise c. economists at surprise d. economists by surprise
4)	Figures indicated that Japan's economy would grow by 2.1 per cent ______
	a. in the past quarter b. in the last quarter c. in the fast quarter d. in the first quarter
5)	Many Japanese consumers have tightened ______
	a. their purse strings b. their purse string c. their purse stringent d. their purse slings
6)	worried that Japan's slide back into recession could be ominous for the global economy
	a. be ominously for the b. be oh my nuts for the c. be omnibus for the d. be ominous for the
7)	the world was on the brink of a second economic disaster
	a. the drink of a b. the bring of a c. the brink of a d. the brick of a
8)	international "instability and uncertainty" and a slowing of growth ______
	a. in emerge in markets b. in emergency markets c. in the merging markets d. in emerging markets
9)	Mr Cameron said the problems ______
	a. were "plane to see" b. were "plate to see" c. were "plain to see" d. were "plying to see"
10)	Emerging markets, which were the driver of growth ______
	a. in the earlier stages b. in the earlyish stages c. in the earliest stages d. in the early stages

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Japan has (1) ___________________ recession, leaving financial analysts to ponder over the implications for the global economy. Japan's economy unexpectedly shrank for (2) ___________________ quarter. Two successive negative quarters officially puts a country in recession. The slide in the last quarter has taken (3) ___________________. Figures indicated that Japan's economy would grow by 2.1 per cent (4) ___________________. Instead, gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 1.6 per cent between July and September. Many economists (5) ___________________ April's increase in sales tax from five to eight per cent. Many Japanese consumers have tightened (6) ___________________ and are simply not spending.

World leaders are worried that Japan's (7) ___________________ recession could be ominous for the global economy. British leader David Cameron said the world (8) ___________________ a second economic disaster. He told reporters he saw "red warning lights" for the global economy because of international "(9) ___________________" and a slowing of growth in emerging markets, especially Brazil and China. Mr Cameron said the problems were "plain to see". He added: "(10) ___________________ on the brink of a possible third recession, with high unemployment, falling growth and (11) ___________________ prices. Emerging markets, which were the driver of growth in the early (12) ___________________, are now slowing down."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who is thinking about implications for the global economy?
2.	How many quarters in a row has Japan's economy shrunk?
3.	By how much was Japan's economy expected to grow?
4.	What do economists blame for Japan's fall in GDP?
5.	What are Japanese consumers tightening?
6.	Who is worried that Japan's recession could be ominous?
7.	What did David Cameron say the world was on the brink of?
8.	In which two emerging countries was growth slowing?
9.	What is teetering on the brink of a third possible recession?
10.	What did the article say was the driver of growth?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who is thinking about implications for the global economy?	6.	Who is worried that Japan's recession could be ominous?
	a) everyone b) financial analysts c) people with stocks d) Japanese consumers		a) world leaders b) Japan's prime minister c) consumers d) tax authorities
2.	How many quarters in a row has Japan's economy shrunk?	7.	What did David Cameron say the world was on the brink of?
	a) 5 b) 4 c) 3 d) 2		a) a recovery and boom b) a new age c) a second economic disaster d) financial collapse
3.	By how much was Japan's economy expected to grow?	8.	In which two emerging countries was growth slowing?
	a) 1.2% b) 1.6% c) 2.1% d) 2.6%		a) China and Brazil b) India and Russia c) China and Russia d) Brazil and India
4.	What do economists blame for Japan's fall in GDP?	9.	What is teetering on the brink of a third possible recession?
	a) a rise in sales tax b) the global economy c) inflation d) a lack of investment		a) the USA b) South America c) Asia d) the Eurozone
5.	What are Japanese consumers tightening?	10.	What did the article say was the driver of growth?
	a) nuts and bolts b) their purse strings c) regulations d) their belts		a) the European Union b) the World Bank c) emerging markets d) investment

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Investment

You think investment would be best to bring a country out of recession. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things might not work. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): lower taxes, lower interest rates or more jobs.

Role B – Lower taxes

You think lower taxes would be best to bring a country out of recession. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things might not work. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): investment, lower interest rates or more jobs.

Role C – Lower interest rates

You think lower interest rates would be best to bring a country out of recession. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things might not work. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): lower taxes, investment or more jobs.

Role D – More jobs

You think more jobs would be best to bring a country out of recession. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things might not work. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): lower taxes, lower interest rates or investment.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

global

economy

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:

slipped
two
grow
1.6
sales
spending

worried
red
especially
plain
risk
early

RECESSION SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about recession 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.

RECESSION DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'recession'?
3)	Why or how does a country enter recession?
4)	Are you worried about the global economy?
5)	What are economic conditions like in your country?
6)	Why can't economists keep the global economy stable?
7)	What has your government done for its economy?
8)	How does a country come out of recession?
9)	What do you think of sales tax?
10)	Are there times when you have stopped spending?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What can world leaders do to stop another recession?
13)	How did the last global recession affect you?
14)	What "warning lights" are there for a global recession?
15)	Why do you think emerging markets are slowing down?
16)	What's the best way to protect yourself against recession?
17)	Who wins and who loses in a recession?
18)	What would you do to create growth?
19)	How do you feel about economics?
20)	What questions would you like to ask Japan'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

Japan has slipped back into recession, (1) ____ financial analysts to ponder over the implications for the global economy. Japan's economy (2) ____ shrank for the second consecutive quarter. Two successive negative quarters officially puts a country in recession. The (3) ____ in the last quarter has taken economists by surprise. Figures indicated that Japan's economy would grow (4) ____ 2.1 per cent in the last quarter. Instead, gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 1.6 per cent between July and September. Many economists (5) ____ the fall to April's increase in sales tax from five to eight per cent. Many Japanese consumers have tightened their purse strings and are (6) ____ not spending.

World leaders are worried that Japan's slide back into recession could be (7) ____ for the global economy. British leader David Cameron said the world was on the (8) ____ of a second economic disaster. He told reporters he saw "red warning lights" for the global economy because of international "(9) ____ and uncertainty" and a slowing of growth in emerging markets, especially Brazil and China. Mr Cameron said the problems were "(10) ____ to see". He added: "The Eurozone is teetering on the brink of a possible third recession, (11) ____ high unemployment, falling growth and the real risk of falling prices. Emerging markets, which were the driver of growth in the early (12) ____ of the recovery, are now slowing down."

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

1.	(a)	left	(b)	leaves	(c)	leaving	(d)	leave
2.	(a)	unexpectedly	(b)	unexpected	(c)	expectant	(d)	expectations
3.	(a)	slide	(b)	swing	(c)	see-saw	(d)	frame
4.	(a)	by	(b)	for	(c)	up	(d)	in
5.	(a)	contribute	(b)	attribute	(c)	retribution	(d)	combustion
6.	(a)	simpletons	(b)	simpleton	(c)	simple	(d)	simply
7.	(a)	omnivorous	(b)	omnipresent	(c)	ominous	(d)	omnibus
8.	(a)	drink	(b)	dink	(c)	clink	(d)	brink
9.	(a)	instability	(b)	unstable	(c)	stability	(d)	stable
10.	(a)	plain	(b)	candid	(c)	lucid	(d)	ordinary
11.	(a)	of	(b)	with	(c)	for	(d)	by
12.	(a)	areas	(b)	districts	(c)	stages	(d)	platforms

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	financial nalsasyt
2.	the itpscinaiolm for the global economy
3.	for the second eevtnsccuio quarter
4.	taken omtecinsso by surprise
5.	urtitebat the fall to April's increase
6.	tightened their espru strings
Paragraph 2
7.	ounimos for the global economy
8.	on the brink of a second economic eidtsrsa
9.	instability and rtuneynatci
10.	growth in regnemgi markets
11.	girtetnee on the brink
12.	the early stages of the oeevyrrc

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	prices. Emerging markets, which were the driver of growth in the early stages of the recovery, are now slowing down."
( )	for the global economy. British leader David Cameron said the world was on the brink of a second economic
( )	and uncertainty" and a slowing of growth in emerging markets, especially
( )	by 2.1 per cent in the last quarter. Instead, gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 1.6 per cent between
( )	July and September. Many economists attribute the fall to April's increase in sales tax from five
( )	disaster. He told reporters he saw "red warning lights" for the global economy because of international "instability
( )	on the brink of a possible third recession, with high unemployment, falling growth and the real risk of falling
( )	Brazil and China. Mr Cameron said the problems were "plain to see". He added: "The Eurozone is teetering
( )	in the last quarter has taken economists by surprise. Figures indicated that Japan's economy would grow
( )	to eight per cent. Many Japanese consumers have tightened their purse strings and are simply not spending.
( )	World leaders are worried that Japan's slide back into recession could be ominous
( )	quarter. Two successive negative quarters officially puts a country in recession. The slide
( 1 )	Japan has slipped back into recession, leaving financial analysts to ponder over the implications
( )	for the global economy. Japan's economy unexpectedly shrank for the second consecutive

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	the analysts implications to ponder Leaving over financial.
2.	Unexpectedly quarter consecutive second the for shrank.
3.	gross by Instead, cent 1.6 domestic fell (GDP) per product.
4.	eight to five from tax sales in increase April's cent per.
5.	their tightened have consumers Japanese strings purse.
6.	back ominous into recession Japan's could slide be.
7.	on was world The disaster economic second a of brink the.
8.	in growth of slowing A markets emerging.
9.	the a recession on of third Teetering brink possible.
10.	of stages early the in growth of driver The recovery the.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Japan has slipped / sloped back into recession, leaving financial analysts to ponder over the imperfections / implications for the global economy. Japan's economy unexpectedly shrank / shrunk for the second consecutively / consecutive quarter. Two successive negative quarters officialdom / officially puts a country in recession. The slide in the last / least quarter has taken economists by surprise / surprising. Figures indicated that Japan's economy would growth / grow by 2.1 per cent in the last quarter. Instead, gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 1.6 per cent between July and September. Many economists attribute / contribute the fall to April's increase in sales tax from five to eight per cent. Many Japanese consumers have tightened their purse strings and are simple / simply not spending.

World leaders are worried that Japan's slid / slide back into recession could be ominous / omnivorous for the global economy. British leader David Cameron said the world was on the blink / brink of a second economic disaster. He told reporters he saw "red warned / warning lights" for the global economy because of international "instability and uncannily / uncertainty" and a slowing of growth in emerging markets, especially Brazil and China. Mr Cameron said the problems were "plain / plane to see". He added: "The Eurozone is teetotalling / teetering on the brink of a possible third recession, with high unemployment, falling growth and the reality / real risk of falling prices. Emerging markets, which were the driver / pilot of growth in the early stages of the recovered / recovery, are now slowing down."

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)

J_p_n h_s sl_pp_d b_ck _nt_ r_c_ss__n, l__v_ng f_n_nc__l _n_lysts t_ p_nd_r _v_r th_ _mpl_c_t__ns f_r th_ gl_b_l _c_n_my. J_p_n's _c_n_my _n_xp_ct_dly shr_nk f_r th_ s_c_nd c_ns_c_t_v_ q__rt_r. Tw_ s_cc_ss_v_ n_g_t_v_ q__rt_rs _ff_c__lly p_ts _ c__ntry _n r_c_ss__n. Th_ sl_d_ _n th_ l_st q__rt_r h_s t_k_n _c_n_m_sts by s_rpr_s_. F_g_r_s _nd_c_t_d th_t J_p_n's _c_n_my w__ld gr_w by 2.1 p_r c_nt _n th_ l_st q__rt_r. _nst__d, gr_ss d_m_st_c pr_d_ct (GDP) f_ll by 1.6 p_r c_nt b_tw__n J_ly _nd S_pt_mb_r. M_ny _c_n_m_sts _ttr_b_t_ th_ f_ll t_ _pr_l's _ncr__s_ _n s_l_s t_x fr_m f_v_ t_ __ght p_r c_nt. M_ny J_p_n_s_ c_ns_m_rs h_v_ t_ght_n_d th__r p_rs_ str_ngs _nd _r_ s_mply n_t sp_nd_ng.

W_rld l__d_rs _r_ w_rr__d th_t J_p_n's sl_d_ b_ck _nt_ r_c_ss__n c__ld b_ _m_n__s f_r th_ gl_b_l _c_n_my. Br_t_sh l__d_r D_v_d C_m_r_n s__d th_ w_rld w_s _n th_ br_nk _f _ s_c_nd _c_n_m_c d_s_st_r. H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs h_ s_w "r_d w_rn_ng l_ghts" f_r th_ gl_b_l _c_n_my b_c__s_ _f _nt_rn_t__n_l "_nst_b_l_ty _nd _nc_rt__nty" _nd _ sl_w_ng _f gr_wth _n _m_rg_ng m_rk_ts, _sp_c__lly Br_z_l _nd Ch_n_. Mr C_m_r_n s__d th_ pr_bl_ms w_r_ "pl__n t_ s__". H_ _dd_d: "Th_ __r_z_n_ _s t__t_r_ng _n th_ br_nk _f _ p_ss_bl_ th_rd r_c_ss__n, w_th h_gh _n_mpl_ym_nt, f_ll_ng gr_wth _nd th_ r__l r_sk _f f_ll_ng pr_c_s. _m_rg_ng m_rk_ts, wh_ch w_r_ th_ dr_v_r _f gr_wth _n th_ __rly st_g_s _f th_ r_c_v_ry, _r_ n_w sl_w_ng d_wn."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

japan has slipped back into recession leaving financial analysts to ponder over the implications for the global economy japan's economy unexpectedly shrank for the second consecutive quarter two successive negative quarters officially puts a country in recession the slide in the last quarter has taken economists by surprise figures indicated that japan's economy would grow by 21 per cent in the last quarter instead gross domestic product (gdp) fell by 16 per cent between july and september many economists attribute the fall to april's increase in sales tax from five to eight per cent many japanese consumers have tightened their purse strings and are simply not spending

world leaders are worried that japan's slide back into recession could be ominous for the global economy british leader david cameron said the world was on the brink of a second economic disaster he told reporters he saw "red warning lights" for the global economy because of international "instability and uncertainty" and a slowing of growth in emerging markets especially brazil and china mr cameron said the problems were "plain to see" he added "the eurozone is teetering on the brink of a possible third recession with high unemployment falling growth and the real risk of falling prices emerging markets which were the driver of growth in the early stages of the recovery are now slowing down"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Japanhasslippedbackintorecession,leavingfinancialanalyststopond
erovertheimplicationsfortheglobaleconomy.Japan'seconomyunexp
ectedlyshrankforthesecondconsecutivequarter.Twosuccessivenega
tivequartersofficiallyputsacountryinrecession.Theslideinthelastqua
rterhastakeneconomistsbysurprise.FiguresindicatedthatJapan'seco
nomywouldgrowby2.1percentinthelastquarter.Instead,grossdomes
ticproduct(GDP)fellby1.6percentbetweenJulyandSeptember.Manye
conomistsattributethefalltoApril'sincreaseinsalestaxfromfivetoeigh
tpercent.ManyJapaneseconsumershavetightenedtheirpursestrings
andaresimplynotspending.WorldleadersareworriedthatJapan'sslide
backintorecessioncouldbeominousfortheglobaleconomy.Britishlead
erDavidCameronsaidtheworldwasonthebrinkofasecondeconomicdis
aster.Hetoldreportershesaw"redwarninglights"fortheglobaleconom
ybecauseofinternational"instabilityanduncertainty"andaslowingofg
rowthinemergingmarkets,especiallyBrazilandChina.MrCameronsai
dtheproblemswere"plaintosee".Headded:"TheEurozoneisteetering
onthebrinkofapossiblethirdrecession,withhighunemployment,fallin
ggrowthandtherealriskoffallingprices.Emergingmarkets,whichwere
thedriverofgrowthintheearlystagesoftherecovery,arenowslowingdo
wn."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Everyone should save more and spend less. 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 recessions. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. RECESSION: Make a poster about the previous global recession. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. GLOBAL ECONOMY: Write a magazine article about the global economy. Include imaginary interviews with people who are optimistic about it and with those who are pessimistic about 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 economist. Ask him/her three questions about recessions. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to avoid them. 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

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	ponder	a.	think about
2.	consecutive	b.	successive
3.	indicated	c.	showed
4.	attribute	d.	credit
5.	purse strings	e.	financial resources
6.	ominous	f.	unpromising
7.	on the brink of	g.	close to
8.	emerging	h.	up-and-coming
9.	teetering	i.	see-sawing
10.	stages	j.	phases

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Financial analysts
2.	Two
3.	2.1%
4.	A rise in sales tax
5.	Their purse strings
6.	World leaders
7.	A second economic disaster
8.	Brazil and China
9.	The Eurozone
10.	Emerging markets

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

c

4.

a

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

d

10.

c

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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Japan recession may hurt global economy (19th November, 2014)

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