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Russia says NATO is its biggest threat (29th December, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new military doctrine that says NATO is one of Russia's biggest dangers. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a defence treaty that started in 1949. It consists of North American and European countries who guarantee to act if any member state is threatened militarily. Tensions between Russia and NATO have existed since the end of WWII. The rival, Russian-led Warsaw Pact started in 1955 and led to the Cold War between the East and West intensifying. Strained relations have surfaced once again with former Russian ally Ukraine making fresh steps to join NATO. Russia accused NATO this week of turning Ukraine into a "frontline of confrontation".

The new doctrine has stated that for the first time, Russia would use conventional weapons "as part of strategic deterrent measures" if it sees its territory is under threat. A NATO spokeswoman said the organization was complying with international law over Ukraine and was not threatening Russia in any way. She said: "Should Ukraine decide to apply for NATO membership, NATO will assess its readiness to join the alliance in the same way as with any candidate. This is an issue between NATO and the individual countries aspiring to membership." She added: "It is Russia's actions…in Ukraine which are breaking international law and undermining European security."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/putin-signs-new-military-doctrine-as-ukraine-moves-toward-nato/513917.html
http://www.tehrantimes.com/world/120496-russia-nato-biggest-threat-
http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-identifies-nato-us-as-major-threats/2574605.html

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

military / doctrine / dangers / guarantee / threatened / tensions / Cold War / frontline /

conventional weapons / deterrent / international law / membership / security

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

3. DANGERS: What are the biggest dangers that threaten international relations? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How big a danger?	Example(s)	Resolutions
Territorial disputes
Religion
Water
Terrorism
Drugs
Nuclear weapons

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

4. EXPANSION: Students A strongly believe NATO should not expand any more; Students B strongly believe it should. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

5. TREATY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "treaty". 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.	Russia's president signed a document stating the danger of NATO.	T / F
b.	NATO started as an organization in 1994.	T / F
c.	The rival to NATO used to be the Warsaw Pact.	T / F
d.	Russia said NATO is using Ukraine as a basis for confrontation.	T / F
e.	Russia said it will use conventional weapons as a deterrent.	T / F
f.	NATO said it knew its actions were outside of international law.	T / F
g.	NATO said it will treat Ukraine's membership application differently.	T / F
h.	NATO said Russia's actions over Ukraine reinforced European security.	T / F

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

1.	doctrine	a.	orthodox
2.	dangers	b.	promise
3.	guarantee	c.	hostility
4.	intensifying	d.	evaluate
5.	confrontation	e.	set of beliefs
6.	conventional	f.	weakening
7.	complying with	g.	escalating
8.	assess	h.	matter
9.	issue	i.	abiding by
10.	undermining	j.	threats

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

1.	President Vladimir Putin has signed	a.	surfaced once again
2.	a defence treaty that	b.	measures
3.	guarantee	c.	of confrontation
4.	Strained relations have	d.	to join the alliance
5.	a frontline	e.	weapons
6.	use conventional	f.	a new military doctrine
7.	strategic deterrent	g.	international law
8.	complying with	h.	started in 1949
9.	NATO will assess its readiness	i.	European security
10.	undermining	j.	to act

GAP FILL

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new (1) ____________ doctrine that says NATO is one of Russia's biggest (2) ____________. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a defence (3) ____________ that started in 1949. It consists of North American and European countries who (4) ____________ to act if any member state is threatened militarily. Tensions between Russia and NATO have (5) ____________ since the end of WWII. The rival, Russian-led Warsaw Pact started in 1955 and led to the Cold War between the East and West intensifying. Strained (6) ____________ have surfaced once again with former Russian (7) ____________ Ukraine making fresh steps to join NATO. Russia accused NATO this week of turning Ukraine into a "frontline of (8) ____________ ".

treaty
military
relations
dangers
existed
confrontation
ally
guarantee

The new doctrine has stated that for the first time, Russia would use conventional (9) ____________ "as part of strategic deterrent (10) ____________ " if it sees its territory is under threat. A NATO spokeswoman said the organization was (11) ____________ with international law over Ukraine and was not threatening Russia in any way. She said: "Should Ukraine decide to (12) ____________ for NATO membership, NATO will assess its readiness to join the (13) ____________ in the same way as with any (14) ____________. This is an issue between NATO and the (15) ____________ countries aspiring to membership." She added: "It is Russia's actions…in Ukraine which are breaking international law and undermining European (16) ____________."

complying
alliance
measures
individual
weapons
security
apply
candidate

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a defence ______ in 1949
	a. treaties that started b. treatise that started c. treaty that started d. treat tea that started
2)	countries who guarantee to act if any member state is ______
	a. threatened military b. threatened militarily c. threatened military lea d. threatened militia rally
3)	Tensions between Russia and NATO have existed ______ WWII
	a. since an end of b. since the end of c. since all end of d. since one end of
4)	Strained relations have surfaced once again with ______ Ukraine
	a. farmer Russian ally b. firmer Russian ally c. framer Russian ally d. former Russian ally
5)	Russia accused NATO this week of turning Ukraine into a "______"
	a. frontline off confrontation b. frontline on confrontation c. frontline of confrontation d. frontline for confrontation
6)	The new doctrine has stated that for the first time, Russia ______ weapons
	a. would use confection all b. would use conventional c. would use convectional d. would use convention hall
7)	A NATO spokeswoman said the organization was complying ______
	a. to international law b. within international law c. with international law d. for international law
8)	NATO will assess its readiness to join the alliance in the same ______ candidate
	a. way as with some b. way as with many c. way as with much d. way as with any
9)	This is an issue between NATO and the individual countries ______ membership
	a. aspire ring to b. aspire in too c. aspiring too d. aspiring to
10)	breaking international law and undermining ______
	a. European securities b. European security c. European secure city d. European secure cities

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Russian President Vladimir Putin (1) ___________________ military doctrine that says NATO is one of Russia's biggest dangers. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a defence (2) ___________________ in 1949. It consists of North American and European countries who guarantee to act if any member state (3) ___________________. Tensions between Russia and NATO have (4) ___________________ of WWII. The rival, Russian-led Warsaw Pact started in 1955 and led to the Cold War between the East and West intensifying. Strained relations have (5) ___________________ with former Russian ally Ukraine making fresh steps to join NATO. Russia accused NATO this week of turning Ukraine into a "(6) ___________________".

The new doctrine has stated that for the first time, Russia would use (7) ___________________ "as part of strategic deterrent measures" if it sees its territory (8) ___________________. A NATO spokeswoman said the organization (9) ___________________ international law over Ukraine and was not threatening Russia in any way. She said: "Should Ukraine decide to apply for NATO membership, NATO will (10) ___________________ to join the alliance in the same way as with any candidate. This is an issue between NATO and the individual countries (11) ___________________." She added: "It is Russia's actions…in Ukraine which are breaking international law and (12) ___________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who signed a new military doctrine?
2.	When did NATO start?
3.	What started in 1955?
4.	Which country has tried to join NATO again recently?
5.	What did Russia say NATO was using as a form of confrontation?
6.	What would Russia use for the first time as a strategic deterrent?
7.	Who did NATO say it was not threatening?
8.	What will NATO assess if Ukraine decides to apply for membership?
9.	Which of Russia's actions did NATO say was breaking international law?
10.	What did NATO say Russia was undermining?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who signed a new military doctrine?	6.	What would Russia use for the first time as a strategic deterrent?
	a) Ukraine b) Vladimir Putin c) Barack Obama d) NATO		a) nuclear weapons b) its UN veto c) conventional weapons d) oil and gas
2.	When did NATO start?	7.	Who did NATO say it was not threatening?
	a) 1946 b) 1947 c) 1948 d) 1949		a) peacekeeping forces b) the UN c) Ukrainians d) Russia
3.	What started in 1955?	8.	What will NATO assess if Ukraine decides to apply for membership?
	a) the Warsaw Pact b) the United Nations c) the USSR d) the EU		a) Ukraine's readiness to join b) the political situation c) economics d) Russia's weapons
4.	Which country has tried to join NATO again recently?	9.	Which of Russia's actions did NATO say was breaking international law?
	a) Iceland b) Mexico c) Ukraine d) Uzbekistan		a) those concerning Ukraine b) those concerning the World Cup c) those concerning oil and gas prices d) those concerning the UN
5.	What did Russia say NATO was using as a form of confrontation?	10.	What did NATO say Russia was undermining?
	a) weapons b) Ukraine c) oil d) exchange rates		a) hopes for 2015 b) European security c) world peace d) its own economy

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Religion

You think religion is the biggest threat to international relations. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as big a threat. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): terrorism, nuclear weapons or territorial disputes.

Role B – Terrorism

You think terrorism is the biggest threat to international relations. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as big a threat. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): religion, nuclear weapons or territorial disputes.

Role C – Nuclear weapons

You think nuclear weapons are the biggest threat to international relations. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as big a threat. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): terrorism, religion or territorial disputes.

Role D – Territorial disputes

You think territorial disputes are the biggest threat to international relations. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as big a threat. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): terrorism, nuclear weapons or religion.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

military

doctrine

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:

new
1949
act
end
1955
week

time
part
complying
way
issue
security

NATO SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about NATO 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.

NATO 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 'NATO'?
3)	What do you know about NATO?
4)	Is Russia right to view NATO as a danger?
5)	What do you know about the Cold War?
6)	How dangerous is the tension between Russia and NATO?
7)	What can other countries do to ease relations?
8)	Why is Russia so against Ukraine joining NATO?
9)	How would the balance of power change with Ukraine in NATO?
10)	What advice would you give to Ukraine's leader?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What would happen if Russia struck a NATO country?
13)	Do you think any part of Russia is under threat from NATO?
14)	Can the issues between Russia and NATO be resolved in court?
15)	What are the good and bad things about NATO?
16)	Why are Russia and NATO still seemingly on Cold War terms?
17)	What three adjectives best describe this situation (and why)?
18)	What do you think will happen over the next few years?
19)	Do you think Russia is breaking international law?
20)	What questions would you like to ask Vladimir Putin?

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin has (1) ____ a new military doctrine that says NATO is one of Russia's biggest dangers. NATO (the North (2) ____ Treaty Organization) is a defence treaty that started in 1949. It consists of North American and European countries who (3) ____ to act if any member state is threatened militarily. Tensions between Russia and NATO have (4) ____ since the end of WWII. The (5) ____, Russian-led Warsaw Pact started in 1955 and led to the Cold War between the East and West intensifying. Strained relations have surfaced once again with former Russian (6) ____ Ukraine making fresh steps to join NATO. Russia accused NATO this week of turning Ukraine into a "frontline of confrontation".

The new doctrine has stated that for the first time, Russia would use conventional weapons "as part of strategic (7) ____ measures" if it sees its territory is under threat. A NATO spokeswoman said the organization was complying (8) ____ international law over Ukraine and was not threatening Russia in (9) ____ way. She said: "Should Ukraine decide to apply for NATO membership, NATO will assess its (10) ____ to join the alliance in the same way (11) ____ with any candidate. This is an issue between NATO and the individual countries aspiring to membership." She added: "It is Russia's actions…in Ukraine which are breaking international law and (12) ____ European security."

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

1.	(a)	singed	(b)	signaled	(c)	signed	(d)	signage
2.	(a)	Atlantic	(b)	Antarctic	(c)	American	(d)	Alliance
3.	(a)	warrantee	(b)	guarantee	(c)	warranted	(d)	guarantor
4.	(a)	excited	(b)	exacted	(c)	exited	(d)	existed
5.	(a)	rivalry	(b)	rivalries	(c)	rival	(d)	rivals
6.	(a)	dally	(b)	ally	(c)	pally	(d)	rally
7.	(a)	deterrent	(b)	prevent	(c)	circumvent	(d)	prevalent
8.	(a)	on	(b)	for	(c)	to	(d)	with
9.	(a)	many	(b)	which	(c)	any	(d)	such
10.	(a)	readily	(b)	ready	(c)	readied	(d)	readiness
11.	(a)	has	(b)	as	(c)	was	(d)	is
12.	(a)	undermining	(b)	underpinning	(c)	underlying	(d)	underling

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	a new military tocdrnei
2.	a defence ettayr
3.	countries who etaeugnra to act
4.	threatened rmiitllyai
5.	eidatsnr relations
6.	a frontline of aonntciortfno
Paragraph 2
7.	ctnnolnvaoei weapons
8.	strategic redtntere measures
9.	gmcynloip with international law
10.	join the lcaeanli
11.	dlvniduiai countries
12.	srpnigia to membership

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	part of strategic deterrent measures" if it sees its territory is under threat. A NATO spokeswoman said the organization
( )	of WWII. The rival, Russian-led Warsaw Pact started in 1955 and led to the Cold War between the East and West
( )	act if any member state is threatened militarily. Tensions between Russia and NATO have existed since the end
( )	"Should Ukraine decide to apply for NATO membership, NATO will assess its readiness to join
( )	started in 1949. It consists of North American and European countries who guarantee to
( )	Ukraine which are breaking international law and undermining European security."
( )	NATO and the individual countries aspiring to membership." She added: "It is Russia's actions…in
( )	The new doctrine has stated that for the first time, Russia would use conventional weapons "as
( )	intensifying. Strained relations have surfaced once again with former Russian ally Ukraine making fresh
( )	steps to join NATO. Russia accused NATO this week of turning Ukraine into a "frontline of confrontation".
( )	Russia's biggest dangers. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a defence treaty that
( )	was complying with international law over Ukraine and was not threatening Russia in any way. She said:
( )	the alliance in the same way as with any candidate. This is an issue between
( 1 )	Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new military doctrine that says NATO is one of

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	has new Putin a doctrine Vladimir signed military President.
2.	to any is Guarantee if state act member threatened.
3.	Warsaw led - Russian , rival The 1955 in started Pact.
4.	surfaced again Strained have once relations.
5.	into of Ukraine frontline Turning a confrontation.
6.	as Weapons measures deterrent strategic of part.
7.	spokeswoman complying said the A organization NATO was.
8.	for Ukraine NATO decide membership to apply Should.
9.	assess to alliance will readiness the NATO its join.
10.	NATO and An the issue individual between countries.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed / singed a new military doctrine that says NATO is one of Russia's biggest dangerous / dangers. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a defence treaty that started / stated in 1949. It contrasts / consists of North American and European countries who guarantee to act / action if any member state is threatened militarily / military. Tensions between Russia and NATO have exited / existed since the end of WWII. The rival / rivalry, Russian-led Warsaw Pact started in 1955 and led to the Cold War between the East and West condensing / intensifying. Strained relations have surfaced once again with former Russian ally Ukraine making fresh steps to join NATO. Russia accused NATO this week of turning / screwing Ukraine into a "frontline of confrontation".

The new doctrine has stated that for the first time, Russia would use conventional / conventionally weapons "as part of strategy / strategic deterrent measures / measurements" if it sees its territory is under threat. A NATO spokeswoman said the organization was compiling / complying with international law under / over Ukraine and was not threatening Russia in any way. She said: "Should Ukraine decide / decision to apply for NATO membership, NATO will assess its readying / readiness to join the alliance in the same way as with some / any candidate. This is an issue between NATO and the individual countries conspiring / aspiring to membership." She added: "It is Russia's actions…in Ukraine which are breaking international law and undermining / underarming European security."

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)

R_ss__n Pr_s_d_nt Vl_d_m_r P_t_n h_s s_gn_d _ n_w m_l_t_ry d_ctr_n_ th_t s_ys N_T_ _s _n_ _f R_ss__'s b_gg_st d_ng_rs. N_T_ (th_ N_rth _tl_nt_c Tr__ty _rg_n_z_t__n) _s _ d_f_nc_ tr__ty th_t st_rt_d _n 1949. _t c_ns_sts _f N_rth _m_r_c_n _nd __r_p__n c__ntr__s wh_ g__r_nt__ t_ _ct _f _ny m_mb_r st_t_ _s thr__t_n_d m_l_t_r_ly. T_ns__ns b_tw__n R_ss__ _nd N_T_ h_v_ _x_st_d s_nc_ th_ _nd _f WW__. Th_ r_v_l, R_ss__n-l_d W_rs_w P_ct st_rt_d _n 1955 _nd l_d t_ th_ C_ld W_r b_tw__n th_ __st _nd W_st _nt_ns_fy_ng. Str__n_d r_l_t__ns h_v_ s_rf_c_d _nc_ _g__n w_th f_rm_r R_ss__n _lly _kr__n_ m_k_ng fr_sh st_ps t_ j__n N_T_. R_ss__ _cc_s_d N_T_ th_s w__k _f t_rn_ng _kr__n_ _nt_ _ "fr_ntl_n_ _f c_nfr_nt_t__n".

Th_ n_w d_ctr_n_ h_s st_t_d th_t f_r th_ f_rst t_m_, R_ss__ w__ld _s_ c_nv_nt__n_l w__p_ns "_s p_rt _f str_t_g_c d_t_rr_nt m__s_r_s" _f _t s__s _ts t_rr_t_ry _s _nd_r thr__t. _ N_T_ sp_k_sw_m_n s__d th_ _rg_n_z_t__n w_s c_mply_ng w_th _nt_rn_t__n_l l_w _v_r _kr__n_ _nd w_s n_t thr__t_n_ng R_ss__ _n _ny w_y. Sh_ s__d: "Sh__ld _kr__n_ d_c_d_ t_ _pply f_r N_T_ m_mb_rsh_p, N_T_ w_ll _ss_ss _ts r__d_n_ss t_ j__n th_ _ll__nc_ _n th_ s_m_ w_y _s w_th _ny c_nd_d_t_. Th_s _s _n _ss__ b_tw__n N_T_ _nd th_ _nd_v_d__l c__ntr__s _sp_r_ng t_ m_mb_rsh_p." Sh_ _dd_d: "_t _s R_ss__'s _ct__ns…_n _kr__n_ wh_ch _r_ br__k_ng _nt_rn_t__n_l l_w _nd _nd_rm_n_ng __r_p__n s_c_r_ty."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

russian president vladimir putin has signed a new military doctrine that says nato is one of russia's biggest dangers nato (the north atlantic treaty organization) is a defence treaty that started in 1949 it consists of north american and european countries who guarantee to act if any member state is threatened militarily tensions between russia and nato have existed since the end of wwii the rival russian-led warsaw pact started in 1955 and led to the cold war between the east and west intensifying strained relations have surfaced once again with former russian ally ukraine making fresh steps to join nato russia accused nato this week of turning ukraine into a "frontline of confrontation"

the new doctrine has stated that for the first time russia would use conventional weapons "as part of strategic deterrent measures" if it sees its territory is under threat a nato spokeswoman said the organization was complying with international law over ukraine and was not threatening russia in any way she said "should ukraine decide to apply for nato membership nato will assess its readiness to join the alliance in the same way as with any candidate this is an issue between nato and the individual countries aspiring to membership" she added "it is russia's actions…in ukraine which are breaking international law and undermining european security"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

RussianPresidentVladimirPutinhassignedanewmilitarydoctrinethats
aysNATOisoneofRussia'sbiggestdangers.NATO(theNorthAtlanticTre
atyOrganization)isadefencetreatythatstartedin1949.ItconsistsofNo
rthAmericanandEuropeancountrieswhoguaranteetoactifanymembe
rstateisthreatenedmilitarily.TensionsbetweenRussiaandNATOhave
existedsincetheendofWWII.Therival,Russian-ledWarsawPactstar
tedin1955andledtotheColdWarbetweentheEastandWestintensifyin
g.StrainedrelationshavesurfacedonceagainwithformerRussianallyU
krainemakingfreshstepstojoinNATO.RussiaaccusedNATOthisweeko
fturningUkraineintoa"frontlineofconfrontation".Thenewdoctrinehas
statedthatforthefirsttime,Russiawoulduseconventionalweapons"as
partofstrategicdeterrentmeasures"ifitseesitsterritoryisunderthreat.
ANATOspokeswomansaidtheorganizationwascomplyingwithinterna
tionallawoverUkraineandwasnotthreateningRussiainanyway.Shesa
id:"ShouldUkrainedecidetoapplyforNATOmembership,NATOwillass
essitsreadinesstojointheallianceinthesamewayaswithanycandidate.
ThisisanissuebetweenNATOandtheindividualcountriesaspiringtome
mbership."Sheadded:"ItisRussia'sactions…inUkrainewhicharebrea
kinginternationallawandunderminingEuropeansecurity."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Tensions between Russia and NATO can be easily resolved. 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 Russia's relations with NATO. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. RESOLUTION: Write a magazine article about how to resolve the differences between Russia and NATO. Include imaginary interviews with Russia's president and the head of NATO.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on international affairs. Ask him/her three questions about the relationship between Russia and NATO. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make things better. 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

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	doctrine	a.	set of beliefs
2.	dangers	b.	threats
3.	guarantee	c.	promise
4.	intensifying	d.	escalating
5.	confrontation	e.	hostility
6.	conventional	f.	orthodox
7.	complying with	g.	abiding by
8.	assess	h.	evaluate
9.	issue	i.	matter
10.	undermining	j.	weakening

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Vladimir Putin
2.	1949
3.	The Warsaw Pact
4.	Ukraine
5.	Ukraine
6.	Conventional weapons
7.	Russia
8.	Ukraine's readiness to join
9.	Those concerning Ukraine
10.	European security

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

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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Russia says NATO is its biggest threat (29th December, 2014)

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