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Germany and Austria welcome refugees (8th September, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Germany and Austria welcomed thousands of refugees yesterday after their long walk through Hungary. The refugees arrived at train stations in Germany and at the Austrian border to crowds of local people who applauded the new arrivals and gave them water, food and clothes. German and Austrian children carried baskets of sweets to give to the children from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. For many of the refugees, it was the end of a long journey that started in Syria and ended with a long walk through Hungary. German rail company Deutsche Bahn announced on Saturday that it would be adding extra carriages to its trains and was doing "doing everything it can" to help the refugees.

The United Nations (UN) has praised Austria and Germany for their efforts to welcome and help the refugees. It said: "This is political leadership based on humanitarian values." Germany's leader Angela Merkel said her country would welcome all refugees from Syria. Germany is expecting around 800,000 Syrians to arrive this year amid continuing uncertainty about the future of Syria. Ms Merkel told reporters that, "as a strong, economically healthy country, we have the strength to do what is necessary." One refugee, a Syrian shopkeeper said: "I'm very glad to be in Germany. I hope that I find a much better life here. I want to work." He expressed concern for his family and young children still in Syria.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.dw.com/en/thousands-of-refugees-arrive-in-austria-and-germany-after-overnight-trek/a-18695742
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/thousands-of-refugees-arrive-in-germany-and-austria_55ead593e4b093be51bba9f8
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34164645

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

welcome / long walk / crowds / new arrivals / baskets / sweets / a long journey / extra / praised / political / leadership / values / uncertainty / healthy / a better life / concern

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

3. HELP: What help should the following be giving the refugees? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Help
Syria's neighbours
Other countries in the region
The United Nations
The USA
Other superpowers
Me

4. SYRIA: Students A strongly believe Syria will be a peaceful country again one day; Students B strongly believe otherwise. 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. WELCOME: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to welcome the refugees at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• sweets

• smiles

• applause

• shoes

• medical check-up

• phone charges

• a blanket

• a hot drink

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

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	The article says Germany welcomed over 100,000 refugees.	T / F
b.	People in Germany and Austria clapped when the refugees arrived.	T / F
c.	The Syrian children gave sweets to Austrian and German children.	T / F
d.	German trains will be longer so they can fit more refugees on.	T / F
e.	The United Nations spoke about humanitarian leadership.	T / F
f.	Germany will accept no more than 800,000 refugees.	T / F
g.	Angela Merkel said Germany is strong enough to do what is necessary.	T / F
h.	A Syrian shopkeeper is worried about his family still in Syria.	T / F

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

1.	welcomed	a.	commended
2.	crowds	b.	required
3.	applauded	c.	throngs
4.	walk	d.	endeavours
5.	adding	e.	trek
6.	praised	f.	at a time of
7.	efforts	g.	greeted
8.	amid	h.	worry
9.	necessary	i.	clapped
10.	concern	j.	putting on

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

1.	Germany and Austria welcomed	a.	applauded the new arrivals
2.	at the Austrian	b.	to its trains
3.	people who	c.	what is necessary
4.	adding extra carriages	d.	uncertainty
5.	doing everything it	e.	thousands of refugees
6.	political	f.	concern
7.	based	g.	can to help
8.	amid continuing	h.	leadership
9.	the strength to do	i.	border
10.	He expressed	j.	on humanitarian values

GAP FILL

Germany and Austria (1) ____________ thousands of refugees yesterday after their long walk through Hungary. The refugees arrived at train (2) ____________ in Germany and at the Austrian (3) ____________ to crowds of local people who applauded the new (4) ____________ and gave them water, food and clothes. German and Austrian children carried (5) ____________ of sweets to give to the children from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. For many of the refugees, it was the end of a long (6) ____________ that started in Syria and ended with a long walk through Hungary. German rail (7) ____________ Deutsche Bahn announced on Saturday that it would be adding (8) ____________ carriages to its trains and was, "doing everything it can" to help the refugees.

journey
arrivals
extra
welcomed
company
stations
border
baskets

The United Nations (UN) has (9) ____________ Austria and Germany for their efforts to welcome and help the refugees. It said: "This is (10) ____________ leadership based on humanitarian (11) ____________." Germany's leader Angela Merkel said her country would welcome all refugees from Syria. Germany is (12) ____________ around 800,000 Syrians to arrive this year (13) ____________ continuing uncertainty about the future of Syria. Ms Merkel told reporters that, "as a strong, economically healthy country, we have the (14) ____________ to do what is necessary". One refugee, a Syrian shopkeeper said: "I'm very (15) ____________ to be in Germany. I hope that I find a much better life here. I want to work." He expressed (16) ____________ for his family and young children still in Syria.

expecting
praised
strength
political
concern
amid
glad
values

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Germany and Austria welcomed thousands of refugees yesterday after their long ______
	a. walk through Hungary b. walk though Hungary c. walk thou Hungary d. walk thorough Hungary
2)	crowds of local people who applauded ______
	a. the newly arrivals b. the news arrivals c. the anew arrivals d. the new arrivals
3)	German and Austrian children carried baskets of sweets to give to the ______
	a. children of Syria b. children from Syria c. children by Syria d. children for Syria
4)	For many of the refugees, it was the end ______
	a. of a longing journey b. of a longs journey c. of a longed journey d. of a long journey
5)	German rail company Deutsche Bahn announced on Saturday that it would be ______
	a. adding extra carriage b. add in extra carriages c. adding extra carriages d. add in extra carriage
6)	praised Austria and Germany for their efforts to welcome and ______
	a. helps the refugees b. help the refugees c. helped the refugees d. helping the refugees
7)	It said: "This is political leadership based ______."
	a. on humanitarian value b. on humanitarian values c. on humanitarian valued d. on humanitarian valves
8)	Germany is expecting around 800,000 Syrians to arrive this year ______
	a. a mid continuing uncertainty b. a middle continuing uncertainty c. amid continuing uncertainty d. aimed continuing uncertainty
9)	as a strong, economically healthy country, we have the strength to do ______
	a. what be necessary b. what is necessary c. what this necessary d. what was necessary
10)	He expressed concern for his family and young children ______
	a. stills in Syria b. stilled in Syria c. stilt in Syria d. still in Syria

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Germany and Austria (1) ___________________ refugees yesterday after their long walk through Hungary. The refugees arrived at train stations in Germany (2) ___________________ border to crowds of local people who applauded the (3) ___________________ gave them water, food and clothes. German and Austrian children carried baskets of sweets to give to the children from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. For many of the refugees, (4) ___________________ a long journey that started in Syria and ended with a long walk through Hungary. German rail company Deutsche Bahn announced on Saturday that it (5) ___________________ carriages to its trains and was, "doing (6) ___________________ help the refugees.

The United Nations (UN) has praised Austria and Germany for their efforts to (7) ___________________ refugees. It said: "This is political leadership based on humanitarian values." Germany's leader Angela Merkel said her (8) ___________________ all refugees from Syria. Germany is expecting around 800,000 Syrians to (9) ___________________ continuing uncertainty about the future of Syria. Ms Merkel told reporters that, "as a strong, economically healthy country, we (10) ___________________ do what is necessary". One refugee, a Syrian shopkeeper said: "I'm very glad to be in Germany. (11) ___________________ much better life here. I want to work." He (12) ___________________ his family and young children still in Syria.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who welcomed the refugees?
2.	What border was mentioned in the article?
3.	What did German children hand out?
4.	Where did the journey start for many of the refugees?
5.	What would a railway company be adding to trains?
6.	Who praised Germany and Austria?
7.	What did someone say the political leadership was based on?
8.	How many refugees is Germany expecting?
9.	What did Angela Merkel say Germany has the strength to do?
10.	What is the occupation of the Syrian mentioned in the article?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who welcomed the refugees?	6.	Who praised Germany and Austria?
	a) the world b) Austria and Germany c) ambassadors d) the United Nations		a) the UN b) ambassadors c) Barack Obama d) Hungary
2.	What border was mentioned in the article?	7.	What did someone say the political leadership was based on?
	a) Syria's border b) the long one c) the Hungarian border d) Austria's border (with Germany)		a) agreement b) hard work c) humanitarian values d) the future
3.	What did German children hand out?	8.	How many refugees is Germany expecting?
	a) sweets b) toys c) leaflets d) euros		a) 800,000 b) 700,000 c) 600,000 d) 500,000
4.	Where did the journey start for many of the refugees?	9.	What did Angela Merkel say Germany has the strength to do?
	a) Hungary b) Greece c) Syria d) Turkey		a) whatever is necessary b) rebuild c) build a strong economy d) house 100,000 refugees
5.	What would a railway company be adding to trains?	10.	What is the occupation of the Syrian mentioned in the article?
	a) food b) carriages c) beds d) a medical centre		a) lawyer b) farmer c) accountant d) shopkeeper

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Smiles

You think smiles are the best things to welcome the refugees with. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least welcoming of these (and why): a medical check-up, phone rechargers or a hot drink.

Role B – A medical check-up

You think a medical check-up is the best thing to welcome the refugees with. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least welcoming of these (and why): smiles, phone rechargers or a hot drink.

Role C – Phone rechargers

You think phone rechargers are the best things to welcome the refugees with. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least welcoming of these (and why): a medical check-up, smiles or a hot drink.

Role D – A hot drink

You think a hot drink is the best thing to welcome the refugees with. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least welcoming of these (and why): a medical check-up, phone rechargers or smiles.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

train

station

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:

long
local
sweets
end
rail
everything

efforts
based
around
strong
glad
concern

REFUGEES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about refugees 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.

REFUGEES 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 'refugee'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	What do you know about the refugees going to Europe?
5)	What do you know about the fighting between Europe's leaders?
6)	Which countries should accept the refugees?
7)	How do you think refugees felt when they arrived in Germany?
8)	What more should the UN be doing to help?
9)	What can you do to help?
10)	What do you think of Germany?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Why aren't other countries following Germany's example?
13)	How will Germany accommodate all the refugees?
14)	Why are there so many refugees in the world?
15)	What do refugees add to their adopted country?
16)	What is your country doing to help the refugees?
17)	What do you think the refugee situation will be like in 5 years?
18)	What advice would you give to the refugees?
19)	What do you think Syria will be like in 10 years' time?
20)	What questions would you like to ask European leaders?

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

Germany and Austria (1) ____ thousands of refugees yesterday after their long walk through Hungary. The refugees arrived at train stations in Germany and at the Austrian border to crowds of local people who (2) ____ the new (3) ____ and gave them water, food and clothes. German and Austrian children carried baskets of sweets to give to the children from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. For many of the refugees, it was the end of a long (4) ____ that started in Syria and ended with a long walk through Hungary. German rail company Deutsche Bahn (5) ____ on Saturday that it would be adding extra (6) ____ to its trains and was, "doing everything it can" to help the refugees.

The United Nations (UN) has (7) ____ Austria and Germany for their efforts to welcome and help the refugees. It said: "This is political leadership based (8) ____ humanitarian (9) ____." Germany's leader Angela Merkel said her country would welcome all refugees from Syria. Germany is expecting around 800,000 Syrians to arrive this year (10) ____ continuing uncertainty about the future of Syria. Ms Merkel told reporters that, "as a strong, economically healthy country, we have the strength to do (11) ____ is necessary". One refugee, a Syrian shopkeeper said: "I'm very glad to be in Germany. I hope that I find a much better life here. I want to work." He expressed (12) ____ for his family and young children still in Syria.

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

1.	(a)	welcomed	(b)	thanked	(c)	pleased	(d)	waved
2.	(a)	appraised	(b)	apprised	(c)	applauded	(d)	appalled
3.	(a)	departures	(b)	returnees	(c)	arrivals	(d)	loans
4.	(a)	journeying	(b)	journal	(c)	adjourn	(d)	journey
5.	(a)	announced	(b)	renounced	(c)	denounced	(d)	pounced
6.	(a)	returns	(b)	carriages	(c)	couplings	(d)	signals
7.	(a)	parsed	(b)	speared	(c)	spared	(d)	praised
8.	(a)	at	(b)	on	(c)	of	(d)	for
9.	(a)	valuables	(b)	valueless	(c)	values	(d)	valves
10.	(a)	middle	(b)	amid	(c)	middling	(d)	mid
11.	(a)	when	(b)	which	(c)	that	(d)	what
12.	(a)	afraid	(b)	concern	(c)	scared	(d)	worrying

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	Germany and Austria welcomed tasnhdsuo
2.	the new lrvaairs
3.	at the Austrian odrerb
4.	people who pealapddu the new arrivals
5.	the end of a long yojuenr
6.	adding extra rcarasgei
Paragraph 2
7.	prisdae Austria and Germany
8.	their etffsro to welcome and help the refugees
9.	ainumahtnrai values
10.	amid continuing tnireayuctn
11.	do what is esracseyn
12.	He expressed necnroc

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	The United Nations (UN) has praised Austria and Germany for their efforts to welcome and help the refugees. It said:
( )	"This is political leadership based on humanitarian values." Germany's leader Angela Merkel said her country would
( )	of local people who applauded the new arrivals and gave them water, food and clothes. German and Austrian
( )	carriages to its trains and was, "doing everything it can" to help the refugees.
( )	welcome all refugees from Syria. Germany is expecting around 800,000 Syrians to arrive this year
( 1 )	Germany and Austria welcomed thousands of refugees yesterday after their long walk
( )	healthy country, we have the strength to do what is necessary". One refugee, a Syrian
( )	countries. For many of the refugees, it was the end of a long journey that started in Syria and ended with a long
( )	walk through Hungary. German rail company Deutsche Bahn announced on Saturday that it would be adding extra
( )	amid continuing uncertainty about the future of Syria. Ms Merkel told reporters that, "as a strong, economically
( )	shopkeeper said: "I'm very glad to be in Germany. I hope that I find a much better
( )	children carried baskets of sweets to give to the children from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other
( )	through Hungary. The refugees arrived at train stations in Germany and at the Austrian border to crowds
( )	life here. I want to work." He expressed concern for his family and young children still in Syria.

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	at train The stations refugees in arrived Germany .
2.	of who new Crowds people the local applauded arrivals .
3.	give to the children Children carried baskets of sweets to .
4.	Syria that a the started long end It in journey of was .
5.	the it refugees can to Doing help everything .
6.	values leadership based This on is humanitarian political .
7.	is expecting around 800,000 Syrians to arrive Germany .
8.	strength what the do necessary have to is We .
9.	here I hope that I find a much better life .
10.	expressed for family He concern his .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Germany and Austria welcomed / welcoming thousands of refugees yesterday after their long / length walk through Hungary. The refugees arrived at train stations in Germany and at the Austrian edge / border to crowds of local people who appraised / applauded the new arrivals and gave them water, food and clothes. German and Austrian children carried basket / baskets of sweets to give to the children from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other / another countries. For much / many of the refugees, it was the end of a long journey that started in Syria and ended / ending with a long walk through Hungary. German rail company Deutsche Bahn announced on Saturday that it would be / now adding extra carriages to its trains and was, "doing everything / nothing it can" to help the refugees.

The United Nations (UN) has praised / appraised Austria and Germany for their efforts to welcoming / welcome and help the refugees. It said: "This is political leadership based on / at humanitarian values." Germany's leader Angela Merkel said her country would welcome every / all refugees from Syria. Germany is expectant / expecting around 800,000 Syrians to arrive this year amid / mid continuing uncertainty about the future of Syria. Ms Merkel told reporters that, "as a strong, economically / economic healthy country, we have the strength to do that / what is necessary". One refugee, a Syrian shopkeeper said: "I'm very glad / gladly to be in Germany. I hope that I find a much better life here. I want to work." He expressed concerning / concern for his family and young children still in Syria.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

G_rm_ny _nd __str__ w_lc_m_d th__s_nds _f r_f_g__s y_st_rd_y _ft_r th__r l_ng w_lk thr__gh H_ng_ry. Th_ r_f_g__s _rr_v_d _t tr__n st_t__ns _n G_rm_ny _nd _t th_ __str__n b_rd_r t_ cr_wds _f l_c_l p__pl_ wh_ _ppl__d_d th_ n_w _rr_v_ls _nd g_v_ th_m w_t_r, f__d _nd cl_th_s. G_rm_n _nd __str__n ch_ldr_n c_rr__d b_sk_ts _f sw__ts t_ g_v_ t_ th_ ch_ldr_n fr_m Syr__, _r_q, _fgh_n_st_n _nd _th_r c__ntr__s. F_r m_ny _f th_ r_f_g__s, _t w_s th_ _nd _f _ l_ng j__rn_y th_t st_rt_d _n Syr__ _nd _nd_d w_th _ l_ng w_lk thr__gh H_ng_ry. G_rm_n r__l c_mp_ny D__tsch_ B_hn _nn__nc_d _n S_t_rd_y th_t _t w__ld b_ _dd_ng _xtr_ c_rr__g_s t_ _ts tr__ns _nd w_s, "d__ng _v_ryth_ng _t c_n" t_ h_lp th_ r_f_g__s.

Th_ _n_t_d N_t__ns (_N) h_s pr__s_d __str__ _nd G_rm_ny f_r th__r _ff_rts t_ w_lc_m_ _nd h_lp th_ r_f_g__s. _t s__d: "Th_s _s p_l_t_c_l l__d_rsh_p b_s_d _n h_m_n_t_r__n v_l__s." G_rm_ny's l__d_r _ng_l_ M_rk_l s__d h_r c__ntry w__ld w_lc_m_ _ll r_f_g__s fr_m Syr__. G_rm_ny _s _xp_ct_ng _r__nd 800,000 Syr__ns t_ _rr_v_ th_s y__r _m_d c_nt_n__ng _nc_rt__nty _b__t th_ f_t_r_ _f Syr__. Ms M_rk_l t_ld r_p_rt_rs th_t, "_s _ str_ng, _c_n_m_c_lly h__lthy c__ntry, w_ h_v_ th_ str_ngth t_ d_ wh_t _s n_c_ss_ry". _n_ r_f_g__, _ Syr__n sh_pk__p_r s__d: "_'m v_ry gl_d t_ b_ _n G_rm_ny. _ h_p_ th_t _ f_nd _ m_ch b_tt_r l_f_ h_r_. _ w_nt t_ w_rk." H_ _xpr_ss_d c_nc_rn f_r h_s f_m_ly _nd y__ng ch_ldr_n st_ll _n Syr__.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

germany and austria welcomed thousands of refugees yesterday after their long walk through hungary the refugees arrived at train stations in germany and at the austrian border to crowds of local people who applauded the new arrivals and gave them water food and clothes german and austrian children carried baskets of sweets to give to the children from syria iraq afghanistan and other countries for many of the refugees it was the end of a long journey that started in syria and ended with a long walk through hungary german rail company deutsche bahn announced on saturday that it would be adding extra carriages to its trains and was "doing everything it can" to help the refugees

the united nations (un) has praised austria and germany for their efforts to welcome and help the refugees it said "this is political leadership based on humanitarian values" germany's leader angela merkel said her country would welcome all refugees from syria germany is expecting around 800000 syrians to arrive this year amid continuing uncertainty about the future of syria ms merkel told reporters that "as a strong economically healthy country we have the strength to do what is necessary" one refugee a syrian shopkeeper said "i'm very glad to be in germany i hope that i find a much better life here i want to work" he expressed concern for his family and young children still in syria

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

GermanyandAustriawelcomedthousandsofrefugeesyesterdayaftert
heirlongwalkthroughHungary.Therefugeesarrivedattrainstationsin
GermanyandattheAustrianbordertocrowdsoflocalpeoplewhoapplau
dedthenewarrivalsandgavethemwater,foodandclothes.Germanand
AustrianchildrencarriedbasketsofsweetstogivetothechildrenfromSy
ria,Iraq,Afghanistanandothercountries.Formanyoftherefugees,itwa
stheendofalongjourneythatstartedinSyriaandendedwithalongwalkt
hroughHungary.GermanrailcompanyDeutscheBahnannouncedonS
aturdaythatitwouldbeaddingextracarriagestoitstrainsandwas,"doin
geverythingitcan"tohelptherefugees.TheUnitedNations(UN)hasprai
sedAustriaandGermanyfortheireffortstowelcomeandhelptherefuge
es.Itsaid:"Thisispoliticalleadershipbasedonhumanitarianvalues."Ge
rmany'sleaderAngelaMerkelsaidhercountrywouldwelcomeallrefuge
esfromSyria.Germanyisexpectingaround800,000Syrianstoarrivethi
syearamidcontinuinguncertaintyaboutthefutureofSyria.MsMerkelto
ldreportersthat,"asastrong,economicallyhealthycountry,wehaveth
estrengthtodowhatisnecessary".Onerefugee,aSyrianshopkeepersai
d:"I'mverygladtobeinGermany.IhopethatIfindamuchbetterlifehere.
Iwanttowork."Heexpressedconcernforhisfamilyandyoungchildrenst
illinSyria.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

All European countries should take an equal share of Syria's refugees. 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 the refugees going to Germany. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. OPEN-DOOR POLICY: Write a magazine article about an open-door policy in Europe for all the refugees. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

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

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

6. LETTER: Write a letter to the United Nations. Ask it three questions about the refugees. Give the UN three ideas on how to help the refugees more. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	welcomed	a.	greeted
2	crowds	b.	throngs
3.	applauded	c.	clapped
4.	walk	d.	trek
5.	adding	e.	putting on
6.	praised	f.	commended
7.	efforts	g.	endeavours
8.	amid	h.	at a time of
9.	necessary	i.	required
10.	concern	j.	worry

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Austria and Germany
2.	Austria’s border
3.	Sweets
4.	Syria
5.	Carriages
6.	The UN
7.	Humanitarian values
8.	800,000
9.	Whatever is necessary
10.	Shopkeeper

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

a

10.

d

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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Germany and Austria welcome refugees (8th September, 2015)

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