Breaking News English Lesson on Doctors

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The $265,000 job that no one wants (26th February, 2016)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

There is a job available in the small New Zealand town of Tokoroa, but no one wants it. The job is for a doctor and it pays US$265,000 a year. For the lucky doctor who takes the job, there is no night work, no weekend work, and house prices in the area are low. Also, he or she would work just four days a week and get 12 weeks' annual holiday. The town's current doctor Alan Kenny is leaving and cannot find anyone to replace him. He has been looking for a replacement for two years but has had no success. Four medical recruitment companies also failed to find a replacement. Dr Kenny thinks the problem is that the job is in the countryside and everyone wants to live and work in the big cities.

It is not only New Zealand that has problems trying to get doctors to live in rural areas. It is also a problem in many other countries too. Last year, Dr Kenny had to cancel a family holiday because he could not find anyone to replace him. Dr Kenny is from the UK and has been a doctor in Tokoroa for 30 years. He said he has a great lifestyle and he wouldn't swap it for city life. At the age of 61, he wants to retire and pass his patients on to someone younger. He told a local newspaper that his job keeps him busy all day and that he loves his work. He is worried about how he can find a new doctor. He said: "I would like to stay but I hit my head against a brick wall trying to attract doctors."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11593835
http://news.sky.com/story/1647162/the-190000-a-year-job-that-nobody-wants
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/news/2016/february-2016/23/a-tale-of-two-practices-struggle-to-find-gp-story-of-changing-models.aspx

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

job / available / doctor / night week / weekend / house prices / replacement / cities / rural / family holiday / lifestyle / swap / retire / patients / someone younger / wall

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

3. CITY / COUNTRY: Which is best? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Why city is best	Why country is best
Houses
Social life
Shopping
Saving money
Neighbours
Health

4. COUNTRYSIDE: Students A strongly believe living in the countryside is better than living in the city; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

5. JOB: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things for a job at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• location

• salary

• chances of promotion

• holidays

• overtime

• nice boss

• working hours

• bonus

6. TOWN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "town". 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 job is for a doctor in the capital of New Zealand.	T / F
b.	The job means the doctor will have to work at weekends and nights.	T / F
c.	A doctor has been looking for his replacement for two years.	T / F
d.	The doctor said everyone wants to work in the countryside.	T / F
e.	New Zealand isn't the only country where doctors want to work in cities.	T / F
f.	The doctor cancelled a family doctor last year because he was ill.	T / F
g.	The doctor said he would not swap country life for city life.	T / F
h.	The doctor said he hit his head against a brick wall looking for doctors.	T / F

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

1.	lucky	a.	way of life
2.	low	b.	yearly
3.	annual	c.	difficulty
4.	replacement	d.	concerned
5.	problem	e.	fortunate
6.	rural	f.	scrap
7.	cancel	g.	woo
8.	lifestyle	h.	cheap
9.	worried	i.	countryside
10.	attract	j.	successor

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

1.	it pays	a.	are low
2.	house prices in the area	b.	a replacement
3.	12 weeks' annual	c.	him busy all day
4.	failed to find	d.	areas
5.	live and work	e.	holiday
6.	live in rural	f.	a family holiday
7.	Dr Kenny had to cancel	g.	a brick wall
8.	he wouldn't swap it	h.	in the big cities
9.	his job keeps	i.	for city life
10.	hit my head against	j.	US$265,000 a year

GAP FILL

There is a job (1) ____________ in the small New Zealand town of Tokoroa, but no one wants it. The job is for a doctor and it (2) ____________ US$265,000 a year. For the lucky doctor who takes the job, there is no night work, no weekend work, and house prices in the (3) ____________ are low. Also, he or she would work just four days a week and get 12 weeks' (4) ____________ holiday. The town's current doctor Alan Kenny is leaving and cannot find anyone to (5) ____________ him. He has been looking for a replacement for two years but has had no (6) ____________. Four (7) ____________ recruitment companies also failed to find a replacement. Dr Kenny thinks the problem is that the job is in the countryside and 8) ____________ wants to live and work in the big cities.

area
annual
available
success
replace
everyone
pays
medical

It is not only New Zealand that has problems trying to get doctors to live in (9) ____________ areas. It is also a problem in many other countries too. Last year, Dr Kenny had to (10) ____________ a family holiday because he could not find anyone to replace him. Dr Kenny is from the UK and has been a doctor in Tokoroa for 30 years. He said he has a great (11) ____________ and he wouldn't swap it for city life. At the (12) ____________ of 61, he wants to retire and (13) ____________ his patients on to someone younger. He told a local newspaper that his job keeps him (14) ____________ all day and that he loves his work. He is (15) ____________ about how he can find a new doctor. He said: "I would like to stay but I hit my head against a brick wall trying to (16) ____________ doctors."

cancel
pass
worried
lifestyle
rural
attract
age
busy

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	There is a job available in the small New Zealand town of Tokoroa, but ______
	a. no one want it b. no one want sit c. no one wants it d. no one wants one
2)	there is no night work, no weekend work, and house prices in ______
	a. the area are lowly b. the area are low c. the area are lows d. the area are lower
3)	Also, he or she would work just four days a week and get 12 weeks' ______
	a. annuals holiday b. annual holiday c. annual holidays d. annuals holidays
4)	The town's current doctor Alan Kenny is leaving and cannot find anyone ______
	a. to replace them b. too replace him c. to replace him d. for replace him
5)	the job is in the countryside and everyone wants to live and work ______
	a. inner big cities b. inner the big cities c. inner the bigger cities d. in the big cities
6)	It is not only New Zealand that has problems trying to get doctors to ______
	a. live in rural area b. live in rural areas c. living rural areas d. living in rural areas
7)	Dr Kenny had to cancel a family holiday because he could not find ______
	a. anyone to replace him b. someone to replace him c. somebody to replace him d. anybody to replace him
8)	He said he has a great lifestyle and he wouldn't swap ______
	a. it for city live b. it for city lifer c. it for city life d. it for city lives
9)	He told a local newspaper that his job keeps him busy all day and that ______
	a. he loves his works b. he loves his work c. he loves his worker d. he loves his workers
10)	He said: "I would like to stay but I hit my head against ______
	a. a brick wall b. a brick war c. a brick mall d. a brick ball

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

There is (1) ___________________ in the small New Zealand town of Tokoroa, but no one wants it. The job is for a doctor and it pays US$265,000 a year. For the lucky doctor (2) ___________________ job, there is no night work, no weekend work, and house prices in the (3) ___________________. Also, he or she would work just four days a week and get 12 weeks' annual holiday. The town's (4) ___________________ Alan Kenny is leaving and cannot find anyone to replace him. He has been looking for a replacement for two years (5) ___________________ success. Four medical recruitment companies also failed to find a replacement. Dr Kenny thinks the problem is that the job is in the countryside and everyone (6) ___________________ work in the big cities.

(7) ___________________ New Zealand that has problems trying to get doctors to live (8) ___________________. It is also a problem in many other countries too. Last year, Dr Kenny (9) ___________________ family holiday because he could not find anyone to replace him. Dr Kenny is from the UK and has been a doctor in Tokoroa for 30 years. He (10) ___________________ lifestyle and he wouldn't swap it for city life. At the age of 61, he wants to retire and pass his patients on to someone younger. He told a local newspaper that his job (11) ___________________ all day and that he loves his work. He is worried about how he can find a new doctor. He said: "I would like to stay (12) ___________________ against a brick wall trying to attract doctors."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What kind of location is the job in?
2.	When does the new doctor not have to work?
3.	How many weeks of holiday will the new doctor get?
4.	For how long has the doctor been looking for a replacement?
5.	Where does the doctor say everyone wants to live and work?
6.	What did the doctor have to cancel last year?
7.	For how long has the doctor worked in the town?
8.	How old is the doctor?
9.	Who does the doctor want to pass his patients on to?
10.	What has the doctor been hitting his head against?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What kind of location is the job in?	6.	What did the doctor have to cancel last year?
	a) a city suburb b) a big city c) a mountain top d) a small town		a) his doctor's license b) a family holiday c) a pension d) his credit cards
2.	When does the new doctor not have to work?	7.	For how long has the doctor worked in the town?
	a) lunch times b) weekends c) mornings d) Tuesdays		a) 23 years b) 33 years c) 13 years d) 30 years
3.	How many weeks of holiday will the new doctor get?	8.	How old is the doctor?
	a) 10 weeks b) 11 weeks c) 12 weeks d) 13 weeks		a) 61 b) 62 c) 65 d) 60
4.	For how long has the doctor been looking for a replacement?	9.	Who does the doctor want to pass his patients on to?
	a) 2 years b) 3 years c) 4 years d) 5 years		a) his daughter b) a hospital c) someone younger d) his boss
5.	Where does the doctor say everyone wants to live and work?	10.	What has the doctor been hitting his head against?
	a) for a big hospital b) New York c) in the big cities d) in another country		a) his desk b) a brick wall c) a hospital bed d) his patients

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Location

You think location is most important for a job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a nice boss, chances of promotion or holidays.

Role B – Nice boss

You think a nice boss is most important for a job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): location, chances of promotion or holidays.

Role C – Chances of promotion

You think chances of promotion are most important for a job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a nice boss, location or holidays.

Role D – Holidays

You think holidays are most important for a job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): a nice boss, chances of promotion or location.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

city

country

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:

available
lucky
12
two
four
big

rural
cancel
30
pass
local
wall

DOCTORS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about doctors 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.

DOCTORS 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 'doctor'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	Why do you think it is so difficult to find someone for this job?
5)	What is your ideal job?
6)	What do you think of the benefits of this doctor's job?
7)	What are the bad things about being a doctor?
8)	Is city living better than country living?
9)	Would it be better for a doctor to live in the countryside?
10)	What advice do you have for Dr Kenny?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What are the advantages of living in rural areas?
13)	What is it like living in a rural area in your country?
14)	What do you think of doctors?
15)	What do you think of your lifestyle?
16)	Do you love your job?
17)	What more can Dr Kenny do to find a replacement?
18)	At what age would you like to retire, and why?
19)	Why is Dr Kenny hitting his head against a brick wall?
20)	What questions would you like to ask Dr Kenny?

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

There is a job (1) ____ in the small New Zealand town of Tokoroa, but no one wants it. The job is for a doctor and it (2) ____ US$265,000 a year. For the lucky doctor who takes the job, there is no night work, no weekend work, and house prices in the area are (3) ____. Also, he or she would work just four days a week and get 12 weeks' (4) ____ holiday. The town's current doctor Alan Kenny is leaving and cannot find anyone to replace him. He has been looking for a replacement for two years but has had no (5) ____. Four medical recruitment companies also failed (6) ____ find a replacement. Dr Kenny thinks the problem is that the job is in the countryside and everyone wants to live and work in the big cities.

It is not only New Zealand that has problems (7) ____ to get doctors to live in rural areas. It is also a problem in many other countries too. Last year, Dr Kenny had to (8) ____ a family holiday because he could not find anyone to replace him. Dr Kenny is from the UK and has been a doctor in Tokoroa for 30 years. He said he has a great lifestyle and he wouldn't (9) ____ it for city life. At the age of 61, he wants to retire and (10) ____ his patients on to someone younger. He told a local newspaper that his job (11) ____ him busy all day and that he loves his work. He is worried about how he can find a new doctor. He said: "I would like to stay but I hit my head (12) ____ a brick wall trying to attract doctors."

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

1.	(a)	avails	(b)	avail	(c)	availability	(d)	available
2.	(a)	wages	(b)	salaries	(c)	rewards	(d)	pays
3.	(a)	rent	(b)	low	(c)	priced	(d)	dollars
4.	(a)	annul	(b)	annulled	(c)	annual	(d)	annually
5.	(a)	targeted	(b)	good	(c)	success	(d)	achieve
6.	(a)	to	(b)	at	(c)	for	(d)	by
7.	(a)	tried	(b)	trying	(c)	tries	(d)	trial
8.	(a)	cancel	(b)	button	(c)	suck	(d)	lift
9.	(a)	swipe	(b)	swap	(c)	wisp	(d)	wasp
10.	(a)	throw	(b)	advance	(c)	pass	(d)	fuel
11.	(a)	remains	(b)	stays	(c)	keeps	(d)	has
12.	(a)	remote	(b)	ongoing	(c)	from	(d)	against

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	There is a job ablaveila
2.	12 weeks' nnuaal holiday
3.	…but has had no sesucsc
4.	Four laemcid recruitment companies
5.	find a lnaeeprcmet
6.	the job is in the sniycteruod
Paragraph 2
7.	trying to get doctors to live in laurr areas
8.	ncealc a family holiday
9.	he has a great sltefyile
10.	he wants to reiter
11.	He is ewroird about how
12.	trying to ctttara doctors

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	and it pays US$265,000 a year. For the lucky doctor who takes the job, there is no night work, no weekend
( )	work, and house prices in the area are low. Also, he or she would work just four days a week and get 12 weeks'
( )	"I would like to stay but I hit my head against a brick wall trying to attract doctors."
( )	in Tokoroa for 30 years. He said he has a great lifestyle and he wouldn't swap it for city life. At the age of
( 1 )	There is a job available in the small New Zealand town of Tokoroa, but no one wants it. The job is for a doctor
( )	holiday because he could not find anyone to replace him. Dr Kenny is from the UK and has been a doctor
( )	busy all day and that he loves his work. He is worried about how he can find a new doctor. He said:
( )	failed to find a replacement. Dr Kenny thinks the problem is that the job is in
( )	looking for a replacement for two years but has had no success. Four medical recruitment companies also
( )	61, he wants to retire and pass his patients on to someone younger. He told a local newspaper that his job keeps him
( )	annual holiday. The town's current doctor Alan Kenny is leaving and cannot find anyone to replace him. He has been
( )	the countryside and everyone wants to live and work in the big cities.
( )	It is not only New Zealand that has problems trying to get doctors to live in rural
( )	areas. It is also a problem in many other countries too. Last year, Dr Kenny had to cancel a family

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	or she would work just four days a week He .
2.	and cannot find anyone to replace him Kenny is leaving .
3.	a companies find Recruitment to failed replacement also .
4.	in the countryside The problem is that the job is .
5.	to live and work in the big cities Everyone wants .
6.	get doctors to live in rural areas Problems trying to .
7.	a problem in many other countries too It is also .
8.	to pass on younger and patients someone Retire his .
9.	new a find can he how about worried is He doctor .
10.	wall against hit doctors trying a my to brick head I attract .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

There is a job available / availability in the small New Zealand town of Tokoroa, but no one wants / wishes it. The job is for a doctor and it pays US$265,000 a year. For the luckily / lucky doctor who takes the job, there is no night work, no weekend work, and house price / prices in the area are low. Also, he or she would work just four days a / the week and get 12 weeks' annual holiday. The town's currant / current doctor Alan Kenny is leaving and cannot find anyone to / for replace him. He has been looking for a replacement for two years but has have / had no success. Four medical recruitment companies also failed to find a replace / replacement. Dr Kenny thinks the problem is that / what the job is in the countryside and everyone wants to live and work in the big cities.

It is not only New Zealand that has problem / problems trying to get doctors to live in rural / really areas. It is also a problem in many other / another countries too. Last year, Dr Kenny had to cancel a family holiday because he could not find / fund anyone to replace him. Dr Kenny is from the UK and has been a doctor at / in Tokoroa for 30 years. He said he has a great lifestyle and he wouldn't wasp / swap it for city life. At the age / old of 61, he wants to retire and pass his patients in / on to someone younger. He told a local newspaper that his job keeps him busily / busy all day and that he loves his work. He is worry / worried about how he can find a new doctor. He said: "I would like to stay but I hit my head against a brick wall trying to attract doctors."

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

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

Th_r_ _s _ j_b _v__l_bl_ _n th_ sm_ll N_w Z__l_nd t_wn _f T_k_r__, b_t n_ _n_ w_nts _t. Th_ j_b _s f_r _ d_ct_r _nd _t p_ys _S$265,000 _ y__r. F_r th_ l_cky d_ct_r wh_ t_k_s th_ j_b, th_r_ _s n_ n_ght w_rk, n_ w__k_nd w_rk, _nd h__s_ pr_c_s _n th_ _r__ _r_ l_w. _ls_, h_ _r sh_ w__ld w_rk j_st f__r d_ys _ w__k _nd g_t 12 w__ks' _nn__l h_l_d_y. Th_ t_wn's c_rr_nt d_ct_r _l_n K_nny _s l__v_ng _nd c_nn_t f_nd _ny_n_ t_ r_pl_c_ h_m. H_ h_s b__n l__k_ng f_r _ r_pl_c_m_nt f_r tw_ y__rs b_t h_s h_d n_ s_cc_ss. F__r m_d_c_l r_cr__tm_nt c_mp_n__s _ls_ f__l_d t_ f_nd _ r_pl_c_m_nt. Dr K_nny th_nks th_ pr_bl_m _s th_t th_ j_b _s _n th_ c__ntrys_d_ _nd _v_ry_n_ w_nts t_ l_v_ _nd w_rk _n th_ b_g c_t__s.

_t _s n_t _nly N_w Z__l_nd th_t h_s pr_bl_ms try_ng t_ g_t d_ct_rs t_ l_v_ _n r_r_l _r__s. _t _s _ls_ _ pr_bl_m _n m_ny _th_r c__ntr__s t__. L_st y__r, Dr K_nny h_d t_ c_nc_l _ f_m_ly h_l_d_y b_c__s_ h_ c__ld n_t f_nd _ny_n_ t_ r_pl_c_ h_m. Dr K_nny _s fr_m th_ _K _nd h_s b__n _ d_ct_r _n T_k_r__ f_r 30 y__rs. H_ s__d h_ h_s _ gr__t l_f_styl_ _nd h_ w__ldn't sw_p _t f_r c_ty l_f_. _t th_ _g_ _f 61, h_ w_nts t_ r_t_r_ _nd p_ss h_s p_t__nts _n t_ s_m__n_ y__ng_r. H_ t_ld _ l_c_l n_wsp_p_r th_t h_s j_b k__ps h_m b_sy _ll d_y _nd th_t h_ l_v_s h_s w_rk. H_ _s w_rr__d _b__t h_w h_ c_n f_nd _ n_w d_ct_r. H_ s__d: "_ w__ld l_k_ t_ st_y b_t _ h_t my h__d _g__nst _ br_ck w_ll try_ng t_ _ttr_ct d_ct_rs."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

there is a job available in the small new zealand town of tokoroa but no one wants it the job is for a doctor and it pays us$265000 a year for the lucky doctor who takes the job there is no night work no weekend work and house prices in the area are low also he or she would work just four days a week and get 12 weeks' annual holiday the town's current doctor alan kenny is leaving and cannot find anyone to replace him he has been looking for a replacement for two years but has had no success four medical recruitment companies also failed to find a replacement dr kenny thinks the problem is that the job is in the countryside and everyone wants to live and work in the big cities

it is not only new zealand that has problems trying to get doctors to live in rural areas it is also a problem in many other countries too last year dr kenny had to cancel a family holiday because he could not find anyone to replace him dr kenny is from the uk and has been a doctor in tokoroa for 30 years he said he has a great lifestyle and he wouldn't swap it for city life at the age of 61 he wants to retire and pass his patients on to someone younger he told a local newspaper that his job keeps him busy all day and that he loves his work he is worried about how he can find a new doctor he said "i would like to stay but i hit my head against a brick wall trying to attract doctors"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ThereisajobavailableinthesmallNewZealandtownofTokoroa,butnoo
newantsit.ThejobisforadoctoranditpaysUS$265,000ayear.Forthelu
ckydoctorwhotakesthejob,thereisnonightwork,noweekendwork,an
dhousepricesintheareaarelow.Also,heorshewouldworkjustfourdays
aweekandget12weeks'annualholiday.Thetown'scurrentdoctorAlan
Kennyisleavingandcannotfindanyonetoreplacehim.Hehasbeenlooki
ngforareplacementfortwoyearsbuthashadnosuccess.Fourmedicalre
cruitmentcompaniesalsofailedtofindareplacement.DrKennythinksth
eproblemisthatthejobisinthecountrysideandeveryonewantstolivean
dworkinthebigcities.ItisnotonlyNewZealandthathasproblemstryingt
ogetdoctorstoliveinruralareas.Itisalsoaprobleminmanyothercountri
estoo.Lastyear,DrKennyhadtocancelafamilyholidaybecausehecould
notfindanyonetoreplacehim.DrKennyisfromtheUKandhasbeenadoct
orinTokoroafor30years.Hesaidhehasagreatlifestyleandhewouldn'ts
wapitforcitylife.Attheageof61,hewantstoretireandpasshispatientso
ntosomeoneyounger.Hetoldalocalnewspaperthathisjobkeepshimbu
syalldayandthatheloveshiswork.Heisworriedabouthowhecanfindan
ewdoctor.Hesaid:"IwouldliketostaybutIhitmyheadagainstabrickwal
ltryingtoattractdoctors."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

City living is better than countryside living. 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 doctors in rural areas. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. CITY LIFE: Write a magazine article about city life and country life. Include imaginary interviews with people who prefer city life and with those who prefer country life.

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 doctors. Ask him/her three questions about doctors. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to get doctors to move to the countryside. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	lucky	a.	fortunate
2.	low	b.	cheap
3.	annual	c.	yearly
4.	replacement	d.	successor
5.	problem	e.	difficulty
6.	rural	f.	countryside
7.	cancel	g.	scrap
8.	lifestyle	h.	way of life
9.	worried	i.	concerned
10.	attract	j.	woo

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	A small town (in the countryside)
2.	At nights and at weekends
3.	12
4.	Two years
5.	In the big cities
6.	A family holiday
7.	30 years
8.	61
9.	Someone younger
10.	A brick wall

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

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

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Breaking News English Lesson on Doctors

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The $265,000 job that no one wants (26th February, 2016)

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