The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Thailand has a new king after Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted an invitation from parliament to succeed his father. His succession comes 50 days after the widely loved and revered King Bhumibol died in October, aged 88. Prince Vajiralongkorn will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He will also be known as Rama X, or the 10th king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty. He addressed his people in a televised statement on Thursday. He said: "I would like to accept the invitation for the benefit of the Thai people." Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: "May all the Thai people unite to pray that…he may long reign as an idol and guardian of the Thai people."

The coronation of the new king will not take place until after King Bhumibol's cremation early next year. The new king was born on July 28, 1952. He went to schools in Australia and the UK before doing his military training in Australia. King Maha Vajiralongkorn is widely travelled and has a home in Germany. Over the past few years, he has undertaken more of his father's ceremonial duties in Thailand when the late king was ill and needed medical treatment. He also organized and participated in high-profile events such as cycle rides around the Thai capital Bangkok. One of his first acts as monarch will be to endorse Thailand's new constitution that has been backed by the Thai people.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://mobile.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSKBN13Q4YS
  • http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/crown-prince-ascends-the-throne-in-thailand
  • http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1149219/crown-prince-becomes-king


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. KINGS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about kings. 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?

       king / invitation / parliament / dynasty / televised / statement / unite / pray / idol /
       coronation / military training / widely travelled / duties / medical treatment / capital

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

3. MONARCH: Students A strongly believe a monarch is better than a president; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. DAILY LIFE: What should a king or queen do every day? Discuss this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Internet
  • Charity
  • Relaxation
  • Citizens
  • Shopping
  • State affairs
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. INVITATION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "invitation". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. THAILAND: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about Thailand at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • food
  • hotels
  • Bangkok
  • crafts
  • people
  • weather
  • beaches
  • sights

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Thailand's new king is in his sixties.     T / F
  2. The new king will become the tenth king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty.     T / F
  3. The new king made a statement to his people via television.     T / F
  4. Thailand's Prime Minister has yet to make a comment on the new king.    T / F
  5. King Maha Vajiralongkorn's coronation will be at the end of December.    T / F
  6. King Maha Vajiralongkorn did his military training in the UK.     T / F
  7. King Maha Vajiralongkorn has a home in Germany.     T / F
  8. King Maha Vajiralongkorn's first act as king will be a cycle ride.     T / F

 

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

  1. invitation
  2. succeed
  3. addressed
  4. benefit
  5. unite
  6. coronation
  7. take place
  8. undertaken
  9. duties
  10. backed
  1. managed
  2. good
  3. crowning
  4. follow
  5. happen
  6. request
  7. supported
  8. responsibilities
  9. spoke to
  10. join

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

  1. accepted
  2. widely loved and
  3. in a televised
  4. for the benefit
  5. people unite
  6. The coronation of
  7. military
  8. widely
  9. ceremonial
  10. endorse Thailand's
  1. training
  2. the new king
  3. to pray
  4. revered
  5. duties
  6. statement
  7. of the Thai people
  8. new constitution
  9. travelled
  10. an invitation

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
widely
televised
unite
invitation
reign
dynasty
succession
benefit

Thailand has a new king after Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted an (1) ____________ from parliament to succeed his father. His (2) ____________ comes 50 days after the (3) ____________ loved and revered King Bhumibol died in October, aged 88. Prince Vajiralongkorn will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He will also be known as Rama X, or the 10th king of Thailand's Chakri (4) ____________. He addressed his people in a (5) ____________ statement on Thursday. He said: "I would like to accept the invitation for the (6) ____________ of the Thai people." Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: "May all the Thai people (7) ____________ to pray that…he may long (8) ____________ as an idol and guardian of the Thai people."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
military
duties
monarch
early
backed
coronation
profile
travelled

The (9) ____________ of the new king will not take place until after King Bhumibol's cremation (10) ____________ next year. The new king was born on July 28, 1952. He went to schools in Australia and the UK before doing his (11) ____________ training in Australia. King Maha Vajiralongkorn is widely (12) ____________ and has a home in Germany. Over the past few years, he has undertaken more of his father's ceremonial (13) ____________ in Thailand when the late king was ill and needed medical treatment. He also organized and participated in high-(14) ____________ events such as cycle rides around the Thai capital Bangkok. One of his first acts as (15) ____________ will be to endorse Thailand's new constitution that has been (16) ____________ by the Thai people.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted an invitation ______
     a.  from parliaments
     b.  from parliamentary
     c.  from a parliament
     d.  from parliament

2)  He will also be known as Rama X, or the 10th king of Thailand's ______
     a.  Chakri dynasty
     b.  Chakri dynasties
     c.  Chakri dynastical
     d.  Chakri dynastically

3)  He addressed his people in a televised ______ Thursday
     a.  statement in
     b.  statement on
     c.  statement of
     d.  statement an

4)  He said: "I would like to accept the invitation for the ______ people."
     a.  benefits of the Thai
     b.  benefitting of the Thai
     c.  benefit of the Thai
     d.  beneficial of the Thai

5)  May all the Thai people unite to pray that…he may long reign ______ guardian
     a.  was an idol and
     b.  has an idol and
     c.  as an idol and
     d.  is an idol and

6)  The coronation of the new king will not take place ______
     a.  until after
     b.  until later
     c.  until then
     d.  until for

7)  He went to schools in Australia and the UK before doing his ______ Australia
     a.  military trainer in
     b.  military training in
     c.  military train in
     d.  military trained in

8)  Over the past few years, he has undertaken more of his father's ______
     a.  ceremony duties
     b.  ceremonial duty
     c.  ceremonies duties
     d.  ceremonial duties

9)  He also organized and participated in high-profile events ______ rides
     a.  such was cycle
     b.  much as cycle
     c.  such as cycle
     d.  much as cycled

10)  One of his first acts as monarch will be to endorse Thailand's ______
     a.  new constitution
     b.  newly constitution
     c.  news constitution
     d.  knew constitution

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Thailand has a new king after Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, (1) ___________________ from parliament to succeed his father. His succession comes 50 days after (2) ___________________ and revered King Bhumibol died in October, aged 88. Prince Vajiralongkorn will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He will (3) ___________________ Rama X, or the 10th king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty. (4) ___________________ people in a televised statement on Thursday. He said: "I would like to accept the invitation (5) ___________________ of the Thai people." Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: "May all the Thai people unite to pray that…he may (6) ___________________ idol and guardian of the Thai people."

The coronation of the new king will not take (7) ___________________ King Bhumibol's cremation early next year. The new king was born on July 28, 1952. He went to schools in Australia and the UK (8) ___________________ military training in Australia. King Maha Vajiralongkorn is widely travelled and has a home in Germany. Over (9) ___________________ years, he has undertaken more of his father's (10) ___________________ in Thailand when the late king was ill and needed medical treatment. He also organized and participated in high-profile events (11) ___________________ rides around the Thai capital Bangkok. One of his first acts as monarch will be to endorse Thailand's new constitution that (12) ___________________ by the Thai people.

Comprehension questions

  1. How old is Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn?
  2. What title will King Maha Vajiralongkorn also be known as?
  3. On what medium did King Maha Vajiralongkorn address his people?
  4. For whose benefit did the new king accept the invitation?
  5. What did Thailand's Prime Minister ask Thai people to unite to do?
  6. When is King Maha Vajiralongkorn's birthday?
  7. Where did King Maha Vajiralongkorn do his military training?
  8. In which country outside Thailand does the king have a home?
  9. What kind of high-profile events did the king participate in?
  10. What will King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorse in his early days as king?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How old is Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn?
a) 61
b) 62
c) 63
d) 64

2) What title will King Maha Vajiralongkorn also be known as?
a) Chakri
b) Rama X
c) your highness
d) sire

3) On what medium did King Maha Vajiralongkorn address his people?
a) in a city hall speech
b) the radio
c) the Internet
d) television

4) For whose benefit did the new king accept the invitation?
a) guardians
b) princes and princesses
c) the Thai people
d) parliament

5) What did Thailand's Prime Minister ask Thai people to unite to do?
a) take place
b) reign
c) accept
d) pray

6) When is King Maha Vajiralongkorn's birthday?
a) January 28
b) June 28
c) July 28
d) May 28

7) Where did King Maha Vajiralongkorn do his military training?
a) Australia
b) the UK
c) Thailand
d) the USA

8) In which country outside Thailand does the king have a home?
a) the USA
b) the UK
c) Germany
d) Australia

9) What kind of high-profile events did the king participate in?
a) boat races
b) cycle rides
c) walking
d) craft fairs

10) What will King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorse in his early days as king?
a) the new constitution
b) acts
c) the Thai people
d) cycle rides

Role play

Role A — The People

You think the people are the best thing about a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the food, the capital city or the sights.

Role B — The Food

You think the food is the best thing about a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the people, the capital city or the sights.

Role C — The Capital City

You think the capital city is the best thing about a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the food, the people or the sights.

Role D — The Sights

You think the sights are the best thing about a country. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the food, the capital city or the people.

After reading / listening

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

'crown'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'prince'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • early
    • 28
    • training
    • past
    • cycle
    • backed
    • 64
    • 50
    • 88
    • 10
    • benefit
    • pray

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Thailand has a new king

    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 'king'?
    3. What do you know about the Thai monarchy?
    4. What do you think it's like to be a king?
    5. What role should kings play in society?
    6. What do you know about the late Thai King Bhumibol?
    7. Should all countries have a royal family?
    8. What are the pros and cons of a royal family?
    9. Is a monarch a better head of state than a president?
    10. What do you know about King Maha Vajiralongkorn?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of your country's head of state?
    3. Do you like the royal families of other countries?
    4. Why do so many princes do military training?
    5. What do you think a king does every day?
    6. What stresses do you think a king might have?
    7. What would you do if you were a monarch?
    8. What advice would you have for a new king?
    9. What do you know about the constitution of your country?
    10. What questions would you like to ask an expert on the Thai monarchy?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Thailand has a new king after Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted an (1) ____ from parliament to succeed his father. His succession comes 50 days after the (2) ____ loved and revered King Bhumibol died in October, aged 88. Prince Vajiralongkorn will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He will also be (3) ____ as Rama X, or the 10th king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty. He (4) ____ his people in a televised statement on Thursday. He said: "I would like to accept the invitation for the benefit of the Thai people." Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: "May (5) ____ the Thai people unite to pray that…he may long (6) ____ as an idol and guardian of the Thai people."

    The coronation of the new king will not (7) ____ place until after King Bhumibol's cremation early next year. The new king was born on July 28, 1952. He went to schools in Australia and the UK before (8) ____ his military training in Australia. King Maha Vajiralongkorn is (9) ____ travelled and has a home in Germany. Over the past few years, he has (10) ____ more of his father's ceremonial duties in Thailand when the late king was ill and needed medical treatment. He also organized and participated in high-profile events such (11) ____ cycle rides around the Thai capital Bangkok. One of his first acts as monarch will be to endorse Thailand's new constitution that has been (12) ____ by the Thai people.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     invites     (b)     invitational     (c)     inviting     (d)     invitation    
    2. (a)     widen     (b)     widest     (c)     width     (d)     widely    
    3. (a)     knows     (b)     known     (c)     knew     (d)     knowing    
    4. (a)     addresses     (b)     addressing     (c)     addressed     (d)     addressee    
    5. (a)     every     (b)     whole     (c)     all     (d)     entire    
    6. (a)     reign     (b)     rein     (c)     rain     (d)     rend     
    7. (a)     be     (b)     take     (c)     have     (d)     give    
    8. (a)     doing     (b)     training     (c)     working     (d)     studying    
    9. (a)     widen     (b)     widely     (c)     width     (d)     widest    
    10. (a)     underground     (b)     underdone     (c)     undertaken     (d)     underling    
    11. (a)     is     (b)     was     (c)     as     (d)     has    
    12. (a)     faced     (b)     headed     (c)     fronted     (d)     backed

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. dscueec his father
    2. the widely loved and reedver King Bhumibol
    3. Thailand's Chakri daytyns
    4. accept the otiiannitv
    5. pray that he may long ingre
    6. idol and nraiaugd of the Thai people

    Paragraph 2

    1. The rootcnoian of the new king
    2. lmraiiyt training
    3. ceremonial dtesui
    4. dcteppiiatar in high-profile events
    5. King Maha's first acts as hnramoc
    6. esneodr Thailand's new constitution

    Put the text back together

    (    )     of the Thai people." Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: "May all the Thai people unite to

    (    )     known as Rama X, or the 10th king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty. He addressed his people in a televised

    (  1  )     Thailand has a new king after Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted an invitation from parliament to succeed his

    (    )     statement on Thursday. He said: "I would like to accept the invitation for the benefit

    (    )     The coronation of the new king will not take place until after King Bhumibol's cremation early

    (    )     duties in Thailand when the late king was ill and needed medical treatment. He also organized and participated

    (    )     pray that…he may long reign as an idol and guardian of the Thai people."

    (    )     monarch will be to endorse Thailand's new constitution that has been backed by the Thai people.

    (    )     in Germany. Over the past few years, he has undertaken more of his father's ceremonial

    (    )     training in Australia. King Maha Vajiralongkorn is widely travelled and has a home

    (    )     next year. The new king was born on July 28, 1952. He went to schools in Australia and the UK before doing his military

    (    )     father. His succession comes 50 days after the widely loved and revered King Bhumibol

    (    )     in high-profile events such as cycle rides around the Thai capital Bangkok. One of his first acts as

    (    )     died in October, aged 88. Prince Vajiralongkorn will be known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He will also be

    Put the words in the right order

    1. invitation   An   father   his   succeed   to   parliament   from   .
    2. or   Rama   be   He   the   X   known   will   10th   ,   as   also   king   .
    3. a   in   people   his   addressed   He   statement   televised   .
    4. benefit   Thai   the   the   the   Accept   for   of   people   invitation   .
    5. May   pray   to   unite   people   Thai   the   all   .
    6. the  of  coronation  The   after  until  place  take  not  will   king   new  .
    7. 28   The   was   July   1952   king   on   ,   new   born   .
    8. Over   few   he   more   past   ,   undertaken   the   years   has   .
    9. as   Participated   -   such   rides   high   events   cycle   in   profile   .
    10. acts   monarch   of   first   as   One   his   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Thailand has a new king after / following Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, accepted an invitation from / for parliament to succeed his father. His succession comes / come 50 days after the widely loved and revered King Bhumibol died in October, aged / age 88. Prince Vajiralongkorn will be knowing / known as King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He will also be known as Rama X, or the 10th king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty / dynastical. He addressee / addressed his people in a televised statement on Thursday. He said: "I would like to accept the invitation for the beneficial / benefit of the Thai people." Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: "May all the Thai people unite to pray that / what…he may long reign / region as an idol and guardian of the Thai people."

    The coronation of the new king will not take / have place until after King Bhumibol's cremation early next / late year. The new king was born on July 28, 1952. He went to schools in Australia and the UK previous / before doing his military training / trained in Australia. King Maha Vajiralongkorn is widely  / wide travelled and has a home in Germany. Over the past few years, he has undertaken more of his father's ceremonial duties / duty in Thailand when the late king was ill and necessary / needed medical treatment. He also organized and participatory / participated in high-profile events such as cycle rides around the Thai capital Bangkok. One of his first action / acts as monarch will be to endorse Thailand's new / newly constitution that has been backed by the Thai people.

    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__l_nd h_s _ n_w k_ng _ft_r Cr_wn Pr_nc_ M_h_ V_j_r_l_ngk_rn, 64, _cc_pt_d _n _nv_t_t__n fr_m p_rl__m_nt t_ s_cc__d h_s f_th_r. H_s s_cc_ss__n c_m_s 50 d_ys _ft_r th_ w_d_ly l_v_d _nd r_v_r_d K_ng Bh_m_b_l d__d _n _ct_b_r, _g_d 88. Pr_nc_ V_j_r_l_ngk_rn w_ll b_ kn_wn _s K_ng M_h_ V_j_r_l_ngk_rn. H_ w_ll _ls_ b_ kn_wn _s R_m_ X, _r th_ 10th k_ng _f Th__l_nd's Ch_kr_ dyn_sty. H_ _ddr_ss_d h_s p__pl_ _n _ t_l_v_s_d st_t_m_nt _n Th_rsd_y. H_ s__d: "_ w__ld l_k_ t_ _cc_pt th_ _nv_t_t__n f_r th_ b_n_f_t _f th_ Th__ p__pl_." Th__l_nd's Pr_m_ M_n_st_r Pr_y_th Ch_n-_ch_ s__d: "M_y _ll th_ Th__ p__pl_ _n_t_ t_ pr_y th_t…h_ m_y l_ng r__gn _s _n _d_l _nd g__rd__n _f th_ Th__ p__pl_."

    Th_ c_r_n_t__n _f th_ n_w k_ng w_ll n_t t_k_ pl_c_ _nt_l _ft_r K_ng Bh_m_b_l's cr_m_t__n __rly n_xt y__r. Th_ n_w k_ng w_s b_rn _n J_ly 28, 1952. H_ w_nt t_ sch__ls _n __str_l__ _nd th_ _K b_f_r_ d__ng h_s m_l_t_ry tr__n_ng _n __str_l__. K_ng M_h_ V_j_r_l_ngk_rn _s w_d_ly tr_v_ll_d _nd h_s _ h_m_ _n G_rm_ny. _v_r th_ p_st f_w y__rs, h_ h_s _nd_rt_k_n m_r_ _f h_s f_th_r's c_r_m_n__l d_t__s _n Th__l_nd wh_n th_ l_t_ k_ng w_s _ll _nd n__d_d m_d_c_l tr__tm_nt. H_ _ls_ _rg_n_z_d _nd p_rt_c_p_t_d _n h_gh-pr_f_l_ _v_nts s_ch _s cycl_ r_d_s _r__nd th_ Th__ c_p_t_l B_ngk_k. _n_ _f h_s f_rst _cts _s m_n_rch w_ll b_ t_ _nd_rs_ Th__l_nd's n_w c_nst_t_t__n th_t h_s b__n b_ck_d by th_ Th__ p__pl_.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    thailand has a new king after crown prince maha vajiralongkorn 64 accepted an invitation from parliament to succeed his father his succession comes 50 days after the widely loved and revered king bhumibol died in october aged 88 prince vajiralongkorn will be known as king maha vajiralongkorn he will also be known as rama x or the 10th king of thailand's chakri dynasty he addressed his people in a televised statement on thursday he said "i would like to accept the invitation for the benefit of the thai people" thailand's prime minister prayuth chan-ocha said "may all the thai people unite to pray that…he may long reign as an idol and guardian of the thai people"

    the coronation of the new king will not take place until after king bhumibol's cremation early next year the new king was born on july 28 1952 he went to schools in australia and the uk before doing his military training in australia king maha vajiralongkorn is widely travelled and has a home in germany over the past few years he has undertaken more of his father's ceremonial duties in thailand when the late king was ill and needed medical treatment he also organized and participated in high-profile events such as cycle rides around the thai capital bangkok one of his first acts as monarch will be to endorse thailand's new constitution that has been backed by the thai people

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThailandhasanewkingafterCrownPrinceMahaVajiralongkorn,64,acc
    eptedaninvitationfromparliamenttosucceedhisfather.Hissuccession
    comes50daysafterthewidelylovedandreveredKingBhumiboldiedinO
    ctober,aged88.PrinceVajiralongkornwillbeknownasKingMahaVajiral
    ongkorn.HewillalsobeknownasRamaX,orthe10thkingofThailand'sCh
    akridynasty.HeaddressedhispeopleinatelevisedstatementonThursd
    ay.Hesaid:"IwouldliketoaccepttheinvitationforthebenefitoftheThaip
    eople."Thailand'sPrimeMinisterPrayuthChan-ochasaid:"Mayallth
    eThaipeopleunitetopraythat…hemaylongreignasanidolandguardian
    oftheThaipeople."Thecoronationofthenewkingwillnottakeplaceuntil
    afterKingBhumibol'scremationearlynextyear.Thenewkingwasborno
    nJuly28,1952.HewenttoschoolsinAustraliaandtheUKbeforedoinghis
    militarytraininginAustralia.KingMahaVajiralongkorniswidelytravelle
    dandhasahomeinGermany.Overthepastfewyears,hehasundertaken
    moreofhisfather'sceremonialdutiesinThailandwhenthelatekingwasil
    landneededmedicaltreatment.Healsoorganizedandparticipatedinhi
    gh-profileeventssuchascycleridesaroundtheThaicapitalBangkok.On
    eofhisfirstactsasmonarchwillbetoendorseThailand'snewconstitution
    thathasbeenbackedbytheThaipeople.

    Free writing

    Write about King Maha Vajiralongkorn for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    A monarch is a better head of state than a president. Discuss.

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    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 King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. MONARCH: Write a magazine article about monarchs being better heads of state than presidents. 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 an expert on monarchies. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how monarchs can improve their countries. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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