The Reading / Listening - Halal Snack Pack - Level 3

A new kind of fast food is having a big impact in Australia. It has helped to bring Australian people together, and it has been named as the People's Choice Word of the Year 2016 by Australia's Macquarie Dictionary. It is the "halal snack pack", also known as an "HSP" in Australia. It is a combination of kebab meat, potato fries and a special spicy sauce. Although the snack was created in Australia, it has its roots in the Middle East. It has become a symbol of multiculturalism in Australia as more people become aware of halal food. There is even an HSP group on Facebook that has over 180,000 members. The site is for, "sharing great snack pack stories and discussing possibly the best snack pack in the world".

The halal snack pack has created a lot of discussion in Australia, especially after far-right politician Pauline Hanson refused to eat one. She said halal meat was unacceptable in Australia and that "98% of Australians" were against it. However, she could not provide any evidence to support her statement. Ms Hanson's words and actions have made the HSP more popular. Keysar Trad, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said HSP winning word of the year was fantastic. He said: "If you're able to find it in the dictionary, it takes away the mystery. It brings people comfort and satisfaction that there's nothing sinister about the word "halal". It's all about what's positive, what is good and wholesome."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Halal Snack Pack - Level 0,  Halal Snack Pack - Level 1   or  Halal Snack Pack - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38824058
  • http://www.smh.com.au/national/halal-snack-pack-named-peoples-choice-word-of-2016-by-macquarie-dictionary-20170201-gu2ui2.html
  • http://www.ibtimes.com.au/halal-snack-pack-peoples-choice-word-year-2016-1542096
  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/1671991646388258/


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. HALAL SNACK PACK: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Halal Snack Pack. 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?

       fast food / a big impact / snack / kebab / halal / multiculturalism / roots / sharing /
       discussion / far-right politician / evidence / popular / fantastic / dictionary / positive

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

3. FOOD: Students A strongly believe food is a good way to understand other cultures; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. MULTICULTURALISM: What would you share about your culture to people from other cultures? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What?

Why is it important?

Food

 

 

Festivals

 

 

Clothes

 

 

Arts

 

 

Religion

 

 

Language

 

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

6. FAST FOOD: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • burger
  • fried chicken
  • hot dog
  • from your country _____
  • kebab
  • fries
  • pizza
  • sandwich

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A halal snack was Australia's Word of the Year for 2016.     T / F
  2. The snack was created in the Middle East in 2015.     T / F
  3. The halal snack is now a symbol of multiculturalism.     T / F
  4. The halal snack Facebook page has more than 1800,000 members.     T / F
  5. A politician from the far right refused to eat the halal snack.     T / F
  6. The politician's words and actions made the halal snack less popular.     T / F
  7. Australia's Islamic Council wasn't happy about the Word of the Year.     T / F
  8. The Islamic Council suggested everything is good and positive.     T / F

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

  1. kind
  2. combination
  3. roots
  4. symbol
  5. aware of
  6. especially
  7. refused
  8. evidence
  9. sinister
  10. wholesome
  1. particularly
  2. frightening
  3. sign
  4. mix
  5. proof
  6. said no to
  7. type
  8. healthy
  9. familiar with
  10. origins

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

  1. A new kind of fast food is having a big
  2. a special spicy
  3. it has its roots
  4. It has become a symbol
  5. an HSP group on Facebook that has
  6. far-
  7. 98% of Australians"
  8. she could not provide any evidence to
  9. it takes
  10. good and
  1. over 180,000 members
  2. in the Middle East
  3. away the mystery
  4. sauce
  5. were against it
  6. impact in Australia
  7. support her statement
  8. wholesome
  9. right politician
  10. of multiculturalism

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
roots
together
discussing
impact
aware
sauce
even
known

A new kind of fast food is having a big (1) ____________ in Australia. It has helped to bring Australian people (2) ____________, and it has been named as the People's Choice Word of the Year 2016 by Australia's Macquarie Dictionary. It is the "halal snack pack", also (3) ____________ as an "HSP" in Australia. It is a combination of kebab meat, potato fries and a special spicy (4) ____________. Although the snack was created in Australia, it has its (5) ____________ in the Middle East. It has become a symbol of multiculturalism in Australia as more people become (6) ____________ of halal food. There is (7) ____________ an HSP group on Facebook that has over 180,000 members. The site is for, "sharing great snack pack stories and (8) ____________ possibly the best snack pack in the world".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
support
winning
created
positive
against
mystery
politician
popular

The halal snack pack has (9) ____________ a lot of discussion in Australia, especially after far-right (10) ____________ Pauline Hanson refused to eat one. She said halal meat was unacceptable in Australia and that "98% of Australians" were (11) ____________ it. However, she could not provide any evidence to (12) ____________ her statement. Ms Hanson's words and actions have made the HSP more (13) ____________. Keysar Trad, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said HSP (14) ____________ word of the year was fantastic. He said: "If you're able to find it in the dictionary, it takes away the (15) ____________. It brings people comfort and satisfaction that there's nothing sinister about the word 'halal'. It's all about what's (16) ____________, what is good and wholesome."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A new kind of fast food is having a big ______
     a.  impacting Australia
     b.  impacting in Australia
     c.  impact in Australia
     d.  in packed in Australia

2)  It has helped to bring Australian ______
     a.  people to gather
     b.  people too gather
     c.  people two gather
     d.  people together

3)  It is a combination of kebab meat, potato fries and a special ______
     a.  spicy saucy
     b.  spicy sauce
     c.  spicy sauces
     d.  spicy source

4)  Although the snack was created in Australia, it has its ______ Middle East
     a.  lutes in the
     b.  loots in the
     c.  roots in the
     d.  routes in the

5)  a symbol of multiculturalism in Australia as more people become ______ food
     a.  beware of halal
     b.  and where of halal
     c.  away of halal
     d.  aware of halal

6)  The halal snack pack has created a lot of ______ Australia
     a.  discussing in
     b.  discussion in
     c.  discuss in
     d.  discuss shun in

7)  She said halal meat was unacceptable in Australia and that "98% of Australians" ______
     a.  were again it
     b.  were a gain stint
     c.  were a gains tit
     d.  were against it

8)  Hanson's words and actions have made the HSP ______.
     a.  more popularity
     b.  more popular
     c.  more popularize
     d.  more polar

9)  If you're able to find it in the dictionary, it takes ______
     a.  away the mystery
     b.  away the mysterious
     c.  away the mist eerie
     d.  away the mister real

10)  It's all about what's positive, what is good ______
     a.  and whole sum
     b.  and hole some
     c.  and wholesome
     d.  and hole sum

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new kind of fast food is (1) ___________________ impact in Australia. It has helped to bring Australian people together, and it has (2) ___________________ the People's Choice Word of the Year 2016 by Australia's Macquarie Dictionary. It is the "halal snack pack", (3) ___________________ "HSP" in Australia. It is a combination of kebab meat, potato fries and a special spicy sauce. Although the snack was created in Australia, it (4) ___________________ the Middle East. It has become a symbol of multiculturalism in Australia as more people (5) ___________________ halal food. There is even an HSP group on Facebook that has over 180,000 members. The (6) ___________________ great snack pack stories and discussing possibly the best snack pack in the world".

The halal snack pack has (7) ___________________ discussion in Australia, especially after far-right politician Pauline Hanson (8) ___________________ one. She said halal meat was unacceptable in Australia and that "98% of Australians" were against it. However, she could not provide (9) ___________________ support her statement. Ms Hanson's words and actions have made the HSP more popular. Keysar Trad, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said HSP winning word of the year was fantastic. He said: "If (10) ___________________ find it in the dictionary, it (11) ___________________ mystery. It brings people comfort and satisfaction that there's nothing sinister about the word 'halal'. It's all about what's positive, (12) ___________________ wholesome."

Comprehension questions

  1. What is a new kind of food having in Australia?
  2. What initials is the food also known as?
  3. Where does the food have its roots?
  4. What is the food a symbol of in Australia?
  5. How many members belong to the food's Facebook page?
  6. What has the snack created a lot of in Australia?
  7. What did a politician not have to show Australians were against halal?
  8. What happened to the food's popularity after the politician didn't eat it?
  9. What did Keysar Trad say finding a word in a dictionary took away?
  10. What did Keysar Trad say the word 'halal' was not?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is a new kind of food having in Australia?
a) a kangaroo mascot
b) an official ceremony
c) a big impact
d) a hard time

2) What initials is the food also known as?
a) HSP
b) PSH
c) PHS
d) SHP

3) Where does the food have its roots?
a) the Middle East
b) the ground
c) in farms
d) under trees

4) What is the food a symbol of in Australia?
a) kangaroos
b) multiculturalism
c) sun, sea and surf
d) good times

5) How many members belong to the food's Facebook page?
a) exactly 18,000
b) around 1,800,000
c) more than 1.8 million
d) over 180,000

6) What has the snack created a lot of in Australia?
a) fat tummies
b) discussion
c) chilli sauces
d) healthy people

7) What did a politician not have to show Australians were against halal?
a) evidence
b) her passport
c) a kebab
d) her tongue

8) What happened to the food's popularity after the politician didn't eat it?
a) it stayed the same
b) the article doesn't say
c) it went up
d) it went down

9) What did Keysar Trad say finding a word in a dictionary took away?
a) letters
b) the meaning
c) comfort
d) its mystery

10) What did Keysar Trad say the word 'halal' was not?
a) sinister
b) difficult to spell
c) a verb
d) long

Role play

Role A — Kebab

You think a kebab is the best fast food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their fast food. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a pizza, a sandwich or a burger.

Role B — Pizza

You think a pizza is the best fast food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their fast food. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a kebab, a sandwich or a burger.

Role C — Sandwich

You think a sandwich is the best fast food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their fast food. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a pizza, a kebab or a burger.

Role D — Burger

You think a burger is the best fast food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their fast food. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a pizza, a sandwich or a kebab.

After reading / listening

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

'halal'

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

    • and 'snack'.

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

    • • 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:

    • lot
    • unacceptable
    • against
    • popular
    • find
    • brings
    • kind
    • named
    • special
    • roots
    • even
    • possibly

    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 - Halal snack helps bring Australians together

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'snack'?
    3. What do you know about halal food?
    4. What do you think of fast food?
    5. What kind of fast food is your country good at?
    6. What do you think of the sound of the halal snack pack?
    7. What do you think about Middle Eastern food?
    8. What do you think of Australian food?
    9. How good is food at making multiculturalism work?
    10. What is the best snack in the world, and why?

    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 when you hear the word 'pack'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What food have you discussed a lot?
    5. Is your country's food the best in the world? Why?
    6. What does a far-right politician believe?
    7. Do you think it is good there is mystery about other cultures?
    8. What advice do you have for the far-right politician?
    9. What can we learn from other cultures?
    10. What questions would you like to ask an HSP Facebook member?

    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)

    A new (1) ____ of fast food is having a big impact in Australia. It has helped to (2) ____ Australian people together, and it has been named as the People's Choice Word of the Year 2016 by Australia's Macquarie Dictionary. It is the "halal snack pack", also (3) ____ as an "HSP" in Australia. It is a combination of kebab meat, potato fries and a special spicy sauce. Although the snack was created in Australia, it has its (4) ____ in the Middle East. It has become a symbol of multiculturalism in Australia as more people become (5) ____ of halal food. There is even an HSP group on Facebook that has over 180,000 members. The site is for, "sharing great snack pack stories and discussing (6) ____ the best snack pack in the world".

    The halal snack pack has created a lot of discussion in Australia, especially (7) ____ far-right politician Pauline Hanson (8) ____ to eat one. She said halal meat was unacceptable in Australia and that "98% of Australians" were (9) ____ it. However, she could not provide any evidence to support her statement. Ms Hanson's words and actions have made the HSP more popular. Keysar Trad, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said HSP (10) ____ word of the year was fantastic. He said: "If you're able to find it in the dictionary, it (11) ____ away the mystery. It brings people comfort and satisfaction that there's nothing sinister about the word 'halal'. It's (12) ____ about what's positive, what is good and wholesome."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     kindly     (b)     kind     (c)     kinds     (d)     kinder    
    2. (a)     give     (b)     bring     (c)     take     (d)     do    
    3. (a)     knowledge     (b)     know     (c)     knowing     (d)     known    
    4. (a)     leaves     (b)     roots     (c)     blossoms     (d)     stems    
    5. (a)     beware     (b)     aware     (c)     swear     (d)     software    
    6. (a)     possible     (b)     possibility     (c)     possibly     (d)     possibilities    
    7. (a)     following     (b)     post     (c)     after     (d)     behind    
    8. (a)     rubbished     (b)     trashed     (c)     refused     (d)     binned    
    9. (a)     dislike     (b)     disagree     (c)     oppose     (d)     against    
    10. (a)     wins     (b)     won     (c)     winner     (d)     winning    
    11. (a)     takes     (b)     removes     (c)     erases     (d)     is    
    12. (a)     whole     (b)     entire     (c)     all     (d)     every

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. having a big miptac in Australia
    2. It is a iionanmocbt of…
    3. a special spicy ueacs
    4. a lmsbyo of multiculturalism
    5. more people become waaer of halal food
    6. iharnsg great snack pack stories

    Paragraph 2

    1. far-right tpiicioanl
    2. she could not provide any ieevcned
    3. winning word of the year was ntsacftia
    4. it takes away the smyyret
    5. It brings people comfort and osicisattnaf
    6. It's all about what's psviioet

    Put the text back together

    (    )     it. However, she could not provide any evidence to support her statement. Ms Hanson's words and

    (    )     together, and it has been named as the People's Choice Word of the Year 2016 by Australia's Macquarie

    (    )     great snack pack stories and discussing possibly the best snack pack in the world".

    (    )     to eat one. She said halal meat was unacceptable in Australia and that "98% of Australians" were against

    (  1  )     The halal snack pack has created a lot of discussion in Australia, especially after far-right politician Pauline Hanson refused

    (    )     Dictionary. It is the "halal snack pack", also known as an "HSP" in Australia. It is a combination of kebab meat, potato

    (    )     A new kind of fast food is having a big impact in Australia. It has helped to bring Australian people

    (    )     Islamic Councils, said HSP winning word of the year was fantastic. He said: "If you're able to find it in

    (    )     of halal food. There is even an HSP group on Facebook that has over 180,000 members. The site is for, "sharing

    (    )     in the Middle East. It has become a symbol of multiculturalism in Australia as more people become aware

    (    )     about the word 'halal'. It's all about what's positive, what is good and wholesome."

    (    )     fries and a special spicy sauce. Although the snack was created in Australia, it has its roots

    (    )     actions have made the HSP more popular. Keysar Trad, president of the Australian Federation of

    (    )     the dictionary, it takes away the mystery. It brings people comfort and satisfaction that there's nothing sinister

    Put the words in the right order

    1. new  in   a   food  kind  Australia  big   is  of   A  impact   having   fast  .
    2. has   It   together   people   Australian   bring   to   helped   .
    3. snack   "HSP"   ,   It   also   is   pack"   known   the   as   an   "halal   .
    4. Created   East  Middle   the   in   roots   its   has   it   ,   Australia   in   .
    5. An   members   180,000  over   has   that  Facebook   on  group   HSP  .
    6. of  lot  a  created   has  pack  snack  halal  The  Australia  in  discussion  .
    7. Australia   in   unacceptable   was   meat   halal   said   She   .
    8. popular  and   made   more   words   have  HSP   Hanson's  actions  the   .
    9. in   able   the   to   dictionary   find   If   it   you're      .
    10. nothing   'halal'  sinister   Satisfaction   about   that   the  there's   word   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new kind of fast food is having a big impact / compact in Australia. It has helped to bring Australian people apart / together, and it has been named was / as the People's Choice Word of the Year 2016 by Australia's Macquarie Dictionary. It is the "halal snack pack", also known / knowing as an "HSP" in Australia. It is a combine / combination of kebab meat, potato fries and a special spicy sauce / saucy. Although the snack was created in Australia, it has its leaves / roots in the Middle East. It has become a symbol / symbolic of multiculturalism in Australia as more people become aware on / of halal food. There is even / ever an HSP group on Facebook that has over 180,000 members. The site is for, "sharing great snack pack stories and discussing / discussion possibly the best snack pack in the world".

    The halal snack pack has created a lot / lots of discussion in Australia, especially after far-right politician / politics Pauline Hanson refused to eat one. She said halal meat was unaccountable / unacceptable in Australia and that "98% of Australians" were against it / them. However, she could not provide any evidence to report / support her statement. Ms Hanson's words and actions have made the HSP more popular / popularity. Keysar Trad, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said HSP winning word of the year was fantastic. He said: "If you're able / ability to find it in the dictionary, it takes away the mysterious / mystery. It brings people comfort and satisfaction that there's nothing minister / sinister about the word 'halal'. It's all / every about what's positive, what is good and wholesome."

    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)

    _ n_w k_nd _f f_st f__d _s h_v_ng _ b_g _mp_ct _n __str_l__. _t h_s h_lp_d t_ br_ng __str_l__n p__pl_ t_g_th_r, _nd _t h_s b__n n_m_d _s th_ P__pl_'s Ch__c_ W_rd _f th_ Y__r 2016 by __str_l__'s M_cq__r__ D_ct__n_ry. _t _s th_ "h_l_l sn_ck p_ck", _ls_ kn_wn _s _n "HSP" _n __str_l__. _t _s _ c_mb_n_t__n _f k_b_b m__t, p_t_t_ fr__s _nd _ sp_c__l sp_cy s__c_. _lth__gh th_ sn_ck w_s cr__t_d _n __str_l__, _t h_s _ts r__ts _n th_ M_ddl_ __st. _t h_s b_c_m_ _ symb_l _f m_lt_c_lt_r_l_sm _n __str_l__ _s m_r_ p__pl_ b_c_m_ _w_r_ _f h_l_l f__d. Th_r_ _s _v_n _n HSP gr__p _n F_c_b__k th_t h_s _v_r 180,000 m_mb_rs. Th_ s_t_ _s f_r, "sh_r_ng gr__t sn_ck p_ck st_r__s _nd d_sc_ss_ng p_ss_bly th_ b_st sn_ck p_ck n th w_rld".

    Th_ h_l_l sn_ck p_ck h_s cr__t_d _ l_t _f d_sc_ss__n _n __str_l__, _sp_c__lly _ft_r f_r-r_ght p_l_t_c__n P__l_n_ H_ns_n r_f_s_d t_ __t _n_. Sh_ s__d h_l_l m__t w_s _n_cc_pt_bl_ _n __str_l__ _nd th_t "98% _f __str_l__ns" w_r_ _g__nst _t. H_w_v_r, sh_ c__ld n_t pr_v_d_ _ny _v_d_nc_ t_ s_pp_rt h_r st_t_m_nt. Ms H_ns_n's w_rds _nd _ct__ns h_v_ m_d_ th_ HSP m_r_ p_p_l_r. K_ys_r Tr_d, pr_s_d_nt _f th_ __str_l__n F_d_r_t__n _f _sl_m_c C__nc_ls, s__d HSP w_nn_ng w_rd _f th_ y__r w_s f_nt_st_c. H_ s__d: "_f y__'r_ _bl_ t_ f_nd _t _n th_ d_ct__n_ry, _t t_k_s _w_y th_ myst_ry. _t br_ngs p__pl_ c_mf_rt _nd s_t_sf_ct__n th_t th_r_'s n_th_ng s_n_st_r _b__t th_ w_rd 'h_l_l'. _t's _ll _b__t wh_t's p_s_t_v_, wh_t _s g__d _nd wh_l_s_m_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new kind of fast food is having a big impact in australia it has helped to bring australian people together and it has been named as the people's choice word of the year 2016 by australia's macquarie dictionary it is the "halal snack pack" also known as an "hsp" in australia it is a combination of kebab meat potato fries and a special spicy sauce although the snack was created in australia it has its roots in the middle east it has become a symbol of multiculturalism in australia as more people become aware of halal food there is even an hsp group on facebook that has over 180000 members the site is for "sharing great snack pack stories and discussing possibly the best snack pack in the world"

    the halal snack pack has created a lot of discussion in australia especially after far-right politician pauline hanson refused to eat one she said halal meat was unacceptable in australia and that "98% of australians" were against it however she could not provide any evidence to support her statement ms hanson's words and actions have made the hsp more popular keysar trad president of the australian federation of islamic councils said hsp winning word of the year was fantastic he said "if you're able to find it in the dictionary it takes away the mystery it brings people comfort and satisfaction that there's nothing sinister about the word 'halal' it's all about what's positive what is good and wholesome"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AnewkindoffastfoodishavingabigimpactinAustralia.Ithashelpedtobr
    ingAustralianpeopletogether,andithasbeennamedasthePeople'sCh
    oiceWordoftheYear2016byAustralia'sMacquarieDictionary.Itisthe"h
    alalsnackpack",alsoknownasan"HSP"inAustralia.Itisacombinationof
    kebabmeat,potatofriesandaspecialspicysauce.Althoughthesnackwa
    screatedinAustralia,ithasitsrootsintheMiddleEast.Ithasbecomeasy
    mbolofmulticulturalisminAustraliaasmorepeoplebecomeawareofhal
    alfood.ThereisevenanHSPgrouponFacebookthathasover180,000me
    mbers.Thesiteisfor,"sharinggreatsnackpackstoriesanddiscussingpo
    ssiblythebestsnackpackintheworld".Thehalalsnackpackhascreateda
    lotofdiscussioninAustralia,especiallyafterfar-rightpoliticianPaulineH
    ansonrefusedtoeatone.ShesaidhalalmeatwasunacceptableinAustral
    iaandthat"98%ofAustralians"wereagainstit.However,shecouldnotp
    rovideanyevidencetosupportherstatement.MsHanson'swordsandac
    tionshavemadetheHSPmorepopular.KeysarTrad,presidentoftheAus
    tralianFederationofIslamicCouncils,saidHSPwinningwordoftheyear
    wasfantastic.Hesaid:"Ifyou'reabletofinditinthedictionary,ittakesaw
    aythemystery.Itbringspeoplecomfortandsatisfactionthatthere'snot
    hingsinisterabouttheword"halal".It'sallaboutwhat'spositive,whatisg
    oodandwholesome."

    Free writing

    Write about halal snack pack for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Food is the best way to get to know and understand people from other cultures. 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 Halal Snack Pack. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. FAST FOOD: Make a poster about snack foods around the world. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. MULTICULTURALISM: Write a magazine article about multiculturalism. Include imaginary interviews with people who think all countries should work to increase multiculturalism and with people who thing multiculturalism does not work.

    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 the Halal Snack Pack. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on what else people can do to make multiculturalism work. 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.)

    Back to the top

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You