The Reading / Listening - Maori Haka - Level 3

The world-famous Maori war dance (the haka) and being bilingual may help Maori people keep dementia away. Researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand say performing the haka and speaking two languages (Maori and English) might help Maoris avoid getting dementia. A study by New Zealand's Ministry of Health compared rates of dementia among citizens in their 80s and 90s. They expected to find higher rates of dementia among Maoris. This is because Maoris generally have less access to health care, less income, and more heart diseases than non-Maoris. However, researchers found no differences in rates of dementia between Maoris and non-Maoris.

The haka is a traditional war cry or challenge. It is done by a group of people who all chant and repeat the same energetic movements and stamping of the feet. It was originally performed by warriors before a battle. They wanted to show their strength and frighten their enemy. The New Zealand Native football team started using it in 1888. The New Zealand rugby team (the famous All Blacks) then started using it before their matches in 1905. It is now a key part of the pre-match preparations for the All Blacks rugby team. The haka is also used to welcome important guests at ceremonies. A Maori professor said that skill, eye co-ordination and the complex dance routines of the haka help to keep the brain healthy.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Maori Haka - Level 0,  Maori Haka - Level 1   or  Maori Haka - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-39881974
  • https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/national/kapa-haka-and-te-reo-maori-may-help-maori-avoid-dementia
  • http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=11853969


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

       world famous / war dance / bilingual / languages / citizens / health care / income /
       traditional / energetic / movements / warriors / football team / rugby / healthy / brain

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

3. SCHOOL: Students A strongly believe we should go back to school when we are in our 80s; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. HEALTHY BRAIN: How can these things keep our brain healthy when we are old? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good things

Bad things

Studying

 

 

Television

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Travel

 

 

Internet

 

 

Food

 

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

6. STAYING YOUNG: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to stay young at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • exercise
  • the Internet
  • sleep
  • travel
  • learn another language
  • wear young fashion
  • plastic surgery
  • have many friends

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says being bilingual may help Maoris keep dementia away.     T / F
  2. Researchers looked at people in their 60s and 70s for dementia.     T / F
  3. Maoris generally have worse access to health care than non-Maoris.     T / F
  4. Researchers found no differences in dementia in Maoris and non-Maoris.  T / F
  5. The haka is a traditional war dance.     T / F
  6. A New Zealand rugby team started the haka in the 19th century.     T / F
  7. The haka is never performed to welcome important guests.     T / F
  8. A professor said the haka does not have any complex movements.     T / F

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

  1. away
  2. performing
  3. evade
  4. generally
  5. income
  6. traditional
  7. frighten
  8. key
  9. welcome
  10. complex
  1. greet
  2. stay away from
  3. scare
  4. important
  5. doing
  6. difficult
  7. salary
  8. at a distance
  9. customary
  10. normally

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

  1. The world-
  2. citizens in
  3. health
  4. less
  5. researchers found no differences
  6. The haka is a traditional war
  7. repeat the same energetic
  8. They wanted to show their strength and
  9. a key part of the pre-match
  10. eye
  1. their 80s and 90s
  2. frighten their enemy
  3. in rates of dementia
  4. co-ordination
  5. movements
  6. famous Maori war dance
  7. preparations
  8. care
  9. income
  10. cry

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
performing
access
famous
differences
rates
care
avoid
expected

The world-(1) ____________ Maori war dance (the haka) and being bilingual may help Maori people keep dementia away. Researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand say (2) ____________ the haka and speaking two languages (Maori and English) might help Maoris (3) ____________ getting dementia. A study by New Zealand's Ministry of Health compared (4) ____________ of dementia among citizens in their 80s and 90s. They (5) ____________ to find higher rates of dementia among Maoris. This is because Maoris generally have less (6) ____________ to health (7) ____________, less income, and more heart diseases than non-Maoris. However, researchers found no (8) ____________ in rates of dementia between Maoris and non-Maoris.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
stamping
matches
welcome
chant
traditional
routines
frighten
key

The haka is a (9) ____________ war cry or challenge. It is done by a group of people who all (10) ____________ and repeat the same energetic movements and (11) ____________ of the feet. It was originally performed by warriors before a battle. They wanted to show their strength and (12) ____________ their enemy. The New Zealand Native football team started using it in 1888. The New Zealand rugby team (the famous All Blacks) then started using it before their (13) ____________ in 1905. It is now a (14) ____________ of the pre-match preparations for the All Blacks rugby team. The haka is also used to (15) ____________ important guests at ceremonies. A Maori professor said that skill, eye co-ordination and the complex dance (16) ____________ part of the haka help to keep the brain healthy.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The world-famous Maori war dance (the haka) and ______
     a.  been bilingualism
     b.  being bilingually
     c.  been bilingual
     d.  being bilingual

2)  performing the haka and speaking ______
     a.  them languages
     b.  those languages
     c.  these languages
     d.  two languages

3) Ministry of Health compared rates of dementia among citizens in their 80s ______
     a.  and 19s
     b.  in 19s
     c.  in 90s
     d.  and 90s

4)  This is because Maoris generally have less access ______
     a.  to health care
     b.  to health cares
     c.  to health cared
     d.  to health caring

5)  However, researchers found no differences in ______
     a.  ratio of dementia
     b.  rates of dementia
     c.  rate of dementia
     d.  rates off dementia

6)  a group of people who all chant and repeat the same ______
     a.  energetically movements
     b.  energetic movements
     c.  energetic moments
     d.  energetically moments

7)  It was originally performed by warriors ______
     a.  before a battles
     b.  before a battle
     c.  before a battled
     d.  before a battling

8)  They wanted to show their strength and frighten ______
     a.  their enemy
     b.  there enemy
     c.  them enemy
     d.  they enemy

9)  It is now a key part of the pre-______
     a.  match reparations
     b.  match coronations
     c.  match preparations
     d.  match palpitations

10)  skill, eye co-ordination and the complex ______
     a.  dances routines
     b.  dancing routines
     c.  dances routines
     d.  dance routines

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The world-famous Maori war dance, the haka, (1) ___________________ may help Maori people keep dementia away. Researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand (2) ___________________ the haka and (3) ___________________ languages (Maori and English) might help Maoris avoid getting dementia. A study by New Zealand's Ministry of Health (4) ___________________ dementia among citizens in their 80s and 90s. They expected to find higher rates of dementia among Maoris. This is because Maoris generally (5) ___________________ to health care, less income, and more heart diseases than non-Maoris. However, researchers (6) ___________________ in rates of dementia between Maoris and non-Maoris.

The haka is a traditional (7) ___________________ challenge. It is done by a group of people who all (8) ___________________ the same energetic movements and stamping of the feet. It was originally performed by warriors before a battle. They wanted to show their (9) ___________________ their enemy. The New Zealand Native football team started using it in 1888. The New Zealand rugby team (the famous All Blacks) then started (10) ___________________ their matches in 1905. It is now a key part of the pre-match (11) ___________________ the All Blacks rugby team. The haka is also used to welcome important guests at ceremonies. A Maori professor said that skill, eye co-ordination and the complex (12) ___________________ the haka help to keep the brain healthy.

Comprehension questions

  1. What did the article say was world famous?
  2. What two languages did the article mention?
  3. What were the age groups of the people researchers looked at?
  4. What did Maoris generally have less access to?
  5. How many differences in rates of dementia did researchers find?
  6. What do people stamp when they do the haka?
  7. Who originally performed the haka?
  8. When did a football team first start doing the haka?
  9. For whom is the haka performed at ceremonies?
  10. What did a professor say was complex about the haka?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did the article say was world famous?
a) being bilingual
b) Maoris
c) New Zealand
d) the haka

2) What two languages did the article mention?
a) Japanese and English
b) English and Maori
c) Maori and Italian
d) Italian and Japanese

3) What were the age groups of the people researchers looked at?
a) 18-90
b) 18-19
c) 80-90
d) 80s and 90s

4) What did Maoris generally have less access to?
a) the haka
b) dances
c) health care
d) language

5) How many differences in rates of dementia did researchers find?
a) 27
b) a few
c) many
d) none

6) What do people stamp when they do the haka?
a) an envelope
b) passports
c) their feet
d) note pads

7) Who originally performed the haka?
a) warriors
b) rugby players
c) football players
d) people in their 80s

8) When did a football team first start doing the haka?
a) 1808
b) 1988
c) 1888
d) 1905

9) For whom is the haka performed at ceremonies?
a) Maoris
b) important guests
c) English people
d) a rugby team

10) What did a professor say was complex about the haka?
a) dance routines
b) stamping
c) war cries
d) being in your 80s

Role play

Role  A – Learning Languages

You think learning languages is the best way to stay young. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wearing young fashion, plastic surgery or traveling.

Role  B – Wearing Young Fashion

You think wearing young fashion is the best way to stay young. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): learning languages, plastic surgery or traveling.

Role  C – Plastic Surgery

You think plastic surgery is the best way to stay young. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wearing young fashion, learning languages or traveling.

Role  D – Traveling

You think traveling is the best way to stay young. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):  wearing young fashion, plastic surgery or learning languages.

After reading / listening

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

'war'

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

    • and 'dance'.

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

    • • 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:

    • group
    • feet
    • frighten
    • 1888
    • 1905
    • skill
    • being
    • say
    • among
    • 90s
    • access
    • differences

    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 - Maori haka and language may keep dementia away

    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 'dementia'?
    3. What do you know about the Maori people?
    4. How useful is it to be bilingual?
    5. How does dementia affect people?
    6. What do you think you'll be like in your 90s?
    7. How is the health care you get?
    8. How beneficial is dancing?
    9. How can we keep dementia away?
    10. Who is the most active old person you know?

    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 'bilingual'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. When do you stamp your feet?
    5. What do you know about the All Blacks?
    6. How does your country welcome important guests?
    7. How good are you at dancing?
    8. What do you do to keep your brain healthy?
    9. How worried are you about getting old?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    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)

    The world-famous Maori war dance (the haka) and (1) ____ bilingual may help Maori people (2) ____ dementia away. Researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand say performing the haka and speaking two languages (Maori and English) might help Maoris avoid (3) ____ dementia. A study by New Zealand's Ministry of Health compared rates of dementia among citizens in (4) ____ 80s and 90s. They expected to find higher rates of dementia among Maoris. This is because Maoris (5) ____ have less access to health care, less income, and more heart diseases than non-Maoris. However, researchers found no differences (6) ____ rates of dementia between Maoris and non-Maoris.

    The haka is a traditional war cry (7) ____ challenge. It is done by a group of people who all chant and repeat the same (8) ____ movements and stamping of the feet. It was originally performed by warriors before a battle. They wanted to show their strength and (9) ____ their enemy. The New Zealand Native football team started using it in 1888. The New Zealand rugby team (the famous All Blacks) then started using (10) ____ before their matches in 1905. It is now a key part of the pre-match preparations for the All Blacks rugby team. The haka is also used to (11) ____ important guests at ceremonies. A Maori professor said that skill, eye co-ordination and the complex dance routines of the haka help to keep the brain (12) ____.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     been     (b)     being     (c)     be     (d)     be in    
    2. (a)     keeping     (b)     keep     (c)     keeps     (d)     kept    
    3. (a)     gotten     (b)     got     (c)     gets     (d)     getting    
    4. (a)     they     (b)     their     (c)     they're     (d)     there    
    5. (a)     general     (b)     generally     (c)     generals     (d)     generalize    
    6. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     in     (d)     to    
    7. (a)     of     (b)     on     (c)     or     (d)     at    
    8. (a)     energy     (b)     energetically     (c)     energetic     (d)     energize    
    9. (a)     frightened     (b)     frightening     (c)     frightens     (d)     frighten    
    10. (a)     from     (b)     all     (c)     them     (d)     it    
    11. (a)     welcome     (b)     hello     (c)     speak     (d)     say    
    12. (a)     health     (b)     healthily     (c)     healthy     (d)     hearty

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The world-aosufm Maori war dance
    2. being luinbgila
    3. speaking two uenasalgg
    4. rates of dementia among iizcetns
    5. Maoris gleeynalr have less access to health care
    6. more heart dassseie

    Paragraph 2

    1. a otlniatiard war cry
    2. It was nyaillgroi performed by warriors
    3. show their tegnshtr
    4. pre-match niapresotrpa
    5. welcome important guests at recensomie
    6. complex dance rntoesui

    Put the text back together

    (    )     a battle. They wanted to show their strength and frighten their enemy. The New Zealand Native football

    (    )     using it before their matches in 1905. It is now a key part of the pre-match preparations for the All Blacks rugby

    (    )     team started using it in 1888. The New Zealand rugby team (the famous All Blacks) then started

    (    )     the same energetic movements and stamping of the feet. It was originally performed by warriors before

    (    )     income, and more heart diseases than non-Maoris. However, researchers found no

    (    )     The haka is a traditional war cry or challenge. It is done by a group of people who all chant and repeat

    (    )     team. The haka is also used to welcome important guests at ceremonies. A Maori professor said that

    (    )     among Maoris. This is because Maoris generally have less access to health care, less

    (  1  )     The world-famous Maori war dance (the haka) and being bilingual may help Maori people keep dementia

    (    )     away. Researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand say performing the haka and speaking two

    (    )     differences in rates of dementia between Maoris and non-Maoris.

    (    )     languages (Maori and English) might help Maoris avoid getting dementia. A study by New Zealand's Ministry of

    (    )     Health compared rates of dementia among citizens in their 80s and 90s. They expected to find higher rates of dementia

    (    )     skill, eye co-ordination and the complex dance routines of the haka help to keep the brain healthy.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. bilingual   keep   may   dementia  help   away   Maori   Being   people   .
    2. two   Performing   haka   speaking   languages   the   and   .
    3. of   Ministry   Zealand's   New   by   study   A   Health   .
    4. in   and   of   citizens   80s   Rates   among   their   90s   dementia   .
    5. of  , no  rates  However  found  in  dementia  researchers  differences  .
    6. group   of   people   who   all   chant   It   is   done   by   a   .
    7. was   before   originally   a   performed   battle   by   It   warriors   .
    8. is   It   preparations   match   -   pre   the   of   part   key   a   now   .
    9. The   to   haka   welcome   is   important   also   guests   used   .
    10. -   dance   ordination   routines   and   Eye   the   co   complex   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The world-famous Maori war dance (the haka) and been / being bilingual may help Maori people keep / keeping dementia away. Researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand says / say performing the haka and speaking two language / languages (Maori and English) might help Maoris avoid getting dementia. A study by New Zealand's Ministry of Health compared rates / ratio of dementia among citizens in / on their 80s and 90s. They expected to find / fund higher rates of dementia among Maoris. This is because Maoris general / generally have less access to health care, less income, and more heart / hearty diseases than non-Maoris. However, researchers found not / no differences in rates of dementia between Maoris and non-Maoris.

    The haka is a traditional / traditionally war cry or challenge. It is done / doing by a group of people who all chat / chant and repeat the same energetic movements and stamping of / for the feet. It was originally performed by warriors before a battle. They wanted to showing / show their strength and frighten their enemy. The New Zealand Native football team started using it in 1888. The New Zealand rugby team (the famous All Blacks) then / that started using it before them / their matches in 1905. It is now a key / lock part of the pre-match preparations for the All Blacks rugby team. The haka is also used to welcome importance / important guests at ceremonies. A Maori professor said that skill / skull, eye co-ordination and the complex dance routines of the haka help to keep the brain healthy.

    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_ w_rld-f_m__s M__r_ w_r d_nc_, th_ h_k_, _nd b__ng b_l_ng__l m_y h_lp M__r_ p__pl_ k__p d_m_nt__ _w_y. R_s__rch_rs fr_m th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f __ckl_nd _n N_w Z__l_nd s_y p_rf_rm_ng th_ h_k_ _nd sp__k_ng tw_ l_ng__g_s (M__r_ _nd _ngl_sh) m_ght h_lp M__r_s _v__d g_tt_ng d_m_nt__. _ st_dy by N_w Z__l_nd's M_n_stry _f H__lth c_mp_r_d r_t_s _f d_m_nt__ _m_ng c_t_z_ns _n th__r 80s _nd 90s. Th_y _xp_ct_d t_ f_nd h_gh_r r_t_s _f d_m_nt__ _m_ng M__r_s. Th_s _s b_c__s_ M__r_s g_n_r_lly h_v_ l_ss _cc_ss t_ h__lth c_r_, l_ss _nc_m_, _nd m_r_ h__rt d_s__s_s th_n n_n-M__r_s. H_w_v_r, r_s__rch_rs f__nd n_ d_ff_r_nc_s _n r_t_s _f d_m_nt__ b_tw__n M__r_s _nd n_n-M__r_s.

    Th_ h_k_ _s _ tr_d_t__n_l w_r cry _r ch_ll_ng_. _t _s d_n_ by _ gr__p _f p__pl_ wh_ _ll ch_nt _nd r_p__t th_ s_m_ _n_rg_t_c m_v_m_nts _nd st_mp_ng _f th_ f__t. _t w_s _r_g_n_lly p_rf_rm_d by w_rr__rs b_f_r_ _ b_ttl_. Th_y w_nt_d t_ sh_w th__r str_ngth _nd fr_ght_n th__r _n_my. Th_ N_w Z__l_nd N_t_v_ f__tb_ll t__m st_rt_d _s_ng _t _n 1888. Th_ N_w Z__l_nd r_gby t__m (th_ f_m__s _ll Bl_cks) th_n st_rt_d _s_ng _t b_f_r_ th__r m_tch_s _n 1905. _t _s n_w _ k_y p_rt _f th_ pr_-m_tch pr_p_r_t__ns f_r th_ _ll Bl_cks r_gby t__m. Th_ h_k_ _s _ls_ _s_d t_ w_lc_m_ _mp_rt_nt g__sts _t c_r_m_n__s. _ M__r_ pr_f_ss_r s__d th_t sk_ll, _y_ c_-_rd_n_t__n _nd th_ c_mpl_x d_nc_ r__t_n_s _f th_ h_k_ h_lp t_ k__p th_ br__n h__lthy.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the world-famous maori war dance the haka and being bilingual may help maori people keep dementia away researchers from the university of auckland in new zealand say performing the haka and speaking two languages (maori and english) might help maoris avoid getting dementia a study by new zealand's ministry of health compared rates of dementia among citizens in their 80s and 90s they expected to find higher rates of dementia among maoris this is because maoris generally have less access to health care less income and more heart diseases than non-maoris however researchers found no differences in rates of dementia between maoris and non-maoris

    the haka is a traditional war cry or challenge it is done by a group of people who all chant and repeat the same energetic movements and stamping of the feet it was originally performed by warriors before a battle they wanted to show their strength and frighten their enemy the new zealand native football team started using it in 1888 the new zealand rugby team (the famous all blacks) then started using it before their matches in 1905 it is now a key part of the pre-match preparations for the all blacks rugby team the haka is also used to welcome important guests at ceremonies a maori professor said that skill eye co-ordination and the complex dance routines of the haka help to keep the brain healthy

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Theworld-famousMaoriwardance,thehaka,andbeingbilingualmayhe
    lpMaoripeoplekeepdementiaaway.ResearchersfromtheUniversityof
    AucklandinNewZealandsayperformingthehakaandspeakingtwolang
    uages(MaoriandEnglish)mighthelpMaorisavoidgettingdementia.Ast
    udybyNewZealand'sMinistryofHealthcomparedratesofdementiaam
    ongcitizensintheir80sand90s.Theyexpectedtofindhigherratesofdem
    entiaamongMaoris.ThisisbecauseMaorisgenerallyhavelessaccessto
    healthcare,lessincome,andmoreheartdiseasesthannon-Maoris.How
    ever,researchersfoundnodifferencesinratesofdementiabetweenMao
    risandnon-Maoris.Thehakaisatraditionalwarcryorchallenge.Itisdon
    ebyagroupofpeoplewhoallchantandrepeatthesameenergeticmovem
    entsandstampingofthefeet.Itwasoriginallyperformedbywarriorsbef
    oreabattle.Theywantedtoshowtheirstrengthandfrightentheirenemy
    .TheNewZealandNativefootballteamstartedusingitin1888.TheNewZ
    ealandrugbyteam(thefamousAllBlacks)thenstartedusingitbeforethe
    irmatchesin1905.Itisnowakeypartofthepre-matchpreparationsfort
    heAllBlacksrugbyteam.Thehakaisalsousedtowelcomeimportantgue
    stsatceremonies.AMaoriprofessorsaidthatskill,eyeco-ordinationa
    ndthecomplexdanceroutinesofthehakahelptokeepthebrainhealthy.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    People should go back to school when they are in their 60s to jeep their brain active. 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 dementia. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. BILINGUAL: Write a magazine article about everyone having to be bilingual. 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 being bilingual. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make everyone in the world bilingual. 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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