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'Mansize' tissues renamed for being sexist (20th October, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Tissues - Level 3

One of the world's biggest makers of tissues is changing the name of one of its products. The company called Kimberly-Clark is putting an end to its Kleenex "Mansize" brand of tissues. This comes after many people complained to the company that the name "Mansize" was sexist. That name has been on the boxes of Kleenex tissues for over 60 years. Kleenex "For Men" tissues were first launched in 1956. They were advertised as an alternative to cotton handkerchiefs. Adverts said the tissues "stayed strong when wet". The company said that from now, the tissues will be renamed "Extra Large". Many companies around the world are looking at the name of their products to make sure they are not gender stereotyping.

Kimberly-Clark said it was changing the name of its tissues because its consumer service department had many complaints about the Mansize name. It said: "Kimberly-Clark in no way suggests that being both soft and strong is...exclusively masculine....Nor do we believe that the Mansize branding suggests or endorses gender inequality." It added: "We remain committed to developing the best possible products for our consumers and we take any feedback extremely seriously." The name change has started an online debate on brand names, company names and sexism. A radio presenter suggested it was time to rename the store Mothercare as many fathers also look after babies.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Tissues - Level 0, Tissues - Level 1 or Tissues - Level 2

Sources

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/kleenex-ditches-mansize-tissues-after-complaints-of-sexism-a3965146.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-45899784
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6288461/Kleenex-renames-Mansize-tissues-brand-extra-large-sexism-complaints.html

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. TISSUES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about tissues. 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?
tissues / products / brand / complained / sexism / alternative / cotton / handkerchiefs
consumer / soft / strong / masculine / feedback / online debate / radio presenter
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. GENDER NEUTRAL: Students A strongly believe all products should be gender neutral; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ALTERNATIVES: What are alternatives to these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Alternative	Would you choose this?
Tissues
The Internet
Music
Television
English
Using electricity

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. BRAND: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "brand". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SEXIST PRODUCTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most sexist products at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

(See https://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/pointlessly-gendered-products)

Girls' kitchen toy
Women's toolset
Men's tea
Beer for women
Mansize tissues
Dolls for girls
Women's deodorant
Men's socks

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	products	a.	Being unfair towards women; not treating women equally.
2.	putting an end to	b.	Started a new business, website, campaign, etc.
3.	complained	c.	Things that are made, created or grown and then sold.
4.	sexist	d.	A widely-held and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
5.	launched	e.	Finish something; cause something to stop existing or working.
6.	alternative	f.	Said or wrote you are unhappy with something or someone.
7.	stereotyping	g.	One (or more things) you can choose as another (or a different) choice or possibility.

Paragraph 2

8.	consumer	h.	A formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting, on social media, in schools, etc. in which opposing arguments are put forward.
9.	exclusively	i.	A person who buys goods and services for personal use.
10.	masculine	j.	Only for that purpose or reason.
11.	gender	k.	Unfairness because of differences in skin colour, sex, religion, weight, etc.
12.	inequality	l.	One of the two sexes (male, female...).
13.	feedback	m.	Manly; anything about men.
14.	debate	n.	Information about feelings towards a product, a person's performance of a task, etc. which is used to make things better.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

The name of the company that makes the Mansize tissues is Kleenex. T / F
Mansize tissues first went on sale in the 1950s. T / F
Advertisements said the tissues were "wet when strong". T / F
The "Mansize" tissues have been renamed "Peoplesize". T / F
The company had many complaints abut the product being sexist. T / F
The company said the Mansize tissues were very masculine. T / F
The company said it is serious about listening to feedback. T / F
A radio presenter wants the store Mothercare to be renamed. T / F

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

makers
putting an end to
complained
alternative
products
consumer
exclusively
endorses
exclusively
look after

goods
substitute
solely
protested
supports
care for
manufacturers
very
customer
finishing

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

One of the world's biggest
putting an end to its Kleenex "Mansize"
tissues were first
They were advertised as an alternative
gender
consumer service
both soft and strong is exclusively
gender
we take any feedback extremely
brand

inequality
department
stereotyping
masculine
launched in 1956
brand of tissues
seriously
makers of tissues
names
to cotton handkerchiefs

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

cotton
complained
gender
makers
launched
products
wet
boxes

One of the world's biggest (1) ____________ of tissues is changing the name of one of its (2) ____________. The company called Kimberly-Clark is putting an end to its Kleenex "Mansize" brand of tissues. This comes after many people (3) ____________ to the company that the name "Mansize" was sexist. That name has been on the (4) ____________ of Kleenex tissues for over 60 years. Kleenex "For Men" tissues were first (5) ____________ in 1956. They were advertised as an alternative to (6) ____________ handkerchiefs. Adverts said the tissues "stayed strong when (7) ____________ ". The company said that from now, the tissues will be renamed "Extra Large". Many companies around the world are looking at the name of their products to make sure they are not (8) ____________ stereotyping.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

both
gender
sexism
consumer
debate
look
masculine
feedback

Kimberly-Clark said it was changing the name of its tissues because its (9) ____________ service department had many complaints about the Mansize name. It said: "Kimberly-Clark in no way suggests that being (10) ____________ soft and strong is...exclusively (11) ____________....Nor do we believe that the Mansize branding suggests or endorses (12) ____________ inequality." It added: "We remain committed to developing the best possible products for our consumers and we take any (13) ____________ extremely seriously." The name change has started an online (14) ____________ on brand names, company names and (15) ____________. A radio presenter suggested it was time to rename the store Mothercare as many fathers also (16) ____________ after babies.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) many people complained to the company that the name "Mansize" ______
     a. was sexier
     b. was sexy
     c. was sexist
     d. was sex is
2) Kleenex "For Men" tissues were first ______ 1956
     a. launched in
     b. launched on
     c. launched an
     d. launched un
3) They were advertised as an ______ cotton handkerchiefs
     a. alternator to
     b. alter native to
     c. altar native to
     d. alternative to
4) The company said that from now, the tissues ______ "Extra Large"
     a. will been renamed
     b. will being renamed
     c. will beer named
     d. will be renamed
5) the name of their products to make sure they are ______ stereotyping
     a. not gentler
     b. not gander
     c. not genders
     d. not gender

6) Kimberly-Clark in no way suggests that being both soft and strong is...______
     a. exclusively masculinity
     b. exclusive masculine
     c. exclusively masculine
     d. exclusive masculinity
7) Nor do we believe that the Mansize branding suggests or endorses ______
     a. engender inequality
     b. gender inequality
     c. gender on equality
     d. gentler in the quality
8) possible products for our consumers and we take any feedback ______
     a. extremely seriously
     b. extreme serious
     c. extremely serious
     d. extreme seriously
9) The name change has started an online debate on brand names, company ______
     a. name and sexism
     b. name sand sexist
     c. names and sexism
     d. name sand sexism
10) it was time to rename the store Mothercare as many fathers also ______
     a. book after babies
     b. took after babies
     c. look after babies
     d. hook after babies

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

One of the world's biggest (1) ___________________ is changing the name of one (2) ___________________. The company called Kimberly-Clark is putting an end to its Kleenex "Mansize" brand of tissues. This (3) ___________________ people complained to the company that the name "Mansize" was sexist. That name has been on the boxes of Kleenex tissues for over 60 years. Kleenex "For Men" tissues were (4) ___________________ ==1956. They were advertised (5) ___________________ to cotton handkerchiefs. Adverts said the tissues "stayed strong when wet". The company said that from now, the tissues will be renamed "Extra Large". Many companies around the world are looking at the name of their products to make sure they (6) ___________________ stereotyping.

Kimberly-Clark said it was changing the name of its tissues because (7) ___________________ department had many complaints about the Mansize name. It said: "Kimberly-Clark (8) ___________________ suggests that being both soft and strong is...exclusively masculine.... (9) ___________________ believe that the Mansize branding suggests or endorses gender inequality." It added: "We remain committed to developing the best possible products (10) ___________________ consumers and we take any feedback extremely seriously." The name change has started (11) ___________________ on brand names, company names and sexism. A radio presenter suggested it was time to rename the store Mothercare as many fathers (12) ___________________ babies.

Comprehension questions

What is the name of the company that makes Kleenex tissues?
When were Mansize tissues first introduced?
What were the tissues seen as an alternative for?
What is the new name of the Mansize tissues?
What are companies making sure they are not doing with their products?
What did the company say being soft and strong was not exclusively?
What does the company remain committed to?
What does the company take seriously?
Where did a debate happen?
Who suggested the store Mothercare should change its name?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the company that makes Kleenex tissues?
a) Kellogg's
b) Kimberly-Clark
c) Kraft
d) Kodak
2) When were Mansize tissues first introduced?
a) 1928
b) 1982
c) 1965
d) 1956
3) What were the tissues seen as an alternative for?
a) cotton handkerchiefs
b) toilet paper
c) paper bags
d) towels
4) What is the new name of the Mansize tissues?
a) Personsize
b) Size
c) Extra Large
d) Nose-Size
5) What are companies making sure they are not doing with their products?
a) being gender neutral
b) gender stereotyping
c) losing money on them
d) putting Mansize on them

6) What did the company say being soft and strong was not exclusively?
a) masculine
b) feminine
c) gender neutral
d) tissue
7) What does the company remain committed to?
a) feedback
b) large tissues
c) developing the best products
d) brand names
8) What does the company take seriously?
a) feedback
b) tissues
c) brand names
d) inequality
9) Where did a debate happen?
a) online
b) on TV
c) in the newspapers
d) on a radio station
10) Who suggested the store Mothercare should change its name?
a) brand names
b) Mothercare's CEO
c) a tissue user
d) a radio presenter

Role play

Role A – Mansize Tissues
You think Mansize tissues are the most sexist products. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their products aren't really sexist. Also, tell the others which is the least sexist of these (and why): women's deodorant, men's socks or dolls for girls.

Role B – Women's Deodorant
You think women's deodorant is the most sexist product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their products aren't really sexist. Also, tell the others which is the least sexist of these (and why): Mansize tissues, men's socks or dolls for girls.

Role C – Men's Socks
You think men's socks are the most sexist products. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their products aren't really sexist. Also, tell the others which is the least sexist of these (and why): women's deodorant, Mansize tissues or dolls for girls.

Role D – Dolls for Girls
You think dolls for girls are the most sexist products. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their products aren't really sexist. Also, tell the others which is the least sexist of these (and why): women's deodorant, men's socks or Mansize tissues.

After reading / listening

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

'man'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'size'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

service

suggests

nor

remain

online

fathers

makers

end

60

1956

wet

sure

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 - 'Mansize' tissues renamed for being sexist

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'man'?
What do you think of tissues?
What do you use tissues for?
What do you think of tissues being called "Mansize"?
Is the name "Mansize" sexist?
Should all products have gender-neutral names?
Which are better, tissues or handkerchiefs?
Is it important for tissues to "stay strong when wet"?
Is "Extra Large" a better name for the tissues?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'tissue'?
What do you think about what you read?
Why were the tissues called "Mansize" and not "Womansize"?
Have you ever complained about a product?
Do you think companies listen to feedback?
What could we use instead of tissues?
How bad are tissues for the environment?
Should the store Mothercare change its name to Parentcare?
What questions would you like to ask the company CEO?

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)

One of the world's biggest (1) ____ of tissues is changing the name of one of its products. The company called Kimberly-Clark is putting an (2) ____ to its Kleenex "Mansize" brand of tissues. This comes after many people complained (3) ____ the company that the name "Mansize" was sexist. That name has been on the boxes of Kleenex tissues for over 60 years. Kleenex "For Men" tissues were first (4) ____ in 1956. They were advertised as an alternative to cotton handkerchiefs. Adverts said the tissues "stayed strong when (5) ____". The company said that from now, the tissues will be renamed "Extra Large". Many companies around the world are looking at the name of their products to make sure they are not (6) ____ stereotyping.

Kimberly-Clark said it was changing the name of its tissues because its consumer service department had many (7) ____ about the Mansize name. It said: "Kimberly-Clark in no way suggests that being both soft and strong is...exclusively (8) ____....Nor do we believe that the Mansize branding suggests or endorses gender inequality." It added: "We (9) ____ committed to developing the best possible products for our consumers and we take any feedback (10) ____ seriously." The name change has started an online (11) ____ on brand names, company names and sexism. A radio presenter suggested it was time to rename the store Mothercare as many fathers also (12) ____ after babies.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) makers (b) markers (c) marks (d) markets
(a) finish (b) stop (c) end (d) event
(a) at (b) on (c) to (d) by
(a) softened (b) ripped (c) ignited (d) launched
(a) wet (b) what (c) wit (d) with
(a) gander (b) gender (c) ginger (d) agenda
(a) complaining (b) complain (c) complains (d) complaints
(a) man (b) masculine (c) macho (d) masculinity
(a) be (b) have (c) remain (d) still
(a) extremity (b) extreme (c) extremes (d) extremely
(a) consider (b) words (c) discuss (d) debate
(a) after (b) look (c) see (d) gaze

Spelling

Paragraph 1

the name of one of its sourcpdt
many people iemdpconal to the company
the name "Mansize" was ssxiet
tissues were first cheluand in 1956
an tatnelvirea to cotton handkerchiefs
they are not rdnege stereotyping

Paragraph 2

its eocmursn service department
exclusively aisulncem
We irmaen committed
we take any keedafcb
reetlxmye seriously
an online etebad

Put the text back together

(...) Kimberly-Clark is putting an end to its Kleenex "Mansize" brand of tissues. This comes after many
(...) strong is...exclusively masculine....Nor do we believe that the Mansize branding suggests or endorses gender
(...) Kimberly-Clark said it was changing the name of its tissues because its consumer service department had many
(...) the boxes of Kleenex tissues for over 60 years. Kleenex "For Men" tissues were first launched in
(...) 1956. They were advertised as an alternative to cotton handkerchiefs. Adverts said the tissues "stayed strong
( 1 ) One of the world's biggest makers of tissues is changing the name of one of its products. The company called
(...) people complained to the company that the name "Mansize" was sexist. That name has been on
(...) world are looking at the name of their products to make sure they are not gender stereotyping.
(...) time to rename the store Mothercare as many fathers also look after babies.
(...) inequality." It added: "We remain committed to developing the best possible products for our consumers and we take any
(...) when wet". The company said that from now, the tissues will be renamed "Extra Large". Many companies around the
(...) on brand names, company names and sexism. A radio presenter suggested it was
(...) complaints about the Mansize name. It said: "Kimberly-Clark in no way suggests that being both soft and
(...) feedback extremely seriously." The name change has started an online debate

Put the words in the right order

of biggest world's tissues . of the One makers
name tissues . on Kleenex the been That has
an handkerchiefs . as Advertised cotton to alternative
at Looking their of name products . the
stereotyping . make sure they not To gender are
had many service department Its complaints . consumer
for the possible products our best consumers . Developing
seriously . take We feedback customer any extremely
name debate . has an started change The online
the Suggested store . time was to rename it

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

One of the world's biggest makers / markers of tissues is changing the name of one of its products / produce. The company called Kimberly-Clark is putting an ends / end to its Kleenex "Mansize" brand / bland of tissues. This comes after many people complained of / to the company that the name "Mansize" was sexist. That name has been in / on the boxes of Kleenex tissues for over 60 years. Kleenex "For Men" tissues were first launched in 1956. They were advertised as / has an alternative to cotton handkerchiefs. Adverts said the tissues "stayed strong when wet". The company said that from know / now, the tissues will be renamed "Extra Large". Many companies around the worldly / world are looking at the name of their products to make sure they are not gender / gander stereotyping.

Kimberly-Clark said it was charging / changing the name of its tissues because its consumer service / serviced department had many compliance / complaints about the Mansize name. It said: "Kimberly-Clark in no way suggests that being both soft and strong is...exclusive / exclusively masculine....Nor do we belief / believe that the Mansize branding suggests or endorses gender inequality." It added: "We still / remain committed to developing the best possible products for our consumers and we fake / take any feedback extremely seriously." The name change / charge has started an online debate in / on brand names, company names and sexism. A radio presenter suggested it was time to rename the store Mothercare as many fathers also take / look after babies.

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)

O n_ _f t h_ w_r l d ' s b_g g_s t m_k_r s _f t_s s__ s _s c h_n g_n g t h_ n_m_ _f _n_ _f _t s p r_d_c t s . T h_ c_m p_n y c_l l_d K_m b_r l y - C l_r k _s p_t t_n g _n _n d t_ _t s K l__ n_x " M_n s_z_" b r_n d _f t_s s__ s . T h_s c_m_s _f t_r m_n y p__ p l_ c_m p l__ n_d t_ t h_ c_m p_n y t h_t t h_ n_m_ " M_n s_z_" w_s s_x_s t . T h_t n_m_ h_s b__ n _n t h_ b_x_s _f K l__ n_x t_s s__ s f_r _v_r 6 0 y__ r s . K l__ n_x " F_r M_n " t_s s__ s w_r_ f_r s t l__ n c h_d _n 1 9 5 6 . T h_y w_r_ _d v_r t_s_d _s _n _l t_r n_t_v_ t_ c_t t_n h_n d k_r c h__ f s . A d v_r t s s__ d t h_ t_s s__ s " s t_y_d s t r_n g w h_n w_t " . T h_ c_m p_n y s__ d t h_t f r_m n_w , t h_ t_s s__ s w_l l b_ r_n_m_d " E x t r_ L_r g_" . M_n y c_m p_n__ s _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d _r_ l__ k_n g _t t h_ n_m_ _f t h__ r p r_d_c t s t_ m_k_ s_r_ t h_y _r_ n_t g_n d_r s t_r__ t y p_n g .

K_m b_r l y - C l_r k s__ d _t w_s c h_n g_n g t h_ n_m_ _f _t s t_s s__ s b_c__ s_ _t s c_n s_m_r s_r v_c_ d_p_r t m_n t h_d m_n y c_m p l__ n t s _b__ t t h_ M_n s_z_ n_m_. I t s__ d : " K_m b_r l y - C l_r k _n n_ w_y s_g g_s t s t h_t b__ n g b_t h s_f t _n d s t r_n g _s . . ._x c l_s_v_l y m_s c_l_n_. . . . N_r d_ w_ b_l__ v_ t h_t t h_ M_n s_z_ b r_n d_n g s_g g_s t s _r _n d_r s_s g_n d_r _n_q__ l_t y . " I t _d d_d : " W_ r_m__ n c_m m_t t_d t_ d_v_l_p_n g t h_ b_s t p_s s_b l_ p r_d_c t s f_r __ r c_n s_m_r s _n d w_ t_k_ _n y f__ d b_c k _x t r_m_l y s_r___s l y . " T h_ n_m_ c h_n g_ h_s s t_r t_d _n _n l_n_ d_b_t_ _n b r_n d n_m_s , c_m p_n y n_m_s _n d s_x_s m . A r_d__ p r_s_n t_r s_g g_s t_d _t w_s t_m_ t_ r_n_m_ t h_ s t_r_ M_t h_r c_r_ _s m_n y f_t h_r s _l s_ l__ k _f t_r b_b__ s .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

one of the worlds biggest makers of tissues is changing the name of one of its products the company called kimberlyclark is putting an end to its kleenex mansize brand of tissues this comes after many people complained to the company that the name mansize was sexist that name has been on the boxes of kleenex tissues for over 60 years kleenex for men tissues were first launched in 1956 they were advertised as an alternative to cotton handkerchiefs adverts said the tissues stayed strong when wet the company said that from now the tissues will be renamed extra large many companies around the world are looking at the name of their products to make sure they are not gender stereotyping

kimberlyclark said it was changing the name of its tissues because its consumer service department had many complaints about the mansize name it said kimberlyclark in no way suggests that being both soft and strong isexclusively masculinenor do we believe that the mansize branding suggests or endorses gender inequality it added we remain committed to developing the best possible products for our consumers and we take any feedback extremely seriously the name change has started an online debate on brand names company names and sexism a radio presenter suggested it was time to rename the store mothercare as many fathers also look after babies.

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Oneoftheworld'sbiggestmakersoftissuesischangingthenameofoneo
fitsproducts.ThecompanycalledKimberly-Clarkisputtinganendtoit
sKleenex"Mansize"brandoftissues.Thiscomesaftermanypeoplecom
plainedtothecompanythatthename"Mansize"wassexist.Thatnameh
asbeenontheboxesofKleenextissuesforover60years.Kleenex"ForMe
n"tissueswerefirstlaunchedin1956.Theywereadvertisedasanalterna
tivetocottonhandkerchiefs.Advertssaidthetissues"stayedstrongwhe
nwet".Thecompanysaidthatfromnow,thetissueswillberenamed"Extr
aLarge".Manycompaniesaroundtheworldarelookingatthenameofthe
irproductstomakesuretheyarenotgenderstereotyping.Kimberly-Cla
rksaiditwaschangingthenameofitstissuesbecauseitsconsumerservic
edepartmenthadmanycomplaintsabouttheMansizename.Itsaid:"Ki
mberly-Clarkinnowaysuggeststhatbeingbothsoftandstrongis...excl
usivelymasculine....NordowebelievethattheMansizebrandingsugge
stsorendorsesgenderinequality."Itadded:"Weremaincommittedtod
evelopingthebestpossibleproductsforourconsumersandwetakeanyf
eedbackextremelyseriously."Thenamechangehasstartedanonlined
ebateonbrandnames,companynamesandsexism.Aradiopresentersu
ggesteditwastimetorenamethestoreMothercareasmanyfathersalsol
ookafterbabies.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

All product names should be totally gender neutral. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. TISSUES: Make a poster about tissues. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. GENDER NEUTRAL: Write a magazine article about all products having gender-neutral names. 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 tissues. Ask him/her three questions about tissues. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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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