The Reading / Listening - Older Fathers - Level 6

A study from Stanford University in the USA reports that babies of older fathers may be more likely to have health problems. Scientists studied data on 40,529,905 births in the USA between 2007 and 2016 to ascertain whether a father's age adversely affects his child's health. Researchers discovered that compared to babies born to fathers in the 25-to-34 age bracket, babies born to fathers over the age of 45 were at greater risk of being born with health problems. These included being born prematurely, having a low birth wieight or being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The researchers added that babies born to older fathers were generally not as healthy as those conceived by younger fathers.

One scientist said a lot more detailed research was needed to prove that older fathers conceive less-healthy babies. Dr Michael Eisenberg from the Stanford University School of Medicine said: "I think it's important to understand that the risks we are seeing are modest. So for an individual, the risk may not change much." He added that his team's data could show a trend that health departments in governments might want to be aware of. He said: "At a population level, there may be public health implications of men...waiting longer to conceive." Dr Eisenberg concluded that: "While the oldest father ever is 96, this research suggests that the risk to child and mother may increase if fathers conceive later."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Older Fathers - Level 4  or  Older Fathers - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.newsweek.com/older-dads-more-likely-have-babies-health-problems-1195289
  • http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/10/older-fathers-associated-with-increased-birth-risks.html
  • https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/31/babies-born-to-older-fathers-tend-to-have-more-medical-issues


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. OLDER FATHERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about older fathers. 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?
       study / university / babies / fathers / health problems / age / risk / weight / born /
       scientist / important / modest / individual / aware / conceive / change / government
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. AGE LIMIT: Students A strongly believe there should be an age limit on parenthood; Students B strongly believe there shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FATHERS: What is the perfect father? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Perfect

Why?

Age

 

 

Discipline

 

 

Teacher

 

 

Playmate

 

 

Friend

 

 

Role Model

 

 
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. HEALTH: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "health". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BABIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about babies at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • first words
  • dinner time
  • first steps
  • toys
  • smile
  • bath time
  • clothes
  • hands

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. likely a. Find something out for certain; make sure of something.
      2. ascertain b. Before the due time; ahead of time.
      3. adversely c. A range of ages people decide on to use in research or for comparisons.
      4. age bracket d. In a way that prevents success or development; harmfully or unfavorably.
      5. prematurely e. Such as well might happen or be true; probable.
      6. admitted f. Anything about newborn children.
      7. neonatal g. Received a patient into a hospital for treatment.

    Paragraph 2

      8. prove h. A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
      9. conceive i. Show the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument.
      10. modest j. About, of or for just one person.
      11. data k. The conclusion that can be drawn from something.
      12. individual l. Of an amount, rate, or level relatively limited, or small.
      13. trend m. Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.
      14. implications n. Become pregnant with a child; father a child.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A report on the health of babies was made by Yale University.     T / F
  2. Scientists studied data on over 40 million births.     T / F
  3. The article says babies born to fathers aged over 55 were unhealthy.     T / F
  4. Babies born to older fathers are generally heavier at birth.     T / F
  5. A scientist said there was a lot of research to prove the research.     T / F
  6. A doctor said the risks are not so big.     T / F
  7. The doctor said governments needed to know about the research.     T / F
  8. The oldest ever father to have conceived a child is 96.     T / F

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

  1. study
  2. likely
  3. ascertain
  4. bracket
  5. generally
  6. prove
  7. modest
  8. data
  9. implications
  10. risk
  1. small
  2. group
  3. as a rule
  4. consequences
  5. probable
  6. chance
  7. paper
  8. show beyond doubt
  9. facts and figures
  10. find out

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

  1. older fathers may be more likely to
  2. a father's age adversely
  3. fathers in the 25-to-34
  4. being admitted to a neonatal
  5. babies born to older fathers were
  6. a lot more detailed research
  7. his team's data could show a
  8. governments might want to be
  9. public health
  10. the risk to child and mother
  1. implications
  2. intensive care
  3. was needed
  4. aware of
  5. have health problems
  6. may increase
  7. age bracket
  8. generally not as healthy
  9. trend
  10. affects his child's health

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
greater
compared
care
likely
conceived
bracket
ascertain
prematurely

A study from Stanford University in the USA reports that babies of older fathers may be more (1) ____________ to have health problems. Scientists studied data on 40,529,905 births in the USA between 2007 and 2016 to (2) ____________ whether a father's age adversely affects his child's health. Researchers discovered that (3) ____________ to babies born to fathers in the 25-to-34 age (4) ____________, babies born to fathers over the age of 45 were at (5) ____________ risk of being born with health problems. These included being born (6) ____________, having a low birth weight or being admitted to a neonatal intensive (7) ____________ unit. The researchers added that babies born to older fathers were generally not as healthy as those (8) ____________ by younger fathers.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
implications
detailed
data
concluded
prove
later
modest
aware

One scientist said a lot more (9) ____________ research was needed to (10) ____________ that older fathers conceive less-healthy babies. Dr Michael Eisenberg from the Stanford University School of Medicine said: "I think it's important to understand that the risks we are seeing are (11) ____________. So for an individual, the risk may not change much." He added that his team's (12) ____________ could show a trend that health departments in governments might want to be (13) ____________ of. He said: "At a population level, there may be public health (14) ____________ of men...waiting longer to conceive." Dr Eisenberg (15) ____________ that: "While the oldest father ever is 96, this research suggests that the risk to child and mother may increase if fathers conceive (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  babies of older fathers may be more likely to have ______
     a.  health problem
     b.  healthy problems
     c.  healthy problem
     d.  health problems
2)  ascertain whether a father's age ______ his child's health
     a.  adverse sly affects
     b.  adversely effects
     c.  reverse the affects
     d.  adversely affects
3)  Researchers discovered that compared to babies born to fathers in the 25-to-34 ______
     a.  rage bracket
     b.  sage bracket
     c.  age bracket
     d.  cage bracket
4)  These included being ______
     a.  bourn prematurely
     b.  burn prematurely
     c.  born prematurely
     d.  barn prematurely
5)  having a low birth weight or being admitted to a neonatal ______ unit
     a.  intensive scared
     b.  intensive care
     c.  intensive cares
     d.  intensive scare

6)  One scientist said a lot more detailed research was needed ______
     a.  to prove that
     b.  to proof that
     c.  to proves that
     d.  to proved that
7)  I think it's important to understand that the risks we are ______
     a.  seeing are modest
     b.  seeing are modestly
     c.  seen are modest
     d.  seen are modestly
8) data could show a trend that health departments in governments might want to ______
     a.  be a where of
     b.  be a wire of
     c.  be beware of
     d.  be aware of
9)  At a population level, there may be public health ______
     a.  implications off men
     b.  implications of man
     c.  implications of men
     d.  complications of man
10) research suggests that the risk to child and mother may increase if fathers ______
     a.  sieve lately
     b.  conceive later
     c.  receive later
     d.  deceive later

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A study from Stanford University in the USA (1) ___________________ of older fathers may be more (2) ___________________ health problems. Scientists studied data on 40,529,905 births in the USA between 2007 and 2016 (3) ___________________ a father's age adversely affects his child's health. Researchers discovered that compared to babies born to fathers in the 25-to-34 (4) ___________________ born to fathers over the age of 45 were at greater risk of being born with health problems. These included (5) ___________________, having a low birth weight or being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The researchers added that babies born to older fathers were generally not as healthy (6) ___________________ by younger fathers.

One scientist said a lot more detailed research was (7) ___________________ that older fathers conceive less-healthy babies. Dr Michael Eisenberg from the Stanford University School of Medicine said: "I think it's important to understand (8) ___________________ we are (9) ___________________. So for an individual, the risk may not change much." He added that his team's data could (10) ___________________ that health departments in governments might want to (11) ___________________. He said: "At a population level, there may be public health implications of men...waiting longer to conceive." Dr Eisenberg concluded that: "While the oldest father ever is 96, (12) ___________________ that the risk to child and mother may increase if fathers conceive later."

Comprehension questions

  1. What university conducted this research?
  2. How many millions of people's data did scientists look at?
  3. What age bracket did researchers compare over-45-year-old fathers to?
  4. What might be low in babies born to older fathers?
  5. What kind of care units might babies born to older fathers stay in?
  6. What did a scientist say was needed to prove this research?
  7. For whom might the risks not change much?
  8. Who did a doctor say should be aware of this research?
  9. How old is the oldest ever father to have fathered a child?
  10. Who might be at risk (besides babies) if fathers conceive later?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What university conducted this research?
a) Yale University
b) Oxford University
c) Stanford University
d) Tokyo University
2) How many millions of people's data did scientists look at?
a) 40
b) 400
c) 14
d) 44
3) What age bracket did researchers compare over-45-year-old fathers to?
a) 25 to 34
b) 25 to 40
c) 35 to 40
d) 20 to 45
4) What might be low in babies born to older fathers?
a) blood pressure
b) birth weight
c) heart rate
d) red blood cell count
5) What kind of care units might babies born to older fathers stay in?
a) day care units
b) health care units
c) prenatal unit
d) intensive care unit

6) What did a scientist say was needed to prove this study?
a) more hospitals
b) detailed research
c) money
d) more people
7) For whom might the risks not change much?
a) individuals
b) babies
c) hospitals
d) doctors
8) Who did a doctor say should be aware of this research?
a) women
b) old men
c) governments
d) doctors
9) How old is the oldest ever father?
a) 99
b) 86
c) 106
d) 96
10) Who might be at risk (besides babies) if fathers conceive later?
a) mothers
b) teenagers
c) doctors
d) scientists

Role play

Role  A – Smiles
You think smiles are the best things about babies. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least cute of these (and why): bath time, toys or first words.

Role  B – Bath Time
You think bath time is the best thing about babies. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least cute of these (and why): smiles, toys or first words.

Role  C – Toys
You think toys are the best things about babies. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least cute of these (and why): bath time, smiles or first words.

Role  D – First Words
You think first words are the best things about babies. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least cute of these (and why): bath time, toys or smiles.

After reading / listening

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

'older'

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

    • and 'father'.

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

    • • 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:

    • prove
    • understand
    • change
    • trend
    • level
    • 96
    • study
    • births
    • adversely
    • bracket
    • 45
    • generally

    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 - Babies of older fathers may be less healthy

    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 'fathers'?
    3. What do you think of older fathers?
    4. Would you be an older parent?
    5. What are the advantages of having an older father?
    6. What are the advantages of being an older father
    7. Should there be an age limit on men and women becoming parents?
    8. What kind of parent would you be?
    9. Should governments educate people about this research?
    10. Do people need to think more carefully about having children?

    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 'babies'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What are the risks of parenthood?
    5. What are the disadvantages of having an older father?
    6. What are the disadvantages of being an older father?
    7. What are the joys of parenthood?
    8. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    9. What do you think of a 96-year-old becoming a father?
    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)

    A study from Stanford University in the USA reports that babies of older fathers may be more (1) ____ to have health problems. Scientists studied data on 40,529,905 births in the USA between 2007 and 2016 to (2) ____ whether a father's age (3) ____ affects his child's health. Researchers discovered that compared to babies born to fathers in the 25-to-34 age (4) ____, babies born to fathers over the age of 45 were at greater risk of being born with health problems. These included being born prematurely, having a low birth rate or being (5) ____ to a neonatal intensive care unit. The researchers added that babies born to older fathers were (6) ____ not as healthy as those conceived by younger fathers.

    One scientist said a lot more detailed research was needed to (7) ____ that older fathers conceive less-healthy babies. Dr Michael Eisenberg from the Stanford University School of Medicine said: "I think it's important (8) ____ understand that the risks we are seeing are modest. So for an (9) ____, the risk may not change much." He added that his team's data could show a (10) ____ that health departments in governments might want to be (11) ____ of. He said: "At a population level, there may be public health implications of men...waiting longer to conceive." Dr Eisenberg concluded that: "While the oldest father ever is 96, this research (12) ____ that the risk to child and mother may increase if fathers conceive later."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     likes     (b)     liked     (c)     likely     (d)     likelihood    
    2. (a)     ascertain     (b)     retain     (c)     entertain     (d)     contain    
    3. (a)     advising     (b)     adversely     (c)     adverts     (d)     adverse    
    4. (a)     hinge     (b)     support     (c)     holder     (d)     bracket    
    5. (a)     confessed     (b)     submitted     (c)     admitted     (d)     recorded    
    6. (a)     general     (b)     generally     (c)     generalize     (d)     generality    
    7. (a)     prove     (b)     proof     (c)     proving     (d)     provide    
    8. (a)     that     (b)     by     (c)     for     (d)     to    
    9. (a)     answer     (b)     omen     (c)     individual     (d)     angle    
    10. (a)     attend     (b)     tend     (c)     portend     (d)     trend    
    11. (a)     familiar     (b)     aware     (c)     realize     (d)     knowledge    
    12. (a)     suggests     (b)     digests     (c)     ingests     (d)     congests

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. to taesarcni whether a father's age...
    2. veaersdly affects his child's health
    3. the 25-to-34 age ertabck
    4. being born yelarumptre
    5. admitted to a neonatal sieentvni care unit
    6. those cneeoivcd by younger fathers

    Paragraph 2

    1. a lot more dteildae research
    2. the risks we are seeing are mteosd
    3. for an aliidduvni
    4. health rnteatsdepm in governments
    5. health tiimcpaniols
    6. Dr Eisenberg nccdluoed that

    Put the text back together

    (...)  weight or being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The researchers added that babies
    (...)  whether a father's age adversely affects his child's health. Researchers discovered that compared
    (...)  risk of being born with health problems. These included being born prematurely, having a low birth
    (...)  problems. Scientists studied data on 40,529,905 births in the USA between 2007 and 2016 to ascertain
    (...)  conceive less-healthy babies. Dr Michael Eisenberg from the Stanford University School of Medicine said: "I think it's
    (...)  governments might want to be aware of. He said: "At a population level, there may be public health
    (...)  implications of men...waiting longer to conceive." Dr Eisenberg concluded that: "While the oldest father ever is
    (...)  to babies born to fathers in the 25-to-34 age bracket, babies born to fathers over the age of 45 were at greater
    (...)  born to older fathers were generally not as healthy as those conceived by younger fathers.
    (...)  important to understand that the risks we are seeing are modest. So for an individual, the risk may
    (...)  not change much." He added that his team's data could show a trend that health departments in
    (...)  One scientist said a lot more detailed research was needed to prove that older fathers
    (...)  96, this research suggests that the risk to child and mother may increase if fathers conceive later."
    (  1  ) A study from Stanford University in the USA reports that babies of older fathers may be more likely to have health

    Put the words in the right order

    1. of   fathers   likely   .   may   older   Babies   more   be
    2. age   affects   child's   father's   adversely   his   health   .   A
    3. the   of   Babies   fathers   to   45   .   born   over   age
    4. born   At   with   problems   .   greater   being   risk   of
    5. younger   fathers   .   As   conceived   by   as   those   healthy
    6. was   more   lot   needed   .   A   detailed   research
    7. less-healthy   that   fathers   babies   .   older   Prove   conceive
    8. seeing   we   The   risks   are   are   modest   .
    9. an   much   .   the   may   individual,   not   For   risk   change
    10. mother   may   to   increase   .   child   risk   and   The

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A study / sturdy from Stanford University in the USA reports that babies of older fathers may be more liked / likely to have health problems. Scientists studied / studying data on 40,529,905 births in the USA between 2007 and 2016 to ascertain / retain whether a father's age adversely / adverse affects his child's health. Researchers discovered that compared to babies born to fathers in the 25-to-34 age bucket / bracket, babies born to fathers over the age of 45 were at greater risk of being birth / born with health problems. These included being born maturing / prematurely, having a low birth weight or being admitted to a neonatal intense / intensive care unit. The researchers added that babies born to older fathers were generally not as healthy as those conceived / contracted by younger fathers.

    One scientist said a lot more detail / detailed research was needed to prove that older fathers conceive less-healthy babies. Dr Michael Eisenberg from the Stanford University School of Medicine said: "I think it's important / importantly to understand that the risks we are seeing are modern / modest. So for an individual, the risk / risky may not change much." He added that his team's data could show a blend / trend that health departments in governments might want to be aware / beware of. He said: "At a population level, there may be public health implies / implications of men...waiting longer to conceive." Dr Eisenberg concluded that: "While the oldest father even / ever is 96, this research suggests / suggestion that the risk to child and mother may increase if fathers conceive lately / later."

    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)

    A s t_d y f r_m S t_n f_r d U n_v_r s_t y _n t h_ U S A r_p_r t s t h_t b_b__ s _f _l d_r f_t h_r s m_y b_ m_r_ l_k_l y t_ h_v_ h__ l t h p r_b l_m s . S c__ n t_s t s s t_d__ d d_t_ _n 4 0 , 5 2 9 , 9 0 5 b_r t h s _n t h_ U S A b_t w__ n 2 0 0 7 _n d 2 0 1 6 t_ _s c_r t__ n w h_t h_r _ f_t h_r ' s _g_ _d v_r s_l y _f f_c t s h_s c h_l d ' s h__ l t h . R_s__ r c h_r s d_s c_v_r_d t h_t c_m p_r_d t_ b_b__ s b_r n t_ f_t h_r s _n t h_ 2 5 - t_- 3 4 _g_ b r_c k_t , b_b__ s b_r n t_ f_t h_r s _v_r t h_ _g_ _f 4 5 w_r_ _t g r__ t_r r_s k _f b__ n g b_r n w_t h h__ l t h p r_b l_m s . T h_s_ _n c l_d_d b__ n g b_r n p r_m_t_r_l y , h_v_n g _ l_w b_r t h w__ g h t _r b__ n g _d m_t t_d t_ _ n__ n_t_l _n t_n s_v_ c_r_ _n_t . T h_ r_s__ r c h_r s _d d_d t h_t b_b__ s b_r n t_ _l d_r f_t h_r s w_r_ g_n_r_l l y n_t _s h__ l t h y _s t h_s_ c_n c__ v_d b y y__ n g_r f_t h_r s .

    O n_ s c__ n t_s t s__ d _ l_t m_r_ d_t__ l_d r_s__ r c h w_s n__ d_d t_ p r_v_ t h_t _l d_r f_t h_r s c_n c__ v_ l_s s - h__ l t h y b_b__ s . D r M_c h__ l E_s_n b_r g f r_m t h_ S t_n f_r d U n_v_r s_t y S c h__ l _f M_d_c_n_ s__ d : " I t h_n k _t ' s _m p_r t_n t t_ _n d_r s t_n d t h_t t h_ r_s k s w_ _r_ s___n g _r_ m_d_s t . S_ f_r _n _n d_v_d__ l , t h_ r_s k m_y n_t c h_n g_ m_c h . " H_ _d d_d t h_t h_s t__ m ' s d_t_ c__ l d s h_w _ t r_n d t h_t h__ l t h d_p_r t m_n t s _n g_v_r n m_n t s m_g h t w_n t t_ b_ _w_r_ _f . H_ s__ d : " A t _ p_p_l_t__ n l_v_l , t h_r_ m_y b_ p_b l_c h__ l t h _m p l_c_t__ n s _f m_n . . . w__ t_n g l_n g_r t_ c_n c__ v_. " D r E_s_n b_r g_r c_n c l_d_d t h_t : " W h_l_ t h_ _l d_s t f_t h_r _v_r _s 9 6 , t h_s r_s__ r c h s_g g_s t s t h_t t h_ r_s k t_ c h_l d _n d m_t h_r m_y _n c r__ s_ _f f_t h_r s c_n c__ v_ l_t_r . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a study from stanford university in the usa reports that babies of older fathers may be more likely to have health problems scientists studied data on 40529905 births in the usa between 2007 and 2016 to ascertain whether a fathers age adversely affects his childs health researchers discovered that compared to babies born to fathers in the 25to34 age bracket babies born to fathers over the age of 45 were at greater risk of being born with health problems these included being born prematurely having a low birth weight or being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit the researchers added that babies born to older fathers were generally not as healthy as those conceived by younger fathers

    one scientist said a lot more detailed research was needed to prove that older fathers conceive lesshealthy babies dr michael eisenberg from the stanford university school of medicine said i think its important to understand that the risks we are seeing are modest so for an individual the risk may not change much he added that his teams data could show a trend that health departments in governments might want to be aware of he said at a population level there may be public health implications of menwaiting longer to conceive dr Eisenberg concluded that while the oldest father ever is 96 this research suggests that the risk to child and mother may increase if fathers conceive later"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AstudyfromStanfordUniversityintheUSAreportsthatbabiesofolderfa
    thersmaybemorelikelytohavehealthproblems.Scientistsstudieddata
    on40,529,905birthsintheUSAbetween2007and2016toascertainwhe
    therafather'sageadverselyaffectshischild'shealth.Researchersdisco
    veredthatcomparedtobabiesborntofathersinthe25-to-34agebrack
    et,babiesborntofathersovertheageof45wereatgreaterriskofbeingbo
    rnwithhealthproblems.Theseincludedbeingbornprematurely,having
    alowbirthwieightorbeingadmittedtoaneonatalintensivecareunit.The
    researchersaddedthatbabiesborntoolderfathersweregenerallynotas
    healthyasthoseconceivedbyyoungerfathers.Onescientistsaidalotmo
    redetailedresearchwasneededtoprovethatolderfathersconceiveless
    -healthybabies.DrMichaelEisenbergfromtheStanfordUniversitySch
    oolofMedicinesaid:"Ithinkit'simportanttounderstandthattheriskswe
    areseeingaremodest.Soforanindividual,theriskmaynotchangemuch
    ."Headdedthathisteam'sdatacouldshowatrendthathealthdepartmen
    tsingovernmentsmightwanttobeawareof.Hesaid:"Atapopulationlev
    el,theremaybepublichealthimplicationsofmen...waitinglongertocon
    ceive."DrEisenbergconcludedthat:"Whiletheoldestfathereveris96
    ,thisresearchsuggeststhattherisktochildandmothermayincreaseiffa
    thersconceivelater."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    There should be an age limit on when men can have children. 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. OLDER FATHERS: Make a poster about older fathers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. AGE LIMIT: Write a magazine article about there being an age limit on when a man can become a father. 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 older fathers. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on older fathers. 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

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    Answers

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

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