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The USA and Israel quit UNESCO (4th January, 2019)

The Reading / Listening - UNESCO - Level 3

The United States and Israel have officially quit UNESCO. This is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The two countries pulled out of UNESCO at the stroke of midnight as the New Year came in. It is the second time for the U.S. to pull out of UNESCO. The first time was in 1984, when it thought the agency was favoring the old Soviet Union too much. The U.S. then rejoined in 2003. The current withdrawal started because both nations were worried that UNESCO was biased against Israel. Nikki Haley, the current U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said: "UNESCO is among the most corrupt and politically biased UN agencies. Today, the U.S. withdrawal from this cesspool became official."

UNESCO was co-founded by the U.S. after World War II. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences and culture. The agency is best known for its World Heritage program, which protects cultural sites and traditions around the world. UNESCO also works to improve education for girls, promote understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust, and defend freedom of the press. The U.S. said it intends to follow UNESCO as a non-member "observer state". The Israeli envoy to the United Nations Danny Danon said his country, "will not be a member of an organization whose goal is to deliberately act against us".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

UNESCO - Level 0, UNESCO - Level 1 or UNESCO - Level 2

Sources

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/us-israel-exit-cultural-agency-claiming-bias-60103564
https://nypost.com/2019/01/01/us-and-israel-officially-leave-un-cultural-agency-claiming-bias/
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-israel-official-quit-un-agency-unesco-claiming-anti-israeli-bias

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. UNESCO: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about UNESCO. 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?
quit / United Nations / countries / midnight / first time / agency / withdrawal / corrupt
peace / cooperation / education / sciences / culture / traditions / horrors / goal / act
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. UNITED NATIONS: Students A strongly believe the United Nations is essential; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. COOPERATION: How can countries cooperate better via these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What countries can do	How it can help
Education
Sciences
Culture
Trade
Sport
Internet

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. PEACE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "peace". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. WORLD HERITAGE SITES: Rank these with your partner. Put the sites you most want to visit at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

the Pyramids
Acropolis
Persepolis
Mount Fuji
Great Barrier Reef
Venice
Machu Picchu
Serengeti

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	officially	a.	End one's link to an organization or group.
2.	pull out	b.	Belonging to the present time; happening or being used or done now.
3.	agency	c.	Showing support of something.
4.	favoring	d.	A department or group that provides a specific service for a government or similar organization.
5.	current	e.	In a formal and public way.
6.	biased	f.	Doing bad or illegal things for money.
7.	corrupt	g.	Very unfair against someone or something.

Paragraph 2

8.	co-founded	h.	Plan or aim to do something.
9.	seek	i.	Started a business, organization or project with another person.
10.	cooperation	j.	A strong feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.
11.	tradition	k.	Consciously and intentionally; on purpose.
12.	horror	l.	The process of working together for the same goal.
13.	intend	m.	A long custom or belief that has been passed on from parents to children for decades or centuries.
14.	deliberately	n.	Look for.

Before reading / listening

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

The USA and Israel will pull out of UNESCO at the end of January. T / F
This is the second time that the USA has pulled out of UNESCO. T / F
The USA pulled out because it said UNESCO was biased against Israel. T / F
The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. called UNESCO a "cesspool". T / F
The USA founded UNESCO after World War I. T / F
UNESCO looks after the World Heritage program. T / F
The article says UNESCO works to improve education for boys. T / F
Israel's envoy to the U.N. said UNESCO works in favor of Israel. T / F

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

quit
pulled out
favoring
worried
biased
cooperation
protects
promote
state
deliberately

prejudiced
concerned
on purpose
preferring
help
leave
country
safeguards
withdrew
collaboration

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

The United States and Israel have
The two countries pulled
at the stroke
worried that UNESCO was biased
among the most corrupt and politically
UNESCO was co-
cultural sites and traditions around
UNESCO also works to improve
promote understanding of the horrors
deliberately act

biased UN agencies
against Israel
of the Holocaust
out of UNESCO
the world
against us
officially quit UNESCO
founded by the U.S.
education for girls
of midnight

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

stroke
ambassador
rejoined
cesspool
favoring
biased
officially
both

The United States and Israel have (1) ____________ quit UNESCO. This is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The two countries pulled out of UNESCO at the (2) ____________ of midnight as the New Year came in. It is the second time for the U.S. to pull out of UNESCO. The first time was in 1984, when it thought the agency was (3) ____________ the old Soviet Union too much. The U.S. then (4) ____________ in 2003. The current withdrawal started because (5) ____________ nations were worried that UNESCO was biased against Israel. Nikki Haley, the current U.S. (6) ____________ to the United Nations, said: "UNESCO is among the most corrupt and politically (7) ____________ UN agencies. Today, the U.S. withdrawal from this (8) ____________ became official."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

understanding
peace
goal
program
traditions
envoy
founded
press

UNESCO was co-(9) ____________ by the U.S. after World War II. It seeks to build (10) ____________ through international cooperation in education, the sciences and culture. The agency is best known for its World Heritage (11) ____________, which protects cultural sites and (12) ____________ around the world. UNESCO also works to improve education for girls, promote (13) ____________ of the horrors of the Holocaust, and defend freedom of the (14) ____________. The U.S. said it intends to follow UNESCO as a non-member "observer state". The Israeli (15) ____________ to the United Nations Danny Danon said his country, "will not be a member of an organization whose (16) ____________ is to deliberately act against us".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) two countries pulled out of UNESCO at the stroke of midnight as the New ______
     a. Year came in
     b. Year came on
     c. Year coming
     d. Year cumin
2) the agency was favoring the old Soviet Union too much. The U.S. ______ 2003
     a. them rejoined in
     b. then rejoin din
     c. them rejoin din
     d. then rejoined in
3) The current withdrawal started because both nations ______
     a. were warred
     b. were worried
     c. were flurry
     d. were flurried
4) UNESCO is among the most corrupt and politically ______
     a. biased UN age ants is
     b. biased UN agency is
     c. biased UN agencies
     d. biased UN agents is
5) Today, the U.S. withdrawal from this cesspool ______
     a. became official
     b. became officially
     c. became officials
     d. became officialdom

6) build peace through international cooperation in education, the ______
     a. sciences end culture
     b. science sand culture
   c. science is and culture
     d. sciences and culture
7) best known for its World Heritage program, which protects cultural ______
     a. sites and traditions
     b. site sand traditional
     c. site sand traditions
     d. sites and tradition
8) UNESCO also works to improve education for girls, promote understanding ______
     a. of the horrors
     b. off the horrors
     c. of the honor
     d. of the honors
9) The U.S. said it intends to follow UNESCO as a non-member ______
     a. observer slates
     b. observer state
     c. observer stated
     d. observer slate
10) will not be a member of an organization whose goal is to deliberately ______
     a. acts again staff
     b. act again stubs
     c. acts against us
     d. act against us

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United States and Israel (1) ___________________ UNESCO. This is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The two countries pulled out of UNESCO at (2) ___________________ midnight as the New Year came in. It is the (3) ___________________ the U.S. to pull out of UNESCO. The first time was in 1984, when it thought the agency was favoring the old Soviet Union too much. The U.S. (4) ___________________ 2003. The current withdrawal started because both nations were worried that UNESCO was biased against Israel. Nikki Haley, the current U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said: "UNESCO (5) __________________ most corrupt and politically biased UN agencies. Today, the U.S. withdrawal (6) ___________________ became official."

UNESCO was co-founded by the U.S. after World War II. It (7) ___________________ peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences and culture. The (8) ___________________ known for its World Heritage program, which protects cultural sites and traditions around the world. UNESCO also (9) ___________________ education for girls, promote understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust, and defend freedom of the press. The U.S. said it (10) ___________________ UNESCO as a non-member "observer state". The Israeli (11) ___________________ United Nations Danny Danon said his country, "will not be a member of an organization whose goal is to deliberately (12) ___________________ ".

Comprehension questions

At what time did the USA and Israel pull out of UNESCO?
How many times has the USA now pulled out of UNESCO?
Which country did the USA say UNESCO favored in 1984?
What is Nikki Haley's job?
What did Nikki Haley call UNESCO?
When was UNESCO founded?
What program is UNESCO best known for?
Who does UNESCO work to improve the education for?
What does UNESCO work to defend?
What is the job of Danny Danon?

Multiple choice quiz

1) At what time did the USA and Israel pull out of UNESCO?
a) 6pm
b) midnight
c) 6am
d) noon
2) How many times has the USA now pulled out of UNESCO?
a) 5
b) 4
c) 3
d) 2
3) Which country did the USA say UNESCO favored in 1984?
a) China
b) the U.K.
c) the Soviet Union
d) Lesotho
4) What is Nikki Haley's job?
a) U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
b) head of UNESCO
c) head of the U.N.
d) cultural envoy to UNESCO
5) What did Nikki Haley call UNESCO?
a) great
b) a cesspool
c) outdated
d) a force for good

6) When was UNESCO founded?
a) after WWII
b) after WWI
c) before WWI
d) 1900
7) What program is UNESCO best known for?
a) the World Bank
b) IMF
c) World Heritage
d) WHO
8) Who does UNESCO work to improve the education for?
a) girls
b) the poor
c) university students
d) kindergarteners
9) What does UNESCO work to defend?
a) borders
b) human rights
c) global peace
d) freedom of the press
10) What is the job of Danny Danon?
a) culture secretary
b) the head of the U.N.
c) the Israeli envoy to the U.N.
d) the boss of UNESCO

Role play

Role A – The Great Barrier Reef
You think the Great Barrier Reef is the best World Heritage site. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sites aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least impressive of these (and why): the Serengeti, Machu Picchu or Mount Fuji.

Role B – Machu Picchu
You think Machu Picchu is the best World Heritage site. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sites aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least impressive of these (and why): Great Barrier Reef, the Serengeti or Mount Fuji.

Role C – The Serengeti
You think the Serengeti is the best World Heritage site. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sites aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least impressive of these (and why): Machu Picchu, Great Barrier Reef or Mount Fuji.

Role D – Mount Fuji
You think Mount Fuji is the best World Heritage site. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their sites aren't as great. Also, tell the others which is the least impressive of these (and why): Machu Picchu, the Serengeti or Great Barrier Reef.

After reading / listening

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

'united'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'nation'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

build

best

girls

press

follow

us

officially

midnight

old

against

among

cesspool

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 - The USA and Israel quit UNESCO

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 'united'?
What do you know about UNESCO?
What do you think of the USA and Israel quitting UNESCO?
What did you do at the stroke of midnight as the New Year came in?
What do you know about the former Soviet Union?
Why might UNESCO be biased against Israel?
Why did Nikki Haley describe UNESCO as a "cesspool"?
Would you like to work for UNESCO?
What is the most important U.N. agency?

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 'nations'?
What do you think about what you read?
Are organizations like UNESCO important?
How can we achieve peace through education?
How can we achieve peace through the sciences?
How important is it to protect World Heritage sites?
What do you know about the Holocaust?
What is the most important thing UNESCO should do?
What questions would you like to ask Nikki Haley?

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 United States and Israel have (1) ____ quit UNESCO. This is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The two countries pulled out of UNESCO at the (2) ____ of midnight as the New Year came in. It is the second time for the U.S. to pull out of UNESCO. The first time was in 1984, when it thought the agency was (3) ____ the old Soviet Union too much. The U.S. then rejoined in 2003. The current withdrawal started because (4) ____ nations were worried that UNESCO was biased against Israel. Nikki Haley, the current U.S. ambassador (5) ____ the United Nations, said: "UNESCO is among the most corrupt and politically biased UN agencies. Today, the U.S. withdrawal from this (6) ____ became official."

UNESCO was co-founded by the U.S. after World War II. It (7) ____ to build peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences and culture. The agency is best (8) ____ for its World Heritage program, which protects cultural sites and traditions around the world. UNESCO also works to (9) ____ education for girls, promote understanding of the (10) ____ of the Holocaust, and defend freedom of the press. The U.S. said it intends to (11) ____ UNESCO as a non-member "observer state". The Israeli envoy to the United Nations Danny Danon said his country, "will not be a member of an organization whose goal is to deliberately (12) ____ against us".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) official (b) officially (c) officials (d) officialdom
(a) strike (b) stroke (c) struck (d) stricken
(a) favor (b) favored (c) favors (d) favoring
(a) all (b) both (c) many (d) most
(a) through (b) as (c) by (d) to
(a) pool (b) carpool (c) cesspool (d) pools
(a) weeks (b) leeks (c) seeks (d) peeks
(a) knows (b) knowing (c) known (d) knowledge
(a) reprove (b) proof (c) prove (d) improve
(a) horrors (b) horrible (c) horrify (d) horrific
(a) follow (b) chase (c) stalk (d) go after
(a) act (b) play (c) do (d) have

Spelling

Paragraph 1

alcyfifoil quit UNESCO
at the serkot of midnight
worried that UNESCO was deaibs against Israel
the tcrneru U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
UNESCO is among the most curropt
the U.S. withdrawal from this posocesl

Paragraph 2

build peace through international aoencotropi
protects tucalurl sites
diitnrtsao around the world
understanding of the horosrr of the Holocaust
defend doeefmr of the press
teelebldyiar act against us

Put the text back together

( 1 ) The United States and Israel have officially quit UNESCO. This is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
(...) state". The Israeli envoy to the United Nations Danny Danon said his country, "will not
(...) be a member of an organization whose goal is to deliberately act against us".
(...) nations were worried that UNESCO was biased against Israel. Nikki Haley, the current U.S.
(...) Organization. The two countries pulled out of UNESCO at the stroke of midnight as the New Year came
(...) UNESCO was co-founded by the U.S. after World War II. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in
(...) sites and traditions around the world. UNESCO also works to improve education for
(...) education, the sciences and culture. The agency is best known for its World Heritage program, which protects cultural
(...) politically biased UN agencies. Today, the U.S. withdrawal from this cesspool became official."
(...) in. It is the second time for the U.S. to pull out of UNESCO. The first time was in 1984, when it thought the agency was
(...) ambassador to the United Nations, said: "UNESCO is among the most corrupt and
(...) of the press. The U.S. said it intends to follow UNESCO as a non-member "observer
(...) girls, promote understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust, and defend freedom
(...) favoring the old Soviet Union too much. The U.S. then rejoined in 2003. The current withdrawal started because both

Put the words in the right order

out midnight . of stroke at Pulled the
for U.S. to time the the It is pull out second
withdrawal worried . because were nations current The started
United to U.S. current The Nations . the ambassador
withdrawal from cesspool this U.S. official . became The
cooperation . peace It build seeks through international to
agency best World is known for The Heritage .
also education works improve to girls . UNESCO for
said UNESCO . The U.S. to intends it follow
said member . country not his be Danon will a

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The United States and Israel have official / officially quit UNESCO. This is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The two countries pulled out of UNESCO at the struck / stroke of midnight as the New Year came in. It is the second time / timing for the U.S. to pull out of UNESCO. The first time was in 1984, when it thought an / the agency was favoring the old Soviet Union too much / many. The U.S. then rejoined in 2003. The current withdrawal started because both nations / nationals were worried that UNESCO was based / biased against Israel. Nikki Haley, the current U.S. ambassador / embassy to the United Nations, said: "UNESCO is among the most corrupt / corruption and politically biased UN agencies. Today, the U.S. withdrawal / withdraw from this cesspool became official."

UNESCO was co-founded by / at the U.S. after World War II. It seeks to build piece / peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences / scientific and culture. The agency is best known / knowing for its World Heritage program, which protracts / protects cultural sites and traditions around the world. UNESCO also works to reprove / improve education for girls, promote understanding of the horrific / horrors of the Holocaust, and defend freedom of the press / push. The U.S. said it intends to follow UNESCO as a non-member "observer state". The Israeli convoy / envoy to the United Nations Danny Danon said his country, "will not be a member of an organization whose goal is to deliberately act for / against us".

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)

T h_ U n_t_d S t_t_s _n d I s r__ l h_v_ _f f_c__ l l y q__ t U N E S C O . T h_s _s t h_ U n_t_d N_t__ n s E d_c_t__ n_l , S c__ n t_f_c _n d C_l t_r_l O r g_n_z_t__ n . T h_ t w_ c__ n t r__ s p_l l_d __ t _f U N E S C O _t t h_ s t r_k_ _f m_d n_g h t _s t h_ N_w Y__ r c_m_ _n . I t _s t h_ s_c_n d t_m_ f_r t h_ U . S . t_ p_l l __ t _f U N E S C O . T h_ f_r s t t_m_ w_s _n 1 9 8 4 , w h_n _t t h__ g h t t h_ _g_n c y w_s f_v_r_n g t h_ _l d S_v__ t U n__ n t__ m_c h . T h_ U . S . t h_n r_j__ n_d _n 2 0 0 3 . T h_ c_r r_n t w_t h d r_w_l s t_r t_d b_c__ s_ b_t h n_t__ n s w_r_ w_r r__ d t h_t U N E S C O w_s b__ s_d _g__ n s t I s r__ l . N_k k_ H_l_y , t h_ c_r r_n t U . S . _m b_s s_d_r t_ t h_ U n_t_d N_t__ n s , s__ d : " U N E S C O _s _m_n g t h_ m_s t c_r r_p t _n d p_l_t_c_l l y b__ s_d U N _g_n c__ s . T_d_y , t h_ U . S . w_t h d r_w_l f r_m t h_s c_s s p__ l b_c_m_ _f f_c__ l . "

U N E S C O w_s c_- f__ n d_d b y t h_ U . S . _f t_r W_r l d W_r I I . I t s__ k s t_ b__ l d p__ c_ t h r__ g h _n t_r n_t__ n_l c__ p_r_t__ n _n _d_c_t__ n , t h_ s c__ n c_s _n d c_l t_r_. T h_ _g_n c y _s b_s t k n_w n f_r _t s W_r l d H_r_t_g_ p r_g r_m , w h_c h p r_t_c t s c_l t_r_l s_t_s _n d t r_d_t__ n s _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d . U N E S C O _l s_ w_r k s t_ _m p r_v_ _d_c_t__ n f_r g_r l s , p r_m_t_ _n d_r s t_n d_n g _f t h_ h_r r_r s _f t h_ H_l_c__ s t , _n d d_f_n d f r__ d_m _f t h_ p r_s s . T h_ U . S . s__ d _t _n t_n d s t_ f_l l_w U N E S C O _s _ n_n - m_m b_r "_b s_r v_r s t_t_" . T h_ I s r__ l_ _n v_y t_ t h_ U n_t_d N_t__ n s D_n n y D_n_n s__ d h_s c__ n t r y , " w_l l n_t b_ _ m_m b_r _f _n _r g_n_z_t__ n w h_s_ g__ l _s t_ d_l_b_r_t_l y _c t _g__ n s t _s " .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the united states and israel have officially quit unesco this is the united nations educational scientific and cultural organization the two countries pulled out of unesco at the stroke of midnight as the new year came in it is the second time for the us to pull out of unesco the first time was in 1984 when it thought the agency was favoring the old soviet union too much the us then rejoined in 2003 the current withdrawal started because both nations were worried that unesco was biased against israel nikki haley the current us ambassador to the united nations said unesco is among the most corrupt and politically biased un agencies today the us withdrawal from this cesspool became official

unesco was cofounded by the us after world war ii it seeks to build peace through international cooperation in education the sciences and culture the agency is best known for its world heritage program which protects cultural sites and traditions around the world unesco also works to improve education for girls promote understanding of the horrors of the holocaust and defend freedom of the press the us said it intends to follow unesco as a nonmember observer state the israeli envoy to the united nations danny danon said his country will not be a member of an organization whose goal is to deliberately act against us

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheUnitedStatesandIsraelhaveofficiallyquitUNESCO.ThisistheUnite
dNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization.Thetwocou
ntriespulledoutofUNESCOatthestrokeofmidnightastheNewYearcam
ein.ItisthesecondtimefortheU.S.topulloutofUNESCO.Thefirsttimew
asin1984,whenitthoughttheagencywasfavoringtheoldSovietUniont
oomuch.TheU.S.thenrejoinedin2003.Thecurrentwithdrawalstarted
becausebothnationswereworriedthatUNESCOwasbiasedagainstIsra
el.NikkiHaley,thecurrentU.S.ambassadortotheUnitedNations,said:"
UNESCOisamongthemostcorruptandpoliticallybiasedUNagencies.T
oday,theU.S.withdrawalfromthiscesspoolbecameofficial."UNESCO
wasco-foundedbytheU.S.afterWorldWarII.Itseekstobuildpeacethro
ughinternationalcooperationineducation,thesciencesandculture.Th
eagencyisbestknownforitsWorldHeritageprogram,whichprotectscul
turalsitesandtraditionsaroundtheworld.UNESCOalsoworkstoimprov
eeducationforgirls,promoteunderstandingofthehorrorsoftheHoloca
ust,anddefendfreedomofthepress.TheU.S.saiditintendstofollowUNE
SCOasanon-member"observerstate".TheIsraelienvoytotheUnite
dNationsDannyDanonsaidhiscountry,"willnotbeamemberofanorgan
izationwhosegoalistodeliberatelyactagainstus".

Free writing

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

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Academic writing

The United Nations is a much-needed organization. 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. UNESCO: Make a poster about UNESCO. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. THE U.N.: Write a magazine article about the United Nations having powers to control governments. 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 UNESCO. Ask him/her three questions about UNESCO. 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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Breaking News English Lesson on UNESCO

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