Breaking News English Lesson: Asylum Seeker

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Saudi teen welcomed as refugee in Canada (15th January, 2019)

The Reading / Listening - Asylum Seeker - Level 6

The teenage Saudi asylum seeker who fled Saudi Arabia two weeks ago has been granted asylum by Canada. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Saturday. She was greeted by Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who told reporters: "This is a very brave new Canadian." She added: "Rahaf wanted Canadians to see that she has arrived at her new home. She has had a very long and tiring journey and so would prefer not to take questions today. And she is now going to go to her new home." Rahaf was all smiles as she was whisked through the airport wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the word "Canada".

Rahaf is fleeing alleged abuse by her family, whom she claims want to kill her. She was detained in Bangkok on January 6th while trying to board a flight to Australia, where she initially wanted to seek asylum. She appealed for help on Twitter and her plight gained worldwide attention. She was then granted refugee status by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Canada's decision to grant asylum to Rahaf could worsen relations between Canada and Saudi. Relations are already strained after Canada called for the release of a jailed Saudi human rights activist. Saudi suspended new trade with Canada, froze Saudi flights to and from Toronto, and cancelled scholarships for Saudi students in Canada.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Asylum Seeker - Level 4 or Asylum Seeker - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-12/urgent-the-latest-saudi-woman-fleeing-family-arrives-in-canada
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-saudi/saudi-teen-who-fled-family-welcomed-as-brave-new-canadian-in-toronto-idUSKCN1P60IE
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/freeland-welcomes-brave-new-canadian-as-saudi-teen-lands-in-toronto-1.4250934

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. ASYLUM SEEKERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about asylum seekers. 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?
teenager / asylum / airport / brave / new home / tiring journey / questions / hoodie /
abuse / flight / help / worldwide attention / decision / relations / human rights
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ASYLUM: Students A strongly believe anyone seeking asylum should be granted it; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. REFUGEES: How can we help refugees? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What we can do	Problems with this
In-country
Education
Travel
Housing
Education
Emotional support

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. AIRPORT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "airport". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. HUMAN RIGHTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important human rights at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

The right to own things
The right to trial
The right to privacy
The right to a nationality
The right to play
Workers rights
The right to democracy
Freedom of expression

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	asylum	a.	An act of traveling from one place to another.
2.	fled	b.	Agreed to give or allow something requested.
3.	granted	c.	Ran away from a place or situation of danger.
4.	greeted	d.	Clearly and visibly put a design or words on something.
5.	journey	e.	The protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee.
6.	whisked	f.	Welcomed someone on meeting someone.
7.	emblazoned	g.	Took or moved someone or something in a particular direction suddenly and quickly.

Paragraph 2

8.	alleged	h.	A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.
9.	abuse	i.	Temporarily prevented from continuing or being in force or effect.
10.	detained	j.	Of an atmosphere, situation, or relationship that is not relaxed or comfortable; tense or uneasy.
11.	plight	k.	Cruel and violent treatment of a person or animal.
12.	strained	l.	Stopped things from being used for a period of time.
13.	suspended	m.	Claimed that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof that this is the case.
14.	froze	n.	Kept someone in official custody, typically for questioning about a crime or in a politically sensitive situation.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says the teenager fled Saudi Arabia over three weeks ago. T / F
The teenager was met at a Canadian airport by Canada's Prime Minister. T / F
The teenager (Rahaf Mohammed) had a long and tiring journey. T / F
Rahaf did not smile as she walked through the Canadian airport. T / F
Rahaf was detained in Australia while on her way to Bangkok. T / F
Rahaf got worldwide attention after posting on Twitter. T / F
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Canada are strained. T / F
Saudi stopped Saudi airplanes flying to and from Toronto. T / F

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

fled
granted
greeted
whisked
emblazoned
alleged
detained
plight
strained
froze

difficulty
decorated
held
gave
stopped
hurried
ran away
tense
claimed
welcomed

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

asylum
granted
a very long and
she was whisked
emblazoned with
fleeing alleged abuse
trying to board a
her plight gained worldwide
worsen
froze Saudi flights

by her family
the word "Canada"
to and from Toronto
relations
asylum by Canada
attention
tiring journey
flight to Australia
seeker
through the airport

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

brave
prefer
asylum
emblazoned
fled
whisked
journey
greeted

The teenage Saudi asylum seeker who (1) ____________ Saudi Arabia two weeks ago has been granted (2) ____________ by Canada. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Saturday. She was (3) ____________ by Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who told reporters: "This is a very (4) ____________ new Canadian." She added: "Rahaf wanted Canadians to see that she has arrived at her new home. She has had a very long and tiring (5) ____________ and so would (6) ____________ not to take questions today. And she is now going to go to her new home." Rahaf was all smiles as she was (7) ____________ through the airport wearing a hoodie (8) ____________ with the word "Canada".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

initially
grant
froze
alleged
scholarships
plight
detained
strained

Rahaf is fleeing (9) ____________ abuse by her family, whom she claims want to kill her. She was (10) ____________ in Bangkok on January 6th while trying to board a flight to Australia, where she (11) ____________ wanted to seek asylum. She appealed for help on Twitter and her (12) ____________ gained worldwide attention. She was then granted refugee status by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Canada's decision to (13) ____________ asylum to Rahaf could worsen relations between Canada and Saudi. Relations are already (14) ____________ after Canada called for the release of a jailed Saudi human rights activist. Saudi suspended new trade with Canada, (15) ____________ Saudi flights to and from Toronto, and cancelled (16) ____________ for Saudi students in Canada.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) asylum seeker who fled Saudi Arabia two weeks ago has been ______
     a. grant it asylum
     b. granting asylum
     c. granted asylum
     d. grant add asylum
2) Chrystia Freeland, who told reporters: "This is a very ______ Canadian."
     a. brave new
     b. braved new
     c. braves new
     d. bravely new
3) She added: "Rahaf wanted Canadians to see that ______"
     a. she is arrive
     b. she has arrived
     c. she have arrived
     d. she has arrive
4) She has had a very long and tiring journey and so would ______
     a. prefers not to
     b. refer not to
     c. refers not to
     d. prefer not to
5) she was whisked through the airport wearing a hoodie ______ the word
     a. in blaze and with
     b. emblazon it with
     c. in blaze end with
     d. emblazoned with

6) She was detained in Bangkok on January 6th while trying to ______
     a. bored a flight
     b. bode a flight
     c. board a flight
     d. abort a flight
7) She appealed for help on Twitter and her plight gained ______
     a. world widely attention
     b. worlds wide attention
     c. world widely attention
     d. worldwide attention
8) Canada's decision to grant asylum to Rahaf could ______
     a. worsens relations
     b. worse and relations
     c. worse end relations
     d. worsen relations
9) strained after Canada called for the release of a jailed Saudi human ______
     a. rights activist
     b. right activism
    c. lights activist
     d. light activist
10) Saudi suspended new trade with Canada, ______ flights...
     a. frozen Saudi
     b. froze Saudi
     c. floss Saudi
     d. freeze Saudi

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The teenage Saudi asylum (1) ___________________ Saudi Arabia two weeks ago has been (2) ___________________ Canada. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Saturday. She was greeted by Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who told reporters: "This a (3) ___________________ Canadian." She added: "Rahaf wanted Canadians to see that she has arrived at her new home. She has had a very long (4) ___________________ and so would prefer not to take questions today. And she is now going to go to her new home." Rahaf was all smiles as she (5) ___________________ the airport wearing a hoodie (6) ___________________ word "Canada".

Rahaf is (7) ___________________ by her family, whom she claims want to kill her. She was detained in Bangkok on January 6th while trying to board a flight to Australia, where (8) ___________________ to seek asylum. She appealed for help on Twitter and (9) ___________________ worldwide attention. She was then granted refugee status by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Canada's decision to grant asylum to Rahaf (10) ___________________ between Canada and Saudi. Relations are already strained after Canada called for (11) ___________________ a jailed Saudi human rights activist. Saudi suspended new trade with Canada, froze Saudi flights to and from Toronto, (12) ___________________ for Saudi students in Canada.

Comprehension questions

What is the name of the airport Rahaf arrived at?
Who met Rahaf at the airport?
What did Rahaf prefer not to take?
Where was Rahaf heading for after leaving the airport?
What word was written on a hoodie that Rahaf was wearing?
Where was Rahaf initially detained?
What social media platform did Rahaf use to ask for help?
What could worsen between Canada and Saudi Arabia?
Who did Canada want Saudi Arabia to release?
What did Saudi Arabia freeze?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the airport Rahaf arrived at?
a) Canada International
b) Pearson International Airport
c) Maple Leaf International
d) Toronto Central
2) Who met Rahaf at the airport?
a) a UN official
b) schoolchildren
c) Canada's Prime Minister
d) Canada's Foreign Minister
3) What did Rahaf prefer not to take?
a) a taxi
b) her luggage
c) questions
d) a passport
4) Where was Rahaf heading for after leaving the airport?
a) her new home
b) the Prime Minister's house
c) a restaurant
d) an ice hockey game
5) What word was written on a hoodie that Rahaf was wearing?
a) "Free"
b) "Canada"
c) "Love"
d) "Thanks"

6) Where was Rahaf initially detained?
a) Bangkok
b) Sydney
c) Kuwait
d) London
7) What social media platform did Rahaf use to ask for help?
a) Reddit
b) Facebook
c) Twitter
d) Instagram
8) What could worsen between Canada and Saudi Arabia?
a) relations
b) sports links
c) investment
d) cultural ties
9) Who did Canada want Saudi Arabia to release?
a) a writer
b) another teenager
c) a Canadian
d) a human rights activist
10) What did Saudi Arabia freeze?
a) investments
b) water
c) flights to and from Toronto
d) Canadian beef

Role play

Role A – The Right to Play
You think the right to play is the most important human right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): right to democracy, freedom of expression or the right to a nationality.

Role B – The Right to Democracy
You think the right to democracy is the most important human right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the right to play, freedom of expression or the right to a nationality.

Role C – Freedom of Expression
You think freedom of expression is the most important human right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the right to democracy, the right to play or the right to a nationality.

Role D – The Right to a Nationality
You think the right to a nationality is the most important human right. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their rights aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the right to democracy, freedom of expression or the right to play.

After reading / listening

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

'asylum'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'refugee'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

claims

board

plight

worsen

jailed

froze

fled

greeted

brave

long

home

wearing

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 - Saudi teen welcomed as refugee in Canada

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 'asylum'?
What do you know about the Saudi teenager?
What do you know about the asylum system?
What is your country's policy towards asylum?
How brave do you think Rahaf is?
What would it be like to move country alone at the age of 18?
Why are there so many asylum seekers in the world?
How can we help asylum seekers?
What advice do you have for Rahaf?

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 'refugee'?
What do you think about what you read?
How powerful is Twitter in bringing world attention to things?
In which country would you seek asylum if you had to?
What will Rahaf's story do for Canada-Saudi relations?
How can Canada and Saudi repair relations between them?
What three adjectives best describe this story?
Should all asylum seekers be granted asylum?
What questions would you like to ask Rahaf?

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 teenage Saudi asylum seeker who (1) ____ Saudi Arabia two weeks ago has been granted asylum by Canada. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Saturday. She was (2) ____ by Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who told reporters: "This is a very (3) ____ new Canadian." She added: "Rahaf wanted Canadians to see that she has arrived at her new home. She has had a very long and tiring journey and so would (4) ____ not to (5) ____ questions today. And she is now going to go to her new home." Rahaf was all smiles as she was whisked through the airport wearing a hoodie (6) ____ with the word "Canada".

Rahaf is fleeing alleged abuse by her family, whom she (7) ____ want to kill her. She was detained in Bangkok on January 6th while trying to board a flight to Australia, where she (8) ____ wanted to seek asylum. She appealed for help on Twitter and her plight gained worldwide attention. She was then granted refugee (9) ____ by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Canada's decision to grant asylum to Rahaf could worsen relations between Canada and Saudi. Relations are (10) ____ strained after Canada called for the release of a jailed Saudi human rights activist. Saudi (11) ____ new trade with Canada, (12) ____ Saudi flights to and from Toronto, and cancelled scholarships for Saudi students in Canada.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) flied (b) flew (c) fled (d) filed
(a) greeted (b) grated (c) granted (d) grunted
(a) bravery (b) brave (c) braved (d) braves
(a) option (b) instead (c) rather (d) prefer
(a) extract (b) hold (c) take (d) derive
(a) condoned (b) emblazoned (c) meandered (d) advised
(a) claims (b) calms (c) clams (d) acclaims
(a) opening (b) primary (c) signature (d) initially
(a) stylus (b) statues (c) status (d) stats
(a) thus (b) until (c) before (d) already
(a) appended (b) suspended (c) repealed (d) upended
(a) froze (b) chilled (c) cooled (d) iced over

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The teenage Saudi salyum seeker
She was eegretd by Canada's Foreign Minister
a very long and tiring nruojey
epferr not to take questions
she was wheksid through the airport
a hoodie eozlamnbed with the word "Canada"

Paragraph 2

Rahaf is fleeing alleged ubsae
She was tedeniad in Bangkok
Australia, where she ilitinlay wanted to
her ighlpt gained worldwide attention
Relations are already taisrend
aorhlsichsps for Saudi students

Put the text back together

(...) by Canada. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Saturday. She was
(...) through the airport wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the word "Canada".
(...) Rahaf is fleeing alleged abuse by her family, whom she claims want to kill her. She was detained in
(...) home. She has had a very long and tiring journey and so would prefer not to take questions today. And she is now
(...) new Canadian." She added: "Rahaf wanted Canadians to see that she has arrived at her new
( 1 ) The teenage Saudi asylum seeker who fled Saudi Arabia two weeks ago has been granted asylum
(...) Bangkok on January 6th while trying to board a flight to Australia, where she initially wanted to seek asylum. She appealed
(...) United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Canada's decision to grant asylum to Rahaf could worsen
(...) for the release of a jailed Saudi human rights activist. Saudi suspended new trade with Canada, froze
(...) relations between Canada and Saudi. Relations are already strained after Canada called
(...) Saudi flights to and from Toronto, and cancelled scholarships for Saudi students in Canada.
(...) for help on Twitter and her plight gained worldwide attention. She was then granted refugee status by the
(...) greeted by Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who told reporters: "This is a very brave
(...) going to go to her new home." Rahaf was all smiles as she was whisked

Put the words in the right order

Saudi Saudi . fled The asylum teenage who seeker
was Minister . by Canada's greeted Foreign She
wanted that to see arrived . Rahaf she Canadians
as she whisked All was smiles through .
a word Wearing "Canada" . hoodie the with emblazoned
is by abuse alleged fleeing Rahaf her family .
initially to wanted where seek she - asylum . Australia
by granted UNCHR . refugee was the She status
The jailed release a activist . Saudi rights of
Saudi scholarships students Cancelled for Canada . in

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The teenage Saudi asylum seeker who fled / freed Saudi Arabia two weeks ago has been gland / granted asylum by Canada. Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, arrived / arrival at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Saturday. She was greeted by / for Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who told reporters: "This is a very brave / bravery new Canadian." She added: "Rahaf wanted Canadians to see what / that she has arrived at her new home. She has had a very long / length and tiring journey and so would prefer / rather not to take questions today. And she is now going to go to her new home." Rahaf was all smiles as she was wished / whisked through the airport wearing a hoodie emblazoned on / with the word "Canada".

Rahaf is freeing / fleeing alleged abuse by her family, whom she claims want to kill her. She was detention / detained in Bangkok on January 6th while trying to bored / board a flight to Australia, where she initially / initial wanted to seek asylum. She appealed for / of help on Twitter and her plight gained worldwide attention. She was then granted refugee status by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Canada's decision to grand / grant asylum to Rahaf could worsen / worsening relations between Canada and Saudi. Relations are already strained after Canada called for the release of a jailed Saudi human rights activism / activist. Saudi suspended new trade with Canada, froze / frozen Saudi flights to and from Toronto, and cancelled scholarships / scholars for Saudi students in Canada.

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_ t__ n_g_ S__ d_ _s y l_m s__ k_r w h_ f l_d S__ d_ A r_b__ t w_ w__ k s _g_ h_s b__ n g r_n t_d _s y l_m b y C_n_d_. R_h_f M_h_m m_d A l q_n_n , 1 8 , _r r_v_d _t T_r_n t_' s P__ r s_n I n t_r n_t__ n_l A_r p_r t _n S_t_r d_y . S h_ w_s g r__ t_d b y C_n_d_' s F_r__ g n M_n_s t_r C h r y s t__ F r__ l_n d , w h_ t_l d r_p_r t_r s : " T h_s _ v_r y b r_v_ n_w C_n_d__ n . " S h_ _d d_d : " R_h_f w_n t_d C_n_d__ n s t_ s__ t h_t s h_ h_s _r r_v_d _t h_r n_w h_m_. S h_ h_s h_d _ v_r y l_n g _n d t_r_n g j__ r n_y _n d s_ w__ l d p r_f_r n_t t_ t_k_ q__ s t__ n s t_d_y . A n d s h_ _s n_w g__ n g t_ g_ t_ h_r n_w h_m_. " R_h_f w_s _l l s m_l_s _s s h_ w_s w h_s k_d t h r__ g h t h_ __ r p_r t w__ r_n g _ h__ d__ _m b l_z_n_d w_t h t h_ w_r d " C_n_d_" .

R_f_h _s f l___n g _l l_g_d _b_s_ b y h_r f_m_l y , w h_m s h_ c l__ m s w_n t t_ k_l l h_r . S h_ w_s d_t__ n_d _n B_n g k_k _n J_n__ r y 6 t h w h_l_ t r y_n g t_ b__ r d _ f l_g h t t_ A_s t r_l__ , w h_r_ s h_ _n_t__ l l y w_n t_d t_ s__ k _s y l_m . S h_ _p p__ l_d f_r h_l p _n T w_t t_r _n d h_r p l_g h t g__ n_d w_r l d w_d_ _t t_n t__ n . S h_ w_s t h_n g r_n t_d r_f_g__ s t_t_s b y t h_ U n_t_d N_t__ n s C_m m_s s__ n _n H_m_n R_g h t s . C_n_d_' s d_c_s__ n t_ g r_n t _s y l_m t_ R_f_h c__ l d w_r s_n r_l_t__ n s b_t w__ n C_n_d_ _n d S__ d_. R_l_t__ n s _r_ _l r__ d y s t r__ n_d _f t_r C_n_d_ c_l l_d f_r t h_ r_l__ s_ _f _ j__ l_d S__ d_ h_m_n r_g h t s _c t_v_s t . S__ d_ s_s p_n d_d n_w t r_d_ w_t h C_n_d_, f r_z_ S__ d_ f l_g h t s t_ _n d f r_m T_r_n t_, _n d c_n c_l l_d s c h_l_r s h_p s f_r S__ d_ s t_d_n t s _n C_n_d_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the teenage saudi asylum seeker who fled saudi arabia two weeks ago has been granted asylum by canada rahaf mohammed alqunun 18 arrived at torontos pearson international airport on saturday she was greeted by canadas foreign minister chrystia freeland who told reporters This is a very brave new canadian she added rahaf wanted canadians to see that she has arrived at her new home she has had a very long and tiring journey and so would prefer not to take questions today and she is now going to go to her new home rahaf was all smiles as she was whisked through the airport wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the word canada

Rahaf is fleeing alleged abuse by her family whom she claims want to kill her she was detained in bangkok on january 6th while trying to board a flight to australia where she initially wanted to seek asylum she appealed for help on twitter and her plight gained worldwide attention she was then granted refugee status by the united nations commission on human rights canadas decision to grant asylum to Rahaf could worsen relations between canada and saudi relations are already strained after canada called for the release of a jailed saudi human rights activist saudi suspended new trade with canada froze saudi flights to and from toronto and cancelled scholarships for saudi students in canada.

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheteenageSaudiasylumseekerwhofledSaudiArabiatwoweeksagoh
asbeengrantedasylumbyCanada.RahafMohammedAlqunun,18,arri
vedatToronto'sPearsonInternationalAirportonSaturday.Shewasgre
etedbyCanada'sForeignMinisterChrystiaFreeland,whotoldreporters
:"ThisisaverybravenewCanadian."Sheadded:"RahafwantedCanadia
nstoseethatshehasarrivedathernewhome.Shehashadaverylongand
tiringjourneyandsowouldprefernottotakequestionstoday.Andsheisn
owgoingtogotohernewhome."Rahafwasallsmilesasshewaswhiskedt
hroughtheairportwearingahoodieemblazonedwiththeword"Canada"
.Rahafisfleeingallegedabusebyherfamily,whomsheclaimswanttokill
her.ShewasdetainedinBangkokonJanuary6thwhiletryingtoboardafli
ghttoAustralia,wheresheinitiallywantedtoseekasylum.Sheappealed
forhelponTwitterandherplightgainedworldwideattention.Shewasthe
ngrantedrefugeestatusbytheUnitedNationsCommissiononHumanRi
ghts.Canada'sdecisiontograntasylumtoRahafcouldworsenrelations
betweenCanadaandSaudi.RelationsarealreadystrainedafterCanada
calledforthereleaseofajailedSaudihumanrightsactivist.Saudisuspen
dednewtradewithCanada,frozeSaudiflightstoandfromToronto,andc
ancelledscholarshipsforSaudistudentsinCanada.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

All people seeking asylum should be granted it. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. ASYLUM SEEKERS: Make a poster about asylum seekers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. ASYLUM: Write a magazine article about all asylum seekers being granted asylum in the country of their choice. 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 asylum seekers. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to help asylum seekers. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: Asylum Seeker

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