Breaking News English Lesson on Disinfectant

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Doctors warn against disinfectant as coronavirus cure (27th April, 2020)

The Reading / Listening - Disinfectant - Level 6

Doctors around the world have issued strong warnings for people not to use disinfectant to treat coronavirus. Their plea follows suggestions on Thursday by US President Donald Trump that disinfectant could potentially be used to treat COVID-19. President Trump said: "I see the disinfectant, where it knocks [the virus] out in one minute....Is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning?...It gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs." On Friday, Mr Trump said his comments had been made "sarcastically". The White House press secretary said the media took the comments out of context and ran "with negative headlines".

Disinfectants are hazardous and toxic substances. They can be poisonous if ingested and have fatal consequences. Reckitt Benckiser, maker of the best-selling disinfectant Lysol, warned that its product should "under no circumstance" be injected or ingested. The president of the American Medical Association also joined in the chorus of concern regarding President Trump's comments. She said: "It is unfortunate that I have to comment on this, but people should under no circumstances ingest or inject bleach or disinfectant." She added: "Rest assured, when we eventually find a treatment for or vaccine against COVID-19, it will not be in the cleaning supplies aisle."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Disinfectant - Level 4 or Disinfectant - Level 5

Sources

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-trump-disinfectant-idUKKCN2261O5
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52399464
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-scientists-warning-trump-comments-134711945.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. DISINFECTANT: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about disinfectant. 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?
doctors / warnings / disinfectant / injection / cleaning / lungs / sarcastic / headlines /
hazardous / toxic / fatal / injected / chorus / circumstances / treatment / vaccine
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. HEALTH OFFICIALS: Students A strongly believe only health officials should make announcements about health and not national leaders; Students B strongly believe national leaders should make health announcements. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. COVID-19: How effective are these things at keeping COVID-19 at bay? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Effective	Not Effective
Hand washing
Hand sanitizer
Gloves
Masks
Self-quarantine
Garlic and lemon

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. VACCINE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "vaccine". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CONCERNS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best concerns regarding COVID-19 at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Social distancing
Shopping
Money
Lockdown
Other people
Boredom
No end in sight
Health advice

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	issued	a.	With the capacity to develop or happen in the future.
2.	plea	b.	In a joking that is meant to mock people.
3.	potentially	c.	Formally sent out or made known to people.
4.	injection	d.	A request made in an urgent and emotional manner.
5.	tremendous	e.	The action of putting a liquid, drug or vaccine into a person's body via a needle.
6.	sarcastically	f.	Very great in amount, scale, or intensity.
7.	context	g.	The setting for an event, statement, or idea and how it can be fully understood.

Paragraph 2

8.	hazardous	h.	Something said at the same time by many people..
9.	toxic	i.	Risky; dangerous.
10.	fatal	j.	Taken food, drink, or another substance into the body by swallowing or absorbing it.
11.	ingested	k.	An event or fact that causes or helps to cause something to happen, typically something undesirable.
12.	chorus	l.	Poisonous.
13.	circumstances	m.	A passage between rows of seats in a building such as a church or theater, an airplane, or a train.
14.	aisle	n.	Causing death.

Before reading / listening

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

The article said doctors in the USA have issued warnings. T / F
President Trump said disinfectant was an effective COVID-19 cure. T / F
President Trump said he has a tremendous number of lungs. T / F
The White House said the media's headlines were negative. T / F
Ingesting disinfectants can be fatal. T / F
A disinfectant maker warned people not to inject disinfectant. T / F
The American Medical Association (AMA) president sang in a chorus. T / F
The AMA president said vaccines would not be in cleaning supply aisles. T / F

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

issued
plea
treat
tremendous
media
ingested
circumstance
concern
assured
aisle

satisfied
deal with
swallowed
press
anxiety
sent out
passageway
huge
appeal
situation

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

not to use disinfectant to treat
disinfectant could potentially be
It gets in
the media took the comments
ran with negative
Disinfectants are hazardous
maker of the best-
joined in the chorus
It is unfortunate that I have to
it will not be in the cleaning

out of context
comment on this
headlines
selling disinfectant
used to treat COVID-19
the lungs
of concern
coronavirus
supplies aisle
and toxic substances

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

plea
lungs
negative
treat
press
knocks
issued
comments

Doctors around the world have (1) ____________ strong warnings for people not to use disinfectant to (2) ____________ coronavirus. Their (3) ____________ follows suggestions on Thursday by US President Donald Trump that disinfectant could potentially be used to treat COVID-19. President Trump said: "I see the disinfectant, where it (4) ____________ [the virus] out in one minute....Is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning?...It gets in the (5) ____________ and it does a tremendous number on the lungs." On Friday, Mr Trump said his (6) ____________ had been made "sarcastically". The White House (7) ____________ secretary said the media took the comments out of context and ran "with (8) ____________ headlines".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

comment
hazardous
bleach
aisle
product
consequences
vaccine
chorus

Disinfectants are (9) ____________ and toxic substances. They can be poisonous if ingested and have fatal (10) ____________. Reckitt Benckiser, maker of the best-selling disinfectant Lysol, warned that its (11) ____________ should "under no circumstance" be injected or ingested. The president of the American Medical Association also joined in the (12) ____________ of concern regarding President Trump's comments. She said: "It is unfortunate that I have to (13) ____________ on this, but people should under no circumstances ingest or inject (14) ____________ or disinfectant." She added: "Rest assured, when we eventually find a treatment for or (15) ____________ against COVID-19, it will not be in the cleaning supplies (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) issued strong warnings for people not to use disinfectant ______
     a. too threat coronavirus
     b. to treaty coronavirus
     c. to treat coronavirus
     d. toot treat coronavirus
2) Is there a way we can do something like ______
     a. that by injection
     b. that buy injection
     c. that bile injection
     d. that buying jet shun
3) It gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number ______
     a. on the lungs
     b. on the lungs
     c. on the lungs
     d. on the lungs
4) On Friday, Mr Trump said his comments had been ______
     a. made "sardonically"
     b. made "sarcastically"
     c. made "so caustically"
     d. made "so cautiously"
5) The White House press secretary said the media took the comments ______
     a. out of context
     b. out off context
     c. outer context
     d. out off con text

6) They can be poisonous if ingested and have ______
     a. fatal consequence
     b. fatal consequential
     c. fatal consequences
     d. fatal cons sequences
7) its product should "under no circumstance" be ______
     a. injected or ingested
     b. inject it or ingest it
     c. injection or ingestion
     d. inject or ingest
8) It is unfortunate that I have to ______
     a. comment on these
     b. comment on this
     c. comments on this
     d. comment ton this
9) Rest assured when we eventually find a treatment ______
     a. form or vaccine
     b. for or vaccine
     c. for nor vaccine
     d. for or vacuum
10) She said the cure would "not be in the cleaning ______
     a. supplies path
     b. supplies lane
     c. supplies track
     d. supplies aisle

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Doctors around the world have (1) ___________________ for people not to use disinfectant to treat coronavirus. Their (2) ___________________ on Thursday by US President Donald Trump that disinfectant could potentially be (3) ___________________ COVID-19. President Trump said: "I see the disinfectant, where it knocks [the virus] out in one minute....Is there a way we can do something like that (4) ___________________ or almost a cleaning?...It gets in the lungs and it does (5) ___________________ on the lungs." On Friday, Mr Trump said his comments had been made "sarcastically". The White House press secretary said the media took the comments (6) ___________________ and ran "with negative headlines".

Disinfectants are (7) ___________________ substances. They can be poisonous if ingested and (8) ___________________. Reckitt Benckiser, maker of the best-selling disinfectant Lysol, warned that its product should "under no circumstance" be (9) ___________________. The president of the American Medical Association also joined in the chorus of concern regarding President Trump's comments. She said: "It (10) ___________________ I have to comment on this, but people should under no circumstances ingest or inject (11) ___________________." She added: "Rest assured, when we eventually find a treatment for or vaccine against COVID-19, it will not be in the (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

Which doctors issued strong warnings against using disinfectant?
How long did Mr Trump say disinfectant took to kill the virus?
What did Mr Trump say disinfectant does "a tremendous number on"?
What did Mr Trump say about his comments?
What did the White House say the media wrote?
What kind of consequences can disinfectants have?
What is the name of the best-selling disinfectant mentioned?
What did the American Medical Association (AMA) president join?
What did the AMA president warn not to ingest or inject?
Where did the AMA president say a vaccine would not be found?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Which doctors issued strong warnings against using disinfectant?
a) American doctors
b) virologists
c) doctors around the world
d) epidemiologists
2) How long did Mr Trump say disinfectant took to kill the virus?
a) one minute
b) one second
c) a fraction of a second
d) a few seconds
3) What did Mr Trump say disinfectant does "a tremendous number on"?
a) toilet seats
b) kitchen counters
c) germs
d) two lungs
4) What did Mr Trump say about his comments?
a) they were accurate
b) they were sarcastic
c) they were regrettable
d) they were sardonic
5) What did the White House say the media wrote?
a) fake news
b) lies
c) negative headlines
d) the truth

6) What kind of consequences can disinfectants have?
a) negative consequences
b) fatal consequences
c) multiple consequences
d) varied consequences
7) What is the name of the best-selling disinfectant mentioned?
a) Bleacho
b) Dettol
c) Domestos
d) Lysol
8) What did the American Medical Association (AMA) president join?
a) a protest
b) a chorus of concern
c) a doctors' group
d) a Zoom meeting
9) What did the AMA president warn not to ingest or inject?
a) bleach or disinfectant
b) COVID-19
c) vaccines
d) drugs
10) Where did the AMA president say a vaccine would not be found?
a) the White House
b) a pharmacy
c) under a microscope
d) the cleaning supplies aisle

Role play

Role A – Shopping
You think shopping is the biggest worry about COVID-19. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as worrying. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): boredom, social distancing or money.

Role B – Money
You think money is the biggest worry about COVID-19. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as worrying. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): boredom, social distancing or shopping.

Role C – Social Distancing
You think social distancing is the biggest worry about COVID-19. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as worrying. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): shopping, boredom or money.

Role D – Boredom
You think boredom is the biggest worry about COVID-19. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as worrying. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): shopping, money or social distancing.

After reading / listening

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

'doctor'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'disinfection'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

strong

plea

knocks

inside

number

ran

substances

maker

chorus

comment

rest

cure

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 - Disinfectant

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 'disinfectant'?
What do you know about disinfectant?
Do you think disinfectant has any health benefits?
How serious do you think Donald Trump was?
What have doctors being saying about Donald Trump's words?
What would happen if disinfectant got inside the body?
How has Donald Trump's handling of the pandemic been?
Do you think the press took Mr Trump's words out of context?
What advice do you have for Donald Trump?

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 'poison'?
What do you think about what you read?
What different ways is disinfectant used?
What do you think of disinfectant makers having to issue warnings?
What do you think of Donald Trump's words?
When do you think we will find a cure or vaccine?
How will you react if we find a vaccine?
What three adjectives best describe this story?
What questions would you like to ask Donald Trump?

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)

Doctors around the world have issued (1) ____ warnings for people not to use disinfectant to treat coronavirus. Their (2) ____ follows suggestions on Thursday by US President Donald Trump that disinfectant could potentially be used to (3) ____ COVID-19. President Trump said: "I see the disinfectant, where it knocks [the virus] (4) ____ in one minute....Is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning?...It gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs." On Friday, Mr Trump said his comments had been made "(5) ____". The White House press secretary said the media took the comments out of context and (6) ____ "with negative headlines".

Disinfectants are hazardous and toxic substances. They can be poisonous if ingested and have (7) ____ consequences. Reckitt Benckiser, maker of the best-selling disinfectant Lysol, warned that its product should "under (8) ____ circumstance" be injected or ingested. The president of the American Medical Association also joined in the (9) ____ of concern regarding President Trump's comments. She said: "It is unfortunate that I have to comment on this, but people should under no circumstances ingest or inject (10) ____ or disinfectant." She added: "Rest (11) ____ when we eventually find a treatment for or vaccine against COVID-19". She said the cure would "not be in the cleaning supplies (12) ____.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) strengthen (b) strongly (c) strength (d) strong
(a) thanks (b) thank (c) please (d) plea
(a) threaten (b) treat (c) treats (d) treaty
(a) under (b) to (c) out (d) up
(a) sarcastically (b) sarcasm (c) sarcastic (d) scarcely
(a) ran (b) paced (c) walked (d) jogged
(a) metal (b) natal (c) vital (d) fatal
(a) no (b) never (c) non (d) nor
(a) choir (b) chorus (c) song (d) ode
(a) batch (b) botch (c) bleach (d) breach
(a) insured (b) cured (c) assured (d) skewed
(a) alley (b) aisle (c) track (d) trail

Spelling

Paragraph 1

sesdui strong warnings
disinfectant to tetar coronavirus
something like that by tienicjno
it does a emerondtus number
The White House press reaseytrc
egntiave headlines

Paragraph 2

Disinfectants are doasrzuah
toxic suseabncts
fatal sucseqenncoe
joined in the rohsuc of concern
aieccnv against COVID-19
the cleaning supplies leias of a supermarket

Put the text back together

(...) coronavirus. Their plea follows suggestions on Thursday by US President Donald Trump that disinfectant could potentially
(...) be used to treat COVID-19. President Trump said: "I see the disinfectant, where it knocks [the virus]
(...) comments had been made "sarcastically". The White House press secretary said
(...) for or vaccine against COVID-19, it will not be in the cleaning supplies aisle."
(...) the media took the comments out of context and ran "with negative headlines".
(...) bleach or disinfectant." She added: "Rest assured, when we eventually find a treatment
(...) the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs." On Friday, Mr Trump said his
(...) out in one minute....Is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning?...It gets in
( 1 ) Doctors around the world have issued strong warnings for people not to use disinfectant to treat
(...) no circumstance" be injected or ingested. The president of the American Medical Association also
(...) consequences. Reckitt Benckiser, maker of the best-selling disinfectant Lysol, warned that its product should "under
(...) joined in the chorus of concern regarding President Trump's comments. She said: "It is unfortunate that I
(...) Disinfectants are hazardous and toxic substances. They can be poisonous if ingested and have fatal
(...) have to comment on this, but people should under no circumstances ingest or inject

Put the words in the right order

world Doctors the strong have around issued warnings .
could potentially COVID-19 . treat be Disinfectant to used
that We something do like by can injection .
made had comments Trump said his sarcastically . been
media took The comments out context . the of
if ingested consequences . fatal and have Poisonous
product under no be Its injected . circumstance should
unfortunate to have on comment I this . It's
for eventually find a COVID-19 . we treatment When
the cleaning Cures in aisle . won't supplies be

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Doctors around the world have issued strong waning / warnings for people not to use disinfectant to treat coronavirus. Their plea / please follows suggestions on Thursday by US President Donald Trump that disinfectant could potentially be used to threaten / treat COVID-19. President Trump said: "I see the disinfected / disinfectant, where it knocks [the virus] out in one minute....Is there a way we can do something such / like that by injection inside / inners or almost a cleaning?...It gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous letter / number on the lungs." On Friday, Mr Trump said his comments had been made "sarcastically / sarcastic". The White House press / iron secretary said the media took the comments out of context and ran / walked "with negative headlines".

Disinfectants are hazard / hazardous and toxic substances. They can be poisonous if ingested and have fatally / fatal consequences. Reckitt Benckiser, maker of the best-selling disinfectant Lysol, warned that its product should "under / over no circumstance" be injected or ingested. The president of the American Medical Association also joined on / in the chorus of / at concern regarding President Trump's comments. She said: "It is unfortunate that I have to comment on / in this, but people should under no / never circumstances ingest or inject bleach or disinfectant." She added: "Rest assurance / assured when we eventually find a treatment for or vaccine against COVID-19". She said the cure / card would "not be in the cleaning supplies aisle / window".

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)

D_c t_r s _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d h_v_ _s s__ d s t r_n g w_r n_n g s f_r p__ p l_ n_t t_ _s_ d_s_n f_c t_n t t_ t r__ t c_r_n_v_r_s . T h__ r p l__ f_l l_w s s_g g_s t__ n s _n T h_r s d_y b y U S P r_s_d_n t D_n_l d T r_m p t h_t d_s_n f_c t_n t c__ l d p_t_n t__ l l y b_ _s_d t_ t r__ t C O V I D - 1 9 . P r_s_d_n t T r_m p s__ d : " I s__ t h_ d_s_n f_c t_n t , w h_r_ _t k n_c k s [ t h_ v_r_s ] __ t _n _n_ m_n_t_. . . . I s t h_r_ _ w_y w_ c_n d_ s_m_t h_n g l_k_ t h_t b y _n j_c t__ n _n s_d_ _r _l m_s t _ c l__ n_n g ? . . . I t g_t s _n t h_ l_n g s _n d _t d__ s _ t r_m_n d__ s n_m b_r _n t h_ l_n g s . " O n F r_d_y , M r T r_m p s__ d h_s c_m m_n t s h_d b__ n m_d_ " s_r c_s t_c_l l y " . T h_ W h_t_ H__ s_ p r_s s s_c r_t_r y s__ d t h_ m_d__ t__ k t h_ c_m m_n t s __ t _f c_n t_x t _n d r_n " w_t h n_g_t_v_ h__ d l_n_s " .

D_s_n f_c t_n t s _r_ h_z_r d__ s _n d t_x_c s_b s t_n c_s . T h_y c_n b_ p__ s_n__ s _f _n g_s t_d _n d h_v_ f_t_l c_n s_q__ n c_s . R_c k_t t B_n c k_s_r , m_k_r _f t h_ b_s t - s_l l_n g d_s_n f_c t_n t L y s_l , w_r n_d t h_t _t s p r_d_c t s h__ l d "_n d_r n_ c_r c_m s t_n c_" b_ _n j_c t_d _r _n g_s t_d . T h_ p r_s_d_n t _f t h_ A m_r_c_n M_d_c_l A s s_c__ t__ n _l s_ j__ n_d _n t h_ c h_r_s _f c_n c_r n r_g_r d_n g P r_s_d_n t T r_m p ' s c_m m_n t s . S h_ s__ d : " I t _s _n f_r t_n_t_ t h_t I h_v_ t_ c_m m_n t _n t h_s , b_t p__ p l_ s h__ l d _n d_r n_ c_r c_m s t_n c_s _n g_s t _r _n j_c t b l__ c h _r d_s_n f_c t_n t . " S h_ _d d_d : " R_s t _s s_r_d w h_n w_ _v_n t__ l l y f_n d _ t r__ t m_n t f_r _r v_c c_n_ _g__ n s t C O V I D - 1 9 " . S h_ s__ d t h_ c_r_ w__ l d " n_t b_ _n t h_ c l__ n_n g s_p p l__ s __ s l_" .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

doctors around the world have issued strong warnings for people not to use disinfectant to treat coronavirus their plea follows suggestions on thursday by us president donald trump that disinfectant could potentially be used to treat covid19 president trump said i see the disinfectant where it knocks the virus out in one minute is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs on friday mr trump said his comments had been made sarcastically the white house press secretary said the media took the comments out of context and ran with negative headlines

disinfectants are hazardous and toxic substances they can be poisonous if ingested and have fatal consequences reckitt benckiser maker of the bestselling disinfectant lysol warned that its product should under no circumstance be injected or ingested the president of the american medical association also joined in the chorus of concern regarding president trumps comments she said it is unfortunate that i have to comment on this but people should under no circumstances ingest or inject bleach or disinfectant she added rest assured when we eventually find a treatment for or vaccine against covid19 she said the cure would not be in the cleaning supplies aisle

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Doctorsaroundtheworldhaveissuedstrongwarningsforpeoplenottou
sedisinfectanttotreatcoronavirus.TheirpleafollowssuggestionsonTh
ursdaybyUSPresidentDonaldTrumpthatdisinfectantcouldpotentially
beusedtotreatCOVID-19.PresidentTrumpsaid:"Iseethedisinfectan
t,whereitknocks[thevirus]outinoneminute....Isthereawaywecandos
omethinglikethatbyinjectioninsideoralmostacleaning?...Itgetsinthe
lungsanditdoesatremendousnumberonthelungs."OnFriday,MrTrum
psaidhiscommentshadbeenmade"sarcastically".TheWhiteHousepre
sssecretarysaidthemediatookthecommentsoutofcontextandran"wit
hnegativeheadlines".Disinfectantsarehazardousandtoxicsubstance
s.Theycanbepoisonousifingestedandhavefatalconsequences.Reckit
tBenckiser,makerofthebest-sellingdisinfectantLysol,warnedthatits
productshould"undernocircumstance"beinjectedoringested.Thepre
sidentoftheAmericanMedicalAssociationalsojoinedinthechorusofcon
cernregardingPresidentTrump'scomments.Shesaid:"Itisunfortunat
ethatIhavetocommentonthis,butpeopleshouldundernocircumstanc
esingestorinjectbleachordisinfectant."Sheadded:"Restassured,whe
nweeventuallyfindatreatmentfororvaccineagainstCOVID-19,itwill
notbeinthecleaningsuppliesaisle."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Social distancing should be in effect for the rest of this year. 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. DISINFECTANT: Make a poster about disinfectant. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. SOCIAL DISTANCING: Write a magazine article about social distancing being in effect for the rest of this year. 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 disinfectant. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to reduce the risk of getting the coronavirus. 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 Disinfectant

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