Breaking News English Lesson: King Leopold II Statue

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Statue of Belgian King taken down after protests (12th June, 2020)

The Reading / Listening - King Leopold II Statue - Level 3

A statue of a former Belgian king was covered in paint and then pulled down by anti-racism protestors. The statue was of King Leopold II, who was King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. He was also ruler of the Congo Free State in Africa from 1885 to 1908. A statue of him in the Belgian city of Antwerp was attacked by protestors over the weekend. It was removed from its pedestal on Tuesday. Hundreds of protestors cheered as the statue came down. City officials say they will probably put the statue in a city museum. A city official said: "The square where the statue stood will be redesigned in 2023. There will be no room for it there afterwards. It will remain part of the museum's collection."

Over 64,000 people signed an online petition against the memory of Leopold on Tuesday. They want more people to know about what he did in the Congo. Historians say he was responsible for the deaths of more than 10 million Congolese people during his 23-year reign. A newspaper said these deaths led to the first use of the term, "crime against humanity". The petition said: "In the space of 23 years, this man killed more than 10 million Congolese without ever having set foot in the Congo." He made a huge personal fortune from the rubber plantations he owned. Another petition was signed by 8,000 people. They believe he was not a "slave king" and that the people who ran the Congo led to the millions of deaths.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

King Leopold II Statue - Level 0, King Leopold II Statue - Level 1 or King Leopold II Statue - Level 2

Sources

https://www.dw.com/en/belgium-king-leopold-ii-statue-removed-in-antwerp-after-anti-racism-protests/a-53755021
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/leopold-ii-belgium-antwerp-remove-statue-200609133037080.html
https://www.okayafrica.com/black-lives-matter-protests-belgian-statue-removed-from-square/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_II_of_Belgium

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. STATUES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about statues. 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?
statue / king / anti-racism / ruler / protestor / cheered / museum / square / collection
online / petition / memory / responsible / crime / space / fortune / plantations / slave
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. REMOVAL: Students A strongly believe all statues of anyone with a racist past should be removed; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. DESIGN A STATUE: What kind of statue would you design for these things? What would you call it? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	The Design	Its Name	Why?
Anti-racism
English
The environment
Peace
Love
Chocolate

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

Statue of Liberty
Venus de Milo
The Thinker
Christ the Redeemer
Buddha of Bamyan
Discobolus
Easter Island Moai
Sphinx

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	former	a.	A person controlling a country (like a king, queen, sheikh, emir, empress, etc.).
2.	covered	b.	Having had or been in a role before.
3.	ruler	c.	A person who walks in the street (sometimes with a sign, sometimes shouting slogans, sometimes sitting down quietly) because they are unhappy with the government.
4.	protestor	d.	Shout for happiness or to encourage people to do something.
5.	cheered	e.	Put something on top of something else to keep it safe, hide it, paint it, etc.
6.	officials	f.	Stay; continue to be the same.
7.	remain	g.	People who have some power to change things in the government or other organisation, or in a company.

Paragraph 2

8.	petition	h.	Having a duty to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role.
9.	responsible	i.	Very, very, very big.
10.	reign	j.	A formal written request signed by many people to get something to change.
11.	humanity	k.	The period during which a king, queen, etc. rules.
12.	huge	l.	A very large amount of money or things.
13.	fortune	m.	All of the people in the world thought of as a group.
14.	plantation	n.	A kind of large farm on which crops such as coffee, sugar, bananas, rubber, etc. are grown.

Before reading / listening

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

Someone put paint over a statue of a former king of Belgium. T / F
King Leopold II ruled Belgium in the 19th and 20th centuries. T / F
Many people booed when the statue of King Leopold II came down. T / F
The statue will probably be put in a museum. T / F
Over half a million people signed an online petition. T / F
Historians say King Leopold II was responsible for 10 million deaths. T / F
King Leopold II only visited the Congo once. T / F
King Leopold II made a lot of money from rubber plantations. T / F

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

former
protestors
removed
ruler
remain
responsible
reign
term
fortune
ran

rule
stay
to blame
governed
demonstrators
riches
taken away
ex-
phrase
leader

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

A statue of a former
pulled down by anti-racism
It was removed from its
protestors cheered as the
It will remain part of the
64,000 people signed
he was responsible
crime against
He made a huge personal
the people who

fortune
museum's collection
for the deaths
an online petition
protestors
pedestal
humanity
Belgian king
ran the Congo
statue came down

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

cheered
ruler
remain
former
removed
stood
protestors
probably

A statue of a (1) ____________ Belgian king was covered in paint and then pulled down by anti-racism (2) ____________. The statue was of King Leopold II, who was King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. He was also (3) ____________ of the Congo Free State in Africa from 1885 to 1908. A statue of him in the Belgian city of Antwerp was attacked by protestors over the weekend. It was (4) ____________ from its pedestal on Tuesday. Hundreds of protestors (5) ____________ as the statue came down. City officials say they will (6) ____________ put the statue in a city museum. A city official said: "The square where the statue (7) ____________ will be redesigned in 2023. There will be no room for it there afterwards. It will (8) ____________ part of the museum's collection."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

responsible
reign
slave
foot
petition
deaths
fortune
humanity

Over 64,000 people signed an online (9) ____________ against the memory of Leopold on Tuesday. They want more people to know about what he did in the Congo. Historians say he was (10) ____________ for the deaths of more than 10 million Congolese people during his 23-year (11) ____________. A newspaper said these deaths led to the first use of the term, "crime against (12) ____________". The petition said: "In the space of 23 years, this man killed more than 10 million Congolese without ever having set (13) ____________ in the Congo." He made a huge personal (14) ____________ from the rubber plantations he owned. Another petition was signed by 8,000 people. They believe he was not a "(15) ____________ king" and that the people who ran the Congo led to the millions of (16) ____________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) a former Belgian king was covered in paint and then pulled down by ______
     a. anti-ray schism protestors
     b. anti-racist protestations
     c. anti-racism protestors
     d. entry-racism protests
2) It was removed from its ______
     a. pedestal on Tuesday
     b. pedal stall on Tuesday
     c. paddle stall on Tuesday
     d. pedestrian on Tuesday
3) City officials say they will probably put the statue in ______
     a. a city museums
     b. a city muse sum
     c. a city muse um
     d. a city museum
4) The square where the statue stood will ______ 2023
     a. being redesigned in
     b. been redesigned in
     c. be redesigned in
     d. bye redesigned in
5) no room for it there afterwards. It will remain part of ______
     a. the museum's collection
     b. the museum's collective
     c. the museum's collect all
     d. the museum's collector

6) Over 64,000 people signed ______
     a. an online petting shun
     b. an online pet tissue
     c. an online partition
     d. an online petition
7) the deaths of more than 10 million Congolese people during ______
     a. his 23-year rain
     b. his 23-year rune
     c. his 23-year run
     d. his 23-year reign
8) these deaths led to the first use of the term, "crime ______"
     a. against human
     b. against humanity
     c. against humane
     d. against humanly
9) He made a huge personal fortune from ______
     a. the rubber plantations
     b. the rubber planters
     c. the rubber plant nations
     d. the rubber plan stations
10) a "slave king" and that the people who ran the Congo led to the ______
     a. millions of death
     b. millions of dying
     c. millions of dearth
     d. millions of deaths

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A statue of a former Belgian king was (1) ___________________ and then pulled down by anti-racism protestors. The statue was of King Leopold II, who was King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. He (2) ___________________ of the Congo Free State in Africa from 1885 to 1908. A statue of him in the Belgian city of Antwerp (3) ___________________ protestors over the weekend. It was removed from its pedestal on Tuesday. Hundreds of protestors (4) ___________________ statue came down. City officials say they will probably put the statue in a city museum. A city official said: "The (5) ___________________ statue stood will be redesigned in 2023. There will be no room for it there afterwards. It will (6) ___________________ the museum's collection."

Over 64,000 people signed an online (7) ___________________ memory of Leopold on Tuesday. They want more people to know about what he did in the Congo. Historians say he was responsible (8) ___________________ of more than 10 million Congolese people during his 23-year reign. A newspaper said these deaths led to the first use of (9) ___________________ against humanity". The petition said: "In the space of 23 years, this man killed more than 10 million Congolese without ever (10) ___________________ in the Congo." He made a huge personal fortune from the rubber plantations he owned. Another petition (11) ___________________ 8,000 people. They believe he was not a "slave king" and that the people who ran the Congo led to the (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

What did protestors cover a statue of King Leopold II in?
When did King Leopold II start his reign as king?
In what Belgian city was the statue of King Leopold II?
What did protestors do as the statue of King Leopold II came down?
Where will the statue remain?
How many people signed a petition against the memory of the king?
Who said King Leopold II was responsible for over 10 million deaths?
What phrase did the 10 million deaths create?
What did King Leopold II make a huge fortune from?
Who did 8,000 people think were responsible for the 10 million deaths?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did protestors cover a statue of King Leopold II in?
a) a sheet
b) paint
c) a blanket
d) paper
2) When did King Leopold II start his reign as king?
a) 1864
b) 1909
c) 1823
d) 1865
3) In what Belgian city was the statue of King Leopold II?
a) Antwerp
b) Bruges
c) Brussels
d) Ghent
4) What did protestors do as the statue of King Leopold II came down?
a) booed
b) sat down
c) they cheered
d) remained silent
5) Where will the statue remain?
a) on the ground
b) in a museum
c) in storage
d) in the city hall

6) How many people signed a petition against the memory of the king?
a) over 64,000
b) exactly 64,000
c) around 64,000
d) jut fewer than 64,000
7) Who said King Leopold II was responsible for over 10 million deaths?
a) the Congolese
b) a biographer
c) historians
d) protestors
8) What phrase did the 10 million deaths create?
a) crime against humanity
b) the Scramble for Africa
c) the dark old days
d) a stitch in time saves nine
9) What did King Leopold II make a huge fortune from?
a) rubber plantations
b) gold
c) diamonds
d) tea and tobacco
10) Who did 8,000 people think were responsible for the 10 million deaths?
a) King Leopold
b) plantation owners
c) other countries
d) the people who ran the Congo

Role play

Role A – Statue of Liberty
You think the Statue of Liberty is the world's greatest statue. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their statues. Also, tell the others which is the least impressive of these (and why): the Easter Island Moai, the Venus de Milo or the Sphinx.

Role B – Easter Island Moai
You think the Easter Island Moai is the world's greatest statue. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their statues. Also, tell the others which is the least impressive of these (and why): Statue of Liberty, the Venus de Milo or the Sphinx.

Role C – The Venus de Milo
You think the Venus de Milo is the world's greatest statue. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their statues. Also, tell the others which is the least impressive of these (and why): the Easter Island Moai, Statue of Liberty or the Sphinx.

Role D – The Sphinx
You think the Sphinx is the world's greatest statue. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their statues. Also, tell the others which is the least impressive of these (and why): the Easter Island Moai, the Venus de Milo or Statue of Liberty.

After reading / listening

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

'king'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'statue'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

former

ruler

over

removed

probably

remain

memory

know

during

crime

foot

millions

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 - King Leopold II Statue

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 'statue'?
What do you know about the history of Congo?
What kinds of statues do you like?
Why do people create statues?
Why do towns put statues in their streets?
Are there any statues you dislike?
Should statues of slavers be pulled down?
Should there be statues of those with racist, sexist or homophobic views?
What should happen to the statue of King Leopold II?

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 'king'?
What do you think about what you read?
Have you ever signed a petition?
How much did you know about the deaths of the 10 million Congolese?
What should happen to those guilty of crimes against humanity?
What should happen to the fortunes made from enslaved people?
What do you know about black history?
What three adjectives best describe this story?
What questions would you like to ask Belgium's king?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

A statue of a former Belgian king was (1) ____ in paint and then pulled down by anti-racism protestors. The statue was of King Leopold II, who was King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. He was also (2) ____ of the Congo Free State in Africa from 1885 to 1908. A statue of (3) ____ in the Belgian city of Antwerp was attacked by protestors over the weekend. It was removed from its pedestal on Tuesday. Hundreds of protestors (4) ____ as the statue came down. City officials say they will (5) ____ put the statue in a city museum. A city official said: "The square where the statue stood will be redesigned in 2023. There will be no room for it there afterwards. It will (6) ____ part of the museum's collection."

Over 64,000 people signed an online petition against the (7) ____ of Leopold on Tuesday. They want more people to know about what he did in Congo. Historians say he was responsible for the deaths of (8) ____ than 10 million Congolese people during his 23-year reign. A newspaper said these deaths led to the first use of the term, "(9) ____ against humanity". The petition said: "In the space of 23 years, this man killed more than 10 million Congolese without ever having (10) ____ foot in the Congo." He made a huge personal fortune from the rubber plantations he owned. Another petition was (11) ____ by 8,000 people. They believe he was not a "slave king" and that the people who (12) ____ Congo led to the millions of deaths.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) covers (b) covering (c) covered (d) cover
(a) ruler (b) rules (c) ruling (d) ruled
(a) him (b) his (c) he (d) them
(a) cheered (b) cheerio (c) cheers (d) cheery
(a) possible (b) probably (c) parable (d) palpably
(a) trace (b) firm (c) standing (d) remain
(a) book (b) response (c) memory (d) target
(a) much (b) most (c) many (d) more
(a) crime (b) dime (c) grime (d) climb
(a) set (b) let (c) bet (d) met
(a) graphed (b) signed (c) housed (d) profiled
(a) run (b) running (c) ran (d) runner

Spelling

Paragraph 1

anti-casrim protestors
It was vromeed from its pedestal
Hundreds of protestors deheecr
put the tautes in a city museum
no room for it there fwaderrtas
part of the museum's eilocltcno

Paragraph 2

people signed an online nitpeito
he was bpeisesnorl for the deaths
crime against taiyhmnu
He made a huge personal noufetr
the rubber itsolanpatn he owned
They believe he was not a "alsev king"

Put the text back together

(...) people to know about what he did in the Congo. Historians say he was responsible for the
(...) by protestors over the weekend. It was removed from its pedestal on Tuesday. Hundreds of protestors
(...) ruler of the Congo Free State in Africa from 1885 to 1908. A statue of him in the Belgian city of Antwerp was attacked
(...) museum. A city official said: "The square where the statue stood will be redesigned
(...) cheered as the statue came down. City officials say they will probably put the statue in a city
( 1 ) A statue of a former Belgian king was covered in paint and then pulled down by anti-racism
(...) Over 64,000 people signed an online petition against the memory of Leopold on Tuesday. They want more
(...) deaths of more than 10 million Congolese people during his 23-year reign. A newspaper said these deaths led
(...) in 2023. There will be no room for it there afterwards. It will remain part of the museum's collection."
(...) than 10 million Congolese without ever having set foot in the Congo." He made a huge personal fortune from the rubber
(...) to the first use of the term, "crime against humanity". The petition said: "In the space of 23 years, this man killed more
(...) a "slave king" and that the people who ran the Congo led to the millions of deaths.
(...) plantations he owned. Another petition was signed by 8,000 people. They believe he was not
(...) protestors. The statue was of King Leopold II, who was King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. He was also

Put the words in the right order

statue a king former of Belgian was A covered .
on its was pedestal removed from It Tuesday .
down . Protestors statue cheered the came as
there . no it will There room for be
of remain the will museum's It part collection .
was for responsible say deaths . Historians he the
the of humanity" . against use First term "crime
having in Without ever foot Congo . the set
signed Another was 8,000 people . by petition
not he was slave They a believe king .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A statue of a former / farmer Belgian king was covered in paint and then pulled down by anti-racism protest / protestors. The statue was of King Leopold II, who was King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. He was also ruler / rule of the Congo Free State in Africa from 1885 to 1908. A statue of him in the Belgian city of Antwerp was attacker / attacked by protestors over the weekend. It was removed / removal from its pedestal on Tuesday. Hundreds of protestors chaired / cheered as the statue came down / up. City officials say they will probably / probable put the statue in a city museum. A city official said: "The square where the statue knelt / stood will be redesigned in 2023. There will be no room for it there afterwards. It will remain / still part of the museum's collection."

Over 64,000 people signed / singed an online petition against the memory of Leopold on Tuesday. They want more people to know about what he bad / did in the Congo. Historians say he was responsible for / to the deaths of more than 10 million Congolese people between / during his 23-year reign. A newspaper said these deaths led to the first write / use of the term, "crime against humanity". The petition said: "In the gaps / space of 23 years, this man killed more than 10 million Congolese but / without ever having set foot in the Congo." He made a huge personal fortune / fortunate from the rubber plantations he owners / owned. Another petition was signed by 8,000 people. They believe he was not a "slave king" and that the people who ran / run the Congo led to the millions of deaths.

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)

s t_t__ _f _ f_r m_r B_l g__ n k_n g w_s c_v_r_d _n p__ n t _n d t h_n p_l l_d d_w n b y _n t_- r_c_s m p r_t_s t_r s . T h_ s t_t__ w_s _f K_n g L__ p_l d I I , w h_ w_s K_n g _f t h_ B_l g__ n s f r_m 1 8 6 5 t_ 1 9 0 9 . H_ w_s _l s_ r_l_r _f t h_ C_n g_ F r__ S t_t_ _n A f r_c_ f r_m 1 8 8 5 t_ 1 9 0 8 . A s t_t__ _f h_m _n t h_ B_l g__ n c_t y _f A n t w_r p w_s _t t_c k_d b y p r_t_s t_r s _v_r t h_ w__ k_n d . I t w_s r_m_v_d f r_m _t s p_d_s t_l _n T__ s d_y . H_n d r_d s _f p r_t_s t_r s c h__ r_d _s t h_ s t_t__ c_m_ d_w n . C_t y _f f_c__ l s s_y t h_y w_l l p r_b_b l y p_t t h_ s t_t__ _n _ c_t y m_s__ m . A c_t y _f f_c__ l s__ d : " T h_ s q__ r_ w h_r_ t h_ s t_t__ s t__ d w_l l b_ r_d_s_g n_d _n 2 0 2 3 . T h_r_ w_l l b_ n_ r__ m f_r _t t h_r_ _f t_r w_r d s . I t w_l l r_m__ n p_r t _f t h_ m_s__ m ' s c_l l_c t__ n . "

O v_r 6 4 , 0 0 0 p__ p l_ s_g n_d _n _n l_n_ p_t_t__ n _g__ n s t t h_ m_m_r y _f L__ p_l d _n T__ s d_y . T h_y w_n t m_r_ p__ p l_ t_ k n_w _b__ t w h_t h_ d_d _n C_n g_. H_s t_r__ n s s_y h_ w_s r_s p_n s_b l_ f_r t h_ d__ t h s _f m_r_ t h_n 1 0 m_l l__ n C_n g_l_s_ p__ p l_ d_r_n g h_s 2 3 - y__ r r__ g n . A n_w s p_p_r s__ d t h_s_ d__ t h s l_d t_ t h_ f_r s t _s_ _f t h_ t_r m , " c r_m_ _g__ n s t h_m_n_t y " . T h_ p_t_t__ n s__ d : " I n t h_ s p_c_ _f 2 3 y__ r s , t h_s m_n k_l l_d m_r_ t h_n 1 0 m_l l__ n C_n g_l_s_ w_t h__ t _v_r h_v_n g s_t f__ t _n t h_ C_n g_. " H_ m_d_ _ h_g_ p_r s_n_l f_r t_n_ f r_m t h_ r_b b_r p l_n t_t__ n s h_ _w n_d . A n_t h_r p_t_t__ n w_s s_g n_d b y 8 , 0 0 0 p__ p l_. T h_y b_l__ v_ h_ w_s n_t _ " s l_v_ k_n g " _n d t h_t t h_ p__ p l_ w h_ r_n C_n g_ l_d t_ t h_ m_l l__ n s _f d__ t h s .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a statue of a former belgian king was covered in paint and then pulled down by antiracism protestors the statue was of king leopold ii who was king of the belgians from 1865 to 1909 he was also ruler of the congo free state in africa from 1885 to 1908 a statue of him in the belgian city of antwerp was attacked by protestors over the weekend it was removed from its pedestal on tuesday hundreds of protestors cheered as the statue came down city officials say they will probably put the statue in a city museum a city official said the square where the statue stood will be redesigned in 2023 there will be no room for it there afterwards it will remain part of the museums collection

over 64000 people signed an online petition against the memory of leopold on tuesday they want more people to know about what he did in the Congo historians say he was responsible for the deaths of more than 10 million congolese people during his 23year reign a newspaper said these deaths led to the first use of the term crime against humanity the petition said in the space of 23 years this man killed more than 10 million congolese without ever having set foot in the congo he made a huge personal fortune from the rubber plantations he owned another petition was signed by 8000 people they believe he was not a slave king and that the people who ran the Congo led to the millions of deaths

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

AstatueofaformerBelgiankingwascoveredinpaintandthenpulleddow
nbyanti-racismprotestors.ThestatuewasofKingLeopoldII,whowasK
ingoftheBelgiansfrom1865to1909.HewasalsoruleroftheCongoFreeS
tateinAfricafrom1885to1908.AstatueofhimintheBelgiancityofAntwe
rpwasattackedbyprotestorsovertheweekend.Itwasremovedfromits
pedestalonTuesday.Hundredsofprotestorscheeredasthestatuecam
edown.Cityofficialssaytheywillprobablyputthestatueinacitymuseum
.Acityofficialsaid:"Thesquarewherethestatuestoodwillberedesigned
in2023.Therewillbenoroomforitthereafterwards.Itwillremainpartoft
hemuseum'scollection."Over64,000peoplesignedanonlinepetitiona
gainstthememoryofLeopoldonTuesday.Theywantmorepeopletokno
waboutwhathedidinCongo.Historianssayhewasresponsibleforthede
athsofmorethan10millionCongolesepeopleduringhis23-yearreign.A
newspapersaidthesedeathsledtothefirstuseoftheterm,"crimeagains
thumanity".Thepetitionsaid:"Inthespaceof23years,thismankilledm
orethan10millionCongolesewithouteverhavingsetfootintheCongo."
Hemadeahugepersonalfortunefromtherubberplantationsheowned.
Anotherpetitionwassignedby8,000people.Theybelievehewasnota"sl
aveking"andthatthepeoplewhoranCongoledtothemillionsofdeaths.

Free writing

Write about King Leopold II Statue for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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Academic writing

Write about statues for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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. STATUES: Make a poster about statues. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. COLONIAL ERA STATUES: Write a magazine article about removing all colonial-era statues. 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 statues. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on what to do with statues of people who made money from colonialism. 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: King Leopold II Statue

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