The Reading / Listening - Lantern Festival - Level 3

The United Nations has given a special award to a festival in South Korea. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided to add South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival to its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The festival was one of 25 things the UN decided to add to its heritage list this year. Some things that UNESCO adds to its heritage list are tangible - this means we can touch them. Examples are the Pyramids in Egypt or Machu Picchu in Peru. If something is intangible, we generally cannot touch it. Events like South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival or a dance or a method for weaving baskets are examples of intangible heritage.

South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival is a springtime event that is held to celebrate Buddha's birthday on April the 8th. It symbolizes lighting up the world to make things fair for everyone. The festival dates back two millennia. Historians say there was an ancient kingdom in 57BC where royals visited a temple to see lotus lanterns. Today, it is one of South Korea's biggest festivals. People make lanterns with paper and bamboo. They decorate temples with these. Many villages, towns and cities hold parades in which the lanterns are carried through the streets. A spokesperson said: "We will try to make the festival a cultural heritage that can be loved by people around the world regardless of their religion."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Lantern Festival - Level 0,  Lantern Festival - Level 1   or  Lantern Festival - Level 2

Sources
  • http://koreabizwire.com/s-koreas-lantern-lighting-fest-listed-as-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage/177167
  • http://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201216000210
  • http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=158327


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. LANTERNS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about lanterns. 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?
       award / festival / list / humanity / heritage / Pyramids / touch / Peru / weaving /
       springtime / celebrate / lighting / fair / ancient / kingdom / paper bamboo / religion
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. UNESCO: Students A strongly believe UNESCO is a very important organisation; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FESTIVALS: What are your experiences of these festivals? How important are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Your Experience

How Important

School festival

 

 

Dance festival

 

 

Music festival

 

 

Cultural festival

 

 

Food festival

 

 

Overseas festival

 

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

  • Music
  • Festivals
  • Dance
  • Architecture
  • Literature
  • Food
  • Religion
  • Landscapes

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. award a. The human race; all human beings together as one group.
      2. list b. Valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings.
      3. intangible c. A prize or other mark of recognition given in honor of an achievement.
      4. humanity d. A particular way of doing something.
      5. heritage e. A number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other.
      6. generally f. Unable to be touched or grasped.
      7. method g. In most cases; usually.

    Paragraph 2

      8. celebrate h. The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
      9. symbolize i. Do something nice for a happy day or event.
      10. date j. Be a symbol of.
      11. ancient k. Make something look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it.
      12. decorate l. Very, very old.
      13. regardless m. Find when in the past something started or was from.
      14. religion n. Without paying attention to the present situation.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. UNICEF gave a South Korean festival a special award.     T / F
  2. There are now 25 aspects of Korean heritage on the United Nations list.   T / F
  3. Machu Picchu is an example of tangible heritage.     T / F
  4. A basket weaving method is an example of intangible heritage.     T / F
  5. The lantern festival in South Korea celebrates Buddha's birthday.     T / F
  6. The lantern festival dates back 200 years.     T / F
  7. The lanterns are made from paper and wood.     T / F
  8. A spokesperson wants the festival to be popular worldwide.     T / F

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

  1. award
  2. humanity
  3. generally
  4. method
  5. examples
  6. celebrate
  7. fair
  8. decorate
  9. try
  10. regardless
  1. normally
  2. despite
  3. procedure
  4. just
  5. humankind
  6. attempt
  7. instances
  8. prize
  9. adorn
  10. commemorate

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

  1. The United Nations has
  2. one of 25 things the UN
  3. things that UNESCO adds
  4. If something is intangible, we generally
  5. or a method for weaving
  6. a springtime
  7. held to celebrate Buddha's
  8. The festival dates
  9. People make lanterns with
  10. loved by people around the world regardless
  1. to its heritage list
  2. birthday
  3. of their religion
  4. decided to add
  5. back two millennia
  6. cannot touch it
  7. paper and bamboo
  8. given a special award
  9. baskets
  10. event

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
one
decided
generally
list
method
award
heritage
touch

The United Nations has given a special (1) _________________ to a festival in South Korea. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2) _________________ to add South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival to its list of intangible cultural (3) _________________ of humanity. The festival was (4) _________________ of 25 things the UN decided to add to its heritage (5) _________________ this year. Some things that UNESCO adds to its heritage list are tangible - this means we can (6) _________________ them. Examples are the Pyramids in Egypt or Machu Picchu in Peru. If something is intangible, we (7) _________________ cannot touch it. Events like South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival or a dance or a (8) _________________ for weaving baskets are examples of intangible heritage.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
symbolizes
lotus
event
parades
fair
religion
decorate
ancient

South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival is a springtime (9) _________________ that is held to celebrate Buddha's birthday on April the 8th. It (10) _________________ lighting up the world to make things (11) _________________ for everyone. The festival dates back two millennia. Historians say there was an (12) _________________ kingdom in 57BC where royals visited a temple to see (13) _________________ lanterns. Today, it is one of South Korea's biggest festivals. People make lanterns with paper and bamboo. They (14) _________________ temples with these. Many villages, towns and cities hold (15) _________________ in which the lanterns are carried through the streets. A spokesperson said: "We will try to make the festival a cultural heritage that can be loved by people around the world regardless of their (16) _________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The United Nations has given a special award to ______ South Korea
     a.  a festival inn
     b.  a festive all in
     c.  a festival in
     d.  a festive align
2) UNESCO decided to add South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival ______
     a.  too its list
     b.  to its wrist
     c.  too its wrist
     d.  to its list
3)  Some things that UNESCO adds to its heritage ______
     a.  list are tangerine
     b.  list are tan eligible
     c.  list are tan gerbil
     d.  list are tangible
4)  If something is intangible, we generally ______
     a.  cannot torch it
     b.  cannot touching
     c.  can knot touch it
     d.  cannot touch it
5)  South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival or a dance or a ______
     a.  method for weave in
     b.  method for weaving
     c.  method four we vim
     d.  method four weave vim

6)  South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival is ______
     a.  a springtime event
     b.  a springtime events
     c.  a spring timed event
     d.  a sprung time event
7)  It symbolizes lighting up the world to ______
     a.  make thing fair
     b.  make things fair
     c.  make things fare
     d.  make thing fare
8)  Historians say there was an ancient kingdom in 57BC where royals ______
     a.  visit it a temple
     b.  visited at temple
     c.  visited a temple
     d.  visit at temple
9)  People make lanterns with ______
     a.  pay per and bamboo
     b.  pay pair and bamboo
     c.  paper and bamboo
     d.  prepare and bamboo
10)  a cultural heritage that can be loved by people around ______
     a.  the word regards less
     b.  the world regal address
     c.  the word regardless
     d.  the world regardless

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Nations has given a (1) ____________________ a festival in South Korea. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2) ____________________ South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival to its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The festival was one of 25 things the UN decided to add (3) ____________________ list this year. Some things that UNESCO adds to its heritage list are tangible - this (4) ____________________ touch them. Examples are the Pyramids in Egypt or Machu Picchu in Peru. If something is intangible, (5) ____________________ touch it. Events like South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival or a dance or a method for weaving baskets (6) ____________________ intangible heritage.

South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival is a springtime (7) ____________________ held to celebrate Buddha's birthday on April the 8th. It (8) ____________________ the world to make things fair for everyone. The festival (9) ____________________ millennia. Historians say there was an ancient kingdom in 57BC where royals visited a temple to see lotus lanterns. Today, it is one of South Korea's biggest festivals. People make lanterns with (10) ____________________. They decorate temples with these. Many villages, towns and cities (11) ____________________ which the lanterns are carried through the streets. A spokesperson said: "We will try to make the festival a cultural heritage that can be loved by people around the world regardless (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. What U.N. agency gave a special prize?
  2. How many things were on the U.N. agency's list?
  3. What does the article say tangible means?
  4. What example of tangible heritage is in the article besides Machu Picchu?
  5. What example of intangible heritage is given besides a dance?
  6. In which season is the Lotus Lantern Festival?
  7. What does the Lotus Lantern Festival symbolize besides light?
  8. When does the Lotus Lantern Festival date back to?
  9. What are the lanterns made of?
  10. Who does a spokesperson hope will enjoy the festival?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What U.N. agency gave a special prize?
a) WFP
b) UNICEF
c) UNESCO
d) WHO
2) How many things were on the U.N. agency's list?
a) 25
b) 24
c) 23
d) 22
3) What does the article say tangible means?
a) you can see it
b) you can touch it
c) you can smell it
d) you can sense it
4) What example of tangible heritage is in the article besides Machu Picchu?
a) The Statue of Liberty
b) Taj Mahal
c) Uluru
d) The Pyramids
5) What example of intangible heritage is given besides a dance?
a) literature
b) an ancient language
c) a method for weaving baskets
d) an agricultural method

6) In which season is the Lotus Lantern Festival?
a) summer
b) spring
c) winter
d) autumn
7) What does the Lotus Lantern Festival symbolize besides light?
a) hope
b) equality
c) happiness
d) fairness
8) When does the Lotus Lantern Festival date back to?
a) 56BC
b) 57BC
c) 55BC
d) 58BC
9) What are the lanterns made of?
a) paper and wood
b) paper and bamboo
c) bamboo and silk
d) silk and wood
10) Who does a spokesperson hope will enjoy the festival?
a) people around the world
b) festivalgoers
c) lotus growers
d) lantern makers

Role play

Role  A – Music
You think music is the most important part of heritage. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): festivals, architecture or natural landscapes.

Role  B – Festivals
You think festivals is the most important part of heritage. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): music, architecture or natural landscapes.

Role  C – Architecture
You think architecture is the most important part of heritage. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): festivals, music or natural landscapes.

Role  D – Natural Landscapes
You think natural landscapes is the most important part of heritage. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): festivals, architecture or music.

After reading / listening

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

'festival'

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

    • and 'heritage'.

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

    • • 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:

    • special
    • decided
    • 25
    • means
    • cannot
    • examples
    • celebrate
    • fair
    • dates
    • today
    • parades
    • regardless

    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 - Lantern Festival

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'festival'?
    3. What do you think of your country's heritage?
    4. What do you know about UNESCO?
    5. What was the last festival you went to?
    6. How important is heritage to a country?
    7. What do you know about the Pyramids?
    8. What do you think happens at a lotus lantern festival?
    9. What is your country's most important dance?
    10. What are your country's most important crafts?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'heritage'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What festivals in your country do you like most?
    5. What do you know about Buddha?
    6. What do you know about lotus flowers?
    7. What were festivals like two millennia ago?
    8. What street parades do you like?
    9. Should there be a world festival?
    10. What questions would you like to ask UNESCO?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The United Nations has given a (1) ____ award to a festival in South Korea. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided to (2) ____ South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival to its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The festival was one of 25 (3) ____ the UN decided to add to its heritage list this year. Some things that UNESCO (4) ____ to its heritage list are tangible - this means we can touch them. Examples are the Pyramids in Egypt or Machu Picchu in Peru. If something is intangible, we (5) ____ cannot touch it. Events like South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival or a dance or a (6) ____ for weaving baskets are examples of intangible heritage.

    South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival is a springtime event that is (7) ____ to celebrate Buddha's birthday on April the 8th. It symbolizes lighting up the world to make things fair (8) ____ everyone. The festival dates back two millennia. Historians say there was an ancient kingdom in 57BC where (9) ____ visited a temple to see lotus lanterns. Today, it is one of South Korea's biggest festivals. People make lanterns (10) ____ paper and bamboo. They decorate temples with these. Many villages, towns and cities hold parades in which the lanterns are (11) ____ through the streets. A spokesperson said: "We will try to make the festival a cultural heritage that can be loved by people around the world (12) ____ of their religion."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     especial     (b)     special     (c)     specially     (d)     specialise    
    2. (a)     addition     (b)     add     (c)     edit     (d)     editor    
    3. (a)     thanks     (b)     thugs     (c)     thinks     (d)     things    
    4. (a)     pluses     (b)     adds     (c)     totals     (d)     minuses    
    5. (a)     generality     (b)     generalise     (c)     general     (d)     generally    
    6. (a)     ether     (b)     either     (c)     method     (d)     ethos    
    7. (a)     held     (b)     grasped     (c)     clutched     (d)     taken    
    8. (a)     at     (b)     as     (c)     for     (d)     which    
    9. (a)     rivals     (b)     rebels     (c)     loyal     (d)     royals    
    10. (a)     with     (b)     to     (c)     at     (d)     on    
    11. (a)     carried     (b)     cared     (c)     card     (d)     cord    
    12. (a)     regardless     (b)     regards     (c)     regarding     (d)     regarded

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. given a special aadwr
    2. cultural ahreteig
    3. diceedd to add
    4. ilbngtae - this means we can touch them
    5. we lelrygnae cannot touch it
    6. a hmedot for weaving baskets

    Paragraph 2

    1. held to cableteer Buddha's birthday
    2. It melsybozsi lighting up the world
    3. there was an entanci kingdom
    4. They cdaeeort temples with these
    5. towns and cities hold deaarsp
    6. regardless of their egoniril

    Put the text back together

    (...)  birthday on April the 8th. It symbolizes lighting up the world to make things fair for everyone. The festival dates
    (...)  temple to see lotus lanterns. Today, it is one of South Korea's biggest festivals. People make lanterns
    (...)  heritage that can be loved by people around the world regardless of their religion."
    (...)  with paper and bamboo. They decorate temples with these. Many villages, towns and cities hold parades in which the lanterns
    (...)  tangible - this means we can touch them. Examples are the Pyramids in Egypt or Machu Picchu
    (...)  back two millennia. Historians say there was an ancient kingdom in 57BC where royals visited a
    (  1  ) The United Nations has given a special award to a festival in South Korea. The United Nations
    (...)  its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The festival was one of 25 things the UN decided to
    (...)  or a dance or a method for weaving baskets are examples of intangible heritage.
    (...)  Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided to add South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival to
    (...)  South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival is a springtime event that is held to celebrate Buddha's
    (...)  in Peru. If something is intangible, we generally cannot touch it. Events like South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival
    (...)  add to its heritage list this year. Some things that UNESCO adds to its heritage list are
    (...)  are carried through the streets. A spokesperson said: "We will try to make the festival a cultural

    Put the words in the right order

    1. The   United   special   has   award   .   a   Nations   given
    2. heritage   of   intangible   list   Its   cultural   humanity   .   of
    3. One   add   .   to   it   things   25   of   decided
    4. list   .   to   Things   adds   that   its   UNESCO   heritage
    5. intangible,   is   If   it   .   something   touch   we   cannot
    6. to   Buddha's   celebrate   springtime   A   birthday   .   held   event
    7. make   to   the   things   world   up   fair   .   Lighting
    8. there   say   an   ancient   kingdom   .   was   Historians
    9. in   which   streets   .   Parades   through   are   lanterns   carried
    10. worldwide   religion   .   regardless   people   by   Loved   of   their

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The United Nations has given a special / specially award to a festival in South Korea. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided to additive / add South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival to its list / listed of intangible cultural heritage at / of humanity. The festival was one of 25 thing / things the UN decided to add to its heritage list that / this year. Some things that UNESCO adds to its heritage list are tangible - this means we can touch / torch them. Examples are the Pyramids in Egypt or Machu Picchu in Peru. If something is intangible, we general / generally cannot touch it. Events like South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival or a dance or a method to / for weaving baskets are examples of  / at intangible heritage.

    South Korea's Lotus Lantern Festival is a springtime eventually / event that is held to celebrate Buddha's birthday on April the 8th. It symbols / symbolizes lighting up the world to make things flair / fair for everyone. The festival dates / date back two millennia. Historians say there was an ancient / recent kingdom in 57BC where royals / rivals visited a temple to see lotus lanterns. Today, it is one of South Korea's biggest festivals. People make lanterns wither / with paper and bamboo. They decorate temples with these. Many villages, towns and cities hold / fold parades in which the lanterns are carried through the / them streets. A spokesperson said: "We will try to make the festival a cultural heritage that can be loved by people around the world regardless / regarding of their religion."

    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)

    Th_  _n_t_d  N_t__ns  h_s  g_v_n  _  sp_c__l  _w_rd  t_  _  f_st_v_l  _n  S__th  K_r__.  Th_  _n_t_d  N_t__ns  _d_c_t__n_l,  Sc__nt_f_c  _nd  C_lt_r_l  _rg_n_z_t__n  (_N_SC_)  d_c_d_d  t_  _dd  S__th  K_r__'s  L_t_s  L_nt_rn  F_st_v_l  t_  _ts  l_st  _f  _nt_ng_bl_  c_lt_r_l  h_r_t_g_  _f  h_m_n_ty.  Th_  f_st_v_l  w_s  _n_  _f  25  th_ngs  th_  _N  d_c_d_d  t_  _dd  t_  _ts  h_r_t_g_  l_st  th_s  y__r.  S_m_  th_ngs  th_t  _N_SC_  _dds  t_  _ts  h_r_t_g_  l_st  _r_  t_ng_bl_  -  th_s  m__ns  w_  c_n  t__ch  th_m.  _x_mpl_s  _r_  th_  Pyr_m_ds  _n  _gypt  _r  M_ch_  P_cch_  _n  P_r_.  _f  s_m_th_ng  _s  _nt_ng_bl_,  w_  g_n_r_lly  c_nn_t  t__ch  _t.  _v_nts  l_k_  S__th  K_r__'s  L_t_s  L_nt_rn  F_st_v_l  _r  _  d_nc_  _r  _  m_th_d  f_r  w__v_ng  b_sk_ts  _r_  _x_mpl_s  _f  _nt_ng_bl_  h_r_t_g_.

    S__th  K_r__'s  L_t_s  L_nt_rn  F_st_v_l  _s  _  spr_ngt_m_  _v_nt  th_t  _s  h_ld  t_  c_l_br_t_  B_ddh_'s  b_rthd_y  _n  _pr_l  th_  8th.  _t  symb_l_z_s  l_ght_ng  _p  th_  w_rld  t_  m_k_  th_ngs  f__r  f_r  _v_ry_n_.  Th_  f_st_v_l  d_t_s  b_ck  tw_  m_ll_nn__.  H_st_r__ns  s_y  th_r_  w_s  _n  _nc__nt  k_ngd_m  _n  57BC  wh_r_  r_y_ls  v_s_t_d  _  t_mpl_  t_  s__  l_t_s  l_nt_rns.  T_d_y,  _t  _s  _n_  _f  S__th  K_r__'s  b_gg_st  f_st_v_ls.  P__pl_  m_k_  l_nt_rns  w_th  p_p_r  _nd  b_mb__.  Th_y  d_c_r_t_  t_mpl_s  w_th  th_s_.  M_ny  v_ll_g_s,  t_wns  _nd  c_t__s  h_ld  p_r_d_s  _n  wh_ch  th_  l_nt_rns  _r_  c_rr__d  thr__gh  th_  str__ts.  _  sp_k_sp_rs_n  s__d:  "W_  w_ll  try  t_  m_k_  th_  f_st_v_l  _  c_lt_r_l  h_r_t_g_  th_t  c_n  b_  l_v_d  by  p__pl_  _r__nd  th_  w_rld  r_g_rdl_ss  _f  th__r  r_l_g__n."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the united nations has given a special award to a festival in south korea the united nations educational scientific and cultural organization unesco decided to add south koreas lotus lantern festival to its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity the festival was one of 25 things the un decided to add to its heritage list this year some things that unesco adds to its heritage list are tangible this means we can touch them examples are the pyramids in egypt or machu picchu in peru if something is intangible we generally cannot touch it events like south koreas lotus lantern festival or a dance or a method for weaving baskets are examples of intangible heritage

    south koreas lotus lantern festival is a springtime event that is held to celebrate buddhas birthday on april the 8th it symbolizes lighting up the world to make things fair for everyone the festival dates back two millennia historians say there was an ancient kingdom in 57bc where royals visited a temple to see lotus lanterns today it is one of south koreas biggest festivals people make lanterns with paper and bamboo they decorate temples with these many villages towns and cities hold parades in which the lanterns are carried through the streets a spokesperson said we will try to make the festival a cultural heritage that can be loved by people around the world regardless of their religion

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheUnitedNationshasgivenaspecialawardtoafestivalinSouthKorea.T
    heUnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UN
    ESCO)decidedtoaddSouthKorea'sLotusLanternFestivaltoitslistofint
    angibleculturalheritageofhumanity.Thefestivalwasoneof25thingsth
    eUNdecidedtoaddtoitsheritagelistthisyear.SomethingsthatUNESCO
    addstoitsheritagelistaretangible-thismeanswecantouchthem.Exam
    plesarethePyramidsinEgyptorMachuPicchuinPeru.Ifsomethingisinta
    ngible,wegenerallycannottouchit.EventslikeSouthKorea'sLotusLant
    ernFestivaloradanceoramethodforweavingbasketsareexamplesofin
    tangibleheritage.SouthKorea'sLotusLanternFestivalisaspringtimee
    ventthatisheldtocelebrateBuddha'sbirthdayonAprilthe8th.Itsymboli
    zeslightinguptheworldtomakethingsfairforeveryone.Thefestivaldat
    esbacktwomillennia.Historianssaytherewasanancientkingdomin57
    BCwhereroyalsvisitedatempletoseelotuslanterns.Today,itisoneofSo
    uthKorea'sbiggestfestivals.Peoplemakelanternswithpaperandbamb
    oo.Theydecoratetempleswiththese.Manyvillages,townsandcitieshol
    dparadesinwhichthelanternsarecarriedthroughthestreets.Aspokesp
    ersonsaid:"Wewilltrytomakethefestivalaculturalheritagethatcanbel
    ovedbypeoplearoundtheworldregardlessoftheirreligion."

    Free writing

    Write about lotus lantern festival for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Festivals are an essential part of culture. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. FESTIVALS: Make a poster about festivals. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. UNESCO: Write a magazine article about UNESCO. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.
    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 festivals. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas for a new festival. 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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