The Reading / Listening - Squid Game - Level 3

People around the world are trying to get hold of clothes worn by characters in the hugely popular South Korean TV series "Squid Game". In particular, the "Made in Korea" green tracksuits and pink jumpsuits from the show are in huge demand as a Halloween costume. Internet stores worldwide have been flooded with orders. Garment factories in South Korea are struggling to make enough of the clothes to keep up with demand. Clothes factory owner Kim Jin-ja from Seoul said: "October is usually a slow month for the sewing industry, but thanks to Squid Game and Halloween, we are scrambling to sew enough clothes." She added: "We are now sewing 6,000 green tracksuits for toddlers and children."

Squid Game is a survival drama series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk. It was first broadcast on Netflix on September the 17th. It has since become a global hit and is Netflix's most watched series ever. It reached number one in 90 countries, including the United States. Netflix estimated that over 142 million people watched Squid Game in the 28 days following its release. The series is about a contest between 456 players who are in a lot of debt. They all play children's games to try to win a $40 million prize to get out of debt. However, the simple games could result in their death. Squid Game is another example of South Korean culture becoming popular around the world, following K-pop and K-dramas.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Squid Game - Level 0,  Squid Game - Level 1   or  Squid Game - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/high-demand-squid-game-tracksuits-cheers-skoreas-struggling-garment-sector-2021-10-22/
  • https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/squid-game-costumes-at-top-of-childrens-wish-lists-40984336.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squid_Game


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. SQUID GAME: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Squid Game. 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?
       world / characters / popular / South Korea / Squid Game / tracksuit / sewing / clothes
       survival / drama / Netflix / series / contest / debt / children's games / prize / K-pop
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CLOTHES: Students A strongly believe buy too many clothes; Students B strongly believe we can never have enough clothes. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CULTURE: What are the best parts of your culture regarding these things?  Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Best Things

How Much I Like This

TV dramas

 

 

Music

 

 

Food

 

 

Festivals

 

 

Literature

 

 

City life

 

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

  • Tag
  • Hide and seek
  • Hopscotch
  • Snakes and ladders
  • Musical chairs
  • Statues
  • Tic-tac-toe
  • Rock-paper-scissors

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. get hold of a. Very, very, very big.
      2. popular b. Arrived in very large amounts.
      3. huge c. Find or buy.
      4. demand d. Liked a lot by many people.
      5. costume e. The desire of consumers and customers to buy something or make use of a service.
      6. flooded f. A set of clothes in a particular style, usually worn by actors or at parties and festive events.
      7. industry g. A particular area of business activity.

    Paragraph 2

      8. survival h. Owing money.
      9. broadcast i. Trying to live or exist, usually in difficult times or situations.
      10. estimated j. An event in which people try to win in a sport or other activity.
      11. contest k. Lead to.
      12. debt l. Send a show across the Internet or radio waves to TVs, radios and the Internet.
      13. result in m. The ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.
      14. culture n. Calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of something.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. No one wants to buy the Squid Game pink jumpsuit.     T / F
  2. Many stores in Seoul have been flooded because of heavy rain.     T / F
  3. October is usually a busy month for Korea's sewing industry.     T / F
  4. A clothes factory in Seoul is making 6,000 green tracksuits.     T / F
  5. Squid Game was first broadcast in September.     T / F
  6. No other series on Netflix has been viewed more than Squid Game.     T / F
  7. There are 456 contestants in Squid Game.     T / F
  8. The article says Squid Game is more popular than K-pop.     T / F

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

  1. popular
  2. huge
  3. flooded
  4. scrambling
  5. enough
  6. created
  7. broadcast
  8. estimated
  9. contest
  10. result in
  1. made
  2. swamped
  3. guessed
  4. enormous
  5. aired
  6. lead to
  7. well liked
  8. competition
  9. hurrying
  10. sufficient

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

  1. in huge
  2. Internet stores worldwide have been
  3. October is usually a
  4. we are scrambling to sew
  5. tracksuits for toddlers
  6. It has since
  7. in the 28 days following its
  8. a contest between
  9. try to win
  10. another example of South Korean culture
  1. flooded with orders
  2. release
  3. and children
  4. becoming popular
  5. demand
  6. a $40 million prize
  7. slow month
  8. become a global hit
  9. enough clothes
  10. 456 players

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
flooded
hugely
toddlers
enough
hold
sew
demand
industry

People around the world are trying to get (1) _____________________ of clothes worn by characters in the (2) _____________________ popular South Korean TV series "Squid Game". In particular, the "Made in Korea" green tracksuits and pink jumpsuits from the show are in huge (3) _____________________ as a Halloween costume. Internet stores worldwide have been (4) _____________________ with orders. Garment factories in South Korea are struggling to make (5) _____________________ of the clothes to keep up with demand. Clothes factory owner Kim Jin-ja from Seoul said: "October is usually a slow month for the sewing (6) _____________________, but thanks to Squid Game and Halloween, we are scrambling to (7) _____________________ enough clothes." She added: "We are now sewing 6,000 green tracksuits for (8) _____________________ and children."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
hit
following
survival
result
including
culture
broadcast
debt

Squid Game is a (9) _____________________ drama series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk. It was first (10) _____________________ on Netflix on September the 17th. It has since become a global (11) _____________________ and is Netflix's most watched series ever. It reached number one in 90 countries, (12) _____________________ the United States. Netflix estimated that over 142 million people watched Squid Game in the 28 days (13) _____________________ its release. The series is about a contest between 456 players who are in a lot of (14) _____________________. They all play children's games to try to win a $40 million prize to get out of debt. However, the simple games could (15) _____________________ in their death. Squid Game is another example of South Korean (15) _____________________ becoming popular around the world, following K-pop and K-dramas.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) People around the world are trying to get ______
     a.  holds of clothes
     b.  held of clothes
     c.  behold of clothes
     d.  hold of clothes
2) tracksuits and pink jumpsuits from the show are in huge demand as ______
     a.  a Halloween costumer
     b.  a Halloween costumes
     c.  a Halloween costume
     d.  a Halloween custom
3)  struggling to make enough of the clothes to keep ______
     a.  up with demand
     b.  pup with demand
     c.  up within demand
     d.  pup without demand
4)  thanks to Squid Game and Halloween, we are scrambling to ______
     a.  so enough clothes
     b.  sow enough clothes
     c.  sew enough clothes
     d.  sue enough clothes
5)  We are now sewing 6,000 green tracksuits for ______
     a.  toddler and children
     b.  toddlers and child
     c.  toddler and child
     d.  toddlers and children

6)  Squid Game is a survival drama ______ Hwang Dong-hyuk
     a.  series creative by
     b.  series created by
     c.  series creation by
     d.  series create it by
7)  It has since become a global hit and is Netflix's most-______
     a.  watched series ever
     b.  watched series every
     c.  watched series even
     d.  watched series ether
8)  It reached number one in 90 countries, ______ States
     a.  include in the United
     b.  includes in the United
     c.  including the United
     d.  include din the United
9)  The series is about a contest between 456 players who are in a ______
     a.  lots of debt
     b.  allot of debt
     c.  lot of debt
     d.  lot off debt
10)  Squid Game is another example of South Korean ______
     a.  culture becoming pop polar
     b.  culture becoming poplar
     c.  culture becoming popularity
     d.  culture becoming popular

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

People around the world are trying to (1) ____________________ clothes worn by characters in (2) ____________________ South Korean TV series "Squid Game". In particular, the "Made in Korea" green tracksuits and pink jumpsuits from the show are in huge demand as a Halloween costume. Internet stores worldwide have (3) ____________________ orders. Garment factories in South Korea are struggling to make enough of the clothes to keep (4) ____________________. Clothes factory owner Kim Jin-ja from Seoul said: "October is usually a slow month for (5) ____________________, but thanks to Squid Game and Halloween, we are scrambling (6) ____________________ clothes." She added: "We are now sewing 6,000 green tracksuits for toddlers and children."

Squid Game is (7) ____________________ series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk. It was first broadcast on Netflix on September the 17th. It has since become (8) ____________________ and is Netflix's most watched series ever. It (9) ____________________ in 90 countries, including the United States. Netflix estimated that over 142 million people watched Squid Game in the 28 days following its release. The series is about a contest between 456 players who are in a (10) ____________________. They all play children's games to try to win a $40 million prize to (11) ____________________ debt. However, the simple games could (12) ____________________ death. Squid Game is another example of South Korean culture becoming popular around the world, following K-pop and K-dramas.

Comprehension questions

  1. How popular does the article say Squid Game is?
  2. What do people want to use the tracksuits and jumpsuits for?
  3. What has been flooded with orders?
  4. What does the article say October is for the sewing industry?
  5. How many green tracksuits is a clothing factory making?
  6. How many people watched Squid Game in the first four weeks?
  7. How many contestants are there in Squid Game?
  8. What are all the contestants in?
  9. How much is the Squid Game prize money?
  10. What does the article say Squid Game an example of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How popular does the article say Squid Game is?
a) very popular
b) a little popular
c) hugely popular
d) not that popular
2) What do people want to use the tracksuits and jumpsuits for?
a) a Halloween costume
b) jogging
c) store uniforms
d) museum uniforms
3) What has been flooded with orders?
a) hospitals
b) a restaurant
c) a tracksuit company
d) Internet stores
4) What does the article say October is for the sewing industry?
a) workers' rest
b) a quiet month
c) an important month
d) time to change sewing needles
5) How many green tracksuits is a clothing factory making?
a) 7,000
b) 8,000
c) 6,000
d) 5,000

6) How many people watched Squid Game in the first four weeks?
a) exactly 142 million
b) around 142 million
c) fewer than 142 million
d) over 142 million
7) How many contestants are there in Squid Game?
a) 465
b) 456
c) 564
d) 546
8) What are all the contestants in?
a) a bubble
b) trouble
c) in common
d) in debt
9) How much is the Squid Game prize money?
a) $40 million
b) $50 million
c) $60 million
d) $30 million
10) What does the article say Squid Game an example of?
a) a good contest
b) quality TV
c) Netflix
d) South Korean culture becoming popular

Role play

Role  A – Tag
You think tag is the best children's game. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): hide and seek, rock-paper-scissors or musical chairs.

Role  B – Hide and Seek
You think hide and seek is the best children's game. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): tag, rock-paper-scissors or musical chairs.

Role  C – Rock-Paper-Scissors
You think rock-paper-scissors is the best children's game. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): hide and seek, tag or musical chairs.

Role  D – Musical Chairs
You think musical chairs is the best children's game. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their games. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): hide and seek, rock-paper-scissors or tag.

After reading / listening

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

'squid'

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

    • and 'game'.

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

    • • 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:

    • hold
    • made
    • orders
    • keep
    • slow
    • 6,000
    • created
    • hit
    • 142
    • 456
    • simple
    • culture

    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 - Squid Game

    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 'squid'?
    3. What do you think of squid?
    4. What do you know about the series Squid Game?
    5. What do you know about Netflix?
    6. What do you think of green tracksuits?
    7. What are your favourite series?
    8. What costumes have you worn?
    9. What do you think of Halloween?
    10. What do you think of dressing up in costumes?

    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 'game'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why do you think Squid Game has become so popular?
    5. What TV dramas are most popular in your country?
    6. Have you ever been in debt?
    7. What children's games do you like?
    8. Would you like to play the Squid Game?
    9. What do you think of Korean culture?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Squid Game writers?

    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)

    People around the world are trying to get (1) ____ of clothes worn by characters in the hugely popular South Korean TV series "Squid Game". In (2) ____, the "Made in Korea" green tracksuits and pink jumpsuits from the show are in huge demand as a Halloween costume. Internet stores worldwide have been flooded (3) ____ orders. Garment factories in South Korea are struggling to make enough of the clothes to keep (4) ____ with demand. Clothes factory owner Kim Jin-ja from Seoul said: "October is usually a (5) ____ month for the sewing industry, but thanks to Squid Game and Halloween, we are scrambling to sew (6) ____ clothes." She added: "We are now sewing 6,000 green tracksuits for toddlers and children."

    Squid Game is a survival drama series created (7) ____ Hwang Dong-hyuk. It was first broadcast on Netflix on September the 17th. It has (8) ____ become a global hit and is Netflix's most-watched series ever. It reached number one in 90 countries, including the United States. Netflix estimated that over 142 million people watched Squid Game in the 28 days (9) ____ its release. The series is about a contest between 456 players who are (10) ____ a lot of debt. They all play children's games to try to win a $40 million prize to get out of debt. However, the simple games could (11) ____ in their death. Squid Game is another example of South Korean culture (12) ____ popular around the world, following K-pop and K-dramas.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     cold     (b)     hold     (c)     bold     (d)     mold    
    (a)     particles     (b)     particulars     (c)     particularly     (d)     particular    
    (a)     from     (b)     at     (c)     with     (d)     on    
    (a)     up     (b)     down     (c)     to     (d)     along    
    (a)     sew     (b)     slow     (c)     sow     (d)     sewn    
    (a)     enough     (b)     suffice     (c)     plenty     (d)     amount    
    (a)     via     (b)     of     (c)     to     (d)     by    
    (a)     since     (b)     for     (c)     therefore     (d)     that    
    (a)     follow     (b)     following     (c)     follows     (d)     follower    
    (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     in     (d)     by    
    (a)     cause     (b)     happen     (c)     result     (d)     place    
    (a)     becomes     (b)     becoming     (c)     became     (d)     bygone

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. clothes worn by hrctcaears
    2. the hugely upolpar South Korean TV series
    3. in huge eamdnd
    4. loodfed with orders
    5. tuslggirng to make enough of the clothes
    6. a slow month for the sewing nsudtiry

    Paragraph 2

    1. a urvivsal drama series
    2. It was first rabcdoast on Netflix
    3. Netflix teamitsed that over 142 million...
    4. in a lot of dbet
    5. win a $40 million ripze
    6. another example of South Korean utlcure

    Put the text back together

    (  1  ) People around the world are trying to get hold of clothes worn by characters in the hugely
    (...)  worldwide have been flooded with orders. Garment factories in South Korea are struggling to make enough of the clothes to keep
    (...)  enough clothes." She added: "We are now sewing 6,000 green tracksuits for toddlers and children."
    (...)  popular South Korean TV series "Squid Game". In particular, the "Made in Korea" green tracksuits
    (...)  up with demand. Clothes factory owner Kim Jin-ja from Seoul said: "October is usually a slow month for the sewing
    (...)  watched Squid Game in the 28 days following its release. The series is about a contest between
    (...)  out of debt. However, the simple games could result in their death. Squid Game is another example
    (...)  and pink jumpsuits from the show are in huge demand as a Halloween costume. Internet stores
    (...)  ever. It reached number one in 90 countries, including the United States. Netflix estimated that over 142 million people
    (...)  industry, but thanks to Squid Game and Halloween, we are scrambling to sew
    (...)  456 players who are in a lot of debt. They all play children's games to try to win a $40 million prize to get
    (...)  Squid Game is a survival drama series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk. It was first broadcast
    (...)  on Netflix on September the 17th. It has since become a global hit and is Netflix's most watched series
    (...)  of South Korean culture becoming popular around the world, following K-pop and K-dramas.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Get   hold   characters   .   clothes   of   worn   by
    2. from   are   Jumpsuits   show   in   huge   the   demand   .
    3. a   for   slow   sewing   industry   .   the   Usually   month
    4. sew   enough   clothes   .   to   scrambling   We   are
    5. now   6,000   tracksuits   .   green   are   We   sewing
    6. broadcast   on   It   first   in   Netflix   was   September   .
    7. it   .   over   Netflix   142 million   that   people   estimated   watched
    8. a   prize   to   get   Win   of   out   debt   .
    9. death   .   result   in   could   simple   games   their   The
    10. culture   Another   becoming   popular   .   Korean   example   of   South

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    People around the world are trying to get holding / hold of clothes worn by characters in the hugely / huge popular South Korean TV series "Squid Game". In particularly / particular, the "Made in Korea" green tracksuits and pink jumpsuits from the show / shown are in huge demand / demanded as a Halloween costume. Internet stores worldwide have been flooded with demands / orders. Garment factories in South Korea are struggling for / to make enough of the clothes to keep down / up with demand. Clothes factory owner Kim Jin-ja from Seoul said: "October is usually a slow month for the sewing industrial / industry, but thanks to Squid Game and Halloween, we are scrambling to sew enough / plenty clothes." She added: "We are now sewing 6,000 green tracksuits for toddlers and children."

    Squid Game is a survive / survival drama series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk. It was first / firstly broadcast on Netflix on September the 17th. It has since become a globally / global hit and is Netflix's most watched series ever / every. It reached number one in 90 countries, including the United States. Netflix estimated that / what over 142 million people watched Squid Game in the 28 days follows / following its release. The series is about a contest between 456 players who are out / in a lot of debt. They all play children's games to try to win a $40 million prize to get out of / to debt. However, the simple games could result in / on their death. Squid Game is another example of South Korean culture becoming popularity / popular around the world, following K-pop and K-dramas.

    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)

    P__pl_  _r__nd  th_  w_rld  _r_  try_ng  t_  g_t  h_ld  _f  cl_th_s  w_rn  by  ch_r_ct_rs  _n  th_  h_g_ly  p_p_l_r  S__th  K_r__n  TV  s_r__s  "Sq__d  G_m_".  _n  p_rt_c_l_r,  th_  "M_d_  _n  K_r__"  gr__n  tr_cks__ts  _nd  p_nk  j_mps__ts  fr_m  th_  sh_w  _r_  _n  h_g_  d_m_nd  _s  _  H_ll_w__n  c_st_m_.  _nt_rn_t  st_r_s  w_rldw_d_  h_v_  b__n  fl__d_d  w_th  _rd_rs.  G_rm_nt  f_ct_r__s  _n  S__th  K_r__  _r_  str_ggl_ng  t_  m_k_  _n__gh  _f  th_  cl_th_s  t_  k__p  _p  w_th  d_m_nd.  Cl_th_s  f_ct_ry  _wn_r  K_m  J_n-j_  fr_m  S___l  s__d:  "_ct_b_r  _s  _s__lly  _  sl_w  m_nth  f_r  th_  s_w_ng  _nd_stry,  b_t  th_nks  t_  Sq__d  G_m_  _nd  H_ll_w__n,  w_  _r_  scr_mbl_ng  t_  s_w  _n__gh  cl_th_s."  Sh_  _dd_d:  "W_  _r_  n_w  s_w_ng  6,000  gr__n  tr_cks__ts  f_r  t_ddl_rs  _nd  ch_ldr_n."

    Sq__d  G_m_  _s  _  s_rv_v_l  dr_m_  s_r__s  cr__t_d  by  Hw_ng  D_ng-hy_k.  _t  w_s  f_rst  br__dc_st  _n  N_tfl_x  _n  S_pt_mb_r  th_  17th.  _t  h_s  s_nc_  b_c_m_  _  gl_b_l  h_t  _nd  _s  N_tfl_x's  m_st-w_tch_d  s_r__s  _v_r.  _t  r__ch_d  n_mb_r  _n_  _n  90  c__ntr__s,  _ncl_d_ng  th_  _n_t_d  St_t_s.  N_tfl_x  _st_m_t_d  th_t  _v_r  142  m_ll__n  p__pl_  w_tch_d  Sq__d  G_m_  _n  th_  28  d_ys  f_ll_w_ng  _ts  r_l__s_.  Th_  s_r__s  _s  _b__t  _  c_nt_st  b_tw__n  456  pl_y_rs  wh_  _r_  _n  _  l_t  _f  d_bt.  Th_y  _ll  pl_y  ch_ldr_n's  g_m_s  t_  try  t_  w_n  _  $40  m_ll__n  pr_z_  t_  g_t  __t  _f  d_bt.  H_w_v_r,  th_  s_mpl_  g_m_s  c__ld  r_s_lt  _n  th__r  d__th.  Sq__d  G_m_  _s  _n_th_r  _x_mpl_  _f  S__th  K_r__n  c_lt_r_  b_c_m_ng  p_p_l_r  _r__nd  th_  w_rld,  f_ll_w_ng  K-p_p  _nd  K-dr_m_s.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    people around the world are trying to get hold of clothes worn by characters in the hugely popular south korean tv series squid game in particular the made in korea green tracksuits and pink jumpsuits from the show are in huge demand as a halloween costume internet stores worldwide have been flooded with orders garment factories in south korea are struggling to make enough of the clothes to keep up with demand clothes factory owner kim jinja from seoul said october is usually a slow month for the sewing industry but thanks to squid game and halloween we are scrambling to sew enough clothes she added we are now sewing 6000 green tracksuits for toddlers and children

    squid game is a survival drama series created by hwang donghyuk it was first broadcast on netflix on september the 17th it has since become a global hit and is netflixs mostwatched series ever it reached number one in 90 countries including the united states netflix estimated that over 142 million people watched squid game in the 28 days following its release the series is about a contest between 456 players who are in a lot of debt they all play childrens games to try to win a 40 million prize to get out of debt however the simple games could result in their death squid game is another example of south korean culture becoming popular around the world following kpop and kdramas

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Peoplearoundtheworldaretryingtogetholdofclotheswornbycharacte
    rsinthehugelypopularSouthKoreanTVseries"SquidGame".Inparticul
    ar,the"MadeinKorea"greentracksuitsandpinkjumpsuitsfromthesho
    wareinhugedemandasaHalloweencostume.Internetstoresworldwid
    ehavebeenfloodedwithorders.GarmentfactoriesinSouthKoreaarestr
    ugglingtomakeenoughoftheclothestokeepupwithdemand.Clothesfa
    ctoryownerKimJin-jafromSeoulsaid:"Octoberisusuallyaslowmont
    hforthesewingindustry,butthankstoSquidGameandHalloween,wear
    escramblingtosewenoughclothes."Sheadded:"Wearenowsewing6,0
    00greentracksuitsfortoddlersandchildren."SquidGameisasurvivaldr
    amaseriescreatedbyHwangDong-hyuk.ItwasfirstbroadcastonNetfl
    ixonSeptemberthe17th.IthassincebecomeaglobalhitandisNetflix's
    mostwatchedseriesever.Itreachednumberonein90countries,includi
    ngtheUnitedStates.Netflixestimatedthatover142millionpeoplewatc
    hedSquidGameinthe28daysfollowingitsrelease.Theseriesisaboutac
    ontestbetween456playerswhoareinalotofdebt.Theyallplaychildren's
    gamestotrytowina$40millionprizetogetoutofdebt.However,thesimp
    legamescouldresultintheirdeath.SquidGameisanotherexampleofSo
    uthKoreanculturebecomingpopulararoundtheworld,followingK-po
    pandK-dramas.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    People spend too much money on clothes. 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. SQUID GAME: Make a poster about Squid Game. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. CHILDREN'S GAMES: Write a magazine article about more people playing children's games again. 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 Squid Game. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on people buying merchandise from TV shows. 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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