Breaking News English Lesson: 10-Minute TikTok

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TikTok videos to be 10 minutes long (3rd March, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - 10-Minute TikTok - Level 3

TikTok users will soon be able to upload 10-minute-long videos. The video platform launched worldwide in 2018 allowing users to create one-minute videos. That length tripled in July 2021 to three minutes. TikTok says an extension to 10 minutes will allow people to be more creative. A company spokesperson said: "We're always thinking about new ways to…enrich the TikTok experience." She added: "We introduced longer videos, giving our community more time to create and be entertained. Today, we're excited to start rolling out the ability to upload videos that are up to 10 minutes, which we hope would unleash even more creative possibilities for our creators around the world."

Social media consultant Matt Navarra said the new time limit means TikTok will be a bigger rival to YouTube. However, TikTok could lose users who prefer shorter videos. They could switch to other social media platforms, like Instagram's Reels, Snapchat's Spotlight, or YouTube's Shorts. Mr Navarra says shorter videos are more popular with younger people, who are used to "whizzing" through videos "at speed". He says longer videos are more suited to older people. Navarra believes the longer videos may increase TikTok's profits as they are "easier to monetize and keep people on-platform longer". Short, bite-sized videos are one of the reasons for TikTok's huge popularity. It has more than one billion monthly active users.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

10-Minute TikTok - Level 0, 10-Minute TikTok - Level 1 or 10-Minute TikTok - Level 2

Sources

https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22954525/tiktok-maximum-video-length-10-minutes
https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/tiktok-maximum-video-length-10-minutes-1235191773/
https://japantoday.com/category/tech/tiktok-videos-get-longer-in-challenge-to-youtube

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. TIKTOK: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about TikTok. 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?
TikTok / upload / video / platform / length / 10 minutes / experience / community /
time limit / rival / younger people / speed / profits / monetize / reasons / popularity
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SOCIAL MEDIA: Students A strongly believe social media is essential; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. VIDEOS: What do you think of videos of these things? What videos have you soon on these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Think	What I Have Seen
Dances
Cats
Food
Humour
Sport
Travel

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

TikTok
YouTube
Google
Facebook
Instagram
eBay
Amazon
Wikipedia

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	upload	a.	A place or website where people can speak to other people.
2.	platform	b.	Became three times as much or as many.
3.	launched	c.	How long something is.
4.	length	d.	Started an activity, business, campaign, etc.
5.	tripled	e.	Put a video, picture, message, song, etc. onto a social media site or website.
6.	enrich	f.	Set something free so it can become a force.
7.	unleash	g.	Make something much better quality.

Paragraph 2

8.	consultant	h.	The money you make by doing business.
9.	prefer	i.	A person who provides expert advice professionally.
10.	switch	j.	Right or appropriate.
11.	whizzing	k.	Get revenue from a business, idea or product.
12.	suited	l.	Change (substitute) one thing for another.
13.	profit	m.	Moving very fast.
14.	monetize	n.	Like better.

Before reading / listening

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

Ten-minute TikTok videos started last week. T / F
The length of TikTok videos increased three-fold in 2021. T / F
TikTok hopes its site will allow people to be more creative. T / F
A spokesperson said TikTok will move up to one-hour videos in 2024. T / F
A social media consultant said TikTok is now bigger than YouTube. T / F
Longer videos may make younger people stop using TikTok. T / F
Younger people like looking at lots of videos quickly. T / F
More than one billion use TikTok every month. T / F

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

upload
launched
extension
enrich
unleash
rival
switch
whizzing
profits
huge

competitor
improve
financial gains
started
change
increase
speeding
post
very large
let loose

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

TikTok users will soon be able to upload
The video platform launched
allow people to
new ways to enrich
creative
TikTok will be a bigger
They could switch to other
whizzing through
Short, bite-
It has more than one billion

possibilities
the TikTok experience
videos at speed
worldwide in 2018
social media platforms
monthly active users
10-minute-long videos
sized videos
be more creative
rival to YouTube

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

creative
entertained
worldwide
possibilities
enrich
upload
tripled
unleash

TikTok users will soon be able to (1) _____________________ 10-minute-long videos. The video platform launched (2) _____________________ in 2018 allowing users to create one-minute videos. That length (3) _____________________ in July 2021 to three minutes. TikTok says an extension to 10 minutes will allow people to be more (4) _____________________. A company spokesperson said: "We're always thinking about new ways to... (5) _____________________ the TikTok experience." She added: "We introduced longer videos, giving our community more time to create and be (6) _____________________. Today, we're excited to start rolling out the ability to upload videos that are up to 10 minutes, which we hope would (7) _____________________ even more creative (8) _____________________ for our creators around the world."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

popular
consultant
active
suited
platforms
bite-sized
rival
profits

Social media (9) _____________________ Matt Navarra said the new time limit means TikTok will be a bigger (10) _____________________ to YouTube. However, TikTok could lose users who prefer shorter videos. They could switch to other social media (11) _____________________, like Instagram's Reels, Snapchat's Spotlight, or YouTube's Shorts. Mr Navarra says shorter videos are more (12) _____________________ with younger people, who are used to "whizzing" through videos "at speed". He says longer videos are more (13) _____________________ to older people. Navarra believes the longer videos may increase TikTok's (14) _____________________ as they are "easier to monetize and keep people on-platform longer". Short, (15) _____________________ videos are one of the reasons for TikTok's huge popularity. It has more than one billion monthly (16) _____________________ users.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) TikTok users will soon be able to upload 10-______
     a. minute-longing videos
     b. minute-longs videos
     c. minute-long videos
     d. minute-lengthen videos
2) 2018 allowing users to create one-minute videos. That length ______ 2021
     a. tripled in July
     b. trip lead in July
     c. trip appalled in July
     d. triplet in July
3) TikTok says an extension to 10 minutes will allow people to ______
     a. be mores creative
     b. be moor creative
     c. be moorish creative
     d. be more creative
4) We're always thinking about new ways to...______ experience
     a. un-rich the TikTok
     b. and reach the TikTok
     c. end reach the TikTok
     d. enrich the TikTok
5) upload videos that are up to 10 minutes, which we hope would ______
     a. end leash even more
     b. unleash even more
     c. un-lease even more
     d. unlash even more

6) consultant Matt Navarra said the new time limit means TikTok will be ______
     a. a bigger arrival
     b. a bigger rebel
     c. a bigger libel
     d. a bigger rival
7) shorter videos are more popular with younger people, who are used to ______
     a. wheezzing through videos
     b. whizzing through videos
     c. wizarding through videos
     d. wizard in through videos
8) increase TikTok's profits as they are "easier to monetize and keep people ______
     a. on-platform long grrr
     b. on-platform linger
     c. on-platform longer
     d. on-platform long genre
9) Short, bite-sized videos are one of the reasons for ______
     a. TikTok's huge popularity
     b. TikTok's hug popularity
     c. TikTok's luge popularity
     d. TikTok's bulge popularity
10) It has more than one billion ______
     a. monthly act issues
     b. monthly act tissues
     c. monthly actively you sirs
     d. monthly active users

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

TikTok users will soon be (1) ____________________ 10-minute-long videos. The video platform launched worldwide in 2018 allowing users to create one-minute videos. That (2) ____________________ July 2021 to three minutes. TikTok says an extension to 10 minutes will allow people to (3) ____________________. A company spokesperson said: "We're always thinking about new ways to...enrich the TikTok experience." She added: "We introduced longer videos, (4) ____________________ more time to create and be entertained. Today, we're excited to (5) ____________________ the ability to upload videos that are up to 10 minutes, which we hope would unleash even more creative possibilities (6) ____________________ around the world."

Social media consultant Matt Navarra said the new (7) ____________________ TikTok will be a bigger rival to YouTube. However, TikTok could lose users (8) ____________________ videos. They could switch to other social media platforms, like Instagram's Reels, Snapchat's Spotlight, or YouTube's Shorts. Mr Navarra says shorter videos are (9) ____________________ younger people, who are used to "whizzing" through videos "at speed". He says longer videos are more (10) ____________________ people. Navarra believes the longer videos may increase TikTok's profits as they are "easier (11) ____________________ keep people on-platform longer". Short, bite-sized videos are one of the reasons for TikTok's huge popularity. It has more than one billion (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

When did TikTok launch worldwide?
What was the length of TikTok videos from July 2021?
What did TikTok say the 10 minutes would allow people to do more?
What does TikTok want to do to the TikTok experience?
Who might unleash creative possibilities using the 10-minute videos?
What is Matt Navarra's job?
Who might TikTok be a bigger rival to?
What do younger people like to do with videos?
What might longer videos do to TikTok's profits?
How many monthly active users does TikTok have?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When did TikTok launch worldwide?
a) 2017
b) 2018
c) 2019
d) 2021
2) What was the length of TikTok videos from July 2021?
a) 1 minute
b) 2 minutes
c) 3 minutes
d) 5 minutes
3) What did TikTok say the 10 minutes would allow people to do more?
a) become social media influencers
b) relax
c) get rich
d) be more creative
4) What does TikTok want to do to the TikTok experience?
a) bottle it
b) enrich it
c) sell it
d) make it memorable
5) Who might unleash creative possibilities using the 10-minute videos?
a) creators
b) artists
c) singers
d) dancers

6) What is Matt Navarra's job?
a) social media consultant
b) TikTok CEO
c) social media influencer
d) YouTube CEO
7) Who might TikTok be a bigger rival to?
a) SnapChat
b) Instagram
c) TokTik
d) YouTube
8) What do younger people like to do with videos?
a) laugh at them
b) make them funny
c) whizz through them at speed
d) share them online
9) What might longer videos do to TikTok's profits?
a) no one knows yet
b) decrease them
c) nothing
d) increase them

10) How many monthly active users does TikTok have?
a) two billion
b) one billion
c) 100 million
d) 10 million

Role play

Role A – TikTok
You think TikTok is the best website. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their websites. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): YouTube, Amazon or Wikipedia.

Role B – YouTube
You think YouTube is the best website. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their websites. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): TikTok, Amazon or Wikipedia.

Role C – Amazon
You think Amazon is the best website. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their websites. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): YouTube, TikTok or Wikipedia.

Role D – Wikipedia
You think Wikipedia is the best website. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their websites. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): YouTube, Amazon or TikTok.

After reading / listening

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

'video'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'minute'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

upload

tripled

always

entertained

start

unleash

consultant

lose

switch

speed

profits

active

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 - 10-Minute TikTok

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 'video'?
What do you know about TikTok?
What do you use social media for?
How often do you watch videos on social media sites?
Have you ever created a video?
Why do people like sites like TikTok?
Which are better - movies or social media videos?
Should there be no time limit on social media videos?
Are social media videos bad for us?

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 'minute'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of online videos?
What social media platforms do you like and dislike?
Do you prefer one-minute or 10-minute videos?
Which is better - TikTok or YouTube?
Why are longer videos more popular with older people?
What videos would you like to make?
What questions would you like to ask TikTok?

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)

TikTok users will soon be able to upload 10-minute-long videos. The video platform (1) ____ worldwide in 2018 allowing users to create one-minute videos. That length tripled in July 2021 to three minutes. TikTok says an (2) ____ to 10 minutes will allow people to be more creative. A company spokesperson said: "We're always thinking about new ways to... (3) ____ the TikTok experience." She added: "We introduced longer videos, (4) ____ our community more time to create and be entertained. Today, we're excited to start (5) ____ out the ability to upload videos that are up to 10 minutes, which we hope would unleash (6) ____ more creative possibilities for our creators around the world."

Social media consultant Matt Navarra said the new time limit (7) ____ TikTok will be a bigger rival to YouTube. However, TikTok could lose users who prefer shorter videos. They could (8) ____ to other social media platforms, like Instagram's Reels, Snapchat's Spotlight, or YouTube's Shorts. Mr Navarra says shorter videos are more popular with younger people, who are used to "(9) ____" through videos "at speed". He says longer videos are more (10) ____ to older people. Navarra believes the longer videos may increase TikTok's profits (11) ____ they are "easier to monetize and keep people on-platform longer". Short, bite-sized videos are one of the reasons (12) ____ TikTok's huge popularity. It has more than 1 billion monthly active users.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) lunched (b) launched (c) lurched (d) latched
(a) exercise (b) extension (c) extol (d) expand
(a) valuable (b) money (c) wealth (d) enrich
(a) gave (b) giving (c) given (d) gives
(a) with (b) in (c) hand (d) rolling
(a) so (b) most (c) even (d) nor
(a) means (b) meaning (c) meanie (d) mean
(a) lever (b) knob (c) switch (d) dial
(a) wizardry (b) wizard (c) wheezing (d) whizzing
(a) suited (b) adorned (c) donned (d) clothed
(a) as (b) has (c) was (d) 'twas
(a) for (b) at (c) to (d) on

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The video platform neaudhlc worldwide
an oexenstni to 10 minutes
ways to cheirn the TikTok experience
giving our mcyumotni more time
which we hope would naeslhu even more
possibilities for our raosecrt around the world

Paragraph 2

Social media nastulncot
TikTok will be a bigger liarv to YouTube
nhizziwg through videos at speed
longer videos are more iudest to older people
easier to neetzmoi
reasons for TikTok's huge rtupyoapil

Put the text back together

(...) are more suited to older people. Navarra believes the longer videos may increase TikTok's
(...) creative. A company spokesperson said: "We're always thinking about new ways to...enrich the TikTok
(...) experience." She added: "We introduced longer videos, giving our community more time
( 1 ) TikTok users will soon be able to upload 10-minute-long videos. The video platform launched
(...) hope would unleash even more creative possibilities for our creators around the world."
(...) reasons for TikTok's huge popularity. It has more than one billion monthly active users.
(...) profits as they are "easier to monetize and keep people on-platform longer". Short, bite-sized videos are one of the
(...) worldwide in 2018 allowing users to create one-minute videos. That length tripled
(...) rival to YouTube. However, TikTok could lose users who prefer shorter videos. They could switch to other social media
(...) with younger people, who are used to "whizzing" through videos "at speed". He says longer videos
(...)
(...) platforms, like Instagram's Reels, Snapchat's Spotlight, or YouTube's Shorts. Mr Navarra says shorter videos are more popular
(...) in July 2021 to three minutes. TikTok says an extension to 10 minutes will allow people to be more
(...) Social media consultant Matt Navarra said the new time limit means TikTok will be a bigger
(...) to create and be entertained. Today, we're excited to start rolling out the ability to upload videos that are up to 10 minutes, which we

Put the words in the right order

July, minutes . three that to In tripled length
be minutes people allow creative . will to Ten
to community create . more giving time Videos our
to videos . out ability upload rolling Start the
possibilities for more even our creative Unleash creators .
will The means time TikTok rival limit YouTube .
who TikTok shorter users videos . prefer could lose
younger videos with Shorter are people . more popular
increase longer may profits . videos The TikTok's
and on keep Monetize longer . videos platform people

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

TikTok users will soon be ability / able to upload 10-minute-long videos. The video platform launched worldly / worldwide in 2018 allowing users to create one-minute videos. That length tripled in July 2021 to three minutes. TikTok says an extension / expand to 10 minutes will allow people to be more creative / creation. A company spokesperson said: "We're always thought / thinking about new ways to...enrich the TikTok experience." She added: "We introduced longer / length videos, giving our community more time to create and be / have entertained. Today, we're excited for / to start rolling out the ability to upload videos that are down / up to 10 minutes, which we hope would unleash even more creative possibilities for our creators abound / around the world."

Social media consultant Matt Navarra said the new / news time limit means TikTok will be a bigger libel / rival to YouTube. However, TikTok could lose uses / users who prefer shorter videos. They could switch to / at other social media platforms, like Instagram's Reels, Snapchat's Spotlight, or YouTube's Shorts. Mr Navarra says shorten / shorter videos are more popular with younger people, who are used to "whizzing / wheezing" through videos "at speed". He says longer videos are more clothed / suited to older people. Navarra believes the longer videos may increase TikTok's profits as / was they are "easier to monetize and stay / keep people on-platform longer". Short, bite-sized videos are one of the reasons for TikTok's huge popularity. It has more / over than one billion monthly active users.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

T_kT_k _s_rs w_ll s__n b_ _bl_ t_ _pl__d 10-m_n_t_-l_ng v_d__s. Th_ v_d__ pl_tf_rm l__nch_d w_rldw_d_ _n 2018 _ll_w_ng _s_rs t_ cr__t_ _n_-m_n_t_ v_d__s. Th_t l_ngth tr_pl_d _n J_ly 2021 t_ thr__ m_n_t_s. T_kT_k s_ys _n _xt_ns__n t_ 10 m_n_t_s w_ll _ll_w p__pl_ t_ b_ m_r_ cr__t_v_. _ c_mp_ny sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d: "W_'r_ _lw_ys th_nk_ng _b__t n_w w_ys t_..._nr_ch th_ T_kT_k _xp_r__nc_." Sh_ _dd_d: "W_ _ntr_d_c_d l_ng_r v_d__s, g_v_ng __r c_mm_n_ty m_r_ t_m_ t_ cr__t_ _nd b_ _nt_rt__n_d. T_d_y, w_'r_ _xc_t_d t_ st_rt r_ll_ng __t th_ _b_l_ty t_ _pl__d v_d__s th_t _r_ _p t_ 10 m_n_t_s, wh_ch w_ h_p_ w__ld _nl__sh _v_n m_r_ cr__t_v_ p_ss_b_l_t__s f_r __r cr__t_rs _r__nd th_ w_rld."

S_c__l m_d__ c_ns_lt_nt M_tt N_v_rr_ s__d th_ n_w t_m_ l_m_t m__ns T_kT_k w_ll b_ _ b_gg_r r_v_l t_ Y__T_b_. H_w_v_r, T_kT_k c__ld l_s_ _s_rs wh_ pr_f_r sh_rt_r v_d__s. Th_y c__ld sw_tch t_ _th_r s_c__l m_d__ pl_tf_rms, l_k_ _nst_gr_m's R__ls, Sn_pch_t's Sp_tl_ght, _r Y__T_b_'s Sh_rts. Mr N_v_rr_ s_ys sh_rt_r v_d__s _r_ m_r_ p_p_l_r w_th y__ng_r p__pl_, wh_ _r_ _s_d t_ "wh_zz_ng" thr__gh v_d__s "_t sp__d". H_ s_ys l_ng_r v_d__s _r_ m_r_ s__t_d t_ _ld_r p__pl_. N_v_rr_ b_l__v_s th_ l_ng_r v_d__s m_y _ncr__s_ T_kT_k's pr_f_ts _s th_y _r_ "__s__r t_ m_n_t_z_ _nd k__p p__pl_ _n-pl_tf_rm l_ng_r". Sh_rt, b_t_-s_z_d v_d__s _r_ _n_ _f th_ r__s_ns f_r T_kT_k's h_g_ p_p_l_r_ty. _t h_s m_r_ th_n _n_ b_ll__n m_nthly _ct_v_ _s_rs.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

tiktok users will soon be able to upload 10minutelong videos the video platform launched worldwide in 2018 allowing users to create oneminute videos that length tripled in july 2021 to three minutes tiktok says an extension to 10 minutes will allow people to be more creative a company spokesperson said were always thinking about new ways toenrich the tiktok experience she added we introduced longer videos giving our community more time to create and be entertained today were excited to start rolling out the ability to upload videos that are up to 10 minutes which we hope would unleash even more creative possibilities for our creators around the world

social media consultant matt navarra said the new time limit means tiktok will be a bigger rival to youtube however tiktok could lose users who prefer shorter videos they could switch to other social media platforms like instagrams reels snapchats spotlight or youtubes shorts mr navarra says shorter videos are more popular with younger people who are used to whizzing through videos at speed he says longer videos are more suited to older people navarra believes the longer videos may increase TikToks profits as they are easier to monetize and keep people onplatform longer short bitesized videos are one of the reasons for tiktoks huge popularity it has more than one billion monthly active users

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TikTokuserswillsoonbeabletoupload10-minute-longvideos.Thevid
eoplatformlaunchedworldwidein2018allowinguserstocreateone-m
inutevideos.ThatlengthtripledinJuly2021tothreeminutes.TikToksay
sanextensionto10minuteswillallowpeopletobemorecreative.Acomp
anyspokespersonsaid:"We'realwaysthinkingaboutnewwaysto...enri
chtheTikTokexperience."Sheadded:"Weintroducedlongervideos,giv
ingourcommunitymoretimetocreateandbeentertained.Today,we're
excitedtostartrollingouttheabilitytouploadvideosthatareupto10min
utes,whichwehopewouldunleashevenmorecreativepossibilitiesforo
urcreatorsaroundtheworld."SocialmediaconsultantMattNavarrasaid
thenewtimelimitmeansTikTokwillbeabiggerrivaltoYouTube.Howeve
r,TikTokcouldloseuserswhoprefershortervideos.Theycouldswitchto
othersocialmediaplatforms,likeInstagram'sReels,Snapchat'sSpotlig
ht,orYouTube'sShorts.MrNavarrasaysshortervideosaremorepopula
rwithyoungerpeople,whoareusedto"whizzing"throughvideos"atspe
ed".Hesayslongervideosaremoresuitedtoolderpeople.Navarrabeliev
esthelongervideosmayincreaseTikTok'sprofitsastheyare"easierto
monetizeandkeeppeopleonplatformlonger".Short,bite-sizedvide
osareoneofthereasonsforTikTok'shugepopularity.Ithasmorethanon
ebillionmonthlyactiveusers.

Free writing

Write about 10-minute tiktok for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

One-minute videos are better than 10-minute videos. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. TIKTOK: Make a poster about TikTok. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. SCHOOLS: Write a magazine article about using short videos on-platforms like TikTok to teach in schools. 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 TikTok. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how TikTok could help the world. 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: 10-Minute TikTok

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