The Reading / Listening - Dating Apps - Level 3

For nearly two decades, smartphones have played a huge role in romance, love and dating. Dozens of apps have been created to make it easier to meet a partner. However, dating app companies seem to be in trouble. The world's two largest companies have lost more than $40 billion in market value since 2021. Workers for these companies are losing their jobs. The reason for this is that fewer young people are paying to use the apps. The app companies rely on subscriptions to make a profit. However, many teenagers and people in their twenties no longer want to subscribe to use dating apps. Instead, they are choosing to use free platforms like Snapchat and TikTok to find romance.

In 2017, NBC News predicted that by 2040, the percentage of couples meeting online would be 70 per cent. Today in the United States, 30 per cent of adults, and over half of adults under 30, use dating apps. About a third of dating app users say they pay for them. However, times are changing. Younger people around the world have less money to spend on things like apps. The New York Times interviewed young people about dating apps. One 18-year-old student said she preferred to meet people in person or through direct messages on social media. She said dating apps were for "casual use, like a game". She added that none of her friends paid for them. She thought that paying for an app was a no-no.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Dating Apps - Level 0,  Dating Apps - Level 1   or  Dating Apps - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/12/business/dating-apps-tinder-bumble.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating_app
  • https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/relationships/swipe-left-on-love-why-people-are-breaking-up-with-dating-apps/ar-BB1ifrsW


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. DATING APPS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about dating apps. 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?
       two decades / smartphones / romance / love / dating / jobs / subscriptions / profit /
       couples / adults / dating apps / meeting people / direct messages / social media
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ARRANGED MARRIAGE: Students A strongly believe arranged marriage is better than online dating; Students B strongly believe the otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. DATING: What are the pros and cons of these forms of dating? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Pros

Cons

Dating apps    
Arranged marriages    
Blind dates    
Workplace romances    
Parties    
Social media    
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. LOVE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "love". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ROMANCE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most romantic things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Poetry
  • Chocolates
  • Red roses
  • Candlelit dinners
  • Walks on the beach
  • Holding hands
  • Love letters
  • Paying compliments

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. decade a. Agree to receive something regularly, like a magazine or newsletter.
      2. role b. A decade is a period of ten years.
      3. romance c. Why something happens or why someone does something.
      4. value (noun) d. A part that someone or something has in a particular activity or situation.
      5. reason (noun) e. How much something is worth, either in terms of money or importance.
      6. teenager f. A strong feeling of love or attraction between people.
      7. subscribe g. A young person between the ages of 13 and 19.

    Paragraph 2

      8. predicted h. Said or estimated that something would happen in the future based on evidence or knowledge.
      9. couple (noun) i. Something that is not allowed or considered bad behavior.
      10. adult j. Two people who are in a romantic or friendly relationship with each other.
      11. spend k. Relaxed; not formal.
      12. preferred l. A person who is fully grown and has reached maturity.
      13. casual m. Use money to buy goods or services.
      14. no-no n. Liked more than something or someone else.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Online dating has been around for thirty years.     T / F
  2. The article said there are hundreds of online dating apps.     T / F
  3. Fewer young people want to pay for an online dating app.     T / F
  4. Many people are using platforms like TikTok instead of dating apps.     T / F
  5. Thirty per cent of adults in the USA use dating apps.     T / F
  6. Younger people are richer but do not want to buy dating apps.     T / F
  7. A student said she prefers to meet people in person rather than online.   T / F
  8. Some of the student's friends have paid for a dating app.     T / F

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

  1. decade
  2. romance
  3. trouble
  4. reason
  5. choosing
  6. predicted
  7. interviewed
  8. preferred to
  9. messages
  10. thought
  1. talked to
  2. cause
  3. forecast
  4. love
  5. would rather
  6. believed
  7. ten years
  8. notes
  9. difficulty
  10. opting

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

  1. For nearly two
  2. smartphones have played a huge
  3. Dozens of apps have
  4. app companies rely on subscriptions
  5. teenagers and people in
  6. the percentage of couples
  7. a third of dating app users say
  8. have less money to spend
  9. she preferred to meet people
  10. She thought that paying for an app
  1. on things like apps
  2. to make a profit
  3. was a no-no
  4. meeting online
  5. role in romance
  6. in person
  7. been created
  8. they pay for them
  9. decades
  10. their twenties

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
fewer
value
subscribe
decades
losing
platforms
profit
partner

For nearly two (1) _____________________, smartphones have played a huge role in romance, love and dating. Dozens of apps have been created to make it easier to meet a (2) _____________________. However, dating app companies seem to be in trouble. The world's two largest companies have lost more than $40 billion in market (3) _____________________ since 2021. Workers for these companies are (4) _____________________ their jobs. The reason for this is that (5) _____________________ young people are paying to use the apps. The app companies rely on subscriptions to make a (6) _____________________. However, many teenagers and people in their twenties no longer want to (7) _____________________ to use dating apps. Instead, they are choosing to use free (8) _____________________ like Snapchat and TikTok to find romance.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
preferred
no-no
third
less
game
couples
interviewed
changing

In 2017, NBC News predicted that by 2040, the percentage of (9) _____________________ meeting online would be 70 per cent. Today in the United States, 30 per cent of adults, and over half of adults under 30, use dating apps. About a (10) _____________________ of dating app users say they pay for them. However, times are (11) _____________________. Younger people around the world have (12) _____________________ money to spend on things like apps. The New York Times (13) _____________________ young people about dating apps. One 18-year-old student said she (14) _____________________ to meet people in person or through direct messages on social media. She said dating apps were for "casual use, like a (15) _____________________ ". She added that none of her friends paid for them. She thought that paying for an app was a (16) _____________________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) For nearly two decades, smartphones have played a huge ______
     a.  role on romance
     b.  roll in romance
     c.  role in romantic
     d.  role in romance
2)  Dozens of apps have been created to make it easier to ______
     a.  meet the partner
     b.  meet a partner
     c.  meet a partners
     d.  meet a partnered
3)  The world's two largest companies have lost more than $40 billion ______
     a.  on market value
     b.  in market value
     c.  out market value
     d.  up market value
4)  The app companies rely on subscriptions to ______
     a.  rake a profit
     b.  fake a profit
     c.  bake a profit
     d.  make a profit
5)  However, many teenagers and people in their twenties no longer ______
     a.  want to proscribe
     b.  want to subscribe
     c.  want to prescribe
     d.  want to inscribe

6)  In 2017, NBC News predicted that by 2040, the percentage of ______
     a.  couplet meeting online
     b.  couples meeting online
     c.  coupled meeting online
     d.  couple meeting online
7)  Younger people around the world have less money to spend on ______
     a.  things liked apps
     b.  things like apps
     c.  things likes apps
     d.  things liking apps
8)  One 18-year-old student said she preferred to meet ______
     a.  people on person
     b.  people in person
     c.  people out person
     d.  people up person
9)  She added that none of her friends ______
     a.  paid for then
     b.  paid for they
     c.  paid for their
     d.  paid for them
10)  She thought that paying for an app ______
     a.  was a now-now
     b.  was a know-know
     c.  was a no-no
     d.  was a none-none

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

For (1) ____________________, smartphones have played a huge role in romance, love and dating. Dozens of apps have been created to make it (2) ____________________ a partner. However, dating app companies seem to be in trouble. The world's two largest companies have lost more than $40 billion in (3) ____________________ 2021. Workers for these companies are losing their jobs. The reason for this is that fewer young people are paying to use the apps. The app (4) ____________________ subscriptions to make a profit. However, many teenagers and people (5) ____________________ no longer want to subscribe to use dating apps. Instead, they are choosing to use free platforms like Snapchat and TikTok (6) ____________________.

In 2017, NBC News (7) ____________________ 2040, the percentage of couples meeting online would be 70 per cent. Today in the United States, 30 per cent of adults, and over (8) ____________________ under 30, use dating apps. About a third of dating app users say they pay for them. However, times are changing. Younger people around the world (9) ____________________ to spend on things like apps. The New York Times interviewed young people about dating apps. One 18-year-old student said she (10) ____________________ people in person or through direct messages on social media. She said dating apps were for "(11) ____________________ a game". She added that none of her friends paid for them. She thought that paying for an app (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. What have smartphones played a role in besides love and dating?
  2. How many apps have been made to make it easier to find a partner?
  3. How much value have the two biggest dating app companies lost?
  4. Who is choosing to not pay to use dating apps?
  5. What are young people using instead of dating apps?
  6. What percentage of couples are predicted to meet online by 2040?
  7. How many under-30-year-old adults in the USA use dating apps?
  8. How did a student say she preferred to meet people?
  9. How many of a student's friends paid for a dating app?
  10. What did a student say paying for an app was?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What have smartphones played a role in besides love and dating?
a) higher divorce rates
b) blind dates
c) romance
d) an increase in marriage
2) How many apps have been made to make it easier to find a partner?
a) dozens
b) hundreds
c) thousands
d) tens of thousands
3) How much value have the two biggest dating app companies lost?
a) exactly $40 billion
b) more than $40 billion
c) just under $40 billion
d) around $40 billion
4) Who is choosing to not pay to use dating apps?
a) married people
b) divorced people
c) old people
d) young people
5) What are young people using instead of dating apps?
a) marriage agencies
b) dating agencies
c) free platforms
d) newspapers

6) What percentage of couples are predicted to meet online by 2040?
a) 80%
b) 70%
c) 60%
d) 50%
7) How many under-30-year-old adults in the USA use dating apps?
a) three-fifths
b) a quarter
c) a third
d) over half
8) How did a student say she preferred to meet people?
a) in cafes
b) in person
c) after chatting online
d) with a friend
9) How many of a student's friends paid for a dating app?
a) one
b) none
c) many
d) two
10) What did a student say paying for an app was?
a) a no-no
b) not good
c) a bargain
d) necessary

Role play

Role  A – Poetry
You think poetry is the most romantic thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as romantic. Also, tell the others which is the least romantic of these (and why): holding hands, candlelit dinners or walks along the beach.
Role  B – Holding Hands
You think holding hands is the most romantic thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as romantic. Also, tell the others which is the least romantic of these (and why): poetry, candlelit dinners or walks along the beach.
Role  C – Candlelit Dinners
You think candlelit dinners are the most romantic thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as romantic. Also, tell the others which is the least romantic of these (and why): holding hands, poetry or walks along the beach.
Role  D – Walks Along the Beach
You think walks along the beach are the most romantic thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as romantic. Also, tell the others which is the least romantic of these (and why): holding hands, candlelit dinners or poetry.

After reading / listening

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

'dating'

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

    • and 'app'.

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

    • • 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:

    • decades
    • dozens
    • lost
    • reason
    • rely
    • instead
    • 70
    • 30
    • less
    • 18
    • game
    • no-no

    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 - Dating Apps

    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 'dating'?
    3. What do you think of dating?
    4. What do you think of dating apps?
    5. How easy is it to find a partner?
    6. What are the best things about dating apps?
    7. Would you pay for a dating app?
    8. Are arranged marriages better than using dating apps?
    9. Are social media platforms better than dating apps?
    10. What advice do you have for people who want to find a partner?

    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 'app'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Is using an app the best way to find a partner?
    5. Do you prefer meeting people in person or online?
    6. In what way are dating apps like a game?
    7. What are the worst things about dating apps?
    8. What will dating be like in the future?
    9. Is using dating apps a no-no?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the app makers?

    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)

    For nearly two (1) ____, smartphones have played a huge role in romance, love and dating. Dozens of apps have been created to make it easier to meet a partner. However, dating app companies seem to be (2) ____ trouble. The world's two largest companies have lost more than $40 billion (3) ____ market value since 2021. Workers for these companies are losing their jobs. The reason for this is that fewer young people are paying to use the apps. The app companies (4) ____ on subscriptions to make a profit. However, many teenagers and people in their (5) ____ no longer want to subscribe to use dating apps. Instead, they are choosing to use free platforms like Snapchat and TikTok to (6) ____ romance.

    In 2017, NBC News predicted that by 2040, the percentage of (7) ____ meeting online would be 70 per cent. Today in the United States, 30 per cent of adults, and over (8) ____ of adults under 30, use dating apps. About a third of dating app users say they pay for them. However, times are changing. Younger people around the world have (9) ____ money to spend on things like apps. The New York Times interviewed young people about dating apps. One 18-year-old student said she (10) ____ to meet people in person or through direct messages on social media. She said dating apps were for "casual use, (11) ____ a game". She added that none of her friends paid for them. She thought that (12) ____ for an app was a no-no.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     cascades     (b)     arcades     (c)     lemonades     (d)     decades    
    2. (a)     of     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     in    
    3. (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     of     (d)     to    
    4. (a)     relay     (b)     really     (c)     rely     (d)     rally    
    5. (a)     twentieth     (b)     twenty     (c)     twenties     (d)     twentyfold    
    6. (a)     find     (b)     fend     (c)     fund     (d)     fanned    
    7. (a)     couplets     (b)     couples     (c)     couple     (d)     coupling    
    8. (a)     half     (b)     thirdly     (c)     quartile     (d)     fraction    
    9. (a)     smaller     (b)     less     (c)     fewer     (d)     under    
    10. (a)     prefers     (b)     preferable     (c)     preferred     (d)     preference    
    11. (a)     seem     (b)     love     (c)     like     (d)     liken    
    12. (a)     pays     (b)     pay     (c)     paid     (d)     paying

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. nearly two eseacdd
    2. played a huge role in cnoaerm
    3. $40 billion in market ulaev
    4. app companies rely on rupiscnotsbsi
    5. teenagers and people in their eiwtnets
    6. use free prtslfoam like Snapchat

    Paragraph 2

    1. NBC News ecterddpi that
    2. the rnpcgateee of couples
    3. The New York Times evetndewrii young people
    4. she epdfererr to meet people in person
    5. through direct egsemsas on social media
    6. She said dating apps were for luscaa use

    Put the text back together

    (...)  and dating. Dozens of apps have been created to make it easier to meet a partner. However, dating app companies seem
    (..1..) For nearly two decades, smartphones have played a huge role in romance, love
    (...)  online would be 70 per cent. Today in the United States, 30 per cent of adults, and over half of
    (...)  young people about dating apps. One 18-year-old student said she preferred to meet people in
    (...)  paying to use the apps. The app companies rely on subscriptions to make a
    (...)  value since 2021. Workers for these companies are losing their jobs. The reason for this is that fewer young people are
    (...)  to be in trouble. The world's two largest companies have lost more than $40 billion in market
    (...)  adults under 30, use dating apps. About a third of dating app users say they pay for them. However, times are
    (...)  profit. However, many teenagers and people in their twenties no longer want to subscribe to use dating apps. Instead, they
    (...)  In 2017, NBC News predicted that by 2040, the percentage of couples meeting
    (...)  game". She added that none of her friends paid for them. She thought that paying for an app was a no-no.
    (...)  are choosing to use free platforms like Snapchat and TikTok to find romance.
    (...)  person or through direct messages on social media. She said dating apps were for "casual use, like a
    (...)  changing. Younger people around the world have less money to spend on things like apps. The New York Times interviewed

    Put the words in the right order

    1. a   huge   role   have   Smartphones   played   romance   .   in
    2. their   for   are   companies   Workers   losing   these   jobs   .
    3. subscriptions   rely   a   to   Companies   profit   .   make   on
    4. in   to   .   twenties   their   no   People   want   longer
    5. Instead,   platforms   .   they   choosing   use   free   to   are
    6. pay   app   they   Dating   say   users   them   .   for
    7. less   world   have   people   the   money   .   Younger   around
    8. preferred   in   people   meet   to   person   .   She
    9. said   casual   use   .   dating   apps   for   She   were
    10. a   was   no-no   .   Paying   app   an   for

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    For nearly two escapes / decades, smartphones have played a huge roll / role in romance, love and dating. Dozens of apps have been created to make it easier to meeting / meet a partner. However, dating app companies seen / seem to be in trouble. The world's two largest companies have lost / losing more than $40 billion in / on market value since 2021. Workers for these companies are losing their / them jobs. The reason for this is that fewer young people are paying to use the apps. The app companies rely / relay on subscriptions to make a profit. However, many teenagers and people in / on their twenties no longer want to subscribe to use dating apps. Instead, they are choosing to use free platform / platforms like Snapchat and TikTok to find romance.

    In 2017, NBC News predicted that of / by 2040, the percentage of couples meeting online would have / be 70 per cent. Today in the United States, 30 per cent of adults, and over half / halve of adults under 30, use dating apps. About a third of dating app users say they pay to / for them. However, times are changing. Younger people around the world have less / lest money to spend on things like apps. The New York Times interviewed young people about dating apps. One 18-year-old student said she preferred / prefer to meet people in person or through direct / directly messages on social media. She said dating apps were for "casual use / abuse, like a game". She added that no one / none of her friends paid for them. She thought that paying for an app was a none / no-no.

    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)

    F_r  n__rly  tw_  d_c_d_s,  sm_rtph_n_s  h_v_  pl_y_d  _  h_g_  r_l_  _n  r_m_nc_,  l_v_  _nd  d_t_ng.  D_z_ns  _f  _pps  h_v_  b__n  cr__t_d  t_  m_k_  _t  __s__r  t_  m__t  _  p_rtn_r.  H_w_v_r,  d_t_ng  _pp  c_mp_n__s  s__m  t_  b_  _n  tr__bl_.  Th_  w_rld's  tw_  l_rg_st  c_mp_n__s  h_v_  l_st  m_r_  th_n  $40  b_ll__n  _n  m_rk_t  v_l__  s_nc_  2021.  W_rk_rs  f_r  th_s_  c_mp_n__s  _r_  l_s_ng  th__r  j_bs.  Th_  r__s_n  f_r  th_s  _s  th_t  f_w_r  y__ng  p__pl_  _r_  p_y_ng  t_  _s_  th_  _pps.  Th_  _pp  c_mp_n__s  r_ly  _n  s_bscr_pt__ns  t_  m_k_  _  pr_f_t.  H_w_v_r,  m_ny  t__n_g_rs  _nd  p__pl_  _n  th__r  tw_nt__s  n_  l_ng_r  w_nt  t_  s_bscr_b_  t_  _s_  d_t_ng  _pps.  _nst__d,  th_y  _r_  ch__s_ng  t_  _s_  fr__  pl_tf_rms  l_k_  Sn_pch_t  _nd  T_kT_k  t_  f_nd  r_m_nc_.

    _n  2017,  NBC  N_ws  pr_d_ct_d  th_t  by  2040,  th_  p_rc_nt_g_  _f  c__pl_s  m__t_ng  _nl_n_  w__ld  b_  70  p_r  c_nt.  T_d_y  _n  th_  _n_t_d  St_t_s,  30  p_r  c_nt  _f  _d_lts,  _nd  _v_r  h_lf  _f  _d_lts  _nd_r  30,  _s_  d_t_ng  _pps.  _b__t  _  th_rd  _f  d_t_ng  _pp  _s_rs  s_y  th_y  p_y  f_r  th_m.  H_w_v_r,  t_m_s  _r_  ch_ng_ng.  Y__ng_r  p__pl_  _r__nd  th_  w_rld  h_v_  l_ss  m_n_y  t_  sp_nd  _n  th_ngs  l_k_  _pps.  Th_  N_w  Y_rk  T_m_s  _nt_rv__w_d  y__ng  p__pl_  _b__t  d_t_ng  _pps.  _n_  18-y__r-_ld  st_d_nt  s__d  sh_  pr_f_rr_d  t_  m__t  p__pl_  _n  p_rs_n  _r  thr__gh  d_r_ct  m_ss_g_s  _n  s_c__l  m_d__.  Sh_  s__d  d_t_ng  _pps  w_r_  f_r  "c_s__l  _s_,  l_k_  _  g_m_".  Sh_  _dd_d  th_t  n_n_  _f  h_r  fr__nds  p__d  f_r  th_m.  Sh_  th__ght  th_t  p_y_ng  f_r  _n  _pp  w_s  _  n_-n_.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    for nearly two decades smartphones have played a huge role in romance love and dating dozens of apps have been created to make it easier to meet a partner however dating app companies seem to be in trouble the worlds two largest companies have lost more than 40 billion in market value since 2021 workers for these companies are losing their jobs the reason for this is that fewer young people are paying to use the apps the app companies rely on subscriptions to make a profit however many teenagers and people in their twenties no longer want to subscribe to use dating apps instead they are choosing to use free platforms like snapchat and tiktok to find romance

    in 2017 nbc news predicted that by 2040 the percentage of couples meeting online would be 70 per cent today in the united states 30 per cent of adults and over half of adults under 30 use dating apps about a third of dating app users say they pay for them however times are changing younger people around the world have less money to spend on things like apps the new york times interviewed young people about dating apps one 18yearold student said she preferred to meet people in person or through direct messages on social media she said dating apps were for casual use like a game she added that none of her friends paid for them she thought that paying for an app was a nono

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Fornearlytwodecades,smartphoneshaveplayedahugeroleinromanc
    e,loveanddating.Dozensofappshavebeencreatedtomakeiteasiertom
    eetapartner.However,datingappcompaniesseemtobeintrouble.The
    world'stwolargestcompanieshavelostmorethan$40billioninmarketv
    aluesince2021.Workersforthesecompaniesarelosingtheirjobs.There
    asonforthisisthatfeweryoungpeoplearepayingtousetheapps.Theapp
    companiesrelyonsubscriptionstomakeaprofit.However,manyteena
    gersandpeopleintheirtwentiesnolongerwanttosubscribetousedating
    apps.Instead,theyarechoosingtousefreeplatformslikeSnapchatand
    TikToktofindromance.In2017,NBCNewspredictedthatby2040,thepe
    rcentageofcouplesmeetingonlinewouldbe70percent.TodayintheUni
    tedStates,30percentofadults,andoverhalfofadultsunder30,usedatin
    gapps.Aboutathirdofdatingappuserssaytheypayforthem.However,ti
    mesarechanging.Youngerpeoplearoundtheworldhavelessmoneytos
    pendonthingslikeapps.TheNewYorkTimesinterviewedyoungpeoplea
    boutdatingapps.One18-year-oldstudentsaidshepreferredtomeetp
    eopleinpersonorthroughdirectmessagesonsocialmedia.Shesaiddati
    ngappswerefor"casualuse,likeagame".Sheaddedthatnoneofherfrie
    ndspaidforthem.Shethoughtthatpayingforanappwasano-no.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Dating apps are the best way to meet a new partner. 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. DATING: Make a poster about dating. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ARRANGED MARRIAGES: Write a magazine article about encouraging more arranged marriages. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.
    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 dating. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to find a perfect partner. 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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