Breaking News English Lesson: Rideable Suitcases

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Japan cracks down on electric rideable suitcases (1st August 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Rideable Suitcases - Level 3

The latest advance in suitcase technology is causing problems in Japan. Many suitcases are now rideable. Travellers can sit on them, and travel at a speed of up to 13 kph. The motorized luggage is becoming increasingly popular. However, it is becoming a nuisance in some parts of Japan. More and more people there are riding their suitcases around airports, train stations and Tokyo streets. The problem is that the mobile luggage is classed as a motorized vehicle under Japanese law. This means they can be ridden on roads only. The rider needs a helmet, a driver's license, and insurance. Laws require the suitcases to be registered, and have a rear-view mirror and indicator lights. Airports in Osaka and Nagoya have asked tourists to pull rather than ride the suitcases.

Electric luggage has been around since 2016. Back then, a company called Modobag produced them. The company's slogan was "the carry-on that carries you". In the past year, the rideable luggage has become popular with celebrities. K-pop stars Blackpink, singer Katie Perry, and media personality Paris Hilton have all posted online videos of themselves riding their suitcases. Companies are also trying to make rules for the new way of getting around. British Airways will only allow them on airplanes if the lithium batteries can be removed because the batteries are a fire risk. Kyodo News spoke to transport expert Dr Takeru Shibayama. He said: "Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge." He added that new laws will always be needed.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Rideable Suitcases - Level 0, Rideable Suitcases - Level 1 or Rideable Suitcases - Level 2

Sources

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/07/17bb6dc8b49c-japan-puts-the-brakes-on-electric-suitcases-amid-tourism-boom.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/29/japan-rideable-luggage-suitcases-ban-crack-down-tourism
https://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/other/motorised-suitcases-banned-from-airports-in-japan-after-crashes/ar-BB1qOVnL

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. SUITCASES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about suitcases. 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?
advance / suitcase / technology / speed / nuisance / airports / laws / helmet / mirror
luggage / slogan / popular / celebrities / stars / online videos / batteries / fire / risk
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. UNHEALTHY: Students A strongly believe rideable suitcases are unhealthy because we will walk less; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. LUGGAGE, ETC: How useful are these things? What are yours like? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Usefulness	Mine
Suitcase
Backpack
Pencil case
Computer bag
Sports bag
Other _______

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. ELECTRIC: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "electric". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. THINGS TO RIDE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to ride at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Suitcases
Supermarket carts
e-Scooters
Horses
Motorbikes
Elephants
Unicycles
Office chairs

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	advance	a.	Liked by many people.
2.	rideable	b.	A thing that you can see yourself in.
3.	motorized	c.	A new and better way of doing something.
4.	popular	d.	Having a motor to make it move.
5.	nuisance	e.	Something you can sit on and move from A to B.
6.	insurance	f.	Something that causes problems or is annoying.
7.	mirror	g.	A way to protect yourself if something bad happens (by paying money).

Paragraph 2

8.	luggage	h.	To make or create something.
9.	produce	i.	A short and easy-to-remember phrase used in advertising.
10.	slogan	j.	Taken away.
11.	celebrities	k.	Bags or suitcases you take when you travel.
12.	getting around	l.	To come out or appear.
13.	removed	m.	Moving from one place to another.
14.	emerge	n.	Famous people.

Before reading / listening

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

Rideable suitcases can reach speeds of 130kph. T / F
More people are riding their suitcases on highways in Japan. T / F
Rideable suitcases riders need a helmet and insurance in Japan. T / F
An airport in Osaka told people not to ride their rideable suitcases. T / F
The first rideable suitcases were made six years ago. T / F
J-pop stars uploaded videos of rideable suitcases on social media. T / F
British Airways has banned all rideable suitcases from its airplanes. T / F
An expert said there will be new kinds of transport in the future. T / F

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

advance
luggage
nuisance
require
ride
slogan
popular
rules
risk
emerge

danger
need
catchphrase
annoyance
regulations
development
come out
well liked
suitcases
sit on

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

The latest advance
travel at a speed
it is becoming a nuisance in some
classed as a motorized vehicle
have a rear-view
The company's slogan was "the carry-on
rules for the new way
the lithium batteries can
the batteries are
Unexpected new forms of transport

a fire risk
parts of Japan
mirror
of getting around
will continue to emerge
of up to 13 kph
be removed
in suitcase technology
that carries you"
under Japanese law

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

popular
ridden
pull
advance
problem
speed
mirror
parts

The latest (1) _____________________ in suitcase technology is causing problems in Japan. Many suitcases are now rideable. Travellers can sit on them, and travel at a (2) _____________________ of up to 13 kph. The motorized luggage is becoming increasingly (3) _____________________. However, it is becoming a nuisance in some (4) _____________________ of Japan. More and more people there are riding their suitcases around airports, train stations and Tokyo streets. The (5) _____________________ is that the mobile luggage is classed as a motorized vehicle under Japanese law. This means they can be (6) _____________________ on roads only. The rider needs a helmet, a driver's license, and insurance. Laws require the suitcases to be registered, and have a rear-view (7) _____________________ and indicator lights. Airports in Osaka and Nagoya have asked tourists to (8) _____________________ rather than ride the suitcases.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

slogan
posted
emerge
celebrities
batteries
luggage
expert
way

Electric (9) _____________________ has been around since 2016. Back then, a company called Modobag produced them. The company's (10) _____________________ was "the carry-on that carries you". In the past year, the rideable luggage has become popular with (11) _____________________. K-pop stars Blackpink, singer Katie Perry, and media personality Paris Hilton have all (12) _____________________ online videos of themselves riding their suitcases. Companies are also trying to make rules for the new (13) _____________________ of getting around. British Airways will only allow them on airplanes if the lithium (14) _____________________ can be removed because the batteries are a fire risk. Kyodo News spoke to transport (15) _____________________ Dr Takeru Shibayama. He said: "Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to (16) _____________________." He added that new laws will always be needed.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The latest advance in suitcase technology ______
     a. is causing problem
     b. is causing problems
     c. is casing problems
     d. is caused in problems
2) Travellers can sit on them, and travel at a speed of ______
     a. up to 13 kph
     b. down to 13 kph
     c. up for 13 kph
     d. down at 13 kph
3) However, it is becoming a nuisance in some ______
     a. apart of Japan
     b. partners of Japan
     c. parties of Japan
     d. parts of Japan
4) The problem is that the mobile luggage is classed as a motorized vehicle ______
     a. under Japanese law
     b. over Japanese law
     c. below Japanese law
     d. asunder Japanese law
5) Airports in Osaka and Nagoya have asked tourists to pull rather than ______
     a. rode the suitcases
     b. rid the suitcases
     c. ride the suitcases
     d. rides the suitcases

6) Back then, a company called ______
     a. Modobag produce them
     b. Modobag produced them
     c. Modobag produced then
     d. Modobag produce then
7) In the past year, the rideable luggage has become ______
     a. popular within celebrities
     b. popular wither celebrities
     c. popular with celebrities
     d. popular without celebrities
8) Companies are also trying to make rules for the new way ______
     a. of getting abound
     b. of get in a round
     c. of getting around
     d. of getting aground
9) if the lithium batteries can be removed because the batteries are ______
     a. a fire brisk
     b. a fire frisk
     c. a fire risqué
     d. a fire risk
10) He said: "Unexpected new forms of transport will ______"
     a. continue to submerge
     b. continue to emerge
     c. continue to emergency
     d. continue to emergent

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The (1) ____________________ suitcase technology is causing problems in Japan. Many suitcases are now rideable. Travellers can sit on them, and travel at (2) ____________________ up to 13 kph. The motorized luggage is becoming increasingly popular. However, it is becoming (3) ____________________ some parts of Japan. More and more people there are riding their suitcases around airports, train stations and Tokyo streets. The problem is that the mobile luggage (4) ____________________ a motorized vehicle under Japanese law. This means they can be ridden on roads only. The rider (5) ____________________, a driver's license, and insurance. Laws require the suitcases to be registered, and have a rear-view mirror and indicator lights. Airports in Osaka and Nagoya have asked tourists to (6) ____________________ ride the suitcases.

Electric luggage has (7) ____________________ 2016. Back then, a company called Modobag produced them. The company's (8) ____________________ carry-on that carries you". In the past year, the rideable luggage has become popular with celebrities. K-pop stars Blackpink, singer Katie Perry, (9) ____________________ Paris Hilton have all posted online videos of themselves riding their suitcases. Companies are also trying to make rules for the (10) ____________________ getting around. British Airways will only allow them on airplanes if the lithium batteries can be removed because the batteries are (11) ____________________. Kyodo News spoke to transport expert Dr Takeru Shibayama. He said: "Unexpected new forms of transport will (12) ____________________." He added that new laws will always be needed.

Comprehension questions

What's the top speed of rideable suitcases?
Where are people riding suitcases besides airports and train stations?
What are rideable suitcases classed as in Japan?
What kind of mirror do rideable suitcases need in Japan?
What must tourists do to their suitcases at two Japanese airports?
When did the first rideable suitcases appear?
Who have the rideable suitcases become popular with?
What must you remove from the suitcases on British Airways flights?
Who is Dr Takeru Shibayama?
What did Dr Takeru Shibayama say would always be needed?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What's the top speed of rideable suitcases?
a) 30 kph
b) 13 kph
c) 103 kph
d) 113 kph
2) Where are people riding suitcases besides airports and train stations?
a) in shopping malls
b) on highways
c) on race circuits
d) Tokyo's streets
3) What are rideable suitcases classed as in Japan?
a) motorized vehicles
b) e-luggage
c) dangerous
d) fire risks
4) What kind of mirror do rideable suitcases need in Japan?
a) a compact mirror
b) a two-way mirror
c) a rear-view mirror
d) a steam-proof mirror
5) What must tourists do to their suitcases at two Japanese airports?
a) put them on a trolley
b) pull them
c) lock them
d) push them

6) When did the first rideable suitcases appear?
a) 2016
b) 2015
c) 2014
d) 2012
7) Who have the rideable suitcases become popular with?
a) children
b) backpackers
c) celebrities
d) royalty
8) What must you remove from the suitcases on British Airways flights?
a) the batteries
b) liquids
c) keys
d) the wheels
9) Who is Dr Takeru Shibayama?
a) a transport expert
b) a celebrity
c) a suitcase designer
d) a journalist
10) What did Dr Takeru Shibayama say would always be needed?
a) celebrities
b) luggage
c) wheels
d) new laws

Role play

Role A – Suitcases
You think suitcases are the best things to ride. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things to ride aren't as fun. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): supermarket carts, horses or office chairs.

Role B – Supermarket Carts
You think supermarket carts are the best things to ride. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things to ride aren't as fun. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): suitcases, horses or office chairs.

Role C – Horses
You think horses are the best things to ride. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things to ride aren't as fun. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): supermarket carts, suitcases or office chairs.

Role D – Office Chairs
You think office chairs are the best things to ride. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things to ride aren't as fun. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): supermarket carts, horses or suitcases.

After reading / listening

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

'electric'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'suitcase'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

causing

13

some

stations

rider

pull

slogan

celebrities

posted

way

risk

forms

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 - Rideable Suitcases

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 'electric'?
What do you think of suitcases?
What do you think of rideable suitcases?
How much of a nuisance might rideable suitcases be?
Where would you ride on a rideable suitcase?
Should you need a driver's license to ride a rideable suitcase?
Should rideable suitcases have indicators and a rear-view mirror?
How lazy are we becoming if we have rideable suitcases?
What should the top speed of a rideable suitcase be?

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 'suitcase'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of the slogan in the article?
Why would celebrities like rideable suitcases?
What other things in our lives should be rideable?
What do you think of motorized shopping carts in malls?
What rules should there be for rideable suitcases?
What new forms of transport do you think will emerge?
What questions would you like to ask a rideable suitcase maker?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The latest advance (1) ____ suitcase technology is causing problems in Japan. Many suitcases are now rideable. Travellers can sit (2) ____ them, and travel at a speed of up to 13 kph. The motorized luggage is becoming (3) ____ popular. However, it is becoming a nuisance in some parts of Japan. More and more people there are (4) ____ their suitcases around airports, train stations and Tokyo streets. The problem is that the mobile luggage is classed (5) ____ a motorized vehicle under Japanese law. This means they can be ridden on roads only. The rider needs a helmet, a driver's license, and insurance. Laws require the suitcases to be registered, and have a rear-view mirror and indicator lights. Airports in Osaka and Nagoya have asked tourists to (6) ____ rather than ride the suitcases.

Electric luggage has been (7) ____ since 2016. Back then, a company called Modobag produced them. The company's slogan was "the carry-on that (8) ____ you". In the past year, the rideable luggage has become popular with celebrities. K-pop stars Blackpink, singer Katie Perry, and media (9) ____ Paris Hilton have all posted online videos of themselves riding their suitcases. Companies are also trying to make rules for the new way of getting around. British Airways will only allow them on airplanes if the lithium batteries can be (10) ____ because the batteries are a fire risk. Kyodo News spoke to transport (11) ____ Dr Takeru Shibayama. He said: "Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge." He added that new (12) ____ will always be needed.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) in (b) on (c) at (d) by
(a) in (b) by (c) on (d) of
(a) increase (b) increased (c) increasingly (d) increases
(a) sailing (b) piloting (c) piloting (d) riding
(a) at (b) on (c) as (d) by
(a) push (b) pull (c) drag (d) drop
(a) about (b) around (c) up (d) down
(a) carrier (b) carries (c) carer (d) cares
(a) personal (b) personalize (c) personality (d) persons
(a) removing (b) removal (c) remove (d) removed
(a) issue (b) analysis (c) hub (d) expert
(a) luggage (b) cases (c) wheels (d) laws

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The latest edacanv in suitcase technology
rvltsealer can sit on them
motorized glaugeg
it is becoming a ciuneans
classed as a motorized eehlivc
Laws euriqre the suitcases to be registered

Paragraph 2

The company's lnsoag
lporpau with celebrities
media nyrsoaelipt
lithium bateetirs
transport rexetp Dr Takeru Shibayama
continue to greeme

Put the text back together

(...) removed because the batteries are a fire risk. Kyodo News spoke to transport expert Dr Takeru Shibayama. He said:
(...) around. British Airways will only allow them on airplanes if the lithium batteries can be
(...) online videos of themselves riding their suitcases. Companies are also trying to make rules for the new way of getting
(...) with celebrities. K-pop stars Blackpink, singer Katie Perry, and media personality Paris Hilton have all posted
(...) mirror and indicator lights. Airports in Osaka and Nagoya have asked tourists to pull rather than ride the suitcases.
(...) a driver's license, and insurance. Laws require the suitcases to be registered, and have a rear-view
(...) around airports, train stations and Tokyo streets. The problem is that the mobile luggage is classed
(...) as a motorized vehicle under Japanese law. This means they can be ridden on roads only. The rider needs a helmet,
(...) "Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge." He added that new laws will always be needed.
(...) Electric luggage has been around since 2016. Back then, a company called Modobag produced them. The company's slogan
(...) was "the carry-on that carries you". In the past year, the rideable luggage has become popular
( 1 ) The latest advance in suitcase technology is causing problems in Japan. Many suitcases are now rideable. Travellers can
(...) sit on them, and travel at a speed of up to 13 kph. The motorized luggage is becoming increasingly
(...) popular. However, it is becoming a nuisance in some parts of Japan. More and more people there are riding their suitcases

Put the words in the right order

advance is The problems . causing latest technology in
at up to 13 kph . of speed Travel a
is becoming a nuisance some It in parts .
are airports . their riding People around suitcases there
the be registered . suitcases to Laws require
luggage celebrities . The with popular has become rideable
themselves riding of suitcases . videos their Posted
of way the getting Rules for around . new
continue of emerge . transport will Unexpected to forms
be He needed . said laws new always would

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The latest advance on / in suitcase technology is causing / casing problems in Japan. Many suitcases are now rideable. Travellers can sit in / on them, and travel at a speed of up to 13 kph. The motorized luggage is becoming increasing / increasingly popular. However, it is becoming a nuisance in some parts of Japan. More and more people there are ridden / riding their suitcases around airports, train stations and Tokyo streets. The problem is that the mobile luggage is classy / classed as a motorized vehicle under / over Japanese law. This means they can be ridden on roads only. The rider needs a helmet, a driver's license, and insure / insurance. Laws require the suitcases to be registered, and have the / a rear-view mirror and indicator lights. Airports in Osaka and Nagoya have asked tourists / tours to pull rather than ride the suitcases.

Electric luggage has been around since / for 2016. Back then, a company called Modobag produced them. The company's slogan was "the carry-on that carries / cares you". In the past year, the rideable luggage has become popularity / popular with celebrities. K-pop stars Blackpink, singer Katie Perry, and media / medium personality Paris Hilton have all pasted / posted online videos of themselves riding their suitcases. Companies are also trying to make rules / rails for the new way of getting around. British Airways will only allow them on airplanes if the lithium batteries can be removal / removed because the batteries are a fire risky / risk. Kyodo News spoke to transport expert Dr Takeru Shibayama. He said: "Unexpected new cases / forms of transport will continue to emerge." He added that new laws will always be need / needed.

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)

Th_ l_t_st _dv_nc_ _n s__tc_s_ t_chn_l_gy _s c__s_ng pr_bl_ms _n J_p_n. M_ny s__tc_s_s _r_ n_w r_d__bl_. Tr_v_ll_rs c_n s_t _n th_m, _nd tr_v_l _t _ sp__d _f _p t_ 13 kph. Th_ m_t_r_z_d l_gg_g_ _s b_c_m_ng _ncr__s_ngly p_p_l_r. H_w_v_r, _t _s b_c_m_ng _ n__s_nc_ _n s_m_ p_rts _f J_p_n. M_r_ _nd m_r_ p__pl_ th_r_ _r_ r_d_ng th__r s__tc_s_s _r__nd __rp_rts, tr__n st_t__ns _nd T_ky_ str__ts. Th_ pr_bl_m _s th_t th_ m_b_l_ l_gg_g_ _s cl_ss_d _s _ m_t_r_z_d v_h_cl_ _nd_r J_p_n_s_ l_w. Th_s m__ns th_y c_n b_ r_dd_n _n r__ds _nly. Th_ r_d_r n__ds _ h_lm_t, _ dr_v_r's l_c_ns_, _nd _ns_r_nc_. L_ws r_q__r_ th_ s__tc_s_s t_ b_ r_g_st_r_d, _nd h_v_ _ r__r-v__w m_rr_r _nd _nd_c_t_r l_ghts. __rp_rts _n _s_k_ _nd N_g_y_ h_v_ _sk_d t__r_sts t_ p_sh r_th_r th_n r_d_ th_ s__tc_s_s.

_l_ctr_c l_gg_g_ h_s b__n _r__nd s_nc_ 2016. B_ck th_n, _ c_mp_ny c_ll_d M_d_b_g pr_d_c_d th_m. Th_ c_mp_ny's sl_g_n w_s "th_ c_rry-_n th_t c_rr__s y__". _n th_ p_st y__r, th_ r_d__bl_ l_gg_g_ h_s b_c_m_ p_p_l_r w_th c_l_br_t__s. K-p_p st_rs Bl_ckp_nk, s_ng_r K_t__ P_rry, _nd m_d__ p_rs_n_l_ty P_r_s H_lt_n h_v_ _ll p_st_d _nl_n_ v_d__s _f th_ms_lv_s r_d_ng th__r s__tc_s_s. C_mp_n__s _r_ _ls_ try_ng t_ m_k_ r_l_s f_r th_ n_w w_y _f g_tt_ng _r__nd. Br_t_sh __rw_ys w_ll _nly _ll_w th_m _n __rpl_n_s _f th_ l_th__m b_tt_r__s c_n b_ r_m_v_d b_c__s_ th_ b_tt_r__s _r_ _ f_r_ r_sk. Ky_d_ N_ws sp_k_ t_ tr_nsp_rt _xp_rt Dr T_k_r_ Sh_b_y_m_. H_ s__d: "_n_xp_ct_d n_w f_rms _f tr_nsp_rt w_ll c_nt_n__ t_ _m_rg_." H_ _dd_d th_t n_w l_ws w_ll _lw_ys b_ n__d_d.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the latest advance in suitcase technology is causing problems in japan many suitcases are now rideable travellers can sit on them and travel at a speed of up to 13 kph the motorized luggage is becoming increasingly popular however it is becoming a nuisance in some parts of japan more and more people there are riding their suitcases around airports train stations and tokyo streets the problem is that the mobile luggage is classed as a motorized vehicle under japanese law this means they can be ridden on roads only the rider needs a helmet a drivers license and insurance laws require the suitcases to be registered and have a rearview mirror and indicator lights airports in osaka and nagoya have asked tourists to pull rather than ride the suitcases

electric luggage has been around since 2016 back then a company called modobag produced them the companys slogan was the carryon that carries you in the past year the rideable luggage has become popular with celebrities kpop stars blackpink singer katie perry and media personality paris hilton have all posted online videos of themselves riding their suitcases companies are also trying to make rules for the new way of getting around british airways will only allow them on airplanes if the lithium batteries can be removed because the batteries are a fire risk kyodo news spoke to transport expert dr takeru shibayama he said unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge he added that new laws will always be needed

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

ThelatestadvanceinsuitcasetechnologyiscausingproblemsinJapan.
Manysuitcasesarenowrideable.Travellerscansitonthem,andtravelat
aspeedofupto13 kph.Themotorizedluggageisbecomingincreasinglyp
opular.However,itisbecominganuisanceinsomepartsofJapan.Morea
ndmorepeoplethereareridingtheirsuitcasesaroundairports,trainstat
ionsandTokyostreets.Theproblemisthatthemobileluggageisclassed
asamotorizedvehicleunderJapaneselaw.Thismeanstheycanberidde
nonroadsonly.Theriderneedsahelmet,adriver'slicense,andinsuranc
e.Lawsrequirethesuitcasestoberegistered,andhavearear-viewmirro
randindicatorlights.AirportsinOsakaandNagoyahaveaskedtouristst
opullratherthanridethesuitcases.Electricluggagehasbeenaroundsin
ce2016.Backthen,acompanycalledModobagproducedthem.Thecom
pany'ssloganwas"thecarry-onthatcarriesyou".Inthepastyear,therid
eableluggagehasbecomepopularwithcelebrities.K-popstarsBlackp
ink,singerKatiePerry,andmediapersonalityParisHiltonhaveallposted
onlinevideosofthemselvesridingtheirsuitcases.Companiesarealsotr
yingtomakerulesforthenewwayofgettingaround.BritishAirwayswillo
nlyallowthemonairplanesifthelithiumbatteriescanberemovedbecau
sethebatteriesareafirerisk.KyodoNewsspoketotransportexpertDrTa
keruShibayama.Hesaid:"Unexpectednewformsoftransportwillconti
nuetoemerge."Headdedthatnewlawswillalwaysbeneeded.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We should ban rideable suitcases to keep obesity down. 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. SUITCASES: Make a poster about suitcases. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. RIDEABLE SUITCASES: Write a magazine article about banning rideable suitcases to stop obesity increasing. 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 rideable suitcases. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions what the suitcases might do to people's health. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: Rideable Suitcases

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