Resource 3: News stories
Here are two other possible types of news story that might encourage your students to think and express opinions about a topic:
- A story about Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu producing electricity again after years of not being used. [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]
- A story about 20,000 Indians applying for a one-way trip to Mars in order to start a new colony.
Here are some suggested questions for students. Notice that they are not only about the contents of the story, but encourage students to think critically and express opinions.
News story 1
- Can nuclear power be ‘safe and secure’?
- Is nuclear power necessary for the welfare and economic growth of India?
- Nuclear firms say that they will pay huge sums of money in case of an accident. Can money compensate for ill health or loss of life?
- Do you live near a nuclear plant? If so, how do you feel about it? If not, how do you think you might feel?
News story 2
- Why do you think so many people want to leave India to live on Mars?
- Do you think it would be difficult to live on Mars? Why?
- Would you like to live on Mars?
- Where would you like to live? Why?
Some of these questions are more difficult than others. It is a good idea to include a range of questions for students at different levels. All students should be encouraged to answer questions that make them think. Students could reply to these questions in either spoken or written activities. (See the unit Supporting speaking in English: pair and groupwork for guidance on a discussion and the units Supporting independent writing in English and Whole-class writing routines for ideas about helping students with writing.)
Resource 2: Using pictures in the English classroom