EDMONTON Weekly Newscasts Lesson Plan November 23, 2015

Newscasts are current news stories read at a slower pace than you might hear on the radio. These are prepared by CBC news editor Don Bell.

Objectives: ● To develop listening skills ● To increase vocabulary ● To increase awareness of grammatical structures and functional language ● To increase knowledge of current events ● To provide a user-friendly, self-study tool for learners, as well as an ESL classroom resource for

instructors

Contents: Three news stories are featured in each weekly lesson plan. Each lesson contains vocabulary and listening comprehension activities. At the end of each lesson, you will find a complete transcript and an answer key. This lesson plan is aimed towards learners at an intermediate language level (i.e. Canadian Language Benchmarks 4-5 or equivalent).

Learning English with CBC is a joint project with CBC Calgary, CBC Edmonton, and the Government of Alberta. Lesson Plan prepared by Kathleen Hall and Deidre Lake, Communication4Integration Inc.

© CBC 2015 Permission is granted to reproduce these pages for educational purposes only. For more information on copyright, please click: http://www.cbc.ca/permissions

1

NEWSCAST 1: HOLLANDE SAYS FRANCE IS AT WAR

Photo Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/photos/paris-attacks-fran%C3%A7ois-hollande-says-france-at-war-1.3319985

WARM UP The picture shows an everyday scene on the streets in Paris. Describe what is happening in the picture. Have you seen such sights on the streets?

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Look at the following words and phrases. Circle the words you do not know.

joint session ovation show of atrocity standstill shut down

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Match the words above with the correct definition below.

WORD DEFINITION

make something known; a demonstration of support s

a stop in business or operation

no movement or activity

an extremely cruel and violent act

a meeting between two or more decision-making groups

continued applause; clapping from an audience

(See answer key)

2

LISTENING ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 1. Take notes so that you can summarize the newscast. Use the following questions to help you:

1. Who is Hollande?

2. What did he say about France?

3. How did parliamentarians react?

4. What did they sing?

5. Why did France come to a standstill?

6. Name three things that reopened.

7. What colours lit up the Eiffel Tower?

8. What do these colours represent?

How many of the questions where you able to answer? Circle your response:

None Some Most All

Listen to the newscast again if you were unable to answer all of the questions and then refer to the answer key. SPEAKING ACTIVITY 1 Summarize what you’ve heard. If you are in a class, work with a partner. Take turns to summarize the newscast. If you are doing this lesson independently, record yourself summarizing the story and play it back.

Circle your response. I was able to:

a) summarize some of the details b) summarize most of the details

LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 1 again and fill in the blanks with the words that you hear.

Following the shootings and suicide bombings across Paris that killed 129, French __________________ Hollande told a __________________ of parliament that France is at war. Parliamentarians gave Hollande a __________________ __________________ before singing the French national __________________ in a __________________ __________________ unity following the worst atrocity France has seen since World War II.

France came to a __________________ for a minute’s silence to remember the dead, many of whom were young people killed as they enjoyed a night out.

Life is slowly returning to normal. ___________________ and __________________ re-opened after a 48-hour __________________ as did the Eiffel Tower, which lit up the night sky in the red, white, and blue colours of the French flag following two days of darkness.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: How would you feel, or have you felt about living in a country that is at war?

3

NEWSCAST 2: TWO YOUNG CANADIANS TRAVELLING IN PARIS SPEAK TO CBC

Photo Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/paris-attacks-alberta-tourists-hatfield-french-scott-1.3321266

WARM UP How did you feel when you heard about the attacks on Paris? Do you think Canada is safe from these kinds of attacks?

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Look at the words and phrases in the box below. Write the definition of the terms you understand.

TERM DEFINITION

amazed

resiliency

cut short

wake of

compassion

unity

thankful

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Now compare your definitions in the previous exercise to the definitions below.

TERM SYNONYMS

amazed surprised/shocked

resiliency strength/spirit/toughness

cut short stop/interrupt/discontinue

wake of following/as a result of

compassion care/sympathy/concern

unity harmony/togetherness/closeness

thankful happy/relieved/grateful

4

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 3 Instructions: Now match the words and phrases with the definitions in the box below.

TERM DEFINITION

pity for the sufferings or misfortunes of others

expressing gratitude and relief

to end abruptly

joined as a whole

to be astonished

the ability to recover quickly from difficulty

happens after and often because of an event

(See answer key) LISTENING ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 2 for overall comprehension. After listening, circle the definition that best describes this newscast for you:

a) This newscast was very difficult to understand after listening one time. b) This newscast was difficult to understand after listening one time. c) This newscast was easy to understand after listening one time. d) This newscast was very easy to understand after listening one time.

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LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 2 again. Put a checkmark in the box next to what is said by each person. An example is done for you.

Jenica Hatfield Anastasia French-Scott

The experience makes her thankful to live in Canada

Terrorism brought all these people together

They won’t cut their trip short

Parisians are coming together

We are very, very lucky to live in Canada

The love and unity in Paris are really strong

We’re so safe

(See answer key) LISTENING ACTIVITY 3 Instructions: Listen to newscast 2 again and fill in the blanks with the word that you hear.

Two young Alberta women travelling in Paris say they are ____________________ at the

____________________ of the French people. Jenica Hatfield and Anastasia French-Scott have no

plans to ____________________ their Paris trip ____________________ in the ___________ ___

the deadly attacks in that city.

In an interview with CBC in Paris, Hatfield said Parisians are coming together. She added that it,

“…may have been terrorism that brought all these people together, but the love,

___________________ and the ____________________ here is really strong.”

Scott-French said the experience makes her ____________________ to live in Canada.

“We are very, very lucky that we don’t have any terrorism, really,… and that we’re so safe,” she said. (See answer key) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Do you think that there is a need to take extra precautions/safety measures in the wake of the Paris attacks? If so, what do you recommend that people do every day to make sure they are safe? If not, do you agree with Anastasia that we are safe? If so, why?

6

NEWSCAST 3: AN ALBERTA-BASED COMPANY OFFERS DISCOUNTED RENTAL APARTMENTS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES

Photo Source:http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/boardwalk-promises-reduced-rents-for-syrian-refugees-1.3323698

WARM UP: The picture shows an Islamic family and members from a Social Services association meeting a Syrian family at the Edmonton International Airport. What do you think of this greeting? Compare this greeting with your arrival in Canada. VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Look at the words and phrases in the box below. Write the definition of the terms you understand.

WORD/EXPRESSION DEFINITION

agencies

scrambling

wave

discounted

massive

resettlement

set to

transition

affordable

permanent

challenge

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VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Now compare your definitions with the definitions below for similarities or differences.

WORD/EXPRESSION SYNONYMS

agencies groups / organizations / charities

scrambling rushing / moving quickly

wave rise / expansion / increase

discounted reduced / cheaper/ special offer / sale

massive huge / giant / great

resettlement relocation / immigration

set to ready to / about to / preparing to

transition change / changeover / move

affordable inexpensive / cheap / reasonably priced

permanent long-lasting / constant

challenge a difficult task or situation / test

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 3 Instructions: Now match the words and phrases with the definitions in the box below.

WORD/EXPRESSION DEFINITION

something that will last or remain unchanged

at a price that one is able to afford

ready to leave

the process of moving people to a different place to live

very, very large

a deduction in the amount or price of something

a period of changing

a movement or influx of people in large numbers

moving with urgency or panic

something that needs great effort

a business or organization started to provide a special service

LISTENING ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 3 for overall comprehension. Use the following questions to help you.

1. Who is about to arrive in Canada?

2. What is the name of the company that is going to help?

3. What does the company plan to offer?

4. Name 4 cities where the discounted apartments will be available.

5. How many refugees are set to come to Canada?

6. How many families will Boardwalk provide discounted housing for?

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7. What does Sarah Hanafi say is the biggest challenge now?

8. Where does Sarah Hanafi work?

9. How does the Boardwalk news make her feel? How many of the questions where you able to answer? Circle your response:

None Some Most All

Listen to the newscast again if you were unable to answer all of the questions. Refer to the answer key afterwards. LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 3 again and fill in the blanks with the word that you hear. An Alberta-based company is providing some relief for agencies ____________________ to find housing for the ____________________ of Syrian refugees about to arrive in Canada. Boardwalk Rental Communities plans to offer ____________________ rental apartments in Edmonton, ____________________ , Fort McMurray, and ____________________ , as well as other Canadian cities to help with the massive ____________________ of 25,000 refugees ____________________arrive in Canada by the end of the year. Boardwalk’s David McIlveen says the goal is to prepare a welcoming ____________________ to ____________________ housing for up to 350 refugee families in 2016. Finding ____________________ housing for incoming refugees is “the biggest need and ____________________ at the moment,” said Sarah Hanafi with the Islamic Family and Social Services Association. She said news of Boardwalk’s plan leaves her “____________________ and relieved.” SPEAKING ACTIVITY 1 With a colleague or a friend, discuss the following questions: Boardwalk Rental Communities has offered to help to settle Syrian refugees to Canada. Can you think of other companies and industries that could help? How would you persuade these industries to offer their services? If you are in a classroom, share you answer with a partner or group. If you are working online, start a discussion with a friend or family member about this topic.

9

LANGUAGE FOCUS: INTRODUCTION TO REPORTED SPEECH In all of our newscasts this week, we heard people directly quoted—exactly what they said word for word—this is called direct speech. Reporters also told us “indirectly” what the speakers had said. This is called reported or indirect speech.

See the example below:

Notice that in reported speech, when talking about something already said, the reporting verb “say” becomes a past verb “said”, and the verb the speakers used “have” becomes the past verb “had”. “That” is often used after the reporting verb.

LANGUAGE FOCUS: ACTIVITY 1 Instructions: Look at the table below to see how spoken verb tenses are changed in reported speech.

Tense Direct Speech Reported Speech

present simple “France is at war.” He said (that) France was at war.

present continuous

“Enerjet is offering its planes for free.”

He said (that) Enerjet was offering its’ planes for free.

past simple “Parisians came together.”

She said (that) Parisians had come together.

past continuous “Enerjet was flying people to and from the oilfields before the layoffs.”

He said (that) Enerjet had been flying people to and from the oilfields before the layoffs.

present perfect “The government hasn’t decided how to settle the refugees yet.”

She said (that) the government hadn’t decided how to settle the refugees yet.

past perfect* does not change

“Canada had taken in large groups of refugees from many countries until recently.”

He said (that) Canada had taken in large groups of refugees from many countries until recently.

10

Modal Verbs

will “We will bring 25,000 refugees to Canada by the end of the year.”

He said (that) they would bring 25,000 refugees to Canada by the end of the year.

can “We can help the government with the refugees.”

They said (that) they could help the government with the refugees.

Past Modals

could should might would

Do not change

must Does not change

When talking about something that is always said, for example:

My mother always says that a stitch in time saves nine. Neither the reporting verb, nor the verb the speakers use is changed.

LANGUAGE FOCUS: ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Look at the reporting verbs in the table below, and follow the instructions in the table.

REPORTING VERBS

The most common reporting verbs are:

Present Tense Verbs

Put these reporting verbs in the past tense in the following sentences:

SAY They _______ they were not afraid.

TELL someone He ______ the parliament that France was at war.

ASK someone to/ if/indirect question

They _______ if they could help to relocate the refugees.

Look at these direct quotations / spoken sentences called direct speech.

Complete the reported-speech sentences with past reporting verbs and spoken verbs.

SAY “The unity in Paris is really strong.”

They _____ the unity in Paris _____ really strong.

TELL someone “Life is slowly returning to normal.”

He _____ us that life ______ slowly returning to normal.

ASK someone to/ if/indirect question

“Are 25,000 refugees coming to Canada?”

He ______ if 25,000 refugees ______ coming to Canada.

A stich in time

saves nine.

A stich in time

saves nine.

11

It is important to remember that SAY must be followed by what was said. You cannot use: say me/said him... On the other hand, you must use: TELL her/told me. You cannot use tell followed directly by information, or what was told. (The exception is: tell the truth or told a lie).

Introduction to indirect questions

Using ASK is more difficult. You might need more study and practice. When using ASK in reported speech, we can use: ask him to… Or we can make an indirect question: “When is she coming?” becomes He asked when she was coming. “Is she coming?” becomes He asked if she was coming. Notice that the subject and verb is she in the question becomes she was in the reported-speech question.

Often-used reporting verbs

Present Tense Verb Write the simple past tense of these reporting verbs.

EXPLAIN

PROMISE

REMIND

WARN

DECIDE

WONDER IF

APOLOGIZE FOR

Difficult reporting verbs that require the

subjunctive, infinitive or gerund*

Sample Sentences

ADVISE someone to be/doing something He advises us to be early.

SUGGEST someone be/doing something She suggests (that) we be early.

AGREE to be/do We agree to be early

ENCOURAGE someone to be/do They encourage us to be early.

INSIST someone/something be/do He insists (that) we be early.

RECOMMEND someone be/do/doing something

She recommends that they be early.

12

CBC EDMONTON TRANSCRIPTS OF WEEKLY NEWSCASTS

WEEKLY NEWS STORIES TIME

Introduction Hi. This is Don Bell. You’re listening to Learning English with CBC for the week of November 23rd.

0:00

Newscast 1 Hollande says France is at war

Following the shootings and suicide bombings across Paris that killed 130, French President Hollande told a joint session of parliament that France is at war. Parliamentarians gave Hollande a standing ovation before singing the French national anthem in a show of unity following the worst atrocity France has seen since World War II. France came to a standstill for a minute’s silence to remember the dead, many of whom were young people killed as they enjoyed a night out. Life is slowly returning to normal. Schools and museums re-opened after a 48-hour shut-down as did the Eiffel Tower, which lit up the night sky in the red, white, and blue colours of the French flag following two days of darkness.

0:11

Newscast 2 Two young Canadians travelling in Paris speak to CBC

Two young Alberta women travelling in Paris say they are

amazed at the resiliency of the French people. Jenica

Hatfield and Anastasia French-Scott have no plans to cut

their Paris trip short in the wake of the deadly attacks in

that city.

In an interview with CBC in Paris, Hatfield said Parisians are

coming together. She added that it, “… may have been

terrorism that brought all these people together, but the

love, compassion, and the unity here is really strong.”

Scott-French said the experience makes her thankful to live

in Canada.

“We are very, very lucky that we don’t have any terrorism, really,… and that we're so safe,” she said.

1:24

13

Newscast 3 An Alberta-based company offers discounted rental apartments for Syrian refugees

An Alberta-based company is providing some relief for agencies scrambling to find housing for the wave of Syrian refugees about to arrive in Canada. Boardwalk Rental Communities plans to offer discounted rental apartments in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, and Red Deer, as well as other Canadian cities to help with the massive resettlement of 25,000 refugees set to arrive in Canada by the end of the year. Boardwalk’s David McIlveen says the goal is to prepare a welcoming transition to permanent housing for up to 350 refugee families in 2016. Finding affordable housing for incoming refugees is “the biggest need and challenge at the moment,” said Sarah Hanafi, with the Islamic Family and Social Services Association. She said news of Boardwalk’s plan leaves her “happy and relieved.”

2:27

14

ANSWER KEY FOR NEWSCAST 1: HOLLANDE SAYS FRANCE IS AT WAR

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 2

WORD DEFINITION

show of make something known; a demonstration of support

shut down a stop in business or operation

standstill no movement or activity

atrocity an extremely cruel and violent act

joint session a meeting between two or more decision-making groups

ovation continued applause; clapping from an audience

LISTENING ACTIVITY 1

1. Who is Hollande? The French President

2. What did he say about France? France is at war

3. How did parliamentarians react? They gave a standing ovation

4. What did they sing? The French National Anthem

5. Why did France come to a standstill? for a moment of silence to remember the dead

6. Name three things that reopened. Schools, museums, and the Eiffel Tower

7. What colours lit up the Eiffel Tower? red, white, and blue

8. What do these colours represent? The French flag

LISTENING ACTIVITY 2 Instructions: Listen to Newscast 1 again and fill in the blanks with the words that you hear.

Following the shootings and suicide bombings across Paris that killed 129, French President Hollande told a joint session of parliament that France is at war. Parliamentarians gave Hollande a standing ovation before singing the French national anthem in a show of unity following the worst atrocity France has seen since World War II.

France came to a standstill for a minute’s silence to remember the dead, many of whom were young people killed as they enjoyed a night out.

Life is slowly returning to normal. Schools and museums re-opened after a 48-hour shut-down as did the Eiffel Tower, which lit up the night sky in the red, white, and blue colours of the French flag following two days of darkness. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Answers will vary

15

ANSWER KEY FOR NEWSCAST 2: PARIS ATTACKS HAVE ALBERTANS AMAZED AT FRENCH RESILIENCY VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Answers will vary

VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 3

Term Definition

compassion pity for the sufferings or misfortunes of others

thankful expressing gratitude and relief

show of to end abruptly

cut short joined as a whole

unity to be astonished

amazed the ability to recover quickly from difficulty

resiliency happens after and often because of an event

wake of pity for the sufferings or misfortunes of others

LISTENING ACTIVITY 2

Jenica Hatfield Anastasia French-Scott

The experience makes her thankful to live in Canada

Terrorism brought all these people together

They won’t cut their trip short

Parisians are coming together

We are very, very lucky to live in Canada

The love and unity in Paris are really strong

We’re so safe

LISTENING ACTIVITY 3 Instructions: Listen to newscast 2 again and fill in the blanks with the word that you hear.

Two young Alberta women travelling in Paris say they are amazed at the resiliency of the French people. Jenica Hatfield and Anastasia French-Scott have no plans to cut their Paris trip short in the wake of the deadly attacks in that city.

In an interview with CBC in Paris, Hatfield said Parisians are coming together in a show of unity. She added that, “… there may have been terrorism that brought all these people together, but the love, compassion and the unity here is really strong.”

Scott-French said the experience makes her thankful to live in Canada. “We are very, very lucky that we don’t have any terrorism, really,… and that we’re so safe,” she said.

16

ANSWER KEY FOR NEWSCAST 3: AN ALBERTA-BASED COMPANY OFFERS DISCOUNTED RENTAL APARTMENTS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 1 Answers will vary VOCABULARY ACTIVITY 3

WORD/EXPRESSION SYNONYMS

permanent something that will last or remain unchanged

affordable at a price that one is able to afford

set to ready to leave

resettlement the process of moving people to a different place to live

massive very, very large

discounted a deduction in the amount or price of something

transition a period of changing

wave a movement or influx of people in large numbers

scrambling moving with urgency or panic

challenge something that needs great effort

agencies a business or organization started to provide a special service

LISTENING ACTIVITY 1

1. Who is about to arrive in Canada? Syrian refugees

2. What is the name of the company that is going to help? Boardwalk (Rental Communities)

3. What does the company plan to offer? discounted rental apartments

4. Name 4 cities where the discounted apartments will be available. Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Red Deer

5. How many refugees are set to come to Canada? 25,000

6. How many families will boardwalk provide discounted housing for? 350

7. What does Sarah Hanafi say is the biggest challenge now? finding affordable housing

8. Where does Sarah Hanafi work? Islamic Family and Social Services Association

9. How does the Boardwalk news make her feel? happy and relieved

17

LISTENING ACTIVITY 3 An Alberta-based company is providing some relief for agencies scrambling to find housing for the wave of Syrian refugees about to arrive in Canada. Boardwalk Rental Communities plans to offer discounted rental apartments in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, and Red Deer, as well as other Canadian cities to help with the massive resettlement of 25,000 refugees set to arrive in Canada by the end of the year. Boardwalk’s David McIlveen says the goal is to prepare a welcoming transition to permanent housing for up to 350 refugee families in 2016. Finding affordable housing for incoming refugees is “the biggest need and challenge at the moment,” said Sarah Hanafi with the Islamic Family and Social Services Association. She said news of Boardwalk’s plan leaves her “happy and relieved.”

18

LANGUAGE FOCUS

REPORTING VERBS

The most common reporting verbs are: Present Tense Verb Put these reporting verbs in the past tense in the following sentences:

SAY They said they were not afraid.

TELL someone He told the parliament that France was at war.

ASK someone to/

if/indirect question They asked if they could help to relocate the refugees.

Look at these direct quotations / spoken sentences called direct speech.

Complete the reported-speech sentences with past reporting verbs and spoken verbs.

SAY “The unity in Paris is really strong.”

They said the unity in Paris was really strong.

TELL someone “Life is slowly returning to normal.”

He told us that life was slowly returning to normal.

ASK someone to/

if/indirect question “Are 25,000 refugees coming to Canada?”

He asked if 25,000 refugees were coming to Canada.

Often used reporting verbs

Present Tense Verb Write the simple past tense of these reporting verbs

EXPLAIN explained

PROMISE promised

REMIND reminded

WARN warned

DECIDE decided

WONDER IF wondered if

APOLOGIZE FOR apologized for