. Greenland - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Greenland - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Greenland - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: Greenland

President Donald Trump is increasing his efforts to acquire Greenland. On Saturday, he announced he would impose 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK and other countries if they did not "go along with Greenland". These countries recently sent officials to Greenland. The tariffs will start on the first of February. President Trump suggested the levy would increase to 25 per cent in June, "due and payable until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland". UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to Trump's plans. He said: "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO is completely wrong."

The acquisition of Greenland has been a high priority for President Trump since he took office again last year. He stressed that "the national security of the United States and the world at large is at stake" because "China and Russia want Greenland". He added: "It is imperative that, in order to protect global peace and security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation ends quickly." President Trump said Greenland was a key component of the USA's Golden Dome missile defence system. Thousands of people in Greenland have protested against Trump's plans. In the capital city of Nuuk, protesters held signs reading "Greenland is not for sale".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

  • https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/trump-knows-good-real-estate-he-knows-greenlands-value-national-security
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/16/politics/tariffs-trump-greenland-opposition
  • https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/16/trump-greenland-tariffs.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland

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 :-)

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities, and more.

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News

"Much has been said and written on the utility of newspapers; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools."

The Portland Eastern Herald (June 8, 1795)

"News is history in its first and best form, its vivid and fascinating form, and. history is the pale and tranquil reflection of it."

Mark Twain, in his autobiography (1906)

"Current events provide authentic learning experiences for students at all grade levels. In studying current events, students are required to use a range of cognitive, affective, critical thinking and research skills."

Haas, M. and Laughlin, M. (2000) Teaching Current Events: It's Status in Social Studies Today.

Warm-ups

1. GREENLAND: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Greenland. 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? President Trump / Greenland / tariffs / officials / deal / plans / allies / security / NATO priority / national security / global peace / perilous / missile defence / capital city Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. REFERENDUM: Students A strongly believe Greenlanders should decide their future via a referendum; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. TRUMP'S FOREIGN POLICY: What do you know about President Trump's foreign policy? What should he do from now? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

What I Know

What Should Be Done from Now

Greenland

Iran

Ukraine

Venezuela

Israel/Gaza

China

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • Military invasion
  • Election interference
  • Energy supply disruption
  • Pandemics
  • Espionage
  • Disinformation
  • Terrorism
  • Water scarcity
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. impose a. Answered or reacted to something. 2. levy b. Countries or people who help each other. 3. due c. Make people accept a rule, tax, or punishment. 4. responded d. Done by people acting together. 5. allies e. An official tax or money that people must pay. 6. pursuing f. Expected to be paid or done at a certain future time. 7. collective g. Trying to do or get something.

Paragraph 2

8. acquisition h. One part of a larger thing. 9. priority i. Getting or buying something. 10. took office j. Something that is more important than other things. 11. at stake k. Very important and must be done. 12. imperative l. In danger of being lost or harmed. 13. perilous m. Started an important job, like being a country's leader. 14. component n. Very dangerous. Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. The article says President Trump will acquire Greenland in February. T / F
  2. President Trump will put tariffs on all European countries in February. T / F
  3. The tariffs could increase to 25% in June. T / F
  4. The leader of the UK said the proposed tariffs were wrong. T / F
  5. The article says acquiring Greenland is President Trump's top priority. T / F
  6. President Trump said Greenland was important to secure world peace. T / F
  7. Trump said Greenland was important for his missile defence system. T / F
  8. Greenlanders said their country was not for sale. T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. prime concern
  2. vitally important
  3. apply
  4. striving for
  5. dangerous
  6. required
  7. part
  8. at risk
  9. consent to
  10. obtain
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. Trump is increasing his efforts
  2. he announced he would impose
  3. the levy would
  4. a deal is reached for the complete and total
  5. the collective security
  6. Greenland has been a high
  7. security of the United States
  8. in order
  9. this potentially
  10. the USA's Golden Dome missile
  1. purchase of Greenland
  2. of NATO
  3. to protect global peace
  4. priority
  5. defence system
  6. to acquire Greenland
  7. increase to 25 per cent
  8. perilous situation
  9. 10 per cent tariffs
  10. and the world at large
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. levy impose security efforts responded officials payable along

President Donald Trump is increasing his (1) _________________________________ to acquire Greenland. On Saturday, he announced he would (2) _________________________________ 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK and other countries if they did not "go (3) _________________________________ with Greenland". These countries recently sent (4) _________________________________ to Greenland. The tariffs will start on the first of February. President Trump suggested the (5) _________________________________ would increase to 25 per cent in June, "due and (6) _________________________________ until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland". UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (7) _________________________________ to Trump's plans. He said: "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective (8) _________________________________ of NATO is completely wrong."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

perilous imperative priority protested office component measures stake

The acquisition of Greenland has been a high (9) _________________________________ for President Trump since he took (10) _________________________________ again last year. He stressed that "the national security of the United States and the world at large is at (11) _________________________________" because "China and Russia want Greenland". He added: "It is (12) _________________________________ that, in order to protect global peace and security, strong (13) _________________________________ be taken so that this potentially (14) _________________________________ situation ends quickly." President Trump said Greenland was a key (15) _________________________________ of the USA's Golden Dome missile defence system. Thousands of people in Greenland have (16) _________________________________ against Trump's plans. In the capital city of Nuuk, protesters held signs reading "Greenland is not for sale".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) On Saturday, he announced he would impose 10 per cent ______ a. tariffs son Denmark b. tariffs on Denmark c. tariffs end Denmark d. tariffs and Denmark 2) These countries recently sent ______ a. officials too Greenland b. officials two Greenland c. officials to Greenland d. official to Greenland 3) President Trump suggested the ______ a. levy would din crease b. levy would increases c. levy would increased d. levy would increase 4) payable until such time as a deal is reached for the complete ______ a. and total purchase b. and totally purchase c. end total purchase d. and title purchase 5) Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO ______ a. is completed wrong b. is completely wrong c. is completely wrongly d. is complete wrong

6) The acquisition of Greenland has been ______ a. a height priority b. a high priorities c. a high prioritize d. a high priority 7) He stressed that the national security of the United States and the world at large _____ a. is sat stake b. is at steak c. is a stake d. is at stake 8) strong measures be taken so that this potentially ______ a. perilous situation end b. impervious situation ends c. peril louse situation end d. perilous situation ends 9) President Trump said Greenland was ______ a. a key component b. a quay component c. ache component d. a key components 10) In the capital city of Nuuk, protesters held signs reading "Greenland is ______" a. not fours sale b. not for sale c. not for sail d. no for sale

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

President Donald Trump is increasing his (1) _______________________________________________ Greenland. On Saturday, he announced he would impose 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK and other countries if they did not "(2) _______________________________________________ Greenland". These countries recently sent officials to Greenland. The (3) _______________________________________________ on the first of February. President Trump suggested the levy would increase to 25 per cent in June, "due and payable until such time as a (4) _______________________________________________ for the complete (5) _______________________________________________ of Greenland". UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to Trump's plans. He said: "Applying tariffs on (6) _______________________________________________ the collective security of NATO is completely wrong."

The acquisition of Greenland has been a (7) _______________________________________________ President Trump since he took office again last year. He stressed that "the national security of the United States and the (8) _______________________________________________ is at stake" because "China and Russia want Greenland". He added: "It is (9) _______________________________________________ order to protect global peace and security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially (10) _______________________________________________ quickly." President Trump said Greenland was a key component of the USA's Golden Dome (11) _______________________________________________. Thousands of people in Greenland have protested against Trump's plans. In the capital city of Nuuk, (12) _______________________________________________ reading "Greenland is not for sale".

Comprehension questions
  1. How can some European countries avoid American tariffs?
  2. What did some European countries send to Greenland?
  3. What might happen in June?
  4. What did the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer do?
  5. What did the UK leader say about tariffs on allies for NATO's security?
  6. What has been a high priority for President Trump?
  7. What did President Trump say was at stake?
  8. Who did President Trump say wanted Greenland?
  9. What is the name of the USA's missile defence system?
  10. What did protestors in Greenland write on their signs?
Multiple choice quiz

1) How can some European countries avoid American tariffs? a) They can lift tariffs on the USA. b) They can agree to the USA acquiring Greenland. c) They can increase spending on arms. d) They can help the Golden Dome missile defence system. 2) What did some European countries send to Greenland? a) diplomats b) weapons c) good wishes d) officials 3) What might happen in June? a) A Greenland referendum b) President Trump will visit Greenland. c) Tariffs might increase to 25%. d) Europe will impose tariffs on the USA. 4) What did the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer do? a) Respond to Trump's plans. b) Visit Greenland. c) Write to President Trump. d) Write to Greenland's leader. 5) What did the UK leader say about tariffs on allies for NATO's security? a) He said they were counter-productive. b) He said they were completely wrong. c) He said he understood them. d) He said he would retaliate.

6) What has been a high priority for President Trump? a) the acquisition of Greenland b) maintaining European friendships c) reducing tariffs d) getting things done this year 7) What did President Trump say was at stake? a) the existence of humanity b) international relations c) the security of the US and the world d) his position 8) Who did President Trump say wanted Greenland? a) Russia and China b) Europe c) unknown foreign powers d) Canada 9) What is the name of the USA's missile defence system? a) the Silver Dome b) the Diamond Dome c) the Platinum Dome d) the Golden Dome 10) What did protestors in Greenland write on their signs? a) Save Greenland b) Referendum Now c) Greenland is not for sale. d) Make us a state.

Role play

Role A – Military Invasion You think military invasion is the biggest threat to national security. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least serious of these (and why): election interference, terrorism or water scarcity.

Role B – Election Interference You think election interference is the biggest threat to national security. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least serious of these (and why): military invasion, terrorism or water scarcity.

Role C – Terrorism You think terrorism is the biggest threat to national security. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least serious of these (and why): election interference, military invasion or water scarcity.

Role D – Water Scarcity You think water scarcity is the biggest threat to national security. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least serious of these (and why): election interference, terrorism or military invasion.

After reading / listening

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

• 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:

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 - Greenland

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 'tariff'?
  3. What do you know about Greenland?
  4. What do you know about President Trump's interest in Greenland?
  5. What do you think of tariffs?
  6. How is your country affected by tariffs?
  7. What do you know about NATO?
  8. What do European countries think about Trump's Greenland plans?
  9. How important is Greenland, and why?
  10. What advice do you have for Greenlanders?

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 'defence'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. Why is Greenland important for US security?
  5. What would happen if China and Russia took control of Greenland?
  6. What do you know about the Golden Dome missile defence system?
  7. How might the world change if the USA acquires Greenland?
  8. What three adjectives best describe this news story?
  9. How do you think this story will develop over the coming weeks?
  10. What questions would you like to ask President Trump?
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)

President Donald Trump is increasing his (1) ____ to acquire Greenland. On Saturday, he announced he would (2) ____ 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK and other countries if they did not "go (3) ____ with Greenland". These countries recently sent officials to Greenland. The tariffs will start on the first of February. President Trump suggested the (4) ____ would increase to 25 per cent in June, "(5) ____ and payable until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland". UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to Trump's plans. He said: "Applying tariffs (6) ____ allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO is completely wrong."

The acquisition of Greenland has been a (7) ____ priority for President Trump since he took office again last year. He stressed that "the national security of the United States and the world at large is (8) ____ stake" because "China and Russia want Greenland". He added: "It is imperative that, in (9) ____ to protect global peace and security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially (10) ____ situation ends quickly." President Trump said Greenland was a (11) ____ component of the USA's Golden Dome missile defence system. Thousands of people in Greenland have protested against Trump's plans. In the capital city of Nuuk, protesters held signs reading "Greenland is not (12) ____ sale".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) efforts (b) effort (c) effects (d) effective (a) repose (b) compose (c) impose (d) suppose (a) longways (b) longing (c) along (d) longed (a) leave (b) leaven (c) level (d) levy (a) due (b) adieu (c) duly (d) duel (a) at (b) on (c) in (d) to (a) highs (b) heighten (c) highly (d) high (a) of (b) at (c) to (d) in (a) other (b) utter (c) order (d) over (a) impervious (b) perilous (c) scurrilous (d) jealous (a) mark (b) used (c) lock (d) key (a) at (b) for (c) in (d) from

Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. he announced he would oeimps 10% tariffs
  2. the ylev would increase to 25%
  3. due and aypblae
  4. total pecurahs of Greenland
  5. Applying tariffs on lilaes
  6. ugrsinpu the collective security of NATO
Paragraph 2
  1. a high topyriri for President Trump
  2. It is iteivemarp
  3. strong ermeusas
  4. this potentially leposriu situation
  5. a key nmoetponc
  6. stotrrsepe held signs reading
Put the text back together

( ) 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK and other countries if they did not "go ( ) along with Greenland". These countries recently sent officials to Greenland. The tariffs will start on ( ) city of Nuuk, protesters held signs reading "Greenland is not for sale". ( ) large is at stake" because "China and Russia want Greenland". He added: "It is imperative that, in order to ( ) of Greenland". UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to Trump's ( ) office again last year. He stressed that "the national security of the United States and the world at ( ) payable until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase ( ) plans. He said: "Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO is completely wrong." ( 1 ) President Donald Trump is increasing his efforts to acquire Greenland. On Saturday, he announced he would impose ( ) protect global peace and security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation ends ( ) quickly." President Trump said Greenland was a key component of the USA's Golden Dome missile defence ( ) system. Thousands of people in Greenland have protested against Trump's plans. In the capital ( ) The acquisition of Greenland has been a high priority for President Trump since he took ( ) the first of February. President Trump suggested the levy would increase to 25 per cent in June, "due and

Put the words in the right order
  1. is He his increasing to efforts Greenland acquire .
  2. He he'd announced impose 10 per cent on tariffs Denmark .
  3. will Tariffs on start first the February of .
  4. A is deal for reached complete the purchase .
  5. on Tariffs for allies the pursuing security collective .
  6. The of acquisition has Greenland a been priority .
  7. order In protect to peace global security and .
  8. A component key the of Golden USA's Dome .
  9. of Thousands in people have Greenland protested .
  10. that Signs Greenland read not is sale for .
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

President Donald Trump is increasing his efforts to require / acquire Greenland. On Saturday, he announced he would compose / impose 10 per cent tariffs on / in Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK and other countries if they did not "go a length / along with Greenland". These countries recently sent officials to Greenland. The tariffs will start on the first of February. President Trump suggested the levy / level would increase to 25 per cent in June, "duel / due and payable until so / such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase for / of Greenland". UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to / at Trump's plans. He said: "Applying tariffs on allies / alliance for pursuing the collective security of NATO is completely wrong."

The acquisition of Greenland has been a high priority / prioritize for President Trump since he took official / office again last year. He stressed that "the national security of the United States and the world at big / large is at stake / steak" because "China and Russia want Greenland". He added: "It is imperative that, in / on order to protect global peace and security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially delirious / perilous situation ends quickly." President Trump said Greenland was a lock / key component of the USA's Golden Dome missile defence system. Thousands of people in Greenland have protested against / opposed Trump's plans. In the capital city of Nuuk, protesters / protests held signs reading "Greenland is not for / at sale".

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)

Pr_s_d_nt D_n_ld Tr_mp _s _ncr__s_ng h_s _ff_rts t_ _cq__r_ Gr__nl_nd. _n S_t_rd_y, h_ _nn__nc_d h_ w__ld _mp_s_ 10 p_r c_nt t_r_ffs _n D_nm_rk, G_rm_ny, N_rw_y, Sw_d_n, th_ _K _nd _th_r c__ntr__s _f th_y d_d n_t "g_ _l_ng w_th Gr__nl_nd". Th_s_ c__ntr__s r_c_ntly s_nt _ff_c__ls t_ Gr__nl_nd. Th_ t_r_ffs w_ll st_rt _n th_ f_rst _f F_br__ry. Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp s_gg_st_d th_ l_vy w__ld _ncr__s_ t_ 25 p_r c_nt _n J_n_, "d__ _nd p_y_bl_ _nt_l s_ch t_m_ _s _ d__l _s r__ch_d f_r th_ c_mpl_t_ _nd t_t_l p_rch_s_ _f Gr__nl_nd. _K Pr_m_ M_n_st_r S_r K__r St_rm_r r_sp_nd_d t_ Tr_mp's pl_ns. H_ s__d: "_pply_ng t_r_ffs _n _ll__s f_r p_rs__ng th_ c_ll_ct_v_ s_c_r_ty _f N_T_ _s c_mpl_t_ly wr_ng."

Th_ _cq__s_t__n _f Gr__nl_nd h_s b__n _ h_gh pr__r_ty f_r Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp s_nc_ h_ t__k _ff_c_ _g__n l_st y__r. H_ str_ss_d th_t "th_ n_t__n_l s_c_r_ty _f th_ _n_t_d St_t_s _nd th_ w_rld _t l_rg_ _s _t st_k_" b_c__s_ "Ch_n_ _nd R_ss__ w_nt Gr__nl_nd". H_ _dd_d: "_t _s _mp_r_t_v_ th_t, _n _rd_r t_ pr_t_ct gl_b_l p__c_ _nd s_c_r_ty, str_ng m__s_r_s b_ t_k_n s_ th_t th_s p_t_nt__lly p_r_l__s s_t__t__n _nds q__ckly." Pr_s_d_nt Tr_mp s__d Gr__nl_nd w_s _ k_y c_mp_n_nt _f th_ _S_'s G_ld_n D_m_ m_ss_l_ d_f_nc_ syst_m. Th__s_nds _f p__pl_ _n Gr__nl_nd h_v_ pr_t_st_d _g__nst Tr_mp's pl_ns. _n th_ c_p_t_l c_ty _f N__k, pr_t_st_rs h_ld s_gns r__d_ng "Gr__nl_nd _s n_t f_r s_l_".

Punctuate the text and add capitals

president donald trump is increasing his efforts to acquire greenland on saturday he announced he would impose 10 per cent tariffs on denmark germany norway sweden the uk and other countries if they did not go along with greenland these countries recently sent officials to greenland the tariffs will start on the first of february president trump suggested the levy would increase to 25 per cent in june due and payable until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of greenland uk prime minister sir keir starmer responded to trumps plans he said applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of nato is completely wrong

the acquisition of greenland has been a high priority for president trump since he took office again last year he stressed that the national security of the united states and the world at large is at stake because china and russia want greenland he added it is imperative that in order to protect global peace and security strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation ends quickly president trump said greenland was a key component of the usas golden dome missile defence system thousands of people in greenland have protested against trumps plans in the capital city of nuuk protesters held signs reading greenland is not for sale

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

PresidentDonaldTrumpisincreasinghiseffortstoacquireGreenland.O nSaturday,heannouncedhewouldimpose10percenttariffsonDenmar k,Germany,Norway,Sweden,theUKandothercountriesiftheydidnot" goalongwithGreenland".ThesecountriesrecentlysentofficialstoGree nland.ThetariffswillstartonthefirstofFebruary.PresidentTrumpsugge stedthelevywouldincreaseto25percentinJune,"dueandpayableuntils uchtimeasadealisreachedforthecompleteandtotalpurchaseofGreenl and.UKPrimeMinisterSirKeirStarmerrespondedtoTrump'splans.Hes aid:"ApplyingtariffsonalliesforpursuingthecollectivesecurityofNATO iscompletelywrong."TheacquisitionofGreenlandhasbeenahighpriori tyforPresidentTrumpsincehetookofficeagainlastyear.Hestressedtha t"thenationalsecurityoftheUnitedStatesandtheworldatlargeisatstak e"because"ChinaandRussiawantGreenland".Headded:"Itisimperati vethat,inordertoprotectglobalpeaceandsecurity,strongmeasuresbe takensothatthispotentiallyperiloussituationendsquickly."PresidentT rumpsaidGreenlandwasakeycomponentoftheUSA'sGoldenDomemi ssiledefencesystem.ThousandsofpeopleinGreenlandhaveprotested againstTrump'splans.InthecapitalcityofNuuk,protestersheldsignsre ading"Greenlandisnotforsale".

Free writing

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

Academic writing

The world would be safer if the USA acquired Greenland. 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. GREENLAND: Make a poster about Greenland. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. REFERENDUM: Write a magazine article about Greenland having a referendum to decide its future. 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 Greenland. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on who should control Greenland. 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

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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