The 5Ws focused lesson
Using the journalistic technique of the 5W questions is really effective for any listening / reading activity. Students can read or listen to the news item or story and then write out the 5 questions that would cover the story. They can then quiz each other for comprehension instead of the teacher asking the questions.
Here is a clip from newsround (below). I give students the task of writing the 5 questions for one news item. So students only have to listen in detail to a selected part of the newscast. Each group completes the questions below for a different news item (the 1st , 2nd, 3rd etc…). They quiz other groups afterward.
Listening – The 5 ws!
Play any short clip or news report. Even a short story. Ask the students to list the “reporters” 5ws on a piece of paper.
Who _______________________________________________
What _______________________________________________
Where ______________________________________________
When _______________________________________________
Why ________________________________________________
Then check as a group or in pairs. Can they answer them?
This activity can also be done for any reading/text in the textbook. It
is invaluable to get the students themselves forming the comprehension
questions for your class readings.
This should be your goal – get them to TEACH THEMSELVES! View the many reasons for using current events in the classroom. See all the rest of the Lessons in a Can! Here’s a handy lesson sheet for this lesson. current events 5W lesson
Recommended websites for getting “news” are:
VOA on EnglishCentral BreakingnewsEnglish CNN Student News BBC Newsround
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