ESL WORKSHEET - Breaking News

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

EMERGENCY RESPONSE CONTINUES

IN TURKEY AND SYRIA

LinguaHouse
Feb. 13, 2023

Level: Mixed Levels (B1-B2 and B2-C1)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Breaking News; Environment and Nature; Health and Well-being; 18+ Years Old; Article Based
Publication date: 02/13/2023

This lesson focuses on the events surrounding the earthquake in Syria and Turkey in February 2023. Students will read an article about the rescue dogs sent to help recover victims of the earthquake and the ability of animals to provide early warnings of danger. They will also listen to a news report giving statistics about the disaster. Exercises focus on related vocabulary, reading and listening skills and provide an opportunity for students to discuss questions on the topic.

Note: While the article does not focus on the loss of life and the news report only mentions the number of deaths briefly, this still may be distressing for some students, especially if they lost friends or family in the disaster. Caution should be taken before using it.

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L4).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L5).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L4).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L5).
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L4).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L5).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L4).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L5).
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Reporter: At 4:17am local time on February 6th, 2023, an earthquake struck with its epicenter 21 miles west of the city of Gaziantep in southern Turkey close to the Syrian border.
Its magnitude was at least 7.8 and together with a similar event in 1939, is the strongest earthquake ever recorded on Turkish soil. There were 243 aftershocks, including one nine hours later which registered as a magnitude of 7.5, almost equal to the initial quake.
The event caused massive devastation to properties and infrastructure across Turkey and Syria with structural damage being reported as far away as Israel and Cyprus. So far, 17,674 deaths have been recorded in Turkey, with 72,879 injured, with Syria seeing a further 3,868 deaths and 7,285 injuries.
Efforts at rescuing people affected have been hampered by a heavy winter storm that has seen snow fall on buildings ruined by the disaster and created freezing temperatures for many people who have been left without shelter.
In response, over 80 countries have offered aid and practical help, including rescue teams, equipment and supplies. Fifteen charities, including the Red Cross, Oxfam, Islamic Relief and Christian Aid and Save The Children, are working together to form a Disasters Emergency Committee to help the people of both countries.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/emergency-response-continues-in-turkey-and-syria. Accessed on February 16, 2023. © 2008–2023 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.