Learning Objective: This is a news reading and comprehension and conversation class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to practice reading properly, enhance comprehension and recall and answer the questions about the article.


Story Proper

The approach of Christmas is bringing tensions between rival neighbours North and South Korea. The source of the latest friction is the proposed erection of two 30-metre-tall Christmas-tree-shaped towers near the border of the two Koreas. The South Korean government has agreed to a request from Christian groups to put up the towers within sight of the North Korean city of Kaesong. The move has provoked strong reaction from North Korea. Its state-run website has said putting up the towers would amount to ‘psychological warfare’. South Korea has denied such claims. It says the huge steel trees are simply a sign of the freedom of expression and religion people in the South enjoy.


Relations on the Korean Peninsular are still low following the sinking of one of South Korea’s warships in March 2010 with the loss of 46 lives. It is the first time in seven years that the trees will be visible from the North. The last time it happened, Pyongyang accused Seoul of using the trees to try and spread Christianity to people in atheist North Korea. South Korean religious leaders disagree. Tak Sejin, chairman of the group organising the tree lighting, said: “This is a ceremony for peace on the Korean peninsula and national unity. It is being held with our desire for harmony among our fellow men and between North and South Korea.” Mr Sejin added: “We are doing this with the expectation that some day our people can become one.”



Activity Proper


1. CHRISTMAS TREES: Talk about Christmas trees.



2. CHAT: Decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

a.Christmas
b.trees
c.friction
d. border
e. request
f. strong reaction
g. psychological
h. relations
i. warships
j. visible
k. atheist
l. national unity
m. harmony
n. expectation




3. RIVALS: What kind of rivalry is there between these?

Rival ---- What kind of rivalry?---- Why?

a. You and a student
b. You and a sibling
c. Your favourite team
d.Your country
e. Your town/city
f. An enemy



4. UNITY: Students A strongly believe the two Koreas will be one in the near future; Students B strongly believe this will never happen.



5. TENSIONS: What gives you most? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the worst at the top.

studying English
money
family
job
neighbours
people in the street
banks
sport




"Online activities, the mp3 and printable handouts are available for this lesson at http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com"