NATO Campaign in Libya Begins As Unrest Spreads Elsewhere (Upper-Intermediate Lesson Plan)

Now with Answers! | Download Free Libya ESL News Lesson plan here: Libya_Syria_UppInt_03262011.doc

ESL Lesson Plan Warm-up

1) Have you ever been involved in a protest?
2) How has Muammar Gadhafi been portrayed in the media? Do you support this portrayal?
3) What is NATO? What is the role of the organization?

NATO Campaign in Libya Begins As Unrest Spreads Elsewhere

25 March 2011 | Based on VOA Special English News
On Thursday, NATO -- the North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- agreed to take command of a "no-fly zone" over Libya. A Canadian general will head the alliance's operation there. The United Nations Security Council approved the flight ban last week to protect civilians, including those in Benghazi. That eastern city is the center of a rebellion against Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.
Planes from an international coalition carried out new strikes Friday against Libyan military targets south of Benghazi. Earlier, the United Arab Emirates agreed to send twelve planes to help enforce the no-fly zone. Many experts say air power alone will not protect civilians. Some wonder whether the objective should be to overthrow Colonel Gadhafi. But the United States says "regime change" is not the goal of the coalition.
There are diplomatic efforts to settle the crisis. Colonel Gadhafi sent a delegation to meet with African officials in Ethiopia on Friday. But the rebels did not send a representative.
Anti-government protests continued in other Arab countries, including Syria, Yemen and Jordan. There were reports from southern Syria on Friday that security forces killed fifteen or more protesters. The protesters were trying to reach Daraa, near the Jordanian border. Similar violence was reported there earlier in the week. In the Syrian capital of Damascus, after Friday prayers, at least two hundred people demonstrated in support of the people of Daraa.  Reuters news agency reported large numbers of arrests. [237 words]

[Original: http://www.voanews.com/learningenglish/home/world/What-Next-With-the-Military-Campaign-in-Libya-118681589.html]

News Lesson Plan Comprehension Questions: True or False

1) The United Arab Emirates has refused to participate in the operation. (True/False)

2) Experts believe that people of Libya need more than just air force protection. (True/False)

3) The United States has stated that they wish to remove Gadhafi from power. (True/False)

4) Gadhafi has shown interest in a diplomatic solution. (True/False)

5) The protests in Syria have been peaceful so far. (True/False)

Answers

1) False, 2) True, 3) False, 4) True, 5) False

Match the words with their meaning as used in the article.

unrest (noun)
elsewhere
alliance
ban
rebellion
strike
civilians
enforce
overthrow
delegation
administer, execute
attack
uprising, revolt
ordinary people
in/a/to a different place
prohibition
unseat
coalition, partnership
representatives
trouble, disorder
Answers
  • unrest — trouble, disorder
  • elsewhere — in a different place
  • alliance — coalition, partnership
  • ban — prohibition
  • rebellion — uprising, revolt
  • strike — attack
  • civilians — ordinary people
  • enforce — administer, execute
  • overthrow — unseat
  • delegation — representatives

News Lesson Plan: Master the Language

Complete one (or both) of the following sections.

1) Use a word in the left column above to reword the below sentences. Multiple answers are possible.
A. The representatives from Africa discussed the possibility of peace in the troubled region.

B. The government reported that many ordinary citizens had been injured in the battle.

C. Airplanes cannot fly over the region because of the law against doing so.

D. Military forces crushed the revolt in a few hours.

E. The police forces are ensuring the new law is followed by everyone.

F. Although it was peaceful in the nation's capital, battles continued in other areas.

G. The missile missed its target and hit an old abandoned factory.

H. There is a growing feeling of trouble in the city's poorer neighborhoods.

I. The angry protesters hoped to remove the dictator from leadership.

J. The two countries agreed to form a partnership to fight their common enemy.

Answers
  • A. The delegates from Africa discussed …
  • B. The government reported that many civilians had been injured in the battle.
  • C. Airplanes cannot fly over the region because of the ban.
  • D. Military forces crushed the rebellion in a few hours.
  • E. The police forces are enforcing the new law.
  • F. Although it was peaceful in the nation's capital, battles continued elsewhere.
  • G. The missile missed its target and struck an old abandoned factory.
  • H. There is a growing feeling of unrest in the city's poorer neighborhoods.
  • I. The angry protesters hoped to overthrow the dictator.
  • J. The two countries agreed to form an alliance to fight their common enemy.

2) Use the ideas on the left to write a sentence.

missile            strike
political parties          alliance
government   alcohol            ban
rebellion         overthrow
delegation      peace
NATO              enforce
civilians          injured
war                 elsewhere
unrest             citizens
Possible Ansers
  • The missile struck the side of the mountain.
  • The political parties formed an alliance against the fascist party.
  • The government's ban on the sale of alcohol was very unpopular.
  • Members of the rebellion planned to overthrow the country's leader.
  • A delegation was sent to the troubled region to discuss the possibility of peace.
  • NATO aircraft are enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya.
  • Many civilians were injured in the war.
  • Elsewhere, the war continued as usual.
  • There was a feeling of unrest among the citizens.

News Lesson Plan: Debate

Student A: You support the involvement of the U.N. and NATO in Libya. Think of reasons to support your argument (1-2 minute(s)). Present your reasons to the other student.

Student B: You are strongly against the involvement of the U.N. & NATO. Think of some reasons to support your argument (1-2 minute(s)). Present your argument to the other student.

News Lesson Plan: Discussion Questions

1) Do you support the involvement of the U.N. & NATO in Libya?

2) How is the situation in Libya different from that of Egypt?

3) What do you think are the motives of the members of NATO?

4) Are you optimistic about the future of Libya?

5) Would you support a mission to remove Gadhafi?

6) Should the right to protest be a universal right?

7) Do you think will happen in the countries of Syria, Yemen, and Jordan?

8) Do you believe democracy can work in the Arab world?

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News lesson plan created by Matthew Barton of Englishcurrent.com

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