China is trying out a new thing where people from six countries can visit without needing a visa. The countries are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. This trial will last for a year, from December 2023 to November 2024. People from these countries can come to China for business or travel for up to 15 days without a visa. The goal of this trial is to make China better and more open, according to spokesperson Mao Ning.

Usually, if you want to go to China, you need a visa. But there are a few exceptions, like people from Singapore and Brunei who can come to China for business, tourism, family visits, and just passing through for up to 15 days without a visa. China started giving out visas again in March of this year after stopping them because of COVID-19 in March 2020.

For three years, China had really strict rules because of COVID-19. They had travel restrictions, lockdowns, and made people get tested a lot. These rules hurt the economy a lot. China finally stopped their super strict COVID-19 rules in December 2020. Before the pandemic, China used to get millions of visitors from other countries every year.

This trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries is a good thing because it means China is opening up again and trying to bring back tourists. They hope this trial will get more people to visit China and help make it better and more open.

Original news source: China trials visa-free travel for six countries (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article and write a summary of the main points in their own words. They should include information about the countries involved, the duration of the trial, and the goal of making China more open. Afterward, students can share their summaries with a partner or in small groups.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into groups and give each group a set of discussion questions related to the article. For example, “Do you think visa-free travel will attract more tourists to China?” or “What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this trial?” Each group should discuss the questions and then present their opinions to the class. The class can then participate in a poll, indicating whether they agree or disagree with each group’s opinions.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Each group will take turns selecting a word and drawing a quick sketch to represent it. The other groups must guess the word based on the drawing. Encourage students to use the words in sentences or describe their meanings if necessary.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a timer and ask them to take turns summarizing the article in 1 minute or less. The goal is for each student to practice summarizing key points quickly and effectively. After each round, pairs can switch partners and try again with a new time limit, such as 30 seconds or 45 seconds.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students work individually or in pairs to make predictions about the impact of visa-free travel on China’s tourism industry. They should consider factors such as the number of visitors, the economic benefits, and the overall perception of China as a travel destination. Afterward, students can share their predictions and discuss the likelihood of each scenario happening.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Which six countries are included in the trial of visa-free travel to China?
2. How long will the trial last?
3. What is the purpose of this trial, according to spokesperson Mao Ning?
4. Which two countries already had exceptions to the visa requirement before this trial?
5. Why did China stop giving out visas in March 2020?
6. How long did China have strict rules due to COVID-19?
7. How did these strict rules affect the economy?
8. What is the hope behind this trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

China is (1)______ out a new thing where people from six countries can visit without needing a visa. The countries are France, (2)______, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. This trial will last for a year, from December 2023 to November 2024. People from these countries can come to China for (3)______ or (4)______ for up to 15 days without a visa. The goal of this (5)______ is to make China better and more open, according to (6)______ Mao Ning.

Usually, if you want to go to China, you need a visa. But there are a few exceptions, like people from (7)______ and Brunei who can come to China for business, tourism, family visits, and just (8)______ through for up to 15 days without a visa. China started giving out visas again in (9)______ of this year after stopping them because of (10)______ in March 2020.

For three years, China had really (11)______ (12)______ because of COVID-19. They had travel restrictions, lockdowns, and made people get tested a lot. These rules hurt the economy a lot. China finally stopped their super strict COVID-19 rules in December 2020. Before the pandemic, China used to get millions of visitors from other (13)______ every year.

This trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries is a good (14)______ because it means China is (15)______ up again and trying to bring back (16)______. They hope this trial will get more people to visit China and help make it better and more open.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think about China’s new trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries?
2. How would you feel if you could visit China without needing a visa?
3. Do you like the idea of traveling to China for business or travel without a visa? Why or why not?
4. What do you think are the benefits of China becoming more open to tourists?
5. How do you think this trial will help make China better and more open?
6. Have you ever visited a country that required a visa? How was your experience?
7. What do you think are the challenges of implementing visa-free travel for tourists?
8. Do you think visa-free travel will encourage more people to visit China? Why or why not?
9. Why do you think China stopped giving out visas during the COVID-19 pandemic?
10. How do you think the strict COVID-19 rules affected China’s economy?
11. Have you ever experienced travel restrictions or lockdowns during the pandemic? How did it affect you?
12. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing visa-free travel for a limited time?
13. How do you think this trial will impact the number of visitors to China in the future?
14. Do you think other countries should also implement visa-free travel for certain countries? Why or why not?
15. How do you think visa-free travel can contribute to cultural exchange and understanding between countries?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. China
2. visa
3. trial
4. business
5. travel
6. open
7. pandemic
8. tourists

Meanings:
(a) A worldwide disease that affected many countries
(b) A country in East Asia known for the Great Wall
(c) People who visit a place for pleasure or sightseeing
(d) Activities related to making money or trade
(e) A test or experiment to see if something works
(f) Not closed or restricted
(g) Going to different places for fun or work
(h) A document that allows you to enter a country
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which countries are included in the trial for visa-free travel to China?
(a) France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia
(b) Japan, Brazil, Canada, Australia, India, and South Africa
(c) Russia, Mexico, United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, and India
(d) South Korea, Thailand, Canada, Australia, United States, and Brazil

2. How long will the trial for visa-free travel to China last?
(a) From January 2022 to December 2022
(b) From November 2021 to October 2022
(c) From December 2023 to November 2024
(d) From March 2024 to February 2025

3. What is the purpose of the trial for visa-free travel to China?
(a) To restrict travel and tourism in China
(b) To test the effectiveness of COVID-19 rules
(c) To limit the number of visitors from other countries
(d) To make China better and more open

4. Which two countries were already allowed visa-free travel to China before the trial?
(a) France and Germany
(b) Singapore and Brunei
(c) Italy and Spain
(d) Malaysia and the Netherlands

5. When did China start giving out visas again after stopping them due to COVID-19?
(a) March 2020
(b) December 2020
(c) March 2021
(d) January 2022

6. Why did China have strict rules for three years?
(a) Because of COVID-19
(b) To boost the economy
(c) To attract more tourists
(d) To improve international relations

7. When did China stop their super strict COVID-19 rules?
(a) March 2021
(b) December 2020
(c) November 2021
(d) October 2022

8. What is the hope behind the trial for visa-free travel to China?
(a) To restrict the number of visitors to China
(b) To increase travel restrictions and lockdowns
(c) To decrease the number of visitors from other countries
(d) To bring back tourists and make China better and more open

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The trial period will last for one year, from December 2023 to November 2024.
2. The countries excluded from this trial are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.
3. This trial is seen as a positive step towards reopening China to tourists and boosting its economy.
4. The purpose of this trial is to make China less open and worsen its overall condition.
5. China halted visa issuance in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in March of this year.
6. Normally, visitors to China do not require a visa, but there are exceptions for certain countries like Singapore and Brunei.
7. People from these countries can travel to China for business or tourism for up to 15 days without a visa.
8. China is experimenting with a new policy that restricts people from six countries to visit without needing a visa.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the purpose of China’s trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries?
2. Which countries are included in the trial of visa-free travel to China?
3. Why did China stop giving out visas in March 2020?
4. How did the strict COVID-19 rules in China affect the economy?
5. What is the goal of the trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Which six countries are included in the trial of visa-free travel to China?
The six countries included in the trial of visa-free travel to China are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.

2. How long will the trial last?
The trial will last for a year, from December 2023 to November 2024.

3. What is the purpose of this trial, according to spokesperson Mao Ning?
According to spokesperson Mao Ning, the purpose of this trial is to make China better and more open.

4. Which two countries already had exceptions to the visa requirement before this trial?
The two countries that already had exceptions to the visa requirement before this trial are Singapore and Brunei.

5. Why did China stop giving out visas in March 2020?
China stopped giving out visas in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

6. How long did China have strict rules due to COVID-19?
China had strict rules due to COVID-19 for three years.

7. How did these strict rules affect the economy?
These strict rules hurt the economy a lot.

8. What is the hope behind this trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries?
The hope behind this trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries is to encourage more people to visit China and help make it better and more open.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) trying
(2) Germany
(3) business
(4) travel
(5) trial
(6) spokesperson
(7) Singapore
(8) passing
(9) March
(10) COVID-19
(11) strict
(12) rules
(13) countries
(14) thing
(15) opening
(16) tourists
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. China
Answer: (b) A country in East Asia known for the Great Wall

2. visa
Answer: (h) A document that allows you to enter a country

3. trial
Answer: (e) A test or experiment to see if something works

4. business
Answer: (d) Activities related to making money or trade

5. travel
Answer: (g) Going to different places for fun or work

6. open
Answer: (f) Not closed or restricted

7. pandemic
Answer: (a) A worldwide disease that affected many countries

8. tourists
Answer: (c) People who visit a place for pleasure or sightseeing
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Which countries are included in the trial for visa-free travel to China?
Answer: (a) France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia

2. How long will the trial for visa-free travel to China last?
Answer: (c) From December 2023 to November 2024

3. What is the purpose of the trial for visa-free travel to China?
Answer: (d) To make China better and more open

4. Which two countries were already allowed visa-free travel to China before the trial?
Answer: (b) Singapore and Brunei

5. When did China start giving out visas again after stopping them due to COVID-19?
Answer: (c) March 2021

6. Why did China have strict rules for three years?
Answer: (a) Because of COVID-19

7. When did China stop their super strict COVID-19 rules?
Answer: (b) December 2020

8. What is the hope behind the trial for visa-free travel to China?
Answer: (d) To bring back tourists and make China better and more open
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The trial period will last for one year, from December 2023 to November 2024. (Answer: True)
2. The countries excluded from this trial are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. (Answer: False)
3. This trial is seen as a positive step towards reopening China to tourists and boosting its economy. (Answer: True)
4. The purpose of this trial is to make China less open and worsen its overall condition. (Answer: False)
5. China halted visa issuance in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in March of this year. (Answer: True)
6. Normally, visitors to China do not require a visa, but there are exceptions for certain countries like Singapore and Brunei. (Answer: False)
7. People from these countries can travel to China for business or tourism for up to 15 days without a visa. (Answer: True)
8. China is experimenting with a new policy that restricts people from six countries to visit without needing a visa. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧