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)
π Vocabulary:
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.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
The six countries included in the trial of visa-free travel to China are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.
The trial will last for a year, from December 2023 to November 2024.
According to spokesperson Mao Ning, the purpose of this trial is to make China better and more open.
The two countries that already had exceptions to the visa requirement before this trial are Singapore and Brunei.
China stopped giving out visas in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
China had strict rules due to COVID-19 for three years.
These strict rules hurt the economy a lot.
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.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
China is out a new thing where people from six countries can visit without needing a visa. The countries are France, , 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 or for up to 15 days without a visa. The goal of this is to make China better and more open, according to Mao Ning. Usually, if you want to go to China, you need a visa. But there are a few exceptions, like people from and Brunei who can come to China for business, tourism, family visits, and just through for up to 15 days without a visa. China started giving out visas again in of this year after stopping them because of in March 2020. For three years, China had really 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 every year. This trial of visa-free travel for people from six countries is a good because it means China is up again and trying to bring back . They hope this trial will get more people to visit China and help make it better and more open.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
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
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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