A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Lesson Info
In this lesson:
- Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
- Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
- Reading Read the main text.
- Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
- True or False Check understanding.
- Vocab Match Connect words to meanings.
- Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
- Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.
Think Ahead: What question do you think many fans have after BTS returns?
a) Will the members move to another country?
b) Will the group stop making music?
c) Will they perform together again?
Ask: (1) Read the headline. What do you think it means? (2) Can you name some K-pop artists and groups? (3) What kinds of music do you like to listen to?
VOCAB LIST
Reading
"I missed them so much," says Stephanie Prado, a big BTS fan who moved from Brazil to South Korea. She went to "BTS Festa," a party held every year near Seoul for the group's birthday.
The waiting time moved "both slowly and really quickly," Stephanie says, holding an ARMY bomb - the official light stick that BTS fans use. BTS fans call themselves the ARMY.
This year is special because BTS will finally meet again. Last week, four members - RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook - finished their military service. The wait ends Saturday when Suga, the last member, finishes too.
"I hope they rest now," Stephanie says, "but of course I also want albums, concerts, everything."
All South Korean men must spend 18 months in the military. This forced the world's most successful boy band to stop making music together in 2022. Now they return to a changed K-pop industry.
Music critic Kim Young-dae says, "Without BTS, a core pillar was missing." He adds, "There have been concerns recently that K-pop is losing momentum. True or not, BTS could change that perception."
Many fans came to the event early. Long lines waited before gates opened. People spoke English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
Inside, some fans were excited and others cried after hearing BTS messages. South African fan Vuyo Matiwane said, "It felt like the 18 months lasted forever."
Military service is hard for male celebrities. It has ended some careers before. But previously, each BTS member did solo projects during their break without hurting the group's popularity.
"I will quickly make an album and return to the stage," group leader RM said after finishing military service.
A new group album may not come until early next year because members have other concerts planned.
For millions of fans like Stephanie, knowing BTS is together again is enough. "It'll feel like nothing ever changed. The kings are back."
BTS Returns After Military Service
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Think Ahead: What question do you think many fans have after BTS returns?
a) Will the members move to another country?
b) Will the group stop making music?
c) Will they perform together again?
Ask: (1) Read the headline. What do you think it means? (2) Can you name some K-pop artists and groups? (3) What kinds of music do you like to listen to?
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Festa (n.)
-
Light stick (n.)
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Military (n/adj.)
-
Service (n.)
-
Critic (n.)
-
Momentum (n.)
-
Perception (n.)
-
Celebrity (n.)
"I missed them so much," says Stephanie Prado, a big BTS fan who moved from Brazil to South Korea. She went to "BTS Festa," a party held every year near Seoul for the group's birthday.
The waiting time moved "both slowly and really quickly," Stephanie says, holding an ARMY bomb - the official light stick that BTS fans use. BTS fans call themselves the ARMY.
This year is special because BTS will finally meet again. Last week, four members - RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook - finished their military service. The wait ends Saturday when Suga, the last member, finishes too.
"I hope they rest now," Stephanie says, "but of course I also want albums, concerts, everything."
All South Korean men must spend 18 months in the military. This forced the world's most successful boy band to stop making music together in 2022. Now they return to a changed K-pop industry.
Music critic Kim Young-dae says, "Without BTS, a core pillar was missing." He adds, "There have been concerns recently that K-pop is losing momentum. True or not, BTS could change that perception."
Many fans came to the event early. Long lines waited before gates opened. People spoke English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
Inside, some fans were excited and others cried after hearing BTS messages. South African fan Vuyo Matiwane said, "It felt like the 18 months lasted forever."
Military service is hard for male celebrities. It has ended some careers before. But previously, each BTS member did solo projects during their break without hurting the group's popularity.
"I will quickly make an album and return to the stage," group leader RM said after finishing military service.
A new group album may not come until early next year because members have other concerts planned.
For millions of fans like Stephanie, knowing BTS is together again is enough. "It'll feel like nothing ever changed. The kings are back."
Two ways to use this audio:
- Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
- Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
"I missed them so much," says Stephanie Prado, a big BTS fan who moved from (1) to South Korea. She went to "BTS Festa," a party held every year near Seoul for the group's birthday.
The waiting time moved "both slowly and really quickly," Stephanie says, holding an ARMY bomb - the official light stick that BTS fans use. BTS fans call (2) the ARMY.
This year is special because BTS will finally meet again. Last week, four members - RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook - finished their military service. The wait ends Saturday when Suga, the last member, finishes too.
"I hope they rest now," Stephanie says, "but of course I also want (3) , concerts, everything."
All South Korean men must spend 18 months in the military. This forced the world's most successful boy band to stop making music together in 2022. Now they (4) to a changed K-pop industry.
Music critic Kim Young-dae says, "Without BTS, a core pillar was missing." He adds, "There have been concerns recently that K-pop is losing momentum. True or not, BTS could change that perception."
Many (5) came to the event early. Long lines waited before gates opened. People spoke English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
Inside, some fans were excited and others cried after hearing BTS messages. South African fan Vuyo Matiwane said, "It felt like the 18 months lasted forever."
Military (6) is hard for male celebrities. It has ended some careers before. But previously, each BTS member did solo projects during their break without hurting the group's popularity.
"I will quickly make an album and return to the stage," group leader RM said after finishing military service.
A new group album may not come until early next year because members have other (7) planned.
For millions of fans like Stephanie, knowing BTS is together again is enough. "It'll feel like nothing ever changed. The kings are back."
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Stephanie Prado went to BTS Festa in Brazil. TRUEFALSE False
2. BTS stopped group activities in 2022 because of military service. TRUEFALSE True
3. Some fans were emotional at the BTS event. TRUEFALSE True
4. A new BTS group album will be released next week. TRUEFALSE False
Vocab Match
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Vocab Match
Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.
1. Militaryf) Related to the army or soldiers. In South Korea, military service is required for all men.
2. Servicee) Time spent doing work for the army or government.
3. Criticd) A person who gives opinions about music, art, or books, often in the news or media.
4. Momentumc) The energy or progress that helps something continue or grow.
5. Perceptionb) The way people understand or think about something.
6. Celebritya) A famous person, usually in music, film, or TV.
a) A famous person, usually in music, film, or TV.
b) The way people understand or think about something.
c) The energy or progress that helps something continue or grow.
d) A person who gives opinions about music, art, or books, often in the news or media.
e) Time spent doing work for the army or government.
f) Related to the army or soldiers. In South Korea, military service is required for all men.
Discussion Questions
- What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information?
- Would you travel to another country to see your favorite singer or group?
- Why do you think BTS is popular all around the world, not just in Korea?
- Do you think being a celebrity is easy or difficult? Why?
- Is military service required in your country? Do you agree or disagree with this rule?
- What could people learn or gain from doing military service?
- How can a singer or group lose momentum? How can they get it back?
- What do you think about fans crying at events? Is it normal or too emotional?
- How important is music in your life?
- What do you think will happen next for BTS? Will they stay popular?
Discussion Questions
- What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information?
- Would you travel to another country to see your favorite singer or group?
- Why do you think BTS is popular all around the world, not just in Korea?
- Do you think being a celebrity is easy or difficult? Why?
- Is military service required in your country? Do you agree or disagree with this rule?
- What could people learn or gain from doing military service?
- How can a singer or group lose momentum? How can they get it back?
- What do you think about fans crying at events? Is it normal or too emotional?
- How important is music in your life?
- What do you think will happen next for BTS? Will they stay popular?
Answers
Think Ahead: c
Listening: (1) Brazil, (2) themselves, (3) albums, (4) return, (5) fans, (6) service, (7) concerts
True or False:
- False. She went to BTS Festa in South Korea, near Seoul.
- True. All South Korean men must do military service, so BTS paused their work.
- True. The article says some fans cried after hearing BTS members’ messages.
- False. The article says a new album may not come until early next year.
Vocabulary:
- Military: Related to the army or soldiers. In South Korea, military service is required for all men.
- Service: Time spent doing work for the army or government.
- Critic: A person who gives opinions about music, art, or books, often in the news or media.
- Momentum: The energy or progress that helps something continue or grow.
- Perception: The way people understand or think about something.
- Celebrity: A famous person, usually in music, film, or TV.