START

1. RYANAIR: What do you know about Ryanair? Have you ever flown Ryanair? Which route? How does Ryanair compare with other airlines? Would you fly with them (again)? Go round the room swapping stories. Change partners often.

2. DICTATION: The teacher will read some of the article slowly and clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again. Self correct your work from page 2 - filling in spaces and correcting mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total number of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!

3. READING: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every paragraph.

4. VOCABULARY: Students look through the article. Underline/highlight any vocabulary you do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out. The teacher will go through & explain any words or phrases you do not understand.

5. EXPLAIN: Explain the following: low cost carrier / cut-price deal / unfair to other airlines / illegal state subsidy / triggered / rebates / alleging / no-frills / rival services / revolutionize / pioneering / sweeteners / fallen foul / it was pulling

6. BUDGET AIRLINES: Think of 4 cheap budget airlines. Compare and discuss with your partner. Where are their hubs? What does hub mean here? Draw a map on the board to show some of their routes and hubs. (You may need to use the internet for this)

1

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

7. QUICK DISCUSSION: Regarding no 6 discuss the following with your partner:
Student A
1) Which is the cheapest no frills airline?
2) Which is the best no frills airline?
3) Which routes – if any – have you flown with a budget carrier?
4) What new budget airlines do you know about in your area?
5) Your question
Student B
1) What restrictions do some budget carriers insist on?
2) Do you take advantage of cheap ticket prices these no frills airlines offer?
3) Have you ever had to pay ‘extra’ for anything? What? When?
4) What’s the difference between a budget airline and a normal airline?
5) Your question

8. QUICK DEBATE: Students A believe budget airlines are great! Explain why. Students B believe traditional airlines offer better service and routes which compensate for their higher prices. Explain why.

9. RYANAIR: Think of three advantages and disadvantages of flying with Ryanair. Compare and discuss with your partner(s).

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

10. ARTICLE QUIZ: With your partner or in small groups: (1 point for each correct answer. Lose a point if you look at the article for help!)

Student A
1) Name the airlines mentioned in the article?
2) How far is Vienna from Bratislava?
3) Who is investigating who?
4) What happened in December 2005?
5) What happened in 2004?
6) What is happening on 26^th March?
7) What do we mean by sweeteners?
8) Who did Ryanair say the spurious complaint was from?
9) Who has helped to revolutionize air travel?
10) Name the other airports in the article
Student B
1) What else happened this week?
2) Who will continue the route between Bratislava and Prague?
3) What did Bratislava airport say?
4) What date did the EU start investigation Ryanair?
5) What do small airport offer?
6) What do low cost carriers offer?
7) Who is Europe’s largest low cost airline?
8) What are Austrian airlines trying to block?
9) Who else is also trying to block Ryanair in Bratislava?
10) Who is Ryanair’s rival in Bratislava?

11. I WENT TO BRATISLAVA AIRPORT AND I SAW…: Swap partners! Think of 10 things you might see when visiting Bratislava airport. Write them below. Compare and discuss with your new partner.

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

12. REGIONAL OR HUB?: Think of three reasons why you might fly from a regional airport and three reasons why you might fly from a hub (main airport). Compare and discuss with your partner(s).

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

13. UN-SCRAMBLE: Put the following into the right order:

Easy
1) Commission European the Ryanair investigating is
2) airports airlines offer small to sweeteners
3) the Airlines link will Czech continue
4) 60km from Bratislava is Vienna only
5) complaint been received a has spurious
Harder
6) asked airport for hadn’t cooperation Bratislava been
7) back Ryanair had pay €4.5m in to 2004
8) Europe’s airline Ryanair largest cost is low
9) route its to will Europe stop Prague Sky Bratislava
10) charges discounts gets on airport cut Ryanair price

14. BUDGET AIRLINES: With your partner on the board write as many words to do with ‘Budget airlines’ as you can. One-two minutes. Compare with other teams. Discuss together – linking your words.

15. SENTENCES: Choose six/nine of the words from no 14. Write two/three sentences using two/three words in each. Underline your chosen words. The teacher will if necessary correct your work. Students might be asked to read their sentences aloud.

16. SENTENCE STARTERS: With your partner(s), finish these sentence starters. Change partner(s) and talk about the sentences you made.

1. Ryanair _______________________________________________________

2. The European Commission ________________________________________

3. Bratislava airport ________________________________________________

4. More routes ____________________________________________________

5. Air traffic ______________________________________________________

6. Sweeteners ____________________________________________________

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: After reading the article guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article:

GAP FILL: READING

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

GAP FILL: LISTENING:

Listen and fill in the spaces.

EC to investigate Ryanair in Bratislava

The European Commission said on 11^th March it was investigating if low cost carrier Ryanair ________________ deal on airport charges from Slovakia’s Bratislava airport _________________ other airlines. It added its investigation into a possible illegal state subsidy __________________ complaint alleging the airport gives Ryanair huge discounts on airport charges for opening new routes and maintaining existing ones. The EU warned the rebates would _______________ Ryanair was profiting from them in the long-term and that it could demand Ryanair pay the cost of the charges. The no-frills airline said it believed the “spurious” complaint had come from either Austrian Airlines or Vienna Airport _________________ block rival services from Bratislava, which is only 60 km (37 miles) from the Austrian capital. Bratislava airport has so far refused to give EU regulators _____________ agreement with Ryanair.

The European Commission said its information shows the airport struck up a deal in December 2005, offering Ryanair a discount ________________ new routes and up to 31% for others. Bratislava airport later responded saying: “______________ informed or asked for cooperation.” Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, has helped revolutionize air travel across Europe by pioneering cheap flights to _________________ that have sent record numbers of European passengers _____________________ way to a wider range of destinations. Eager to pull in new tourist traffic, small airports offer sweeteners to these airlines that have, in some cases, already fallen foul of EU authorities. In 2004, Ryanair was ordered to pay back €4.5m it got from Belgium’s Charleroi airport and change a contract ___________________ to recoup up to 90% of its costs back over 15 years. In a separate development this week rival low cost airline Sky Europe announced it was pulling its Bratislava-Prague route from 26^th March. The air link, which only began operating in October 2007, will continue _________________ Czech Airlines.

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1. Did the headline make you want to read the article?

2. Would you recommend Ryanair to fly on?

3. Do you think its wrong the European Commission suddenly interfering with a contract that was signed privately in 2005?

4. Do you prefer to travel from a regional airport or from a hub?

5. Should more air routes be opened up to low cost flights?

6. Should more airports join the bandwagon and offer cut price deals as incentives to airlines to fly to their airport?

7. Do you grumble at having to pay for the little extras these budget airlines forget to tell you about when you get your ticket i.e. heavy or extra luggage, drinks on board etc…

8. Should more competition be encouraged in the airline business?

9. Why did Sky Europe suddenly switch most of its routes from Bratislava to Vienna airport in 2007?

10. Do you think these cheap budget airlines contribute to global warming?

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STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1. What’s the smallest airport you have flown into?

2. What sort of delays have you encountered when flying?

3. Have you ever lost any luggage?

4. Have you ever missed a flight? When? Where?

5. What was the first budget carrier you flew with?

6. Have you ever pioneered anything? Would you like to?

7. What’s the furthest distance you’ve travelled by air?

8. What’s the shortest distance you’ve travelled by air?

9. What duty free goods do you buy at airports?

10. Did you like this discussion?

AFTER DISCUSSION: Join another partner / group and tell them what you talked about.

1. What was the most interesting thing you heard?

2. Was there a question you did not like?

3. Was there something you totally disagreed with?

4. What did you like talking about?

5. Which was the most difficult question?

SPEAKING

BUDGET AIRLINE:

In pairs or in teams of 3/4

You work for a budget airline. You are tasked to help launch a new route. In your team prepare some ideas for it. Use the table below to help you.

Present your ideas to the class: Decide which team was best. Tell other teams why their ideas might not be winners.

What ideas are the most exciting?

LANGUAGE: CORRECT WORD: Choose the correct words from a–d below and write them in the article.

The European Commission said on 11^th March it was investigating if low cost carrier Ryanair gets a cut-price deal on airport charges from Slovakia’s Bratislava airport that is unfair to other airlines. It added its investigation into a possible illegal state subsidy was triggered by a complaint (1)__ the airport gives Ryanair huge discounts on airport charges for opening new routes and maintaining existing ones. The EU warned the rebates would not be legal if Ryanair was profiting from them in the long-term and that it could demand Ryanair pay the cost of the charges. The no-frills airline said it believed the “spurious” complaint had come from either Austrian Airlines or Vienna Airport who are trying to block rival services from Bratislava, which is only 60 km (37 miles) from the Austrian capital. Bratislava airport has so far refused to give EU regulators a copy of its agreement with Ryanair.

The European Commission said its information shows the airport struck up a deal in December 2005, (2)__ Ryanair a discount of up to 48% for new routes and up to 31% for (3)__. Bratislava airport later responded saying: “It hadn’t been informed or asked for cooperation.” Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost (4)__, has helped revolutionize air travel across Europe by pioneering cheap flights to (5)__ airports that have sent record numbers of European passengers to the (6)__ on their way to a wider range of destinations. Eager to pull in new tourist traffic, small airports offer (7)__ to these airlines that have, in some cases, (8)__ fallen foul of EU authorities. In 2004, Ryanair was ordered to pay back €4.5m it got from Belgium’s Charleroi airport and change a contract that would allow it to (9)__ up to 90% of its costs back over 15 years. In a separate development this week rival (10)__ cost airline Sky Europe announced it was pulling its Bratislava-Prague route from 26^th March. The air (11)__, which only began operating in October 2007, will continue to be provided (12)__ Czech Airlines.

GRAMMAR 1: MIDWAY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

GRAMMAR 2: EASY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

HOMEWORK

1. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on “Ryanair – a success story” (Minimum 200 words)

2. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on “Low cost carrier’s V traditional airlines.” (Minimum 200 words)

3. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on “I flew on Ryanair and …” (Minimum 200 words)

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?

WRITING: IN CLASS:

1. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on “Ryanair – a success story” (Minimum 200 words) You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work. Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, “You have xx minutes.”

2. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on “Low cost carrier’s V traditional airlines.” You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work. Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, “You have xx minutes.”

3. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on “I flew on Ryanair and …” You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work. Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, “You have xx minutes.”

SPELLING TEST

The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following words that are in the article:

ANSWERS: 2

12. UN-SCRAMBLED: (adapted from article)

Easy
1) The European Commission is investigating Ryanair
2) Small airports offer sweeteners to airlines
3) Czech Airlines will continue the link
4) Vienna is only 60km from Bratislava
5) A spurious complaint has been received
Harder
6) Bratislava airport hadn’t been asked for cooperation
7) In 2004, Ryanair had to pay back €4.5m
8) Ryanair is Europe’s largest low cost airline
9) Sky Europe will stop its Bratislava to Prague route
10) Ryanair gets cut price discounts on airport charges

ANSWERS: 1

TRUE / FALSE:

SYNONYM MATCH:

PHRASE MATCH:

GAP FILL: EC to investigate Ryanair in Bratislava: The European Commission said on 11^th March it was investigating if low cost carrier Ryanair gets a cut-price deal on airport charges from Slovakia’s Bratislava airport that is unfair to other airlines. It added its investigation into a possible illegal state subsidy was triggered by a complaint alleging the airport gives Ryanair huge discounts on airport charges for opening new routes and maintaining existing ones. The EU warned the rebates would not be legal if Ryanair was profiting from them in the long-term and that it could demand Ryanair pay the cost of the charges. The no-frills airline said it believed the “spurious” complaint had come from either Austrian Airlines or Vienna Airport who are trying to block rival services from Bratislava, which is only 60 km (37 miles) from the Austrian capital. Bratislava airport has so far refused to give EU regulators a copy of its agreement with Ryanair.

The European Commission said its information shows the airport struck up a deal in December 2005, offering Ryanair a discount of up to 48% for new routes and up to 31% for others. Bratislava airport later responded saying: “It hadn’t been informed or asked for cooperation.” Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, has helped revolutionize air travel across Europe by pioneering cheap flights to regional airports that have sent record numbers of European passengers to the skies on their way to a wider range of destinations. Eager to pull in new tourist traffic, small airports offer sweeteners to these airlines that have, in some cases, already fallen foul of EU authorities. In 2004, Ryanair was ordered to pay back €4.5m it got from Belgium’s Charleroi airport and change a contract that would allow it to recoup up to 90% of its costs back over 15 years. In a separate development this week rival low cost airline Sky Europe announced it was pulling its Bratislava-Prague route from 26^th March. The air link, which only began operating in October 2007, will continue to be provided by Czech Airlines.

LANGUAGE WORK