“The Wi-Fi kiosks were designed to replace phone booths and allow users to consult maps, maybe check the weather or charge their phones. But they have also attracted people who linger for hours, sometimes drinking and doing drugs and, sometimes, boldly watching pornography on the sidewalks.” P. McGeehan, The New York Times
ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post with Answer Key
a-man-sings-and-dances-to-a-song-playing-on-a-linknyc-wi-fi-kiosk-on-wednesday-credit-bryan-thomas-for-the-new-york-times
Excerpt: Wi-Fi Kiosks Will Lose Internet Browsers, Patrick McGeehan, The New York Times
“Now, yielding to complaints, the operators of the kiosks, LinkNYC network, are shutting off their internet browsers.
The switch is an admission that in some neighborhoods, particularly in Midtown Manhattan, the kiosks have created more problems than benefits. Elected officials have demanded changes in the system, saying they were overwhelmed with complaints from residents and businesses about people spending hours entertaining themselves.
wi-fi-kiosks-have-become-living-rooms-for-vagrants-new-york-post
Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced the network with fanfare in February as a key plank of his promise to bridge the digital divide in the city. The kiosks were designed to replace more than 7,500 public pay phones and bring free Wi-Fi and phone service to every neighborhood.
Users were expected to make short stops at the kiosks. But they quickly attracted the homeless and other idle people who took full advantage of the unlimited access to the internet to watch movies and play music for hours…
a man gets comfy using one of the new wi-fi kiosks as a living room. NYPost
In explaining the change, the operators of LinkNYC said that some users have been monopolizing the Link tablets and using them inappropriately, preventing others from being able to use them while frustrating the residents and businesses around them.
They said they would switch off the browsing functions on the computer tablets built into the kiosks as a temporary solution while they consider permanent changes, including limiting how long people can use the tablets.”
ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post
NOTE: Lessons can also be used with native English speakers.
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Language Skills: Reading, writing, and speaking. Vocabulary and grammar activities are included.
Time: Approximately 2 hours.
Materials: Student handout (from this lesson) and access to news article.
Objective: Students will read and discuss the article with a focus on improving reading comprehension and learning new vocabulary. At the end of the lesson students will express their personal views on the topic through group work and writing.
Predictions: Using a Pre-reading Organizer
Directions: Ask students to examine the title of the post and of the actual article they are about to read. Then, have them examine the photos. Ask students to write a paragraph describing what they think this article will discuss. Students can use a Pre-reading organizer for assistance.
Pre-reading chart by J. Swann
II. While Reading Activities
Word Inference
Directions: Students are to infer the meanings of the words in bold taken from the article. They may use a dictionary, thesaurus, and Word Chart for assistance.
- The Wi-Fi kiosks were designed to replace phone booths.
- Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced the network with fanfare in February.
- Elected officials were overwhelmed with complaints from residents.
- The Wi-Fi kiosks were supposed to bridge the digital divide in the city.
- The kiosks quickly attracted the homeless and other idle people.
- These kiosks are often monopolized by individuals.
- Officials agreed to a moratorium on the installation of additional kiosks.
- Officials said they would switch off the browsing functions.
- Many people were using them inappropriately.
- Rude people have been frustrating the residents and businesses around them.
Reading Comprehension
Directions: Students choose the correct word to complete the sentences taken from the article. They are to choose from the options presented.
Now, yielding/yield to complaints, the operas/operators of the kiosks, LinkNYC network, are shutting off their/there internet browsers/brows. The switch is an admit/admission that in some neighborhoods/neighbor, particularly in Midtown Manhattan, the kiosks have created/create more problems than beneficial/benefits. Elected officials have demanded/demand changes in the system, saying they were overwhelmed with compliant/complaints from residents/residential and businesses about people spending/spend hours entertaining themselves.
Grammar Focus
Using Adjectives to describe pictures
Directions: Have students choose a picture from the article and write a descriptive paragraph using adjectives. For a review of Adjectives visit ESL Voices Grammar
III. Post Reading Activities
Discussion/Writing Activities
Directions: Place students in groups and assign each group one side of the following argument. Allow groups to develop their arguments and conclude with a class debate.
Argument: Wi-Fi Kiosks are a good idea/bad idea. Each group should provide support either from the article or other web resources.
3-2-1-Writing
Directions: Allow students 5 minutes to write down three new ideas they’ve learned about the topic from the reading, two things they did not understand in the reading, and one thing they would like to know that the article did not mention. Review the responses as a class.
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