This lesson explores one of the strangest stories from World War I. Students follow the experience of a German soldier who hears frightening rumours about Māori soldiers from New Zealand. Through a series of short readings, authentic historical photographs, and discussion tasks, learners discover how fear, stereotypes, and psychological warfare influenced life in the trenches.

The worksheet includes prediction activities, comprehension questions, discussion prompts, and real historical sources, including a 1918 newspaper report and photographs from the front line. Students examine how rumours spread during wartime, why some German prisoners feared Māori soldiers, and how the haka and Māori reputation contributed to one of the war's most unusual legends.

Level: A2+/B1
Skills: Reading, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Discussion
Topics: World War I, Māori History, New Zealand, Rumours, Psychological Warfare, Indigenous Peoples, Stereotypes, Culture and Identity.


the-soldiers-who-let-the-rumour-spread_168819.docx

The Soldiers Who Let the Rumour Spread

the-soldiers-who-let-the-rumour-spread

Let's do English ESL finding specific information (scanning). This lesson explores one of the strangest stories from World War I. Students follow the experience…