B1 – Intermediate
Finland had not been a part of any alliance since 1945. However, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country changed its position and decided to join NATO.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Finland joining NATO.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/finland-joins-nato-level-2/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does ”alliance” mean, “Since 1945, Finland wasn’t part of any alliance, but when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the country changed its policy.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
- What does “escalate” mean, “In a reaction, Russia said that it would increase its military activity in the northwest and that the fact that Finland joined NATO could escalate the conflict in Ukraine.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
- What does “pact” mean, “The NATO Collective Defense Pact says that if an attack on one NATO member happens, it is an attack on all.“? Use this word in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the pros and cons of being a member of NATO?
- What is your opinion about Finland’s decision to join NATO?
- In your opinion, should Sweden and other countries do the same? Why or why not?
- One of the founding principles of NATO is that an armed attack on one member nation would be considered as an attack on all. Share your opinion on this.
- Share something you know about NATO.