B2 – Upper Intermediate
Retired people have plenty of time on their hands. They have different ways of spending this abundance of time. An ideal way to spend it is to get out and see the world.
However, not all retirees have the financial means to explore this option. Spanish pensioners are lucky to have a government-sponsored scheme that lets them travel without breaking the bank.
Read the article and know more about Spain’s IMSERSO subsidised holidays scheme.
Vocabulary Questions:
- Define the word “subsidized“. “Millions of older adults – both Spanish and foreigners living in Spain – are eligible for heavily subsidised trips, costing as little as €115 for short breaks and €455 for longer holidays.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘subsidized’ in your own sentence.
- What does “out of reach“ mean in this sentence? “Older people living in Spain are able to plan trips previously out of reach.“ Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘out of reach’ in your own sentence.
- What is the meaning of the phrase “up for grabs“? “For the 2023/4 season, a total of 886,269 places are up for grabs – that’s 70,000 more than last year.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘up for grabs’ in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on subsidised holidays scheme for pensioners?
- Share your opinion on this, “The Imserso tourism programme contributes to active ageing and the promotion of an active lifestyles, while favouring intergenerational solidarity, generating employment and economic activity and favouring inter-territorial solidarity through travel between different regions.”
- How does improving pensioner’s health and quality of life benefit social care budgets?
- What other benefits do old people in your country have?
- How would you like to spend your retirement years?
4 replies on “Spain Pensioners Subsidised Holidays”
1. I think that it is important for the people’s mental health to keep active when they retire. Otherwise, they can get depressed or even, start developing illnesses. Taking holidays in a low price is a good solution for them. Besides, some of the current pensioners could not afford going on holidays when they were working since their budget was too tight to have an extra expense to travel that now, they will value this new stage of their life.
2. I agree with this statement. On one hand, if the retirees go on holidays they will have to walk or speak to their colleagues, guides, or locals, and it will make them have an active life and an exchange of ideas with people of different generations. On the other hand, government tries to promote some places which need economic stimulus, and these programs can help them to improve financially.
3. In Spain, when a person gets retired from the active life, much of the health cares are paid by the Social Security such as prescriptions, support at home or even nursing homes. The healthier these people are the less money government needs to invest in this concept.
4. Apart from free access to some health aids, the elder can travel for free on public transport, there is a price reduction for cinemas and theaters tickets.
5. I would like to do many things that I can not right now, since I do not have enough time. One of them would be to study a new career. Others would be to visit other countries or learn to make crafts.
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Discussion Questions:
• What is Spain’s Imserso?
Imserso is a Governmental Organisation for pensioners/ retirees Spanish and foreign residents in Spain, that offers some tourist trips a a very economical condition for those who apply (under some restrictions).
• How does improving pensioner’s health and quality of life benefit social care budgets?
It’s a very good Idea, because most of the pensioners receive a very low salary, so they can’t afford to trip and do tourism. It’s a win win situation in Spain because tourism is our main source of income so it’s good for the hospitality services and also for pensioners… due most of this trip are in low season.
For the point of view of retirees is an opportunity to take tourist trip, to know people, to socialize, to move, do some physical and mental activities.
• What other benefits do old people in your country have?
They have a lot of benefits (perks), for example, they have a lot of discounts in public transport, entertainment (i.e.: theatres, cinemas, musseums…), also in supermarket, also some better place to park your car and so fotrh.
• How would you like to spend your retirement years?
Doing things, study languages, learning music, practising sport, going to exhibitions, to conference, to travel in low season, etc… To sum up: do things that I couldn’t do while I was working… Above all, specially: do things without to be in a constant rush.
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