Tag: Government

Leader’s Health

B1 – Intermediate

Depending on the type of government, countries use different titles to address their leader. They go by different titles such as president, prime minister, chief executive, chancellor, and many more. These leaders play very vital roles in all aspects of nation building. Hence, any issue on their health is a topic their people could not just shrug off.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/leaders-health-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the speculations about North Korea’s leader’s health?
  2. Why is it difficult to verify these speculations?
  3. Do you agree that leaders should make frequent public appearances?
  4. Do you think that country leaders should release their medical records regularly? Why or why not?
  5. Should good state of health be an important qualification for aspiring politicians too?

Cubans Can Buy a Car More Easily

B1 – Intermediate

Owning a vehicle is like a rite of passage for everyone. Think about the time you had your first car or motorbike. How did it make you feel? In Cuba, the government decided to make it easier for its citizens to buy a car.

Read the lesson for more details on this story and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1312/131222-cuba-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this initiative by the Cuban government?
  2. What do you think are the good and bad things about making it easy for people to buy cars?
  3. Is it better to buy a car cash or by loan? Explain your opinion.
  4. Compare how you got your first ever car and the one you have now.
  5. Is the automobile industry lucrative in your country? Why or why not?

The End of New York’s Public Payphones

B1 – Intermediate

Public payphones are being removed on New York streets to give pedestrians more space and give this much needed sidewalk spaces to people with disabilities and those with little kids.

Let’s read the article to find out more about this news.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2003/200320-pay-phones-1.html

Discussion Questions :

  1. How important are pay phones?
  2. Should New York keep some pay phones for tourists’ use?
  3. Are there any public pay phones in your town? Do you use them?
  4. What would our lives be like without pay phones? Are they still important these days?
  5. What would your life be like without your mobile phone?

Does It Make Sense to Pay People to Have Kids?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most European countries are struggling with population slowdown. Several countries are trying to provide financial inducements to deal with this problem and prevent imminent consequences in the future – but just how effective are these measures?

Read this article and watch the video to see all compelling points around this incentive.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20191017-does-it-make-sense-to-pay-people-to-have-kids

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the ‘baby bonus’?
  2. What do you think are the strong and weak points of this measure?
  3. Do you think this kind of bonus would soon be implemented in your country too? Why or why not? What are other good family policies do you have in your country?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that people’s attitudes to having children at all have changed over time? Cite situations to support your stand.
  5. What are other means to reverse shrinking population?

Maternity Leave

B1 – Intermediate

Parents in Finland can now enjoy seven months of parental leave. This new law will help new parents spend more time with their babies and enjoy this family benefit.

Let’s read the article and be ready to answer the discussion questions.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2002/200209-maternity-leave-2.html

Discussion Questions :

1. What do you think of seven months of paid leave for new parents?

2. How much leave should parents get?

3. Should parental leave be paid?

4. What are the laws on parental leaves in Spain?

5. How can governments reverse the problem with falling birthrate?

Best Country for Raising Kids

B1 – Intermediate

Most citizens are willing to pay high rates of taxes if health care, education, and other needs are taken care of. People in these countries see paying taxes as a quality of life investment. The U.S. News & World Report’s list of “The Best Countries for Raising Kids” in 2020 names Scandinavia as the best place in the world to raise children.

Read the article to know why and be able to answer the questions below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2001/200118-raising-kids.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why was Scandinavia ranked as the best place in the world to raise children?
  2. What factors do you consider that would give the best life for the family especially, children in a certain country?
  3. How do you assess the condition of raising kids in your country?
  4. What do you think about the services, initiatives, and incentives that are being offered to families in your country?

Ex-Nissan CEO Escapes Japan

B1 – Intermediate

Japan needs to make its immigration stricter after Nissan ex-CEO Carlos escaped the country.

Read more about this news and be ready to talk about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2001/200108-carlos-ghosn-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What can you say about Ghosn’s great escape?
  3. Talk about other criminals who were able to flee your country.

City for Walking

B1 – Intermediate

Taking or going a walk is a good way to improve our health and also the best way to see the city. It is truly nice to go around our cities on foot. But the question is, is your city suitable for walking?

Read and listen to this story.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/city-for-walking-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion about Pontevedra?
2. Do you like walking? Why or why not?
3. Why is it important to have cities that are good for walking?
4. What are the benefits of walking?
5. Is your city good for walking?

Speed Limit on Germany’s Autobahn

B1 – Intermediate

The Autobahn is the federal motorway system in Germany. For some types of vehicles, no speed limit is set when traveling through this expressway.

Read the article to know why Germany is thinking to put a limit on vehicle speed on this highway system.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1901/190125-autobahn-speed-limit-2.html

Discussion Questions:
1. Why does Germany want to put speed limits on the Autobahn?
2. What are your thoughts on putting speed limits on the Autobahn?
3. They say the idea of a speed limit on the autobahn is impractical. Do you agree or disagree?

 

Free Public Transport

B1 – Intermediate

How do people usually go to school or work in your city? Often, taking public transportation such as bus or train is one of them.

What if they make bus or train rides free in your city? Some German cities have tried giving free public transport.

Read the article and find out why they want to do this.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/travel/german-cities-plan-free-public-transport.htm

Discussion Questions:
1. Why are some German cities giving free transport services?
2. What are the pros and cons of this measure?
3. What is your opinion on this?