Tag: Social Issues

Food Theft ‘Not a Crime’

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An Italian court has ruled that stealing a small amount of food due to starvation is not a crime. A man’s sentence was overturned because his lawyer argued that he only committed the crime out of desperation.

Read the article about the man who had stolen food “in the face of the immediate and essential need for nourishment” and an Italian court ruled that this is not a crime.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36190557

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with this Italian court ruling? Why or why not?
  2. What are the good things and consequences of the said ruling?
  3. What should be done with people who are caught stealing food?
  4. What do people in your country do when they are starving and don’t have any money to buy food?

Musician Cancels Show Over Transgender Law

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Bruce Springsteen, a famous rock musician cancelled a concert in North Carolina, because of the state’s laws on transgender issues. He’s one of the many artists who are fighting against discrimination and partiality.

Read the article below and express your thoughts about the issue.

http://www.voanews.com/a/bruce-springsteen-cancel-north-carolina-concert-transgender-law/3277096.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Are transgender people socially accepted in your country?
2. Have you heard of any act of discrimination against them?
3. Should transgenders be given equal rights in the society?

Child Labour

B2 – Upper intermediate

Child labour is nothing new. It’s been happening since the 18th century. Over the years, do you think that this social problem has been solved or has it evolved to something worse? Read the article below and express your thoughts about it.

http://www.english-online.at/society/child-labour/working-children-around-the-world.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Does child labour exist in your country?
2. What are steps the government can take to stop child labour?
3. When is it okay for a child to work?
4. Have you experienced working when you were younger?

Cushy Norwegian Prisons

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C1 – Advanced

Nobody wants to go to prison. There is fear even in just saying the word. People have very specific images of what prison looks like. But, in Norway, things are just a little bit different than the usual.

This article includes a video. Please read the article first before watching the video to fully understand the video clip.

Anders Breivik: Just how cushy are Norwegian prisons?

Let’s Discuss!

1. Based on the article, explain what “normality principle” is.
2. Describe the prisons in Bastoey island and in Halden.
3. Explain the conditions of the prisoners in Norway and the rights they can still exercise.
4. What is the defense given by the Norwegian system when critics question their prison structure?
5. How would you describe prisons in your country?

Drugs Under Control In Portugal

B2 – Upper intermediate

Portugal had one of the highest drug use rates in Europe. Now, they have the problem under control. Read the article below to learn how Portugal treat their drug abusers. Be ready to express your thoughts.

Drugs Under Control in Portugal

Discuss:

1. Is there a drug abuse situation in your country?
2. What do you think is the best way to combat drug abuse?
3. What are some of the social issues that you think your country (or government) should tackle?

Racism: Then and Now

B1 – Intermediate

How do you understand the word “racism”? This word has been widely used for a long time now, especially more in today’s society.

Read the article below to get more information on what racism is then express your thoughts about it.

http://www.english-online.at/society/racism/racism.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you explain racism in the past and racism now?
  2. How are people of a different color or appearance treated in your home country?
  3. Can you tell a story of experiencing or witnessing racism?
  4. What are some ways we can prevent racism and discrimination?
  5. Have you ever experienced being discriminated against?
  6. In what ways is racism and discrimination a problem in society?
  7. Some people believe that humanity is divided into distinct races, others believe that all human beings belong to only one race. What do you think of this?

Cyberbullying On The Rise

B1 – Intermediate

When people start using technology to put people down, a new threat emerges. Click below to find out more about cyberbullying and why it has become so widespread.

http://www.english-online.at/society/cyberbullying/cyberbullying-on-the-rise.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What could be reasons the incidence of cyberbullying is increasing?
  2. What are some ways to help lessen the instances of cyberbullying?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Parents face the fact that they don’t know their child is a cyberbully.“.
  4. Do you think the same problem exist in your country? Talk about it.
  5. Are there strict laws against cyberbullying in your country? Explain.

Video: Women and Self-defence

B2 – Upper intermediate

Click on the title below and listen to the story of Rana Abdelhamid and how her movement is empowering Muslim women in her country.

Teaching self-defence to Muslim women

Discuss:

1. Describe how Rana Abdelhamid feels about martial arts?
2. What is WISE and how did it start? What is the story behind this initiative?
3. Have you noticed an increase in discrimination and violence in your country?
4. According to the video, what makes Muslim women more susceptible to facing violence?
5. How would you protect yourself if you are threatened?

A Minority for Every Occasion

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Rent-A-Minority website is described as “a revolutionary new service” which was created for those times when you remember your event consists completely of Caucasian men.

Discover the reasons why the creator came up with such idea and how social media was set abuzz by this website.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35589621

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was your initial reaction to the article?
  2. What is your understanding of positive discrimination?
  3. At your workplace, would you say that you have a good mix of different races? Why or why not?

How Diversity Has Changed America

B2 – Upper intermediate

Diversity in America is nothing new. With thousands of migrants and immigrants flocking the United States for a number of reasons.

Read the article below to know some facts about some of the more diversified states in the US.

How Diversity Has Changed America

Discuss:

1. How diverse is the population in Spain?
2. Which cities are more diverse?
3. How does immigration affect the locals?
4. What do you think is the difference between a migrant and an immigrant?