Tag: Social Issues

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More than four decades after his funeral, the remains of the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco was exhumed and relocated in 2019. It used to be buried in the basilica of the Valley of the Fallen. Four years later, another Fascist leader is about to reburied.

Let’s read the article and know more about this exhumation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65370223

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Define the expression “to open up up the wounds of the past“. “Madrid’s mayor said the move interested “all those who understand politics as opening up the wounds of the past rather than trying to create a future for all of us.“. Give two synonyms and use it in a sentence.
2. What does the word “ploy” mean? “The political opposition has criticised the exhumation, casting it as a ploy by the prime minister to mobilise voters ahead of May’s local elections.” Use it in your own sentence.
3. What is the meaning of the idiom “to go one step further” in this context? “Félix Bolaños, minister for the prime minister’s office, said Monday’s exhumation went “one step further” in converting the monument into a site that did not glorify the dictatorship.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Who is José Antonio Primo de Rivera and why is his body going to be exhumed?
2. What is your stand on this issue? Will it pacify the victims’ families or incur an additional expense?
3. What is your opinion on the left-wing government’s campaign to put an end to the veneration of the fascist civil war victory or the Franco dictatorship?
4. What were the key events of the Spanish Civil War?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Britain is a multicultural society. Despite the fact that Britain is supposed to be a society where ethnic minorities assimilate successfully, Britain’s Blacks – often known as Afro-Caribbeans – face some form of passive discrimination. And when circumstances are tough, things frequently grow worse.

Read the article about how it is to be Black in the UK and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://linguapress.com/intermediate/black-and-british.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the word “contingent” mean? “While a few came from Africa, the largest contingent of Black immigrants came from Jamaica and the other islands that make up the West Indies.” Make a sentence using the word.
2. What does the word “overt” mean? “The overt racism of the National Front did not appeal to people in Britain.”. Give 1 synonym and use it in a sentence.
3. What does the word “bigoted” mean? “Today, with all but a bigoted minority of fans, Britain’s great black footballers enjoy the same status as their white team-mates.”. Make another sentence using the word.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of the reason why there are so many black people in Britain?
2. What are some of the reasons why people from other countries choose to immigrate to your country?
3. What are some of the benefits of having a diverse immigrant population in a country?
4. How does immigration impact the job market in a new country?
5. What role do immigrants play in your country?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Dysmenorrhea is a medical term used for menstrual cramps. Some women experience excruciating pain during their monthly period. The pain can be so tremendous that they may not be able to perform even mundane tasks. Recently, Spain passed numerous laws including the paid menstrual leave.

Let’s read the article and know more details about this new law in Spain and other countries that are already enforcing it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/17/spain-paid-menstrual-leave-countries/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “contest” mean? “Menstrual leave legislation is contested, even among women.” Use it in your own sentence.
2. Define the word “proponent“. “It is “becoming more common and contemporary proponents argue they can advance gender equality by normalizing menstruation.” Give two synonyms and one antonym.
3. What does the word “gauge” mean?”… it is not easy to gauge the impact of these policies as yet.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your stand on Spain’s paid menstrual leave?
2. Will this level the playing field in terms of gender equality or exacerbate gender discrimination?
3. What other sexual and reproductive rights laws have been passed in your country recently?
4. Do you agree that menstrual leave is perceived as a workplace entitlement? Why or why not?
5. According to the article, what are the reasons other countries put forward in passing their menstrual leave?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Amidst Britain’s cost of living emergency, many struggle to make ends meet. Those in dire situations are pushed to juggle two to three jobs at a time just to survive.

Read the commentary on the worsening problem with steeply increasing cost of living in the UK and how citizens cope with it.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/14/heat-or-eat-poverty-rising-costs

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the expression ”to drop the ball” mean, ”I’m juggling so I don’t drop the balls.”? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
2. What does “sleaze” mean, “Tory sleaze every day, a drip, drip, drip effect.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
3. What does “drip effect” mean, “Tory sleaze every day, a drip, drip, drip effect.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your reaction to having to keep 2 to 3 jobs at a time just to get by? How would you feel if you were in the same situation?
2. Is it common for people to keep more than one job in your country? Why is this the case?
3. What are ways to make ends meet amidst rising cost of living?
4. Talk about the current cost of living in your country. 
5. What are your thoughts on the writer’s opinion about the accountability from the government?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Elderly people in South Korea have been enjoying free subway rides for about 40 years now. However, rapidly aging population coupled with increasing operating costs of subways have caused this perk to spark some issues for their national government.

Read the article about how these free rides for the elderly have become a complicated political problem in South Korea.

https://www.voanews.com/a/in-south-korea-free-subway-rides-for-the-elderly-become-a-political-headache/6965331.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “thorny” mean here, “They have, however, become a thorny political issue as South Korea’s population rapidly ages and subway operating costs soar.” Use this word in your own sentence.
2. What does ”staunchly” mean, ”The finance ministry is staunchly opposed.”? Give at least one (1) synonym of this word and use it in a sentence.
3. What does “to remain in place” mean? “To cope, Seoul unveiled plans in December to hike subway fares for the first time since 2015, by as much as 30%, although free rides for the elderly will remain in place.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on these free subway rides for elderly people? Do you have the same perk for senior citizens in your country? Why or why not? Do you think it is a good idea?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of free subway rides for the elderlies? 
3. In your opinion, should the national SK government shoulder some of the cost of these free rides for the elders?
4. What is your reaction to this, “Any scaling back of subway perks for the elderly will not help their chances in next year’s parliamentary election.”?
5. To cope, some cities in SK are raising the minimum age for senior citizen benefits including free subway rides to 70. Express your opinion on this.
6. Share your thoughts on the cost of senior welfare in your country.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Transport mobility lets individuals carry out fundamental duties beyond the home environment. Mobility allows people to access school, work, and business establishments. With that said, it helps them to stay connected.

In Bakersfield, California, youth disconnection is a social problem. That is why the city selects 100 young residents to participate in a mobility study. The program aims to empower young people and combat youth disconnection.

Use the link below to read the entire article and learn more about the study.

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2021/11/could-universal-basic-mobility-end-youth-disconnection/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is the meaning of “marginalized workers”? Use it in a sentence.
2. In the sentence “It could help address the US’ hiring crunch which has left many entry-level and service positions vacant.”, what does hiring crunch mean?
3. What does “no-strings-attached” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is youth disconnection a problem in your country? Explain in detail.
2. What do you think is the relationship between mobility and youth disconnection?
3. The article discusses the basic mobility program in Bakersfield, California. In your opinion, how effective is this?
4. Are there any other strategies that might address youth disconnection? What are those?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher, once said, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” The expression suggests that giving is not enough to help people in need. It is more beneficial to assist them in acquiring skills so that they can stand on their own feet. However, the city of Chicago will give $500 a month to 5000 households. These beneficiaries qualified as low-income families.

Read the whole article below to learn more about this story.

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2022/06/chicago-will-give-500-dollars-each-to-5000-households/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “bounceback” mean here, “This city will be spending $31.5 million on a year of this pilot program, which they hope will help Chicago in its Pandemic economic bounceback.”? Use it in another sentence.
2. What is “oversight”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “track record” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on the initiative of GiveDirectly?
2. According to the article, giving money to those in need has its own criticism. Do you agree with the drawbacks mentioned in the article?
3. What are some other ways to help the people in need? Share your experiences and observations.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The right to education and worship are basic human rights. Schools should promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. In some countries and educational institutions, not all sexual diversities are welcomed.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this transgender school in Indonesia.

https://www.voanews.com/a/indonesia-transgender-islamic-school/4033393.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “reverberate” mean? “The school’s closure was one of the darkest points in a larger anti-LGBT hysteria that seized Indonesia in 2016, with its effects still reverberating.” Use it in your own sentence.
2. What does “hiccup” mean in this context? “ But for Ibu Shinta, the 2016 episode was only a hiccup in the history of Pesantren al-Fatah, which turns nine years old on Thursday.” Use it in your own sentence.
3. What does “fluctuate” mean in this sentence, “She said there are about 42 members in total, but the weekly attendance fluctuates between seven and 25.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. What is your opinion on this transgender school?
2. Aside from religious studies, what other activities does the school offer to its students?
3. Do you have schools for special groups of people in your country? What are they?
4. How does the school system in your country promote diversity and inclusivity?