Tag: Social Issues

Court Overturned a Ban on Religious Knives in Schools

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Keeping their children safe at home is an utmost priority for parents. Parents expect the same from schools. Most schools have rules on what children could bring inside the school premises. Sharp-edged objects are only allowed for learning purposes and should be handled with extra care. In cases where religious practices require young members to possess a dangerous weapon even at school, a higher judicial decision could prevail over school rules and regulation.

Let’s read the article and know more details about the Queensland court ruling on this matter.

https://theconversation.com/why-a-queensland-court-overturned-a-ban-on-religious-knives-in-schools-211042

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “blunt” mean? “Many kirpans are blunt and worn stitched inside a sheath under a person’s cloths.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. Define the word “egregious“.“What made the Queensland law particularly egregious is that not only did it prohibit the freedom of religion of a small and vulnerable minority, it did so deliberately.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the verb “downplay“? “Referring to the kirpan as a knife downplays its important religious significance.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the kirpan for the Sikhs?
  2. Why did the Supreme Court of Queensland overturn the prior ban on possession of knives in school?
  3. What is your opinion on this Supreme Court ruling?
  4. How does this ruling affect the safety of the students in school and the religious rights of the Sikhs in the educational institution?

Children Cost a Lot of Money

B1 – Intermediate

Many believe that having children is probably the best thing that could ever happen to anyone. While this could be true, it is also not always easy.

As salaries remain the same and the cost of living keep increasing, it gets more and more expensive to raise a child.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how costly child-rearing is now.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/children-cost-a-lot-of-money-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “stagnant” mean? “Raising children in the United States has become increasingly expensive, with the cost of living rising while wages remain stagnant.” Give a synonym and use “stagnant” in your own sentence.
  2. What does “rear” mean, “A recent report has revealed the variations in child-rearing costs across different metro areas.” Give another meaning of ‘rear’ and use the word in that context.
  3. What does “household” mean, “By comparing the living costs of a household with one child to that of a childless household, the study found that the average annual cost to raise a child is approximately 20,813 dollars.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that raising children has become increasingly expensive? Is it also the case in your own country? Talk about it.
  2. Why does child-rearing cost a lot of money?
  3. What do you think will be the effect of this on people’s opinion about having children?
  4. Is it true that the cost to raise a child depends on the location? Explain your opinion.
  5. Is it a good idea to raise children in smaller cities where the cost of living is lower? Explain your thoughts.

Crackdown on Same-Sex Parenting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Italy, same-sex couples believe the government is limiting their opportunities to start families, while the government argues against surrogacy, likening it to modern slavery. This anti-surrogacy law has increased challenges for rainbow families and hindered same-sex couples in their pursuit of legal parenthood.

Discover more insights about this issue by reading the full article.

https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30317258/italys-crackdown-on-same-sex-parenting-leaves-children-bemused

Vocabulary Discussions

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. Ginevra was indignant when, two weeks ago, an interviewer on a TV show asked her parents whether the twins missed having a mum.

2. Critics warn of the potential poverty bias against women who become surrogate mothers due to financial need.

3. Going abroad to have a baby is an emotional rollercoaster, and you might face hostility when you return to your home country.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the primary issue highlighted in the article regarding same-sex parenting in Italy? Compare it to the situation in your country.

2. Would you characterize Italy as a conservative society? Explain.

3. What are your personal views on surrogacy? Do you believe it should be accessible to same-sex couples?

4. How can Italian Government handle the situation better?

5. Are there rainbow families in Spain? If so, what are your thoughts and observations about these families?

The Law You Won’t Be Told

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Did you know there’s more to the legal system than just guilty or non-guilty verdicts? Have you ever heard of ‘jury nullification’? In the thought-provoking video ‘The Law You Won’t Be Told,’ you’ll gain insights into this intriguing concept.

Take a moment to watch the video and contemplate whether some of the cases you’ve come across might fall into this category. Join us on this exploration of an often-overlooked aspect of the law.

Vocabulary Questions:

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

  1. Be warned: Simply watching the video may prevent you from ever serving on a jury.
  2. When the defendant is 100% beyond-a-reasonable-doubt guilty, but the jurors also think he shouldn’t be punished, then the jury can nullify the law and let him go.
  3. Jury nullification usually refers to the non-guilty version but juries can convict without evidence just as easily as they can acquit in spite of it.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What thoughts do you have about jury nullification?
  2. What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of jury nullification within the legal system? Discuss both sides of the argument.
  3. In your understanding, how can discussing jury nullification in the wrong circumstances can lead to arrest?
  4. Have you ever encountered a case where you believe jury nullification may have been at play? If so, what were your thoughts on the outcome?
  5. Is the legal system fair? Why or why not?

Animal Testing for Cosmetics to Restart

B1 – Intermediate

After being prohibited for 25 years, the United Kingdom will now be permitting animal testing for cosmetics again. Consequently, this decision has received many criticism.

Learn more about the resumption of animal testing for cosmetics in the U.K. in this article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2305/230511-cosmetics-testing-on-animals.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “appalling” mean, “Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating blow to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice.“? Give a synonym of this word and make your own sentence.
  2. What does “carry out” mean, “She said that with today’s technology, testing could be carried out without using animals.“? Make your own sentence.
  3. What is a “devastating blow“, “Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating blow to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the recent decision by the UK government to allow animal testing for cosmetics again?
  2. What are your thoughts on the use of animals in scientific research in general?
  3. “Testing could be carried out without using animals.” Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain.
  4. Is it possible for animals to be protected when they are part of testing for scientific purposes? Explain.
  5. Have you ever stopped purchasing products from a cosmetics brand because they test their products in animals? Why?

ASEAN Tackles Regional Crises at Tropical Resort

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The ASEAN 2023 is hosted by Indonesia. The summit’s agenda include the ongoing violent civil conflicts in Myanmar and the intensifying territorial disputes in the South China Sea among its member states.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo believes hosting the ASEAN Summit is a ‘good moment’ for his country and the perfect opportunity to put the rustic harbor town Labuan Bajo on the map.

In spite of the many challenges they are facing in pushing for the success of the Summit, Indonesian officials say they would do everything they can in order to host the ASEAN in the safest and most successful way possible.

Read the article about the ASEAN meeting and its agenda peppered with controversial issues; and some hitches to holding the Summit in the picturesque town of Labuan Bajo.

https://www.voanews.com/a/asean-leaders-to-tackle-regional-crises-st-tropical-resort-/7083266.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “rein in” mean? “ASEAN has failed to rein in the violence in its member state.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What is a “strife“? “These include the continuing bloody civil strife in Myanmar and the escalating territorial conflicts in the South China Sea between fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.” Give 1-2 synonym/s of ‘strife’ and use the word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “megaphone diplomacy approach” mean? “Colleagues certainly know that in the early stages of its leadership, Indonesia decided to take a non-megaphone diplomacy approach.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on President Widodo’s choice of the ASEAN Summit venue? Do you think it will really help put Labuan Bajo “under the global tourism spotlight”? Share your thoughts.
  2. What are some problems with holding the ASEAN meeting in this town?
  3. What is your opinion on this: “The sunshiny setting is a stark contrast to the seriousness of their agenda.”?
  4. Discuss your thoughts on this: “U.S. President Joe Biden has been reinforcing an arc of alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to better counter China over Taiwan and the long-seething territorial conflicts in the strategic South China Sea which involve four ASEAN members: Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.”.
  5. Do you agree or disagree with Indonesia’s non-megaphone diplomacy approach when it comes to how they tackled the Myanmar crisis?

Spain Exhumes Fascist Falange Leader

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?

Being Black and British

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?

Bulletproof Rooms in US Schools

B1 – Intermediate

Mass shooting frequently happens in the US each year, especially in schools. It’s difficult to predict when and where these tragic incidents may occur. Therefore, a security company creates a safe room for students and teachers.

Read the article to learn more about these bulletproof rooms:

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/bulletproof-rooms-in-us-schools-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “mass shooting“, “In the United States, there are many mass shootings.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “lawmaker” mean, “But lawmakers work slowly.“? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “put something up” mean, “People can put it up quickly in the corner of a classroom.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about these bulletproof rooms?
  2. Do you think bulletproof rooms in schools is the solution to the problem of gun violence in the US? Why or why not?
  3. What might be potential negative sides to the bulletproof rooms in schools?
  4. Should this idea be a priority for public spending or should funds be used on other things? Explain your opinion.

Menstrual Leave

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?