Tag: Social Issues

Transgender Islamic School

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?

Billions of People in the World 

B1 – Intermediate

Too many billions of people, too little planet. As of time of writing, the world’s population sits at around 8 billion. China and India are the countries with the highest number of people.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the world’s population.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/8-billion-people-in-world-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “populous” mean? Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “fall” mean in this sentence, “Experts say that China’s population will start to fall.”? Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “slum” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the world’s (rising) population?
  2. What are the good and bad things about the continuous increase in the world’s population?
  3. What do you think about your country’s population?
  4. What will happen when the population gets old?
  5. What do you think about populous places?

Hygiene Poverty

B1 – Intermediate

In the UK, more and more people can no longer afford to buy basic hygiene products like soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and others.

This is mainly due to the constant increase in the cost of living.

Read the lesson on hygiene poverty and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2211/221107-hygiene-poverty-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this, “Millions of people can no longer afford essential hygiene products.”?
  2. In your opinion, how serious is this “crisis”?
  3. How important is proper hygiene?
  4. What are the effects of hygiene poverty on people?
  5. Are hygiene banks necessary? Why or why not?
  6. What are other things people can no longer buy or do because of inflation?

More Married Couples Remaining Childless

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we hear about couples getting married, it automatically comes to our mind that they are already expecting a child or going to have children. However, this is no longer the case: some couples choose to live alone, with no intention of having children. 

Here’s an article you can read to learn some of the reasons why some couples don’t want kids.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/census-more-married-couples-women-childless-no-kids-1998331

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on voluntary childlessness?
  2. According to the article, what are the reasons for voluntary childlessness?
  3. Why do you think couples opt not to have any children?
  4. How is childlessness viewed in your country?
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “Having to make a trade-off with one’s career is a big concern for women.”?

Radio Stations Shut Down in Venezuela

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has closed down almost one hundred radio stations due to lack of valid licenses. However, journalists and opposition leaders have a different opinion. They believe this is another blow to freedom of speech.

Read the article about radio stations shut down in Venezuela.

https://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/08/01/venezuela.radio.stations/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is the Venezuelan government closing down numerous independent radio stations?
  2. What do you think of the massive closure of radio stations in Venezuela? Do you think it is a subtle act of suppressing press freedom?
  3. What are the indirect effects of these radio station closures?
  4. What are the regulations of the ownership and operation of radio and television stations in your country?

Everything Wrong With “Woke” Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this day and age, woke culture has spread far, but what does “woke” even mean? It means that one is aware of the injustices in today’s society.

And although this may seem good on paper, in practice, it has become a blight on culture and has become very troubling. Video games, movies, and culture in general has been influenced with toxic ideals.

As an example, woke feminism has shown that all men are toxic and only women are powerful while normal feminism shows that even women can be powerful.

Despite it being only a minor threat and although having a lot of representation, it is still heavily mocked. However, a concerning number of people now believe these ideas.

So if woke culture is continuously upheld, things may change for the worse.

Let’s watch this video on everything wrong with woke culture.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on woke culture?
  2. What is your opinion on the current state of woke culture in our society? Is it good or bad? What is your opinion?
  3. Do you think that there is a way to improve the way we imbibe woke culture? Explain.
  4. What examples of woke culture can you think of?

Guantanamo Bay Releases Oldest Detainee

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It has been around twenty years since the first prisoner set foot in the infamous Guantanamo Bay. There are nearly 800 detainees in this prison camp who are mostly held without charge or trial. Quite recently, the oldest prisoner has been released and sent back home to Pakistan.

Let’s read the article to know more about Guantanamo Bay and the controversies surrounding it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63438878

Discussion Questions:

  1. When and why was the detention camp established?
  2. What is your opinion on Guantanamo Bay’s human rights violations?
  3. What are your thoughts about detainees being cleared for release and do you think it is an “embarrassment to the US”? Share your opinion.
  4. How does your government treat people arrested on suspicions of terrorism?
  5. What is the maximum period of detention for people held without charges in your country? Do you think it is a reasonable period of time?

Homeless People Living in Cars

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The number of people living in their vehicles is on the rise as homelessness continues to grow across the US. Some courts have made it illegal to park cars overnight in areas where people may be inclined to sleep. However, many advocates in the homelessness community are opposed to this as well as other policies that are criminalizing homelessness.

Read the article to learn more and be able to discuss the questions below.

https://invisiblepeople.tv/homeless-people-living-in-cars/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How big an issue is homelessness in your country and what do you think is being done to address it?
  2. What do you think of homeless people living in their cars? Does this situation happen in your country? What should be done to help them?
  3. What are some reasons why people end up being homeless and turning to their vehicles to have a roof over their heads?
  4. What are the good and bad points of living in a car as a homeless?
  5. Should it be made illegal to park cars overnight in an area? Explain your stand.
  6. Have you ever thought about living the “van life”? What are the appealing and uninviting aspects of it in your opinion?

Campaigns and Elections

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When election period is just around the corner, along with it are political candidates and their campaign events. In these events, it is typical for candidates to persuade voters by putting their proposals forward should they be elected. Some campaign speeches are too long and boring that they easily lose their audience while some are short, direct, and entertaining.

Let’s listen to the recording for an example of a campaign speech.

Campaigns and Elections

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the candidate running for? What are his proposed plans and programs?
  2. Do you like listening to political candidates’ campaign speeches? Why or why not? How can political candidates persuade you to vote for them?
  3. From a voter’s perspective, what do you think should a political campaign speech include?
  4. How are electoral campaigns like in your country?
  5. How are local and national elections carried out in your country?

Angola’s Tightly Contested Presidential Election

B2 – Upper Intermediate

After the civil war in 2002, Angola has remained politically stable. Recently, they have concluded their elections giving the country’s ruling party a wafer-thin victory. However, the opposition party believes there are irregularities in the election result.

Let’s watch the video know more about the 2022 Angola elections and the controversies surrounding it.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is the Angola elections being contested?
  2. What do you think of one-party system of government?
  3. What is the form of government in your country? What are the good and bad things about this form of government?
  4. What kind of voting system do you have?
  5. What elections-related controversies have you had in your country?