Tag: Social Issues

Death Sentence of a Man with Learning Disabilities

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the basic principles of a civilized country is that the punishment should fit the crime. There are different forms of punishment depending on the severity of the crime committed. However, when the offender is not of sound mind or has intellectual disabilities the same punishment may not fit the crime.

Read the article on how Singapore court upholds death sentence of man with learning disabilities.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/29/singapore-appeal-court-upholds-death-sentence-for-nagaenthran-k-dharmalingam

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the Singaporean court’s decision on this case? Explain your stand.
  2. What is the punishment for drug traffickers in your country?
  3. How should offenders with disabilities be dealt with in the criminal justice system?
  4. Has there been any controversial legal case in your country that has drawn massive condemnation? Talk about it.

Russian Athletes Face Backlash

B2 – Upper Intermediate

War is never good and it results in unspeakable crimes against humanity. Generally, ordinary people do not support wars. However, there are some who do and this is made even more controversial when these popular personalities such as athletes do it in an international sports event.

Read the article about Russian athletes expressing their support for the invasion of Ukraine.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/23/russian-athletes-face-backlash-after-wearing-z-symbol-at-putin-rally

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Russian athletes openly supporting the war?

2. What is your opinion on some major sport organizers banning athletes from countries at war?

3. Talk about some sports personalities you know of who have received backlash for publicly supporting controversial actions or ideologies?

4. Is it fair for sponsors to pull out because this? Explain your point.

Macron Vows to ‘Piss Off’ Unvaccinated

B2 – Upper Intermediate

President Emmanuel Macron promised to make the lives of the unvaccinated population in France difficult and inconvenient. He did so using what some people say, unfit language. This did not sit well with everyone in the country.

Read about the reactions to Macron’s statements about his strategy with the unvaxxed citizens of France.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59873833

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Macron’s statements on making unvaccinated people’s lives “in the shit”?
  2. Some people think that what he did and the things he said were divisive. Do you agree or disagree?
  3. What is it like being unvaxxed in your country?
  4. What do you think of unvaccinated people?
  5. What might be reasons people refuse to get vaxxed?

Covid Vaccine Passports Could Discriminate

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As Covid-19 vaccination rates increase, the economy reopens. As a result, decision makers and public officials have considered the idea of a “vaccine passport”. This is required to provide proof of vaccination before traveling or conducting daily work and other activities in order to allow human mobility while protecting lives. Although there are a lot of benefits from it, the cons on the other hand, are quite controversial.

Read the article and be able to answer and answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-56125142

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of “vaccine passports”? Do you agree that it could lead to discrimination?
  2. What do you think are its pros and cons?
  3. What are your thoughts on people who don’t want to get vaccinated?

Why Are We Wasting So Much Food?

C1 – Advanced

It’s all too common in this day and age that food waste statistics are jarring. Food can be wasted in the supply chain that begins on the farm, then goes through the harvest, packing, processing, and retail shops.

There are 1 billion malnourished people around the globe and yet one-third of edible food products are wasted every year.

Watch the video to know more about food waste.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can food-waste minimization be achieved? What can you do in your daily life to limit food waste?
  2. With food prices so low, how can we convey to consumers the value of food and importance of not wasting it? 
  3. What are the top three things governments can do to encourage food loss and waste reduction in their countries? 

Nuclear Weapons

B1 – Intermediate

In 1945, the United States of America dropped nuclear bombs in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed instantly and more suffered the impact of the nuclear attacks in the years that followed.

It was a dark day in history and it should never happen again. Every country should have the responsibility to ensure this never takes place ever again.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the issue on nuclear weapons.

https://listenaminute.com/n/nuclear_weapons.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree: “Nuclear weapons are the worst thing invented by man.”? Explain.
  2. What do you know about the nuclear attacks in Japan during World War 2?
  3. Why mustn’t nuclear weapons be used ever again?
  4. Is it necessary for countries to have nuclear weapons? Explain.
  5. Will it be beneficial for your country to have nuclear weapons and military nuclear programs? Why or why not?

Overpopulation

B1 – Intermediate

One problem we have is overpopulation. The world’s population is getting bigger and bigger. This situation can lead to many problems.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the issue overpopulation.

https://listenaminute.com/o/overpopulation.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the consequences of overpopulation?
  2. What are the causes of this problem and how can this be resolved?
  3. What is your opinion on overpopulation?
  4. Would you like few or many children? Explain your choice.
  5. What might be reasons some people have so many children?
  6. Talk about problems/issues related to population in your country.

Human Rights

B1 – Intermediate

As humans, we are all entitled to some basic rights and freedom. It’s called human rights.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about human rights.

https://listenaminute.com/h/human_rights.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that many people seem to not know human rights exist? Elaborate on your opinion.
  2. Why is human rights important?
  3. How can we prevent human rights from being violated?
  4. Speak about some human rights issues in your country.
  5. Give an example of human rights violations that in your opinion is absolutely revolting.

Instagram for Children

B1 – Intermediate

Facebook is working on launching a new version of Instagram for kids under 13.

This version of Instagram will allow kids to safely use the app. The current Instagram policy prohibits children under the age of 13 from using the service.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about Instagram for children.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/instagram-for-children-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with US politicians opinion about Instagram for children? Support your stand.
  2. What are the good and bad things about children using social networks?
  3. Are social networking sites dangerous to children? Why or why not?
  4. If you are a parent, would you let your child use this version of Instagram? Why or why not?
  5. What child-friendly features would you like to see on social networking sites?

Cancel Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate

They say that the only constant thing in life is change. Being adaptable to change is a big part of what makes us grow as individuals and collectively, as a society. For years on end, we’ve been witness to a lot of things that had to be changed. Some to our advantage, while others, to our demise. Now, these changes could often be about our views on different social issues or matters. As our opinions change, they too, become polarized.

In the recent years, we’ve seen a pattern of having the thought that someone can be “canceled” or culturally prevented from staying relevant or famous, has been a topic of debate.

Our growing inclination toward “cancel culture” and “canceling someone” seems to have become a formula.

It starts when someone does or says something offensive. It is then followed by a public outrage on social media. The last stage involves the unfortunate backlash on that person’s career, sometimes ending up in destroyed careers or dismissal from jobs.

Read the article and join in on the cancel culture debate.

https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/12/30/20879720/what-is-cancel-culture-explained-history-debate

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on cancel culture? Do you view it as an important tool of social justice or a new form of merciless mob intimidation? Should it be stopped or continued?
  2. What are the good and bad things about it?
  3. What might the effects of being canceled be on a person/group/organization? 
  4. Which people, celebrities, or public figures you know suffered from the backlash of this emerging social culture? What offensive thing did they do and how did being ‘canceled’ affect them?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that “The view that a traditional approach — apology, atonement, and forgiveness — is no longer enough might be startling.”?