Nations Increasingly Strict on Immigration

In the US, increasingly heavy-handed laws have been passed to control the flood of immigrants, both legal and illegal. A barrier also snakes its way through the desert between the US and Mexico, with plans to upgrade the existing structure. In Britain, tougher restrictions will be imposed on immigration, due largely to worsening unemployment rates there. The number of people in search of work is at an eight-year high. And in the EU, due to similar unemployment pressures, leaders have adopted a document which outlines policies for improved migration management. The document recommends measures to control people wishing to settle in Europe, as well as those just passing through.

The debate on immigration isn't new by any means. Proponents argue that immigrants take up jobs that natural-born citizens often deem undesirable. These jobs remain vital to the smooth functioning of society, though. In addition, immigrants also combat shrinking populations, a problem many industrialized nations face due to a combination of declining birthrates and aging baby boomers. Opponents believe that immigrants steal jobs by accepting lower wages, an argument that especially gets raised in tough economic times. There are also concerns over national security, the burden of welfare and re-education for an immigrant population, and a loss or dilution of a nation's cultural identity.

Push and pull factors on a global scale motivate people to seek new lives elsewhere. For example, wars, genocide, or religious persecution in one region may push people to emigrate for the US or Europe. Or greater economic opportunities may pull people from depressed regions, and thereby lead to an influx in immigrants. But in many nations around the world recently, the implicit message to those seeking a new life in more prosperous countries has become: Stay home. We don't want you.

Title:Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Nations Increasingly Strict on Immigration."

Fill in the Blank:Fill in the blank with the correct word.

1. In the US, increasingly ( ) laws have been passed to control the flood of immigrants.

2. In Britain, tougher restrictions will be ( ) on immigration.

3. In the EU, leaders have ( ) a document which outlines policies on migration management.

4. The debate on immigration isn't new ( ).

5. ( ) argue that immigrants take up jobs that natural-born citizens often deem undesirable.

6. There are also concerns over a loss or ( ) of a nation's cultural identity.

7. Wars, genocide, or religious ( ) in one region may push people to emigrate for the US or Europe.

8. Greater economic opportunities may lead to an ( ) in immigrants.

9. In many nations around the world recently, there is an ( ) message.

10. The message for those seeking a new life in more ( ) countries

has become: Stay home.

Post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1. What are some additional reasons to support immigration? Why are these reasons good?

2. What are some additional reasons to oppose immigration? Why are these reasons bad?

3. What are some additional reasons that people choose to emigrate? Please explain.

4. Why has immigration become such a controversial issue recently?

5. Do you agree with the article's conclusion? Why/not?

Google Search: Type "immigration" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings

№ 6.

New Language Boom

People learn languages all the time, and for all kinds of reasons. For example, you probably have different reasons to study English than your classmates. But have you ever thought about creating an entirely new language from scratch?

There's been a boom in made-up languages recently, driven by the epic "Lord of the Rings" and other fantasy movies and books. The trend has also been fueled as more and more people venture online. There are websites, discussion boards, and chat rooms that teach how to build a language, others that share new languages, and some that seek collaborators. Made-up languages aren't restricted to Star Trek fans and Esperanto speakers.

It takes time and determination to create a new language. A creator needs to do more than substitute existing words with invented ones. There's rhythm and intonation to consider - how does the language sound when spoken? If it's invented for non-humans in a movie or book, how does biology change the sound? How does it represent the culture of the people who speak it? Then there are grammar rules, such as masculine and feminine nouns or verbs, word order, or the use of irregular verbs. Even a simple language can take years to develop.

Yet the new languages don't have the same sticking power as real languages like English, French, or Japanese. Only Esperanto is the exception, because it has about two million speakers. It was created in the 19th century to give humanity an easily learned language for international use. As for the made-up languages of today, there are an infinite number of reasons behind their creation. Some people do it as a hobby, others as a way to relax. Some just like the challenge.

Preview some of the lesson material:

Brainstorm:Brainstorm with a partner(s) words and ideas associated with "language" for 2 minutes. Spend another 5 minutes or less discussing the words and ideas together.

True or False? :Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) whether the sentence is true or false. If false, correct the sentence.

1.People learn languages for many different reasons.
2. Only the Internet has raised people's interest in creating languages.
3. It's relatively easy to create a new language.
4. Esperanto has more than one million speakers worldwide.
5. People create languages for many different reasons.

Post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1.How many hours do your work per week? Is this too much, too little, or just right? Why?

2. How does your job affect your relationship with your significant other and/or children? Please explain.

3. Would you take a 50% salary cut if it meant working only 25 hours per week?
4. If parents work more and more, how will this affect future generations of children? Please explain.

5. Could you do more for your company? Should you do more? Why/not?

Google Search: Type "language" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.

№ 7.

Oil, Water, and the Future

No one can deny the importance oil plays in the world. It powers every aspect of everyday life, from trains, planes, and automobiles; to industry; to the farms which supply our foodstuffs at the supermarket. It fuels war, too. Only the crassest of individuals believe that the war in Iraq is primarily about terrorism. In reality, the utmost priority focuses on the control of oil. And it's going to get worse.

Nations have already begun to position themselves around the globe to ensure a steady supply in the future. Canada has built bases in the Arctic, as global warming will open up drilling opportunities in the polar icecaps. China has invested heavily in African countries such as Angola, so as to obtain rights to drill offshore. They've also ramped up the development of their navy to protect oil interests in the South China Sea and elsewhere. Europe heavily depends on an increasingly assertive Russia. America endures leaders, countries, and policies it finds distasteful.

Global warming has worsened the situation. As climate change grows increasingly severe, it will affect food and water supplies. At present, for example, many of China's cities face water shortages. What's more, deserts in the west of China are rapidly encroaching on farmland, too. The same has begun to happen elsewhere around the globe, to the alarm of scientists. Water could become a non-renewable resource like oil. If so, then countries will need even more oil to guarantee food and water for its citizens.

It's important to note that many countries coveted oil in the years before World War I. Alliances were formed to protect interests around the world, and this led to the start of the Great War. As vital oil and water become scarcer in the 21st century, there can be only one result: conflict.

Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Oil, Water, and the Future."

Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word.

1. Only the ( ) of individuals believe that the war in Iraq is primarily about terrorism.

2. The ( ) priority focuses on the control of oil.

3. China has invested heavily in African countries such as Angola, so as to ( ) rights to drill offshore.

4. China has also ( ) the development of their navy to protect oil interests in the South China Sea.

5. Europe heavily depends on an increasingly ( ) Russia.

6. America ( ) leaders, countries, and policies it finds distasteful.

7. Deserts in the west of China are rapidly ( ) on farmland.

8. Water could become a non-( ) resource like oil.

9. It's important to note that many countries ( ) oil in the years

before World War I.

10. As ( ) oil and water become scarcer in the 21st century, there can be only one result: conflict.

Post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1. What do you think about our need for oil? Is it good or bad? Why do you think so?

2. The article suggests that the war in Iraq is really about oil. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

3. What can people do to prevent the grim future predicted in the article? Can you personally do anything?

4. What do you do to help the environment?

5. What do you think about the future? Will life be better or worse in 100 years? Why do you think so?

Google Search: Type "oil crisis" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.

№ 8.

Soda Tax

To combat the growing waistlines and associated health problems in America, a tax on sodas has recently been bandied about. The idea would likely decrease the amount of soda people drink, thereby decreasing the number of calories from sugary beverages. Equally important, a soda tax seems like a no-brainer because it raises money to cover the deficit of national health care. The tax could raise more than $14 billion in its first year.

Opponents believe a tax would undermine people's choice. In fact, they have been very vocal in their disagreement, with mega-corporations already spending millions in advertising to combat the very idea. Coke's CEO likened the proposal to the Soviet Union, for the government has zero right to tell people what to and what not to drink, or at least in a free and democratic society. Steep taxes on foods could cause legal hazards as well, primarily because a tax so severely affects people's purchasing patterns. What's more, a tax on sugary beverages targets only one aspect of the problem. Other unhealthy foods, such as candy bars or sweetened breakfast cereals, get left out.

Interestingly enough, 53% of Americans responded positively to a tax on soda. Many realize that it could be one tool to fight obesity in America. 41% of children between the ages of two and eleven, 62% of adolescents between the ages of twelve and seventeen, and 24% of adults drink at least one soda per day. And individuals who drink more than on sugar-sweetened beverage are 27% more likely to be overweight. Clearly something must be done.

Overall, and unfortunately so, a soda tax hasn't made any real progress in the halls of government. The chances of any progress in the near future also remain very, very dim.

Warm Up: Do you agree or disagree? Why?

1. People must eat healthier food.

2. The government should regulate the food people buy.

3. There should be taxes on all food.

4. There should be taxes on unhealthy food.

5. Obesity is a real problem in many countries these days.

Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article.

1. Equally important, a soda tax seems like a no-brainer because...

2. The tax could raise more...

3. Other unhealthy foods, such as...

4. Interestingly enough, 53% of Americans...

5. The chances of any progress in...

Post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1. Do you think a soda tax would have any effect? Why/not?

2. Were you surprised by the amount of money such a tax would raise? Does this make it a good idea?

3. What do you think of the reasons given by people opposed to the tax? Please explain.

4. Should the government be able to limit our choices, particularly regarding food? Why/not?

5. What other taxes or laws should be enacted for the overall health of people?

Google Search: Type "soda tax" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.

№ 9.