Problem discussion “Violence is always wrong”.

Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view?

Organize a group discussion.Use the Language for Agreeing and Disagreeing.

Language for Agreeing and Disagreeing (Consult Appendix I)

- I just wanted to see what kind of feedback you’ve got

- I really strongly disagree

- Actually, I think … is right

- I‘d be much happier

- Speaking as an expert…

- I would like to say something

- If that’s all right

- That sounds good

- That’s probably about it

Translate the quotations. Find Russian equivalents and try to explain these sayings. Describe the situation where you can use these proverbs or write the essay. Give as many arguments as possible.

a) A man who lives, not by what he loves but what he hates, is a sick man.

Archibald MacLeish (U.S. poet, 1892-1982)

b) Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression.

Malcolm X (U.S. civil rights activist, 1925-1965)

c) If you wish to know what justice is, let injustice pursue you.

Eugenio Maria de Hostas (Puerto Rican patriot, 1839-1903)

d) No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched. George Jean Nathan

(U.S. drama and social critic, 1882-1958)

e) Democracy means not “I am as good as you are” but “You are as good as I am”. Theodore Parker

(U.S. Unitarian theologian and social reformer, 1810-1860)

Text 2. Youth rights movement

 

Active vocabulary to remember

 

movement liberation creative solutions ageism majority ostensibly empowerment intergenerational to carry out nascent grass-roots non-governmental youth policy development engagement interdependence relevant equality sustainable mainstream to launch in coordination writing contest citizenship primary media exposure to advocate to support

– движение – освобождение, высвобождение – творческие решения – эйджизм, дискриминация по возрасту – большинство – якобы, как будто бы, для видимости – расширение прав, предоставление полномочий – касающийся взаимосвязи поколений – выполнять – возникающий, появляющийся – простые люди, широкие массы – неправительственный – молодежная политика – развитие, разработка – вовлечение, включение – взаимозависимость, взаимное влияние – соответствующий, относящийся – равенство – устойчивый – включать в общий поток, в состав основной группы – организовывать – при содействии, координации – письменный конкурс – гражданство – первичный – воздействие через средства массовой информации – защищать – поддерживать

 

The "youth rights movement", also described as "youth liberation", is a nascent grass-roots movement whose aim is to fight against ageism and for the civil rights of young people – those "under the age of majority", which is 18 in most countries. It is ostensibly an effort to promote youth voice, youth empowerment and ultimately, intergenerational equity through youth/adult partnerships.

Organizations in Europe

The European Youth Forum is the platform of the National Youth Council and International Non-Governmental Youth Organizations in Europe. It strives for youth rights in International Institutions such as the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. The European Youth Forum works in the fields of youth policy and youth work development. It focuses its work on European youth policy matters, whilst through engagement on the global level it is enhancing the capacities of its members and promoting global interdependence. In its daily work the European Youth Forum represents the views and opinions of youth organizations in all relevant policy areas and promotes the cross-sectorial nature of youth policy towards a variety of institutional actors. The principles of equality and sustainable development are mainstreamed in the work of the European Youth Forum.

The other International youth rights organizations include Article 12 in Scotland and K.R.A.T.Z.A. in Germany. Youth for Human Rights International is an organization formed in 2001. In support of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education from 1995 to 2004, Youth for Human Rights International's first project was to launch a Europe-wide essay writing contest for youth between the ages of eight and eighteen, in coordination with Friends of the United Nations.

Organizations in the United States

Youth rights as a philosophy and as a movement, has been formed and is led by a variety of individuals and institutions across the United States and around the world. In the 1960s and 70s John Holt, Richard Farson, Paul Goodman and Neil Postman were regarded authors that spoke out about youth rights throughout society, including education, government, social services and popular citizenship.

The National Youth Rights Association is the primary youth rights organization for the youths in the United States, with local chapters across the country and constant media exposure. The organization known as Americans for a Society Free from Age Restrictions is also an important organization. The Global Youth Action Network engages young people around the world in advocating for youth rights, and Peacefire provides technology-specific support for youth rights activists.

 

Practice:

 

1. Answer the following questions and write a brief essay on one of the proposed topics for discussion:

1) What is the aim of youth rights movement?

2) What is ageism? Have you ever experienced it? When?

3) What are civil rights of young people?

4) Are there any organizations in our country protecting youth rights?

5) Is it necessary to protect youth rights?

6) Are there any obligations and duties for young people?

7) What are the areas of activity of International Youth Organizations all over the world?

Find out information about Youth organizations in our country. What are the spheres of their activities? Are they the organizations to defend youth’s rights?

UNIT 10. HEALTHY WAY OF LIFE

 

Text 1. New anti-drugs campaign

For young people

Active vocabulary to remember

 

survey expel to convince drug double to admit stimulant hallucinogen LSD Pulp Fiction to rebel to treat dare helpline illegal to increase to addict the media female male

– обзор, опрос, анкетирование – увеличение, рост – убедить – наркотик – удваиваться – признавать – возбуждающий – галлюциноген – ЛСД (наркотик, вызывающий галлюцинации) – «Криминальное чтиво» – протестовать – относиться, обращаться – вызов – телефон доверия – незаконный – увеличивать, расти – привыкнуть – средства массовой информации – мужчина – женщина

 

New survey shows that Britain's drug problem is growing. The highest increase in drug use is among teenagers. How can they be convinced to stop?

Last year, a European survey showed that the number of teenagers who had tried drugs was 6 per cent in Greece, 15 per cent in France and 30 per cent in Britain.

Statistics show that drug use by British teenagers has doubled since 1989. The half of teenagers who were interviewed admitted they had tried at least one type of a drug. 70 per cent said they had been offered drugs in the past 3 months.

The drugs that the government is most worried about are stimulant drugs such as Speed and Ecstasy (or E as it is commonly known) and hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD. They are worried that many young people believe these drugs to be exciting and fashionable. They think that many of teenag­ers will be influenced by films such as Transporting and Pulp Fiction, which show attractive people taking drugs.

The government decided that it needed a new anti-drugs campaign. However, before it did this, it studied young people's attitudes. The survey showed that teenagers knew that drugs were bad for them but they could not actually name any health risk associated with particular drugs. It also showed that 61 per cent of teenage drug-users would consider stopping using drugs if they thought they were a serious danger to their health.

It was also understood that many teenagers ignored drugs warnings in schools because they thought they were childish. In fact, it was proved that in some cases, the reason for taking drugs was to rebel against warnings from adults.

Using the results of the survey, new campaign has been started. The new campaign hopes to treat teenagers like adults. It informs young people of the health risks associated with particular drugs. It does this with photos of teenagers. On the advertisements, the parts of their bodies, which can be dam­aged by drugs, are indicated by biological diagrams showing the health risks.

Many teenagers try drugs as a 'dare' to show their friends that they are not scared. Often their friends insist until the person says ‘yes’. The health authority hopes that the advertisements will help teenagers to say "no" to this and be able to have good reason to say it. In addition to posters, the health authority has also made radio advertisements and put the number of their drugs helpline (a telephone number that can be called confidentially for help) in a lot of places. The people at the helpline advise people what to do if they have a drug problem or need more information about the dangers of drugs.

DRUG FACTS

· 31% of teenagers interviewed could not name a health risk associated with Ecstasy.

· Eton (one of England's most expensive schools) and several other schools introduced drug tests. If the tests show a pupil has used an illegal drug, he / she is expelled, and has to leave the school forever.

· It was discovered that children of 10 years old were being sold halluci­nogenic drugs (LSD). The drugs had pictures of cartoon characters on them to attract the children.

· 49 % of young drug-users say they would stop using drugs if they thought they were getting addicted.

· 35 % of young drug-users say they don't know why they use them.

· MOST young drug-users say that they listen more to what their friends say about drugs than to what the media say about drugs.

· THE NUMBER of young males taking drugs is higher than the number of young females.

· THE GREATEST increase in drug use in the past eight years is by 15-16 year olds.

· MANY people argue that smoking kills more people than drugs.

· 9.75 % of British 12-13-year-olds smoke at least one cigarette a week.

· 26.4 % of British 14-15-year-olds smoke at least one cigarette a week.

Practice:

1. Answer the following questions:

1) Can a person be too young or too old to have problems with drug addiction and alcoholism?

2) Are amphetamines addictive? Are they dangerous? Why?

3) What are the signs that someone is addicted to drugs?

4) Is it possible to become addicted to a drug even if you have only tried it once?

5) What does heroin addiction do to a person’s life?

6) How are alcoholism, nicotine and drug addiction different?

7) How can you tell if someone has a problem with alcohol?

8) Can you become addicted to ‘club drugs’ such as ecstasy?

9) What can you suggest to fight drug addiction?

10) Is it a real danger to be nicotine addicted?

11) Is it necessary to introduce criminal prosecution for drug abuse?

2. Read the text again and find Russian equivalents or explain the following phrases:

- drug use	- drugs helpline
- hallucinogenic drugs	- confidentially
- fashionable	- drug abuse
- serious danger	- health authority