EUROPE!!!!

 After so many years of wars, especially the First and Second World wars, we managed to reach the summit with the European Union (EU). It wasn't an easy way, but when we thought he had sorted all the difficulties out, the Brexit came and the figure of Angela Merkel turned up to get over it successfully (Listening exercise for you to do: Angela Merkel ,6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) . Now this elderly German lady, who came from the cold (East Germany), is about to retire from politics.

Here some articles for you to read and video to watch:

• 

  Federal Chancellor awarded Charles V European Prize “Europe is only as strong as it is united” (Bundesregierung)

• Angela Merkel, 14th Carlos V European Award (Fundación Yuste)
  

• Germany's Angela Merkel receives Spain's Carlos V European Award (DW News)
  

 

What will Germans miss about Angela Merkel? - BBC News

 

Europe is losing its moral compass – how will it find its way without Merkel? (The Guardian)

 

Apart from Angela Merkel, how much do you know about Germany??

 

 

Lucy teaches us how to introduce ourselves (English with Lucy)

 

 

 

And when talking about the European Union this version by Miguel Ríos of one of Beethoven's Ode to Joy comes to my mind: Song of Joy ( in Spanish )  and here's a version with the lyrics for you to sing along...

 

Some activities for you to do: 

• News Review:   Earthshot Prize: Prince's new awards   (BBC Learning English)
  

• Listening exercise for you to do: Do you normally tip?  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

• Space-International Law : The future of companies & The people vs Big business  (BBC Learning English)

 

LINGOHACK  >>> 

Episode 211013 / 13 October 2021    >>>  Dying seabirds mystery   -    Language related to 'death'.   

Need-to-know language: mass death, emaciated, toxin, starvation & make it.

 

 

Brexit: NO MAN IS AN ISLAND!!

The latest  >>>  Brexit: PM meets Euro leaders (News Report, BBC Learning English)

Breaking news:

Jo Cox: grief and shock over death of 'Labour MP with huge compassion' (The Guardian)

 

On 23rd June a referendum will be held in the United Kingdom in order to decide if they stay in the European Union or if they leave. For a start, let's just read this poem about John Donne. Analyse it bearing in mind the globalised world we live in.

 

'No Man is an Island' (by John Donne)

                No man is an island entire of itself; every man

                is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;

                if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe

                well as any manner of thy friends or of thine

                is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as

                own were; any man's death diminishes me,

                the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

                because I am involved in mankind.

                And therefore never send to know for whom

Do these words remind you of any other prominent writer?

Yes, you're right, the American writer Ernest Hemingway, who wrote the famous novel For whom the bell tolls, which deals about our Spanish Civil War.

The issue in the press:

• As 'Brexit' referendum nears, voter registration surges (CNN)

• Brexit – what would happen if Britain left the EU? (The Guardian)

• It's time to talk about Brexit (The Daily Telegraph)

• Brexit or Bremain? Readers share the one argument that made up their mind (The Guardian) 

• What if...? The consequences, challenges and opportunities facing Britain outside the EU (Open Europe) 

• What would Brexit mean for everyday life in the UK? (The Guardian)

  What is your opinion about the whole issue? Do you think that it is good for Spain to stain in the EU? Write about the advantages and disadvantages of belonging to the EU.

Shame for our civilised world: Europe's migrant crisis

Some articles related with the issue

• Migrant crisis: Grim find of bodies in Austria lorry (BBC)

• Suspected illegal immigrants arrested after being found inside lorry on M25 (The Guardian)

• Europe migrant crisis: Macedonia allows all 1,500 refugees at border to enter from Greece; 2,200 rescued off Italy (ABC)

• Migrant crisis: Greece struggles to handle influx in Kos (CNN)

• Donald Trump’s American Idiocy (New York Times) 

and the latest:

• Photo of dead child's body renews call for action on migrant crisis (USA Today)

Greece, Europe and the future

Articles to read:

- The Guardian: Ten things people in Greece can't do...  

- The Guardian: Eurozone must not allow Greece....   

- Greece debt crisis   (BBC)    

- CNN: No! Greek vote shocks Europe  

Listening exercises:

• Third Greek bailout  

• Greek finance minister resigns after 'no' vote   

Linkers expressing cause and effect. (Interesting notes and activities to do)