Let's revisit some favorite topics

All right, everyone! It's time to take a second look at some of our previous posts. Today we'll get the chance to explore some themes from a new angle. Maybe you'll see something here that catches your attention?

Pick an article (or two) from the selections below to talk about with a friend or in a study group. Or write down your reflections in a notebook. Do these new articles change the way you thought about anything? How do they help you understand the topic better? And don't forget to download this free Lively Exchanges worksheet to help you analyze what you have read.

        

        

Topic #1: Food waste

       

Back in March—in the post "Denmark shows the world how to reduce food waste"—we looked at what a Danish supermarket was doing to reduce food waste. Now, read about a successful program in the UK that has taken a different approach to the same problem. (Hint: it involves smaller portion sizes.)

      

In Fight Against Food Waste, Brits Find A Worthy Battlefield: The Home

        

        

Topic #2: Unique programs in education

         

In the original post "A 'first class' high school at JFK", we read about a high school in New York with an innovative plan for on-the-job-training for its students. This new article is about a community college with a program that is the only one of its kind in the United States:
     
Glassblowing Program Trains Students To Craft Tools For Science

        

      

Topic #3: Guaranteed Basic Income

        

In the post "What if robots take our jobs?", we were introduced to the topic of a "guaranteed basic income" and we considered some of the implications of the system. This week, we'll read once again about how advances in technology are leading to questions about how we'll earn a living in the future:
     
As Our Jobs Are Automated, Some Say We'll Need A Guaranteed Basic Income

        

       

Topic #4: Darkness

         

And finally, in a post titled "Darkness and Starlight", we read about one of the darkest spots on the planet and looked at some of the benefits of darkness. Next, try this article about how a little more darkness in Iceland allows people to enjoy a lot more of a beautiful natural wonder:
     
Reykjavik Turns Off Street Lights To Turn Up The Northern Lights

      

      

Thanks for reading along with us!  Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and don't forget to like the Lively Exchanges page on Facebook!

Egypt's financial crisis takes a toll on marriage rates

Topic:

         

This article is about how Egypt's economic situation is making it difficult for many young people to marry.

         
       

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Egypt on a map? What do you know about this country?

          

Speculate:

• What are some reasons that it might be difficult for people to get married if they don't have much money?

           

          

Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the NPR website. Word count: 846

          

In Egypt, The High Cost Of Romance Is Crippling Hopes Of Marriage

After reading:

          

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• The article mentions that in Egypt, marriages are negotiated between families. What does this suggest about Egyptian culture?
• Sharouk's mother feels that people were "less demanding" in the past than they are now when they were discussing engagements. What are some possible explanations for this change?
• In Egypt, what might be some of the effects of many young people delaying marriage in order to save money?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

          

Reflect and evaluate:

• In your culture, what are some traditions that are part of getting married? Do people exchange gifts, like in Egyptian culture?
• How did you feel when you read about Sharouk's situation? Why?
• Two of the people interviewed for this article are 20-years old, or around the age of university students. How does this compare to the age when people get married in your culture? If the ages are different, what are some possible explanations for the difference?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

          

          

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Italy's government wants to boost teens' cultural education

Topic:

          

This article is about a program in Italy which offers 18-year-olds money to spend on cultural activities.
         

The Colosseum in Rome

          

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Italy on a map? What do you know about arts and culture in this country?
• Visiting a museum is one example of a cultural activity. What are some other examples?
• What does "highbrow" culture mean?

           

Speculate:

• The Italian government is sponsoring a program offering 18-year-olds money for cultural activities. What might be some goals of this program? In other words, what might the government be hoping to achieve from this?

          

            

Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website. Word count: 648

           

After reading:

          

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• In order to receive the 500 Euros, 18-year-olds must "register online and download an app". Why do you think the government chose this method for reaching young people? Will this method prevent any young people from accessing the benefit?
• The article also mentions Italy's high youth unemployment rate (40%). Why do you think the government chose to spend money on cultural education, rather than on boosting employment? What does this choice suggest about the government's priorities?
• The government's program "doesn't distinguish between pop culture and highbrow culture". What do you think about this policy?
• Explain why Barak Mendelsohn doesn't think the Italian government's plan will work.
• One of the Italian government's goals for this program is that it will help young immigrants integrate into Italian culture and society. Besides this program, what are some other ways that integration might be accomplished?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

           

Reflect and evaluate:

• If you had $500 to spend on cultural activities, how would you use it? Explain your choices.
• What do you think: is cultural education a good plan for fighting against extremism? Explain your position.
• Is your country very concerned about integrating immigrants into society? Why or why not?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

             

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to share this post with your friends!