Naoshima: a getaway for contemporary art lovers

An outdoor sculpture on Naoshima

         
Topic:

      

This article is about a small Japanese island that has become the home of a world-class art collection.

        

Before reading:

       

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Japan on a map? How about the island of Naoshima?
• What is public art?
• What are the characteristics of places that rely on tourism?

       

Speculate:

• This article tells us about a large company that built museums on a small island. How do you think this affected the people who live there?

        

       

Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the NPR website. Word count: 819

      

How Art Transformed A Remote Japanese Island

After reading:

        

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• What might have happened to Naoshima if Benesse Holdings had not decided to house its collection on the island?
• What do you think it is like for the local people of such a small island to live in a place where so many tourists come to visit?
• If you were a member of Naoshima's tourist board, what would you do to attract tourists that aren't interested in art?
• What do you think Naoshima might be like 20 years from now? 50 years? Explain your answer using information from the article along with your own ideas.
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

             

Reflect and evaluate:

• Mr. Okuda says that some Naoshima residents were initially skeptical about the project, but over time they have been able to see the benefits. Has anything like this ever happened in your country or community? Can you think of a time where something changed, but it was hard to see the advantages until after some time had passed?
• People who live on Naoshima are surrounded by art in their daily lives. How about you? How often do you have the opportunity to appreciate works of art?
• 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.

         

Beyond the page:

• Learn more about Naoshima by visiting one of these pages: Benesse Art Site Naoshima, Naoshima Travel Guide, or Naoshima Travel Information.
• Is there any public art in the area where you live? Find out.

              

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!

The restoration of Iraq's marshlands

Topic:

         

This article is about the restoration of a marshland area in Iraq.

         

       

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Iraq on a map? What do you know about it?
• What is UNESCO, and what are its main mission
• What are the characteristics of 'marshland'?

           

Speculate:

• What are some reasons that natural areas might be destroyed? In other words, what are some of the causes (human or otherwise) of ecological destruction?

             

Click on the embedded link below to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the PRI website. Word count: 543

           

Iraq's marshlands, nearly destroyed under Saddam, are coming back

After reading:

          

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• In your own words, explain why it is important to preserve these marshlands. Look for hints in the article, and give as many reasons as you can.
• How might the new UNESCO World Heritage status affect the region? Make a list of possible consequences.
• Although previous Iraqi governments have actively caused the destruction of the marshlands, Azzam Alwash says that the current government has made a commitment to protect this area. What does this imply about the current government?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

          

Reflect and evaluate:

• Can you think of any traditions in your culture that have remained unchanged for a long period of time? Why do you think this tradition hasn't changed?
• Does your country have any sites with World Heritage status? What makes these places special? Have you been to visit any of them?
• Like the Iraqi marshlands, are there natural areas in your country that have been destroyed by humans? What were the effects of the destruction? How were people and animals affected by the destruction?
• 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.

           

Also in the news:

• Read about successful efforts in China to convert land back into forest. But this success, as it turns out, is a double-edged sword: What China's successful reforestation program means for the rest of the world

             

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. Like Lively Exchanges on Facebook, and don't forget to share this post with your friends!

Chinese police on patrol in...Italy?

Beginning this month, Chinese police may be seen patrolling some Italian streets. 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: 462

  

Before reading:

General Knowledge:

• Can you find Italy on a map? Where are Rome and Milan?
• What are some problems that tourists should prepare for before they travel abroad?

        

Speculate:

• Chinese police officers have begun patrolling parts of Italy. Why do you think the Italian police might have invited foreign officers to patrol jointly with them? What could be the goal of this partnership?

           

Tourists in St. Peter's Square, Rome

          

        

After reading:

      

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• What might be the most challenging parts of creating and maintaining partnerships between Chinese and Italian police forces?
• What is your opinion of this police partnership?
• Why do Chinese tourists feel "amazed, astonished, [and] happy" to see a Chinese officer patrolling in Italy? Explain what Pang Bo means.
• According to Italian national police chief Alessandro Pansa, "proximity policing" is a new approach the Italian police are taking. How does cooperation with Chinese police fit into this plan? What are other ways that Italian police could "[be] close to citizens' needs"?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

          

Reflect and evaluate:

• Why do you think that Italian police are partnering specifically with Chinese police? What does this suggest about Chinese tourism in Italy?
• Do you think partnerships between local and foreign police would be good in parts of your country? Explain.
• 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.

           

Beyond the page:

• Find out more about proximity policing or community policing. Is it happening where you live?

             

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!

Bird Watchers Flock to Colombia

A more peaceful Colombia is attracting the world's bird watchers. Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the NPR website. Word count: 502

As Colombia Grows Safer, Tourists - Especially Bird Lovers - Flock Back

Before reading:

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Colombia on a map?
• What comes to mind when you think about Colombia?

         

Speculate:

• What might make Colombia a great place for watching birds?

          
      

John Otis for NPR

      

         

After reading:

      

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• How do you think the local people might feel about the increase in the number of tourists? Think about people like Loraida Pavon.
• What do you think Marcia Wiley means when she says, " And all of a sudden, you are in this world between what's real and what's not real"?
• What do you think Colombia will need to do in order to prepare for the increase in tourism?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

        

Reflect and evaluate:

• Make a list of possible ways that an increase in tourism might affect the country. Who will be the most affected? Which of the possible outcomes are positive and which are negative?
• The tourists interviewed in the article came to Colombia to see something they could not see in their hometowns. If you could go anywhere in the world to see something special, where would you go?
• What bird or animal species are well-known or unique in the area where you live? Do tourists visit your area to see them?
• 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.

         

Beyond the page:

• Read more about the peace talks between the Colombian government and the FARC rebels: US urges Colombia and Farc to sign peace accord
• Find out more about bird watching in Colombia (Colombia Birding) or take a look at some beautiful photos of birds seen in this region (antpitta.com).
• Find out about other parts of the world where tourism has been disrupted because of fighting or other problems. Have you heard any other stories like this in the news lately?

           

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below. And don't forget to like Lively Exchanges on Facebook!