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!

Turkish TV has plenty of fans in South America

Topic:

         

This article is about the popularity of Turkish TV dramas in South America.

        

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Turkey on a map? How far is Turkey from South America?
• Do you watch television dramas? What types of dramas do you like most? Give examples.
• Are any foreign television programs popular in your country? If so, why do people like them?

       

Speculate:

• In this article, some people in South America talk about their dislike of TV dramas from the United States. What might they not like about these programs?

          

          

Click on the embedded link below to read the article and see photos on the BBC website. Word count: 889

         

An unlikely story: Why do South Americans love Turkish TV? - BBC News

After reading:

       

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Marcela Mera appreciates that Turkish TV programs "don't have the Hollywood cliches and stereotypes". What might she mean by this?
• Sales of Turkish TV programs have increased a lot in a short period of time. What might be some effects of this for people working in this business in Turkey (like actors, for example)?
• Burhan Gun says, "A lot of the Turkish TV shows explore the topic of migration from rural villages to cities and the challenges of urbanisation". What does this suggest about life in Turkey?
• Based on information in this article, how do you think Turkish TV dramas might affect relationships between Turkey and South American countries?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

               

Reflect and evaluate:

• Have you ever seen a drama from a country or culture that is different than your own? Discuss what you've watched.
• In the article, some South American people felt that their cultures shared similarities with Turkish culture. Is there another culture that you feel has things in common with your own? Explain your answer.
• In your opinion, is television a good way to teach people in one country about the culture in another? Explain your answer.
• 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 this 2013 BBC News article about the popularity of Turkish TV in the Arab world: The rise of Turkish soap power

            

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!

Ready for something interesting to read?

Choose your favorite from the four topics below. Pick whatever interests you most. After reading through an article (or two!), download this Lively Exchanges free worksheet and use it to help you think about what you have read.

         

Up for an extra challenge? Create some of your own discussion questions for the article you chose and discuss the topic you chose with your study group, friends or classmates!

          

Article choices:

1. People in many small, rural towns in Alaska survive off of wild plants and animals. But climate change is destroying their way of life. This article describes the changes affecting these communities, and explains why going to the grocery store just isn't an option.

          

"The debate here isn't over whether climate change is happening. For these rural communities, the question is whether they can continue to survive there."

           

In Alaska's Remote Towns, Climate Change Is Already Leaving Many Hungry
          

2. This article offers insight into the Korean tradition of kimchi-making, and explores how strong an influence the dish has in the country's culture.

         

"And even as the government supports its citizens in opening Korean restaurants around the world, it pays special attention to promoting that most ubiquitous of Korean foods: kimchi."
         

How South Korea Uses Kimchi To Connect To The World - And Beyond

          

3. This next article has a special, more personal significance to me: it's about how my hometown is preparing for a large earthquake that is predicted to strike soon. In a region where tremors are rare, this article touches on the huge task of preparing a city for something it has never experienced before.
          

"When preparing for a natural disaster, training matters. But can you train an entire city?"
           
West Coast tests how it would respond to a big quake

         

4. Politicians as superheroes? It might seem like a stretch…and maybe even a little strange. But Marvel Comics has done exactly that: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has become a hero in one of its latest editions.
         

"Justin Trudeau has had a number of careers: schoolteacher, snowboard instructor, and since last year, prime minister of Canada. Now he's an action hero."
            

Can A Canadian Prime Minister Be An Action Hero? Marvel Comics Thinks So

     

And finally...
          

Let us know how your discussion went! What did you talk about with your group? Did your discussion increase your understanding of the article? Post about your experience in the comments section on the blog.

Changing perceptions about people with disabilities

Topic:

This article is about a café that only employs people with disabilities.

       

Before reading:

          

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Kazakhstan on a map?
• What does the word "stigma" mean?
• What are some kinds of "disability"?
• What are some kinds of discrimination that disabled people face? Why?

         

Speculate:

• In the article a woman says, "In Kazakhstan, people with disabilities are forced to exist within tight boundaries". What might she mean by "boundaries", and why might those boundaries exist?

            

        

Click on the embedded link below to read the article on the PRI website. Word count: 630

           

Kazakhstan cafe uses employment to fight disability stigma

After reading:

        

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Zhuldyz Abdykarimova, a waitress at Training Café, says she has learned a lot while working there. What are some of the things that she might have learned?
• While providing important employment opportunities, the Training Café is also a place where people with disabilities interact with other members of society. What might be some effects of bringing people together like this?
• The article also mentions that a movie starring people with disabilities was recently released in Kazakhstan. By choosing these actors, what do you think is the message to the audience? How might this movie change public perceptions about people with disabilities?
• Why don't more places like Training Café exist, in Kazakhstan and in other countries around the world?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

         

Reflect and evaluate:

• In your country or culture, what are some attitudes about disabilities? Are people with disabilities treated differently than others? Are there many opportunities for people with disabilities to find jobs?
• Explain why it is beneficial for people with disabilities to have opportunities to work. List as many advantages as you can think of. Conversely, what are the problems with not providing opportunities?
• 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:

• For some people, it might be challenging to know the best way to communicate with people who have disabilities. This guide offers some helpful tips: Communicating Effectively with People who Have a Disability
• Open Society Foundations is one of Training Café's financial supporters. Find out more about this organization here: Open Society Foundations

            

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!