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Europe under fire for refugee policy (22nd April, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the European Union (EU) to act immediately on the refugee situation in the Mediterranean Sea. The call follows the latest tragedy that saw at least 700 migrants perish in an attempt to flee from their troubled homelands and reach Europe. This brings the death toll to over 1,000 in the past week. HRW spokesperson Judith Sunderland said: "The EU is standing by with arms crossed while hundreds die off its shores. These deaths might well have been prevented if the EU had launched a genuine search-and-rescue effort." Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi singled out Libya as the key problem and said efforts should focus on refugee boats leaving Libyan ports.

The 28-member EU is under fire from within over its policy to scale down efforts to save lives at sea. Divisions began last year when the EU cut its search-and-rescue budget by two-thirds. Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, said: "Europe can do more and Europe must do more. It is a shame and a confession of failure how many countries run away from responsibility." Maltese PM Joseph Muscat warned: "We will all be judged in the same way that history has judged Europe when it turned a blind eye to the genocide of this century and last century." Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy said: "This is the umpteenth time we hear of yet another human tragedy in the Mediterranean….Words won't do any more."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/04/19/eu-mediterranean-deaths-warrant-crisis-response
http://www.dw.de/eu-refugee-policies-come-under-fire-amid-mediterranean-migrant-disaster/a-18392848
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32376082

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. REFUGEES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about refugees. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

act / immediately/ refugee / tragedy / flee / homelands / arms crossed / rescue / under fire / divisions / budget / shame / turn a blind eye / last century / umpteenth

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. HELP: Wow can the following help in the crisis in the Mediterranean? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What it should do	Problems with this
The UN
Italy
The USA
Libya
The EU
Your country

4. MIGRATION: Students A strongly believe migration is good for the world; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. MIGRANTS: Rank these with your partner. Put who can help most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• the EU

• Italy

• the USA

• Libya

• The Arab League

• Turkey

• the migrants' own nation

• Germany

6. RESCUE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "rescue". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	The article says UNICEF has called on the EU to help refugees.	T / F
b.	A human rights group said the EU had its arms crossed.	T / F
c.	The group said the deaths were preventable.	T / F
d.	Italy's leader suggested the focus be put on boats leaving Libyan ports.	T / F
e.	The EU cut its search-and-rescue budget by over 2/3 last year.	T / F
f.	The European Parliament president said Europe was doing enough.	T / F
g.	The president said no EU country was shirking its responsibility.	T / F
h.	Spain's leader said more talking was needed.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	act	a.	embarrassment
2.	perish	b.	stopped
3.	flee	c.	take measures
4.	prevented	d.	inside
5.	focus on	e.	ignored
6.	within	f.	die
7.	shame	g.	admission
8.	confession	h.	pay attention to
9.	turned a blind eye	i.	still
10.	yet	j.	escape

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	act	a.	down efforts
2.	in an attempt to	b.	boats
3.	standing by with arms	c.	within
4.	singled	d.	immediately
5.	refugee	e.	a blind eye
6.	The 28-member EU is under fire from	f.	flee
7.	scale	g.	responsibility
8.	cut its search-and-	h.	crossed
9.	run away from	i.	rescue budget
10.	it turned	j.	out Libya

GAP FILL

The organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the European Union (EU) to (1) ____________ immediately on the refugee situation in the Mediterranean Sea. The call follows the (2) ____________ tragedy that saw at least 700 migrants perish in an attempt to (3) ____________ from their troubled homelands and reach Europe. This brings the death (4) ____________ to over 1,000 in the past week. HRW spokesperson Judith Sunderland said: "The EU is standing by with (5) ____________ crossed while hundreds die off its shores. These deaths might well have been (6) ____________ if the EU had launched a genuine search-and-rescue effort." Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (7) ____________ out Libya as the key problem and said efforts should (8) ____________ on refugee boats leaving Libyan ports.

flee
latest
prevented
arms
focus
act
singled
toll

The 28-member EU is under fire from (9) ____________ over its policy to (10) ____________ down efforts to save lives at sea. Divisions began last year when the EU cut its search-and-rescue (11) ____________ by two-thirds. Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, said: "Europe can do more and Europe must do more. It is a (12) ____________ and a (13) ____________ of failure how many countries run away from (14) ____________." Maltese PM Joseph Muscat warned: "We will all be judged in the same way that history has judged Europe when it turned a (15) ____________ eye to the genocide of this century and last century." Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy said: "This is the (16) ____________ time we hear of yet another human tragedy in the Mediterranean….Words won't do any more."

budget
shame
responsibility
scale
umpteenth
within
blind
confession

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	perish in an attempt to flee from their ______
	a. troubles homelands b. travelled homelands c. troubled homelands d. trebled homelands
2)	This brings the death ______ 1,000
	a. poll to over b. toll to over c. doll to over d. toil to over
3)	The EU is standing by with arms crossed while hundreds ______
	a. die of its shores b. die off its shores c. die often its shores d. die oft its shores
4)	might well have been prevented if the EU had launched a genuine search-______
	a. and-rescue efforts b. and-rescue effect c. and-rescue affect d. and-rescue effort
5)	Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi singled out Libya as ______
	a. the key problem b. the quay problem c. the keys problem d. the quays problem
6)	The 28-member EU is under fire from within over its policy to ______
	a. scale up efforts b. scale down efforts c. scale town efforts d. scaled down efforts
7)	the EU cut its search-and-rescue budget ______
	a. by three-thirds b. by two-third c. by two-thirds d. by tooth-thirds
8)	It is a shame and a confession of failure how many countries ______ responsibility
	a. runaway from b. runner way from c. run away from d. run a way from
9)	history has judged Europe when it ______
	a. turned a blind ear b. turned a blind air c. turned a blind aye d. turned a blind eye
10)	This is the ______ we hear of yet another human tragedy
	a. fourteenth time b. thirteenth time c. umpteenth time d. fifteenth time

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) (1) ___________________ European Union (EU) to act immediately on the refugee situation in the Mediterranean Sea. The call follows (2) ___________________ that saw at least 700 migrants perish in an attempt to flee from their troubled homelands and reach Europe. This brings (3) ___________________ over 1,000 in the past week. HRW spokesperson Judith Sunderland said: "The EU is standing by (4) ___________________ while hundreds die off its shores. These deaths might well have been prevented if the EU had launched a (5) ___________________-rescue effort." Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi singled out Libya as the key problem and said (6) ___________________ on refugee boats leaving Libyan ports.

The 28-member EU (7) ___________________ within over its policy to scale down efforts to save lives at sea. Divisions began last year when the EU cut its search-and-rescue (8) ___________________-thirds. Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, said: "Europe can do more and Europe must do more. It is (9) ___________________ confession of failure how many countries (10) ___________________ responsibility." Maltese PM Joseph Muscat warned: "We will all be judged in the same way that history has judged Europe when it turned (11) ___________________ genocide of this century and last century." Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy said: "This is the umpteenth time (12) ___________________ another human tragedy in the Mediterranean….Words won't do any more."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What is the name of the organisation calling on the EU to act?
2.	Where were the refugees fleeing from?
3.	What did a human rights spokesperson say the EU had crossed?
4.	What did a human rights group say could have stopped this tragedy?
5.	On which ports did Italy's leader say we needed to focus?
6.	What were created last year in the 28-member EU?
7.	By how much did the EU cut the search-and-rescue budget?
8.	Who is Joseph Muscat?
9.	What word did a leader use that that functions like an ordinal number?
10.	What did Spain's leader suggest we have had enough of?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What is the name of the organisation calling on the EU to act?	6.	What were created last year in the 28-member EU?
	a) Watch Human Rights b) Rights Watch Human c) Human Rights Watch d) Human Watch Rights		a) rescue teams b) divisions c) rules d) laws
2.	Where were the refugees fleeing from?	7.	By how much did the EU cut the search-and-rescue budget?
	a) their homelands b) an earthquake c) soldiers d) economic misery		a) two-thirds b) three-quarters c) four-fifths d) nine-tenths
3.	What did a human rights spokesperson say the EU had crossed?	8.	Who is Joseph Muscat?
	a) arms b) legs c) fingers d) toes		a) a human rights spokesperson b) a refugee c) the leader of Malta d) the head of the UN's agency for refugees
4.	What did a human rights group say could have stopped this tragedy?	9.	What word did a leader use that that functions like an ordinal number?
	a) U.N. peacekeepers b) a search-and-rescue effort c) nothing d) favourable weather		a) colocynth b) labyrinth c) plinth d) umpteenth
5.	On which ports did Italy's leader say we needed to focus?	10.	What did Spain's leader suggest we have had enough of?
	a) Syria's b) Somalia's c) Italy's d) Libya's		a) words b) wars c) promises d) bad seas

ROLE PLAY

Role A – The EU

You think the EU is the best-positioned to deal with the refugee crisis. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries / organisations aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst-equipped of these (and why): the USA, the Arab League or the United Nations.

Role B – The USA

You think the USA is the best-positioned to deal with the refugee crisis. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries / organisations aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst-equipped of these (and why): the EU, the United Nations or the Arab League.

Role C – The Arab League

You think the Arab League is the best-positioned to deal with the refugee crisis. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries / organisations aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst-equipped of these (and why): the USA, the EU or the United Nations.

Role D – The United Nations

You think the United Nations is the best-positioned to deal with the refugee crisis. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their countries / organisations aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst-equipped of these (and why): the USA, the Arab League or the EU.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'refugee' and 'situation'.

refugee

situation

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

act
700
toll
arms
genuine
focus

over
cut
more
away
eye
yet

REFUGEES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about refugees in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

REFUGEES DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'refugee'?
3)	What do you know about the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean?
4)	Why are there so many refugees in the world?
5)	What would it be like to have to flee from your homeland?
6)	What should the European Union do from now?
7)	Do you think the EU is doing enough?
8)	Should more resources be used to stop boats from leaving Libya?
9)	What levels of immigration should the EU accept?
10)	Should countries outside Europe also take in the refugees?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Why is the EU under fire?
13)	What do you think each side of the EU is arguing for and against?
14)	How big a shame for Europe is it that it cut its budget?
15)	How will the world and history judge Europe over this issue?
16)	To what degree is Europe turning a blind eye?
17)	How can the world help countries from which refugees are fleeing?
18)	What would you do if you were the EU boss?
19)	What do you think the situation will be like 10 years from now?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the EU's boss?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called (1) ____ the European Union (EU) to act (2) ____ on the refugee situation in the Mediterranean Sea. The call follows the latest tragedy that saw at least 700 migrants perish (3) ____ an attempt to flee from their troubled homelands and reach Europe. This brings the death (4) ____ to over 1,000 in the past week. HRW spokesperson Judith Sunderland said: "The EU is standing by with arms crossed while hundreds die off its (5) ____. These deaths might well have been prevented if the EU had launched a genuine search-and-rescue effort." Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (6) ____ out Libya as the key problem and said efforts should focus on refugee boats leaving Libyan ports.

The 28-member EU is under fire from (7) ____ over its policy to scale down efforts to save lives at sea. Divisions began last year when the EU cut its search-and-rescue budget (8) ____ two-thirds. Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, said: "Europe can do more and Europe must do more. It is a shame and a confession (9) ____ failure how many countries run away from responsibility." Maltese PM Joseph Muscat warned: "We will all be judged in the same way that history has judged Europe when it turned a (10) ____ eye to the genocide of this century and (11) ____ century." Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy said: "This is the umpteenth time we hear of yet another human tragedy in the Mediterranean….Words won't (12) ____ any more."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	as	(b)	in	(c)	up	(d)	on
2.	(a)	immediateness	(b)	immediacy	(c)	immediate	(d)	immediately
3.	(a)	of	(b)	in	(c)	as	(d)	for
4.	(a)	poll	(b)	foil	(c)	toll	(d)	toil
5.	(a)	shears	(b)	shares	(c)	shores	(d)	shires
6.	(a)	singled	(b)	doubled	(c)	tripled	(d)	quadrupled
7.	(a)	without	(b)	within	(c)	wither	(d)	with
8.	(a)	by	(b)	of	(c)	as	(d)	at
9.	(a)	to	(b)	of	(c)	from	(d)	for
10.	(a)	blue	(b)	shut	(c)	blind	(d)	glass
11.	(a)	past	(b)	20th	(c)	last	(d)	the
12.	(a)	speak	(b)	be	(c)	have	(d)	do

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	act tliayideemm
2.	the latest eartdyg
3.	psrieh in an attempt to flee
4.	off its erssoh
5.	might well have been eeedvpntr
6.	launched a nieguen search-and-rescue effort
Paragraph 2
7.	its pciyol to scale down efforts
8.	cut its search-and-rescue tdeubg
9.	a ifnnocoess of failure
10.	We will all be gdedju in the same way
11.	turned a blind eye to the gcnioede
12.	This is the tthpeneum time

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	judged Europe when it turned a blind eye to the genocide of this century and last century." Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy
( )	The 28-member EU is under fire from within over its policy to scale down efforts to save
( )	do more. It is a shame and a confession of failure how many countries run away from
( 1 )	The organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the European Union (EU) to act
( )	said: "This is the umpteenth time we hear of yet another human tragedy in the Mediterranean….Words won't do any more."
( )	lives at sea. Divisions began last year when the EU cut its search-and-rescue budget by two-
( )	out Libya as the key problem and said efforts should focus on refugee boats leaving Libyan ports.
( )	reach Europe. This brings the death toll to over 1,000 in the past week. HRW spokesperson Judith Sunderland said:
( )	"The EU is standing by with arms crossed while hundreds die off its shores. These deaths might well have been
( )	least 700 migrants perish in an attempt to flee from their troubled homelands and
( )	thirds. Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, said: "Europe can do more and Europe must
( )	immediately on the refugee situation in the Mediterranean Sea. The call follows the latest tragedy that saw at
( )	responsibility." Maltese PM Joseph Muscat warned: "We will all be judged in the same way that history has
( )	prevented if the EU had launched a genuine search-and-rescue effort." Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi singled

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	situation Act on refugee immediately the .
2.	flee from their troubled homelands Perish in an attempt to .
3.	been have well might deaths These prevented .
4.	singled key out problem Libya as Renzi the .
5.	leaving ports on boats refugee Efforts focus should Libyan .
6.	fire from - within The 28 member EU is under .
7.	down scale to policy Its sea at lives save to efforts .
8.	the all in way will judged same We be .
9.	this of genocide the to eye blind a turned It century .
10.	the umpteenth time we hear of yet another This is .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called in / on the European Union (EU) to act immediately on / by the refugee situation in the Mediterranean Sea. The call follows the latest tragedy that saw at least 700 migrants perished / perish in an attempt to flee from their troubled homelands and reached / reach Europe. This brings the death poll / toll to over 1,000 in the past week. HRW spokesperson Judith Sunderland said: "The EU is standing at / by with arms crossed while hundreds die off its shores / shares. These deaths might well have been prevents / prevented if the EU had launched a genuine search-and-rescue effort / effect." Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi singled out Libya as the lock / key problem and said efforts should focus on refugee boats leaving Libyan ports.

The 28-member EU is under / over fire from within over its policy to scale down efforts to save lives at / in sea. Divisions began last year when the EU cut its search-and-rescue budget by / as two-thirds. Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, said: "Europe can do more and Europe must do more. It is a shameful / shame and a confession of failure how many countries run away / out from responsibility." Maltese PM Joseph Muscat warned: "We will all be judged in the same / similar way that history has judged Europe when it turned a blind ear / eye to the genocide of this century and last century." Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy said: "This is the umpteenth / upturned time we hear of yet / but another human tragedy in the Mediterranean….Words won't be / do any more."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ _rg_n_s_t__n H_m_n R_ghts W_tch (HRW) h_s c_ll_d _n th_ __r_p__n _n__n (__) t_ _ct _mm_d__t_ly _n th_ r_f_g__ s_t__t__n _n th_ M_d_t_rr_n__n S__. Th_ c_ll f_ll_ws th_ l_t_st tr_g_dy th_t s_w _t l__st 700 m_gr_nts p_r_sh _n _n _tt_mpt t_ fl__ fr_m th__r tr__bl_d h_m_l_nds _nd r__ch __r_p_. Th_s br_ngs th_ d__th t_ll t_ _v_r 1,000 _n th_ p_st w__k. HRW sp_k_sp_rs_n J_d_th S_nd_rl_nd s__d: "Th_ __ _s st_nd_ng by w_th _rms cr_ss_d wh_l_ h_ndr_ds d__ _ff _ts sh_r_s. Th_s_ d__ths m_ght w_ll h_v_ b__n pr_v_nt_d _f th_ __ h_d l__nch_d _ g_n__n_ s__rch-_nd-r_sc__ _ff_rt." _t_l__n Pr_m_ M_n_st_r M_tt__ R_nz_ s_ngl_d __t L_by_ _s th_ k_y pr_bl_m _nd s__d _ff_rts sh__ld f_c_s _n r_f_g__ b__ts l__v_ng L_by_n p_rts.

Th_ 28-m_mb_r __ _s _nd_r f_r_ fr_m w_th_n _v_r _ts p_l_cy t_ sc_l_ d_wn _ff_rts t_ s_v_ l_v_s _t s__. D_v_s__ns b_g_n l_st y__r wh_n th_ __ c_t _ts s__rch-_nd-r_sc__ b_dg_t by tw_-th_rds. M_rt_n Sch_lz, pr_s_d_nt _f th_ __r_p__n P_rl__m_nt, s__d: "__r_p_ c_n d_ m_r_ _nd __r_p_ m_st d_ m_r_. _t _s _ sh_m_ _nd _ c_nf_ss__n _f f__l_r_ h_w m_ny c__ntr__s r_n _w_y fr_m r_sp_ns_b_l_ty." M_lt_s_ PM J_s_ph M_sc_t w_rn_d: "W_ w_ll _ll b_ j_dg_d _n th_ s_m_ w_y th_t h_st_ry h_s j_dg_d __r_p_ wh_n _t t_rn_d _ bl_nd _y_ t_ th_ g_n_c_d_ _f th_s c_nt_ry _nd l_st c_nt_ry." Sp_n_sh PM M_r__n_ R_j_y s__d: "Th_s _s th_ _mpt__nth t_m_ w_ h__r _f y_t _n_th_r h_m_n tr_g_dy _n th_ M_d_t_rr_n__n….W_rds w_n't d_ _ny m_r_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the organisation human rights watch (hrw) has called on the european union (eu) to act immediately on the refugee situation in the mediterranean sea the call follows the latest tragedy that saw at least 700 migrants perish in an attempt to flee from their troubled homelands and reach europe this brings the death toll to over 1000 in the past week hrw spokesperson judith sunderland said "the eu is standing by with arms crossed while hundreds die off its shores these deaths might well have been prevented if the eu had launched a genuine search-and-rescue effort" italian prime minister matteo renzi singled out libya as the key problem and said efforts should focus on refugee boats leaving libyan ports

the 28-member eu is under fire from within over its policy to scale down efforts to save lives at sea divisions began last year when the eu cut its search-and-rescue budget by two-thirds martin schulz president of the european parliament said "europe can do more and europe must do more it is a shame and a confession of failure how many countries run away from responsibility" maltese pm joseph muscat warned "we will all be judged in the same way that history has judged europe when it turned a blind eye to the genocide of this century and last century" spanish pm mariano rajoy said "this is the umpteenth time we hear of yet another human tragedy in the mediterranean…words won't do any more"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheorganisationHumanRightsWatch(HRW)hascalledontheEuropea
nUnion(EU)toactimmediatelyontherefugeesituationintheMediterran
eanSea.Thecallfollowsthelatesttragedythatsawatleast700migrants
perishinanattempttofleefromtheirtroubledhomelandsandreachEuro
pe.Thisbringsthedeathtolltoover1,000inthepastweek.HRWspokesp
ersonJudithSunderlandsaid:"TheEUisstandingbywitharmscrossedw
hilehundredsdieoffitsshores.Thesedeathsmightwellhavebeenpreve
ntediftheEUhadlaunchedagenuinesearch-and-rescueeffort."Ital
ianPrimeMinisterMatteoRenzisingledoutLibyaasthekeyproblemands
aideffortsshouldfocusonrefugeeboatsleavingLibyanports.The28-
memberEUisunderfirefromwithinoveritspolicytoscaledowneffortsto
savelivesatsea.DivisionsbeganlastyearwhentheEUcutitssearch-an
d-rescuebudgetbytwo-thirds.MartinSchulz,presidentoftheEuropea
nParliament,said:"EuropecandomoreandEuropemustdomore.Itisas
hameandaconfessionoffailurehowmanycountriesrunawayfromresp
onsibility."MaltesePMJosephMuscatwarned:"Wewillallbejudgedinth
esamewaythathistoryhasjudgedEuropewhenitturnedablindeyetoth
egenocideofthiscenturyandlastcentury."SpanishPMMarianoRajoysa
id:"Thisistheumpteenthtimewehearofyetanotherhumantragedyinth
eMediterranean….Wordswon'tdoanymore."

FREE WRITING

Write about refugees for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Europe should grant asylum to all refugees who cross the Mediterranean. Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about the refugees crossing the Mediterranean. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. REFUGEES: Make a poster about refugees. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. ASYLUM: Write a magazine article about the refugees. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against Europe granting asylum to all who cross the Mediterranean.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on refugees. Ask him/her three questions about the current situation. Give him/her three ideas on what more Europe can do. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	act	a.	take measures
2	perish	b.	die
3.	flee	c.	escape
4.	prevented	d.	stopped
5.	focus on	e.	pay attention to
6.	within	f.	inside
7.	shame	g.	embarrassment
8.	confession	h.	admission
9.	turned a blind eye	i.	ignored
10.	yet	j.	still

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Human Rights Watch
2.	Their homelands
3.	Its arms
4.	A search-and-rescue effort
5.	Libyan ports
6.	Divisions
7.	Two-thirds
8.	Malta's leader
9.	Umpteenth
10.	Words

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Europe under fire for refugee policy (22nd April, 2015)

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