Euro politicians told to stop speaking English

Euro politicians told to stop speaking English (8th February, 2016)

The Reading / Listening - Level 4

The European Parliament has asked politicians to speak more slowly and to use their own language instead of English. Many interpreters are having problems because politicians are speaking too fast. In addition, politicians who use English and not their native language make things more difficult for translators. A spokesman for the parliament said: "If the politicians speak a foreign language, the quality of interpretation goes down."

The European Parliament has 24 official languages. It employs around 330 interpreters to make sure everyone understands each other. There are an additional 1,800 freelancers. If everyone had to use their native language, only British politicians could speak English. Many politicians like to use English so they do not confuse people with many interpreters. The parliament spends $50 million a year on interpreters.

Try the same news story at these levels:

Level 5 or Level 6

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35501198
https://euobserver.com/institutional/132136
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/641484/Stop-speaking-ENGLISH-it-s-driving-us-CRAZY-MEPs-told

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 Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.	use their own language	a.	for the parliament
2.	Many interpreters are	b.	instead of English
3.	politicians are speaking too	c.	goes down
4.	native	d.	having problems
5.	make things more difficult	e.	a foreign language
6.	A spokesman	f.	fast
7.	the politicians speak	g.	for translators
8.	the quality of interpretation	h.	language

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

See a sample

PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.	The European Parliament has	a.	freelancers
2.	It employs around	b.	to use English
3.	make sure everyone	c.	year on interpreters
4.	There are an additional 1,800	d.	330 interpreters
5.	If everyone had to	e.	people
6.	Many politicians like	f.	24 official languages
7.	confuse	g.	use their native language
8.	The parliament spends $50 million a	h.	understands each other

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

The European Parliament has asked politicians to (1) __________________ and to use their (2) ___________________ of English. Many interpreters are having problems because politicians are (3) ___________________. In addition, politicians who use English (4) ___________________ native language (5) ___________________ difficult for translators. A spokesman for the parliament said: "If the politicians (6) ___________________ language, the quality of interpretation goes down."

The European Parliament has 24 (7) ___________________. It employs around 330 interpreters (8) ___________________ everyone understands each other. There (9) ___________________ 1,800 freelancers. If everyone (10) ___________________ native language, only British politicians could speak English. Many politicians like to use English (11) ___________________ confuse people with many interpreters. The parliament spends (12) ___________________ on interpreters.

INTERPRETERS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about interpreters 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.

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

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

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about interpreters for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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