Class Debates Can Make Students Become More Politically Involved

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. political / pəˈlɪt ɪ kəl / (adj.) – concerning politics

Example: The class discussed the country’s current political issues.

2. debate / dɪˈbeɪt / (n.) – a discussion between people with different opinions

Example: Many articulate students participated in the debate.

3. informed / ɪnˈfɔrmd / (adj.) – having the knowledge about something

Example: We need to have an informed decision on whom to vote for in next year’s election.

4. participate / pɑrˈtɪs əˌpeɪt / (v.) – to take part in doing something

Example: Many young adults no longer want to participate in discussing politics.

5. equipped / ɪˈkwɪpt / (adj.) – being ready or having what is needed for a particular activity

Example: Gerald is equipped to run for school president.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A study suggests that discussing political issues in the classroom encourages students to become more politically involved.  The University of Edinburgh [ED-n-bur-uh] surveyed 800 students for the said study. Half of the students were from Scotland, while the other half were from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Results of the study showed that classroom debates influenced the attitudes of 16 to 17-year-old students toward politics. Students from Scotland, who took classes that discussed politics, had a tendency to find politics easier to understand. Results also showed that the Scottish youth were more politically informed than the youth from other parts of the United Kingdom. In fact, the study found that 67% of the Scottish students would want to vote in the general election, while only 39% from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland wanted to do so. Among the Scottish students, 57% were willing to participate in non-electoral political activities, as compared with 40% from other parts of the United Kingdom. The survey also revealed that 63% of the students from Scotland and 39% from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland had discussed the UK government with their families. Other than being politically engaged, a study by the Virginia Commonwealth University found that taking part in debate leagues has other benefits for students. Among these advantages are having better grades, having a higher chance of graduating from high school, and being better equipped for college. According to Alfred Snider from the University of Vermont, debating also helps students improve their critical thinking skills, how they express their ideas, and how they interact with other people. Also, debaters tend to be better leaders, as they can communicate well.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A 

·         Do you agree that students should be more involved in political issues? Why or why not?

·         Why do you think class debates make students become more politically involved?

Discussion B

·         What can be the advantages of being politically involved at a young age?

·         How can we encourage students to become more involved in politics?

MERS Outbreak Hurts South Korea’s Economy

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. susceptible / səˈsɛp tə bəl / (adj.) – prone or at risk of getting affected by something

Example: The recession makes small businesses susceptible to bankruptcy.

2. outbreak / ˈaʊtˌbreɪk / (n.) – a sudden spread of a disease

Example: Many people were hospitalized because of the dengue outbreak.

3. heighten / ˈhaɪt n / (v.) – to intensify or to increase the extent of something

Example: The campaign helped heighten my awareness about malaria.

4. quarantine / ˈkwɔr ənˌtin / (n.) – the time when an animal or a person is kept in a confined area for having an infectious disease

Example: All patients are now under quarantine.

5. pace / peɪs / (n.) – how fast or slow something happens

Example: The number of patients is decreasing at a very slow pace.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in South Korea has affected the country’s economy. MERS, a respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, was first recorded in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It first hit South Korea in May this year, when an infected 68-year-old man came back from a trip to Saudi Arabia. People with weak immune systems are susceptible to this disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated. The Bank of Korea is concerned about how this viral respiratory illness has affected South Korea’s economy, the fourth largest economy in Asia. The outbreak of MERS in the country has resulted in a decline in exports, as well as slower business and consumer spending. Restaurants also have fewer customers because of the outbreak, while stores and retailers experience lower sales. The MERS outbreak has also greatly affected South Korea’s tourism, with more than 100,000 visitors canceling their trips to the country as of the first week of June. This epidemic also forced South Korea to temporarily shut down more than 1,000 schools and heighten airport security.   In June, there were already 15 deaths caused by MERS in South Korea. More than 145 people were diagnosed with the disease, while almost 5,000 people were under quarantine. The WHO warned that more cases will be recorded in the coming days, as the outbreak is spreading at a fast pace. Despite this, South Korean president Park Geun-hye [GOON-he] urges businesses to keep all investment and production activities running. This is to guarantee that consumer spending will continue, thus ensuring the circulation of money in the country.

[UPDATE]: The South Korean government has declared that the MERS outbreak is over.

Source: http://www.wsj.com/articles/south-korea-mers-outbreak-is-over-government-says-1438052856

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Aside from those mentioned in the article, how else do you think the MERS outbreak can affect South Korea?

·         What else can South Korea do to prevent this outbreak from affecting its economy?

Discussion B

·         Do you think South Korea will be able to improve its economy after the MERS outbreak has ended? Why or why not?

·         How can outbreaks be prevented?

Philippine President Speaks about Japan-Philippines Relationship

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. ally / ˈæl aɪ / (n.) – a person or group that is committed to help another party in any way

Example: The country has several allies.

2. bilateral / baɪˈlæt ər əl / (adj.) – referring to anything that involves two parties

Example: The two countries agreed on a bilateral trade.

3. generous / ˈdʒɛn ər əs / (adj.) – giving more than what is needed

Example: The government is generous in providing aid to the poor.

4. dispute / dɪˈspyut / (n.) – a disagreement between two or more parties

Example: There has been an ongoing dispute between the two countries.

5. diplomatic / ˌdɪp ləˈmæt ɪk / (adj.) – concerning the ways of keeping the good relations of governments or countries

Example: The government wants to improve its diplomatic relations with its allies.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

During his state visit in Japan, Philippine President Benigno Aquino [ah-KEE-noh] III spoke about the Japan-Philippines relations. President Aquino delivered the speech during the Nikkei 21st International Conference on the Future of Asia held on June 3, 2015 at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo. During his speech, President Aquino emphasized how Japan has become one of the Philippines’ largest trading partners and loyal allies. The Philippine president reported that in 2014, the two countries had bilateral trade that amounted to $19.1 billion. The president also mentioned how a number of Japanese companies and brands have already become a part of the lives of Filipinos. Among these brands are Uniqlo, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and Honda. In his speech, President Aquino shared that Japan has been very generous, especially when it comes to helping improve the Philippines’ transportation system and environmental initiatives. Japan also lends the Philippines a helping hand in promoting peace in Mindanao [min-duh-NOU]. President Aquino also thanked Japan for its continuous support as the Philippines faces territorial dispute with China. Japan and the Philippines officially became diplomatic allies in 1956. Since then, Japan has been supporting the Philippines by granting the Official Development Assistance (ODA). Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) has also been helping the Philippines in times of natural disasters. Currently, the two countries have plans to improve their security partnership. But aside from this, Japan and the Philippines also have a bilateral cooperation that focuses on a wide range of issues concerning trade and economic, socio-cultural and labor matters.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Why do you think Japan and the Philippines have maintained strong ties?

·         How can the relationship between the two countries be strengthened further?

Discussion B

·         What do you think makes a country a good ally?

·         If you could choose allies for your country, what countries would you consider? Please explain your answer.

Exploring the Ocean Now Easier through Google Ocean Street View

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. explore / ɪkˈsplɔr / (v.) – to travel to discover or learn something about a place

Example: Some scuba divers are paid to explore the ocean.

2. direction / dɪˈrɛk ʃən / (n.) – the path where something moves or goes

Example: The ship went in the wrong direction.

3. dive / daɪv / (v.) – to swim underwater, especially at a deeper level

Example: He dives twice a day to observe corals.

4. awareness / əˈwɛər nɪs / (n.) – the state of being informed about a certain matter

Example: The non-profit organization aims to promote awareness about the state of the ocean.

5. vital / ˈvaɪt l / (adj.) – referring to something that is very important

Example: Swimming is a vital skill to learn.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Google’s Ocean Street View now allows people to explore the ocean without leaving their homes. Google launched this feature in 2012. The photos on the Ocean Street View are from the Catlin [KAT-lin] Seaview Survey, the US National Oceanic [oh-shee-AN-ik] and Atmospheric Administration, and the Chagos [CHA-guh s] Conservation Trust. Recently, Google added over 40 new underwater locations to this feature. To get images for this feature, divers use cameras with wider-angle lenses. The device they use contains three cameras that capture photos from different directions every three seconds. To control the device, divers use a tablet. For every two kilometers, divers take around 3,000 to 4,000 shots for each camera. Divers stay underwater for about an hour and dive three times a day. Currently, a system that can take pictures without the help of divers and can stay underwater for more than 12 hours is already available. However, the system still needs to be modified, as the Ocean Street View requires a special camera system. Should this system be ready, Google would be able to easily collect underwater photos. Google created this feature to promote awareness about the ocean. Google’s spokesperson told TechCrunch, a technology news website, that Google will do what it can to help preserve the ocean using its advanced technology. Google specifically pledged to help monitor and document the changes happening in the oceans due to worsening climate change, one of most vital environmental issues today.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you think Google will succeed in promoting awareness about the ocean through the Ocean Street View? Why or why not?

·         How do you think the Ocean Street View can be useful?

Discussion B

·         Why is it important to promote awareness about the ocean?

·         Do you think oceans will still be “healthy” decades from now? Why or why not?