LESSON PREMIERE EURO FRIDAY THE 18 TH OF SEPTEMBER

 

Lesson premiere euro Friday the 18 th of september

 

Goal : the cambridge

A debate = are you for or against the EU ?

WORD OF THE DAY :

THE RED TAPE ( la bureaucracy)

 The EU is known for its excessive red tape

THE STAPLES = the basic necessities

Ex : to survive we need the staples

STEP 1 RECAP ON THE EUROPEAN QUESTIONS  ASK AND ANSWER BACK AND FORTH

THE EU :

-         What does Europe mean to you ?

-         Do you consider yourself European ? Why ? Why not ?

-         What is the position of the UK as regards the EU ? Do you think this might change ?

-         Do you believe in the EU as a union that can challenge the USA ?

STEP 2 TRAINING TIME THE CAMBRIDGE CERTIFICATE

Part I: Key Word Transformations

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six words, including the word given.

Exercise 1

He always assumes that his mother will do his laundry.

GRANTED

• He takes ............................................................ that his mother will do his laundry.
• (to) take something for granted ( prendre qqchose pour argent comptant)
• He takes for granted that his mother will do the laundry

Exercise 2

You must not press this button under any circumstances.

NO

• Under ............................................................ press this button.
• Expression : under no circumstances + shall + sujet ( ( sous aucune occasion ne devrez vous ….
• Under no circumstances shall you press this button  

Exercise 3

She is gradually accepting the fact that she didn't get the dream job.

TERMS

• She is gradually ............................................................ not getting her dream job.
• Come to term with ( accepter le fait que )
• She is gradually coming to terms with not getting her dream job

Exercise 4

As soon as I arrived at the station, the train left.

SOONER

• No sooner  HAD i arrived ...........at ................................................. the station than the train left.
• NO sooner HAD + sujet + participe passé ( pas plus tôt) + PAST PERFECT car contexte passé donc no sonner est suivi d une action antérieure à l autre action donc elle est au PAST perfect

Exercise 5

The company is very close to declaring bankruptcy.

VERGE

• The company is ON THE VERGE OF declaring bankrupcy ............................................................ ON THE VERGE OF ( sur le point de) + ing / nom  car of est une préposition et après une préposition on met  un nom ou un verbe transformé en nom par ing

Exercise 6

The film did not meet our expectations at all.

SHORT

• The film . fell short of our expectations ........................................................... our expectations.
• FALL SHORT OF ( ne pas répondre aux attentes )+ nom / ing 

Exercise 7

You really ought to start studying seriously for your exams.

HIGH

• It is .HIGH TIME YOU started  ........................................................... studying seriously for your exams.
• It is high time ( il est grand temps que ) + un irréel = past simple / preterit

Exercise 8

The heavy rain made it impossible for us to play tennis.

PREVENTED

• The heavy rain .prevented us from playing tennis.
• (to) prevent someone from ( empécher qq de ) + nom ou ing
• Exercise 9

They barely have enough money to pay for their basic living expenses.

ENDS

• They struggle to make ends meet ............................................................ on their current salary.
• (to) make ends meet ( joindre les deux bouts)

Exercise 10

You should remember that the weather can change quickly in the mountains.

BEAR

• You should bear in mind  that the weather can change quickly in the mountains.
• (to) bear in mind that ( garder à l’esprit que )

STEP 3 SHOULD WE STAY IN THE EU ?  interaction with  a grade

THE CONS

1. Loss of National Sovereignty

. Critics argue that this takes away a nation's sovereignty (the power to govern itself),

2. The "Democratic Deficit"

Many people feel that the EU is undemocratic. The European Commission, which proposes new laws, consists of appointed officials rather than leaders directly elected by the citizens.

3. High Membership Costs

To be a member of the EU, countries must contribute a significant amount of money to the central budget every year

4. Rigid Regulations and Bureaucracy

The EU is famous for its strict rules and paperwork (often called red tape).

5. Concerns Over Free Movement

While the free movement of people is a core benefit for many, critics argue it puts pressure on public services like healthcare, housing, and education in wealthier countries. It can also lead to a "brain drain" in poorer member states,

6. Lack of Control Over Currency

Countries that use the Euro cannot control their own monetary policy (like setting interest rates or printing their own money).

7. Expensive Financial Bailouts

During economic crises, wealthier eurozone countries have had to provide massive financial lifelines (bailouts) to struggling nations. Taxpayers in countries like Germany or the Netherlands have argued that it is unfair to pay for the financial mistakes of other governments.

8. Damage to Local Industries

Local workers often complain that these rules favor big industrial operations and destroy traditional, local livelihoods.

9. Border Control Issues

The Schengen Agreement allows passport-free travel across most of the EU. Critics argue that this makes it much harder for individual nations to control illegal immigration

10. Threat to National Identity

Some critics worry that the EU's push for European integration dilutes unique national cultures and traditions.

Vocabulary Tip for B2 Students: > * Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself.

• Red tape: (bureacracy inutile)
• Brain drain: ( la fuite des cerveaux)
• Bailout: (sauvetage financier)

 

EXTRA EXPRESSIONS  thanks to the participants

THE CONS

 The eu puts too much pressure on our industry

We should have our own currency

There are too many member countries so there is no way we could be united.

We would make a better use of our money if we were on our own and not part of the eu

Inequalities are rising despite the EU.So one might ask where the money is going .

So i am definitely a eurosceptic

THE PROS

Belonging to the EU favors our economic growth .

Thanks to the EU we managed to put wars and conflicts behind us.

It brought peace and made us financially stronger

Without the EU our economy would plummet.

Ukraine is a case in point = is an illustration of that

And the Eu helps us bail out = pay our debts in case of a financial crisis

 

HOMEWORK

Test for the 2^nd of october

1.Etre capable décrie un paragraphe de 10 lignes répondant aux questions sur l europe étudiée le 11 septembre ( cf blog )

2. etre capable d’écrire un paragraphe de minimum 5 lignes  pour répondre à la question : should France leave the EU ?