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 2nd 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 ?
