NEL 2 – UNIT 18.1 – CAN WE PLEASE AVOID DISCUSSING POLITICS?
Paul: Did you see the politicians expect to raise taxes again.
Bob: Really? What does the government decide to spend our money on now?
Paul: They’re planning to build a stronger military.
Cheryl: It’s wrong to spend so much on the military.
Marie: They should spend it on education instead.
Cheryl: Can we please avoid discussing politics?
Marie: Why?
Cheryl: Every time we began talking about politics, people get mad each other.
Bob: They should spend more money on fighting corruption. If they were able to stop corrupt officials,maybe they wouldn’t need to raise our taxes.
Paul: That’s true. But I think we need to spend more money on the military. Without a strong military, the world won’t be very safe.
Marie: That’s one way to look at it, but maybe the world would be safer and better if we try to eliminate poverty.
Bob: What do you think, Cheryl?
Cheryl: I think that if I say what I really think, you’ll get all mad and call me crazy or ridiculous.
Marie: Cheryl, don’t be so afraid. We’re only talking.
Cheryl: I think that the government should spend more money on cooking schools.
Marie: What?
Cheryl: Most people don’t know how to cook well. I think the government should help teach them.
Marie: That’s ridiculous!
Bob: Are you crazy?
Paul: Use our taxes to pay for cooking?
Cheryl: Of course not. But look at you! You’re all mad at me. This is why I never discuss politics with friends but don’t let me stop you from getting mad at each other.
1.Pronunciation (7 mins)
– Role play: Teacher and student take turn to read
– Listen and repeat: Student repeats after the teacher
2.Vocabulary Check (7 mins)
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What do your parents expect the most from you?
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What is the definition of taxes?
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What is the function of taxes?
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What is the name of the highest position in Vietnamese’s government?
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Are you interested in politics or military?
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Do you usually get mad? If yes, with whom?
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What can you do to eliminate your anger?
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Corruption is good or bad? Why?
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What is your opinion about the safety in the world now?
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Do you think there are a lot of policies on reducing poverty in Vietnam?
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3.Comprehension Check-up (7 mins)
Do you know any government policies in Vietnam?
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Can you name some featured policies? Which one do you agree and disagree most?
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The government believes that people and businesses have to pay a lot of taxes. What is your opinion on this? Why is it necessary to pay taxes?
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There is chaos in the world now. Do you think that all countries should enhance their own military power?
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List 5 policies that you want your government to spend time and money on addressing.
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4.Draw Connections ( 7 mins)
Do you often discuss government policies?
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How can you raise your voice toward a policy?
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What area do you think the government should spend more money on improving? (Education, military, public welfare, or business)
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Do you make people mad by discussing a certain topic?
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Avoiding discussion of government policies is good or bad? Why?
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There are plenty of poor people in the world, especially in Asia and Africa. What do you think the government should do to eliminate poverty?
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5.Homework
- Listen and repeat sentence by sentence at least20 times.
- Prepare the next lesson.
If you have any questions about this lesson you can ask your teacher.
NEL 2 – UNIT 18.2 – SCENE 2
Marie: Paul, I never knew you were so conservative.
Paul: I’m not conservative.
Marie: Sure you are. You always seem to want things to be just like they used to be.
Paul: That’s not conservative. That’s just smart.
Bob: Thanks.
Marie: That’s the definition of conservative.
Paul: Really? Well, I didn’t know you were so radical.
Marie: What makes you think I’m radical?
Paul: You always want to change everything.
Marie: No, I don’t. I just want our government to realize that it’s the 21st century, and they need new ways of doing things.
Thank you.
Paul: That sounds radical to me.
Marie: Bob, tell him I’m not a radical.
Bob: She’s not a radical. She’s a liberal, like me.
Marie: I wouldn’t call you a liberal.
Bob: Oh really.
Marie: I’d say you’re more of a moderate. You’re always in the middle.
Bob: If I want to be a liberal, I’ll be a liberal. Thank you, honey.
Marie: You can be whatever you want. You just can’t be one thing and call it something else.
Paul: Listen to you. You’re like a little dictator.
Marie: I studied politics in school. I know something about the definition of political beliefs.
Paul: Is that so? So, what is Cheryl? A radical? Moderate? Conservative?
Marie: Who knows? She’s not saying.
Paul: Cheryl, what are you? Would you mind telling us that much?
Cheryl: Ok. You want to know what I believe? I believe. I believe. I believe these are the best chips I have ever tasted.
1.Pronunciation (7 mins)
– Role play: Teacher and student take turn to read
– Listen and repeat: Student repeats after the teacher
2.Vocabulary Check (7 mins)
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Are you a conservative? When do we need to remain silent?
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How do smart people express themselves? How do they look?
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Tell me the definition of belief. Do you believe in God?
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Do you consider yourself to be a radical person? Why or why not?
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When do you realize you need to change yourself?
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Who is the most liberal person in your family?
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If you are a moderate, will you be in the middle?
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Who is the most famous dictator in the world? Was he born in Germany?
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3.Comprehension Check-up (7 mins)
Who said Paul is conservative?
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Tell me the definition of a conservative person based on Marie’s opinion.
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How does Paul respond to Marie after her explaination? What does he say about himself?
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What does Marie want their government to just do?
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What does Marie ask Bob to say to Paul?
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Bob considers himself to be a liberal, doesn’t he?
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Why is Paul so mad at Marie? What does he say to her?
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Who studied politics at school? What does she know?
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What does Cheryl believe?
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4.Draw Connections ( 7 mins)
What do you want to discuss most when you are with your friends? Why?
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Is the military power of Vietnam strong now?
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Does Vietnam spend too much time and money on the military?
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Do you believe and support all policies from the government?
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What do you think about being a politician? Is it interesting?
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What should the Vietnamese government spend money on today? Why?
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Which one is more important, education or public welfare?
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5.Homework
- Listen and repeat sentence by sentence at least20 times.
- Prepare the next lesson.
If you have any questions about this lesson you can ask your teacher.