Content with language: activity

Learning

Lead-in

The EU is an international organisation of sovereign unitary states. The USA is a federation.

  • Compare and contrast these two quite different forms of government.


European integration: Yes

Visit the website How is the EU relevant to your daily life?

  • Learn about free movement, travelling, working & studying, medical treatment, water quality, and clear air.


Study the speech by President Barroso: A new narrative for Europe.

  • Barroso claims that Europe has a soul and that Europeans, especially young Europeans, will have to learn to trust the EU again. Why would he say that?

Make notes for further reference.

European integration: No

Study the Manifesto for Sovereignty, Democracy and Self-Determination.

  • The authors of this text maintain that they oppose the EU because they love Europe. What do they mean by that?

Make notes for further reference.

Which direction?

Study the seven possible scenarios for Europe.

  • What is your position? Explain.

Make notes for further reference.

The proposition:

"We will need to move towards a federation of nation states."

― European Commission President José Manuel Barroso (2012)

Writing convincingly

Writing a good text is always challenging and time-consuming. Do not worry if you have to rewrite your speeches several times. That is how you learn.

Do like this:

  1. Download the debate speech template and save two copies on your computer.

  2. Draft your government speech.

    • Follow the structure given. Go section by section.

    • First study the step-by-step instructions in each section. Then overwrite them with your text.

    • Always start with an outline. Make sure each section includes relevant content.

    • Next, go sentence by sentence, then paragraph by paragraph.

    • Finally, write a full, cohesive text.

    • Make sure the text is not too intricate for you to deliver. Make any adjustments needed.

  3. Draft your opposition speech

    • Follow the same procedure.

  4. Seek feedback from your English teacher and your fellow students.

  5. Practise, practise, practise.

Lead-out

Evaluate your progress.

  1. How do you feel about the EU now that you have argued for and against more integration?

  2. What would you say to President Barroso almost a decade past his speech?

  3. Is it possible to convince the opponents of the EU to change their mind? Why? Why not?