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Make a Difference
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Make a Difference English, baby! Video Lesson
带来改变

Learn English with this activism English lesson

Date: Apr 30 2013

Themes: Soap Opera

Grammar: Modal Verbs

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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If you listen to the news or read the newspaper, you will surely find out about all the terrible things happening in the world. Wars are being fought. Children are going hungry. Animal species are going extinct. Sometimes it can be overwhelming.

But sometimes you find yourself getting angry, and that makes you want to take action. Yes, these terrible acts exist, but maybe you can do something to help stop them. Maybe there is some way that you can help out and make a difference in the world.

There are many ways to make a difference: writing letters to politicians, going to demonstrations, writing editorials for the newspaper, and more. Sometimes it can feel as if one person can’t do much, but it takes many individuals deciding to act to truly make a difference.

There is an issue that Greta feels strongly about, and she’s ready to try to make a difference. Find out more in this week’s activism English lesson.

如果你经常听新闻或读报纸,就一定会知道世界上正在发生的所有可怕的事。战争依然持续,孩子们正在挨饿,动物物种濒临灭绝。有时,这让人觉得无能为力。

但有时,你会感到愤怒,并想采取行动。没错,这些可怕的事情真实存在,但或许你可以做些什么来制止它们。或许你有办法让这个世界有所改变。

很多方法都可以带来改变:给政客写信、参加示威游行、为报纸写社论,等等。有时,你可能会觉得个人的力量非常渺小,但如果许多人齐心协力就能让改变真的发生。

最近,格里塔对一个问题产生了强烈的想法,准备尝试改变。在本周以行动主义为话题的英语课上,了解更多情况。

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Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Greta

Greta

Mason

Mason

Amanda

Amanda

Jeff

Jeff

Lily

Lily

Greta:  OK. I have an announcement to make.

Mason:  You got a date?

Greta:  No. No. For the moment, I have way more important and serious matters on my mind. I recently had the severe displeasure of discovering a horrific act that is taking place against harmless creatures. These creatures are small. They are cute. They live in very cold places, and travel many miles to carry their eggs around before they hatch (I don’t really know why they do that, I need to do a little bit more research on that part of the speech). But most importantly, these creatures have never done anything to hurt you or me. Yet, we insist on perpetuating what amounts to genocide against these poor, defenseless creatures, by plucking their delicate eyelashes from their cute little eyes. And I am here to say, “No more. Not in my name.” And I hope you will join me in saying, “Not in my name, either.”

Amanda:  So that last part was a little bit awkward. Should you say, “Not in your name?”

Jeff:  Isn’t it a little extreme to call it genocide?

Lily:  Well, actually, penguinpedia.org says…

Greta:  You guys are missing the point. I’m trying to do something good. I’m trying to make a difference.

Amanda:  Not to be rude, Greta, but why now? From what I know you’ve never been much of an activist before.

Lily:  Well, maybe her reputation was never on the line before.

Mason:  Are you trying to date an activist?

Greta:  Why won’t you guys take me seriously? I’m horrified by what’s happening to the penguins, and I want to make a difference. I don’t know. I mean, maybe you guys are right. I know the anti-penguin-eyelash-harvesting community is pretty loose right now, and I’m just one person. What difference can one person really make?

Amanda:  Oh, don’t give up, Greta! I’m sorry for being skeptical. Maybe this is exactly what you need. A lot of huge celebrities have a cause. Let’s see, George Clooney has Sudan, Brad Pitt has the environment. Maybe we could even get the company to back you on this.

Greta:  Really?

Amanda:  Sure. I mean, maybe if we’re the website that’s known for wanting to make a difference, that could increase traffic. Right?

Greta:  Right.

Amanda:  Hey Lily, young people are into having a cause these days, right?

Lily:  Sure. I’m part of the Anti Dimming Streetlight Alliance.

Greta:  Oh! What was that?

Mason:  The protestor is back. He’s throwing ice at the window!

Greta:  Well, that’s just mean! That’s no way to make a difference.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Greta has something important to tell everyone. She’s written a speech about the penguins. She has decided, rather than be blamed for the penguin abuse, to try to make a difference and fight the abusive practices.

Unfortunately, her co-workers don’t back her right away. They’re skeptical. Is she being too dramatic? And can one person make a difference?

Amanda realizes, eventually, that Greta’s activism could be good for the site. Maybe making a difference in the world of penguins can save Greta’s reputation and the site!

Do you think one person has the power to make a difference? Have you ever tried to make a difference in the world?

 

Comments

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DAMAVAND

DAMAVAND

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I think we should start from ourselves, A child begins to learn in the first years of life, when s/he see the truth and honesty in each parent’s behavior, never becomes an aggressive character to annoy anyone, never handles the world by his/her selfish rules or beliefs and last we never need to a savior to rescue the existence and protect it. I believe making differences in wide spread needs some changes in small things, every people can make a difference in the world if they want and care about it in their own ethical manners. Rebuilding the world is not achieved unless we revise our lives.

sayran_g

sayran_g

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

but i think if we can make a difference in our life, it’s great .we’ll be more happy

04:52 AM Apr 30 2013 |

sayran_g

sayran_g

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i can’t watch it, bcoz it didn’t download. :(

04:50 AM Apr 30 2013 |

1 person likes this

modaher

modaher

Iraq


We like Arabic.Fed not knows Paljoaan. Transmits news, but how to get the kids.

03:43 AM Apr 30 2013 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

What difference one person can make? Unfortunately, not much, can only draw attention, i think.


Even if a person has got a power, it’s quite difficult. Like the President Obama couldn’t get through the gun control bill immideately right after the Newtown tragedy but to let it go a long way..


The scientist can make a difference by discovering a cure from the deadly disease.


For one simple person, it’s difficult but still  praisworthy to make a difference, if only the difference were for a good course. Always worth of trying


Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.
Samuel Beckett
 


 

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