Speaking file
Text by Tareixa García de Polavieja
The 2030 Agenda Dan: What are* you up to, Miranda? Miranda: I am putting* up information posters for tomorrow’s town meeting. D: What’s going on tomorrow? M: Local leaders are meeting to discuss important measures* to meet* UNH! goalsH!* for sustainable* development. Some NGOs* and citizens’* groups will be outside informing everyone about these goals* and the different solutions being discussed. D: Wow. How do you know so much about this? M: I follow some young activists on social networks. D: You’re definitely more committed than I am. M: Well, when I started reading about all the challenges* that we are facing*, I knew I had to do something. Maybe I’m a bit naïve* but I think a better world is possible for everyone. D: You’re right*, we should be able to improve* our society. After all, that’s what progress is about, right*?
POINTS TO DISCUSS • Do you use social networks? How often? • What kind of people or sites do you follow on social networks? Why? • Have you ever participated in a street protest? If so, when? What was it about? • What changes would you like to see in the world? Why?
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“UN” is the abbreviation in English for the United Nations Organization.
24 I Love English • March 2022
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Dan and Miranda are talking outside school.
M: Right*. D: So, what are these goals* and how will they help us change the world? M: They are seventeen objectives in total that all UN member states have committed* to meet* before 2030. They are basic things like reducing poverty, hunger*, and inequality, together* with
Roleplay Student A: Your city* council has organized a contest* for ideas to reduce plastic waste*. You want to take* part because you have some ideas. Talk to student B and prepare a joint entry for the contest*.
a more sustainable* lifestyle and better education, health*, and well-being*. D: Sounds good, but how are we going to improve* all of this in less than ten years? M: It won’t be easy but there are plenty* of ideas out there. Some people have been working on this for* years, now. That is what tomorrow’s meeting is about. Why don’t you come? D: Yes, I will.
Student B: Your city* council has organized a contest* for ideas to reduce plastic waste*. You want to take* part because you have some ideas. Talk to student A and prepare a joint entry for the contest*.
USEFUL LANGUAGE:
Suggesting solutions to a problem: One thing that can be done is…; A possible solution may be…; (I think) we could/should…; Another alternative would be to… Agreeing: I agree* with…; I am* for…; That might/could be a good idea. Disagreeing*: That seems like a good idea but…; The problem with that is…; I disagree* with… because…
“Goals for sustainable development” are usually abbreviated as SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
