English Speaking club - American media

Today’s session of English Speaking Club was attended by a group of three Peace Corp volunteers, our long time friends Patrick, Sam and Kathryn.

The new club members introduced themselves and once again asked questions about The Peace Corp. activities. Having explained briefly the goals of the Peace Corp. organization the volunteers informed the club members about the projects they are working on in Dnipropetrovsk and the projects they plan for the future.

 After that all the participants were given the opportunity to communicate in English. The club members were offered to share their opinions about the most memorable events of the week.

It turned out that the most memorable event for the majority was the1st of September Day – the beginning of the school year in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Club members told the American counterparts about the rituals and ceremonies of this day in the schools and Universities. The American guests were positively impressed by these traditions and wished there were something similar in American schools.

The discussion drifted to the problems of the Ukrainian education in general. For example, the club members explained to the American  guests this year’s situation of the shrinking markets in education services, the problems with admissions  for some Ukrainian Universities, the visit of the Minister for Education to Dnipropetrovsk,. Etc

The second part of the session was dedicated to the topic “Modern American Media”. We read and translated an article about the history of the American newspapers.  The most influential American newspapers and magazines and their logos were introduced.

The questions about newspapers and media credibility raised a lot of debate.

The session was enjoyed by all the participants!

The number of participants – 24 persons.

A lot of pictures here 

We read this article and discussed this questions:

Media

1.     What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘media’?

2.     What is the media?

3.     Do you think the media have too much power?

4.     What are the good and bad things about the media in your country?

5.     Do you like the fact that today, media coverage of world events in instantaneous and extensive?

6.     What do you think about countries that ban or restrict the media?

7.     Do you always believe the media?

8.     Is the media of your country biased towards the views of your government over important issues ?

9.     How is today’s media different from that of 30 years ago?

10.  Can you think of any examples of the media being irresponsible?

11.  Would you like to work for the media?

12.  What do you think of the mass media?

13.  What countries do you think have very good media and which have not so good media?

14.  Why do people fear the media?

15.  Should there be any censorship of the media?

16.  Are reporters in today’s media lazy?

17.  Do you think the media tries to manipulate people or change their views?

18.  Is it a good idea for a country’s media to be controlled by the government?

19.  Do you trust the media?

20.  Does the media care more about truth or profits ?

News

1.     What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘news’?

2.     Do you think news is usually happy or sad?

3.     How important is keeping up to date with the news to you?

4.     Do you prefer to watch, listen to or read about news?

5.     What areas of the world are you most interested in?

6.     What kinds of stories hit the headlines in your local newspaper?

7.     What are your favorite sections of the newspaper?

8.     What was the last piece of good news you heard?

9.     What news story are you following at the moment?

10.  Do you trust everything you read, see or hear on the news?

11.  What is news? What makes something news?

12.  How can you comment the phrase, “No news is good news”?

13.  Would you like to work as a newscaster or a news reporter?

14.  What is your favorite news program?

15.  What’s the best satellite news station, BBC, CNN, other?

16.  What do you think of news stations being under state control?

17.  What’s the most tragic news you’ve seen on TV?

18.  Is news and propaganda the same thing in some countries?

19.  Do you think news programs should include Hollywood/celebrity stories and gossip?

20.  Do you think news reporting in your country is fair and balanced? How about in other countries?