Hillary Clinton wants to be President! English conversation lesson

Can the United States finally have a woman President?  Well Mrs. Hillary Clinton thinks so.  She recently announced that she is going to run for the highest office in the land.  She has been in the White House before,  but as First Lady, the wife of President Bill Clinton.

http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20150413%2FNEWS0605%2F150419767%2F1022%2FNEWHAMPSHIRE0506


Key Terms
cast herself
champion
kicking off
tough economic times
front runner
take anything for granted
entitlement
gaffe
empathetic
populist
go all-in
email scandal
Washington insider
a trail of secrecy
failed policies
productive debate
coronation
nominee
launch message


Questions \\\
Was Hillary Clinton a good Secretary of State?
Do you think that she is qualified to be President?
What affect does the scandals with her husband have upon her?
What type of image does she have now as compared to 2008?
What type of voter is going to vote for her?
What is her platform on health care?  Economics?  Foreign Policy?
What does the Republican party say about Hillary Clinton's chances to be President?
How much influence will her husband have on Hillary if she is elected?
Can Hillary Clinton be a strong President?
What age group will want to vote for her?
Do you think that a woman can be the highest office in your country?



Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English teacher 

Obama's State of the Union Speech - English conversation

The State of the Union is a very important speech in the United States.  This year it was interesting because of what was said and also what was omitted.  We get to hear about the new plans  and old plans that are being discarded  This year the President himself leaked to the media what he was going to talk about so it wasn't such a surprise.

Read this article and discuss it with your English teacher
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/obama-in-state-of-the-union-highlights-tax-reform-community-college-plans/ar-AA8pbeF?ocid=ansWashpost11

Key Terms
targeting
opposition
spectacularly
 addressing
generates rising incomes
makes the effort
middle-class economics
 their fair shot
key themes
 try to dodge the evidence
massive disruptions
public approval ratings
telegraphed
buildup to the speech
joint session of Congress
cyberterrorism
partisan gridlock
buoyed
a tactical change
vetoed
rollback
play “offense
cede much ground
bully pulpit
consensus
tone and tenor
disingenuous



Questions
Which new proposals did President Obama introduce in this speech?
Is this the right venue to introduce new legislation?
Will his free community colleges really help?
Do tax increases on corporations really help the economy?
What about tax increases on the rich?
What measures will Obama take against terrorism?
What measures will he take against cyberterrorism?
What benefit will the common person receive from the government?
What actions will the Administration take against Global Warming?
Which areas will the Democrats and Republicans work together?




Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher

Obama wants to establish relations with Cuba

Does normalizing relations with Cuba sound like a good idea?  It seems to me that it would boost the whole economy of the Caribbean, and help Cuban-Americans feel that they are more accepted in their home country as well as in their adopted country.  There were secret talks even with Pope Francis!

Read this text and be prepared to speak about it with your English Teacher.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ap-sources-us-cuba-seek-to-normalize-relations/ar-BBgUJV0?ocid=ansnewsap11

Key Terms
 re-establishment
outdated 
approach
 historic shift
enmity
profound differences
 in a civilized manner
clandestine
spied
accompanied 
imprisoned 
sweeping
economic ties
easing restrictions
unilaterally end
abrupt use
 overcoming
major obstacle
lawmakers
long-standing ban
annual cap
remittances
five decades
Sen. = Senator
 hailed as heroes
convicted
conspiracy
subcontractor
bypassed local censorship



Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla  
Senator Marco Rubio - Republican Senator from Florida
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev  - 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Democratic Senator from Nevada 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ap-sources-us-cuba-seek-to-normalize-relations/ar-BBgUJV0?ocid=ansnewsap11


Questions
What do you know about this subject before reading the text?
How will normalizing relations between Cuba and the USA help them?
What will be the restrictions even with the new relations?
What will help Cuban residents the most?
Who would be the first tourists to Cuba?
Does your country have normal relations with Cuba?  Why or why not?
Did the economic embargo affect the United States?  Cuba?
Would you want to visit Cuba?
How can the Cuban government improve Human Rights?
Do you think that Cuban should be on the "supporters of terrorism list?"
What other steps need to be taken now?
Do you think that the United States should try to change Cuba's political system?






Lesson Plan by Rachael Alice Orbach - Professional English Teacher