German media reports that an international school in Istanbul forbids celebrating and teaching Christmas to its students. The reports state that staffs at Istanbul Lisesi were told that Christmas traditions and carol-singing are not allowed. Istanbul Lisesi is a Turkish-German school attended by Turkish students but is partly endowed by the German government.
According to Spiegel Online, teachers were enjoined to teach about German Christmas traditions during class. Education Policy spokesman Özcan Mutlu was appalled by the incident. German politicians argued that Christmas is a part of Germany and that applies to German schools abroad. Reports state that this might be the first time for Istanbul Lisesi to call off Christmas. Istanbul Lisesi rebuts the reports, saying that there had been a misunderstanding and the school still keeps the German tradition of celebrating Christmas.
Vocabulary:
proscribe- [verb] forbid
endowed- [verb] provide
enjoined- [verb] to prohibit by law or authority
appalled- [verb] shock
call off- [verb] divert
abroad – [noun] in another country
argued – [verb] give reasons
True or False:
- Istanbul Lisesi is a sectarian German school.
- The German government partly finances Istanbul Lisesi.
- Spiegel Online reports that teachers were required to teach German Christmas traditions in class.
- According to the article, Andreas Scheuer was appalled by the incident.
- Istanbul Lisesi rebuts the reports.
Express your opinion:
- What do you think about the differences between Turkey and Germany?
- In your opinion, what is the true meaning of Christmas?
- How do you make your holidays interesting? Cite a holiday and describe what you usually do to make it interesting.
Defend your argument:
- Do you think it is fun without Christmas?
- Do you think it is fun without Christmas?
- Do you think it is fun without Christmas?
- Do you think it is fun without Christmas?