Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Why do you think students choose to study abroad?
- What countries are you aware of that students from your country commonly choose for international studies or to pursue higher education?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- agent /EY-juhnt/
- affect /uh-FEKT/
- approval /uh-PROO-vuhl/
- reveal /ri-VEEL/
- measure /MEZH-er/
[noun] – individuals who are thought to be connected or associated with a particular organization or authority
The investigators suspected several agents were involved in the covert operation.
[verb] – to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something
The ongoing weather changes can affect agricultural productivity in the region.
[noun] – official permission
The construction project requires approval from the city authorities before commencing.
[verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret
The investigation finally revealed the hidden details of the mysterious case.
[noun] – a way of achieving something, or a method for dealing with a situation
As a measure to enhance cybersecurity, the company implemented strict password protocols for its employees.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The number of study permits given to Indian students in Canada dropped significantly in the last quarter of the previous year. This decrease was mainly because of a disagreement between India and Canada, leading to the removal of Canadian diplomats responsible for processing these permits. Moreover, fewer Indian students applied for study permits due to tensions surrounding a tragic incident involving a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, supposedly connected to Indian government agents. This diplomatic strain led to the withdrawal of two-thirds of Canadian staff from India, impacting the processing of Indian student applications.
In a recent interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed worry about a swift recovery in study permits for Indian students. The diplomatic tensions, set off by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linking Indian government agents to the fatal incident, continue to affect future permit approvals. This strained relationship goes beyond permit reductions, causing an 86% decline in study permits issued to Indians in the last quarter of the previous year. Unreported data reveals a big drop in permits from 108,940 to 14,910. Counselor C. Gurusubramanian says Indian students are exploring other options due to diplomatic challenges. This is important as Indians make up over 41% of international students in Canada in 2022, affecting universities. Minister Marc Miller emphasizes the need to reduce the number of students, announcing measures, including a potential cap, to address challenges.
In a recent interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed worry about a swift recovery in study permits for Indian students. The diplomatic tensions, set off by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linking Indian government agents to the fatal incident, continue to affect future permit approvals. This strained relationship goes beyond permit reductions, causing an 86% decline in study permits issued to Indians in the last quarter of the previous year. Unreported data reveals a big drop in permits from 108,940 to 14,910. Counselor C. Gurusubramanian says Indian students are exploring other options due to diplomatic challenges. This is important as Indians make up over 41% of international students in Canada in 2022, affecting universities. Minister Marc Miller emphasizes the need to reduce the number of students, announcing measures, including a potential cap, to address challenges.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What caused a significant drop in study permits given to Indian students in Canada?
- How did the disagreement between India and Canada affect the processing of study permits?
- What tragic incident involving a Sikh separatist leader contributed to the diplomatic strain between India and Canada?
- Why did fewer Indian students apply for study permits, according to the article?
- How did the withdrawal of Canadian staff from India impact the processing of Indian student applications?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Is it common for people in your country to study abroad? If yes, why do you think that’s the case? If not, what do you think makes studying abroad less popular?
- Have you or anyone you know experienced difficulties or delays in getting study permits for studying in another country? If yes, how did these challenges affect the decision to study in that specific country? If not, what do you think makes the process of getting study permits smooth?
- Do you think diplomatic problems between countries should impact the approval of study permits for international students?
- How might the decline in study permits for Indian students impact both Canadian universities and the Indian students themselves? What long-term consequences, if any, can you foresee for the education sector in both countries?
- Considering diplomatic tensions affecting study permits, what role do you think international education plays in promoting global understanding and collaboration? How can countries find a balance between diplomatic issues and the benefits of having a diverse international student community?