Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever eaten eel? What dishes do you think include eel as an ingredient?
- What environmental conditions do you think are necessary for successful eel farming?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- fisherman /FISH-er-muhn/
- income /IN-kuhm/
- popularity /pop-yuh-LAR-i-tee/
- challenge /CHAL-inj/
- susceptible /suh-SEP-tuh-buhl/
[noun] – a person who catches fish for a living or as a hobby
The fisherman woke up early to catch fresh fish for his family.
[noun] – money received, especially on a regular basis, for work or through investments
Her income allows her to buy new clothes and save for vacations.
[noun] – the state or condition of being liked, admired, or supported by many people
The popularity of the new video game surprised everyone in the store.
[noun] – difficult tasks or situations that require a lot of effort to overcome
The student faced many challenges while learning to play the piano.
[adjective] – likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing
Young children are often susceptible to colds and other infections.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In Cambodia, a fisherman named Em Phat, aged 53, has turned to eel farming as a new source of income due to the severe impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the fisheries of Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest lake. Once known as one of the most productive inland fisheries globally, Tonle Sap has faced a dramatic decline in fish populations caused by deforestation, illegal fishing, and the construction of dams along the Mekong River. To adapt, many fishermen, including Phat, have sought alternative livelihoods, with eel farming gaining popularity because of the increasing demand in China, Japan, and South Korea. This shift has been supported by a British nonprofit organization, VSO, which provides training and resources to enhance income potential through eel farming.
Although eel farming holds promise, it presents multiple challenges. Eels require clean, oxygenated water and specialized diets to thrive, and they are susceptible to diseases. Phat experienced significant losses when a power outage disrupted his oxygen pumps. Despite these difficulties, experts such as Zeb Hogan, a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, suggest that aquaculture could offer a sustainable solution for fishermen impacted by declining fish stocks. Furthermore, the Cambodian government has signed trade agreements aimed at increasing exports of eels and other aquatic species, which may contribute to economic growth. This expansion also promotes knowledge transfer within local communities, fostering a more resilient economy.
Although eel farming holds promise, it presents multiple challenges. Eels require clean, oxygenated water and specialized diets to thrive, and they are susceptible to diseases. Phat experienced significant losses when a power outage disrupted his oxygen pumps. Despite these difficulties, experts such as Zeb Hogan, a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, suggest that aquaculture could offer a sustainable solution for fishermen impacted by declining fish stocks. Furthermore, the Cambodian government has signed trade agreements aimed at increasing exports of eels and other aquatic species, which may contribute to economic growth. This expansion also promotes knowledge transfer within local communities, fostering a more resilient economy.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What new method did Em Phat use to earn money?
- Why did Em Phat decide to change his job?
- What environmental problems affected the fisheries of Tonle Sap?
- What countries are increasing the demand for eels?
- How does VSO help fishermen like Em Phat?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever tried to adapt to a difficult situation, like a fisherman adapting to climate change? If so, what was the situation, and how did you cope with it? If not, what would you do if faced with a similar challenge?
- Do you know anyone who has changed their job due to environmental issues, like Em Phat? If so, what changes did they make, and how did it affect their life? If not, how would you feel about changing jobs for environmental reasons?
- Do you agree that eel farming is a sustainable solution for fishermen facing declining fish stocks?
- What are the potential long-term impacts of climate change on fishing communities like those around Tonle Sap? How can these communities prepare for such changes?
- What role do you think education plays in helping communities adapt to environmental challenges? How can educational programs be improved to better support these communities?