Author Archive: admin

Turkish international school ‘bans’ Christmas

World News - Expert

  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…
Read more

Turkish international school ‘bans’ Christmas

World News - Intermediate

  Pre-reading questions: How is Christmas celebrated in your country? Is there an international school near your area?   German media report that an international school in a predominantly Muslim Istanbul bans Christmas celebrations and teachings. It was said that staff at the international school Istanbul Lisesi were told that Christmas traditions and carol-singing would no longer be allowed. Istanbul Lisesi is a Turkish-German school attended by Turkish students but partly subsidized by the German government. Spiegel Online reports that teachers were instructed not to teach about German Christmas Traditions during class as well as to remove Advent calendars from the classrooms. German Politicians were outraged with the actions of…
Read more

Turkish international school ‘bans’ Christmas

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: How do you celebrate Christmas? Do you have any wish/es for Christmas?   An international school in Istanbul bans Christmas celebrations. Istanbul Lisesi teachers and staffs were told that Christmas traditions and carol-singing are not allowed. Istanbul Lisesi is a Turkish-German school with Turkish students and German teachers. Many German officials are angry with the school. However, the school said they still celebrate Christmas.   Vocabulary: Istanbul- [proper noun] a city in Turkey international- [adjective] global celebrations- [noun] joyful occasion traditions- [noun] culture ban- [noun] not allowed   True or False: Istanbul Lisesi teachers and staff were told that Christmas carol-singing are allowed. Istanbul Lisesi is a…
Read more

Asian Olympic leader favored Sapporo for 2026 Winter Games bid

Sports - Expert

  Asian Olympic Council president Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah said Sapporo has all the facilities needed to organize the Winter Olympics for the second time. Sapporo hosted the Winter Games in 1972 and city officials are considering a bid for 2026. It would mean that the IOC would return to a city in Asia for a third straight time following Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018 and Beijing in 2022. Sapporo is capable and ready, Sheikh Al Fahad said while in Sapporo for the Asian Winter Games. The facilities being used for the Asian Winter Games were built for the 19 72 Games and are showing signs of age….
Read more

Asian Olympic leader favored Sapporo for 2026 Winter Games bid

Sports - Intermediate

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever experienced watching a Winter Olympic game live? Please explain your answer. Which Winter Olympic sport do you or would like to play? Please explain your answer.   Olympic Council Asian president Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah said Sapporo has all the facilities needed to organize the Winter Olympics. Sapporo anchored the Winter Games in 1972 and city officials are considering a bid for 2026. It would mean the IOC would return to a city in Asia for a third time following Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018 and Beijing. China in 2022. Sapporo does have several facilities being used for the Asian Winter Games,…
Read more

Asian Olympic leader favored Sapporo for 2026 Winter Games bid

Sports - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Have you tried any winter sport? Do you watch Winter Olympics?   The city officials of Sapporo are now considering a bid for 2026 Winter Olympics. Sheikh Al Fahad said Sapporo is ready for hosting the next Asian Winter Games. Sapporo does have several equipments built for the 1972 olympics but they are now aging. The Japanese olympic committee would have to determine whether it is wise to bid Sapporo before it finally submits its application. Applications are expected in early 2018 with the IOC electing a winner in 2019.   Vocabulary: bid [verb] – to make an offer hosting [verb] – to organize equipment [noun] –…
Read more

Japan’s move to end ‘death by overwork’ will drag economic growth: Deutsche Bank

Business - E

  A study made by Deutsche Bank states that cutting prolonged working hours could affect Japanese economic growth. Demanding industries that depend on domestic demand are said to suffer the most. Cutting overtime might lead to lower household income and deplete corporate earnings which will greatly affect the economy. Deutsche Bank adds that Japanese employees usually render undocumented overtime which might be more than the documented data. Police findings state that work-related stress became one of the leading causes of deaths in 2015. Last October, the government released an extensive research about deaths by overwork which states that 12% of companies made their employees render more than 100 hours of…
Read more

Japan’s move to end ‘death by overwork’ will drag economic growth: Deutsche Bank

Business - I

  Pre-reading questions: What do you think about working time? What do you do during your free time?   Deutsche Bank says that reducing overtime work could affect Japanese economic growth. Laborious industries are said to suffer the most due to manpower shortage. Reducing overtime was deemed as a solution to reduce cases of “karoshi” or death by overwork. Deutsche Bank expect companies to limit overime to avoid negative publicity. However, this move is directly proportional to profits as decreasing overtime work will also decrease profits and sales. The pursuit to cut extended working hours was strengthened after the suicide of an advertising firm employee who rendered more than 100…
Read more