Lesson 1: Homeschooling
Some parents have actually been prosecuted for homeschooling their children.

I can listen to and understand someone's view on homeschooling.

INTRODUCE

In some countries, homeschooling is very popular, but in Germany, it’s actually against the law. In fact, German parents can even go to jail if they homeschool their children.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the first two expressions with your tutor and answer the questions. Then, guess the meaning of the third expression based on the clues provided.

    1. If you indoctrinate someone, you teach a person to accept a particular belief without questioning it.

    I heard that the politics professor was fired.

    Yeah. Apparently, he was trying to indoctrinate his students with his own political beliefs.

    Q: Has anyone tried to indoctrinate you?

     

     

    2. If you are prosecuted for something, you are accused of a crime and will be put on trial to see if you’re guilty or not.

    Did you see those posts Emily wrote about Sarah? They were harsh!

    I know. Apparently, she might be prosecuted for cyberbullying.

    Q: Do you think people should be prosecuted for cyberbullying?

     

     

    3.                                                                .

    Why don’t you guys do fireworks here on New Year’s Eve?

    We used to, but last year fireworks were outlawed because they’re too much of a fire hazard. You could go to jail if you’re caught with them.

    Q: What do you think be outlawed means?

STEP B SPEAK YOUR MIND

Sometimes you want to end an argument with another person by accepting that you two have different views.

    I’ve said this a million times. Politicians shouldn’t post their opinions on social media!

    But social media’s the best way to get their message across to people! Oh, well, I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

UNDERSTAND

LISTENING

Mai, a Japanese woman, lives in Germany. She’s listening to her American friend, Jennifer, talk about an argument that she had with her German husband.

TRIVIA

Homeschooling is illegal in Germany but not in the United States. In fact, over 1,500,000 American children are currently being homeschooled. Many parents say that they homeschool their children because they’re concerned about their safety at school and are dissatisfied with schools’ quality of education.

PRACTICE

Rephrase the underlined sentences using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed, and some expressions may be used more than once.

indoctrinate someone
be prosecuted for something
be outlawed

1.

Tutor: Why did Connor hire a lawyer? Is he in trouble?

Student: Yeah. He needs a lawyer because he’s being put on trial for trespassing.

 

2.

Tutor: I’m so excited for my road trip tomorrow! I’ll text you along the way to let you know where I am.

Student: Okay, but don’t text while driving. It was made illegal here last month.

 

3.

Tutor: It’s nice that you support your wife’s religious beliefs even though you don’t share them.

Student: Well, I don’t mind the fact that she’s religious. What I don’t like is that my in-laws are starting to try to force their beliefs on our five-year-old daughter.

 

4.

Tutor: I want to have a baby tiger as a pet. They’re so cute!

Student: They are cute, but the government made it against the law to own a tiger years ago.

 

5.

Tutor: The country has gone downhill so much since Smith became president. Why can’t the citizens see that he’s a bad leader?

Student: Many people here are made to believe from a young age that his political party is their only hope.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

Your Canadian friend and his/her family just moved to Germany. He/She is planning to homeschool his/her children. Listen to a news report about a couple sued for homeschooling their children. Then, talk to your friend about it.

Today's Expressions

  • indoctrinate someone
  • be prosecuted for something
  • be outlawed

Speak Your Mind

  • I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

Challenge 2

What do you think? What does your tutor think? Discuss.

If Time
Allows
1

HOMESCHOOLING
2

BEING OUTLAWED
1

HOMESCHOOLING

  1. Do you think homeschooling is becoming more or less popular in your country?
  2. If you were going to be homeschooled, who would you like to be your teacher?  
  3. How do you think homeschooled children can get the social skills they need?

2BEING OUTLAWED

  1. What is something you feel should be outlawed in your country?
  2. What is something that was recently outlawed in your country?
  3. What is something that was outlawed but should be made legal again in your country?

FEEDBACK

I can listen to and understand someone's view on homeschooling.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK