Bratislava – Vienna motorway to open in November

URL: http://www.newsflashenglish.com/010307motorway4.htm

Article, Ideas and Activities by David Robinson

1^st March 2007

THE ARTICLE

Bratislava – Vienna motorway to open in November

A new motorway connecting Bratislava to Vienna will open to traffic on November 15^th this year announced Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at a joint news conference in Bratislava held on February 18th The Slovak Spectator reported. The Austrian Chancellor said, “My government accepts the decision of the Slovak government not to privatise Bratislava airport or the Cargo Slovakia Railway Company,” adding, “Austria is prepared to create the political conditions for future cooperation between Vienna and Bratislava airports as well as in railway cargo transport.”

Other topics discussed by the two leaders included Slovakia’s efforts to enter the Schengen area, the EU’s border free zone at the end of 2007 and the introduction of the Euro in Slovakia in 2009. Fico asked for Austria’s support on this issue. Regarding the issue of free movement of labour Gusenbauer confirmed, “Austria plans to use the maximum seven-year delay to block access to its labour markets for workers from Slovakia and other new EU members that joined in 2004,” adding, “It will review its decision in 2009.” The Austrian Chancellor has invited Fico to visit Austria officially in the spring of this year.

START

1. DICTATION: The teacher will read the article slowly and clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again.

Self correct your work. Compare your work with your partner(s) and try to recreate the full text. Listen again to check, fill in spaces or correct mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total no of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!

2. READING: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every paragraph.

3. VOCABULARY: Underline any words or phases you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

4. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting (circle) and which are most boring (underline).

Schengen / motorway / Euro / Government / Bratislava Airport / Vienna / traffic / labour markets / Austria / European Union / Slovakia / railway

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Put them into different categories. For more conversation, change topics and partners frequently.

5. MOTORWAY: In pairs discuss the following…

Student A questions a) What do you know about the Bratislava – Vienna motorway? b) Why has it taken so long for the motorway to be built on the Austrian side? c) Was it a political decision? d) Do you think Austria has been dragging its feet on this issue? e) Was Austria honest when she explained all the obstacles regarding the building of the motorway? f) Was it because of ecological reasons?

Student B questions a) What are your views? b) Do you know of any other future motorway links between Austria and Slovakia that are going to be built? c) Do you think the motorway will be completed on time? d) Up until Slovakia joined the EU in 2004 why did Austria treat some Slovaks like second rate citizens every time they crossed its borders? e) Do you have any horror stories about crossing the (motorway) border between Austria and Slovakia? f) What does an historical tram route and the motorway have in common?

6. BRATISLAVA AIRPORT: Ask your partner the following…

Student A questions a) Why did the Slovak government cancel the privatisation of Bratislava airport? b) Were they right to do so? c) Was this a political decision? d) What do you know about this story? e) Is the cancellation good for the country or not? f) Does it make good economic sense?

Student B questions a) Can the state afford to invest its money in the expansion of the airport? b) Would privatisation or limited privatisation not be better? c) What are your views? d) Do you think companies other than Austrian ones should be allowed to own Bratislava Airport? e) Should foreign investors be allowed to invest in Bratislava airport? f) Should Bratislava airport advertise itself more?

List the pros and cons of the Slovak government’s actions Pros a) ___________________________________________________________ b) ____________________________________________________________

Cons a) ___________________________________________________________ b) ____________________________________________________________

8. AIRPORT: With your partner think of three reasons why you are better off flying from Bratislava airport rather than Vienna. Then swap airports.

1 1

2 2

3 3

9. RAILWAY: Swap partners. Discuss the following with your new partner… a) What do you know about the Cargo Slovakia Railway Company? b) Why has it been in the news? c) Should there be more than one Slovak Railway cargo company in Slovakia rather than the monopoly there is at the moment?

10. SCHENGEN: Swap partners! Discuss briefly… a) What is Schengen? b) Who is in it? c) Who is going to join it? d) When? e) Where is Schengen?

11. SCHENGEN: With your partner list three economic advantages and disadvantages of Schengen. Discuss.

Advantages Disadvantages

1 1

2 2

3 3

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss in front of the class.

12. ONE MINUTE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with Schengen. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

13. THREE SENTENCES: Choose six/nine of these words. Write three sentences using two/three words in each. Try to associate them with the Schengen agreement. Discuss with your partner. Spend five minutes on this exercise.

14. EURO: With your partner discuss the following… a) What do you think of the Euro? b) Have you ever used the Euro? c) What do you think of the new Slovak Euro designs?

15. EURO: With your partner list five economic advantages and five economic disadvantages of introducing the Euro in Slovakia. Discuss.

Advantages Disadvantages

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss in front of the class.

16. EU FREE LABOUR MOVEMENT: Ask your partner the following…

Student A questions

a) Why is Austria blocking Slovakia’s labour market?

b) Do you think it will unblock its decision in 2009?

c) Are countries like Austria, Germany and France being too protective on their labour markets?

d) Why are they doing so when the UK, Ireland, Spain and Sweden have opened theirs?

e) Do you know anyone who is working in these or other EU counties? f) Have they been successful in their quest for work?

g) Are Slovaks cheap labour?

h) Think of one question of your own

Student B questions

a) Have you heard of the word ‘Protectionism’?

b) What does it mean?

c) Should the entire EU allow free movement of labour? d) Is Austria right to block Slovak workers working in its country? e) Have you visited a Schengen country? f) Have you worked in a Schengen country?

g) Are Austrians frightened of Slovaks?

h) If yes, why do you think so?

17. SENTENCE STARTERS: With your partner(s), finish these sentence starters. Change partner(s) and talk about the sentences you made.

a) The new motorway ______________________________________________

b) Cargo Slovakia _________________________________________________

c) Bratislava airport _______________________________________________

d) Schengen will __________________________________________________

e) The Euro will ___________________________________________________

f) New EU members________________________________________________

g) Slovak Prime Minister ____________________________________________

h) The Austrian government _________________________________________

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: After reading the article guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a.	The new Bratislava – Vienna motorway will open in December	T / F
b.	Bratislava airport will be privatised	T / F
c.	The Cargo Slovakia Railway Company will be sold	T / F
d.	Austria will create the political conditions with Slovakia for future cooperation between Vienna and Bratislava airports	T / F
e.	Slovakia will join the Schengen area in 2009	T / F
f.	Slovakia will introduce the Euro in 2008	T / F
g.	Austria will block access to its labour markets for 7 years	T / F
h.	Fico will visit Austria officially in the summer	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

a.	Motorway	Working together
b.	Traffic	Frontier
c.	Create	Dual carriageway
d.	Cooperation	Workers
e.	Cargo	Vehicles
f.	Topics	Agree
g.	Border	Stop
h.	Zone	Freight
i.	Labour	Issues
j.	Block	Area

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article:

a.	A new motorway	of the Euro in Slovakia in 2009
b.	My government accepts	connecting Bratislava and Vienna
c.	…not to privatise Bratislava airport	by the two leaders
d.	Austria is prepared	to enter the Schengen area
e.	Other topics discussed	the decision of the Slovak government
f.	Slovakia’s efforts	or the Cargo Slovakia Railway Company
g.	…the introduction	the maximum seven-year delay…
h.	Fico asked for	to create the political conditions…
i.	Austria plans to use	review its decision in 2009
j.	It will	Austria’s support

GAP FILL: READING

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Bratislava – Vienna motorway to open in November A new ________ connecting Bratislava to Vienna will open to _______ on November 15^th this year announced Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at a _____ news conference in Bratislava held on February 18th The Slovak Spectator reported. The Austrian Chancellor said, “My government accepts the ________ of the Slovak government not to _________ Bratislava airport or the Cargo Slovakia Railway Company,” adding, “Austria is prepared to create the _________ conditions for future ___________ between Vienna and Bratislava airports as well as in railway _____ transport.”

cooperation political decision traffic cargo privatise joint motorway

Other ______ discussed by the two leaders included Slovakia’s _______ to enter the Schengen area, the EU’s border free ____ at the end of 2007 and the introduction of the Euro in Slovakia in 2009. Fico asked for Austria’s support on this issue. Regarding the issue of free ________ of labour Gusenbauer confirmed, “Austria plans to use the ________ seven-year delay to _____ access to its labour markets for workers from Slovakia and other new EU members that joined in 2004,” adding, “It will ______ its decision in 2009.” The Austrian Chancellor has invited Fico to visit Austria officially in the ______ of this year.

block review zone topics maximum spring movement efforts

GAP FILL: LISTENING:

Listen and fill in the spaces.

Bratislava – Vienna motorway to open in November

A new motorway connecting Bratislava to Vienna ____________________ on November 15^th this year announced ___________________ Alfred Gusenbauer and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico __________________________ in Bratislava held on February 18th The Slovak Spectator reported. The Austrian Chancellor said, “My government _______________________ the Slovak government not to privatise Bratislava airport or the Cargo Slovakia Railway Company,” adding, “Austria is ______________________ political conditions for future cooperation between Vienna and Bratislava airports _____________ railway cargo transport.”

Other topics discussed __________________ included Slovakia’s efforts to enter the Schengen area, the _____________________ at the end of 2007 and the introduction of the Euro in Slovakia in 2009. Fico asked for Austria’s _____________________. Regarding the issue of free movement of labour Gusenbauer confirmed, “Austria ________________ maximum seven-year delay to block access to its labour markets for workers from Slovakia and other new EU members that joined in 2004,” adding, “It will ___________________ in 2009.” The Austrian Chancellor has invited Fico to visit Austria officially _____________________ year.

SPEAKING

PRESS: ROLE PLAY: SPEAKING Divide into teams of 3 or 4

‘News conference’ live TV question time with Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and the press. The two leaders have been discussing future cooperation between the two countries…

Student A. You are Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. You have your views on what you want for Slovakia. Think of five things (write them down) you would like to mention to the world in the forthcoming live press conference. Discuss your meeting with Gusenbauer to the press.

Student B. You are Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer. It is your first visit to Slovakia. You don’t agree with the new Slovak government’s decision to cancel the privatisation of Bratislava airport etc…but you need to move forward. Think of five things (write them down) you would like to mention in the forthcoming live press conference. Discuss your meeting with Fico to the press.

Student C. You are a BBC television news reporter. Prepare five questions you want to ask either leader.

Student D. You are a TA3 (local Slovak TV) television news reporter. Prepare five questions you want to ask either leader.

Role play: Students C and D (seated/ standing) ask Student A and B (standing) your five questions. Listen to their response. Off cuff react and respond to their comments.

Good luck!

The teacher will select some students to role play their situations in front of the class.

LANGUAGE: CORRECT WORD: Choose the correct words from a–d below and write them in the article.

A new (1) ____ connecting Bratislava to Vienna will (2) ____ to traffic on November 15^th this year (3) ____ Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at a (4) ____ news (5) ____ in Bratislava held on February 18th The Slovak Spectator reported. The Austrian Chancellor said, “My government accepts the decision of the Slovak government not to privatise Bratislava (6) ____ or the Cargo Slovakia (7) ____ Company,” adding, “Austria is prepared to create the political conditions for future cooperation between Vienna and Bratislava airports as well as in railway cargo transport.”

Other topics (8) ____ by the two leaders included Slovakia’s efforts to enter the Schengen area, the EU’s border free zone at the end of 2007 and the introduction of the Euro in Slovakia in 2009. Fico asked for Austria’s support on this issue. Regarding the issue of free movement of labour Gusenbauer confirmed, “Austria (9) ____ to use the maximum seven-year delay to block access to its labour markets for workers from Slovakia and other new EU members that joined in 2004,” adding, “It will review its decision in 2009.” The Austrian Chancellor has invited Fico to visit Austria officially in the (10) ____ of this year.

1.	(a)	lane	(b)	motorway	(c)	freeway	(d)	road
2.	(a)	opening	(b)	close	(c)	closed	(d)	open
3.	(a)	announced	(b)	Yelled	(c)	announcing	(d)	said
4.	(a)	roast	(b)	fag	(c)	joint	(d)	cigarette
5.	(a)	flash	(b)	gathering	(c)	conference	(d)	Show
6.	(a)	airport	(b)	port	(c)	railway	(d)	roads
7.	(a)	haulage	(b)	railway	(c)	airplane	(d)	road
8.	(a)	talked about	(b)	shouted	(c)	whispered	(d)	discussed
9.	(a)	planning	(b)	planned	(c)	panned	(d)	plans
10.	(a)	winter	(b)	spring	(c)	summer	(d)	autumn

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: MOTORWAY: Search the Internet and find more information about the Bratislava – Vienna motorway. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. INTERNET: SCHENGEN: Search the Internet and find more information about Schengen. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

4. INTERNET: BRATISLAVA AIRPORT: Search the Internet and find more information about the cancellation of the privatisation of Bratislava airport. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

5. POSTER: Design a new poster for the new motorway between Bratislava and Vienna. Show your poster to your classmates in the next lesson. Vote on who made the best poster.

6. POSTER: Design a new poster for the Slovak Euro coins and notes. Show your poster to your classmates in the next lesson. Vote on who made the best poster.

7. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article for The Slovak Spectator about Slovakia’s infrastructure. (Minimum 300 words) What would you improve? What needs to be done? How quickly should it be done? Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?

8. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write an article for The Slovak Spectator about the pros and cons of Slovakia joining the Schengen area and the Euro. (300 words) Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a. F

b. F

c. T

d. T

e. F

f. F

g. T

h. F