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EU leaders back Slovakia's entry into the euro

Ideas and Articles by David Robinson

27th June 2008

Category: Business / Economic / Euro

Level: Intermediate / Upper intermediate

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EU leaders back Slovakia's
entry into the euro

European Union leaders on Thursday backed Slovakia's bid to become the 16th country to join the euro, giving their nod to one of eastern Europe's economic success stories the Malaysia Sun reported. "Leaders endorse Slovakia's accession to the eurozone on January 1st," a statement from the Slovenian presidency of the EU said.The endorsement during an EU summit came at a ceremony attended by European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. EU finance ministers agreed to accept Slovakia at a June 3rd meeting after acknowledging that the country had fulfilled the criteria for joining the single currency. These include keeping its budget deficit and inflation rate within limits. Finance ministers are expected to formalize their decision in July, allowing Slovakia to become the first former Warsaw Pact nation to switch to the euro. Slovakia's move toward the eurozone is 'a great success,' Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Brussels Thursday.

Analysts say however that rising inflation across the EU makes it unlikely that any other members will join Slovakia in the single currency in the immediate future. Fico said he assured European leaders that Slovakia will not see rising prices after joining the eurozone, but was ready to battle inflation if needed. "We will do our best to have a balanced budget in 2011 because that is the best way to fight inflation," He defended his government's push for the strongest possible conversion rate from the Slovak koruna to the euro at the July 8th EU finance ministers' meeting. "A strong conversion rate is good for people and their savings," Fico said. The single currency, which was first coined in 2002, is currently used in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and the Netherlands. All of the EU's 27 members except Denmark and Britain have pledged to join the currency as soon as they have met the conditions. Sweden does not have an opt-out clause but is reluctant to join.

START

1. SLOVAKIA JOINING THE EURO: What do you know about Slovakia joining the euro? Go round the room swapping stories. Change partners often.

2.DICTATION: The teacher will read some of the article slowly and clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again. Self correct your work from page 2 - filling in spaces and correcting mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total number 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!

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

4. VOCABULARY: Students look through the article. Underline/highlight any vocabulary you do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out. The teacher will go through & explain any words or phrases you do not understand.

5. EU LEADERS SUMMIT MEETING: Look below at the 10 different themes that EU leaders could talk about at a future EU summit. What do you think the EU leaders might have to say about each theme? What is your preferred choice of subjects for them to talk about? List them as 10 = preferred - 1 = least favourite. Compare and discuss with your partner.

1 Escalating oil prices 6 The Lisbon Treaty
2 Trade with China, India & USA 7 Inflation
3 A European Republic 8 Burma
4 Zimbabwe 9 Turkey joining the EU
4 Euro 2008! 10 Your theme

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

6. QUICK DEBATE: Student A thinks it is a good idea for Slovakia to join the euro. Explain why. Student B thinks it isn't. Explain why.

7. EURO & EUROZONE: With your partner on the board write as many words to do with 'The Euro & the Eurozone' as you can. One-two minutes. Compare with other teams. Using your words compile a short dialogue together.

8. SENTENCES: Choose six/nine of the words from no 7. Write two/three sentences using two/three words in each. Underline your chosen words. The teacher will if necessary correct your work. Students might be asked to read their sentences aloud.

9. ARTICLE QUIZ: With your partner or in small groups: (1 point for each correct answer. Lose ½ point if you look at the article for help!)

    Student A
  1. How many countries are in the eurozone?
  2. What date was the euro introduced?
  3. What countries don't wish to join the euro?
  4. Who is reluctant to join the euro?
  5. What city did the EU leaders meet in?
  6. Who is the European Central Bank President?
    Student B
  1. Name the countries in the former Warsaw Pact.
  2. Who met on June 3rd?
  3. what do analysts say?
  4. Sum up what the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.
  5. Who have pledged what?
  6. Name the 2 conditions met by Slovakia for joining the euro

10. EU LEADERS MEETING: Think of 10 things you might see at an EU leaders meeting. (Imagine!) Write them below. Using these words prepare a short story to tell your partner about you attending the meeting.

1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10

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

11. THE EURO: List 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of the euro. Discuss with your partner.

Advantages of euro Disadvantages of euro
1 1
2 2
3 3

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

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

  1. The euro ______________________________________________________

  2. The eurozone countries ___________________________________________

  3. The conversion rate ______________________________________________

  4. Inflation will ___________________________________________________

  5. EU leaders _____________________________________________________

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

a.

European leaders on Friday backed Slovakia's bid to join the euro

T / F

b.

Slovakia's accession to the eurozone starts immediately

T / F

c.

The single currency was first coined in 2002

T / F

d.

The euro is used in France, Germany and Luxembourg

T / F

e.

Sweden will be the next country to join the eurozone

T / F

f.

There are 27 members in the EU

T / F

g.

Ireland recently rejected the euro

T / F

h.

July 8th is D-Day for Slovakia

T / F


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

a.

Backing

Nevertheless

b.

Nod

Judgement

c.

Statement

Instant

d.

Decision

Increasing

e.

Success

Arrival

f.

However

Achievement

g.

Immediate

Ok

h.

Rising

Fight

i.

Battle

Endorsement

j.

Accession

Recital


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

a.

European Union leaders

but is reluctant to join

b.

...one of eastern Europe's

during an EU summit

c.

Leaders endorse Slovakia's accession

is 'a great success'

d.

The endorsement

which was first coined in 2002, ...

e.

Finance ministers are expected

rising prices after joining the eurozone

f.

Slovakia's move toward the eurozone

economic success stories

g.

Slovakia will not see

is good for people and their savings

h.

A strong conversion rate

to the euro-zone on January 1st

i.

Sweden does not have an opt-out clause

to formulize their decision in July

j.

The single currency,

on Thursday backed Slovakia's bid

GAP FILL: READING

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

 

European Union leaders on Thursday backed Slovakia's bid to become the 16th country to join the euro, giving their nod to one of eastern Europe's economic _______ stories the Malaysia Sun reported. "Leaders _______ Slovakia's accession to the eurozone on January 1st," a statement from the Slovenian presidency of the _____ said. The ___________ during an EU summit came at a ceremony attended by ________ Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. EU finance ministers agreed to accept Slovakia at a June 3rd meeting after acknowledging that the country had fulfilled the ________ for joining the single currency. These include keeping its budget deficit and _________ rate within limits. Finance ministers are expected to _________ their decision in July, allowing Slovakia to become the first former Warsaw Pact nation to switch to the euro. Slovakia's move toward the eurozone is 'a great success,' Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Brussels Thursday.

endorse

endorsement

criteria

inflation

formalize

success

EU

European

________ say however that rising inflation across the EU makes it unlikely that any other members will join Slovakia in the single currency in the _________ future. Fico said he assured European leaders that Slovakia will not see rising prices after joining the ________, but was ready to battle inflation if needed. "We will do our best to have a balanced budget in 2011 because that is the best way to fight inflation," He defended his government's push for the strongest possible conversion rate from the Slovak koruna to the euro at the July 8th EU finance ministers' meeting. "A strong _________ rate is good for people and their savings," Fico said. The single ________, which was first coined in 2002, is currently used in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and the Netherlands. All of the EU's 27 members except Denmark and Britain have pledged to join the currency as soon as they have met the __________. Sweden does not have an _______ clause but is _________ to join.

conditions

conversion

eurozone

analysts

reluctant

immediate

Opt-out

currency

GAP FILL: LISTENING:

Listen and fill in the spaces.

EU leaders back Slovakia's entry into the euro
European Union leaders on Thursday backed Slovakia's bid to become the 16th country to join the euro, giving ___________________ eastern Europe's economic success stories the Malaysia Sun reported. "Leaders endorse Slovakia's accession to the eurozone on January 1st," a statement from the ____________________ of the EU said. The endorsement during an EU summit came at a ceremony attended by _____________________ President Jean-Claude Trichet. EU finance ministers agreed to accept Slovakia at a June 3rd meeting after acknowledging that the country had fulfilled the criteria for joining the single currency. These include keeping its __________________ inflation rate within limits. Finance ministers are expected to formalize their decision in July, allowing Slovakia to become the first former __________________ to switch to the euro. Slovakia's move toward the eurozone is '_______________,' Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Brussels Thursday.

Analysts say however that ________________ across the EU makes it unlikely that any other members will join Slovakia in the single currency in the immediate future. Fico said he assured _________________ that Slovakia will not see rising prices after joining the eurozone, but was ready to battle inflation if needed. "We will do our best to have a __________________ 2011 because that is the best way to fight inflation," He defended his government's push for the strongest possible conversion rate from the Slovak koruna to the euro at the July 8th EU finance ministers' meeting. "A ______________________ is good for people and their savings," Fico said. The single currency, which was first coined in 2002, is currently used in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria ___________________. All of the EU's 27 members except Denmark and Britain have pledged to join the currency as soon as they have met the conditions. Sweden does not have _________________ but is reluctant to join.

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS(Do not show these to student B)

  1. Did the headline make you want to read the article?
  2. What do you think of the euro?
  3. Do you think it is good that Slovakia will join the eurozone?
  4. How often do you use the euro?
  5. Is a single currency across Europe a good idea?
  6. Why doesn't Great Britain join the euro?
  7. Should more countries join the euro?
  8. Why do you think there are restrictions on other countries joining the euro?
  9. Which country after Slovakia will be next to join the euro?
  10. Will the euro benefit you?

---------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS(Do not show these to student B)

  1. What do you think about what you read?
  2. Has the euro brought EU countries closer together?
  3. Have prices in euro-land shot up since the euro was introduced?
  4. Do you think prices in Slovakia will rocket once the euro is introduced?
  5. Do you think it is a good idea to have duel pricing in the time period before and after the euro is introduced in Slovakia?
  6. What changes will Slovaks have to make in their lives when the euro arrives?
  7. What do you think poor people in Slovakia will think of the introduction of the euro?
  8. Will inflation go up in Slovakia after the euro is introduced?
  9. What will happen to wages in Slovakia after the euro is introduced in Slovakia?
  10. Did you like this discussion?

SPEAKING

ROLE PLAY: THE EURO:

In pairs or small groups: You are at press conference of EU leaders in Brussels. The meeting is being hosted by the European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. Think of 3 GOOD questions to ask him.

One of you is the ECB President. The others are journalists posing your questions. Your subject is 'Slovakia joining the eurozone.'

Write the response below

Question 1


Question 2


Question 3


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

LANGUAGE:

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

European Union leaders on (1)__ backed Slovakia's bid to become the 16th country to join the euro, giving their nod to one of eastern Europe's economic success stories the Malaysia Sun reported. "Leaders endorse Slovakia's accession to the eurozone on January 1st," a statement (2)__ the Slovenian presidency of the EU said. The endorsement (3)__ an EU summit came at a ceremony attended by European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. EU finance ministers (4)__ to accept Slovakia at a June 3rd meeting after acknowledging that the country had fulfilled the criteria for joining the single currency. (5)__ include (6)__ its budget deficit and inflation rate within limits. Finance ministers are expected to formalize their decision in July, allowing Slovakia to become the first former Warsaw Pact nation to switch to the euro. Slovakia's move toward the eurozone is 'a great success,' Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Brussels Thursday.

Analysts say however that rising inflation across the EU makes it unlikely that any other members will join Slovakia in the single currency in the immediate future. Fico said he assured European leaders that Slovakia will not see (7)__ prices after joining the eurozone, but was ready to (8)__ inflation if needed. "We will do our best to have a balanced budget in 2011 because that is the best way to fight inflation," He defended his government's push for the strongest possible (9)__ rate from the Slovak koruna to the euro at the July 8th EU finance ministers' meeting. "A (10)__ conversion rate is good for people and their savings," Fico said. The single currency, which was first coined in 2002, is currently used in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and the Netherlands. All of the EU's 27 members except Denmark and Britain have (11)__ to join the currency as soon as they have met the conditions. Sweden does not have an (12)__ clause but is reluctant to join.

1. (a) Wednesday (b) Thursday (c) Friday (d) Saturday
2. (a) to (b) from (c) by (d) at
3. (a) at (b) before (c) during (d) after
4. (a) agreed (b) agree (c) agrees (d) agreeing
5. (a) then (b) they (c) this (d) these
6. (a) keeping (b) kept (c) keep (d) keeper
7. (a) rise (b) rose (c) rises (d) rising
8. (a) soldier (b) battle (c) fight (d) war
9. (a) conversion (b) convert (c) converted (d) converts
10. (a) mighty (b) poor (c) weak (d) strong
11. (a) pledge (b) wedge (c) pledged (d) dredged
12. (a) opt-in (b) opt-out (c) opt (d) opted

GRAMMAR 1: MIDWAY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

EU leaders back Slovakia's entry into the euro
European Union leaders on Thursday backed Slovakia's bid to become the 16th country to join the euro, giving (1)__ nod to one of eastern Europe's economic success stories the Malaysia Sun reported. "Leaders endorse Slovakia's accession to the eurozone on January 1st," a statement (2)__ the Slovenian presidency of the EU said. The endorsement during an EU summit came at a ceremony attended by European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. EU finance ministers agreed to accept Slovakia at a June 3rd meeting (3)__ acknowledging (4)__ the country had fulfilled the criteria (5)__ joining the single currency. (6)__ include keeping its budget deficit and inflation rate (7)__ limits. Finance ministers are expected to formalize their decision in July, allowing Slovakia to become the first former Warsaw Pact nation to switch to the euro. Slovakia's move toward the eurozone is 'a great success,' Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Brussels Thursday.


these

within

from

after

that

for

their

Analysts say however that rising inflation across the EU makes it unlikely (1)__ any (2)__ members will join Slovakia in the single currency in the immediate future. Fico said he assured European leaders that Slovakia will not see rising prices after joining the eurozone, but was ready to battle inflation if needed. "We will do our best to have a balanced budget in 2011 (3)__ that is the best way to fight inflation," He defended his government's push for the strongest possible conversion rate (4)__ the Slovak koruna to the euro at the July 8th EU finance ministers' meeting. "A strong conversion rate is good for people and (5)__ savings," Fico said. The single currency, (6)__ was first coined in 2002, is currently used in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and the Netherlands. All of the EU's 27 members except Denmark and Britain have pledged to join the currency as soon as (7)__ have met the conditions. Sweden does not have an opt-out clause (8)__ is reluctant to join.

their

other

but

from

they

which

that

because

GRAMMAR 2: EASY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

EU leaders back Slovakia's entry into the euro
European Union leaders (1)__ Thursday backed Slovakia's bid to become the 16th country to join the euro, giving their nod to one (2)__ eastern Europe's economic success stories the Malaysia Sun reported. "Leaders endorse Slovakia's accession to the eurozone on January 1st," a statement from the Slovenian presidency of the EU said. The endorsement during (3)__ EU summit came at a ceremony attended by European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. EU finance ministers agreed to accept Slovakia (4)__ a June 3rd meeting after acknowledging that (5)__ country had fulfilled the criteria for joining the single currency. These include keeping (6)__ budget deficit and inflation rate within limits. Finance ministers are expected to formalize their decision in July, allowing Slovakia (7)__ become the first former Warsaw Pact nation to switch to the euro. Slovakia's move toward the eurozone is '(8)__ great success,' Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Brussels Thursday.


an

its

at

of

on

a

to

the

Analysts say however that rising inflation across the EU makes (1)__ unlikely that any other members will join Slovakia (2)__ the single currency in the immediate future. Fico said he assured European leaders that Slovakia will not see rising prices after joining the eurozone, but was ready to battle inflation if needed. "We will do our best to have a balanced budget in 2011 because that is the best way to fight inflation," (3)__ defended (4)__ government's push for the strongest possible conversion rate from the Slovak koruna to the euro at the July 8th EU finance ministers' meeting. "A strong conversion rate is good for people and their savings," Fico said. The single currency, which was first coined in 2002, is currently used in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria (5)__ the Netherlands. All (6)__ the EU's 27 members except Denmark and Britain have pledged to join the currency as soon as they have met (7)__ conditions. Sweden does not have (8)__ opt-out clause but is reluctant to join.

an

in

it

and

the

of

he

his

HOMEWORK

1. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on "Why it is good for Slovakia to join the euro" (Minimum 200 words)

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?

WRITING: IN CLASS:

1. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on "Why it is good for Slovakia to join the euro" (Minimum 200 words) You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work.

Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, "You have xx minutes."

 

SPELLING TEST

The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following words that are in the article:

1 economic

11 analysts

2 inflation

12 immediate

3 battle

13 balanced

4 eurozone

14 strongest

5 statement

15 pledged

6 criteria

16 conditions

7 conversion

17 ministers

8 clause

18 fulfilled

9 success

19 endorsement

10 formalize

20 acknowledging

 

ANSWERS: 1

TRUE / FALSE:

a. F b. F c. T d. T e. F f. T g. F h. F/T

SYNONYM MATCH:

a.

Backing

Endorsement

b.

Nod

Ok

c.

Statement

Recital

d.

Decision

Judgement

e.

Success

Achievement

f.

However

Nevertheless

g.

Immediate

Instant

h.

Rising

Increasing

i.

Battle

Fight

j.

Accession

Arrival

PHRASE MATCH:

a.

European Union leaders

on Thursday backed Slovakia's bid

b.

...one of eastern Europe's

economic success stories

c.

Leaders endorse Slovakia's accession

to the euro-zone on January 1st

d.

The endorsement

during an EU summit

e.

Finance ministers are expected

to formulize their decision in July

f.

Slovakia's move toward the eurozone

is 'a great success'

g.

Slovakia will not see

rising prices after joining the eurozone

h.

A strong conversion rate

is good for people and their savings

i.

Sweden does not have an opt-out clause

but is reluctant to join

j.

The single currency,

which was first coined in 2002, ...

GAP FILL: EU leaders back Slovakia's entry into the euro: European Union leaders on Thursday backed Slovakia's bid to become the 16th country to join the euro, giving their nod to one of eastern Europe's economic success stories the Malaysia Sun reported. "Leaders endorse Slovakia's accession to the eurozone on January 1st," a statement from the Slovenian presidency of the EU said. The endorsement during an EU summit came at a ceremony attended by European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet. EU finance ministers agreed to accept Slovakia at a June 3rd meeting after acknowledging that the country had fulfilled the criteria for joining the single currency. These include keeping its budget deficit and inflation rate within limits. Finance ministers are expected to formalize their decision in July, allowing Slovakia to become the first former Warsaw Pact nation to switch to the euro. Slovakia's move toward the eurozone is 'a great success,' Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Brussels Thursday. Analysts say however that rising inflation across the EU makes it unlikely that any other members will join Slovakia in the single currency in the immediate future. Fico said he assured European leaders that Slovakia will not see rising prices after joining the eurozone, but was ready to battle inflation if needed. "We will do our best to have a balanced budget in 2011 because that is the best way to fight inflation," He defended his government's push for the strongest possible conversion rate from the Slovak koruna to the euro at the July 8th EU finance ministers' meeting. "A strong conversion rate is good for people and their savings," Fico said. The single currency, which was first coined in 2002, is currently used in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and the Netherlands. All of the EU's 27 members except Denmark and Britain have pledged to join the currency as soon as they have met the conditions. Sweden does not have an opt-out clause but is reluctant to join.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - b 2 - b 3 - c 4 - a 5 - d 6 - a 7 - d 8 - b 9 - a 10 - d 11 - c 12 - b