1.

Ice Breakers
Where did you grow up?
Do you have any pets?
Do you have any siblings?
What did you do this past weekend?
What are your plans for this weekend?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
What is your favourite holiday?
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
Are you a saver or a spender?
Do you play any instruments?

2. Choose the correct version:

My sister wrote/was writing a letter while I was reading/read my book.
I didnt see/havent seen him a lot lately, because he just returned/has just returned from
France.
These man/men brought much/many news about the events in Ukraine.
I will not/dont give them the informations/information if they wont/dont promise to
keep the secret.
There isnt/arent any money in my pocket.
The people arrived/have arrived/has arrived/had arrived half an hour before the
conference began.
The firemans/firemen managed to put off the fire immediately.
When I have been/was a child, I used to count sheeps/sheep whenever I wasnt able to sleep.
The alleys in the park were full of yellow leafs/leaves.
Look! She doesnt listen / isnt listening to what I say/Im saying.
If you dont/wont brush your teeth/tooths regularly, you have/will have a lot of
cavities/cavitys.

3. Social Issue: Homeless and Beggars

Homeless

What do you know about being homeless?

Does your city have a large homeless population?
What do you think can done to help homeless people?
Have you done volunteer work in your community?
Do you think it's acceptable for children to work late at night selling flowers and singing?
o Do you think these children need to be out doing this, or are they just earning extra
money?
o What do you think will happen to these children in the future? Do they have a
future?
Do you think there should be more help for beggars, homeless and poor people in your town
or city?
Do you think your town or city should make a place for beggars and homeless people to go,
like a homeless shelter?
o Do you think it would reduce the amount of beggars and homeless people on the
street?
o Do you think it would encourage people to be lazy?
o What are some reasons that these people would not want to use such a shelter?
If your town or city was to have a homeless shelter, who should run this place?
o Who should pay for this place?
o Should anybody be allowed to go to this place?
Do you think the government should give money to homeless people?
o How about jobless people?
o If you think the government should give money, about how much money do you
think should be given?

Beggars

Do you give money to beggars or homeless people? Why or why not?

o How do you know if a beggar is a real beggar?
o If you give money to beggars or homeless people, about how much do you give?
o Do you think beggars should work on their own?
o Would you offer a beggar a job to help you around you house?
Would you rather give money to beggars or buskers? (Buskers are people who entertain you
on the street for money, e.g. musicians)
Would you rather give money to beggars who have a disability, older beggars, beggars with
babies or child beggars? Why?
Does your country have rich beggars?
Does it make you feel good to give money to beggars?
Do you give money to beggars to help or to make you feel good about yourself?
Do you give money or do you give things: e.g. clothes, food, etc.?
Do you choose the kind of beggars you give money or things to? e.g. old men playing musical
instruments, small children roaming around, adults carrying a child.

4. Should You Give Money to Street Beggars?

A typical scene goes like this. The panhandler holds a cardboard sign desperately pleading
for help. He (or increasingly she) approaches the drivers window of cars waiting at red
lights. Once traffic comes to a stop, the beggar walks into the street, waiting for kindhearted
drivers to give over a buck or two, or some loose pocket change.
There are many opinions on the question of how to respond to beggars and panhandlers.
Some people feel comfortable giving money, believing it is then up to the beggar to
determine how to use it, whether to buy food or alcohol/drugs. Others give food/water
instead of money, understanding that some beggars would not use the money properly. Some
prefer to offer transportation to a local shelter and/or provide financial support directly to
the shelter. If the local church has a food bank, contributing to it and then directing the
beggar there for help may be the best way. What is the right thing to do?
Evidence shows that people who beg on the streets of England do so in order to buy hard
drugs, particularly crack cocaine and heroin, and super-strength alcoholic beers and ciders.
These highly addictive drugs cause an extreme deterioration in peoples health and even
death.
Support local homelessness charities that are working with people in need. You can make a
donation or offer up your time as a volunteer.
We are not asking you to just 'walk on by'. By all means engage street homeless people in
conversation, even buy them a cup of tea or food. But please don't give them money. We
have seen too many people die from overdoses on the street. Your kindness could kill.

Homework: State 3 pros and 3 cons related to giving money to beggars in your country.