FEDERATION EUROPEENNE DES ECOLES

EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF SCHOOLS

EUROPÄISCHER SCHULVERBAND
FEDERAZIONE EUROPEA DELLE SCUOLE
FEDERACION EUROPEA DE CENTROS DOCENTES

Organisation Non Gouvernementale dotée du statut participatif auprès du Conseil de l’Europe

NGO enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe

LANGUE VIVANTE EUROPEENNE

ANGLAIS – ORAL

NIVEAU + 3

Aucun dictionnaire autorisé

Préparation : 25 minutes

Oral : 20 minutes

Session : Octobre 2010

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 1/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 MISE EN SITUTATION N°1

Europeans Revitalize Plants to Save Jobs

The glass and iron Siemens factory in Berlin opened almost exactly a century ago. At first, it manufactured electricity
turbines, then munitions during World War II. (Question 1 and 2)

Today, it is manufacturing turbines again — except these models are among the most advanced in the world, each one
able to power all the homes in this city of three million.“It’s not a museum; it’s a workshop,” said Michael
Schwarzlose, a project manager at the plant. (Question 3)

The same might be said for much of Europe itself. In moving to preserve jobs through the economic crisis , European
companies have forged a different path towards recovery than American companies : they are making old plants more
modern and effective rather than watching workers or companies considered uncompetitive fall by the wayside.
(Question 4)

European companies have paid a price: lower profits and productivity than their American competitors. But as long-
suffering American workers face the prospect of a jobless recovery, many analysts believe the European model may
deserve another look. (Question 5 and 6)

February 4, 2010, New York Times online

1. When was Siemens founded?

It was founded 100 years ago.

2. What products did it use to produce?

It used to produce electricity turbines and munitions during WWII.

3. What does the company produce today and what are the characteristics of the product now?
It produces the most advanced turbines in the world that can power the homes of the 3 million inhabitants of Berlin.

4. Can you compare the European and American approach to economic recovery particularly
concerning old factories/plants?
Europe emphasizes the creation of jobs and modernizes and streamlines old companies, whereas Americans shut down
uncompetitive companies and lay off workers.

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?

American companies are more productive and profitable, but more companies are closed down increasing
unemployment.

6. What do analysts think of the European model? Why?

They think it deserves to be taken seriously suggesting their method is better.

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 2/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 MISE EN SITUTATION N°2

Impenetrable

China accounts for less than 3% of the global sales of pharmaceutical companies. AIG an American insurance firm
has won greater access to China than many of its competitors, but its operations are still restricted to eight cities.
(Question 1)

Because of the recession foreign firms are keener than ever to capitalize on China’s growth, but Europe and
America’s exports to China have remained flat over the past year. (Questions 2 and 3)

Many foreign firms are doing well especially at the two extremes of the value chain: on the one hand luxury goods,
fiber optic cable and big aeroplanes, and oil,ores and recyclable wastes on the other. (Question 4)

But both explicit legal impediments and hidden obstacles hamper foreigners access to Chinese customers, despite
China’s promises of reform when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001. (Question 5)

Publishing, telecommunications, oil exploration,marketing, pharmaceuticals, banking and insurance remain protected
or off –limits to foreigners . Corruption, protectionism and bureaucracy hamper foreigners in all fields. (Question 6)

Adapted from the Economist October 17, 2009

1. How successful are foreign pharmaceutical and insurance companies in China?

Not very successful 3% for pharmaceuticals and AIG is restricted to 8 cities.

2. Why have foreign companies been so eager to break into the Chinese market?
Because of the recession at home and because of China’s growth

3. To what extent have European and American companies increased their exports?
They have not increased but remained flat.

4. Which types of companies do well in China and what do they sell?

Companies that sell goods at the ends of the value chain: on the one hand luxury products, aeroplanes and fiber optics,
but also raw materials like oil, minerals and recyclable waste.

5. Since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 has it kept its promise to make reforms
to make it easier for foreign companies to sell to Chinese customers?
No: despite the China’s promises when it joined the WTO, legal and hidden obstacles still hamper foreigners access to
Chinese customers

6. Which fields of foreign businesses have a hard time accessing the Chinese market and what makes
it so difficult for them?
Publishing, telecommunications, marketing, pharmaceuticals, banking and insurance are hampered by corruption, red
tape and protectionism.

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 3/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 MISE EN SITUTATION N°3

The Battle of Barroso: France claims victory, but so does the commission's president

Given the financial crisis, it is « very reassuring » that French ideas of regulation are « triumphing » in Europe said
Nicolas Sarkozy referring to the distribution of portfolios in the new European Commission. Michel Barnier, a
champion of state intervention , heads the single market , including financial service.
(Questions 1 and 2)

Mr Sarkozy boasted the British had « frankly opposed him and are the big losers in the affair ». However most of the
commission’s financial proposals are already in the works and the City may have more to fear from the British Labour
governments plan to increase taxes. (Questions 3 and 4)

José Manuel Barroso has created a political team reflecting the view that Europeans want a « social market economy »
with its liberal hard edges softened. Corporatists have secured big jobs. Free traders were reassured by the choice of a
Belgian liberal for trade. Climate change goes to a Dane, Competition to a Spanish central socialist. Telecoms to a
Dutch liberal and the economics job to a Finnish liberal. The French may crow but Mr Barroso has got most of what
he wanted. (Questions 5 and 6)

Adapted from The Economist December 5th 2009

1. What prevailing French ideas does Nicolas Sarkozy find reassuring at this particular time?
The ideas are regulation and state intervention which are reassuring because of deregulation which led to the economic
crisis.

2. What job in the European Commission has Michel Barnier been put in charge of, and what policy
does he defend?
Mr Barnier, a champion of state intervention, is in charge of the single market and financial services.

3. Which country opposed the French ideas on the single market , and whose ideas triumphed
according to president Sarkozy ?
The Brits were opposed to the idea of regulation, and lost in the debate because Mr Barnier is the commissioner of the
single market and champions regulation.

4. Why does the journalist believe that Mr Sarkozy may be too optimistic and what should the City
fear more?
He may be too optimistic because many financial proposals are already being implemented, and so in fact the
financiers of the City should worry more about the labour government’s plan to raise taxes.

5. What view does Barroso’s team of European commissioners actually reflect, and what examples
are given to illustrate it?
It reflects « social market economy » with commissioners from various countries and political parties: a Belgian
liberal for trade, a Dane for . Climate change, Competition to a Spanish socialist. Telecoms to a Dutch liberal and
economics job to a Finnish liberal.

6. To what extent have Barroso’s wishes been satisfied?

He has gotten most of what he wanted: the liberal edges of the market have been softened but the team is made up of
members from various countries with different approaches. (Barnier a champion of state intervention, competition to a
central socialist, but liberals for trade and economics.

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 4/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 MISE EN SITUTATION N°4

U.S. Union Takes its Case Directly to French Employer

French workers are not usually shy in denouncing perceived abusive practices by U.S. companies. Now globalization
appears to have reversed those roles - at least at one giant company. (Question 1)

On Monday American workers will be in a Paris suburb to express anger at their treatment by the French multinational
Sodexo, which describes itself as the world leader in » quality of life daily solutions » and « on site service
solutions ». To translate : it is the world’s largest catering and facilities management company. (Question 2)

Sodexo has grown in recent years helped by governments that have hired services off to the private sector like prisons,
voucher programs and institutional and military canteens. Costs are kept down by underpaying its 380,000 employees
in 80 countries. (Question 3 and 4)

To protest Sodexo’s staff policy, the Service Employees International Union is bringing Sodexo employees from the
US to its annual general meeting in Issy-les-Moulineaux to accuse the company of « poverty-inducing wages. » and
exploiting weak U.S. labor laws to hinder their membership. Their campaign is supported by French and British
unions and a group representing hospitality and service workers worldwide. (Questions 5 and 6)

The International Herald Tribune, January 25th, 2010

1. What has been the attitude of French workers towards unfair practices by American companies?
They usually are quick to denounce them

2. Which French company are American workers denouncing, and what does it specialize in?
They are denouncing Sodexo, the world’s leader in catering and facilities management.

3. How have governments helped Sodexo grow in recent years?

Instead of having the government pay for catering services in prisons, vouchers, and canteens, they hire Sodexo to
provide the services.

4. How does Sodexo reduce costs?

By underpaying its employees.

5. Why are the American employees of Sodexo attending the meeting in Issy protesting?
They are denouncing Sodexo for paying low wages that « keep the employees in poverty » and for exploiting weak
American labor laws.

6. Which other groups are supporting them?

The French and British unions and a group representing hospitality and service workers worldwide.
(Service Employees Inetrnational Union)

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 5/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 MISE EN SITUTATION N°5

The Female Factor

Getting Women Into Boardrooms, by Law

Norway’s business community was shocked when in 2002 a law was proposed requiring that 40 percent of all
company board members be women. Even in this egalitarian society — 80 percent of Norwegian women work outside
the home, and half the current government’s ministers are female — the idea seemed radical. The measure was passed
after months of debate. (Question 1 and 2)

Today the share of female directors at the approximately 400 companies affected is above 40 %, while women fill
more than a quarter of the board seats at the 65 largest privately held companies. (Question 3)

Spain and the Netherlands have passed similar laws, with a 2015 deadline for compliance. The French Senate will
soon debate a bill phasing in a female quota by 2016. Belgium, Britain, Germany and Sweden are considering
legislation. (Question 4)

In the past 50 years, women have gained ever more prominence in politics and society. A decade into the 21st century,
however, their corporate power remains slight — although women represent half or more of the work force in many
countries. (Question 5)

Traditional tendencies die hard. The higher up the corporate ladder, the greater the perceived risk associated with
choosing managers who are not “homogenous, .
In the European Union, only 9.7 percent of the board members at the top 300 companies were women in 2008, versus
8 percent in 2004, according to the European Professional Women’s Network. (Question 6)

Adapted from,The New YorkTimes online January 28, 2010

1. In 2002, what law proposal shocked the Norwegian business community?

That 40% of a company’s board members had to be women.

2. Why is Norway called an egalitarian society?

Because half of the government’s ministers are women and 80% work outside the home.

3. To what extent has the law been respected?

It has been completely respected as the share of female directors at the companies affected is over the required quota
of 40%. Moreover ¼ of the board members of private companies are women.

4. Is Norway ahead of other European countries in imposing quotas for female board directors?
Yes it is. Spain and the Netherlands have a deadline for compliane in 2015, France 2016 and Belgium, Britain,
Germany and Sweden are considering legislation.

5. Over the past 50 years in which areas have women made progress and in which are they slow to
rise?
They have made progress in politics and society but their corporate power is slight.

6. What traditional tendency resists change and what figures illustrate this in the European Union?
The tendency not to risk choosing female managers because they are different. In the E.U. only 9.7 of the board
members of the top 300 companies were women in 2008 versus 8% in 2004 which is an increase of only 1.7%

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 6/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 MISE EN SITUTATION N°6

We did it!

The rich world's quiet revolution: women are gradually taking over the workplace (…): within the next few months
women will cross the 50% threshold and become the majority of the American workforce. (Question 1)

Women already make up the majority of university graduates in the OECD countries and the majority of professional
workers, in several rich countries, including the United States. Women run many of the world's great companies, from
PepsiCo in America to Areva in France. (Question 2 and 3)

Women's economic empowerment is arguably the biggest social change of our times. Just a generation ago, women
were largely confined to repetitive, menial jobs. They were routinely subjected to casual sexism and were expected to
abandon their careers when they married and had children. Today they are running some of the organisations that
once treated them as second-class citizens. (Question 4 and 5)

Millions of women have been given more control over their lives. And millions of brains have been put to more
productive use. Societies that try to resist this trend (…) will pay a hcavy price in the form of wasted talent and
frustrated citizens. (Question 6)

The Economist, January 2nd-8th, 2010

1. What radical changes have been discreetly taking place in developed countries? What statistics
reflect this in the USA?
More women than men now make up the workforce, over 50% in the USA

2. What do OECD findings show about the education and careers of women in several developed
countries today?
More women than men are college graduates and professionals.

3. Which countries and companies are given as examples of having female CEOs
( Chief Executive Officer) ?
Pepsico in the USA and Areva in France have female CEOs.

4. Can you compare the types of jobs and careers women used to have with their situation today?
Women used to have menial jobs and were expected to abandon their careers when they got married, whereas
nowadays they are often highly qualified and can have responsibility and power.

5. How did companies used to consider women a generation ago? What reflects a complete reversal of
their status?
They used to be treated as second class citizens, but now some women run the companies that scorned them a
generation ago.

6. What advantages do women and societies with educated women with careers have over societies
that refuse this evolution?
Educated women in the workforce have control over their lives, and society benefits from their talents. In societies
where women are denied these rights, they are frustrated and the society does not benefit from their talents.

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 7/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist, November 14th 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 8/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist, November 14th 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 9/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist, October 17th 2009
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 10/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist , November 14th 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 11/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist, December 5th, 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 12/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist, October 21st 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 13/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist, December 5th 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 14/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist , January 2nd 2010

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 15/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 The Economist , January 2nd 2010

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 16/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 17/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
Facebook

By superspy on Aug 28, 2008 12:12 PM

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 18/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1
 Friday, January 16, 2009

© Fédération Européenne Des Ecoles – European Federation of Schools – Octobre 2010 19/19
UC B1/B2/B3 ANG Oral – Sujet N°1