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Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Exam topics: Youth and Society


 

  Throughout the history young people have always been driving force for progress. They are creative, passionate and enthusiastic. Young people generate innovative and ambitious ideas. They are ready to come out of their comfort zone, take risks and that’s why it is so important to give youngsters opportunities and chances to express themselves.

 It’s quite natural that young people want to socialize with their equals so as to express their views on several political and social issues. They join youth organizations and societies. Participation in youth organisations gives numerous advantages both to the youth and to the entire community.

First of all, such organisations bring together diverse groups of young people. They explore different issues together, get involved in many aspects of young people’s lives and eventually become a close-knit peer group.

Secondly, such organisations help youngsters to gain leadership and teamwork skills, which can help them be better prepared for any job they might choose in the future.

And finally, the ability to think critically and solve problems as well as self-confidence will definitely improve thanks to participation in such organisations. The main aim of these organizations is to involve young people into socially useful activities such as sporting events, volunteering at hospitals, taking care of war veterans, assisting the old and the handicapped, carrying out some ecological projects and doing other things.      

 There are a lot of youth organizations, groups and movements in Belarus, so young people can find one that will suit their interests. The most authoritative of them are: the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM), the Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization, the Association of Belarusian Scouts, the Belarusian Organizations of Falcons, the Belarusian National Scout Organization, the Association of Belarusian Guides, etc. The biggest youth organization in Belarus is the BRSM, which includes about 500,000 young people aged from 14 to 31. The  main aim of this organization is to promote patriotism, develop young people’s initiative and involve them in useful public activities.

Everybody can find something to their taste. Those who want to help people in need join “The Kind Heart Movement” and go to hospitals or orphanages, work with disabled or sick people, those who need care and love. Some young people who are full of creative ideas can take part in festivals, exhibitions and contests organized by the BRSM to show their talents. Business people may take part in one of the largest projects that is “100 Ideas for Belarus”. It is financed by the government and BRSM and offers funding to young people with the best start-up projects. BRSM also provides young people with working places in summer.

Supported by the government young people arrange numerous useful social campaigns, which are dedicated to a wide range of goals. Among them there are such campaigns as charity campaigns, an antismoking and recycling campaigns.

  At the same time there are a lot of informal youth movements that want to express themselves in different ways. Usually they are organized on the base of common interests or preferences in music styles or in arts priorities. Some try to express their political views others are searching for their own answers to universal problems: ecological, religious or philosophical. Anyway all young people want to express themselves and find their place in this world.         

 One more interesting phenomenon is sub-culture. It is generally held that sub-culture is the culture of those who are dissatisfied with their place in society. On the whole Teds, Mods, Rockers, Bikers, Skinheads and Punks are the sub-cultures of the politically or economically weak segments of the society. It is interesting to note that sub-cultures follow a cycle. At first they shock then provoke a strong response. Many adopt it for fun, and play at rebellion in their leisure time. In the end it becomes another recognized and colourful part of urban culture.            

  I have never joined any youth organizations, probably, because I haven’t found anything special or interesting for my personal development. I’m very busy with my studies, besides I’ve got a lot of interests and hobbies. By the way, I’m a very sociable person and have got some close friends and a lot of schoolmates or just mates. I’m fond of travelling and like to meet new people. I can express myself in various activities organized at school: concerts, sports competitions, class meetings and parties, and of course at my everyday classes. Thus I don’t feel intention to join any organization.

 

 Let’s talk about youth and society.

1. What social issues are important for young people nowadays?

2. Do you think your life is easier or more difficult than that of your parents?

3. Your British friend is volunteering on a Belarusian farm. What questions will you ask him/her about it?

4. What youth organisations will you recommend young people to join?

5. People say that volunteering can make a great difference to our lives and the lives of others around us. What do you think about it?

Let’s talk about youth and society.

1. What national and international youth organisations do you know?

2. Are you a member of any youth organisation?

3. What questions will you ask about a new project organised by the BRSM?

4. Some young people want to become volunteers but don’t know what to start with. What will you recommend them to do?

5. If you have a chance to start a campaign, what will you campaign for?

Write the answers to the questions in comments.

20 comments:

  1. 1)There are several questions that arise among young people in our time. For example, how to make money on your whims. Or how to find time to prepare for the upcoming exams. A lot of different questions arise, it all depends on the person.
    2)Parents constantly say that the life of today's young people is much easier than theirs. There were phones and other various gadgets that did not exist in the days of our parents. I believe that the life of today's young people is really easier.
    3)1. Do you like the Belarusian nature?
    2. Is farm work difficult?
    3. Are you coping with all the responsibilities?
    4. What do you do in your free time?
    4)I think it is worth joining the organization " Movement of Good Hearts” because in our time, a small number of people are interested in visiting hospitals and orphanages. It is also worth joining the BRSM to get a job.
    5)Volunteering can be called free labor. Of course, volunteering can play a big role in the lives of people, especially people who are helped by volunteers: children without parents, the disabled, seriously ill people, the elderly, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your mark is an eight. For the first question you have to name some general social issues for young people not personal ones but more common for youth.
      Pay attention to your mistakes:
      There ✔ are phones and other various gadgets that did not exist in the days of our parents.

      Delete
  2. 1. I think that these problems include such things as: loneliness, self-realization, problems with self-acceptance (for example - anorexia, obesity), bullying, depression, the desire to be heard by adults, academic difficulties, peer pressure, abuse. But according to my observations, many people try not to involve parents or teachers in this, they often look for support on the Internet, social networks and, as a result, find it. This is because other teenagers have already been through this and know how to deal with some problems.
    2.According to the stories my parents, they were responsible for the all household chores. I have no reason not to believe them, because when I visit my grandparents, they expect something similar from me. But I don't think that life has been easier or harder for any of our generations. Now the routine of young people is completely different from our parent's one, so I consider it useless to compare them.
    3.How long have you been volunteering?
    Have you ever volunteered on the farm before?
    What does your help /work imply?
    What inspired you to work specifically in Belarus?
    Would you like to repeat this experience?
    4. I am not a member of any organization, because I don't think it will be useful to me , so I can only list them. The most famous are the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, the youth operational squad of vigilantes, the Belarusian Republican pioneer organization and the League of Voluntary Labor of Youth of the Belarusian KVN. Some of them imply age restrictions (for example, the BRSM usually goes after the pioneers). More detailed information about the activities of organizations can be found on the Internet, where everything is written briefly and clearly
    5.For an individual, participation in volunteer activities promotes self-realization and self-improvement, it gives us an opportunity to get new knowledge and experience ( this is especially important for young people), as well as the opportunity to feel socially significant and useful. Many campaigns which deal with the elimination of illiteracy, environmental protection, immunization of the population, etc. are really dependen on the volunteers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 1) I believe that the most important social problems for young people are bullying, major health problems, gaps in adults and children.
    2)I believe that the life of any parent will be more difficult. The elder always cares more about the children than about himself. An adult is always responsible for two, three, etc.
    3) 1) What are you doing on the farm? 2) Why did you decide to volunteer? 3) Do you enjoy your work? 4) In which countries did you volunteer? 5) How long do you plan to do this?
    4) I probably did not recommend joining any organizations. But I would give advice to do volunteering and charity work. In doing this, I do not believe that the help should always be huge. For Dada, the slightest help will be needed by both needy children and animals.
    5)I believe that this is so, the main thing is to show yourself in volunteering. More and more people are trying to help animals, people and the environment. Waste sorting is already a kind of volunteering. The more people participate in volunteer activities, the more we will make our lives better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well-done! You have got an eight, because the second question needs comparison between your life now and your parents when they were at the same age as you.

      Delete
  4. 1. Аt the moment, young people are asking themselves the question of their place of arrangement, place in life. All young people want to find their own direction, their own way. They also raise issues of communication skills, surrounding oneself with people, training. It is important for young people to become individuals and to manage their lives independently.
    2. Here we need to consider the two sides of the same coin. I think it was more difficult for them to study, since we have the Internet and communication methods for this, they also had to learn everything through textbooks, books, and it took longer and more difficult to find any information. Also, then there was a shortage of food and money, so they could not afford what we allow ourselves. However, that generation, I think, was based on trust with parents, and nowadays there are huge problems with that. Therefore, children cope with their problems on their own.
    3. 1) Why did you choose a Belarusian farm to work as a volunteer?
    2) What responsibilities do you have on your shoulders?
    3) Are you satisfied with this type of activity?
    4) Is it hard for you to understand what they want from you?
    4. It is difficult to say which youth organizations I would recommend to join, since I know little about them. I know that benefits are offered for members of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, so I would advise you to join there. Become a volunteer, help people.
    5. I think that being a volunteer is very difficult and it is a great responsibility. Volunteers are of immense value to our society. Many children do not pay attention to the elderly, for example, but volunteers are involved in helping these people. Volunteers are also involved in cleaning up ecological territories, which is very important for humanity.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 1. Nowadays youth are trying to protect their representatives from bulling or abuse, self-harm or any psychological problems and pressure from parents, school, classmates, society. All issues are important today.
    2. I think that times change, people too. I can’t say that we live easier than our parents(if we speak about relationships), but I think that our life is better. We were brought up by parents who mb know what the real abuse was, that’s why we are more tolerant to each other than it was in the past. But if we are speaking about conditions in which we was brought up and live now there are really easier than they were in the past.
    3. Are you still alive? Ok, I’m kidding. Have you ever volunteered on the farm before? What kind of job did you do on the farm? Was it difficult for you to get along with all workers on the Bel farm? What kind of work was new for you? Do you think that our farms are well equipped one? Do you think that it is it is convenient for animals to live there?
    4. I would recommend to join in Red Cross or some volunteer club(for animals or just any charity). That’s all. Please do not join BRSM/BRYU.
    5. I think that yes. If each person donates me a ruble, I will be a millionaire. It really works like that. If we gather together and help poor people it will work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great job! You have deserved a ten! But if you write against any organisation you should explain why-the reasons for it.

      Delete
  6. 1. I think young people care about their way of life. Everyone wants to find their calling. Teenagers also face problems such as bullying, loneliness, and communication problems. Teenagers are looking for help online, sometimes it helps, and sometimes it can make things worse.
    2. I believe that our life is easier than that of our parents. Now we have a lot of opportunities, thanks to the Internet. We can engage in self-development, work as a freelancer at the age of 14 and earn our first money, communicate with people on the Internet from all over the world and gain experience and knowledge. Any roads are open to us, the main thing is to learn.
    3. What inspired you to do this?
    What can you say about our nation?
    What kind of work do you do on the farm?
    Do you want to visit Belarus again?
    Is it difficult to communicate with the workers on the farm?
    4. There are a lot of problems in the modern world. One of the most important is the environmental problem. Dozens of animal species are on the verge of extinction. Every year, a huge amount of harmful substances are released into the atmosphere, which harm the environment. Therefore, I would advise you to join the Green Network Environmental Partnership. This is an association of various organizations for the protection of nature.
    5. I agree with this statement. The lives of others will be brighter if people take care of them. There are many types of volunteering, you can plant trees or help those in need. It will also enhance your social and professional skills. We do something good for the world and it makes everyone happier.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 1)I think that for many it is earnings, finding a job for young people is problematic. It can also be social problems: bullying, communication problems, difficult family relationships, various psychological problems
    2)it's a shame to compare the life of two different generations, primarily due to changes in the world. if we compare our studies, then it is much easier for us, since there is an Internet where you can find any information, our parents did not have this and they had to look for all the books (this takes much longer). If we talk about everyday life, I think that the parents had more responsibilities than we do now.
    3)why did you start volunteering? How long have you been doing this? What difficulties do you face while working ? why did you choose Belarus for work?
    4) I am not a member of such organizations, it is difficult for me to advise anything. I think that you can help those in need without joining various organizations, you can transfer money to children with complex diseases, bring food and toys to animal shelters, give gifts and school supplies to children from the orphanage.
    5)I think it is very important to do volunteer work. People should help each other and then the world will be better. Do not forget about people with disabilities, the elderly, mentally ill people who need help. If each person provides minimal assistance, then together we can help many people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great job! You have deserved a ten!The only thing - the Internet!

      Delete
  8. 1. Nowadays many young people take an active part in social life. So, they definitely have some issues that are important for them. Generation gap is one of the most widespread problems as well as different sorts of school and communication problems, bullying, loneliness and many others. But I think that a lot of youngsters today can find support from family, friends and even from the Internet forums.
       

    2. Of course, my life is easier than that of my parents. The 21st century is marked by a huge free flow of information exchange on the Internet and it has brought a lot of advantages. It made possible communication regardless the distance. Nowadays it's easier to study and get knowledge. I can watch any film, listen to any music, read any book whenever I want to. My parents didn't have such opportunities, but their lives were full of memorable moments in real life.


    3. Why have you decided to become a volunteer on a Belarusian farm?
    What experience have you got there? Would you like to repeat it?
    What advice will you give my friend who wants to volunteer on a Belarusian farm?


    4. Unfortunately, I don't know a lot of youth organisations. But I can confidently say that young people should choose the organisation with aim and social position that reflects their own preferences, interests and attitude to different aspects of social life. Everybody can find something to their taste. Those who want to help people in need join “The Kind Heart Movement”. Ambitious and creative youngsters can join BRSM in Belarus. It also provides young people with working places in summer.

    5. Without doubt, volunteering can make a great difference to our lives and the lives of others around us. Volunteers make the little things count. They provide comfort and support to people, foster community development, help everyday society function. So volunteers change our lives for the better and they become better themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 1. Nowadays for young people important issues like enviromental problems, helping disabled people and war veterans. Also young people intersted in economic and technological innovations. There are main driving force of our progress.
    2. I think that my life much easier than life of my parents. Nowadays we have internet and a lot of gadgets that making our common life easier. The biggest achievement are free access to the information from all over the world. We can learn everything what we want. For example my parents lived in time when Soviet Union existed. They cant just learn language of other country or even visit it.
    3.1)Do you like your job?
    2)What lead you to our country and especially to belarusian farm?
    3)What intersting did you found in our country?
    4)Where is this farm located?
    5)What's yours job for this farm?
    4.I dont know a lot of organisations in our country and in other world. In my opinon all people must choose organisations on their own. I dont like it, so i didn't join them.
    5.It can choose out life strongly. But if we want to see real result, more people need to become volonteers. Nowadays small amount of people intersted in it, then i can say that a lot of people don't have a possibility to do it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well-done, you have got an eight.
      Pay attention to your mistakes:
      Nowadays for young people important issues ✔ are environmental problems, helping disabled people and war veterans. Also young people ✔ are interested in economic and technological innovations. ✔They are a main driving force of our progress.
      The biggest achievement ✔ is
      I think that my life ✔ is much easier than life of my parents.
      ✔ the Internet

      Delete

  10. 1. I think that these days the question of the future career and work is growing in popularity with youngsters since the possibility to spend the whole life trying to earn your coin by exchanging your health for money really gives me shivers. Besides, as the social awareness of global ecological issues is attracting more and more attention, the issues of ecology are also very popular among the adolescence.

    2. I don't think that i have a right to compare. We have different tasks, different responsibilities. My occupation is seemed to be sometimes hard for me whereas my parents find it pretty easy and vise versa.

    3. Why have u decided to to participate in such activity?
    What do u find challenging in your tasks?
    What did u expect it to be? Did your expectations approved?
    How would i describe your experience?

    4. I think that i can't promote to any of the organisations since i'm quite umfamiliar to them. To my mind every person should decide himself whether to join or not cause by joining a person must accept the rules of an organisation. For some people it's unacceptable

    5. I think yes, because by doing even simple tasks you can help the society. Do u remember the catastrophes after hurricanes and floods? All the support made by indifferent people saved many lives. That's why i think tthat even by donating a bit of money or doing just a simple tasks in order to help someone can change the life of people. But on the other hand sometimes volunteering is used as and advesrtisement for some products. I think all of us are familiar with such ads as :"5% percents of the price is going to orphanages" or others. To my mind using the hearts of indifferent people is a shame

    ReplyDelete