‘I was alone, I had nothing’: from child refugee to student nurse in Athens

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

A tool

To end up (somewhere/ (doing) something)

An attempt/ To attempt (to do something)

The vast majority of

From now on

To prevent (something/ someone from doing something)

Barely

Shelter

Devastating/ Devastated 

To miss out (on something) 

To abolish (something)

A toddler

To flee (from) somewhere

A bunk bed

Up and running

To single (something/ someone) out

Long overdue

Banter

Hindsight

To sleep rough

Odd jobs

To unveil (something)

To embark (on something) 

To slip under the radar

Rickety

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1. What is Ahtisham Khan’s story?

2. What has Greece been criticised for and what are they trying to do about it?

3. What is Maher Assaf’s story?

4. What is Dorcas Muke’s story?

5. ‘I don’t understand why people like Ahtisham Khan are so desperate to travel from Turkey to Europe.’ Is this true for you?

6. ‘Young people like Ahtisham Khan are generally more optimistic and determined than older people.’ Do you agree?

7. ‘Young refugees are in a better situation than old refugees.’ Do you agree?

8.  ‘I would love to become a nurse like Ahtisham Khan.’ Is this true for you?

9. ‘I didn’t face any challenges when I left my native country.’ Is this true for you?

10. ‘There are lots of foreigners living in my native city and country.’ Is this true for you?

11. ‘It’s impossible to tackle the problem of homelessness.’ Do you agree?

12. ‘Education is power.’ Do you agree?

13. ‘The world is becoming less racist.’ Do you agree? 

14. ‘Brexit hasn’t affected my life at all.’ Is this true for you?

15. ‘The world would be a better place if there were no borders.’ Do you agree?