‘Without enough Latvians, we won’t be Latvia’: eastern Europe’s shrinking population
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 scar/ To be scarred (by something)
Abandoned/ To abandon (something/ someone)
‘Twice as many… as’/ ‘Three to five times as much… as’
To have a lot going for someone/ something
The demise (of something/ someone)
15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.
1. What do you know about Margarita Skangale?
2. What is happening to the populations of European countries, and why?
3. According to the article, what are some of the potential solutions to this problem in Latvia?
4. What were the stories of some of the individuals who decided to return to, or stay in, Latvia?
5. ‘It’s impossible for a government to encourage people to have more babies.’ Do you agree?
6. The pope said that ‘the choice to not have children is selfish.’ Do you agree with him?
7. ‘Many of the people I grew up with decided to move abroad.’ Is this true for you?
8. ‘The decision to leave my native country was very difficult for me.’ Is this true for you?
9. ‘When I retire, I would love to move back to my hometown.’ Is this true for you?
10. ‘There’s absolutely no way I’ll ever move back to my hometown.’ Is this true for you?
11. ‘The only reason I left my hometown was because of a lack of economic opportunities.’ Is this true for you?
12. ‘I’m worried about the size of the world’s population.’ Is this true for you?
13. ‘The standard of living I can have in the UK is far greater than the standard of living I can have in my native country.’ Is this true for you?
14. ‘I’ve always dreamed of visiting Latvia.’ Is this true for you?
15. ‘Brexit has made my life a lot more difficult.’ Is this true for you?