In the US, increasingly heavy-handed laws have been passed to control the flood of immigrants, both legal and illegal. A barrier also snakes its way through the desert between the US and Mexico, with plans to upgrade the existing structure. In Britain, tougher restrictions will be imposed on immigration, due largely to worsening unemployment rates there. The number of people in search of work is at an eight-year high. And in the EU, due to similar unemployment pressures, leaders have adopted a document which outlines policies for improved migration management. The document recommends measures to control people wishing to settle in Europe, as well as those just passing through.

The debate on immigration isn't new by any means. Proponents argue that immigrants take up jobs that natural-born citizens often deem undesirable. These jobs remain vital to the smooth functioning of society, though. In addition, immigrants also combat shrinking populations, a problem many industrialized nations face due to a combination of declining birthrates and aging baby boomers. Opponents believe that immigrants steal jobs by accepting lower wages, an argument that especially gets raised in tough economic times. There are also concerns over national security, the burden of welfare and re-education for an immigrant population, and a loss or dilution of a nation's cultural identity.

Push and pull factors on a global scale motivate people to seek new lives elsewhere. For example, wars, genocide, or religious persecution in one region may push people to emigrate for the US or Europe. Or greater economic opportunities may pull people from depressed regions, and thereby lead to an influx in immigrants. But in many nations around the world recently, the implicit message to those seeking a new life in more prosperous countries has become: Stay home. We don't want you.

Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Nations Increasingly Strict on Immigration."

Fill in the Blank: Fill in the blank with the correct word.

1. In the US, increasingly ( ) laws have been passed to control the flood of immigrants.

2. In Britain, tougher restrictions will be ( ) on immigration.

3. In the EU, leaders have ( ) a document which outlines policies on migration management.

4. The debate on immigration isn't new ( ).

5. ( ) argue that immigrants take up jobs that natural-born citizens often deem undesirable.

6. There are also concerns over a loss or ( ) of a nation's cultural identity.

7. Wars, genocide, or religious ( ) in one region may push people to emigrate for the US or Europe.

8. Greater economic opportunities may lead to an ( ) in immigrants.

9. In many nations around the world recently, there is an ( ) message.

10. The message for those seeking a new life in more ( ) countries

has become: Stay home.

Post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1. What are some additional reasons to support immigration? Why are these reasons good?

2. What are some additional reasons to oppose immigration? Why are these reasons bad?

3. What are some additional reasons that people choose to emigrate? Please explain.

4. Why has immigration become such a controversial issue recently?

5. Do you agree with the article's conclusion? Why/not?

Google Search: Type "immigration" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings

№ 6.

New Language Boom

People learn languages all the time, and for all kinds of reasons. For example, you probably have different reasons to study English than your classmates. But have you ever thought about creating an entirely new language from scratch?

There's been a boom in made-up languages recently, driven by the epic "Lord of the Rings" and other fantasy movies and books. The trend has also been fueled as more and more people venture online. There are websites, discussion boards, and chat rooms that teach how to build a language, others that share new languages, and some that seek collaborators. Made-up languages aren't restricted to Star Trek fans and Esperanto speakers.

It takes time and determination to create a new language. A creator needs to do more than substitute existing words with invented ones. There's rhythm and intonation to consider - how does the language sound when spoken? If it's invented for non-humans in a movie or book, how does biology change the sound? How does it represent the culture of the people who speak it? Then there are grammar rules, such as masculine and feminine nouns or verbs, word order, or the use of irregular verbs. Even a simple language can take years to develop.

Yet the new languages don't have the same sticking power as real languages like English, French, or Japanese. Only Esperanto is the exception, because it has about two million speakers. It was created in the 19th century to give humanity an easily learned language for international use. As for the made-up languages of today, there are an infinite number of reasons behind their creation. Some people do it as a hobby, others as a way to relax. Some just like the challenge.