EU Continues to Receive Increasing Number of Refugees

October 10, 2015

Unlocking Word Meanings
 今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. migrant /ˈmaɪ grənt/ (n.) – a person who moves from one place to another
Example: Emily’s father is a migrant from Turkey.

2. outflow /ˈaʊtˌfloʊ/ (n.) – the increase of something
Example: The leaders are finding ways to control the outflow of refugees.

3. asylum /əˈsaɪ ləm/ (n.) – protection granted by a country for migrants
Example: They left Syria to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.

4. confusion /kənˈfyu ʒən/ (n.) – the state in which people are not sure about something
Example: Ask for directions to avoid confusion when traveling in a foreign country.

5. deem /dim/ (v.) – to come up with an opinion about something
Example: The government deemed the country safe after the war ended.


Article
 ニュース記事

Read the text below.
The number of migrants entering the European Union (EU) rose to 107,500 in July, a report revealed.

According to Frontex, the EU’s border agency responsible for monitoring migrant activity, this is the first time that figures went beyond 100,000. Findings also showed that the number continues to increase every month. Germany, for instance, previously predicted that the number of migrants that would enter the country this year would be 450,000. But in August, Germany adjusted its forecast to 800,000.

The recent outflow of migrants is caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East. These migrants leave their home countries to seek asylum in EU nations. In response to the sudden increase, some EU nations have taken steps to control their migrant activity.  Hungary, for example, built a razor-wire fence on its border with Serbia to keep migrants out. The country also prohibited migrants from entering the train station, where they can ride trains going to Austria and Germany.

According to EU laws, migrants must stay in the country they first entered while waiting for their asylum request to be processed. However, Germany has begun accepting asylum requests from Syrian migrants who entered the EU through a different nation. This has caused confusion in other nations.

On another note, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are calling out to the European Union to set up centers in Italy and Greece. The purpose of these centers is to determine whether each migrant is seeking asylum or is trying to enter the region for economic reasons. The proposal also mentioned that migrants from countries that have been deemed safe will be sent back to their home countries.

Viewpoint Discussion
 ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Why do you think some countries are hesitant to let migrants in?
·         What do you think the European Union should do about the outflow of migrants?

Discussion B

·         What are some challenges that migrants face when they leave their country?
·         If you were your country’s leader, how would you help the European Union with the migrant crisis?

October 10, 2015