Розробка уроку на тему "Universal Declaration of Human Rights"

THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Level: B1–B2
Topic: Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Time: 80–90 minutes

Learning objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• understand the main ideas of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

• use vocabulary related to human rights and freedoms;

• understand and discuss basic human rights;

• find specific information in an English text;

• express their own opinion about human rights;

• discuss the importance of equality, freedom and dignity.

1. WARM-UP

Discuss the questions.

1. What are human rights?

2. Why do people need human rights?

3. What rights are especially important for every person?

4. Are human rights the same for all people?

5. Can human rights ever be limited?

Complete the sentence:

Human rights are important because ____________________________________.

2. VOCABULARY

Match the words with their definitions.

Word	Definition
1. human rights	A. the state of being free
2. freedom	B. fair treatment of all people
3. equality	C. basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person
4. dignity	D. the right to say what you think
5. discrimination	E. respect and value of a person
6. justice	F. unfair treatment because of differences between people
7. belief	G. fair treatment according to the law
8. expression	H. an opinion or something a person considers true

Key vocabulary

• human rights — права людини

• freedom — свобода

• equality — рівність

• dignity — гідність

• discrimination — дискримінація

• justice — справедливість

• freedom of speech — свобода слова

• right to education — право на освіту

• right to life — право на життя

• freedom of religion — свобода віросповідання

• law — закон

• protection — захист

• peace — мир

3. READING TEXT 1

THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, also known as the UDHR, is one of the most important international documents about human rights. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948.

The Declaration was created after the Second World War. Millions of people had suffered because of war, violence, discrimination and persecution. The international community wanted to establish common principles that would protect people and their basic freedoms.

The UDHR contains 30 articles. It states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Human rights belong to every person, regardless of nationality, race, sex, language, religion or social status.

The Declaration protects many important rights and freedoms. These include the right to life, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of thought and religion, freedom of expression, the right to education and the right to work.

The UDHR is not a national constitution or a law of one particular country. However, it has had a major influence on international human rights law. Many countries have used its principles when developing their constitutions and national legislation.

The Universal Declaration reminds us that every person deserves respect, freedom and equality. Human rights are universal because they belong to all people.

4. TRUE OR FALSE

Read the text and decide whether the statements are True (T) or False (F).

1. The UDHR was adopted in 1948.

2. The Declaration was created before the Second World War.

3. The UDHR contains 30 articles.

4. Human rights belong only to citizens of democratic countries.

5. The Declaration protects freedom of religion.

6. The UDHR includes the right to education.

7. The Declaration is the constitution of the United Nations.

8. The UDHR has influenced national laws and constitutions.

5. MULTIPLE CHOICE

Choose the correct answer: A, B or C.

1. When was the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted?

A. 1939
B. 1948
C. 1968

2. Why was the Declaration created?

A. To establish international trade rules
B. To protect human rights after the Second World War
C. To create a new international currency

3. How many articles does the UDHR contain?

A. 20
B. 25
C. 30

4. According to the Declaration, all human beings are:

A. born free and equal
B. born with different rights
C. required to belong to a religion

5. Which of these rights is mentioned in the text?

A. The right to own a car
B. The right to education
C. The right to travel for free

6. Human rights belong to:

A. only adults
B. only citizens
C. every person

7. The UDHR has influenced:

A. national constitutions and laws
B. sports regulations
C. international business contracts

8. Why are human rights called universal?

A. They belong to all people.
B. They apply only in Europe.
C. They are available only during wartime.

6. MATCHING

Match the human right with its description.

Human right	Description
1. Right to life	A. Everyone should have access to learning.
2. Freedom of religion	B. People should be free to express their opinions.
3. Right to education	C. Every person has the right to live.
4. Freedom of expression	D. People can choose and practise their religion or beliefs.
5. Freedom from slavery	E. No person should be treated as another person's property.

7. READING TEXT 2

WHY ARE HUMAN RIGHTS IMPORTANT?

Human rights are essential for a peaceful and fair society. They protect people from violence, discrimination and abuse. They also give individuals the opportunity to live freely and develop their abilities.

One of the most important principles of human rights is equality. Every person should have the same basic rights, regardless of their background. A person's nationality, gender, religion, language or social position should not determine whether they have human rights.

Freedom is another important principle. People should be able to express their opinions, choose their beliefs and make important decisions about their lives. At the same time, freedom should be connected with responsibility. One person's freedom should not be used to harm another person.

Human rights are also connected with justice. Laws should protect people and ensure that everyone is treated fairly. When human rights are respected, people are more likely to live in peace and cooperate with each other.

However, human rights can be threatened by war, discrimination, poverty, violence and political repression. Therefore, governments, international organizations and individuals all have a role in protecting human rights.

Respect for human rights begins with respect for every individual.

8. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

Give short answers.

1. Why are human rights important?

2. What does equality mean?

3. What freedoms are mentioned in the text?

4. Why should freedom be connected with responsibility?

5. What can threaten human rights?

6. Who has a role in protecting human rights?

7. How can people show respect for human rights?

9. VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT

Complete the sentences with the words from the box.

equality | freedom | justice | discrimination | dignity | rights

1. Every person deserves to be treated with __________.

2. The law should guarantee __________ for all people.

3. People should have __________ of speech.

4. __________ means treating people unfairly because of their characteristics.

5. Human __________ belong to every person.

6. Courts should protect __________ and fair treatment.

10. FIND THE OPPOSITES

Find words in the texts that have the opposite meaning to:

1. inequality — __________

2. slavery — __________

3. unfairness — __________

4. violence — __________

5. restriction — __________

11. GRAMMAR TASK

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs.

1. The UDHR __________ (adopt) in 1948.

2. Human rights __________ (protect) by international law.

3. The Declaration __________ (contain) 30 articles.

4. Millions of people __________ (suffer) during the Second World War.

5. The principles of the UDHR __________ (use) in many countries.

6. Every person __________ (deserve) respect and dignity.

12. DISCUSSION

Work in pairs or small groups.

Discuss the following questions:

1. Which human right is the most important? Why?

2. Is freedom of speech unlimited?

3. Why is equality important?

4. Can people have freedom without responsibility?

5. What can young people do to protect human rights?

6. What happens when governments do not respect human rights?

7. Are human rights equally protected in all countries?

Useful phrases

• In my opinion, ...

• I believe that ...

• I agree because ...

• I disagree because ...

• From my point of view, ...

• I think the most important right is ...

• One example is ...

• Human rights are important because ...

13. SITUATIONAL TASK

Situation 1

A student is not allowed to express an opinion during a school discussion because the teacher does not agree with it.

Questions:

1. Which human right may be involved?

2. Is freedom of expression important at school?

3. How should the student express disagreement respectfully?

Situation 2

A person is refused a job because of their religion.

Questions:

1. Is this fair?

2. Which human right is involved?

3. What should the employer do?

Situation 3

A child cannot attend school because their family is very poor.

Questions:

1. Which human right is connected with this situation?

2. Why is education important?

3. What can society do to help?

14. MINI DEBATE

Topic:

“All human rights should be protected in every country.”

Divide the class into two groups.

Group A — Agree

Give three arguments supporting the statement.

Group B — Disagree

Give three arguments against the statement.

Useful language:

• Our first argument is...

• Another important point is...

• We believe that...

• We disagree with this idea because...

• For example...

• To sum up...

15. WRITING TASK

Write 100–120 words on the topic:

“Why are human rights important in modern society?”

Use the following plan:

Introduction:
What are human rights?

Main part:
What are the most important human rights?
Why do people need them?

Conclusion:
What can people do to protect human rights?

16. FINAL QUIZ

Choose the correct answer.

1. The UDHR was adopted in:

A. 1918
B. 1948
C. 1955

2. The UDHR contains:

A. 20 articles
B. 25 articles
C. 30 articles

3. The Declaration states that human beings are born:

A. free and equal
B. rich and educated
C. different before the law

4. Which right is included in the UDHR?

A. Right to luxury
B. Right to education
C. Right to own a business

5. Human rights belong to:

A. politicians
B. citizens of the UN only
C. all people

6. Freedom of expression means:

A. the freedom to express opinions
B. the freedom to break laws
C. the freedom to harm others

7. Which principle means fair treatment of people?

A. equality
B. discrimination
C. slavery

8. Human rights can be threatened by:

A. peace
B. education
C. war and violence

ANSWER KEY

Task 2 — Vocabulary

1 — C
2 — A
3 — B
4 — E
5 — F
6 — G
7 — H
8 — D

Task 4 — True / False

1. T

2. F

3. T

4. F

5. T

6. T

7. F

8. T

Task 5 — Multiple Choice

1. B

2. B

3. C

4. A

5. B

6. C

7. A

8. A

Task 6 — Matching

1 — C
2 — D
3 — A
4 — B
5 — E

Task 9 — Vocabulary

1. dignity

2. equality

3. freedom

4. discrimination

5. rights

6. justice

Task 11 — Grammar

1. was adopted

2. are protected

3. contains

4. suffered

5. are used

6. deserves

Task 16 — Final Quiz

1. B

2. C

3. A

4. B

5. C

6. A

7. A

8. C