TEENAGE PROBLEMS. GENERATION GAP

TEENAGE PROBLEMS. GENERATION GAP

Objectives:

1. To test students' reading and writing skills on the topic

2. To bring up students to respect their parents.

Materials needed:

•          Texts for reading:

•          Worksheets

Procedure

1. Greetings, Introduction.

Teacher: Many young people say that they have problems with their parents. They think that their parents don't understand them. Some want to be more independent and to live alone. Others want to escape from their homes because they think they are unhappy. Young people even run away. Such a situation is usually called a "generation gap".

•          Have you ever wanted to escape from your home? 

•          Do you know anyone who has tried to live home? What happened? Students share their stories with the whole class.

2. Reading and writing skills, testing.

Activity: group work: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Read the following opinions and point out the ideas the people have about a "generation gap".

Texts for Reading

Kate is optimistic:

Frankly speaking, I can hardly understand want people mean when they say, "generation gap". What is a generation gap? I know that is means misunderstanding between parents and children, adults and teenagers. But I cannot understand this problem. Parents love their children: they grow them up, care for them and support them. And children should pay them the same coin. I love my parents, because they take care of me, they are kind and sympathetic; they are always ready to help me. I'm sure that they love me too. And where there is love there should be understanding. My parents never ignore me, they always support me and understand all my problems. I can't live without their help and respect, and I know that they also need my attention. So, these are the only relations that are possible between parents and children, I think.

Jane has some problems:

There is such a thing as a generation gap. And I know it for sure. 1 experience it every day. My parents never understand me.

Whatever I do or say they always think that I am wrong. They keep saying that I'm not grown-up enough to do what I want. That's why they always tell me what to do and what to say, where to go and what people to make friends with. They don't like my friends, my hobby and my style of life. They make me of things I don't want to. They are always after me and it is very annoying

My friends laugh at me very often and say that I am "mother's darling". They say that I depend on my parents and that I won't be able to live on my own. I really wish I had more freedom.

I know that my parents love me and care for me, but I want them to treat me not like a child but an adult person. I need more liberty, and I don't want to depend on them. I am 16 and I am grown-up enough to make my own decisions. I just want them to respect my personality.

Andrew is in trouble:

Many people say that only their relatives' help, and support make them feel comfortable and cozy. I understand them and I wish I felt the same about my family. But unfortunately, I can't.

I love my parents very much, but I don't think that they feel the same. My parents never pay attention to me, and they don't understand my soul. It hurts very much when my parents ignore me. I never feel desirable at home. That's why I often think about living them. I know that my children live their homes because some terrible problems in their families- a stepparent, a parent with alcohol problems or a violent parent. In comparison with them I should be lucky person, because we don't have such problems in my family.

Reading comprehension task

1) Look though the opinions and find the proof in the texts.

1. There is no misunderstanding in Kate's family.

2. Kate loves her parents.

3. Jane knows what a "generation gap" is.

4. Jane needs more freedom.

5. Jane's parents annoy her.

6. Jane needs her parents' respect.

7. Andrew wants to escape from his home.

8. There are not many problems in Andrew's family.

9. Andrew loves his parents very much.

2) Are the following sentences true or false?

1. Kate wants to leave her parents.

2. Jane's parents think she is grown-up enough to do what she wants?

3. Andrew is a lucky person.

4. Kate thinks that children should love their parents.

5. Andrew feels his parents love him very much.

6. Kate's parents are very kind and attentive to her.

7. Jane's parents love her and care for her.

8. Andrew feels desirable at home.

9. Jane doesn't want to live with her parents. 

10. Jane's friends respect her parents.

11. Andrew's parents pay much attention to him.

3) Choose the most appropriate statement.

1. Kate loves her parents, because

a) They never scold her;

b) They buy her expensive things:

c) They are always ready to help her.

2. Kate's parents

a) Always support her and understand her problems;

b) Think she is not grown-up enough to do what she wants;

c) Don't like her friends.

3. Jane's parents

a) Never tell her what to do;

b) Always think she is wrong;

c) Like her friends.

4. Jane's friends

a) Say she will be able to live on her own;

b) Laugh at her;

c) Wake her escape from her home.

5. Jane doesn't want

a) To depend on her friends:

b) To live at home;

c) To depend on her parents.

6. Andrew's parents

a) Ignore him;

b) Ask him to do shopping every day;

c) Punish him.

7. Andrew often thinks ...

a) About living his parents;

b) About summer holidays;

c) About problems with friends.

4) Have you ever had any problems with your parents? What are they? Write about them. What are you really worried about?

5) Comment on the sentences:

Teenagers who leave home are selfish.

Young people should never leave home without their parent's permission.

Teenagers should be allowed to do what they want.

3. Closing-up.

Ss discuss the following points with the whole class.

•          Do young people leave home in your city? Why? Why not? 

•          Would you want to leave home soon? Why? Why not?

•          Do you agree with this proverb: "Home is where the heart is?" (Pliny the Elder).

•          Try to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of leaving home as a young person.

The teacher draws the conclusion.

People who have problems don't know what to do, because they don't want to tell their relatives or their friends about the problems they have. That's why they write letters to magazines. Have you ever had any problems with your friends, relatives or teachers?

4. Homework.

Students should write a letter to a magazine or one of their friends about their problems with parents.