Katie Melua on the BBC's 'This Week' discussing migration (ADV / IELTS)

Ketevan "Katie" Melua (born 16 September 1984) is a singer, songwriter and musician. Katie made her musical debut in 2003. In 2006, she was the United Kingdom's bestselling female artist and Europe's highest selling European female artist.

Official website http://www.katiemelua.com/

You are going to watch a video in which  Katie Melua talks about coming to live in the UK, migration, integration and being British. 

There are some questions to answer and discuss, and a writing activity (IELTS)

Before you watch
Check you know what these words mean here http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/ 

a) perception
b) fortunate
c) whinge
d) asylum
e) take advantage of something
f) "under one umbrella"
g) positive impact
h) integration
i) politically correct
j) immigrant



Look at the questions

1. Where did Katie come from?
   
2. How old was she when she came to Britain? 
3. Where did she and her family first move to? 
4. Why did they feel fortunate to move to the west? 
5. If she had stayed in Georgia, what did she think she would be doing now? 
6. What are the three different types of immigrants she mentions who come to the UK? 
7. Why does she say immigration should be celebrated? 
8. What does she say older immigrants should do to help integration?
9. What does she say the government should do to help integration?
10. How did she and her family feel when they got their British passports?
11. Why does she get angry with her English mates? 

Now watch



Answer the questions

Discussion

• Why do you think the media puts all the different kinds of immigrants "under one umbrella"?
• What are the positive contributions that immigrants make to the economy and society?
• What are the effects of migration on both the migrants and the natives?
• What can be done to avoid problems in the future?

Writing

To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a social and political issue in the 21st century? (250 words) (IELTS)

• Think about population, work, housing, education, health... What can be done to avoid problems in the future? Also think about culture - what are the effects of migration on both the migrants and the natives?

Reading

You might find these pages helpful for ideas, reading and vocabulary. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/special/migration/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/3523208.stm




Here is another video clip from Time Video which explores the same theme

For Berry