Lesson 22 – Freedom of Expression

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Learning

ObjectivesAfter this lesson, students will be able to:

Lesson Objectives 1

1. Define what freedom of expression is.2. Rate which kind of freedom is the most important to least important.3. Define and categorize prohibited public speech 4. Restate the importance of freedom of expression in the society.5. Define the five freedoms of the First Amendment6. Assess how people exercise different kinds of freedoms in their lives.7. Interpret the song ‘Dear Mr. President by using the linking words of contrast.8. Define idiomatic expressions using context clues.9. Distinguish the silent letters and pronounce words.

Warm Up 3

Watch the video and retell significant points.Listening 21.1

1) In your opinion, which definition is the most accurate?

2) Explain why different people perceive freedom in different ways.

Freedom: What does it look like to you? - BBC News

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Introduction 4

The First Amendment

Freedom of expression refers to the ability of an individual or group of individuals toexpress their beliefs, thoughts, ideas, and emotions about different issues freefrom government censorship. It is essential to individual liberty and contributes towhat the Supreme Court has called the marketplace of ideas. The FirstAmendment assumes that the speaker, not the government, should decide thevalue of speech.

Source: What is freedom of expression? | Freedom Forum Institute

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Deliberation 5

Rank these from 1-9. Put the most important at the top.

123456789

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Vocabulary Building 6

Categories of Prohibited Public SpeechMatch and determine possible instances for each.

1. Speech that impugns a person's reputation resulting in demonstrable harm,especially (but not exclusively) financial harm.

2. Extreme or outrageous speech intended specifically to cause an individualor group distress.

3. Speech that is intended to intimidate. This would include bullying andspecific believable threats of physical harm.

4. Words that are specifically intended to provoke an immediate reaction thatwould constitute a breach of the peace.

5. Words intended to provoke others to commit violence. The words mustpresent a clear and imminent (present) danger.

6. Words intended to demean or create a hostile environment. In thisinstance, speech is interpreted not as speech, but as action.

7. Words deemed to be pornographic or against community standards.

A. THREATSB. HARASSMENTC. INCITEMENT TO

VIOLENCED. SLANDER or LIBELE. INTENTIONAL

INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

F. LEWD OR OBSCENEG. FIGHTING WORDS

Source: Lesson Plan: Free Speech or Hate Speech? | The Fire Next Time | POV | PBS)

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Reading Exercise 7

1. Freedom of expression is a foundation for many otherrights

2. A free press helps inform the public3. Informed voters = stronger democracies4. Fairer elections = more, better democracy5. Discovery of truth6. An independent press can hold powerful interests to

account7. Without freedom of expression: reporting is restrained8. Freedom of expression gives a platform to other human

rights9. Marginalised and minority issues heard10. Art, academia, comedy and more: freedom of expression

protects more than just the press

Read the rest of the article by clicking the source below.

Source: 10 reasons freedom of expression is important | Media Legal Defence Initiative (mediadefence.org)

10 reasons freedom of expression is importantDiscuss the vocabularies below:

retaliation critique

satire accountable

transparency impersonation

absolute disincentive

incitement repercussions

interference status quo

underpinningInvestigative journalism

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Reading Comprehension 8

Answer the questions below.

FreedomHow I use/have

used this freedom:

How I could use this freedom in

the future:

Religion

Speech

Press

Assembly

Petition

Free Response1. What does Freedom of expression cover?2. True or False: • Freedom of expression is an absolute right.• It’s a fundamental human right which allows for

citizens to speak freely and without interference.• Without a free exchange of information, people

will still be fully aware of what’s going on around them and so can meaningfully participate in their communities or democracies.

3. How can freedom of expression affect elections?4. State the things a strong independent media

ensures.5. What does public attention create?6. What do brave journalists often risk?7. Which communities would this right help?8. Discuss the other aspects that the freedom

expression covers aside from the press.

How is the First Amendment important in your life?Brainstorm ways in which you use or have already used each freedom and ways in which you could use the freedom in the future.

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Listening Exercise

Listening 22.2

Supply the correct word/s asked in the parentheses.

World Press Freedom Day

1. The (1 word) of the day is to (2 words) of the importance of freedom of the press.2. Many news organizations (2 words) to defend world media from (4 words).3. The day is also a special time for journalists to (2 words) to colleagues who (4 words)

while reporting.4. UNESCO gives a special prize on this day to the person or organization that has made an

(2 words) to protecting or (3 words) .5. He said: “(3 words) and independent media is one of the foundations of (3 words).

Attacks on freedom of press are (2 words) international law, against (1 word), againstfreedom itself….I am therefore…(2 words) the way journalists are increasingly (2 words)around the world, and (1 word) when such crimes are not (2 words) and (1 word).

6. Mr. Ban (2 words) all societies to “(3 words) in bringing to justice the (1 word) of attackson journalists”.

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

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Grammar Bits 10

Linking words of contrastAlthough, even though, in spite of and despite are all used to link two contrasting ideas or show that onefact makes the other fact surprising. They can all be used at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence.

After in spite of and despite, we use a noun, gerund (-ing form of a verb) or a pronoun.In spite of /Despite of living in a country where we can speak freely, we should be concerned about the countries where people are repressed.

After although and even though, we use a subject and a verb. Even though is slightly stronger and more emphatic than although.

Although Pink writes a song asking the president to walk with her, she knows he would never do it.

Though can be used in the same way as although. Though can also go at the end of the second phrase. This way of expressing contrasting ideas is most common in spoken English.

Pink writes a song asking the president to walk with her, though she knows he would never do it.We waited ages for our food. The waiter was really nice, though.

In spite of / despite

Although/ even though

though

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Speaking Drill 11

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Talk about the following types of freedom that people enjoy using linking words of contrast from the previous page.

Useful Expressions 12

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Use context clues to define each expression.

Speaking Drill 13

Express Yourself1. Is complete freedom of speech possible? If it was, would it be desirable?

2. Who should decide on the limits of freedom? How?3. Are you tolerant of hearing ideas which are against yours? What's your first reaction?4. To what extent are you free in your family to express your ideas?5. Are there things you would like to talk about that you cannot? What are they?6. Which country has more freedom of speech?7. Many countries censor websites/TV/newspapers/… to control what their citizens can and cannot see.

Is this dangerous?8. To what extent were you free as a teenager? Do you think it was fine? Will you bring up your children

in the same way?9. Were you free to choose your field of study at University? How about your job? What were/are the

limiting factors?10. When was the last time you didn't feel free to do something you wanted? What was it?11. To what extent do you believe in freedom of speech?(consider social /political unrests)12. Who's the symbol of freedom in your mind? Why?13. Which is more important in feeling free: internal forces or external forces?

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

Pronunciation Exercise

Read each word and identify which letter is silent.

Lesson 22. Freedom of Expression

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The End

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