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Lebanon – Beauty, Complexity, and Cultural Richness

1. Warm-Up Discussion Discuss the following questions with a partner: What countries in the Middle East would you most like to visit? Why? What makes a country memorable for tourists? Can a country be both beautiful and politically complicated at the same time? What do you already know about Lebanon? What kinds of food, music, or landscapes interest you when you travel? After discussing, share your ideas with the class. 2. Reading Text Lebanon: A Small Country with Extraordinary Depth Lebanon is one of the most fascinating countries in the Middle East. Although it is geographically small, it contains an astonishing variety of landscapes, cultures, religions, traditions, and historical influences. Many travelers describe Lebanon as a country of contrasts: modern yet ancient, glamorous yet chaotic, resilient yet fragile. One of Lebanon’s greatest strengths is its cultural diversity. Throughout history, the country has been influenced by Phoenician, Roman, Ottoman, French, and Arab civili...
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Ada Colau – From Activist to Mayor of Barcelona

Ada Colau was born in Barcelona in 1974 and grew up in a middle-class family. Before entering politics, she worked as an activist and became famous for defending people who were losing their homes during the economic crisis in Spain. She studied philosophy at university but did not finish her degree. Instead, she became deeply involved in social movements. During the financial crisis of 2008, thousands of Spanish families could not pay their mortgage s and faced eviction from their homes. Colau became one of the leaders of the Platform for People Affected by Mortgages (PAH), an organization that fought against unfair eviction s. Many people admired her because she seemed honest, energetic, and close to ordinary citizens. She often appeared on television criticizing banks and accusing politicians of protecting powerful financial interests instead of helping vulnerable families. Her speeches were emotional and direct, and she quickly became a well-known public figure. In 2015, Colau ...
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Opening A Gym (Now)

  Opening a gym has become one of the most popular business ideas in recent years. Around the world, more people are interested in health, exercise, and healthy lifestyles. Social media influencers and celebrities often promote fitness online, and this has made gyms more trendy and popular. Many people now go to the gym regularly to improve their health, reduce stress, or lose weight. However, opening a gym is not easy. Gym owners need a large investment before they can open their business. They must pay for equipment, rent, staff, insurance, and advertising. These operating costs can become very expensive, especially in large cities. Some gym owners also take on debt from banks to start their business. One important part of gym success is customer retention. Many people join a gym in January but stop going after a few months. If customers leave quickly, gyms can start struggling financially. Gym owners must offer good service, modern equipment, and friendly staff to keep member...
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Murder of Gabriel Cruz

 The murder of Gabriel Cruz shocked Spain and became one of the most emotional and widely followed criminal investigations in recent Spanish history. Gabriel Cruz Ramírez was an 8-year-old boy from Almería, Andalusia. Friends and family affectionately called him “Pescaíto” (“little fish”) because he loved fish and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. On 27 February 2018, Gabriel disappeared while walking from his grandmother’s house to his cousins’ house in the small town of Las Hortichuelas. The distance was only about 100 metres. When he did not arrive, his family became worried and contacted the authorities. Soon, thousands of volunteers, police officers, divers, and rescue workers joined the search operation. It became the largest coordinated search for a missing child in Spanish history. At first, the entire country hoped Gabriel would be found alive. Social media was filled with drawings of small fish as symbols of support for the boy and his family. Television channels ...
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SPAIN’S SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS AND THE BRAIN DRAIN

Spain has one of the best public healthcare systems in Europe, but today it faces a serious shortage of doctors. Many hospitals and health centres do not have enough medical staff, especially in small towns and remote areas . One major problem is the “ brain drain .” This happens when highly qualified professionals leave their country to work abroad. Thousands of Spanish doctors move to countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom because salaries and working conditions are often better there. Many young doctors in Spain complain about temporary contracts , long working hours, pressure , and low salaries compared to other European countries. Some doctors spend years changing hospitals every few months without job stability . The situation became worse after the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, many healthcare workers experienced burnout and emotional exhaustion. Some decided to leave public healthcare completely, while others moved abroad. Spain...
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The Shah

  Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , the last Shah of Iran, ruled the country from 1941 until the Iranian Revolution in 1979. During his reign, Iran became wealthier because of oil revenues, and the Shah developed a reputation for living an extraordinarily extravagant lifestyle. The Shah and his wife, Farah Pahlavi , owned luxurious palaces filled with priceless artwork, gold decorations, designer fashion, and expensive European furniture. The royal family travelled in private jets, drove Rolls-Royces, and enjoyed vacations on the French Riviera and in Switzerland. One of the most famous examples of the Shah’s extravagance was the 1971 celebration at Persepolis. The event marked 2,500 years of the Persian Empire and became one of the most expensive parties in modern history. The Shah invited kings, queens, presidents, and celebrities from around the world. French chefs were flown into Iran to prepare gourmet meals, while rare foods such as caviar, lobster, truffles, and champagne were impor...
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