The Military Industrial Complex Lesson is for Intermediate to Advanced students. (B1-C2)
Let’s talk about the Military Industrial Complex and practice using English listening skills.
Source: Chernobyl in Pictures from WeForum
What is the Military Industrial Complex?
Read the definition and explanation in Wikipedia Simple English. Then offer a definition using your own words.
What are some different meanings of the word complex?
Source: Politico Cartoons
Listening Activity 1
Watch American President Dwight Eisenhower’s 1961 farewell address.
Eisenhower uses very formal language in his speech. We will pause the video often to recap. Express the same ideas that you hear in our own words.
Listening Activity 2
Watch Joe Rogan’s interview with Tulsi Gabbard.
Comprehension questions
1.) What is Tulsi Gabbard’s profession?
2.) What is the Military Industrial Complex? Use your own words.
3.) What is a proxy war?
4.) Who benefits from excessive arms contracts?
5.) Where do people go for shelter in the event of a nuclear war?
6.) What was the purpose of the video put out for people in New York?
7.) Use comparatives and superlatives to describe the discrepancy between the way nuclear fallout is depicted in the video and in Gabbard’s description of the ruins of Chernobyl.
8.) What does Gabbard say needs to happen, to prevent nuclear war?
Analyze the Infographic
Source: Wikispooks
Prepare a presentation about the infographic.
Options:
Write a paragraph or essay.
Deliver a short speech.
What really happens to the weapons you are paying for?
1.) Watch the documentary about the weapons Americans buy for Ukraine.
CBS documentary
2.) Summaries the main ideas presented in the video, and state your opinions.
Conversation Questions
1.) The vast majority of people want peace and prosperity. Do you agree or disagree?
2.) Wars are expensive and cause wide spread insecurity. Do you agree or disagree?
3.) War is sometimes necessary. Do you agree or disagree?
4.) War is usually about rich people stealing from poor people. Do you agree or disagree?
5.) Peace and compassion is better than insecurity and violence. Do you agree or disagree?
