Today we discussed zoos. We began by discussing a quote from Zola on the sadness of a lion caged up in a zoo.
Some people go to the zoo to look at the imprisoned animals. There is nothing sadder than those wild animals with their large dreamy eyes, moving around in their cages in despair.
Some students agreed with this quote and gave examples of zoos in their own countries, where the animals seem sad and trapped. One student felt that zoos should be forbidden in the interests of the animals. We listed the points “for” and “against” zoos. For example, little children want to see animals and the experience has some educational value. Zoos can help in breeding endangered species. Some families cannot afford expensive trips to places where animals roam free. On the other hand, animals in the zoo show behavior that is very different from behavior in their own habitat. It is cruel to keep large animals penned up
Tags: animals, efl, esl, esol, ideas, northstar, teaching, tefl, tesl, tesol, tips