Coronavirus: Do schools need to shut?: BBC News Review 2022

March 29, 2023



Coronavírus: many schools have closed during lockdown to try and reduce the spread of Covid-19. Is this form of social distancing effective? Is homeschooling really the answer? Neil and Catherine look at the English vocabulary in the news around this story.

The story
While children can catch coronavirus, they rarely get severe symptoms. But they can still spread the disease, which is why many countries have closed schools. The latest research, published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal, assessed the likely impact of this policy based on the limited available data.

The scientists found that shutting schools was far less effective than other social distancing interventions, preventing between two and four percent of deaths. They say policy makers must weigh up the possible harms and reopen schools at the earliest possible opportunity. The government has said it will review its coronavirus policies after Easter.

Vocabulary

question
express doubt about something

• Good students question existing ideas.
• The opposition questioned the government about its approach to the crisis.

marginal
very small; not important

• United only have a marginal lead over City in the league.
• For me, the difference between Coke and Pepsi is marginal.

play a role
be involved in something in an important way

• Hand washing plays an important role in preventing the spread of viruses.
• Parents are playing a key role in educating their children while schools are closed.

To download the audio and test your understanding, go to our website at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish…

#bbclearningenglish #BBCnews #coronavirus

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20 Comments
  1. Reply
    BBC Learning English March 29, 2023 at 4:04 pm

    Thank you for watching! Here's a guide to cleaning your phone: https://youtu.be/7cprhkKQUF0

  2. 🎀 The tutor asked us a hard question no one could answer.
    🎀 Many people think the role of dustmen is not marginal. Do you think that?
    🎀 The awareness of child abuse plays an important role in our society.

  3. Catherine and Neil, Please take my love and respect.

  4. omg teacher Catherine is so beautiful and sweet. I love your voice, Catherine. Thanks for all your lessons

  5. Question – express doubt about something
    Marginal – insignificant
    Play a role -be involved in something important

  6. Reply
    abdurezak mohammed March 29, 2023 at 4:04 pm

    your team play a crucial role in teaching English for second language learners and I answered a lot of question I have had. thanks a bunch

  7. I asked him some questions about it.there is a marginal different between them

  8. 😍 I looove you You're cool💛🤗 hi from Russia

  9. Love you Team BbC

  10. Thanks a lot for good lessons!

  11. I learn a lot

  12. Hello from Kazakhstan, I use your channael to improve my english and prepare to IELTS exam

  13. Its really very interesting to watch your programs..

  14. Next week, I have a test

  15. Thanks for your lesson. Katharine 's voice is very clear .

  16. Rob and his biscuits would be a nice story!

    Thanks Catherine and Neil for teaching us, Greetings from a corner in Colombia!

  17. Masks play a vital role in preventing the spread of coronavirus, but unfortunately the people of western counties hate to wear them unlike the Asians do. Here, I call on all of people to wear it during the epidemic of COV-19.

  18. NOTE: small, minor, insignigicant, minimal, tiny roles

  19. NOTE: important, significant, major, crucial, vital roles

  20. NOTE: marginal impact equals insignificant impact

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