9 September
Outer Space
Do you think there is life on other planets?
Do you think humans will ever live on other planets?
Would you be an astronaut if you could?
What fascinates you most about outer space?
Do you believe we will discover intelligent extraterrestrial life in our lifetime?
Do you think governments should spend more or less money on space programs?
How do you imagine life would be different if humans lived on another planet?
What do you think is the most significant achievement in space exploration so far?
Are you interested in space tourism? Would you pay for a trip to space if it were affordable?
How do you think movies and books about space influence people’s perceptions of it?
What role do you think technology will play in the future of space exploration?
How do you think space exploration has impacted science and innovation?
If you could name a newly discovered planet, what would you call it and why?
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Watch the videos above and discuss what you learned from them during your Spoken Cafe session
Vasa: A High-Tech Ship That Sank on Its First Voyage
The Vasa, once the most advanced warship of its time, stands today as both a cautionary tale of engineering failure and a remarkable resource for historians and archaeologists. Designed in the early 17th century, the Vasa was a massive, beautifully decorated ship, commissioned by the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf. With 64 bronze cannons and an elaborate wooden design depicting scenes of the Swedish royal family, the Vasa was set to be an indomitable force at sea.
However, despite its grandeur, the ship met a tragic fate on its maiden voyage in 1628. The Vasa survived its first sail without issue, but when the second storm hit, the ship capsized and sank in a mere 20 minutes, all in full view of a horrified public.
The reasons behind its sinking were largely due to design flaws and engineering miscalculations. The ship’s gun deck, which was heavily laden with bronze cannons, was too heavy for its structure. Additionally, the Vasa was designed and built by a team without much experience in constructing a fully armed warship. To make matters worse, King Gustav rushed the construction process, pushing for an expedited completion. These engineering missteps, combined with a ship that lacked the necessary balance, sealed the Vasa’s fate.
Despite its sinking, the cold, oxygen-poor waters of the Baltic Sea helped preserve the Vasa remarkably well. When the ship was finally raised from the sea floor in 1961, 95 per cent of its wood was still in good condition, protected from bacteria and worms by the sea’s unique conditions. Today, the Vasa resides in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, where it stands as the only fully preserved 17th-century ship in the world. The museum serves not only as a site for tourists to marvel at the Vasa’s intricate craftsmanship but also as a place for historical and anthropological research, ensuring that the ship’s legacy continues to teach us valuable lessons about the intersection of technology, ambition, and failure.
Watch the videos above and discuss what you learned from them during your Spoken Cafe session
READ/SPEAK
Do you think humans become arrogant from time to time? What are the reasons for arrogance?
What were the main reasons behind the Vasa’s sinking?
Why do you think King Gustav II Adolf rushed the ship’s construction?
Can you think of any other historical or modern examples of ambitious projects that failed?
You eventually have to face up to the consequences of your actions.
“Don’t blame others, you chose to be evil. You reap what you sow”
LEARN THE IDIOM AND SPEAK
Do you think you are having good results from your efforts at work, school, etc.? Do you think life is getting harder or easier compared with the older generations?