Unit 3: lesson 6: Brain

Drain
 
Guess the missing words to complete the definition of brain drain
Brain drain is a term that defines the act of highly s……..…….……. people
moving from their home country to another country where they can
e………………… more money and maintain their a………………………… improvement. The cause of brain
drain can lie in three areas which consist of low s………..…….., lack of opportunities and lack of
necessary equipment. When these people leave, their c……………………. is harmed in two ways. First,
expertise is lost with each emigrant, diminishing the supply of that profession. Second, the
country's e………………………. is harmed as each professional represents additional spending elements.
Professionals often earn large salaries, so their departure removes significant consumer spending
from the country.


Match the following words with the right definition
emigrate migrate immigrate

…………………. move to a new area or country in order to find work or better living conditions

………………… come to live permanently in a foreign country

………………….leave one’s own country in order to settle permanently in another


Complete the following table
Verb Noun person noun
Immigrate .......................... ...........................
Migrate .......................... .............................

Emigrate .......................... ........................

Study the following

According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the
International Organization for Migration, 27,000 African intellectuals left the
continent for industrialized nations between 1960 and 1975. While 40,000 followed
them from 1975 to 1984.Between 1985 and 1990 the numbers skyrocketed to 60,000,
and has averaged 20,000 annually ever since.

Country Total number Educational level

of immigrants 0-8 years of 9-12 years of more than 12 years
schooling schooling of schooling
Bangladesh 69.180 6,000 20,095 43,085
India 836,780 41.185 127.540 668,055
Pakistan 165,425 11,630 43,365 110,430
Sri Lanka 21,820 495 5.695 15,630
 Let’s identify some push and pull factors

Push factors Pull factors

 …………………………………..………………….
 ………………………………………………………….
 Lack of jobs, unemployment
 ………………………………………………………….
 ………………………………………………………….
 ……………………………………….………………….
 human rights abuses
 ……………………………………………………….…….
 ………………….………………….………………….
 ………………………………………..……………….
 ……………………….…………..…………………….
 ……………………………….………………………….
 The lure of freedom, democracy
 ………………………………………………………….
 ………………………………….……………………….
 ……………………………..………………………….

Can you think of some negative / positive impacts of the brain drain

Negative impacts Positive impacts

 It reduces the number of dynamic and  ………………………….……………………………..

creative people who can contribute to the ………………………………………………………………..
development  ……………………….………………………………..
 …………………………………………..……………….. …………………………………………………….………..
……………………………..…………………………………..  ………………………………………….……………..
 …………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………..

Post reading

“African governments have a great responsibility in ensuring that brains remain in the
continent; otherwise, in 25 years’ time, Africa will be empty of brains. Africa is
committing suicide.”
Deputy Executive-Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

To which extent do you agree with this statement? Write an article to your school magazine
in which you explain your viewpoint about the phenomenon of brain drain.