Category: Class

Los Angeles Wildfires Lead to Sky-High Rents  

B1 – Intermediate 

There have been more than 15,000 structures destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles recently.

Those residents that lost their homes need to find a place to live in after this devastating incident. 

Unfortunately, some landlords seem to be taking advantage of this situation to increase their profits by raising the rents.

Read more about the high rents in Los Angeles after the wildfires.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2501/250116-los-angeles-fires-2.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “price gouging” mean? “The California governor introduced a price gouging law on January the 7th.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “upmarket” mean? “Actress Paris Hilton lost her house in upmarket Malibu.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘upmarket’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to break/shatter one’s heart into pieces” mean? “Actress Paris Hilton lost her house in upmarket Malibu. She wrote on social media: It feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces.” Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about some landlords increasing the rents by thousands of dollars in the middle of the wildfires in LA?
  2. “Many people are blaming climate change for the fires. Little rain left Los Angeles very dry. The risk of wildfires is high.” Share your opinion about this statement.
  3. Is price gouging ever justifiable or fair? Explain your thoughts.
  4. Talk about another incident of price gouging that you know of. 
  5. Has your country ever been affected by wildfires? Talk about this instance.

6 Financially Smart Ways to Start 2025

As we step into 2025, it’s time to reassess and strengthen your financial strategies. Here are six actionable tips to help you navigate 2025 with greater financial confidence and security.

Read the article to know more about the steps to help you achieve financial wellness this year.

https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/financial-planning-new-year-financial-resolutions

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “robust” mean? “It’s always a good idea to double-check that you have adequate funds set aside for a rainy day—that’s especially true in times when the economy may be slowing from its once-robust pace. “ Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “consolidate” mean? “Even if you’re good about managing your debt, consider taking steps to help reduce and consolidate it further.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “inflation” mean? “Reassessing your spending plan is critical now, as still-high inflation means you’re likely spending more on everyday items like groceries or gas.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some areas in your current budget where you feel you could cut back or reallocate funds to improve your financial health this year?
  2. Do you already have an emergency fund in place, or is building one a priority for you in 2025? How do you plan to achieve this goal?
  3. Have you revisited your investment portfolio recently? What factors do you consider when deciding how to diversify or adjust your investments?
  4. What are your top financial goals for 2025, and how do you plan to stay motivated to achieve them?

The cost of Korea’s beauty industry

South Korea is regarded as the global center for cosmetics, providing the state-of-the-art procedures that have kept them at the forefront of the beauty industry. And they continue to prosper and expand over the years as they successfully promote their medical sector to foreigners who are prepared to pay for their promising services.

See the video below to learn more about the success of Korea’s beauty business.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “biggest draw“. “The biggest draw was people were very satisfied with their results.”  Create a sentence using this term.
  2. What does “no-brainer” mean? “…And that combined with a better price than we have in the US, it’s like a no-brainer” Use this term to make your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “turn back the clock“? “From non-invasive lifting ultrasound, to skin boosting injections using DNA from salmon, she’s hoping to turn back the clock on her appearance.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘turn back the clock’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did Korea manage to succeed in the beauty game?
  2. What are your thoughts on chasing beauty through state-of-the-art aesthetic procedures? Will you patronize it? If given the chance?
  3. Does your government promote medical tourism to boost the economy?
  4. What effects does medical tourism have on the nation’s healthcare system, as discussed in the video? And by being the cosmetic capital of the world, secure better healthcare?

Denmark’s Work-Life Balance Secret

Denmark is often considered one of the happiest countries, and a big part of this is its impressive work-life balance. The Danish culture puts a strong focus on personal time and family life, offering a work environment that values flexibility and efficiency. This approach has helped the country maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, allowing its residents to enjoy both their professional and personal lives without compromising one for the other.

Read this article to learn about the secret to Denmark’s happy work-life balance.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20g7705re3o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “shining example” mean? “Meik Wiking, author of the book The Art of Danish Living, has long regarded his home country as a shining example of what other countries should aspire to mimic with their workplace policies.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  2. Define “micromanage”. “”No one is trying to micromanage you, or look over your shoulder,” says Mr. Hoces, who works for a tech firm in Copenhagen.” Create a sentence with this.
  3. What does “aghast” mean? “Mr. Rouchmann adds that the element of trust is so ingrained in Danish culture, visitors to Denmark are often aghast at how far it can go.” Use this word in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the concept of work-life balance in Denmark differ from your country or culture?
  2. Do you believe that a flexible work culture could be successful in other countries? Why or why not?
  3. What role do government policies play in creating a positive work-life balance for citizens?
  4. In what ways can individuals achieve a healthier work-life balance, even if their country or company doesn’t support it as much as Denmark does?
  5. What are your thoughts on the “three-metre rule” mentioned in the article?

Greenland’s Leader Ready to Talk to Trump

B2 – Upper Intermediate

US President Donald Trump recently proposed the idea that the U.S. should buy the Arctic island of Greenland due to its strategic importance to the U.S. and NATO. Greenland politicians however, did not like this proposal as the island has been part of Denmark for many centuries.

Let’s read the article and know more about the national security and territorial issue between Greenland and the USA.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyp4p1x10no

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “the master of one’s own house” mean? “Egede emphasized Greenland’s aspirations, saying: “We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the meaning of the phrase “to gain momentum“. “An independence movement has gained momentum in recent years, which Egede discussed in his new year speech.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the phrase “cut ties“? “Egede emphasized Greenland’s aspirations, saying: We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house … This is something everyone should respect. But that doesn’t mean we are cutting all ties, all cooperation and all relations with Denmark. Use it in in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this news?
  2. Should Europeans be alarmed by Trump’s comments regarding Greenland? Why or why not?
  3. What do you think are the chances of Greenland being completely independent from Denmark?
  4. Share your thoughts on the U.S. maintaining a military base in the northern part of the strategically important territory in Denmark.

Gen-Z Women’s Views on the Tradwife Phenomenon

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A “tradwife,” or traditional wife, embraces traditional gender roles, focusing on homemaking, child-rearing, and supporting a spouse. Rooted in mid-20th century ideals, this lifestyle sparks debate about gender equality and modern feminism. While critics see it as outdated, supporters view it as a personal choice reflecting traditional values. Interestingly, some Gen Z women are revisiting the tradwife concept, seeing it as a way to prioritize family and personal fulfillment over career ambitions, further fueling discussions on women’s evolving roles.

Read this article about the tradwife phenomenon.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/family-and-relationships/marriage/gen-z-women-are-sharing-their-views-on-the-viral-tradwife-phenomenon-and-it-s-so-so-fascinating/ar-BB1rnnQ0

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “wide-ranging” mean? “Their points of view on the “tradwife” phenomenon were wide-ranging”. Make your own sentence.
  2. What does “exaggerated” mean in this context, ”I believe that their way of life is greatly exaggerated when they put it on social media.”? Give at least 2 synonyms of this word and make a sentence for each.
  3. What does “disingenuous” mean? “Not only is it sending harmful and misogynistic messages about gender roles to young girls, but it’s disingenuous.” Give two (2) synonyms of this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the term “tradwife” mean to you, and how do you define it?
  2. Share your own opinion about the tradwife trend.
  3. Talk about some good and bad about being a tradwife.
  4. Why do you think some women choose the tradwife lifestyle today?
  5. How does the tradwife lifestyle differ from traditional gender roles in history?
  6. Do you think social media has influenced the resurgence of the tradwife concept? Elaborate on your opinion.

Japanese Store Deploys Remote Convenience Store Clerks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

24-hour convenience stores, as the word suggests, provide convenience to its customers by its round-the-clock availability. Along with its full-scale operation, comes the need for more manpower. In a country that suffers from labor shortage like Japan, convenience stores are getting more creative in order to fill these positions.

Read the article and find out what Lawson Japan is doing to address this issue.

https://www.techspot.com/news/106169-japanese-store-deploys-remote-workers-convenience-store-clerks.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “labor pool” mean? “The goal is to boost productivity by tapping into underutilized labor pools in areas with significant time differences from Japan.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “around the clock” mean? “While this approach might feel a bit impersonal, the avatar system could help ensure these essential stores remain operational and accessible around the clock.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does “to address something head-on” mean? “Lawson’s innovative solution aims to address this challenge head-on.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Lawson hiring remote workers?
  2. What are the advantages to this?
  3. What might be problems with hiring remote convenience store clerks?
  4. What industries suffer from labor shortages in your country? In your opinion, why are these industries affected by this?
  5. What do you think can be done in order to address labor shortage in a country?

Barcelona Impose Strict Crackdown on E-Scooter Users

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Barcelona has mostly flat paths and numerous bicycle lanes. It is no wonder that different forms of single-person vehicles are emerging in this city. The most popular one is the e-scooter, locally known as “patinete”. However, these e-scooters and other VMP’s have increasingly become a problem in the city recently.

Let’s read the article and know more about problems brought about by VMP’s and the new traffic laws imposed on them.

https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/01/05/500-euro-fine-barcelona-impose-strict-crackdown-on-e-scooter-users/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “nippy“. “Electric scooters now dominate the daily commute, with nearly 45,000 journeys every single day taking place on the nippy vehicles.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. What does the phrase “to flood something” in this context? “Barcelona is a vibrant, blossoming city that continues to flood the Spanish landscape with culture and historical significance, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists per year.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “tear through” mean? “Criminals would tear through the city at speeds of up to 25 mph and target innocent pedestrians, aiming to capture their mobile phones and make a quick getaway.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the new e-scooter rules in Barcelona?
  2. Do you use an e-scooter? Would you consider buying one? Why or why not?
  3. What personal mobility vehicles are common where you live? What kinds of problems do they cause?
  4. How pedestrian-friendly your town or city is? Talk more about it.

Meta Ends its Fact-Checking Program

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s digital world, misinformation seems to be everywhere.
Due to the anonymity social media platforms provide, the reach and speed of misinformation creates a ground for the proliferation of false narratives. This is why Meta launched its independent, third-party fact-checking program in 2016. Less than a decade later, Meta is ditching fact-checkers in the US.

Let’s read the article and know more about these changes in the Meta platform. You may also watch the video.

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/meta-ends-fact-checking-program-community-notes-x-rcna186468

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hot-button issue” mean? “Beyond the end of the fact-checking program, Zuckerberg said, the company will eliminate some content policies around immigration, gender and other hot-button issues and refocus its automated moderation systems on what he called “high severity violations,” relying on users to report other violations.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is “legacy media“? “Zuckerberg pointed to the election as a major influence on the company’s decision and criticized “governments and legacy media” for, he alleged, pushing “to censor more and more.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “to get back to one’s roots” mean? “We’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms,” Zuckerberg said in a video. Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Meta’s decision to end third-party fact-checking?
  2. What do you think are the impacts this decision will have on Facebook in the long run?
  3. Share your thoughts on a community-driven fact-checking system.
  4. In your opinion, should social media companies be responsible for fact-checking information on their platforms? Explain your stance.
  5. What can one do when they come across misinformation or fake news on social media?

Misokinesia: Sensitivity to Seeing Others Fidget

B1 – Intermediate 

Some people fidget or move restlessly when they are nervous, anxious, or stressed. To many, it doesn’t bother them seeing other people fidget. But if they suffer from a condition called misokinesia, those movements can be extremely distressing.

Read more about the mental health condition misokinesia in this article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2412/241216-fidgeting-and-misokinesia-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “pop into the head” mean? “A psychologist said, ‘Violent images might pop into the head’ of sufferers.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  2. What does “twiddle” mean? “Misokinesia sufferers can have an “intense hatred” of people who tap their fingers, click a pen, or twiddle their hair.” Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What is a “support group”? “Researchers in Canada interviewed 21 misokinesia sufferers from a support group.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about misokinesia?
  2. According to the article, “The condition misokinesia can be “life limiting”. What day-to-day problems do you think people with misokinesia have?
  3. What are tiny things other people do that you hate seeing? Why do you think that is irritating for you? And what pops into your head when you see them do that?
  4. What happens to you when you get nervous, anxious, or stressed?