Category: Class

Get Rid of Standardized Testing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When it was first administered, standardized testing was done to evaluate government jobs applicants and help them get into the institutions they wished to get employment in.

Required examinations are given in order to predict academic progress. Standardized testing determines both teachers and students’ potential future success or failure.

Have you ever studied excessively in order to ace this kind of test? In what manner are you retaining it? Please watch the video below to understand more about this topic.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “aptitude” mean? “Chinese officials used them to determine aptitude for various government posts.” Construct your own sentence using this word.
  2. How about “predetermined criteria“? ” Others measure performances on how well test takers meet predetermined criteria.” Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “percentile“? “If a diplomat is in the 70th percentile, 70% of test takers scored below her.” Kindly use the word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of standardized tests?
  2. Do you think it accurately measures performance at school or at work? Explain your stance.
  3. What do you think of this statement? “Reliability and validity are two critical ideas for understanding standardized tests.” Share your thoughts.
  4. Share about a test you’ve taken in order to land a job. Do you think it was a reliable and valid test? Why/why not?
  5. What are some controversies you know of when it comes to standardized testing?

Pollution Causes Male Fertility Crisis

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Pollution is one of the most significant challenges that the world is facing today. Its negative impact is not limited to the environment but also affects human health. Among the many health concerns related to pollution, male fertility crisis has emerged as a pressing issue.

Follow the link to learn more about how male fertility is declining as a result of pollution.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230327-how-pollution-is-causing-a-male-fertility-crisis

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “chime (in) with something” mean, “The findings chime with other research showing the damage to fertility caused by chemicals found in plastics, household medications, in the food chain and in the air.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to hit record low” mean, “Birth rates worldwide are hitting record low levels.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “fecundity” mean, “At the same time, there may also be a decline in a different kind of fertility, known as fecundity – meaning, a person’s physical ability to produce offspring.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. From your perspective, what are the key factors contributing to the decline in male fertility related to pollution?
  2. What steps can individuals and governments take to reduce exposure to pollutants that can cause male fertility issues?
  3. Can changes in environmental policies and regulations help reduce the impact of pollution on male fertility?
  4. How does lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, play a role in male fertility and the impact of pollution? Please explain.
  5. Is pollution a significant concern in your community? Please share.

Should I Follow my Dreams

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Following our passions can be exciting and fulfilling, while duty may seem like the responsible choice for stability and security. But how do we strike the right balance?

Here’s an article that offers a fresh perspective on this topic and challenges traditional notions of safety.

https://theschooloflife.com/should-I-follow-my-dreams

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “high-wire” in the sentence, “Meanwhile, passion is a high-wire act.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the meaning of “penury” in the sentence, “We constantly fear penury and humiliation.”. Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is meant by “onerous” here, “A decade of mixed results on a passion project is inherently less onerous than unspectacular returns for a whole career in a hateful field.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What aspects of the article caught your attention the most?
  2. How do you reconcile between practicality and passion?
  3. How do you define safety in the context of career choices? Is it solely based on financial stability, or does it involve other factors such as job security, fulfillment, and personal satisfaction?
  4. What are your thoughts on the idea that pursuing what we love, even if it may involve risks and failures, can ultimately lead to mastery and success?
  5. Have you seen someone choose a safe career path but end up feeling unfulfilled? How did that experience shape your perspective on safety when making career choices?

Amazon

B1 – Intermediate

Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer and web service provider. It offers a wide selection of products, it has a user-friendly website, it is easy to use, and it offers fast and reliable shipping.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Amazon.

https://businessenglishmaterials.com/amazon.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “diversify” mean in this sentence “His company originally sold only books but has diversified into selling music, video games, toys, electronics and other popular ranges of goods.” Give 2 synonyms for this word and use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to team up with” mean in this sentence “A year later it teamed up with toy and electronics makers to sell goods with minimal packaging to help the environment.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. “Amazon has cleverly marketed itself worldwide by establishing separate websites in different countries.” What does “to market someone/something” mean? Use it in a sentence..

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever used Amazon? What was the experience like?
  2. What are the pros and cons of online shopping?
  3. How has online shopping and e-commerce affected the physical retail stores?
  4. What are some of the future predictions for the growth of online shopping and e-commerce?

First Impressions

B1 – Intermediate

First impression is everything. It can make or break a person, company, service, or product. It is so important to make a good first impression because they are the basis of how relationships start and how you are seen by other people.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about first impressions.

https://listenaminute.com/f/first_impressions.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “to set eyes on someone” mean in this sentence, “I think I’m good at judging someone’s character from the first time I set eyes on them.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “one’s kind of person” mean in this sentence, “It’s easy to understand if the person is my kind of person.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “count” mean in this sentence, “First impressions count most when you meet someone important.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that “First impression lasts.”? Explain.
  2. What are the best ways to make a good first impression?
  3. Do you make first impressions based on their clothes? Why/why not?
  4. How important is first impression to you?
  5. Have you ever experienced being completely wrong about your first impression?
  6. In what jobs do people have to make very quick decisions based on first impressions?

The Rise and Fall of Podcasts

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you’re curious to learn more about the surging popularity of podcasts, I highly recommend checking out the full article below. The article explains why podcasts have become a popular source of entertainment and information for people worldwide. Dive into the world of podcasts to uncover why they have become a global phenomenon. Happy reading!

https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2023/2/9/23592684/decline-of-podcasts

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the expression “tables have turned” in the sentence, “Since 2004, this form of entertainment has boomed in popularity, but last year, the tables seemed to have turned.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the phrase “to gain traction” here, “The origin of podcasts is rooted in the late 1900s, but 2004 was the year where podcasts started to gain traction.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. Explain the meaning of “free-fall” in the sentence, “Coming up on almost two decades after the invention of modern podcasts, it seems that podcasts might be in free-fall.”. Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you listen to podcasts? If so, what types of podcasts do you enjoy and why?
  2. In what situations do you prefer listening to podcasts over watching videos, or vice versa?
  3. What was the last podcast you listened to, and what was it about?
  4. Do you think the popularity of podcasts will continue to grow in comparison to videos? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think the decline in podcast creation is a temporary trend, or do you believe it’s indicative of a larger shift in consumer preferences for audio entertainment? Why?

Building a Personal Brand

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Whether one has got a big online presence or not, that can still be considered as personal brand. How we shape it lies in our own hands. Going through the process of building a personal brand might be intimidating, but it can most definitely be a concrete path to not only professional, but also personal development.

It is important to know how to build a brand that encapsulates what you do, who you want to share your your talents and expertise with, and what kind of impact you wish to create in your industry.

Learn more on how to create a personal brand that you are happy about through this video.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “personal brand”. “In our connected world, every single one of us has a personal brand, whether we like it or not.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “stumped” mean, “If you’re stumped, think about how you can stand out from the crowd in your industry.“? Give a similar word or phrase and use ‘stumped’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”to stand out from the crowd” mean, “If you’re stumped, think about how you can stand out from the crowd in your industry.”? Give a similar word or phrase and use ‘to stand out from the crowd’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is personal brand important?
  2. People often think of personal branding as bragging, self-promotion, and all about yourself thing. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
  3. What specific talents or expertise would you like to acquire and what impact do you think it will have on your career if you had them?
  4. What do you think is the biggest impact you’ve created on others so far in your years of being in your profession?
  5. Try to come up with your own mission statement containing the following: who you are, what you do, who you do it for, and the transformation you can create in people’s lives.
  6. What are your thoughts on this: “70% of hiring professionals have rejected a candidate because of something they found online.”?

Finland Joins NATO

B1 – Intermediate

Finland had not been a part of any alliance since 1945. However, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country changed its position and decided to join NATO. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Finland joining NATO.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/finland-joins-nato-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”alliance” mean, “Since 1945, Finland wasn’t part of any alliance, but when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the country changed its policy.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does “escalate” mean, “In a reaction, Russia said that it would increase its military activity in the northwest and that the fact that Finland joined NATO could escalate the conflict in Ukraine.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “pact” mean, “The NATO Collective Defense Pact says that if an attack on one NATO member happens, it is an attack on all.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of being a member of NATO?
  2. What is your opinion about Finland’s decision to join NATO?
  3. In your opinion, should Sweden and other countries do the same? Why or why not?
  4. One of the founding principles of NATO is that an armed attack on one member nation would be considered as an attack on all. Share your opinion on this.
  5. Share something you know about NATO.

Italy May Punish English Use

B1 – Intermediate

Having English skills has become increasingly important in today’s globalized world. Nevertheless, some people consider it a threat as it may harm their native language.

Read the article to learn more about Italy’s stand on the use of English.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2304/230406-anglomania.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “Anglomania“, “He is worried about the growing number of English words in Italian. He called it Anglomania.” Make your own sentence.
  2. What does “fine” mean here, ” He wants people to get a fine if they use English words.“? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “linguistics” mean, “A top Italian linguistics society, the Accademia della Crusca, said it totally disagreed with Mr. Rampelli’s idea.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this new law?
  2. What are its potential consequences?
  3. Do you think you need the same law in your country? Why or why not?
  4. How important is English in today’s globalized world? What opportunities can you get by speaking English fluently?
  5. Do you think English is harming your country’s native language? Share your opinion.

Every Job Is An Opportunity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A job is more than a paycheck. It’s a platform for learning, growth, and advancement. By seeing every job as an opportunity, individuals can unlock their full potential, extract valuable lessons, and make the most out of their career journey.

Discover 5 reasons why every job can be a stepping stone towards career dreams. Despite feeling uninspired sometimes, jobs offer growth opportunities. Don’t miss this eye-opening article by Jakob Sauppe!

https://possibilitychange.com/every-job-is-an-opportunity/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is the meaning of the phrase “Achilles’ heel” in a sentence “Every one of us has an Achilles’ heel in our work lives.” Use it in a sentence.

2. In a sentence “If you made a positive, memorable impression, that could be your ticket to moving up.”, explain the meaning of the word “ticket” and use it in a sentence.

3. Explain the idiom “right off the bat” in the sentence “I sincerely doubt many people turn out successful right off the bat.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that every job is an opportunity? Why or why not?
  2. What other values did you learn from the article?
  3. How can you use your job as an opportunity to improve?
  4. How does the mindset of viewing every job as an opportunity to excel impact your approach to your work and your overall job performance?
  5. Share success stories of individuals who turned challenges into opportunities for career growth.