Category: Class

Separate the Art from the Artist

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most people have a favorite artist and they know a lot about them, including their lifestyle, favorites, daily activities, and so on. But often, they naively believe that they know everything there is to know about them. Some even think their favorite artists aren’t capable of doing negative things. However, artists are human beings who are bound to make mistakes and have problematic sides, too.

What if their negative sides came to light? Would you ignore it or utterly stop supporting them?

Read the article to know if it’s really possible or impossible to separate the art from the artist.

https://www.theslateonline.com/article/2022/10/the-slate-speaks-can-you-separate-the-art-from-the-artist#:~:text=It%20is%20possible%20to%20separate,the%20actions%20of%20the%20artist.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “nuance” mean, “There’s a lot of nuance (hence why there’s plenty of books written on the subject).”? Use this word in a sentence.
  2. Explain the meaning of “heinous” in your own words. “But something like the Harry Potter books have themes that are so intertwined with J.K. Rowling’s heinous and ignorant world view that it’s almost impossible to separate the two.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “mainstream” mean, “You can’t say Michael Jackson didn’t impact pop music and the presence of black artists in mainstream media, and you can respect that.”? Give some synonyms of this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a favorite artist? If yes, do you know a lot about him/her?  How would you react if you learned about your favorite artist’s negative side?
  2. What do you think about thinking too highly of an artist?
  3. Do you think it’s possible to separate the art from the artist? Elaborate. How can it be done?

Man Wins after Being Fired for Not Being Fun

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are employees who decide to have some good times to ease themselves from a long-day of working.

Most of them plan for team building activities or have after-work drinks.

However, what if an employee does not join in any of these activities? Is it right to fire him for being ‘boring’?

Read this article to know about this issue.

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/man-wins-4600-after-being-fired-for-not-being-fun-004904815.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIwXIqeja7zEhXhAKd_8qFJhQW_LMvh0oa44QDeXJbapTEdK9MdknWo0aiyDFoidpLnY1ifxfvGKaI6N7Khs535gId76brNT1YtT2y2Zg1fMcZWa1ufqS-BcxUPM2-apOh1A9sDq4L0Pleq0Ids-7nNmRWW38zE1bJ_G2-xX4wqd

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that it was only right to fire Mr. T for being boring? Explain.
  2. Will you consider your co-worker as “boring” when he/she does not join in team building activities? Explain.
  3. What do you think of the team building activities in your company?
  4. What do you think about going out for drinks every week with co-workers? Is it a good idea?

Hate the Sound of Your Own Voice

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all have probably heard our own voices in audio recordings or videos, and most people cringe when they hear their own voices. We can’t stand hearing our voices because they sound really weird to us. But why exactly don’t we like hearing the sound of our voice?

Read the article and watch the video to learn the reasons why.

https://time.com/4820247/voice-vocal-cords/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like hearing your voice in audio recordings or videos? Why or why not?
  2. What’s your usual reaction when you hear your voice?
  3. According to the article and video, why do people hate the sound of their voices? Personally, what do you think are the reasons why people hate hearing their voices?
  4. What do you do when you don’t like the voice of the other person you are speaking or listening to?
  5. What would you do if you don’t like your own voice?

Britain’s Four-Day Workweek Shows No Loss in Productivity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Once the trial is over, Britons need not wait for Friday anymore. If employees start their work week on Monday, the last day of work is Thursday.

If it sounds interesting, read the full article below.

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2022/09/britains-four-day-workweek-trial-shows-no-loss-in-productivity/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Give 2 synonyms of the word “expansive“, “More than 3,300 employees in Britain’s banking, marketing, health care, financial services, retail, hospitality, and other industries are participating in the trial, making it one of the most expansive studies to date. Use them in your own sentences.
  2. What does the expression “to give rise to” mean, “However, the rise of remote and hybrid labor due to the coronavirus epidemic gives rise to questions regarding other areas of employment.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “to lag behind” mean, “That said, some critics express concern about increased expenses and decreased competitiveness, especially since many European businesses lag behind competitors in other countries.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the article make you feel?
  2. In your opinion, is it necessary to work for five days? Why or why not?
  3. What is the relationship between productivity and shorter work week?
  4. Is the concept of a four-day work week suitable in your country? Explain your answer.
  5. If people will only work for four days, how can they better spend the remaining three days?

Bring People Together with Food

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People consume food daily both for fuel and pleasure. On many occasions, it helps build relationships.

Read the article on ways to bring people together through food.

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2022/07/5-ways-to-bring-people-together-with-food/

Discussion Questions:

  1. The article suggested five ways to bring people together with food. Which ones can work in your home and workplace?
  2. Think about a time when you built a good relationship with someone through food. Talk about this experience.
  3. What is a crappy dinner party philosophy? Why do you think the article suggests embracing it?
  4. What other suggestions do you want to add to the list?

Wedding Ring History

B1 – Intermediate

It is quite surprising how the practice of wearing engagement or wedding rings started. For the longest time, we have been associating these rings with the notion of love and commitment. However, this was not exactly what it meant in the past.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to understand this history better.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/wedding-ring-history-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the history of wedding rings? Which finger are they put on and why?
  2. In old Rome, the ring was a mark of ownership. What are your thoughts on this? How did this practice evolved over time?
  3. What is your opinion on engagement or wedding rings/symbols?
  4. In your country, are there alternatives to wedding/engagement rings? Give suggestions for other possible options.

Billionaires’ CO2 Emissions

B1 – Intermediate

Some of the world’s wealthiest billionaires produce incredible high amount of carbon dioxide emissions every year. Their investments and luxurious lifestyles are the main causes of this unsustainable amounts of carbon emission. How exactly does this affect the entire population?

Let’s read the article and know more about this issue.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2211/221110-super-rich-co2-emissions-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the very wealthy people contribute in climate change?
  2. How can these billionaire investors reduce the intensity of their emissions?
  3. “Billionaires have escaped accountability for too long.” What are your thoughts on this statement?
  4. How do you think they can be held accountable?

The Economics of IKEA 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

IKEA is the world’s largest furniture retailer with a unique business model. They have designed a minimalist flat-pack furniture and customers have to assemble it. One of the secrets of IKEA’s success has been identified as “The IKEA Effect”. It simply states that when you help build something, you are more attached to it.

Watch the video to learn more and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what is The IKEA Effect? What do you think of it?
  2. Do you agree that people tend to love an item more when they have put effort into creating it? Explain.
  3. Is flat-packing an effective retail strategy? Why or why not?
  4. How do you feel about IKEA? Share some of your shopping experiences.
  5. What things have you built on your own and are attached to?

Busy

B1 – Intermediate

People’s lives are surrounded by a great deal of work in today’s modern life, thanks to technological major advancements and cutting-edge breakthroughs in every aspect of science. Some people firmly believe that learning new sports or arts and crafts appears to help them make better use of their free time. So, how about you? Are you busy? 

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript below about being busy.

https://listenaminute.com/b/busy.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What takes up most of your time?
  2. Do you think you manage your time wisely? Why or why not?
  3. Would you rather be overly busy or unproductive? Explain your choice.
  4. How do you know when there are too many tasks and when they are manageable?
  5. Do you have enough time to pursue your interests? Why or why not?

Cyber Crime

B1 – Intermediate

Cyber crime is a criminal act, which is now a worldwide problem committed on the internet using the computer as either a tool or a targeted victim by hacker or cracker.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript below about cyber crimes.

https://listenaminute.com/c/cyber_crime.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about hacking?
  2. What could you lose if someone hacked into your computer and how upset would you be?
  3. Do you think large companies fear hackers? Why or why not?
  4. What punishment should a hacker receive?
  5. Do you think your computer is becoming less or more secure? Explain.