Category: Class

Special Emergency Landing

B1 – Intermediate

Plane accidents are rare. Well, they should be! Because surviving it could be very difficult, in fact, almost impossible.

It is always a relief to hear a plane making a safe emergency landing and hearing that no one died or got badly injured.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about an emergency plane landing.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/special-emergency-landing-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Do you get afraid about being in a plane accident? Why or why not?
  3. What is the most incredible plane accident you’ve ever heard of? Talk about it.
  4. Did you ever dream about learning to fly a plane? Why or why not?

No Necktie, Save Energy

B1 – Intermediate

Hundreds of people have died because of ongoing heatwaves in Spain. It is imperative to find ways to save energy to help with the climate change crisis. At this point, every action is important, no matter how little it is.

Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez appears at a press conference not wearing a necktie and he encourages everyone to do the same.

Read the article about not wearing a tie as a way to save energy and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2208/220801-necktie-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this measure? Do you like this idea or not? Explain.
  2. What are some other energy-saving measures you know of or are you doing?
  3. “Mr Sanchez’s government has already restricted the use of air conditioners and heaters.” What is your opinion on this measure?
  4. “Spain has introduced a relief package of $9.2 billion to help people with energy bills.” In your opinion, is this helpful? Why or why not?
  5. How do you feel about wearing a tie to work everyday?

History for Sale

B1 – Intermediate

When you think of history, you probably think that important things related to them belong to a museum. However, some very important and historical items are auctioned off. The public can bid and buy them and keep them for themselves.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about historical items being sold on an auction.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/history-for-sale-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think these items should be sold to the public? Why or why not?
  2. Which historical piece would you like to buy from this auction and why?
  3. Which historical piece would you like to have and why?
  4. Have you ever participated in an auction? Talk about your experience.
  5. What thing do you have do you want to sell on an auction? Describe it and how much it costs.

South Africa’s Women’s Soccer Team Wins

B1 – Intermediate

South Africans have recently experienced so much hardships. South Africa’s women’s soccer team Bafana Bafana finally winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations makes this an important victory.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about South Africa’s women’s soccer team’s important win.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/soccer-team-wins-important-award-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Why is this an important win for South Africans?
  3. What is your favorite sports team from your country? How about from other countries? And why?
  4. How do you feel when sports teams from your country wins? How about when they lose?
  5. How important are sports teams for every country?

Conjoined Twins Separated with the Help of Virtual Reality

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Surgeries are already complex as they are. Medical advances keep getting more and more developed to help patients get the best treatment possible.

Though it may sound a lot like a scene from a sci-fi film, medicine and technology have gone hand-in-hand in successfully providing the most effective and efficient procedures to treat patients, even those with the most complex of conditions.

Read the article about the Brazilian conjoined twins who have been separated all thanks to virtual reality.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62378452

Discussion Questions:

  1. Surgeon Noor ul Owase Jeelani described the procedure as “space-age stuff”. Do you agree/disagree with him and why?
  2. What are your thoughts on this surgery?
  3. How would you feel going through medical procedures using technologies like the VR?
  4. Where else can VR be useful?
  5. Describe the most complex medical procedure you’ve ever gone through.

The Movement that Inspired the Holocaust

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Early advocates of Eugenics considered mental illness, physical disabilities, poverty, and criminal behavior as inherited traits. Their efforts to control human population to breed out undesirable traits inspired this scientific movement.

Let’s watch the video and know more about the theory of Eugenics.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Eugenics and how did this movement begin?
  2. What were its members’ ideal genetic standards? What did they consider as undesirable human traits?
  3. What series of events around the globe resulted from this idea of Eugenics?
  4. What is your take on the idea of Eugenics? Do you think there is one single set of desirable human traits?
  5. What is your opinion on this, “Eugenicists worldwide believed that they could perfect human beings and eliminate so-called social ills through genetics and heredity.”?

Blue Collar Workers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The student loan debt crisis is a social issue in the US. That’s why some students choose not to go to college. They want to avoid the consequences of being in debt. It includes having a bad credit score, the inability to buy a house or car, and accepting any available jobs regardless of the compensation and benefits. They take jobs indiscriminately because they want to start paying their student loans.

As a result, some young people tend to choose the alternative. They believe it is a better option to take an apprenticeship program, learn skills, and become a blue-collar worker.

Watch the video and get to know Michael Lauther, a man who refuses to go to college and is convinced that being a blue-collar worker is the best decision.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your takeaways from what’s being discussed in this video?
  2. The video highlights the advantages of being a blue-collar worker. Do you know any other benefits?
  3. What do people in your country think about blue-collar jobs?
  4. Can you talk about some high-paying blue-collar jobs?
  5. Would you like to be a white-collar or a blue-collar worker? And why?

The Chinese Exclusion Act

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the late 1800’s, many Americans held Chinese workers responsible for driving down wages and economic woes. This antagonism towards Chinese workers resulted to violence by the people and acts of injustices perpetrated by the government.

Let’s watch the video and learn more about the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on what you’ve learned from this video.
  2. What was the Chinese Exclusion Act and why was it created?Who were exempted from this act?
  3. Who was Chae Chan Ping and what happened to him upon his return to San Francisco?
  4. What is the Scott Act? Why did the U.S. Supreme court rule against Ping’s argument?
  5. What are recently passed immigration laws in your country? Do you find them reasonable?

A Unique Village Has No Locks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The second tier in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is safety. It includes having a roof over our heads so that we don’t need to sleep out on the street. Shelters give people a sense of protection during sleeping hours. They also serve as a safe place for our belongings that we cannot take with us when we leave for work or school. But what if these homes have no locks? Does it mean outsiders can just come and go? Are these homes still conducive to people’s well-being?

Watch this fascinating video to discover and explore a unique village in India.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this? How would you feel about leaving your house unlocked when you go out?
  2. In your understanding, how does tradition influence people’s decision not to have doors and locks in their homes?
  3. Is safety one of your top priorities? Explain why.
  4. Describe the safety measures you take in your own home.
  5. Describe your neighborhood and explain the safety practices in the community.

Sam Walton Biography

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have all heard of stories featuring different inspiring people from all kinds of industries. Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, is one of them. Sam encountered failures and challenges in his personal life, work, and business, but he never gave up.

Learn more about Sam Walton by watching the animated video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Sam Walton tried many jobs from a young age until he opened his first Walmart store. How do you think his experiences helped him succeed?
  2. What are some ways a person can take to escape poverty?
  3. Talk about one of your favorite success stories. Tell the person’s name, his profession, and journey to success.