Category: Class

Children and Screens

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone depends on technological devices nowadays. Some parents even use gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets to help them with their children. They let their young kids use these devices for many hours daily.

There have been many studies on the effects of screens on children. Perhaps it’s time we pay attention to the dangers of letting children be on their gadgets for long periods of time.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the WHO’s new guidelines for parents and their children’s screen time.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/children-and-screens-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this new guidelines?
  2. What are the bad effects of using devices for many hours on children?
  3. Do you think children use gadgets too much and way too young? Explain.
  4. What are alternative activities for children instead of using mobile phones and tablets?
  5. If you have children, what are your guidelines on their screen time?

Investments

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone of us wants to live a comfortable life and be financially stable. Having a stable income gives you peace of mind, but some people also choose to take the risk and invest their money.

Nowadays, people have become more curious about investments. Many are looking for ways to grow their money and achieve their financial goals. Are you one of those people?

Listen to the thoughts of one person about investments on this link.

https://listenaminute.com/i/investments.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is an effective way to handle one’s money?
  2. Have you ever thought of investing your money? Please elaborate.
  3. Where is it best to invest? Where is it risky?
  4. What are some common forms of investment in your country?
  5. Do you know someone who invested their money? How was their experience?
  6. Do banks offer a good opportunity for money to grow? Why or why not?
  7. Should courses on investments be more available? Please explain.
  8. What are some other forms of investment not related to money?

Risk of Being Killed by Falling Space Rocket

B1 – Intermediate

Scientists have revealed that in the near future, rocket parts could fall from space and hit someone and possibly kill them. The problem is that space has more and more junk.

Read the article about increasing space junk and the growing probability of being hit by falling rocket parts. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2207/220718-feeling-hangry-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Have you ever worried about something from the sky/space hitting you on the head or falling onto your roof?
  3. Should rocket companies be more responsible for their space wastes?
  4. What is your opinion about how companies are “exporting risk” to poorer nations?

Feeling Hangry

B1 – Intermediate

Hanger is a diagnosable feeling of anger when you get hungry. Based on a study done on 64 participants, people tend to be bad-tempered because they are hungry.

Read the article about feeling angry when you get hungry and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2207/220718-feeling-hangry-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this, “Hangriness” could be a real medical condition.”?
  2. What happens to you when you’re hungry and you can’t eat right away? How do you manage this situation?
  3. Have you ever been hangry before? Talk about that moment.
  4. Is it logical to be hangry? Why or why not?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that there is  a strong link between hunger and emotions? Why?
  6. Do you agree or disagree that if people know they are hangry, they could control their anger? Why?

Strongest Robot in the World

B1 – Intermediate

A Japanese company has created the world’s strongest robot. It is supposed to be able to lift 2 small cars. It’s made so strong that it is almost impossible to destroy it.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the strongest robot in the whole world.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/strongest-robot-in-the-world-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe the M-20001A/1700L. What do you think of this machine?
  2. How will this machine change everything in factory automation?
  3. What are the advantage and disadvantages of automation?
  4. What kind of robot or machine would you like to be invented? Why?
  5. How advanced is robotics in your country in comparison to Japan/to other European countries?

Hobbies Are Great

B1 – Intermediate

How we spend our free time is important for our well-being. In fact, there are a lot of benefits to having hobbies. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about why hobbies are good for us.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/hobbies-are-great-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good things about hobbies?
  2. Are there any disadvantages to hobbies?
  3. What hobbies do you have and why do you enjoy doing them so much?
  4. How do your hobbies help you in your life?
  5. What hobbies do you want to take up next and why?

Men vs Women’s Intelligence

B1 – Intermediate

You might have met a man who thinks he is so clever. According to a study, men actually overestimate their intelligence. On the other hand, women tend to have a more accurate estimate of the power of their brains.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how men and women estimate their intelligence.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/men-vs-women-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with the results of this study? Explain.
  2. What do you think are the reasons men think they are intelligent than they actually are?
  3. Why are women able to have a clear idea of how clever they are?
  4. Is it a good or bad thing to overestimate your intelligence. Explain your point.
  5. How intelligent do you think you are? How do you know this?
  6. Who is the most intelligent person you know and what makes you think they are brilliant?

The Challenge of Not Eating Food for 30 Days

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The famous YouTuber Mr. Beast is known for his extreme, over-the-top videos and most recently the vlogger attempted not eating food for 30 days, which would be his most dangerous challenge yet.

Though we all know that not eating food is dangerous, what is the immediate danger?

And there are many other questions that come from this type of challenge that can be quite insightful.

To find out more, let us watch this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this?
  2. In your opinion, would you be able to not eat food (with supervision) for as long or longer than Mr. Beast?
  3. Before watching this video, did you know about refeeding syndrome?
  4. If you were to fast for 3 days, what would be your estimate as to how much carbohydrates you could eat?
  5. What are your thoughts on crash diet?

Crisis in Sri Lanka

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Economic stability is important in the development of a country. This implies that people have the resources necessary to a healthy life. This is otherwise the case in Sri Lanka where economic, political and social turmoil prevail. Just recently, some Sri Lankans forced their way into their president’s official residence when their frustration has reached a boiling point.

Let’s watch the video and read the news to know more about the predicament Sri Lanka is in.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/13/sri-lanka-in-crisis-what-when-and-why-explainer

Discussion Questions:

  1. What factors contributed to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis?
  2. How do you think this economic collapse could have been prevented?
  3. In your opinion, does a mere change of leader would rectify the current situation?
  4. How does your government create economic recovery and growth after the COVID-19 pandemic?

Refinancing Mortgage Loans

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Buying a house is probably the biggest financial decision we ever have to make in our lives. Most people do not have enough funds to cover the entire cost of their house that is why they turn to banks or other financial institutions for financial assistance. When mortgage rates go down, some people see this as a chance to refinance their mortgage.

Let’s listen to this short commercial to know more about mortgage refinancing.

Refinancing Mortgage Loans

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does mortgage refinancing work?
  2. What are the benefits of refinancing a mortgage?
  3. Do you see any pitfalls in refinancing a mortgage?
  4. Do you have a mortgage? Does this option seem appealing to you?