Category: Class

Comfortable: 50 People 1 Question

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As you might know, social media is the main engine helping the body positivity movement spread wider and get people to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Watch the video to find out the differences between how adults and children perceive themselves.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt negative about the way you look? How did you deal with it?
  2. Do you think a lot of people nowadays are overly critical of their appearance and want to change it for the better?
  3. Who is unsatisfied with their appearance the most: the adults or the children?
  4. What do the adults want to change? What do the children want to change?
  5. What conclusion can you draw with this information now?
  6. If you were asked to name one thing you would like to change about yourself, what would it be?

Truths about TV Reality Talent Shows

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are entertained. We watch an ordinary person achieve their dreams of making it. We see a superstar unfold. These and more is why we love TV reality talent shows. 

But are they really only about looking for talents or are there any secrets behind the curtains?

Here is an article that reveals the truth about TV reality talent shows.

5 Truths You Need to Know about TV ‘Reality’ Talent Shows

Discussion Questions:

  1. Were you surprised by any of the facts from the text? Which ones? Why?
  2. Cite other ways talent shows are beneficial for contestants.
  3. What do you think are the downsides of being part of such shows?
  4. Are there any talent shows in your country? What are they? How popular are they among the audiences in your country?
  5. Do you like this kind of shows? Why or why not?

Google Translate Adds New Languages

B1 – Intermediate

Google Translate is used worldwide. It is a tool that allows you to interact quickly and learn more foreign languages. It’s free, easy, and convenient to use.

Let’s read the article below to know more about the new languages added on Google Translate.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220516-google-translate-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How good do you think Google Translate is?
  2. What will Google Translate be like in 25 years?
  3. How important is your language to you? What do you think of the idea of having one global language?
  4. What would life be like if all language were translated immediately?
  5. How many languages do you know? How difficult is it to learn a new language?

Plant-Based Milk

B1 – Intermediate

Plant based milk is a lactose free substitute to cow milk. They are low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. Common plant milks are almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, and soy milk.

This type of milk is gaining popularity in the recent years.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about plant-based milk.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220502-plant-based-milk-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of plan-based milk? Elaborate.
  2. Are there any bad things about dairy milk?
  3. How will the war in Ukraine affect food prices?
  4. Why are more people turning to veganism?
  5. What do you think of the rising prices of food?

Women File for Divorce More Than Men

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The desire to dissolve a marriage is typically tough, and spouses may spend years, if not a lifetime contemplating their alternatives. When it comes to starting a separation, however, there is a distinct pattern as to who takes the ultimate ruling.

On average, women end their marriages significantly earlier than males. But why are women more likely to divorce their husbands first?

Let us figure out by reading the entire text.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220511-why-women-file-for-divorce-more-than-men

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think women are the ones who usually divorce their husbands first?
  2. Do people get divorced too easily and quickly today? What do you think are the reasons for this?
  3. What are the most common factors responsible for couples to divorce?
  4. Does divorce mean part of you is a failure? Explain.
  5. Why do you think divorce rate is higher in some countries than in others?
  6. Is being divorced a social stigma in your country? Talk about it.

Success

B1 – Intermediate

Success is much more than money, rank, or popularity. For some, success is just the thought of fulfillment and joy that comes from living a certain way of life or engaging in a certain activity.

But what does it take to get ahead in any career, in love, and in life? And how meaningful is success really?

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about success.

https://listenaminute.com/s/success.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you define success? How important is success to you?
  2. How do you view failing or losing?
  3. What is your formula or recipe for success?
  4. What is your biggest success in life?
  5. What part does luck play in success?
  6. What small wins do you have everyday?

Taliban Orders Women to Cover Their Faces

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of the time, we can tell how people feel simply by looking at their faces. Our faces show a lot of expressions. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this non-verbal communication has been hindered by the mandatory use of face masks.

In Afghanistan, however, it is not the use of face mask that conceals their women’s faces but the mandatory use of hijab that is part of Taliban’s new order for women to conceal their faces in public.

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

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/8/taliban-make-burqa-mandatory-for-afghan-women

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this decree?
  2. What is the punishment for the violation of this decree?
  3. What other decrees issued by the Taliban inhibit women’s rights?
  4. How did the international community fail Afghan women according to some women’s rights activists?

The Wind-Farm Controversy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Wind turbines are one of the sources of clean, renewable energy. Because of their large sizes, they take up a lot of land area. One location in England refuses to upgrade to new larger ones for aesthetic reasons. Residents also worry about the risks it might pose to their wildlife. Arguments have been raised with regards to the benefits and drawbacks of wind-farms.

Take a look at the full lesson below to learn more about this controversy.

https://linguapress.com/intermediate/wind-farm-controversy.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does your government preserve the natural landscape and wildlife of your country?
  2. Does your government consider wind farms a good source of renewable energy? Why or why not?
  3. What are some sources of renewable energy that your country currently utilizes?
  4. What are some climate change effects that you have felt or noticed in recent years?
  5. What does your government do to tackle climate change? How do you, as an individual, contribute to your part in solving problems related to climate change?
  6. What are some pros and cons of wind farms?
  7. How do we use less energy?
  8. What are your thoughts on nuclear energy?

Left Brain Right Brain is a Myth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We assume that people think differently. Someone is very good at science and another is good at arts. Do you think this depends on a person’s being left- or right-brained?

We have all heard that the cerebral hemispheres are responsible for different activities. However, is it really true?

Watch the video and find out if the theory of left- and right-brained thinking is true or not.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Was any information mentioned in the video shocking for you? Explain.
  2. What is your attitude to the “brain dominance” tests after having discovered this new theory? Will you rely on them?
  3. Do you believe that people will one day learn all the secrets of how the brain functions?
  4. What is one proof that the left- and right-brained thinking theory is false based on the video? What are your thoughts on this?
  5. Are you left- or right-brained? What are your qualities that make you as such?

What is Slow Living?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The modern life constantly presses us to do, perform, or buy more. However, our jobs, quality of work, health, financial security, and communities may suffer. If a hectic life is causing stress, is there anything you can do to manage it?

Slow living may help combat this near-constant state of overload. Please read the article to know more about it.

What is slow living?

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is slow living defined in the article?
  2. What are your thoughts on this lifestyle?
  3. What are some preconceived notions about slow living?
  4. What are the benefits of following a slow life according to the article?
  5. Name some disadvantages to this way of life.
  6. Share your experience completing tasks at a leisurely pace. Was it easy or hard for you to do so? Why do you think that is?