Category: Class

More Women Apply for Jobs in Europe

B2 – Upper  Intermediate 

Given the highly competitive job market and very unstable economy across the globe, people, particularly women, are not giving up on trying to find a greener pasture, even extending their job hunting across the pond. 

According to a report by the global recruitment-software platform iCIMS, more female job seekers are applying for jobs in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) rather than in North America. 

Read the article about this trend among female job hunters to find jobs in Europe.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240401-women-job-applications-europe-vs-north-america

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “in droves” mean? “In a tough job market and tumultuous global economy, women are searching for jobs in droves.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘in droves’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “playing field” mean in this context, ”Over the years, European employers have recognised the importance of closing their workplace gender gaps and implementing initiatives that focus on equalising the playing field, which has encouraged more women to apply for jobs”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “overarching” mean? “The overarching biggest factor, however, is the state of the global economy.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘overarching’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the drivers behind the higher volume of female job applications in the EMEA?
  2. What do you think could be consequences of this trend in the long run?
  3. Share your insights on this, “There is a structural necessity for women to participate in the workforce due to the ageing population.”. Do you think the same goes for your country? Talk about it.
  4. How does your country make it easier for younger women to enter the workforce?
  5. In your country, how have the government and employers tried to close workplace gender gaps? 

Chinese Women Teaming Up with Strangers to Save Money

B2 – Upper  Intermediate 

Amidst the low confidence in what the future holds for the economy, Chinese women are seeking for partners or “da zi” they can join forces with in order to save money.

Saving money has never been harder. Many women are concerned so they must find ways on how to cut down on their expenses wherever they can or finding something to do to earn extra bucks, thereby, increasing their savings.

Read the article about how Chinese women are teaming up with saving partners in order to be able to put some money aside.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-68692375

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “impulse purchase” mean? “They also help to stop each other from making impulse purchases.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “blunt” mean in this context, “However, if people continue to avoid spending and save their money instead it could blunt the bank’s ability to influence the economy.”? Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “banknote” mean? ”I feel safe and satisfied seeing stacks of banknotes getting thicker and thicker.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on having saving partners?
  2. What might be the pros and cons of having “da zis”?
  3. How has having saving partners help Chinese women save money?
  4. What are your thoughts on more traditional saving methods such as keeping cash at home?
  5. Are people in your country saving more or less in the recent years? Why do you think this is the trend?
  6. What are some things you have done in order to save money? How about to make extra cash?

Qantas Passenger App Privacy Breach

B2 – Upper  Intermediate 

Australia’s flag carrier Qantas Airways got into hot water for apparent breach in their passengers’ data privacy wherein some of the app’s users saw boarding passes and flight details of other passengers. Some information included their names, scheduled flights, and frequent flyer details.

The airline denied cyber security issues and said they were able to fix the problem in just a few hours after the glitch was detected.

Read the article about Qantas’ privacy breach on its passenger app. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-68925710

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “privacy breach” mean? “Australian airline Qantas says it is investigating a privacy breach on its app that left customers with access to others’ personal details.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. Define “glitch”. “Users on X, formerly Twitter, shared screenshots of the glitch and alleged phishing attempts.” Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does ”pose” mean in this context, ”Some appeared to show accounts posing as Qantas customer care agents asking for people’s personal information in order to assist them.” Use this word in this context in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. As an airline passenger, what did you think of this news?
  2. If you happen to come across other people’s personal info and flight details on an airline app, what do you think you would do?
  3. Qantas was quick to dismiss cybersecurity problems related to this incident. What do you think of this?
  4. Share your thoughts on how Qantas handled this incident.
  5. Have you ever had any issues on any apps? Share about that experience.
  6. Share about similar privacy breach incidents you’ve heard of.

Waffle House Under Fire for Mandatory Meal Deductions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lunch break is a good chance for workers to disconnect from their work while enjoying their meal. Some workers prefer to bring a packed lunch from home while others like to dine out with their colleagues.

This is a break during the workday where workers can relax and decide what they want to do and what they will have for lunch. What if your company imposes what you should eat for lunch and charge you for it regardless if you consume it or not?

Let’s read the article and know more about this unfair long-standing policy that docks Waffle House employees’ paychecks.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/waffle-house-mandatory-meal-deductions_n_66017bebe4b08460c3e7d35a

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to live paycheck to paycheck” mean? “Many Waffle House workers are living paycheck to paycheck and do not have stable housing and transportation.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the verb “spearhead” mean? “It formed last year out of the union’s long-running Fight for $15 campaign, which spearheaded fast food strikes and helped spur minimum wage hikes around the country.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the idiom “to work for scraps and pennies“? “One employee told the outlet they were working for scraps and pennies.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the details of Waffle House’s mandatory meal deduction policy?
  2. What is your opinion on this clause in the Waffle House manual? “Meals must be consumed at the [restaurant] and no food can be taken home under this meal policy. Any food actually taken home by such an Associate will be considered a ‘To Go’ order and must be paid for at full price.“
  3. Is mandatory meal deduction in restaurant industry allowed in your country? What are the requirements?
  4. What are the working conditions of minimum wage workers in your country?
  5. Share some other ridiculous policies you’ve heard some companies have.

Retirement Feels Impossible Today

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How would your life be like if you can go without alarm clocks, when you are not under time constraints, and when you can enjoy the company of your loved ones, and live a carefree and leisurely life?

It sounds a lot like retirement, doesn’t it? But everything around us took a sharp turn for the worse, and now enjoying our later years seems like a pipe dream.

Watch the video, to find out more about why retirement seems unattainable these days and get some tips on how to prepare for it.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “evolving landscape“? “The process of saving money has become more complex. Despite these obstacles, there are still ways to successfully navigate this evolving landscape.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “safety net” mean? “When you stop working, it’s kind of like a safety net for your older years.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “tucked away” mean?” “Graduating with a substantial student loan debt means that a significant portion of your earnings is dedicated to debt repayment rather than being tucked away for the future.” Construct a sentence with this term.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the 9 reasons mentioned in the video of why retirement is impossible today? Drawing from your experience or observation, do you concur with these reasons?
  2. How has retirement changed in your nation? and what are the factors that affect it?
  3. Do you think it’s necessary to make retirement plans? Why?
  4. Considering the various challenges people have when trying to save for retirement, are there any strategies you can think of to guarantee a better retirement?
  5. Do you find retiring to be bothersome at this time, given how drastically society is changing over time? How do you respond to it?

Reading Books: A Habit Everyone Should Cultivate

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Reading books has been a cherished pastime for centuries, providing a gateway to new worlds, ideas, and perspectives. From the ancient scrolls of Egypt to the modern e-books of today, books have played a crucial role in shaping human knowledge and understanding.

Reading books is not just a leisure activity but a powerful tool for self-improvement and enlightenment. It is a timeless practice that continues to shape individuals and societies alike.

Discover some of the reasons you should take up reading as a new hobby by reading the article.

Reading books: A habit that everyone should cultivate

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cultivate” mean here, “Reading is a habit that everyone should cultivate.“? Use this word with the same context in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “to keep the fire burning” mean? “At first, it ignites the sleeping will within us to be the best version of us; and once it does, reading books keeps that fire burning for us not to lose our enthusiasm.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What does the noun “treachery” mean? “Without the element of treachery, but with the pure intention of discovering, picture yourself as the explorer Ferdinand Magellan who is in an expedition, but for words instead of spices.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘treachery’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the six points mentioned in the cited article to encourage you to read regularly?
  2. Could you give me one more reason for establishing reading as a habit?
  3. What book do you recommend, and why?
  4. How different do you think reading will be in the future?

How Top CEOs Cope with Stress

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an inevitable part of our daily lives. From work deadlines to family responsibilities, the pressures we face can often feel overwhelming. However, there is a secret sauce that can help us cope with stress and navigate through life’s challenges with ease.

Read this article and learn how to deal with stress so that you may grow and achieve your goals.

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/health/other/the-secret-stress-sauce-how-the-world-s-top-ceos-cope-with-pressure/ar-BB1ks3CL?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=f1a6b143e08f45dc87d4152fd5a7a324&ei=5

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to lose one’s cool” mean? “One thing most business leaders can learn from Richard Branson, the multi-billionaire founder of the Virgin Group, is that he virtually never loses his cool.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to lose one’s cool’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “high-flying” mean? “In my entire business experience, this is rarely the case for a lot of high-flying CEOs and wealthy business owners.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘high-flying’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “under one’s wing” mean? “One of our clients, a wealthy business owner in the US with a billion-dollar conglomerate under his wings, has one guy whose sole purpose is to keep his alcohol blood level constant.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some key takeaways you got from this article?
  2. Which tip did you find the most helpful and why?
  3. The article provided practical advice on how to manage stress and maintain healthy mental health. How do you maintain your mental well-being?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “Many business leaders turn to alcohol or substance abuse to get things done and reduce their stress.“.
  5. Walt Disney said, “Everyone needs pressure to perform at their best. The best way to get many things done is to be under much pressure to pull them off.” Do you concur or disagree? Explain your answer.

Functioning Alcoholic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The term “functioning alcoholic” is often used to describe individuals who appear to manage their alcohol consumption while maintaining their professional and personal responsibilities. Despite regularly consuming alcohol, they may still excel in their careers, maintain relationships, and fulfill daily obligations.

However, it’s essential to recognize that the term “functioning alcoholic” can be misleading. While some individuals may seem to function well despite alcohol misuse, it doesn’t mean that they are not experiencing significant negative consequences or health risks associated with their drinking.

Functioning alcoholism is considered a type of alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over drinking, and negative emotional states when not drinking. Just because someone appears to function well doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling with AUD.

Read the article below about some and be ready to answer the following questions.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/alcoholism/taylor-swift-fortnight-ttpd-what-is-a-functioning-alcoholic/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What the idiomatic expression “to run the gamut” mean in the sentence, “Treatment recommendations can run the gamut from inpatient treatment to community support activity.”? Use it in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the word “to match up” mean in the sentence, “We might find ourselves drinking very heavily, in ways that are damaging our mental and physical health, but because we don’t match up to our mental image of an ‘alcoholic,’ we don’t see ourselves, and aren’t seen by others, as having a problem.”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does the phrase “inflection point” mean in the sentence, “Usually there is an inflection point where the person’s dependency progresses to a state where they can no longer hide the symptoms of alcohol use disorder.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence and give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think the stigma surrounding the term “alcoholic” affects individuals’ willingness to seek help for alcohol use disorder (AUD)?
  2. Do you agree with the suggestion to shift the focus from asking “Am I an alcoholic?” too “Am I happy with my drinking?” Why or why not?
  3. Have you encountered situations where someone’s drinking habits have affected their personal or professional life? How was it addressed, and what were the outcomes?
  4. How can friends and family members effectively support someone who may be struggling with unhealthy drinking habits without being confrontational or judgmental?
  5. In your opinion, what can be done to reduce the stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder and encourage more open discussions about seeking help and support?

The Benefits of Having a Corporate Social Responsibility Program

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This lesson delves into businesses’ evolving role in addressing societal and environmental challenges while driving long-term value. It goes beyond mere philanthropy, encompassing a holistic approach that considers impacts on stakeholders. Companies embracing this recognize wider consequences and aim to create enduring value by integrating ethical principles, sustainable practices, and community engagement. This approach fosters positive relationships, enhances brand reputation, mitigates risks, and attracts socially conscious consumers and investors, positioning these companies for sustained success.

Read the article below about the benefits of having corporate social responsibility program and be ready to answer the following questions. 

https://benevity.com/resources/corporate-social-responsibility-benefits

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “executive buy-in” mean in the sentence, “Winning executive buy-in, assigning responsibilities and finding the right CSR software are some of the biggest hurdles to jump — that’s before you’ve even mapped out the details.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the noun “stakeholder” mean, “Stakeholders want to know if this project will see a positive return on investment (ROI).”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “from strength to strength” mean in the sentence, “Ranked as the world’s most reputable company in 2020 by RepTrak, the children’s building blocks brand continues to go from strength to strength.“? Use this noun phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think business leaders today prioritize making money above everything else, or do they consider social responsibility more now? Why or why not?
  2. What are the potential consequences of prioritizing profits over other considerations such as environmental impact, employee well-being, and community engagement?
  3. What role do consumers and investors play in shaping companies’ approaches to social responsibility, and how can businesses respond to their changing expectations?
  4. How do you prioritize profit versus social responsibility in your own approach to work or business decisions?
  5. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to choose between maximizing profits and acting in a socially responsible manner? If so, how did you navigate that decision?

Dubai Floods

B1 – Intermediate

Dubai suffered from heavy rainfall. This resulted to big problems with flooding in many areas. The unexpected heavy rains caused many issues in the city’s infrastructure. It caused for the roads to be impassable and the buildings to be damaged.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the heavy rains and flooding in Dubai.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dubai-floods-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “torrential rain” mean, “Last week, a big storm brought torrential rain to the United Arab Emirates and flooded the airport.“? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “flood” mean, “Last week, a big storm brought torrential rain to the United Arab Emirates and flooded the airport.“? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the verb ‘flood’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to get stuck” mean? “Lots of people got stuck at the airport because the airport canceled flights.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the idiom ‘to get stuck’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What effects did the rain and flooding have in Dubai?
  3. What can be done to prevent similar problems in the future?
  4. How might the flooding at Dubai International Airport impact the tourism industry in Dubai?
  5. Does your city/any parts of your country suffer the same problem with flooding? How does the people/city manage such situation?