Category: Class

Bulletproof Backpack

B1 – Intermediate

In the US, schools may no longer be one hundred percent safe. Due to some shooting incidents in the past decade, there have been a couple of additional trainings and protocols for students in case such things happen in their schools.

In Israel, a company has created a special backpack to help with this situation. It is easy to use and offers protection from bullets.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about this bulletproof backpack.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/bulletproof-backpack-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think this backpack would be effective? Why or why not?
2. What would be some other good uses for this bag?
3. What should be some other measures that schools and the government take to prevent school shootings?
4. Are there similar inventions that you know of? What are they? Where are they used?
5. What does your city/country do to make sure schools are safe?

The Dangers of Mixing Medications

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most, if not all, of us have been exposed to one medication or another. There might have been cases where we have been prescribed more than one medication at a given time. It is important to know if these medications are safe to be taken together to prevent possible negative interactions from occurring.

With so many medications on the market, it is difficult to remember all possible drug interactions. Sometimes, some drug interactions are well-known, which is easy to remember, while others are rare. Whether rare or common, these interactions have to be checked by your health practitioners to see if it’s safe to consume some drugs, food, and supplements together.

Watch this video below to see how drug interactions affect our bodies.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What were your initial understandings and misconceptions about drug interactions before watching this video?
  2. Who are the most susceptible to drug interactions?
  3. What are some good and bad drug interactions that you know of?
  4. What usually happens upon drug prescription and dispensing?
  5. Do you feel that doctors and pharmacists educate patients properly on the medications they will be and are currently taking? Why or why not?
  6. Are you someone who takes supplements? What are some reasons why you’re taking them?
  7. Should apps be available for patients to track possible interactions? Why or why not?
  8. How do you personally make sure you’re taking your medications properly?

‘Time Poverty’ Robs Parents of Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We could only have enough time for everything. Overscheduling and overtiredness can affect the wealthy and the poor alike. If you’re an average citizen, you’d call this your normal ‘lifestyle,’ but if you’re a scholar, you’d label it as ‘time poverty.’

Do you ever notice how we never seem to have enough time for everything? For those people with children, they have even less – and the problem of ‘time poverty’ has never been more highlighted.

To learn more about the challenges of ‘time poverty,’ read the full text.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220201-the-time-poverty-that-robs-parents-of-success

Discussion Questions:

  1. What causes time poverty for parents?
  2. How does time poverty affect you?
  3. Do you generally have enough stamina before or after work to do something enjoyable? How do you make the most of your free time?
  4. How do you believe people with children can bridge the gap between having children and pursuing their work objectives?
  5. How do you strike a balance between your professional and personal life if you are also a parent?
  6. What can companies and government do to ensure people with children have good work-life balance?

How to Live with Your Regrets

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is not always convenient to do the things that have made people who they are, having put in place from a range of perspectives and mishaps. People like to say things like “the past is just a history” and “it has no contribution to my life now,” or “I have no remorse.”

But the matter must be disclosed. Failures and circumstances contribute significantly in shaping us into who we are today.

Take a look at the full text to know how to live life with regrets.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220207-how-to-live-with-your-regrets

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can regrets help us develop?
  2. How has some things that you regret affected or changed you?
  3. Were your hopes and dreams as a child fulfilled? Why or why not?
  4. Think about relationship experiences you’ve had that you regret.
  5. How can one cope with the regrets they carry with them?
  6. Why is life full of regrets?

How Do Supermarkets Manipulate People?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When out doing your grocery shopping, you might have thought the choices you made were yours and yours alone. More often than not, though, we are being influenced by manufacturers’ manipulations. Our sense of taste and smell are exploited when we walk into a supermarket and notice the pastries and ready-to-eat food found at nearby counters.

Read the article and watch the video to know other clever tricks food marketers pull on their customers.

https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/27561/20201002/supermarkets-manipulate-people.htm#:~:text=Supermarkets%20are%20designed%20to%20persuade,route%20to%20the%20dairy%20products.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is impulse buying? Why do we do it and how can we stop?
  2. What are the ways supermarkets make you buy more?
  3. Give some tips for spending less at supermarkets.
  4. Have you ever fallen for these tricks? Which ones worked on you?
  5. How do you make sure your grocery runs are efficient and as economical as possible?

Is Being Kind Good for You?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Kindness is an important human virtue. Simple acts of kindness to our loved ones, to strangers, and even to ourselves make the world a happier place.

So during this challenging time, it is very important to treat everyone with kindness. It creates an opportunity to show others that we care and it could be our biggest defense against some social, psychological, and mental consequences of Covid-19.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the benefits of kindness.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220303

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a kind person? Are you attracted to kind people? Explain your answer.
  2. Can you think of a life-changing act of kindness in your life?
  3. When you are kind to others and they are not, what policy do you adopt? Do you keep going or do you feel abused and stop being kind to them?
  4. Who is the kindest person you know? What are some of their acts of kindness?
  5. Do you believe that kindness depends on gender? Explain your thoughts.

Ex Minister Gets a Knighthood

B1 – Intermediate

A knighthood is awarded to a Briton who has shown exemplary service to his country. It is considered as one of the highest honors one can ever receive. 

Gavin Williamson was a former minister and was fired twice. Despite this, he was still given the said title.

Read the article about about an ex minister who was fired from his positions twice and then proceeded to receiving a knighthood.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220307-uk-knighthood-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Williamson receiving a knighthood? Does he deserve the title?
  2. Do you think it’s true that the award is for Williamson staying quiet about allegations about Boris Johnson before? Explain your opinion.
  3. Should politicians who made mistakes be given another chance or awarded honors like this? Why or why not?
  4. If there was a similar title in your country, who do you think should get it now and why him?

The Illness That Was All in a Doctor’s Head

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Dr. Alissa Zingman has suffered painful symptoms that even her fellow doctors dismissed as something that’s only in her head. She was told many times that there was only a very small chance for her to improve. 

To help others with the same condition, she put up a pioneering clinic that offers not only possible interventions but more importantly, hope to other patients.

Read the article about about a doctor’s bout with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/23/the-doctor-who-was-told-her-illness-was-all-in-her-head-and-is-transforming-the-treatment-of-her-rare-genetic-condition#:~:text=Interview-,The%20doctor%20who%20was%20told%20her%20illness%20was%20’all%20in,of%20her%20rare%20genetic%20condition&text=To%20finally%20get%20a,%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Dr%20Alissa%20Zingman.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about her condition and the way she was dismissed constantly?
  2. How would you feel and what would you do if you were in her shoes?
  3. Do you agree or disagree with this: “When you see a new patient, and there’s something you don’t understand, the most likely answer is that it’s real.”? 
  4. Have you ever felt ill and when you consulted your GP, they said it was nothing serious? How did you feel and react at that moment?

Caffeine Overdose

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An unfortunate caffeine overdose occurred to a personal trainer after he miscalculated the amount of caffeine powder he was supposed to take.

Read the article about about caffeine toxicity.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-60570470

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. To what extent is the company responsible for this miscalculation in dosage?
  3. What are your thoughts about gym-goers using caffeine to improve sports performance?
  4. How can we be careful in consuming or taking such products?
  5. What other performance-enhancing products do you know of?

Why Do We Sigh?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Whenever we think of sighing, we think of negative emotions such as frustration or dissatisfaction in something or someone. But is this true? Or is there another reason to why we sigh?

Let’s watch this video to find out more about sighing.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever noticed that you sigh involuntarily? How does this affect the way you interact with other people?
  2. Did you know sighing makes you feel relieved or have you always associated it with negative emotions?
  3. Have you ever assumed wrongly about anyone because they sighed? Talk about that instance.
  4. How do you normally express your resignation and frustration?
  5. How do you achieve instant relief amidst negative emotions?