Category: Class

Identical Twins Are Not So Identical

B1 – Intermediate

Most people would be in awe with the sight of identical twins since it is pretty rare to see individuals who looks perfectly alike. Some would say that they are carbon-copy physically and even mentally but according a study, they are not perfectly similar since identical twins do not share totally identical DNA. This research shows that this tiny difference could impact the twins’ characteristics.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about identical twins.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210110-identical-twins-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it common in your country to have twins? Why do you think that is?
  2. How can identical twins be similar and different?
  3. How does nature versus nurture affect child development?
  4. What do you think are the good and bad things about having twins?
  5. What do you think are the hardships that twins could experience?

Online Romance Fraud

B1 – Intermediate

Online romance has increased a lot in the information age; even more during the coronavirus pandemic since most people have been isolated in their own homes. People try to find their romantic partner using different platforms.

Unfortunately, not everyone on these platforms wants romance. Some are just there with fake online identities. They gain their victim’s affection and trust and then try to take their money. These fraudsters deceive people into believing they are in a platonic or romantic relationship when all they want is money.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the increase in online romance fraud.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2103/210319-romance-fraud-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is online romance fraud popular in your country? Why or why not?
  2. Why has online romance fraud increased nowadays?
  3. How can we know if someone is a scammer on these dating apps?
  4. How can we prevent being scammed online?
  5. Have you experienced any form of online fraud?
  6. How is online dating different from dating in-person?

Myths about Food Bloggers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A food blogger has already become a popular job nowadays, but some people still don’t understand how to earn money by just posting food photos, recipes, or pretty much anything that’s food-related. That’s why there are a lot of myths about this job.

Read the article to check if your vision of food blogging was correct.

What do Bloggers Really Do?: 7 Myths About Food Bloggers

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is there any information that surprised you about food blogging?  What was it?
  2. If you decided to become a food blogger, what direction would you choose? Why?
  3. What ideas for food blogs can you think of?
  4. What food blogs, if any, do you follow? What attracts you about these blogs?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement: “Food Bloggers can’t be trusted because their food is free.”

Conformity Bias

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Conformity bias refers to our tendency to go along with a group and to be influenced by those around us. It occurs when we model our behavior to fit the behavior of others rather than using our own judgement.

Watch the video to know what conformity bias is and see how it works and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is conformity bias? Cite some examples.
  2. How does conformity affect decision-making?
  3. What should we do in order to maintain independence in the face of the pressure to conform?
  4. Share an experience you had about conformity bias.
  5. What is your opinion on groupthink?

Rhetoric: How Persuasive Are You?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Giving persuasive speeches is a skill. One has to be able to deliver their messages clearly and effectively to convince people.

In the past, these were done face-to-face in front of a huge audience. Nowadays, people can do it with just a simple tap on their gadgets. Either can be effective in inspiring and influencing people into certain decisions or actions.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to know more about what rhetoric is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220414

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some instances that you have used rhetoric?
  2. What are some good qualities of rhetoric?
  3. Where can rhetoric be effective or useful?
  4. Who are some famous people who are good at rhetoric?
  5. What skills should you possess to deliver good rhetoric?
  6. Are there other ways to persuade people? What are they?
  7. Is social media affecting the way leaders and other people connect with the public or general audience?
  8. How has rhetoric shaped our history in both good and bad ways?

Selfie Addiction

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Selfie is a fun way to capture one’s precious moments. However, for others they take way too numerous selfies which leads to an obsession. A new study shows that addiction to selfies could be an indication of a mental disorder. This new behavioral addiction is called “selfitis”.

Watch the video to learn more about selfitis and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about selfies?
  2. What is the impact of selfie in your life/the society/our relationships/our wellbeing?
  3. Why do some people become obsessed with taking photos of themselves?
  4. What are the dangers of “selfitis”?
  5. Do think selfitis is an indicator of a mental disorder? Explain your point.

Why You Should Try to Be More Selfish

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The risk for most individuals isn’t that they disregard others in the name of their own wants; rather, it is that they continuously put true inner growth on hold in favor of the notion of so-called respectable judgment.

Watch the video and discover why sometimes, we need to be more selfish.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your concept of selfishness?
  2. Do you consider yourself selfish? Why or why not? What would you say is the most selfish thing you’ve ever done?
  3. When is okay to be self-absorbed? Explain.
  4. What are the good and bad things about putting yourself first?
  5. What is your take on this statement: “The world won’t fall apart if we neglect some of our commitments.“?

Unusual Things That Are Common in Other Countries

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the characteristics that distinguish humans from other members of the animal world is our tendency to develop conventions. Thousands of diverse cultures have sprung up around the world since the beginning of civilization.

Sometimes, there normal things that are customary in other countries but are very different from what we are used to.

Here are 10 incredible customs from all over the world.

https://brightside.me/wonder-places/10-unusual-things-that-are-common-in-other-countries-796969/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Name some points from the article that you found really unusual and explain why you think they are rather bizarre.
  2. Have you ever experienced culture shock? Share your experience and how you dealt with it.
  3. Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture? What was that practice and how did you and that person bridge the gap between your customs?
  4. Do you think “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” is always good advice? Why or why not?
  5. If foreigners visit your country, what are things that might surprise them?

Ways to Fight Mental Health Stigma

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Generally speaking, our culture isn’t very acceptant of people with mental disabilities. So, if someone ends up being diagnosed with a mental health disorder like depression, a majority of them will clam up in a social situation. It’s because of the social stigma that they’re afraid to open up to people, fearful that they’re just going to be told to be happy, smile, get over it and move on — a gross oversimplification of a very real mental disability.

Read the article to know why it is crucial to care for mental health and how to help others manage their feelings and emotions to get back on track.

https://www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/october-2017/9-ways-to-fight-mental-health-stigma

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do all people value the body the same as the mind? Explain.
  2. What prevents people from opening up to others and learning how to overcome problems?
  3. What are the ways to get over a mental health problem?

Holidays

B1 – Intermediate

We can see how vacations are crucial in keeping a healthy balance in everyone’s life, whether they are students or working professionals. Everyone yearns for holidays to revitalize and enhance their quality of life by taking a break from the grind. We must take pleasure in our vacations and spend them efficiently to avoid time loss and disappointments.

Let’s read the transcript and listen to the audio about holidays. https://listenaminute.com/h/holidays.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are holidays important?
  2. What holidays do you really look forward to?
  3. How can one spend their holidays?
  4. Is it better to stay at home on holidays or go somewhere?
  5. What is it like moving around your country during holiday time?
  6. What are the pros and cons of spending holidays with your family, with your friends, or alone?