Category: Class

Don’t Give Up!

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Difficulty and hardships are being experienced by the majority of us; especially in this time of crisis. Our strength has been tested when the pandemic hit our lives. Businesses have been closed as a result of thousands of people becoming unemployed. Each of us has experienced hardships at one point in our lives.

Let us be inspired from the story of one of the most famous action stars of all time, Sylvester Stallone.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Sylvester Stallone’s life story? What lesson/s did you learn from his life story?
  2. What can you say about his determination in life?
  3. Have you ever experienced hardships before and decided not to give up? What happened and how did you overcome such a difficult circumstance?
  4. What are the things you do to motivate yourself at times you feel like giving up?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement: “You never lose as long as you never give up.”

The Race Called Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this race called life, we think that we are always running alone. Not until we see someone who needs help more than we do. Some of them are our family, friends, and people we meet along the way.

It is not how fast we finish the race, it’s not all about the rush it’s about time to savor every moment and slow down for us to have a chance to appreciate life’s beauty.

Watch this inspirational video about the race called life.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to the story? Share a similar story/experience when you had to run for and/or against something/someone.
  2. Share your thoughts on this statement: “It’s not important if you win, it’s important how you run this race.”
  3. In this thing called life, what or who are you running for and against? Who are the people cheering you on?
  4. If life is a race, how would you describe your race?
  5. Aside from winning/succeeding, what are other things that matter in life?

The Master and the Bow

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Each one of us has our own goals in different areas in life. It may be financials, family, career, or personal-related. Goals are the substantial reason why we keep on going and aspiring.

Watch the video below about setting your eyes straight on your target.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that goals are important in our lives? Why or why not?
  2. What is your main goal in life?
  3. How do you stay on track in achieving your goals?
  4. How do you set goals in life?
  5. Have you ever failed in achieving a goal you’ve set? How did you deal with failing?

Maya Angelou and Sally Ride Will Be Honored on Quarters

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Did the images featured on your paper money or coins ever get into you? Are they familiar? Ever wondered why they are imprinted on our money?

Writer and poet Maya Angelou and astronaut Sally Ride will be featured in the US Mint’s American quarter to honor their immeasurable contributions to the country.

Watch the video and read the write-up below to know more about these inspiring women and the act of honoring them.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maya-angelou-sally-ride-quarters/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who do you think should we honor on our money?
  2. Do you think the people featured in your money are representing your country well? Why or why not?
  3. Is this a sufficient way of honoring these people given their magnificent contributions?
  4. How should society determine who is worthy of being honored on money?
  5. Are there people you wish to see on money? Why and what did they do to deserve it?

Meeting Singles

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being asked out on a date isn’t always as flattering as we see in the movies. There are times when you are just not into the person and they have absolutely no clue about it. Do you accept the invitation or do you turn down the person right off the bat?

Listen to the audio about meeting singles.

Meeting Singles

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did Doug find out where Diane lives? What do you think of this action?
  2. Does Diane seem interested in Doug? What excuses did she make up?
  3. How would you describe Doug based on his responses to Diane’s refusal?
  4. Have you ever declined a date invitation? How did you do it?
  5. What tips do you have for letting people down easily?

Career Search

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Assigning a job as “male” or “female” hurts both genders. It lessens the chances of the excluded gender to be considered in the same position regardless of how highly-qualified the person is. There are jobs that are gender-stereotyped such as firefighters, hairdressers, nurses etc. Fortunately, gender lines are blurring in the recent years.

Listen to the audio about career search.

Career Search

Discussion Questions:

  1. What career does the woman want to pursue? How about her boyfriend?
  2. What’s Ryan’s opinion on their career choices?
  3. Do you agree that some jobs are gender-specific? If so, give examples.
  4. How did you decide on your chosen career?
  5. How easy/difficult was it for you to establish yourself in your chose field? Share your experience/s.

Sea Slugs Regenerate Bodies After Decapitation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some animals have the ability to regrow body parts that have been cut off. In a new study, it reveals an amazing discovery of regeneration where Japanese sea slugs can regrow hearts and whole new bodies after their heads have been cut off.

Read more about the Japanese sea slugs regeneration.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/heads-sea-slugs-grow-new-bodies-decapitation-rcna366

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the significance of this scientific breakthrough. What are your thoughts on this discovery?
  2. What did you know about sea slugs before reading this article? What have you learned about them so far?
  3. Is it possible to discover the technology to regrow (human) body parts? Why or why not? Discuss. 
  4. If it ever were developed, how would the technology to regrow human body parts impact our lives?
  5. Sea slugs developed the ability to regenerate their body parts to fight off parasites. What do you think about this?

Drones Can’t Fly Over Paris

B1 – Intermediate

A drone is something like a flying robot. It is operated by humans from a remote location or it can work by itself when it is set. Drones are very popular and widely used because of its functionality and efficiency when capturing images and videos. However, there are some concerns about using them in Paris.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to find out why Paris decided to impost strict laws against drones and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/drones-cannot-fly-over-paris-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Paris prohibiting drones? Is there such a law in your city or country too?
  2. What do you think of drones?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using drones?
  4. Why do you think they are gaining popularity nowadays?

Young People Put Off Driving

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Driving is a rite of passage. They say it is a very important life skill. It can even represent freedom and maturity.

But during the pandemic lockdowns, one activity that was prohibited was traveling. Hence, people had to stop driving. With everything going on now, is it worth it to take lessons given that the prices of lessons and insurance could be rather steep?

Read the article on why young people are putting the brakes to learning how to drive during the pandemic.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/may/22/cost-young-people-learning-to-drive-covid-driving-lessons-insurance

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does driving mean in your life?
  2. How was your experience learning how to drive?
  3. Why are young people putting off learning to drive? Do you think you have the same problem in your country?
  4. What’s the importance of insurance especially for young/novice drivers?
  5. If you were just to learn how to drive now, would you also put it off? Why or why not? 

Influencing Across Cultures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Culture is defined as a set of shared values, goals, attitudes, and practices that characterize an organization. It is a key component in business and how well people influence others is beneficial in the success of a business.

Let’s learn a few patterns which are useful for those who are working across cultures.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/influencing-across-cultures-felicity-menzies

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the things to consider when trying to influence people who come from different cultural backgrounds?
  2. Which influencing techniques will work best when you are working with people from other cultures?
  3. How do you influence people ? Talk about an experience where you had to persuade people to accept your point of view.
  4. Does your job require a lot of influencing skills?
  5. How can we improve our influencing skills?