Category: Class

Holiday Traditions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

New Year and Christmas are the most celebrated holidays in the world. However, each country celebrates them differently. For example, Japan celebrates the New Year in silence while many other countries celebrate it by lighting fireworks and blowing horns. It’s the same with Christmas. In most parts of the world, we have Santa. He delivers gifts to children during Christmas. However, in Austria, an unusual figure called Krampus, comes during Christmas to punish naughty children.

Click the link and let’s listen to how every family celebrate their holidays differently.

Holiday Traditions

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do the children in the audio celebrate Christmas?
  2. Do you celebrate Christmas? If yes, how did you celebrate Christmas as a kid? How about now?
  3. What are the biggest holidays in your country? How do you celebrate them?
  4. Why are holidays important?
  5. Do you think holiday traditions will live on for the next hundreds of years to come? Why or why not?

Instagram for Children

B1 – Intermediate

Facebook is working on launching a new version of Instagram for kids under 13.

This version of Instagram will allow kids to safely use the app. The current Instagram policy prohibits children under the age of 13 from using the service.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about Instagram for children.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/instagram-for-children-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with US politicians opinion about Instagram for children? Support your stand.
  2. What are the good and bad things about children using social networks?
  3. Are social networking sites dangerous to children? Why or why not?
  4. If you are a parent, would you let your child use this version of Instagram? Why or why not?
  5. What child-friendly features would you like to see on social networking sites?

Test 822

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Would You Opt for a Life with No Pain?

C1 – Advanced

The idea of happiness is too vague that it has always been a bone of contention. Can happiness always be equated with experiences that bring us pleasure? Do these experiences need to always be realistic?

Let’s watch the video and find out more about life’s pleasure and pain.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain Robert Nozick’s “experience machine”.
  2. Imagine a life without pain. How would it be like?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living a life of limitless pleasure?
  4. Do you agree that in life, there should be a balance between happiness and pain? Support your stand.
  5. Would you rather be left in the dark than to know a harsh truth? Explain your opinion.

Marriage Preparation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Weddings are major celebrations that require a lot of time, energy, and money from the would-be couples and their families. Most of the time, people are so absorbed in the wedding preparation that they forget the more important preparation, the marriage preparation. After all the bliss and glamour of the wedding, couples have to endure the challenges of the married life. For future brides and grooms, better be ready for the marriage life too.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript on this conversation about wedding preparations.

Marriage Preparation

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on marriage prep classes?
  2. What is Randall’s big news? How does his sister find out about it?
  3. Who is Jasmine? How does his sister describe her?
  4. What pieces of advice does she have for them about the marriage preparation? Do you agree with these?
  5. How do would-be couples in your country usually prepare for marriage?

Cancel Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate

They say that the only constant thing in life is change. Being adaptable to change is a big part of what makes us grow as individuals and collectively, as a society. For years on end, we’ve been witness to a lot of things that had to be changed. Some to our advantage, while others, to our demise. Now, these changes could often be about our views on different social issues or matters. As our opinions change, they too, become polarized.

In the recent years, we’ve seen a pattern of having the thought that someone can be “canceled” or culturally prevented from staying relevant or famous, has been a topic of debate.

Our growing inclination toward “cancel culture” and “canceling someone” seems to have become a formula.

It starts when someone does or says something offensive. It is then followed by a public outrage on social media. The last stage involves the unfortunate backlash on that person’s career, sometimes ending up in destroyed careers or dismissal from jobs.

Read the article and join in on the cancel culture debate.

https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/12/30/20879720/what-is-cancel-culture-explained-history-debate

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on cancel culture? Do you view it as an important tool of social justice or a new form of merciless mob intimidation? Should it be stopped or continued?
  2. What are the good and bad things about it?
  3. What might the effects of being canceled be on a person/group/organization? 
  4. Which people, celebrities, or public figures you know suffered from the backlash of this emerging social culture? What offensive thing did they do and how did being ‘canceled’ affect them?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that “The view that a traditional approach — apology, atonement, and forgiveness — is no longer enough might be startling.”?

Test 772`

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Why We May Have To Re-Learn To Socialize

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We’ve been living in a pandemic world for over a year now. We’re already accustomed to our new social routines such as Zoom meetings, FaceTime dates, or ever virtual happy hours.

But with the vaccinations ramping up and restrictions beginning to be loosened in some countries, the new question is: Are we ready? After so much time apart, do we even know how to socialize in person?

Let’s read the article below on how we can re-train ourselves to be with others again.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210218-why-we-may-have-to-re-learn-to-socialise

Discussion Questions:

  1. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on your social life?
  2. Were you able to meet with other people during the COVID-19 pandemic?
  3. Would you feel anxious about returning to ‘normal’ again?
  4. Are you good at socializing? How do you socialize?
  5. How much do you socialize with people from work? What do you usually do to connect with your colleagues?
  6. How do we re-learn how to talk to people and manage the social awkwardness that may result from a year of isolation?

Working Long Hours Kills

B1 – Intermediate

In Japan, there is a specific term for death by overwork, which is “karoshi”. However, this phenomenon is not only exclusive in Japan. It happens all over the world. In fact, a WHO study revealed that 750,000 people die prematurely due to overwork.

Click the link to learn more about the dangers of overworking.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2105/210522-working-hours-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the dangers of overworking?
  2. How many hours do you spend time working? Do you work overtime or not? Do you sometimes get overworked?
  3. What is your opinion on this statement: “No job is worth the risk of stroke or heart disease.”?
  4. In your country, what are some government policies to prevent workers from overworking?
  5. How has your working hours and workload changed during the pandemic?

Dog Body Armor Against Bald Eagle Attacks

B1 – Intermediate

To protect their pet dogs from bald eagle attacks, owners are buying a special dog armor. This vest also protects small dogs from coyotes.

Let’s read the article about this special dog vest and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2105/210520-bald-eagles-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this dog armors/coyote vests?
  2. Should dogs wear protective vests from other harmful animals?
  3. Are you a pet owner? How do you protect your pet/s from danger?
  4. What other things can people use to scare birds or coyotes away from their dogs?