Category: Class

Playing with Fire

B1 – Intermediate

We often hear this idiom “playing with fire”. Literally, we know that fire is dangerous and we could get hurt or destroy stuff. Thus, this phrase means doing something risky or dangerous.

We can also relate this to the story in Prometheus. In Greek religion, he is one of the Titans and also called the God of Fire. He disobeyed the Gods and stole fire to give it to humans. This is a good deed but he was still punished by Zeus in the end.

Let us hear more about the expression “playing with fire” in the audio below.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/playing-with-fire.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “if you play with fire, you might get burned” mean?
  2. Are you always cautious or do you like doing taking risks? Why is this?
  3. What is the most risky thing you have ever done in your life? Did you end up “getting burned”? Given a chance, would you do it again? Why or why not?
  4. What do you do when you can not achieve your objectives?
  5. What fun activities can we do that are not dangerous at all?

Tie the Knot

B1 – Intermediate

The phrase “tie the knot” is quite known globally which refers to marriage. There are a lot of theories where the origin of this phrase came from but one surely stands out.

Tying the knot comes from centuries-old wedding tradition called the hand-fasting ceremony. In this ancient Celtic practice, the couple literally ties the knots of cloth around their hands binding them together making them one.

Let us hear more about the expression “tie the knot” on the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoUTRZGfVRg

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “tie the knot” mean? What other similar expressions related to marriage do you know of?
  2. How important is marriage in your country?
  3. What are the pros and cons of marriage?
  4. Are there any interesting wedding traditions in your country?
  5. What is the difference between being single and being married?

The Ideal Woman

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Although there are times when it is not easy to know the reasons why we fall in love, the reasons why we stay in love are easier to recognize. Perhaps looking for a perfect partner is unrealistic that is why we must settle with the next best thing — an ideal partner.

Let’s listen to Ed and Rocky as they talk about Rocky’s ideal woman.

The Ideal Woman

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of woman does Rocky like?
  2. What do you think of his ideal woman? Do you agree with his thoughts on household responsibilities?
  3. What is your idea of the perfect man/woman?
  4. Is it good to have high expectations in a relationship?

Divorce Lawyers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Marriage is a commitment. It’s a commitment to do whatever is necessary to make the marriage work. There are times when it just won’t work despite the compromise the couples make. When is it right to surrender?

Let’s listen to Phil’s potential divorce story.

Divorce Lawyers

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is going on between Sharon and Phil?
  2. What reasons does Phil have to justify his divorce? What does Tonya think about them?
  3. What does “call it quits” mean?
  4. Do you think Phil is ready for a married life?
  5. Do you have high divorce rate in your country? What are the common reasons couple get divorced?
  6. What do you think of divorce lawyers? Are they in demand and highly paid in your country?

Why Do We Cringe?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Now more than ever, we feel the urge to cringe, especially about things we see online. It could be a verb, noun, and an adjective which means recoil of embarrassment or shrink. We cringe because we witness something funny or pleasurable or something disgusting or awkward.

Watch the video below about the cringe theory, empathetic embarrassment, why we cringe, etc.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What makes you cringe? Share a moment when you feel embarrassed or awkward or something hilarious that you cried your heart out due to fondness.
  2. Why do we cringe more recently?
  3. Do you tend to cringe more if someone close to you or someone you do not personally know did something embarrassing? Why do you think that is?
  4. Have you ever made someone cringe? Share your story.
  5. Is cringing bad or good or could be an insult? Explain.
  6. How do you deal with a cringey/cringe-worthy person or situation?

Video Games Are Good for You

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Research has shown that more people are playing video games since the pandemic. Because of the drastic limitation on outdoor activities, people find themselves stuck at home with nothing much to do. As a result, more people turn to video gaming.

However, video games have always had mixed reception from parents. Some say they make their kids more aggressive and less healthy. On the other hand, some parents say that with moderation, video games are a good way for kids to spend their time at home.

Research shows that video games are actually beneficial in many ways.

Click the link and read the article to learn the benefits of playing video games.

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/upper-intermediate-b2-reading/video-games-are-good-you

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, how can games help develop physical skills?
  2. What are the other benefits of playing games that were mentioned in the article?
  3. Do you play video games? Why or why not?
  4. What are some negative effects of playing video games?
  5. Do you think the benefits outweigh the negative effects of playing video games? Why or why not?

Domino’s Will Deliver Pizzas Using Robot

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Pizza is the perfect comfort food — not too messy, hard to mess up, good whether it’s hot or cold, and no silverware necessary. It’s just a perfect guaranteed meal to have during such uncertain times. 

The largest pizza company in the world by sales — Domino’s — had the biggest slice of the U.S. market coming into the pandemic. Now pizza lovers in Houston are going to see a new kind of delivery driver — a robot.

Let’s find out more about this autonomous pizza delivery robot.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/369394

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about his autonomous pizza delivery car/robot?
  2. What could be the advantages and disadvantages of this technology?
  3. Overall, what are your thoughts on allocating efforts and resources in the development of autonomous vehicles?
  4. Where else could such technology be useful?
  5. Have you ever called for pizza delivery? If yes, how often do you order pizza to your home?

Levi’s Baggier Balloon Jeans

B1 – Intermediate

Levi’s Jeans spoke about the latest trend in baggier jeans. Consumers are now looking for a more comfortable, more relaxing denim during this pandemic.

Let’s read about the baggier ‘balloon’ jeans trend according to Levi’s.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210412-levis-jeans-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of jeans?
  2. Are baggy or skinny jeans better?
  3. Will jeans ever go out of fashion?
  4. What was your best ever pair of jeans?
  5. How important is it to be fashionable?

No Loss of Marks for Spelling Mistakes

B1 – Intermediate

Problems in spelling, punctuation, and grammar are some troubles students face. Students in a university in England has said that teachers will be more flexible in grading their students’ writing.

Let’s read the article to know about marking for spelling mistakes.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210414-spelling.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the article and the university’s new policy?
  2. What are the best ways to learn to write properly?
  3. How should schools help people with learning disorders?
  4. How important is it to spell English words or even words in your native language correctly?
  5. How much importance is given to writing skills at schools in your country?
  6. Do you think you learned writing properly at school? Why or why not?

Insect Ice Cream

B1 – Intermediate

Ice cream is a popular dessert among kids and adults. It has many flavors. But have you heard of an insect ice cream?

Despite a long tradition of eating insects in some countries, the image of eating insects is not for everyone.

However, a restaurant in South Africa is becoming popular because of an interesting dessert on their menu: maggot ice cream!

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about insect ice cream.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/insect-ice-cream-level-1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this ice cream? Would you like to try it?
  2. What is your favorite dessert? Do you like ice cream?
  3. Have you tried any exotic ice cream flavors before?
  4. Have you eaten insects before? What did it taste like?
  5. In general, what is your opinion on extremely strange flavors/food?