Category: Class

No More Pain in Your Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Pain and stress are the usual feelings that we encounter whenever we have problems. These are inevitable feelings that humans experience.

Stress is the garbage of the modern life. All of us will suffer from it, but if you don’t cope with it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life.

Stress and confusion come from being busy. Sometime the most productive thing to do is to let go and relax.

Watch this video on how to let go of our stress and pains.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you feel stressed or in (emotional) pain?
  2. What are the things that make you stressed? How do you deal with it?
  3. How does the speaker compare the glass of water to a person’s stress or pain? Do you agree with him?
  4. What are your stress relievers?

Three Laughing Monks Story

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Laughter has a lot of benefits not only to our health but also to people around us. There’s a saying that laughter is and will always be, the best therapy.

According to John Cleese, laughter connects us to people. It’s almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you’re just always howling with laughter.

In this video, you’ll know the story of the three laughing monks and how they connect and affect other people’s lives.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the summary of the story?
  2. Are you a serious person or a jolly one?
  3. What was the funniest moment that ever happened in your life? Can you tell the story?
  4. How often do you meet and laugh with your family and friends?
  5. What usually makes you laugh?

Get Rid of Anger Issues

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is in people’s nature to get angry if there’s something that others did that we don’t really like and didn’t pass our standards. However, each person has different attitudes and way to handle their anger. Some just keep silent and some are try to release their anger by shouting or sometimes even harming others physically.

This video showed a story that somehow will help us know how to handle and get rid our anger issues. Remember that anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what is the law of a garbage truck?
  2. How does the taxi driver compare people to garbage trucks?
  3. How can anger issues be managed?
  4. What are the things that make you angry?
  5. What can you say about the taxi driver’s attitude?

Why We Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Nightmares

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Did you know that most people dream 3-6 times per night? Dreaming is one of the most mysterious aspects of sleep. They can be fun, romantic, disturbing, frightening, and sometimes bizarre.

A nightmare is a bad dream. It’s normal to have a nightmare fom time to time. However, for some people, they recur frequently disrupting sleep and negatively impacting their waking life as well.

Read the article below to know why we shouldn’t be afraid of nightmares.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210330-why-we-shouldnt-be-afraid-of-nightmares

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you remember your dreams?
  2. Have you ever had the same dream many times? Was it a good one or a bad one?
  3. Have you ever woken up screaming in the middle of the night because nightmares?
  4. What is the worst nightmare you have ever had? Were you able to go back to sleep?
  5. Do you think that we can learn anything from our dreams? Some people claim that we can learn things about the future from dreams. What do you think about this idea?
  6. How can you help stop nightmares and get better sleep?

Dating Violence Against Men

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Dating abuse or dating violence is the commission or threat of a violent act by a member of a relationship outside marriage usually during the dating or courtship period. It usually starts when one partner maintains total control over the other by means of violence and constant abuse. Although seldom reported, men can be victims of dating violence too.

Listen to this audio about dating violence against men.

Dating Violence

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Brandon? What predicament is he in?
  2. What did he do to get out of this messy situation?
  3. Have you heard of real cases of domestic violence against men?
  4. Why do you think it is hard for men to come forward and talk about abuse?
  5. Since male victims are usually unwilling to seek for help, how do you think the society can encourage them to open up about dating violence?

Honey, Are You Listening?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Communication is probably one of the most difficult parts of any relationship. Meanings get lost in translation because of poor communication or even worse when your partner just isn’t interested in what you have to say.

Let’s listen to this all too familiar couple’s conversation on communication.

Listening Skills

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the main issue the couple is talking about?
  2. What steps do they plan to take to resolve it?
  3. What does ” hold one’s tongue” mean?
  4. What are the qualities of a good listener?
  5. Do you have someone you always talk to to feel better?

Teen Angst

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many, if not all, do have some issues dealing with teenagers. When we go through puberty, we have some sort of mixed and very complicated emotions or mood swings. It is very hard to figure out where it comes from. Most of the times, you could be so happy and in just a matter of second, you instantly get crabby.

Watch the video below and learn more about teen angst.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is teen angst?
  2. What are the causes of such complicated emotion?
  3. Did it happen to you? Share your experience.
  4. What was your teenage years like?
  5. If you are someone who deals with teens, how do you cope with teen angst?

Cure for Baldness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hair is considered as a person’s crowning glory. Some even spend loads of money in the salon for it. However, millions of people around the world are balding or losing their hair. There are different ways to hide bald spots, but the closest one you could get to natural hair would cost you a hefty amount of money.

Scientists are now developing a way to cure baldness that could replicate natural hair growth.

Click the link and read the article to learn more about this up-and-coming baldness cure.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190702-baldness-cure.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this recent breakthrough baldness cure?
  2. Why do you think hair is considered as a person’s “crowning glory”?
  3. How important is hair to you? Would you consider spending $50,000 for a hair implant?
  4. How often do you go to the salon/barbershop to pamper your hair?

A Two-Step Plan for Saving More Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The importance of saving money cannot be understated. In fact, with so many proven benefits, saving money is one of the best financial habits you should adopt. 

Saving money is like working out or eating right — it’s easier said than done. Managing your money can feel scary and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

Let’s watch the video about the steps that can help us achieve a more secure financial future.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this adage, “Pay yourself first.”?
  2. Do you agree with the 2-step plan for saving more money as mentioned in the video?
  3. Which do you enjoy more: earning money or spending money?
  4. Do you save enough money? What savings goals do you have?
  5. How often do you think about money? Is money a stressful part of life?

Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s hard to start doing what we really want because fear has the power to keep us from our purpose. Only a few people are willing to conquer their mountains and fall first.

Watch this amazing woman explain why it’s necessary to do things especially when they are difficult.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your purpose? What’s holding you from pursuing your purpose?
  2. What’s the scariest decision you’ve ever made?
  3. Who’s the person you admire the most? Why?
  4. How can you live your life differently?