Category: Class

Flagging Productivity at Work? Tricks to Get Your Mojo Back

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all have those days when completing our assigned tasks seems beyond reach. With the temptation of social media, mobile games, and the internet in general—not to mention the constant bustle of people in the office—it’s easy to fall prey to disruptions and distractions at work.

So, what can we do about it? How to be productive at work?

Let’s read the article about the 5 simple tricks to be more productive at work.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/364586

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can people improve their productivity?
  2. Are you a very motivated person or do you wait until the last minute to do things?
  3. What technology helps you to be productive?
  4. Do you think that some people are more productive because of genetics or how they were raised?
  5. What are some things you want to do but don’t have time for?

Panic-Buying Events and How Supply Chains Have Adapted

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Attributed to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, panic buying is now a frequent occurrence in many countries, leading to stock-outs and supply chain disruptions.

Let us learn more about how supply chains have adapted to this situation.

https://theconversation.com/panic-buying-events-are-the-new-normal-heres-how-supply-chains-have-adapted-154362

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the panic buying? Is there any need to panic buy?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that official warnings against panic buying might even do more harm than good?
  3. What are the most important things to buy at the moment?
  4. Are you worried about not having masks, sanitizer, food, etc.? What is the worst thing to run out of for you?
  5. Should stores limit the amount of things shoppers can buy?
  6. What advice do you have for people who are stockpiling things?

British Pubs and Coronavirus

B1 – Intermediate

Pubs are probably one of the first things you think of when you hear “the UK”. Going to pubs is a big part of not only the British culture but their day-to-day life.

However, due to the pandemic in 2020, restaurants and pubs had to be closed to prevent the virus from spreading among people.

The life that British knew was never the same.

Read the transcript and listen to this audio about British pubs and Coronavirus.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/british-pubs-and-the-coronavirus-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news? What about Lamb and Flag closing?
  2. How important are pubs in the UK?
  3. Do you have the same culture in your country? Talk more about it.
  4. Have there been many restaurants and pubs that had to close because they haven’t been able to recover financially in your country too? How does that make you feel?
  5. Talk about one favorite place you used to go to before but now has closed because of the pandemic. 
  6. Do you think we will go back to our old ways after the pandemic is ended or would some things change?

Electric Car Battery Charger

B1 – Intermediate

With the problems we have with global warming due to carbon emissions, the automotive industry has been keen on developing electric cars to replace petrol cars.

One of the problems with electric car as of now is that there are not a lot of charging stations available on the road and also, charging takes many hours.

Read the article about this new technology on electric car battery chargers and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210124-car-battery-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this car battery charger?
  2. What do you think about electric replacing petrol cars?
  3. What are the good and bad things about petrol cars?
  4. What are the good and bad things about electric cars?
  5. Which between the two do you prefer more? Why?

Scotland Ends “Period Poverty”

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In November 2020, the Scottish Parliament unanimously voted to pass a bill that would conclusively put an end to what has been termed “period poverty.” It refers to the inability of a lot of Scottish women to afford sanitary products.

The trailblazing legislation took into account not just the cost of this staple problem in women’s health, but also the indignity associated with not being able to afford such essentials.

Learn more about this law and its impact by reading the article below. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.thetimesinplainenglish.com/ending-period-poverty-scotland-is-first-nation-to-make-sanitary-products-free/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think is the significance of the “Period Products (Free Provision) Bill” in Scotland?
  2. What were the circumstances that led to the creation of the bill?
  3. Does period poverty also exist in Spain or are sanitary products easily afforded by all women? Are these items subject to tax?
  4. Are there similar or related legislation in your country that safeguards aspects of women’s health?
  5. What more can be done to raise awareness about women’s health issues?

Organizers Say Tokyo Olympics Will Go Ahead

B1 – Intermediate

The Olympic Games is an international sports event that is happens every four years. Japan was chosen to host the next summer Olympic games in 2020, but due to the pandemic, the event was postponed and eventually canceled. Will Tokyo Olympics happen in 2021?

Let’s read the article below to find out plans for Tokyo Olympics.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210130-tokyo-olympics-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should the Tokyo Olympics go ahead in July? Why/why not?
  2. What will happen the Games does not go ahead?
  3. How would cancelling the Games affect Tokyo?
  4. Do you think the Games could sacrifice people’s lives? Explain further.
  5. How has the coronavirus affected the sports world in Spain?
  6. What would it be like without the Olympics?

Full Moon Gives Bad Night’s Sleep

B1 – Intermediate

Can’t sleep? Look outside your window. See, it’s full moon. That’s why. Is there a connection?

Full moons happen once a month and it is the phase where the moon is round and completely illuminated. It symbolizes growth, completion, and height of power and apparently, affects people’s sleep!

Let’s read the article below to learn more about this new discovery on the relationship between a full moon and a bad night’s sleep.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210201-full-moon-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects does the Moon have on us?
  2. What do you think about this news?
  3. What are your sleeping patterns like? How do lights affect your sleep?
  4. What conditions do you need to sleep well?
  5. What do you do if you have troubles sleeping?

Black Death

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Terrified of COVID-19? Did you know that there was a far worse disease that bedeviled the lands during the middle of the 13th century. This catastrophic plague is known as the Black Death. This fatal disease wiped out almost one-third of Europe’s population.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/history/black-death/black-death-in-the-middle-ages.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How clueless were the medical experts on the cause of Black Death? What perceptions and speculations did people have back then?
  2. What were the symptoms of Black Death?
  3. What strange methods did people use to fight against this plague?
  4. How would you compare the situation then and now with the COVID-19 pandemic?
  5. Throughout the history of your country, have there been other diseases that afflicted many people? Talk about it and that moment.

Air Force One – A Special Plane for the American President

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is the most notable plane in the world and probably the most secure one too. It’s called the ‘Air Force One’. It is actually just a call sign for any Air Force where the president of the United States of America is aboard.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/technology/air-force-one/air-force-one-plane-american-president.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the ‘Air Force One’? What special features does it have?
  2. Does the leader of your country have something similar to this? Is there a special name for it? Who uses it? Is it strictly for the president or the head of the state?
  3. Is this kind of transport means necessary or merely a special privilege? Support your stand.
  4. Do you think country leaders should fly commercially too? Why/why not?

Movie Theaters Are Reopening

B2 – Upper Intermediate

After five months of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a popular chain of movie theaters, AMC Theatres, reopened its doors in certain locations. The chain said it would take all measures to enforce social distancing between seats, will mandate wearing masks and upgrade the theater air filters. However, is it worth the risk?

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. Were you a moviegoer before the Covid-19 pandemic? How often did you use to see a movie?
  2. How do you feel about the reopening of movie theaters amidst the pandemic?
  3. If the movie theater provides adequate safeguards against the coronavirus, would you likely visit the cinema to see a movie again soon? Why or why not?