Category: Class

Better Brain Health

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever heard of the phrase ” You are what you eat”? When we celebrate many special festivities like Christmas, New Year, and even Three kings or Los Reyes Magos in Spain, food has been, of course, one of the highlights of these events. However, not many of us care about the effects of food on our brain.

Let’s watch the video below to further understand better brain health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyQY8a-ng6g

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the effects of food on our brain?
  2. Do you agree with the statement “You are what you eat”?
  3. Do you pay attention to what you eat? How important is it to pay attention on the food we eat?
  4. Are you following a strict diet? How easy/difficult it is to follow a strict diet?
  5. Can you describe your country’s food culture?

Early Humans May Have Hibernated in Winter

B1 – Intermediate

When winter blows, we like to wrap ourselves with our warm blankets and keep cozy and warm inside our homes. Winter weight is also a common thing to some people. Winter is the time when some people eat more and move less. We haven’t really give much thought on it but does this behavior date back in time?

Scientists say some pieces of evidence show that early humans may have hibernated to escape the harsh winters thousands of years ago.

Click the link and read the article to learn more.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201227-early-humans-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the discovery?
  2. According to the article, what health risks come with hibernation on humans?
  3. Do you enjoy the winter season?
  4. Do you stay active during the winter?
  5. What are the things you like and hate about winter?

Going for a Swim in the Ocean Good for You and for Nature

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Swimming is one of the most popular sports. As well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy, and make friends. Swimming is a healthy activity that you can continue practicing for a lifetime. It is a low-impact activity that has many physical and mental health benefits. But did you know that it can also be good for ocean and beach ecologies too?

Let’s read the article to find out more about the benefits of swimming on humans and oceans.

https://theconversation.com/why-going-for-a-swim-in-the-ocean-can-be-good-for-you-and-for-nature-150281

Discussion Questions:

  1. Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Why do you like it?
  2. Do you prefer swimming in a swimming pool or in the sea?
  3. How old were you when you learned to swim? Was that a good age to learn?
  4. On the beach, do you usually stay within your depth or are you that swimmer who swims far out into the sea?
  5. Have you ever had an unpleasant experience while swimming? What happened?
  6. Do you think swimming is an important skill? Why or why not?

How to Break Bad Habits

B1 – Intermediate

Why are bad habits so hard to break?

First, what are bad habits? A bad habit is a negative behaviour pattern–perhaps one that causes bodily harm. What about your daily glass of wine, you ask? If it is not causing any pain or putting your health at risk, I would not consider it a bad habit. If you drink a whole bottle, get sick, and have trouble waking up in the morning, that may be a different story.

Let’s listen to the audio to know how to break bad habits.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/how-to-break-bad-habits-/5654403.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have any bad habits?
  2. Do you think all habits are bad? If not, what do you think are some good habits to have?
  3. Where do you think we learn our habits from?
  4. Do children learn bad habits at school or at home?
  5. Are you aware of any habits that are considered bad manners in one country but not in another?
  6. Which bad habit do you think would be the most difficult to get rid of?

How Craving Attention Makes You Less Creative

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Joseph Gordon-Levitt explains why our creativity is becoming more of a means to an end and that end is to get attention. When social media exploded, suddenly everybody wanted to show-off and get attention.

If we let our creativity be driven by a desire to get attention then we’ll never be creatively fulfilled.

Watch this video to find out why paying attention could make us happier than getting attention.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you know people who love to show-off?
  2. Why do you think people like seeking attention?
    How can it be bad for them?
  3. How much attention do you give to your social media accounts?
    Why does social media somehow trains our mind to crave for attention?
  4. Why do you think it’s necessary to see other creative people not as your competitors but as collaborators?

Game Console Keeps Chicken Warm

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fast food restaurant KFC has introduced a gaming console in partnership with Cooler Master. This machine is capable of running games at top-level specifications and features that you can heat your chicken pieces or keep it warm while you play intense gaming sessions.

Let’s read more about this gaming console in this article.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/23/tech/kfc-games-console-chicken-scli-intl/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this device?
  2. Do you think this gaming console is useful to gamers? What could possibly go wrong with using it?
  3. What do you think of the idea of KFC collaborating with Cooler Master? Is this some sort of a clever business gimmick?

University Housing

B1 – Intermediate

Students heading off to college in another city or town are more likely to live in a dormitory. There are on-campus and off-campus housing options for students. Off-campus rents tend to be cheaper only because they do not include other services that on-campus provides.

Watch the video as Randall talks about the advantages and disadvantages of living in university housing.

University Housing – Video

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is ‘University Housing’?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in university housing according to Randall?
  3. Have you lived in a university house/dormitory before? How was your experience?
  4. Do you think students living here have far better security than those renting outside the campus/university?

World Anti-Doping Agency

B1 – Intermediate

There have been a number of high profile athletes whose titles have been revoked for using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. These athletes are well-aware of the harmful effects and social consequences of doping in sports events and yet they still chose to do so. One particular doping controversy happened in Russia.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/russia-and-the-olympics-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the World Anti-Doping Agency? Should they have more strict enforcement of their rules?
  2. Why do athletes dope?
  3. Do you think doping athletes should face more repercussions than just being stripped of their titles?

Are You a Body With a Mind or a Mind With a Body?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Man has made a lot of advances in the field of Natural Sciences. However, despite these accomplishments, we are still yet to fully understand the very core of all these—our brains. Experts say that we are yet to fully understand how the brain processes information.

There are a lot of theories that attempt to define what a “self” is, but the fundamental question remains. Are you a body with a mind or a mind with a body?

Let’s watch the video and find out.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what does the Rubber Hand Illusion experiment show about our judgment?
  2. Do you believe that our body is part of our consciousness? Why or why not?
  3. What do you think is the reason why despite extensive research, we still understand very little of how the brain works?
  4. What is your opinion on neuroprosthetics and/or mind uploading? Do you think they’re possible?
  5. Based on the arguments raised in the video, which one do you think are we? A body with a mind or a mind with a body? Explain your answer.

Botanists Find World’s Ugliest Orchid

B1 – Intermediate

Flowers are wonderful creations of nature and are used as beautiful arrangements for decorating. There are many kinds of flowers, one of which are orchids. Orchids are well-known for its beauty, fragrance, and their colorful blooms. Ugly orchids are rare but apparently, they exist too.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about this kind of orchid.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201221-orchids-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the consequences for us when plants become extinct?
  2. How can a flower be ugly?
  3. What are your favorite flowers and why?
  4. How sad is it that plants are disappearing? Is this a problem, how so?