Category: Class

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we get hurt, it’s normal to cut off ties with the people who inflicted harm on us. It is human nature when we try to avoid a harmful situation to happen again. Oftentimes, we build armor around us to prevent ourselves from getting hurt again. But is it always good to react in such way?

Let’s watch the video and find out more about this expression.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/experiment/unit-1/session-6

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the expression ‘once bitten, twice shy’ mean?
  2. What cases of ‘once bitten, twice shy’ have you had in the past? Has it brought you better results or did you miss out on certain opportunities?
  3. What other languages have a similar expression as mentioned in the video? How are they translated into English?
  4. Do you have a similar expression in your language? How do you say it?

The Charms of Unavailable People

C1 – Advanced

Love can be very tricky. Most of us grew up watching movies of amazing love stories with perfect endings. Thus, making us want someone who is too good to be true. But then again, not everyone is like that, a lot of us often fall in love with the wrong person or get attracted to someone in a complex situation. More or less love is love and no one can predict who we fall in love with.

Let’s learn more about it by watching the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you experienced any of the sample scenarios that we have in the video?
  2. Are you more interested in people who are in a complicated situation? Why?
  3. What are the reasons why people tend to be in an impossible love affair?
  4. How would you describe your relationship now with your current partner or ex?
  5. Do you believe in happily ever afters? What are some keys to a flourishing romance?
  6. Do you agree or disagree that ‘love is fated to be unrequited or incomplete’?

What Difference Has #MeToo Made?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The #MeToo movement has become viral in social media. A lot of prominent celebrities and survivors have come forward to share their saddening and traumatic stories with all the sexual harassment and abuse that they have experienced from wealthy men with high-power positions.

Tarana Burke, an American social activist, created the movement in 2006 and according to her, the purpose of the movement was to empower women through empathy. She has stated that the movement is for giving people the resources to have access to healing and to advocate for changes in the laws and policies around violence against women.

Let’s hear more about it in the audio below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200604

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you familiar with #MeToo before listening to the audio?
  2. How did the #MeToo movement start and why did it become viral?
  3. What is your reaction and opinion about the #MeToo movement?
  4. How did the #MeToo movement impact people? Did it help the victims?
  5. Are you interested in being an advocate of the #MeToo movement?
  6. How do you think we can help people who was sexually abused?
  7. Did this movement reach Spain too or are there similar organizations there? Talk about some of them and their impact on helping women.

Live in the Present

C1 – Advanced

Isn’t it our reality to rather live either in the past or in the future, especially when the situation is unpleasant? Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to live in the now? We know very little about the importance of living in the present as many of us would like to shift our thoughts to disregarding living in their present. Perhaps they have what we call a peculiar-sounding problem an inability to properly inhabit the stretch of time which is the present.

Let’s learn more about living in the present by watching this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you prefer to dwell in the past, live in the present, or dream of the future?
  2. How much do you dwell in the past? Are you a nostalgic person? Do you focus on past regrets or slights?
  3. How do you cope with the uncertainty in your own life and in the world? Are you a type of person who tries to “live in the moment”? Do you wish you could more easily?
  4. Do you have ways to cope with a challenging present and uncertain future? Any recommendations you could give?

Learn English by Yourself

B2 – Upper intermediate

A lot of people wanted to learn and master the English language. It’s no doubt that most companies hire applicants who can speak in English fluently. Maybe that’s why some are trying to learn English by themselves.

Learning English by yourself could be cheaper and simpler. But this type of learning is not for everyone. It can be time -consuming and pretty challenging. You have to have the desire and patience to be really good at it.

Here in this article, you will find general recommendations for English learners that could be helpful if you are planning to learn English on your own.

https://tv-english.club/articles-en/education-en-2/how-to-learn-english-by-yourself/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the things you need to learn the English language independently?
  2. What are the recommendations for English learners?
  3. How can you improve your English skills based on the article?
  4. What are the advantages of learning a new language?
  5. Why learning English on your own is not suitable for everyone?

How to Spot a Liar

C1 – Advanced

It can be a challenge to tell if someone is lying to you. No one is safe from liars and they can strike from absolutely anywhere. It could be your partner, best friend, your work colleague, or your family member. The most practiced liars are incredibly skilled in what they do and how they do it. They are absolute masters in the ancient art of deception and many have fallen victim to their mischievous advances.

Luckily enough, there are many signs we can look out for when trying to detect a lie.

Watch the video to find out some simple tricks that you could do to trap a liar.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can you tell if someone is lying to you?
  2. What causes a person to lie?
  3. We are all liars. Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain your stand.
  4. Lying’s a cooperative act. Do you agree or disagree with this? Share an example.
  5. How do you trick a liar?

China and India Agree to Peace Over Border

B1 – Intermediate

Tensions between India and China are not new. These two countries have been in conflict for decades over territories and fought a bloody war in 1962 and have since engaged in several small skirmishes.

Both sides see the area as strategically important, economically and militarily.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200610-border-dispute-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the skirmishes on the China-India border? What would have happened if the skirmishes led to a war?
  2. How do you think the China-India relationship should develop?
  3. Has there ever been any trouble along your country’s borders? Talk about this dispute.
  4. What sources of tension are there between your country and others?
  5. Can all border disputes be resolved cordially?

The Body-In-Seat Mentality Toward Remote Employees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Due to fears of the spread of Covid-19 disease, citizens in a lot of countries worldwide were advised not to leave or prohibited from going out of their homes. This meant companies had no choice but to make a their employees shift suddenly from working in the office to working from home.

Does body-in-the-seat means your staff are more productive or is it just a detriment to their full capacity in achieving significant amount of deep work?

Read this article about the body-in-seat mentality.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2020/04/14/when-your-employees-are-remote-you-have-to-stop-the-body-in-seat-mentality/#4ded8ff22d33

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does ‘Body-In-Seat Mentality’ mean?
  2. Explain the concept of time chunking. What are your thoughts on this?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that having a body-in-the-seat does not equal productivity?
  4. What productivity hacks do you employ during your workday?
  5. Do you think it’s important to disconnect to accomplish great work?

Tell Siri You’re Getting Pulled Over By the Police

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Due to some incidents of police brutality we’ve seen recently, iPhone is making it possible for users to automatically record any interactions with the police by saying “Hey Siri, I’m getting pulled over.”

Read this news and find out about this new iPhone shortcut that might come in handy when you find yourself in a sticky situation with police officers.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/16/us/iphone-police-shortcut-record-trnd/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this phone shortcut? Do you want a similar function on your phone?
  2. Share incidents of police brutality in your country. If it never happens there, what do you think are reasons it doesn’t occur?
  3. Why do you think some police get aggressive toward civilians sometimes?
  4. Talk about your experience being pulled over by cops.
  5. How are cops like in your country?

The Food Delivery Revolution

B2 –  Upper Intermediate


When you do not feel like spending time slaving away in the kitchen, there is a quick way to have food ready on your dining table from 30 minutes to an hour just by waiting in the comfort of your own home.


Nowadays, it is so easy to find any dish you crave for at online restaurants. A few clicks and your dinner is on its way to you!

Listen to the podcast to know more about how food deliveries have changed our food culture.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200611

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the food delivery revolution? Is this happening in your country too?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of food deliveries?
  3. Talk about some of your food delivery experiences.
  4. What other changes in your food culture have you noticed in the past 10 years?
  5. What is your most preferred dining experience?