Category: Class

Steve Jobs About Managing People

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Steve Jobs was one of the most famous CEO in the world. Ever wonder how he did it? How did he manage his people and build a successful multinational company?

Watch as Steve Jobs talks about managing people.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the interview, how is the company organized?
  2. What kind of organization is set up in this company?
  3.  According to Steve Jobs, why did Apple become successful?
  4. Explain your company’s management style. Is there anything that you would like to change?
  5. What do you think is the best way to manage people? Elaborate on it.

Headaches

B1 – Intermediate

Almost everyone suffers from a headache at least once a year. In most cases, they are not dangerous and the person suffering it can still function normally. 

Headache is usually described as pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. Headaches are very common and their effect can range from mild to worst.

Read on to know about the types of headaches, their causes, and ways to treat them.

https://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/headache/headache-disorder-of-nervous-system.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you often suffer from headaches?
  2. What type of headache do you often suffer from?
  3. What usually causes your headaches?
  4. What do you do when you have a headache?
  5. Do you think you should see a doctor immediately when you have a headache? Why/why not?
  6. Some say that physical activities such as exercise can help with relieving headaches. Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain.

Showering Everyday Is Bad

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s common sense that we take a bath to wash away germs that can make us sick, to keep clean and to smell fresh. However, a research shows that we do not actually have to shower every day for it may cause more harm than good.

Click the link to find out.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/is-shower-everyday-good-or-bad-cleaning-hygiene-university-utah-amazon-village-microbes-skin-a7546216.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you take a shower every single day? How do you feel when you skip a shower?

2. After reading the text, would you change your routine?
What is your daily self-care routine?

3. How do you take care of your skin? What are the advantages of having beautiful skin?

H&M Criticized for ‘Racist’ Ad

B2 –  Upper Intermediate

H&M, a Swedish multinational clothing-retail company, faces a backlash when an image of a black child models a sweatshirt with the slogan “Coolest monkey in the jungle”. This led to protesters running amok in some H&M stores in South Africa to show their anger.

Watch the controversial video.

Read to know more: Protesters over “Racist” Ad

1. What are your thoughts on the protesters action?

2. In your opinion, is the advertisement a depiction of racism? Can you recall another ad that in your opinion portrays racism?

3. H&M already issued an apology for the ‘racist’ ad. How do you think it would affect the company as a whole?

Online Deliveries Jam Streets

C1 – Advanced

Online delivery service is very popular and a convenient way for customers to receive items right at their doorstep but to what extent? Will this continue to keep the streets busy and congested.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42245367

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is online shopping for you?
  2. How do you feel about online deliveries?
  3. How can we stop delivery trucks clogging up streets?
  4. What do you think of using buses to deliver parcels?

What to Expect at the World’s Biggest Tech Show

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever been to a smart city before? Can you imagine living in a city where almost everything is operated by AI and technology?

In this year’s biggest tech show, there will be variety of advanced gadgets that you can find from TV to cars. It is expected to draw more than 170,000 people and there will be 4,000 exhibitors.

If you are curious like me, let’s read the full article below and discuss it later.

https://www.voanews.com/a/ces-las-vegas/4199977.html

Discussion:
1. What are your thoughts on the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas?

2. Which of the technologies featured in the article are you most excited about? Why?

3. Why do you think voice-controlled devices are becoming increasingly popular?

4. Would you like to be able to “order around” your household appliances? Why? Why not?

5. How do you feel about the prospect of “smartening up entire cities”?

Snow in Spain Traps Thousands

B1 – Lower Intermediate

Spain has experienced drought last year but at the beginning of this year there was a huge amount of snow fall which trapped thousands of people on the road for more than 13 hours.

Let us read the full story of the article from the link below and let’s start a discussion.

Snow in Spain traps thousands of people in cars overnight

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the drastic changes of the weather?
  2. Have you ever experienced being stranded in a place because of snow?
  3. Do you think this incident could have been avoided? How?

Light Pollution

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As far as history goes, night time has always been associated with darkness. Nowadays, it hasn’t been the case anymore.

We’re lighting the world up at an alarming rate and we don’t know it.

Watch the video about increasing light pollution.

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/world/2017/11/22/were-lighting-up-earth-alarming-rate/107945254/

Discussion Questions:

1. What was mentioned about Spain’s radiance in the video?
2. What do you know about light pollution?
3. What are the pros and cons of overly brightly-lit towns/cities?
4. Talk about light pollution in your city.
5. What can you do to reduce light pollution?

Why People Join Cults

C1 – Advanced

By definition, a cult is a group or movement with a shared commitment to a usually extreme ideology that’s typically embodied in a charismatic leader.  Have you ever wondered why thousands of people join cults?

Let’s watch this video to check how cults work, how people are recruited and why they stay in these groups.

Let’s Talk:

Explain what a cult is in as much detail as possible.

Are cults dangerous?

How does a cult differ from religion? How similar are they?

Should the government try to eliminate cults and other fringe or unconventional religious groups?

Would you sacrifice your relationships or morality for the greater good?

 

Useful words:

GRISLY (adj) –  causing horror or disgust.

INDOCTRINATION (n) –  the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.   [indoctrinate -verb]

 

Having a Sister Makes Us More Optimistic

B1 – Lower Intermediate

Siblings play a unique role in one another’s lives. Because siblings often grow up in the same household, they have a large amount of exposure to one another. Only, people with sisters are said to be more optimistic than those with brothers or without any siblings. What’s your opinion?

People with sisters are happier and more optimistic, study shows

Discussion questions:

1. Do you agree with the study?

2. Tell me about your brother/sister. How has your relationship changed since childhood?

3. What kind of a sibling are you?

4. Who always teaches you to be positive and kinder?

5. As a parent/future parent, how can you encourage and promote a healthy sibling relationship with your children?