Category: Class

Linking Words of Contrast

Level: Intermediate-Advanced

Although, even though, in spite of and despite are words that are often used to connect two contrasting ideas or to express that one statement makes the other surprising. They are often found either at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence.

The way they are used differ depending on the different structures they are used with.

although / even though

Although and even though are followed by a subject and a verb. The only difference of even though from although is that it is a little stronger and more emphatic.

They liked the cake, although she would have loved more cream filling in it.
Although they loved each other very much, they decided to end their relationship.
Even though he gave her everything, she still left him.
The students didn’t get the answer correctly, even though their teacher gave them all the clues they needed to solve the problem.

though

Though and although can be used interchangeably.

Though Meghan is not a royal, Prince Harry married her. = Although Meghan is not a royal, Prince Harry married her.

Though can also be placed at the end of the second phrase. This structure is more commonly used in spoken English.

We were so exhausted as we had to hike all day to reach the top of the mountain. The view was so worth it, though.

in spite of / despite

In spite of and despite are followed by either a noun, gerund, or pronoun.

They didn’t win the match, in spite of their impressive play during the game.
In spite of the hardship, the team remained unfazed.
Despite being sick, she had a great holiday.
The food was terrible. In spite of that, we had a great time.

In spite of and despite are also often followed by the fact that + subject + verb.

In spite of the fact that it rained very heavily, the wildfires weren’t extinguished.
Despite the fact that it was only the beginning of July, it was very hot when we arrived in Sevilla.

Why Do Students Drop Out of School?

B1 – Intermediate

Nowadays, a lot of American high school students have been dropping out.

Let’s see what the usual reasons for this are and some possible outcomes when students drop out of high school on the link below.

https://www.english-online.at/education/school-dropouts/school-dropouts.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons students drop out of school?
  2. How can dropping out of high school affect young people’s future?
  3. How do you think can we improve our education system so students wouldn’t choose to stop studying?
  4. Talk about someone you know who is a dropout. Did this person become successful or not?
  5. What would you say to a high school student who wants to stop their studies?

We May Be Able to Learn Vocabulary While Sleeping

B1 – Intermediate

Good news to everyone who wants to expand their vocabulary! A new study in Switzerland has shown that we can learn new vocabulary while sleeping. It is also possible to learn a foreign language this way.

Check out this article below for more information.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1902/190206-learning-vocabulary.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that this is effective?
  2. Would you like to try it?
  3. How do you expand your vocabulary?
  4. What other languages would you like to learn?
  5. What other things would you like to learn while you sleep?

Garbage Collectors Start Library with Abandoned Books

B1 – Intermediate

There’s an old saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. This phrase perfectly describes this article about garbage collectors in Turkey who recycle abandoned books. The collection grew gradually as they began saving books and has now built a library.

Learn more by reading the article on the website below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1905/190509-library.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the article?
  2. Do you have a lot of libraries in your city?
  3. How often do you go to libraries?
  4. How can reading affect your life?
  5. Do you think there are still a lot of people who go to libraries?

Scarcity Marketing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

FOMO is an internet slang that stands for ‘fear of missing out’. It’s one of the most fundamental instincts people have and this is what businesses capitalize on as a tactic in order to create artificial scarcity so their products would be of greater value to consumers.

Watch this video to learn more about scarcity marketing and consumer theory.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is scarcity marketing and how does it work?
  2. What’s your impression of this marketing strategy?
  3. Why do you think this works?
  4. Talk about advertisements/brands that use this marketing strategy.
  5. What other marketing trick do you know of?

Testing the World’s Longest Flight

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some 40 passengers and 10 crew members took a flight for about a 20-hour flight from New York City to Sydney. This flight was a test to find out how long-haul flights such as this could affect the human body. Once investors are convinced and policymakers approve, Qantas Airways aims to offer this route in the future.

Watch this video to know how it’s like to be on what might be the world’s longest flight.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this kind of flight?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of long-haul flights?
  3. Talk about the longest flight you’ve ever been on. How was it like? How could it be improved?

Egypt Opens Ancient Pyramids for the First Time

B1 – Intermediate

Egypt has opened two of its oldest pyramids. These two pyramids are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are now open to the public for the first time since 1965.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190720-pyramids-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the Pyramids in Egypt?
  2. Do you think the Pyramids are some of the most important architectural sites in the world?
  3. What do you think will be the effect of tourism on the pyramids?

The United Kingdom Could Break Up

B1 – Intermediate

Many people in the UK want independence. An ex-UK prime minister believes that if the UK leaves the EU, the four nations of the UK will be in trouble.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1908/190813-united-kingdom-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion of the European Union (the EU)?
  2. Why do think people in the UK want this independence? What advantages, if any, would their citizens obtain?
  3. What do you think will happen to the EU without the UK?
  4. Can freedom damage a country?

Child Marriage in Nepal

B1 – Intermediate

Child marriage is very common in poor countries of the Third World. Over half the adults in Nepal married when they were still children. A UNICEF study reports that about 60% of Nepalese women got married before they turned 18 years old.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/people/child-marriage-in-nepal.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about child marriage?
  2. At what age do people usually get married in your country?
  3. In your country, what do women usually do after getting married?
  4. What are some wedding traditions in your country?

Travel Tips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Samantha Brown has made a career out of globetrotting. The American television host has been known to draw from her wealth of experience on the subject of travel and sharing ideas on how to get the best out of each journey.

In the video that follows, she gives us some travel tips.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What places have you traveled to locally? Where have you gone on holidays overseas?
  2. What are possible motivations for taking trips?
  3. Samantha Brown talks about creating travel rituals. Do you have any of your own?
  4. What are the best things about being in another country for the first time?
  5. What do you think about Brown’s travel tips?
  6. What are your own suggestions for an enjoyable excursion?
  7. What do you think are the best words or phrases to know in a local language to get by in another country?