Category: Class

South Korean Men Leads Beauty Market

B2 – Upper Intermediate

South Korean men have begun spending more money on beauty and skincare products. This has become a trend to which men conform more to using cosmetics products that enables them to improve their appearance. Will the Western men’s definition of beauty change because of this fashion?

Let’s read more about it in the article below.

https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/south-korea-male-beauty-market-chanel/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about male beauty?
  2. How is vanity among men viewed in your country? What do you personally think when a man takes care of his skin so much and/or puts on some makeup?
  3. What is your beauty obsession? Why?
  4. How do makeup and beauty products affect masculinity?
  5. Should we associate beauty rituals with femininity or with self-care and success?

Is It Good to Disagree?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We often find ourselves in disagreement with others. It’s inevitable to have it with your friends, family, colleagues, or even strangers. Experiencing this could give you a headache especially if it ends badly. However, disagreements are not always bad. Sometimes it’s necessary and surprisingly healthy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200206

Discussion Questions:

  1. Dalai Lama said “Disagreement is something normal”. Do you agree or disagree?
  2. How is disagreeing a bad thing and a good thing?
  3. What are the usual things that you disagree with with other people?
  4. How would you explain the phrase “agree to disagree”?
  5. Do you think that people should always compromise? Why?
  6. How can disputes be settled amicably?

Jantelagen: Why Swedes Won’t Talk about Wealth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a lot of countries around the world, wealth and everything that comes with it are shiny badges that show everyone that you have made it. However, in Sweden, there’s a cultural code known as jantelagen that prevents people from flaunting their wealth, success, and everything else most people would commonly brag about. 

Read the article and also watch the video to know more about jantelagen and be ready to express your thoughts on this.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20191008-jantelagen-why-swedes-wont-talk-about-wealth

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on jantelagen? Do you think it should be kept or should it disappear? 
  2. Is this principle upheld in your country? How would you compare Spain and Sweden when it comes to this subject?
  3. Is high income a badge of success in your country? In general, do people feel comfortable or even proud about talking about their salaries or material possessions? 
  4. What are things that people often brag about in your country?
  5. Who is the most humble and the most ostentatious person you know?

Creating a Dream Team

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you ever wonder why a team consisting of very talented employees usually do not perform to their maximum capacity? Is there really a way to create a ‘dream team’ in the workplace? If so, how is it done?

Read the article and find out more about the up and coming science of collective intelligence and learn some tips on how to boost team performance — dream team or not.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190807-the-science-of-creating-a-dream-team

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are factors affecting a team’s success?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that team members’ IQ have something to do with their success/excellent performance?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that too much talent can be counterproductive?
  4. Describe your team at work, your team dynamics, and talk about how each member contributes in making the team perform to its best potential.
  5. What was the biggest challenge that your team ever had to face and how did you overcome it?

Scientists Start Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

B1 – Intermediate

E.T. stands for Extra-Terrestrial. Back in the 80s, a film became very famous. It is a story of an alien who was left behind on Earth, found by a little human boy and the two eventually become the best of friends.

More than three decades later, scientists have started working on finding more signs of alien life. 

Read the article below to know why scientists are interested to know more about the possibility of life in space.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2002/200217-extraterrestrial-life-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the fact that scientists are spending time and money on this subject?
  2. What are your thoughts on E.T?
  3. What pieces of evidence that aliens exist do you know of?
  4. What would you do if you found out aliens really exist?
  5. Talk about films about aliens you know about or have watched.

Test 820

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Nepotism in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nepotism is defined as the act of providing or receiving opportunities due to a family relationship or friendship. Dealing with this practice in the workplace can be tough, especially if you’re the one on the short end of the stick. Therefore, dealing with it professionally and personally is a must for anyone who experiences it.

Peruse today’s text to learn new insights and ways of handling nepotism at work.

https://www.inhersight.com/blog/insight-commentary/nepotism-at-work?_n=68250395#

Discussion Questions:

  1. How prevalent is nepotism in your country?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of nepotism?
  3. On the whole, is nepotism more good or bad?
  4. Cite some examples of nepotism that you observe in your workplace.
  5. Can you give other ways to deal with nepotism in the workplace?

The 5S System

B2 – Upper Intermediate

5S is a workplace organization method that uses a list of five Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seisō, seiketsu, and shitsuke. Translated into English roughly as ‘Sort’, ‘Set in Order’, ‘Shine’, ‘Standardize’, and ‘Sustain’, this methodology has been widely used by some of the biggest companies such as Boeing, Hewlett-Packard, and Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Follow the principles of 5S closely in the article below.

Principles of 5S and lean management which can benefit every manufacturer

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the main purpose of 5S?
  2. Can you name other companies that apply this method?
  3. Explain about your company methodologies and principles.
  4. What do you think are the disadvantages of 5S?
  5. How can 5S be relevant in your daily life?

Homeschooling

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to BBC, the number of children in UK being homeschooled has risen by about 40% over the past three years. Parents have some reasons why they homeschool their children, though. It has its own share of pros and cons just like conventional schools. In reality, there are students who learn better in homeschool environment rather than in a public or private school environment and vice versa. Parents just have to find the best approach for their children to learn depending on their ability, personality, and condition.

Read the article and be able to answer the questions below:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-42624220

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of homeschooling?
  2. What are some reasons parents homeschool their children?
  3. What are its drawbacks?
  4. Is homeschooling gaining popularity in your country?
  5. Would you be different today if you were homeschooled? Why/Why not?

Have/Get Something Done

Level: Intermediate – Advanced

The flower and plants in the Johnsons’ garden are well maintained. This morning, the gardener came and tended it.

The Johnsons have their garden maintained.

This means that the Johnsons arranged for the gardener to maintain their garden. They don’t maintain it themselves. 

Have/get something done is used to express that the subject arranged for somebody else to do something for them.

The form is: has/have/had + object + past participle

COMPARE:

Marta cut her hair. vs Marta had her hair cut.

(She cut it herself.)      (Someone cut Marta’s hair for her.)

Jenny replaced the broken window. vs Jenny had the broken window replaced.

(She replaced the broken window on her own.) (Someone replaced the broken window for her.)

Did you do your nails yourself? vs Did you have your nails done?

(Did you paint your nails yourself?) (Did someone paint your nails?)

Get something done can also be used in place of have something done especially in informal spoken English.

When are you going to get your passport renewed?

You need to get your computer fixed as soon as possible.

Mrs. Holmes needs to get that lump on her head checked.

However, in some cases, have or get something done has a different meaning.

Dr. Smith had/got his medical license revoked.

In this situation, Dr. Smith didn’t arrange for someone to revoke his medical license. Here it means his medical license was revoked by the medical authorities. 

When this is what you mean by have/get something done, it usually connotes something negative that happens to someone or things that belong to them.