Category: Class

Untrue Myths

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Myth, in everyday language, means a fiction or a fabrication. A few or even most of them are total lies. But admit it or not, they can sometimes have a compelling influence on us and a society as a whole.

The article below tries to explain why it is time to put an end to the most alluring everyday myths, mistaken beliefs, and exaggerations passed down from generation to generation.

https://thoughtcatalog.com/nico-lang/2013/09/13- everyday-myths-you-wont-believe-arent-true/

Discussion questions:

1. Which of these myths did you use to believe or do you still believe now?

2. How do you think these myths started?

3. Can you think of an everyday myth that turns out to be real?

4. Do you know if any of these 13 myths can more likely be real?

5. Think of another example of an everyday myth that is not really true.

Go Beyond the Female Stereotypes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Advertisements can subtlely convey a message to the viewers. A veteran South African politician said, “Adverts create a role model that people look up to, even mimic and try to be like.”  Do you think the government should do something to regulate ads?

Let’s read the article below and talk about female stereotypes in ads.

https://www.voanews.com/a/un-advertisers-female-stereotypes/3912630.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that advertisements are more influential than movies, books, or online content? Why? Why not?
  2. Why do you think stereotyping is such a common practice?
  3. Would you agree that “adverts create a role model that people look up to?” Why or why not?
  4. Do you think that ads can influence how kids and young adults think about their body? Explain.

Binge Watching

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Binge watching wrecks your sleep.

You’re almost certainly guilty of binge watching: market research indicates about two-thirds of us regularly spend several hours inhaling a TV show. But watching just one more episode… just one more… just one more isn’t without consequence.

Investigate the effects of binge watching on us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever spent an entire weekend watching TV shows? How did that make you feel afterwards?

2. Could it lead to one being anti-social?

3. Could it also lead to obesity?

4. Could binge watching actually affect your health and well-being?

 

 

 

Best Things to Do in your Free Time

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Technology has helped us gain more free time. In this day and age, we have all kinds of distractions that cause bad habits that we need to cut down whether it is binge-watching your favorite TV series or drinking alcohol.

Some people say that what you do in your free time actually determines your future. Well, you don’t have to fret or worry. The good thing is that you can take control of your free time and use it wisely to help you be more successful.  Please watch the video below and let’s talk.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the 4 best things to do in your free time that is cited in the video?
2. How many hours of free time do you have in a day before and after you finish your work?
2. What do you do in your free time?
3. Out of the 4 things to do in the video, what do you want to practice more?
4. In your opinion, what’s the reason why people don’t manage their free time well?
5. Do you agree with the quote, “What you do in your free time determines what you’ll be doing when you don’t have a choice.”

Absurd Diets

© via The Guardian

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having breakfast at the same place every single day for 15 years… bacon and eggs three times a day… apples and carrots for weeks on end…

These diets may sound untrue but they are actual diets of some very wealthy and high-profile people.

Find out about famous people’s strange diets through this article:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2017/oct/15/bacon-eggs-every-meal-absurd-diets-rich-famous

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on the diets mentioned in the article?
2. Which one did you find most absurd?
3. Why is proper diet important?
4. Talk about special diets you know of or those you’ve actually tried in the past or would want to try in the future.

Dual Citizenship

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Holding dual citizenship has a downside for Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce who was disqualified from his government position  because of being a “subject or citizen of a foreign power”.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1710/171029-dual-citizenship.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you think when you read the headline
  2. Are you happy being a citizen of your country?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having dual citizenship?
  4. If you can change your citizenship, what would it be and why?

The Lost Meaning of Halloween

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Halloween may not exactly be a major holiday, like Christmas and New Year. Nonetheless, it is still one of the most enjoyable events for a lot of us. But other than the fun of trick-or-treating and wearing ‘spooktacular‘ costumes, what is  the real meaning of Halloween? Is it a celebration of evil?

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-lost-meaning-of-halloween-2595381

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you experienced trick-or-treating, attending parties, or wearing costumes during Halloween?

2. Why do you think Halloween is connected with satanism or deviltry?

3. What is the essence of Halloween for you?

4. Have you had any ghost or eerie experience? If not, do you believe in ghosts?

Digital Cloning

B1 – Intermediate

Cloning has long been a subject of debate since the year dot. Supporters of cloning claim that it is the answer to preventing endangered species from disappearing as well as allowing human beings to live healthier lives. But just recently, another form of cloning has come to rise – digital cloning, wherein a copy of your “self” will be created online.

Read this blog about digital heaven.

http://fullspate.digitalcounterrevolution.co.uk/english-articles-advanced/digital-heaven.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cease” mean, “Creating a digital copy of your “self” and keeping that “alive” online long after your physical body has ceased to function.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “insurmountable” mean, “The obstacles to keeping your body alive indefinitely still seem insurmountable.”? Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “virtual” mean, “Rather than send your friends e-mails you would agree to meet up on some virtual tropical beach.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about ‘digital cloning’?
  2. Would you like to be cloned and/or digitally cloned? Why/why not?
  3. With this technological advancement, how do you see the future of humanity?
  4. What can you say about the the last statement-question ‘Who needs faith when you’ve got broadband’?

Woman on a Holiday Jet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Karon Grieve, a novelist, booked a flight from Glasgow to Crete for only £46. There was something unusual about this flight.

Find out about this woman’s unique flight experience.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-41748305

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about Grieve’s experience?
2. What are the good and bad things about air travels?
3. Talk about your best and worst flight experiences.
4. What suggestions do you want to give airlines about their services?
5. What is your airline of choice and why?

How Does Caffeine Keep Us Awake?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Each year, around a hundred thousand metric tons of caffeine are consumed around the world. That’s as heavy as 14 Eiffel Towers! A lot of people consume caffeine because it helps them feel alert, focused, and energetic, even if they are actually lacking sleep.

Discover how caffeine works and what happens when we withdraw from it. Watch the video below.

Discussion Questions:

1. Aside from coffee, what are the other sources of caffeine?

2. What are the side effects of caffeine?

3. Do you believe that caffeine can really help a person to stay awake? Explain your answer.

4. How would you describe Adenosine’s relationship with caffeine?

5. What symptoms do people usually experience upon quitting caffeine?