Category: Class

The ‘Deadly’ Food

C1 – Advanced

Palm oil is found in most products such as bread, chocolate, soup and other processed food, as well as some cosmetics. Why is palm oil the most controversial cooking oil in the market?

Let’s find out why the production of palm oil is problematic:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p074jwbm/the-deadly-food-we-all-eat?ocid=ww.social.link.facebook&fbclid=IwAR2xL94FxG7BdqMuDdRGxG_5_TbHsLo9TM5LaMoKiH0hegXlXcvfD7oCc44

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s the problem discussed in the video?

2. What are your thoughts on this?

3. Is there such a thing as sustainable palm oil?

4. What kind of oil do you use for cooking? Would you consider using palm oil?

5. Have you heard of other news about palm oil?

Going Through Your Spouse’s Phone

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Honesty in a marriage is so important. You can’t build a strong relationship on half-truths and half-lies. However, is it necessary to have your phone checked or you checking on your spouse’s phone?

Watch this video and weigh in on whether or not it is okay to go through your spouse’s phone.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it okay to go through your partner/spouse’s phone? Why or why not?
  2. What reasons does the speaker put out why women check their husband’s phone? Do you think they are justifiable reasons? Explain your thoughts.
  3. How do you get your better half to open up to you?
  4. How can privacy exist in a marriage?

Why Should You Vote?

C1 – Advanced

The 2019 Spanish general election is just around the corner. Are you thinking of not exercising your right of suffrage? Then, think again. Here’s why you should vote.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree with the video?

2. What is your guiding principle for voting and choosing a leader?

3. In Spain, are there sanctions for failing to vote?

4. Give other reasons why we should vote.

5. Can you give reasons why we should not vote?

Japanese Women Rebel Against High Heels

B1 – Intermediate

Most companies impose dress codes on their workers and some companies even compel their female workers to wear high heels while working. We all know that it is important to follow our company’s rules and regulations but what if apart from the pain, women also complain about injuries after slipping, falling, and tripping due to wearing of high-heeled shoes.

Let’s find out how the movement started in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1904/190403-high-heels-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hashtag” mean? “The movement has the hashtag KuToo – a combination of the Japanese words that mean “shoe” and “pain”.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “petition” mean? “She started an online petition.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “impaired” mean? “A visually impaired woman who has to wear high heels at work said it is difficult for her to keep her balance in high heels.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the campaigns against having to wear high heels start?
  2. Why do companies require women to wear high heels?
  3. What do you think about wearing high heels?
  4. Have you ever been compelled to do something you don’t want to at work?

Effects of Growing a Beard

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Beards are in.  Beards have fascinating history that evolved into something more socially acceptable.

Find out about the scientific effects when men grow a beard.

Discussion Questions:
1. What are the 7 scientific effects that happen when a man grows a beard?
2. Is growing a beard good or bad?
3. How is growing a beard viewed in your country? In workplaces?
4. Do you agree that men with beards are generally regarded as more masculine, dominant, and socially mature?

Government-Run Healthcare

C1 – Advanced

Access to health care may vary across nations, communities and individuals. It is generally influenced by social and economic situations as well as health policies. Healthcare systems are established with the primary goal of meeting the health needs of targeted populations. Having an efficient health care system contributes to the country’s economy and development.

But, what really are the benefits and possible drawbacks of a government-run healthcare?

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about the health care system in your country?
2. What are the health care problems in your country?
3. Is your country’s health care system in need of reform?
4. Which is better, private or public health care?

Packageless Beauty Products

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Humanity has created 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic waste and only 9% of that has been recycled. Cosmetic company LUSH recognized how much of that waste comes from packaging within the cosmetic industry and vowed to make a change. The company now features a wide variety of products that come without packaging—also known by their terms as “naked. Some of these products include shampoo bars and shower gels.

Watch the video and be able to discuss the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of packageless beauty products?
  2. With the arrival of zero waste products, what will happen to label information and brand communication of the products?
  3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using “naked” products?

To Pull the Wool Over Someone’s Eyes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the 17th century, people used to put on these detailed wigs that looked woolly. Put them on the wrong way and that would obscure the person’s vision hence the inability to see if a trick is being played on them.

Listen to the audio below and find out how pulling one’s woolly hat over someone’s eyes explains deception and trickery.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-190318

Discussion Questions:

1. What does ‘to pull the wool over someone’s eyes’ mean?

2. Has anyone pulled the wool over your eyes?

3. How do feel when you find out you have been tricked into doing something?

4. Do you blame yourself for falling victim to deception/trickery?

 

 

Keep a Lid On It

B1 – Intermediate

Has anyone always given you food that you don’t honestly like but you didn’t want to offend that person so you keep receiving it and saying it is ‘special’ when it is just not good. This is what happened to Feifei. Neil gave her an advice to ‘keep a lid on it’. What might this expression mean?

Listen to the audio and find out what Neil meant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-190325

Discussion Questions:

1. What does ‘keep a lid on it’ mean? Does it have other meanings?

2. Talk about a situation wherein you had to keep something under control. How did you prevent that situation from getting worse?

3. Talk about a time you had to keep a secret.

 

Best Street Food

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Let’s try to imagine someone wanted to visit your country one day and asks if you could recommend the best street foods you have. Foods that perhaps best represent your country’s people and culture.

Watch the video below to find out the best street food from different countries.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Where would you recommend them to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
2. What Spanish street foods would suggest them to eat?
3. What do you wish they learn and appreciate about your country?
4. Have you traveled before and tried popular but for you, somehow unfamiliar food? If, so please share your experience.