Category: Class

What Would Happen If the Earth Stopped Spinning?

C1 – Advanced

The earth rotates at 1,000 miles per hour. Can you imagine what might occur if the earth were to slow down or stop spinning altogether?

Watch this video to find out what scientists think would happen in the event that our planet suddenly stands still.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the video in your own words.

2. What does tidal locking mean? What will happen if earth gets locked to the sun?

3. What are your thoughts about this scenario? Do you think it is likely to happen?

4. In general, what do you think about the universe?

Americans Struggling to Make Ends Meet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For millions of people around the world, the United States is known as the land of milk and honey. The “American Dream” is something that many aspire to live. There is however, a side to America that people do not know about.

From fast food workers to shuttle bus drivers, many Americans aren’t able to afford housing or pay the bills on current wages. For many, working three jobs is not enough to make ends meet.

Watch the video to learn more about the struggles of the common American.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the video all about? What problems average Joes are confronted with these days? How does it compare to the plights of the middles class in your country?

2. What is the difference between the American middle class in the 70’s/80’s and today? Also talk about how it was and is like in your country in this context.

3. Talk about the gap between the rich and poor in your own country. How do you think this gap can be bridged?

Japan Wants More Foreign Workers

B1 – Intermediate

Japan has a problem with its aging population. Japanese are getting older but less children are being born. They need a lot of workers but there are not enough people.

The government wants to get workers from other countries.

Find out more about this problem in Japan and the government’s solution to it. Read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1812/181211-foreign-workers-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to continue along the same path” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “low-skilled” mean? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why did Japan decide to open the country to more foreign workers?
2. What do you think would be the positive and negative effects of this new policy on Japan?
3. Would you be interested to move to this country?
4. If you were to live in another country, where would it be?
5. What do you think are the good and bad things about moving to a foreign country?

New Exercise Trend Helps Environment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Running is a very popular exercise nowadays. Isn’t it frustrating to see garbage everywhere? A new fitness trend combines the famous workout running and picking up trash on the streets.

“Plogging” is a combination of the Swedish word “plocka” and the word “jogging”. It originated in Sweden.

Find out more about plogging. Listen to the audio and read the transcript.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/new-exercise-trend-also-helps-environment/4691101.html

Discussion Questions:
1. What is your opinion about plogging?
2. Why is it important to take care of our health?
3. What things do you do to stay healthy?
4. Why is it necessary to care for the environment?
5. What things do you do to help save the environment?

Expert Cleaning Tips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Keeping your room or house clean can be tedious and time-consuming. Unfortunately, household chores are a must and you have to do them if you want to live in a neat and comfortable environment.

In this video, you will learn about seven great tips to make sure that you are cleaning your space the right way.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the 7 tips described in the video?

2. Do you like cleaning? How do you clean your room/house? How often do you do so?

3. Share some of your own house cleaning techniques / maintenance tips.

Rich and Poor Countries

C1 – Advanced

There are almost 200 countries all over the world. Some are prosperous, while others, poverty-stricken. Based on GDP per capita, some of the richest countries are Qatar, Luxembourg, Singapore, Brunei. Ireland, Switzerland, and Norway. On the other side of the coin – the poorest countries – include  Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Haiti, and North Korea.

Many factors contribute as to why countries are either rich or poor.

Watch the video and find out what these factors are and what makes some countries continuously prosper and what keeps others from progressing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-4V3HR696k

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the three factors that determine whether the country will be rich or poor? Explain each of them in your own words. Describe your own country in terms of these factors.

2. Explain what clan-based thinking is. What is your opinion about it?

3. Generally, what are your thoughts on wealth gap?

4. Talk about the richest and poorest countries you’ve ever visited. How are they like?

5. How does your country accumulate wealth?

How Warren Buffett Made Billions

C1 – Advanced

Warren Buffett is arguably one of the richest men on earth. He is also one of the most successful investors in all of history. In addition, he has donated a sizable $30.80 billion to charity.

His life and success story is one that many people admire.

Watch the video below and discover how it all started for him and find out the steps he took to get all the way to being one of the wealthiest and most successful man.

Discussion Questions:

1. Tell Warren Buffett’s success story.
2. What are some business principles you learned from his story?
3. What businesses would you be interested to invest in?
4. If you would become a multi-billionnaire like Buffett, will you donate to charitable causes too? Which causes would you like to donate to?
5. Although Buffett’s one of the richest men, he remains frugal in his ways. What are your thoughts on this?

Simple English to Business English

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Business English is something you have to be familiar with. It will help you to communicate more effectively and fluently during day to day workplace scenarios such as presentations, negotiations, meetings, small talk, socialising, writing reports and C.V writing. Like any other vocabulary, business English vocabulary can be improved by reading a lot, learning a new word a day, and keeping a dictionary at hand. In short, you hold the key.

Watch the video to learn how to change basic English into business English.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Use all the words/phrases in a sentence.
  2. Give other examples of necessary business English words.
  3. How important is business English to you and your job?
  4. What different techniques do you have for learning new vocabulary?

Christmas Celebrations in Different Countries

B2 – Upper intermediate

Christmas is fast approaching. This occasion is widely celebrated almost in every country around the world. Do you wonder why and what is this season all about? For Christians, it’s about the birth of Jesus Christ the son of God and some say it’s for gift giving. Most of the time, it means Santa Claus is coming to town to deliver presents. A few would say they just go along with the global celebration.

Watch the video below and see how Christmas is celebrated across the globe.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you celebrate Christmas in your country?
  2. How much do you like to celebrate Christmas?
  3. Are there unique Christmas traditions you can share?
  4. What is the meaning of this season to you?
  5. Talk about the best Christmas holiday you’ve ever had.

Songs for Learning English

B1 – Intermediate

Songs are ideal resources for learning English because even those who are not fluent in the language often know how to pronounce the words in a song merely just by listening to it. Also, they may help in teaching certain forms of grammar and vocabulary.

Accordingly, what songs might English learners play on their gizmos to improve their skills? Get on to the video to find out.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the songs mentioned in the video?
  2. Can you suggest other songs for learning English?
  3. What other ways can we improve our listening and comprehension skills?
  4. What can you say about songs nowadays?
  5. What is your favorite song, and how does listening to it make you feel?