Category: Class

Give All Tips to Staff

B1 – Intermediate

Waiting tables is one of those jobs that pay too little. A lot of waiters who work in restaurants depend on tips for more salary.

However, not all restaurants give the full amount of tips collected to their waiters.

Read the article below about a new law that obliges restaurant owners to give all the tips to their waiting staff.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1810/181004-tipping-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tip” mean, “UK restaurants will soon have to give all tips to their staff.”? Give a synonym and use the word ‘tip’ in a sentence.
  2. What does “staff” mean, “Many waiting staff are happy with the new law.”? Give a synonym and use the word ‘staff’ in a sentence.
  3. What does “to be fed up with sb/sth” mean, “They are fed up with chain restaurants keeping their tips.”? Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with this new law? Do you think it is necessary to have this law?
  2. What is your opinion on restaurants not giving the tips to their staff?
  3. Do you need to tip waiters in your country? Why or why not?
  4. What are some low-paying jobs in your country?
  5. How can we make sure all workers are treated fairly by their employers?

The Language of Lying

C1 – Advanced

How do we recognize deception? When a person looks you in the eye, does that mean he is being truthful? When one stutters, does that mean he is telling a lie?

Watch the video and find out about some telltale clues that could help you to identify when someone is lying to you.

 

 

Discussion Questions:

1.  According to the video, what are the four clues we can use to determine a lie?

2. Is it completely wrong to tell a lie? When is it acceptable to do so?

3. Can you tell when you’re being lied to?

Why Socrates Hated Democracy

C1 – Advanced

Not a single type of government fits all. Let us get to know about the failures and loopholes of democracy according to Socrates.

Discussion Questions:

1. In your opinion, is the video opinion-based or factual?

2. What are your thoughts about voting being vested to educated people only?

3. What are your opinions on democracy?

Living Without Plastic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Whether we like it or not, we feel and see the drastic changes in our environment these days. About 71 percent of our planet is made up of water and most of it is now contaminated with plastics brought about by human consumption and improper disposal.

Let’s discuss how plastics destroy the environment and what we can do to save the planet.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think it is hard to live without plastics? Why or why not?
  2. Should the use of plastics be regulated? Would it be easy or not to to do so? Why or why not?
  3. What are the alternatives to plastics and using them?
  4. What do you do in order to reduce your and your family’s plastic use?
  5. Why is it important to be aware of the effects of using plastics?
  6. Would it be easy for us to nourish and care for our polluted planet?

How Would You Escape North Korea?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

North Korea has an unsavory and sinister reputation. There is a blatant disregard for human rights, very limited freedom of movement, and brutal consequences for minor offenses or even trivial things. It is no wonder that many of its citizens have attempted to escape in order to get a better life.

This video showcases seven ways to escape this country. Success is not guaranteed, though.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about North Korea?
  2. Talk about the different possible ways of escaping from North Korea.
  3. If you were a North Korean, would you try to leave? How would you do it?

Japan’s Independent Kids

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Parents all over the world have different values and ways of rearing their children. And most parents want their child to grow into happy, confident, and independent adults. For the Japanese however, some might say that their parenting skills are a step away from the traditional.

Take a look at this video to have some ideas about what parents and children are like in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the video in your own words.
  2. What are the differences between Japanese and Spanish parenting styles?
  3. Talk about the pros and cons of each.

Why Louboutin Shoes Are So Expensive

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton are some very famous designer brands. For the average shopper, just an item or two from any of these high-end products can cost an entire month’s salary or even more.

What makes a designer piece different from the rest? And what makes it so desirable that some people are willing to pay ridiculous sums in order to attain one?

Try to learn more from this video, which takes a look at the world of Christian Louboutin, an iconic shoe designer.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain why Louboutin shoes are so expensive.
  2. Do you think designer pieces are worth their hefty price tags? Why or why not?
  3. “When it all comes down to it, people are paying for the status symbol.” Share your thoughts on this.
  4. Would you pay for a pair of shoes for $1000+? Why or why not?

Possessive Adjectives

We use possessive adjectives to demonstrate that someone or something owns something. We often use them when we talk about people. It is also mostly used in the sense of relationship more than ownership.

FORM

PERSON

POSSESSIVE PRONOUNPOSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE

EXAMPLE

First (singular)minemyMy English class is at 4:00.
SecondyoursyourYour mother loves pasta.
Third (Female)hersherHer bag is Prada.
Third (Male)hishisHis story is unbelievable.
Third (Neutral)itsitsThe bird got its strength back.
First (Plural)oursourOur prayers have been answered.
Third (Plural)theirstheirTheir books are on the desk.

 

The possessive adjective should agree with the owner and not with the thing that is owned.

Examples:

My book is very thick.
His girlfriend is very pretty.
Our cat is fat.
Their clothes are in their suitcases.

Possessive adjectives are always before the noun they modify.

[Pattern: Possessive Adjective + Noun]

An “S” should not be added to the adjective when it’s referring to a plural noun.

Examples:

Incorrect: Ours bags are heavy.
Correct: Our bags are heavy.

However, the verb has to agree with the noun. If it is a singular noun, the verb should be singular. If it is a plural noun then the verb is plural.

Examples:

My t-shirt is grey. (Singular)
My t-shirts are grey. (Plural)

Our dog is very well-trained. (Singular)
Our dogs are very well-trained.(Plural)

Boarding School at An Early Age is Child Abuse

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A boarding school provides education for pupils who live on the premises. Traditionally, pupils stayed at the school for the length of the term; some schools facilitate returning home every weekend and some welcome day pupils.  The United Kingdom has  a rich history of such schools.

Increasing numbers of children are being educated at boarding schools in the UK.  According to George Monbiot, who still struggles with the emotional impact of being sent away at the age of eight, we must protect children from the damage they can cause. He says if working-class parents did this, there would be an outcry. So why are upper-class parents getting away with what has become a form of acceptable cruelty?

Watch the video and be able to express your position on this topic.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the video? Do you agree with George Monbiot’s argument?
  2. What do you think about boarding schools? Do you know anyone who was boarded or boarding schooled?
  3. Cite some of the pros and cons of sending a very young child to boarding schools.

Flying Taxi

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The idea of a flying taxi that will keep us from getting late is definitely a dream come true especially for commuters who always get stuck in really bad traffic congestion on a daily basis.

Here’s a video about a self-piloting flying taxi in New Zealand.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think flying taxi is the solution to the traffic problem? Explain.
  2. What are the pros and cons of using flying taxis?
  3. Talk about some traffic problems and the traffic system in your city/country.