Category: Class

Australia’s Surfing Industry and Nature

B1 – Intermediate 

Surfing is one thing people like doing in Australia. Some even go there for surfing holidays. This industry generates big revenues for the country.

The problem is, too much activities in the surfing sites cause problems in the surf breaks. These natural sites need to be legally protected more.  

Australia has yet to take steps in order to do that.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the surfing industry in Australia and its consequences on some natural sites. Be ready to answer the questions that follow. 

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/australias-surfing-industry-and-nature-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “coastal erosion”. “Climate change, coastal erosion, and increasing competition for coastal spaces threaten these natural sites.” Use this term in a sentence. 
  2. What does “to take a legal step” mean? “While countries like New Zealand and Peru have already taken legal steps to protect their surf areas, Australia hasn’t yet done the same.“ Use this phrase in a sentence.” Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “span” mean in this sentence, “The sport’s popularity spans from beginners to experienced surfers, and many people enjoy being outdoors and near the ocean.”? Use this word in a sentence. Give some synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “wave”?
  2. Share your opinion about this problem in Australia.
  3. What are the good and bad things about the surfing industry in this country?
  4. Should surfing be regulated/limited in Australia? Share your opinion.
  5. Have you ever tried surfing? Talk about your experience. If not yet, would you like to go surfing (maybe in Australia) someday? Why or why not?

Flying Private

B1 – Intermediate 

Rich people travel in style. They do not go on commercial flights. Instead, they fly in private jets.

However, doing this is more expensive and not to mention, harmful to the environment.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about flying private jets. Be ready to answer the questions that follow. 

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/flying-private-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “renowned” mean? “In one year, a renowned musician flew 396 times in their jet, with one flight lasting only six minutes.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “maintenance” mean? “Owners must also pay for fuel, crew, maintenance, and storage, which adds millions more each year.“ Use this word in a sentence.” Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “fossil fuel” mean? “To reduce emissions, scientists support using Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs). SAFs are made from waste or plants and pollute much less than fossil fuels.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “private jet”?
  2. Share your opinion about this, “Flying private jets is very expensive and harmful to the environment.”
  3. What are the good and bad things about flying private?
  4. Should flying in private jets be regulated/limited? Share your opinion.
  5. Have you ever flown in a private jet? Talk about your experience. If not yet, would you like to fly private? Why or why not?

Digital Parenting

B1 – Intermediate 

With children getting exposed with the use of gadgets at a much younger age, what could parents do to make sure that their kids are being safe when using the internet?

It has become quite common for parents to track what their children are doing online or where they are going. But children feel differently about this. Some feel that they are safe when they are being tracked by their parents while others feel that this is somehow a form of invasion of their privacy.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the effects of parents tracking the locations and online activities of their children on their sense of independence. Be ready to answer the questions that follow. 

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/digital-parenting-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tracking” mean? “Tracking children’s locations and monitoring their online activity has become more common among parents, raising questions about its effects on children’s independence.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “bypass” mean? “Adolescents often find ways to bypass these controls, sometimes making them less safe as they hide their activities from their parents.“ Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “open conversation” mean? “Parents are advised to have open conversations with their children about technology instead of only relying on controls.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “tracking”?
  2. Share your opinion about parents tracking their children’s locations and monitoring their online activities.
  3. Do you think tracking kids digitally has an effect on their sense of independence? Share your opinion.
  4. What are the good and bad things about tracking children’s online activities and their locations?
  5. What is your opinion on this, “Some teens believe that by the age of 16, they should have the right to decide whether they are tracked.”?
  6. How can parents make sure that their children are using their gadgets and the internet responsibly?

Public Schools Are Going Broke

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Public schools across the U.S. are facing a major funding crisis—driven by declining student enrollment and the end of pandemic-era ESSER funds. Districts that used temporary relief money to hire staff are now scrambling to make painful cuts, putting thousands of education jobs at risk. Critics say poor planning and long-standing financial mismanagement are making things worse, leaving students and communities caught in the fallout.

Watch the video to learn how this “fiscal cliff” could reshape public education and what it means for the future of schools, teachers, and families.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the term “fiscal cliff“. “But since the pandemic, many schools added staff and are now experiencing what experts call a ‘fiscal cliff‘.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. Define the idiom “slash and burn approach”. “
    Pasadena decided to take the slash and burn approach. It’s obviously having devastating impact on the morale of our schools.”     Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  3. What does “to move the needle” mean? “You need to pause every once in a while. Evaluate all these things that you’re spending money on and determine which one’s moving the needle in the right direction for kids.” Give a synonym and use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the main reasons public school enrollment has been declining in the U.S. over the past few years?
  2. How might declining enrollment and the end of federal pandemic funds affect teachers, students, and local communities?
  3. Could these budget cuts and staff layoffs lead to long-term changes in how public education operates? Explain.
  4. Can you describe the current status of the education system in your country? How does it compare to the situation described in the video?
  5. If you were in charge of a school district facing budget cuts, what would you prioritize—staff, programs, or services? Explain your choice.
  6. What could be the future of education, the economy, and the workforce if these trends of declining enrollment and budget cuts continue?

The Profit in Nonprofits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nonprofit organizations help many people by offering food, education, and support. They are started by people in local communities to improve lives. Sometimes, nonprofits help when governments do not. They provide important services like food banks, free legal help, and care for children with special needs.

Watch the full video:

Vocabulary Discussions

  1. What does “to give back to” mean? “I was able to start a non-profit and give back to my community.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to stand up for” mean? “I get to stand up for issues and speak out on things that interest us the most.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to come together” mean? “People in your community that you don’t even know but who have come together in a non-profit to do good.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some ways nonprofits help people in local communities?

2. Why might nonprofits be needed when governments can’t help?

3. What feelings do you think the speaker had while waiting in line for free cheese?

4. How can helping others through nonprofits change the life of a community?

5. After reading this blog, why do you think the speaker says “there is profit in nonprofits”?

International Organizations: Governmental and NGOs

B2 – Upper Intermediate

International organizations help countries work together to solve global problems. Some are created by governments to promote peace, trade, or public health. Others are started by private citizens and focus on things like human rights or disaster relief. These groups play an important role in making the world more stable, fair, and safe.

To learn more about how these organizations work and the history behind the symbol of the Red Cross, watch the full video:

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “at the cost of someone/something” mean? “Their end goal is free trade between each and have received criticism for being single-minded and not worried about the environment at the cost of trade.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “veto power” mean? “These five countries have the veto power over the other ten members who change every two years.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to have someone’s voice heard” mean? “This does not mean you have to always agree with the decisions being made, but you do get to have your country’s voice heard.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are some jobs international organizations do?
  2. Why do you think countries create organizations together?
  3. Do you think it’s better for organizations to be run by governments or private citizens? Why?
  4. Have you heard of any international organizations before? What do they do?
  5. If you could join an international organization, which one would you choose and why?

Global Cooperation in a Changing World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The world is facing many big problems like wars, diseases, and climate change. In this video, Jose Manuel Barroso talks about why countries need to work together to solve these problems. He explains how cooperation between countries and organizations can save millions of lives, especially children, through vaccines and partnerships.

Watch the full video here:

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “geopolitical friction” mean in the sentence, “My prediction is that the geopolitical friction will increase not decrease.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “supra national cooperation” mean in the sentence, “Sometimes some forms of supra national cooperation like the European Union is the right way forward.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “private partnership” mean in the sentence, “It is a public private partnership with the governments of rich countries and developing countries”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think it is important for countries to cooperate on global problems?
  2. How can partnerships between governments and private companies help solve health problems?
  3. Have you ever worked with others to solve a big problem? What did you learn?
  4. What do you think are some challenges when countries try to work together?
  5. How can people like you help support global health and cooperation?

Passive Scrolling Linked to Increased Anxiety in Teens

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recent research indicates that adolescents who engage in passive scrolling on screens for more than two hours daily are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety and emotional or behavioral issues. This suggests that the way teens interact with digital media can significantly impact their mental health.

For a detailed exploration of this study, you can read the full article here:

https://www.psypost.org/passive-scrolling-linked-to-increased-anxiety-in-teens-study-finds/

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “coping strategy” mean? “Adolescents’ screen use rose dramatically during the pandemic, both out of necessity and as a coping strategy during periods of social isolation.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does the adjective “pronounced” mean in the sentence, “Although weekend screen use also showed associations with mental health problems, the patterns were less pronounced.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “recall bias” mean? “Because it was based on self-report data collected online, the accuracy of participants’ responses could be influenced by recall bias or social desirability.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. How might passive scrolling contribute to increased anxiety in teenagers?
  2. What are some strategies adolescents can use to limit passive screen time?
  3. How do you think the quality of screen time (passive vs. active use) affects mental health differently?
  4. What role do parents and educators play in managing teens’ screen time to promote better mental health?
  5. Have you noticed any personal changes in mood or behavior related to your screen time habits? Talk about it.

How China Deals with Trash

B1 – Intermediate 

In the industrial city of Zhangjiagang in China, they do not use landfills anymore. Instead, they have an automated process of burning wastes in a fully enclosed facility.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the advanced technology used in China to treat household waste. Be ready to answer the questions that follow. 

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/how-china-deals-with-trash-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “landfill”. “Instead of putting waste in landfills, the city uses incineration, a process where waste is burned in a smart and fully enclosed facility.“ Use this word in a sentence.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “household waste” mean? “Thanks to this method, the city has entered a zero landfill era, where no household waste is buried in the ground.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “residue” mean? “After incineration, the remaining residue is not thrown away.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear “landfill”?
  2. Share your reaction to and opinion about this method of treating wastes?
  3. Talk about the waste treatment system in your country.
  4. What are the good and bad things about this system?

Branding and the Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Brands shape our brains by tapping into deep, often subconscious parts of our mind. They go beyond just logos or slogans—they create emotional connections, trigger memories, and influence our instincts. Through consistent messaging and sensory cues, brands become familiar signals that our brain learns to recognize and trust. This “branding” of our brains affects how we make decisions, often guiding us toward certain products or experiences without us even realizing it. Essentially, brands embed themselves in our thoughts and feelings, shaping preferences and behaviors at a neurological level.

To understand more about this fascinating process and how it impacts your everyday choices, listen to the audio.

https://hackernoon.com/branding-and-the-brain-the-neuroscience-behind-consumer-decision-making-bd96d6cfcda8

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “brand salience” mean? “Brand salience is critical because it represents the extent to which a brand is thought about or noticed when a consumer is in a buying situation.” Use the phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does the term “emotional resonance? “Brands that create emotional resonance are more likely to build long-lasting relationships with consumers.” Incorporate the phrase into a sentence.
  3. What does the term “behavioral conditioning” mean? “Behavioral conditioning occurs when repeated exposure to a brand influences future purchasing behavior without conscious awareness.” Apply the phrase within a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In what ways do you think your own purchasing decisions have been influenced by subconscious branding?
  2. Can you think of a brand that you feel particularly loyal to? What do you think causes that loyalty?
  3. Do you think it’s possible to “de-brand” our brains or resist the influence of marketing? How?