phone english blogB1 – Intermediate
A nice t-shirt for only 2 euros sounds like a really good bargain. But, is it really?
Watch the video and discover why this “good buy” comes at a cost for the lowly third world sewers who make them.
Discussion Questions:
1. When buying clothes, what things do you consider?
2. What do you think can be done to help improve the situation of sweatshop workers in third world countries?
3. Is there an advocacy or cause that you support? If you do, explain why you support it.
B2 – Upper Intermediate
In Spain, tourists have been spending billions of Euros from January to July alone.
This is said to be helping the country recover from the economic crisis. However, some top Spanish vacation destinations have experienced drawbacks from the heavy influx of tourists in the recent years, forcing authorities to impose stern measures to control the situation.
http://www.thelocal.es/20150827/tourists-blowing-through-more-dough-at-spanish-hotpots
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think leads to more tourists coming to your country?
2. Do you think tourism helped a lot in improving Spain’s economic condition?
3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of tourism?
4. What other places in Spain should be developed for tourism?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Almost everyone agrees that a white lie is a good kind of lie. But is it really good knowing you’re hiding the truth from someone?
Read the article to know the science and reason behind lying.
Everyone lies. In fact, lies are an important facet of humanity. For example, research shows that two acquaintances lie several times in the average ten minute conversation. Although we are told to always tell the truth from a very young age, parents lie about Santa Clause or about the pet dog’s death. Parents also smile and say “thank you” when receiving a gift, then possibly belittle it at home. These conflicting messages signal children to regard lies as okay.
We lie to ourselves all the time to make problems, fears, and failures seem less troublesome. A New Year’s resolution can be considered a lie, too, because in most cases we don’t intend to keep the promise — we’ve only deceived ourselves. Or consider the next time a friend or colleague asks, “How are you?” That person doesn’t want to hear that you’re tired, overworked, underpaid, and have problems with your significant other. Social rules demand that you reply, “I’m fine.”
Psychologist Paul Ekman offers some basic reasons for lying. We lie to escape punishment, to get out of uncomfortable situations, to boost our egos, to receive a reward, to protect someone, or to control the flow of information. Everything from a large exaggeration to a small lie falls into one of these categories.
Despite the fact that lying is an indivisible part of our psyche, we can only catch a lie about fifty percent of the time. The success rate is quite low, and suggests that we don’t want to know that another person isn’t being honest. Lies, some experts suggest, are the glue which holds society together.
Source: headsupenglish.com
Discussion Questions:
1. How often do you think you lie? Is it too much?
2. What are some of the reasons you’ve lied recently?
3. Do you think lies hold society together? Why/not?
4. What situations would it be better to lie than to tell the truth? Why do you think so?
5. Do you think one gender lies more than the other? Why/not?
B2 – Upper intermediate
When is it bribing and when is it a reward? It’s become a normal practice for most parents to give children something in return for good behaviour.
Read the article below to know what’s wrong with modern-day parenting.
Some parents promise a child dessert if they finish their Brussels sprouts. Some parents purchase a video game if a child does well on a test. These shouldn’t be called treats or rewards. Promises of desserts, toys, or favors are bribes, especially when they are given for everyday, appropriate behavior.
Parenting experts agree that rewards are important. But some parents have gone too far. They pay their children to brush their teeth, go to sleep early, or even score a few goals at a soccer tournament! This may achieve results in the short term. But in the long term, children can become adults with an unrealistic viewpoint of the world. They think, “What are you going to give me?”
The modern world is partly to blame. There are many more material goods than before. In addition, both parents must now work and be parents full-time. It’s easier to bribe a child than to have a power struggle. However, with each bribe, children demand more and more.
Of course, it’s perfectly all right to reward children from time to time. The action should equal the reward, though.\
Source: headsupenglish.com
Discussion Questions:
1.Is this a problem in your country? If yes, please explain.
2.Do children behave better or worse than 10 years ago? 20 years ago? Why?
3.Will children behave better or worse in 10 years? 20 years? Why?
4.What is the most difficult part about being a parent? Why?
B2 – Upper intermediate
September of 2015, Germans gave a warm welcome to migrants and refugees who reached Munich. They are willing to help them have a decent home and education but the growing number of migrants and refugees is also alarming on their part.
Watch the video and express your thoughts.
Discuss:
1. Are there any Syrian refugees in Spain?
2. What is your opinion about the issue as a European?
3. To what extent should people do their social humanitarian responsibility?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
By definition, an immigrant is someone from a foreign country who relocates to live in another country. The European migrant crisis is surging and EU is struggling to respond to this.
Listen to the audio and read the transcript whether they should be considered as migrants or refugees.
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/migrants-or-refugees/2948447.html
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper intermediate
They say that necessity is the mother of all inventions and man, in general, will always crave for knowledge. It is probably this combination that brought Louis Braille to the development of the Braille System.
Read the article below to find out more about the Braille system.
Discuss:
1. Does your country have special training facilities for people who are visually impaired?
2. In your country, do people with disabilities have specific benefits?
3. Are you aware of any new technologies that people with disabilities are using to make everyday life easier?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Minority groups all over the world are given their rights and privileges. But how far is a government willing to go to make them feel part of the society?
Read the article below and be ready to express your thoughts by answering the discussion questions.
Discuss:
1. What is the importance of allowing Kurdish to be taught in schools in Turkey? How significant is it?
2. What are the different minority groups in your country?
3. Is your country fair in giving rights to citizens belonging to minority groups?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Disability can be devastating to one’s physical and emotional health. Disabled people find it difficult to do even the simplest task. It can also affect the family.
Read the article below then express your thoughts about the topic.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/coping-disability-illness.php
Discussion Questions:
1. What problems do people with disabilities face in your country?
2. What do you think of the Paralympic Games?
3. What kinds of discrimination do people with disabilities face?
4. What message do you think disabled people would like to tell those without a disability?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Jainism is an ancient religion which still exists and practised by a large number of people in India. Jains have a controversial practice in which they stop eating and drinking with the intention of preparing for death.
Read the article below to see how the government of India is responding to Jainism’s method of moving on to the after life.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-33998688
Discussion Questions:
1. What is your own perspective about this controversy?
2. When do you think it’s right for the state (government) to intervene against any religious practice?
3. In your country, what are the different religions or faiths that are practiced?