phone english blog
C1 – Advanced
Have you heard of Urban farming? In the US, it’s been a popular idea for quite some time.
Read the article below and discuss some of the issues that urban farmers are facing.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you understand urban farming and what are its advantages?
2. Is urban farming something that is happening in your country?
3. Have you started growing your own vegetables? Have you tried it?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
People around the world work with minimum wage. A minimum wage is the lowest daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Which country has the best minimum wage in the world? Let’s take a look!
http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/14/pf/minimum-wage-countries-australia/index.html
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the minimum wage in your country?
2. What do you think should be the ideal minimum wage in your country?
3. How does salary affect the performance of an individual at work?
B1 – Intermediate
These days, it is easy to get and share information from different parts of the world. The Internet made this possible. However, in China, the Internet is highly controlled by the government.
Read the article below and be ready to express your thoughts about China and how they control the Internet.
http://www.english-online.at/technology/china-blocks-youtube/china-blocks-youtube.htm
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
Playing sports helps you stay in shape, teaches you how to organize your time and builds relationships with your peers and adults.
Click the title below to practice your speaking skills and talk about sports. Be ready to discuss new phrases and to answer discussion questions.
C1 – Advanced
Jack Cator was your normal teenage school boy; defying and challenging the rules. But what he got out of that persistent attitude was quite extraordinary.
Read the article below to know more about Jack and his business and its humble beginnings.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32702501
Discussion Questions:
1. In your own words, explain how Jack was able to come up with his business.
2. What do you know about VPNs? Is this something you use?
3. Have you experienced doing business remotely with people you’ve never met before? Describe that experience.
C1 – Advanced
On April 25, 2015, Nepal was hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that cost thousands of lives and left so many injured.
Below is an article to look back on the devastation that hit a country and affected so many. Take a look at the before-and-after photos included in the article.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32479909
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you know of the earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015?
2. Have you experienced natural disasters such as earthquakes?
3. What are some catastrophes you’ve witnessed?
4. Is your country prepared in case a natural disaster hits?
B1 – Intermediate
Double negatives in a sentence or clause are often confusing, that is why teachers tell students to avoid using them. They are also considered a taboo in English grammar.
Watch the video then read the article below to know more about the origin of double negatives and how it can be used properly.
Discuss:
1. Explain the two kinds of double negatives.
2. Which double negative should be avoided when taking exams or when applying for school or a job?
3. Give your own examples of double negatives.
B1 – Intermediate
There are many cities in the world that most people like to visit. Perhaps you’ve been to one of them.
It is very important to know some information you can use if you’re planning your next out-of-the-country trip.
Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the top 25 cities to visit.
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/top-25-cities-to-visit-in-the-world/2760339.html
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Human trafficking, by definition, is the trade of humans, mostly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. Millions of people are being trafficked at any given time. Prostitution is akin to trafficking and is a social problem difficult to abolish.
Watch the video to know about Ope’s story then read the article for extra information.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32235112
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Dave Goldberg was a very successful entrepreneur who died of a severe head trauma after falling off a treadmill. The cause of the fall isn’t clear yet. Some people would call Goldberg’s death a freak accident.
Read the article below to have more information on how dangerous some exercise equipment can be.
http://www.livescience.com/50744-dave-goldberg-treadmill-accidents.html
Discussion Questions:
1. After reading the article, do you think using a treadmill is that dangerous?
2. What other considerations do we need to take before we use any exercise machine?
3. Do you know of any other gym-related accidents?