Category: Class

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs with COME

B2 – Upper intermediate

Read the list of phrasal verbs with the word “come” and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences as well.

Vocabulary: phrasal verbs with “come”

Discuss:

1. What are some of the interesting things (facts, food or culture) that you’ve come across with?
2. When was the last time you came down with something? How serious was it? What do you do stay healthy?
3. Have you ever cancelled an event or a meeting because something came up?
4. Who comes up with vacation ideas in your family?

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs with PUT

B2 – Upper intermediate

Read the list of phrasal verbs with the word “put” and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences as well.

Vocabulary: phrasal verbs with “put”

Discuss:

1. Have you ever put something off because of an emergency?
2. What are some of the reason you’d be put off by something like a film or a topic?
3. What commodity prices have been put up recently?
4. Have you ever put someone up during their vacation? Has anyone done the same for you?
5. What are some of the things that you can put up with and some things that you can’t?

Green Energy for Denmark

C1 – Advanced

When it comes to renewable energy, Denmark aims high. By 2020,  the country would like to get half of its energy from the wind. There are hopes that there will be environmental focus to inspire people to go green.

Watch the video below to know more about some of the efforts that Denmark is doing to be a greener country.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the video, what are organizations doing to be environmentally conscious?
2. Do you think that your country is working on the same issue as well?
3. Is having a green house something that you’re interested in?

Speaking Activity: Asking A Favor

can-i-ask-you-a-favor

B1 – Intermediate

A favor is something you do to help someone. When asking for a favor we usually ask people to help us and, most of the time, we ask politely making sure that it is not an inconvenience.

Click the title below to practice your speaking skills and learn the words we can use when asking for a favor. Be ready to discuss new phrases and to answer discussion questions.

Topic: Asking a favor

Are You a Shopaholic?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Shopping is fun. For women, mostly, it is a time to bond with friends and family members. On the other hand, if you let your impulse get the best of you, your love for purchase can do you more harm than good.

Read the article below to know more about the facts of being a shopaholic.

The lives of some people revolve around shopping, as they repeatedly make purchases regardless of need or available money. Some of these people make impromptu purchases. Some of these people have closets with unopened purchases. Some of these people have racked up overwhelming amounts of credit card debt. If this sounds like you, then you may be a shopaholic.

A recently administered test to determine the predilection towards compulsive buying reveals that 9% of people fall into this category. Another recent test revealed a slightly smaller percentage of 6%. This new data concludes an increase in the number of shopaholics from just fifteen years ago, as well as determines that men remain just as prone to the shopping urge as women. The test consisted of six statements which people answered on a 7-point scale, from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Some statements included:

* Much of my life centers around buying things.

* I buy things I didn’t plan to buy.

* Others might consider me a shopaholic.

Compulsive buying obviously leads to financial problems such as an empty bank account and maxed out credit cards. Yet these unneeded and unwanted purchases may be the manifestation of more serious problems, namely depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. What’s more, relationships and family harmony also deteriorate because of disagreements over the purchases. Shopaholics may then hide their purchases, as well as the accompanying costs, and thus add to the strain. It’s a problem that affects people of all income brackets.

Researchers suggest that shopaholics felt better when they were shopping, even when they realized the associated harm.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Based on the information in the article, would you consider yourself a shopaholic?
2. Do you know anyone who might be a shopaholic?
3. Do you agree that women and men suffer from the problem equally?
4. Do you agree that anxiety and low self-esteem cause compulsive buying? Why/not?
5. What solutions are there for people who are shopaholics? How can they be helped?

Venice – City of Canals

rialto-bridge-canale-grande-venice

B2 – Upper intermediate

Some say that Venice is the romance capital of the world.

Read the article below to know more about the city itself and the life and history of this tourist spot.

Venice – City of Canals

Discuss:

1. Describe some of the beautiful places that you’ve visited in the past.
2. Do you often travel? What do you like most about travelling?
3. Have you been to Venice? If you have, describe your trip. If you haven’t, is this city on your bucket list of places to visit?

All About Bananas

B1 – Intermediate

Bananas are very popular fruits all over the world. They have essential nutrients that helps keep you healthy.

Here’s an article that’s all about bananas.  Read about the facts of this well-known fruit and how important it is in some regions or countries.

http://www.english-online.at/biology/bananas/bananas.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the very common fruits that you have in your country?
2. Talk about some of the food products that your country exports.
3. What are some of your preferences when it comes to fruits and vegetables and how do you like to eat them?

More Rights for Women in Saudi Arabia

B1 – Intermediate

Each country has its own rules and customs. Some are liberating while others are dated.

Read the article and discover how Saudi Arabia is changing some of their traditions.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/people/more-rights-for-women-in-saudi-arabia.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the rights that you enjoy as a woman in your country?
2. In your country, what other laws should the government pass for women and children?
3. How are the women viewed in your society?

Tower of David

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Venezuela is famously known for its beautiful people. But, like any other country, Venezuela struggles with poverty and citywide housing shortage. The Tower of David is a glimpse of some issues that the country is facing.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is poverty an issue in your country?
2. How is your government taking care of the housing needs of the citizens?
3. What do you think are some of the best ways to address poverty in the middle of an economic recession?

Chinese Kids Driving Supercars

B2 – Upper intermediate

In Southern California, a group of wealthy Chinese teenagers have a very interesting way of getting together. Watch this short video and express your thoughts about it.

Discuss:

1. What thoughts came in to your mind while watching the video?
2. In your country, how do the rich and famous “flaunt” their lifestyles?
3. If you were a wealthy person, how would you spend your money?