Category: Class

Female Leaders in the US

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A study done by Pew Research Center suggests that most Americans think that women are very much capable to take leadership positions too. However, females getting into top positions in business and politics is something that doesn’t occur so much yet.

Find out the reasons for this.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/women-capable-top-jobs/2621182.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the results of this study? Share some insights.
  2. What do you think are the reasons for this slow ascend of women in the political and business world?
  3. What are some ways to change this situation?
  4. Have you ever worked with a female boss? Talk about it.

How Reading Can Change You

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C1 – Advanced

Reading has always been a part of people’s lives. You can learn a lot through reading. You read from the time you begin school until the time that you start working. It is one hobby that some people love and adore.

Read the article below to discover how what we read can mould our personalities.

How Reading Can Change You in a Major Way

Discuss:

1. Do you think reading is important?
2. How often do you read?
3. Do you like reading? What are your preferences in books?
4. What are some of the interesting books or stories you’ve read?

Workaholic Fathers ‘Symbolically Absent’

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C1 – Advanced

Recently, the leader of the Catholic Church spoke about fathers whose primary focus has been their work rather than their children.  He explained the important role fathers play in their children’s lives and why a patriarch’s being “symbolically absent” can be a problem not just for his family but society as well.

Read the article below and express your opinions regarding Pope Francis’ views.

Pope criticizes workaholic dads, says they’re ‘symbolically absent’

Discuss:

1. What are a father’s roles in a family?
2. What happens to children when their father is “symbolically absent”?
3. According to the article, some fathers used to practice authoritarianism. What does this mean?
5. Is an authoritarian father better than a father who’s always absent? Why or why not?

Cheating Epidemic in Sports

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B2 – Upper intermediate

We all know the controversies of winning a game due to cheating. There are some recorded evidences of how cheating is widely practiced in the world of sports. It has even caused disputes and debates over the years.

The Epidemic of Cheating in Sports

Discuss:

1. What is your stand on cheating in sport?
2. What do you think is a just punishement for an athlete who was found cheating?
3. Do you think there are other underlying reasons why athletes cheat?

What the World Can Learn from Auschwitz

C1 – Advanced

The world commemorates the history of Auschwitz concentration camp.  Anita Lasker-Wallfisch said that it was like a global cemetery without a tomb. It was an unspeakable hell.

Click below to watch the videos. This is a set of eight short video clips. Feel free to watch as many as you wish but do watch at least three.

http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/01/22/voa-orig-natpkg-anita-lasker-wallfisch.cnn/video/playlists/intl-70-years-since-the-liberation-of-auschwitz/

Discussion Questions:

1. Re-tell the stories of the survivors featured.
2. What can we learn from this terrible part of the history?
3. How did you feel after watching the videos?

Young, Unemployed, and Stressed

B1 – Intermediate

Unemployment has become a problem for many countries, especially after the economic crisis started. It has affected many, especially young people. As a result, more people are also experiencing stress and anxiety, possibly even depression.

Read the short article below to  know more about the topic.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1501/150116-unemployed-l.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about the issue of unemployment?
2. Are there many unemployed in your country?
3. What would you do if you were unemployed?
4. Do you ever feel anxious about everyday situations?

‘Safer GMOs’ made by US scientists

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B2 – Upper intermediate

The use of GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) has been around for years and yet the issue of whether it is safe or not has not yet been fully concluded. Because of that, there are groups and individuals who are against the use of GMO in consumer products.

‘Safer GMOs’ made by US scientists

Discuss:

1. What is your stand on this issue?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the use of GMO?
3. The article talks about new and “safer” GMO. Do you think it is a better option? Why or why not?

 

Sunday Night Hobbies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people have manic Mondays and some people have the Sunday blues. It’s pretty normal to get the blues knowing that your weekend is about to end. The article below shows interesting suggestions on how to make the most of your weekends.

Here are the things that most successful people do with their Sunday evenings.

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-successful-people-do-on-sunday-night-2014-12?utm_content=buffer5d5f4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons people do not look forward to Sunday evenings?
  2. Talk about your Sunday evening habits.
  3. Do you get the Sunday blues as well? What do you do to overcome it?
  4. How would you describe your ideal weekend?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement, “Sunday night routines help us to anticipate the week ahead and to prepare for the unexpected.”.

Gadgets in School as Educational Tools

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C1 – Advanced

The use of tablet and iPads in schools are nothing new. But is it really effective? Read the article below to know more about how technology can be effective in schools.

Should schools gorge on gadgets?

Discuss:

1. How do you feel about young children using tablets and laptops in learning their ABC’s and 123’s?
2. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using such technology in the classroom?

Toyota Selling Hydrogen Fuel Car

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Photograph: Toyota/EPA

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Toyota has started selling a few hundred Mirai cars in Japan, US and Europe.  The Japanese car maker has taken its first small step into the unproven market for emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicles.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/18/toyota-begin-selling-fuel-cell-cars-mirai

Discussion Questions:

1. Which car bands do you prefer?
2. Do you think more environment-friendly cars should be produced?
3. Are there now more and more “green” cars running aound your city?
4. Is air pollution a major problem in your country? Kindly discuss.