Category: Class

More Foreign Students in the US

B2 – Upper intermediate

More and more students from other countries flock to the US to pursue their education. Watch the video and read the article below to know more of the facts.

US Hosts Record Number of Foreign Students

Discuss:

1. What do you think are the main reasons why most students prefer to study in America?
2. What are the benefits of studying abroad?
3. Have you ever considered or experienced studying abroad? Talk about this experience.

Korean Air Executive Went Nuts Over Nuts

C1 – Advanced

Heather Cho resigned as an executive of Korean Air after a nut incident. She was said to have gone furious at the head steward for serving her macadamia nuts in a packet instead of a plate.

Read more about this incident and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30461979

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the said executive’s behavior?
  2. Have you ever heard of similarly over-the-top behavior?
  3. Some say the pilot could have refused the executive to avoid the delay caused by the incident. If you were in the pilot’s position, what would you have done?
  4. If you were in the steward’s shoes, what would you have done?
  5. Talk about a similar incident you’ve witnessed onboard or at the airport.

The Danger of Artificial Intelligence

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Scientist Stephen Hawking believes that Artificial intelligence can be a threat to human race.

Read the article below to know more about the possible consequences of artificial intelligence. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1412/141209-stephen-hawking.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you know about artificial intelligence?
2. Do you believe this famous scientist’s
statement?
3. How have robots helped us in the past 15 years?
4. In your opinion, what are some jobs that only people can do?

Record Percentage of Americans Have Never Married

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There’s a surprising census data among Americans who have never married. Nowadays, women are more likely to pursue a better career and look for men with stable jobs. On the other hand, men who have never married said finding a woman who would be a good mother is more important.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on changes in the American family over the years.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-league-dating-app-marriage-dating-trends-us-/2514824.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the marrying age in Spain? Do you think this is the best age to be settling down? Why or why not?
  2. According to the research, almost half of Americans ages 24-35 has never been married. Compare this to the situation in your country.
  3. What is more important to you in finding a partner, one with a stable career or someone who would be a good husband/wife?
  4. What do you think of the new ways of dating or meeting a potential partner?
  5. What are your thoughts on apps such as The League?

Is Writing by Hand Better?

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Scientists say that typing is a less effective way of remembering something. Many students now have resorted to typing on laptops or computers. Typing leads to mindless transcription.

Is Writing Notes by Hand Better Than Typing?

Discuss:

1. What is your opinion about the study?
2. How can computers affect us in a negative way?
3. Do you still prefer writing some of your notes?
4. What do you do to help yourself remember some things like birthdays or errands or even names?

Jailed for Helping

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A 90-year old chef was put into jail for feeding the homeless. There is a law in Florida which forbids people to feed the homeless.

Read this article about a chef who got in trouble for feeding homeless people.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/chef-90-faces-jail-fines-feeding-homeless-121414540.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does this law make sense? Explain your opinion.
  2. Why do you think the local Florida government implemented this kind of law?
  3. Is it wrong to help the needy ones? Explain.
  4. How do you help the needy ones?
  5. Is there any similar law in your city/country? Talk about it.

Spain’s Best Museums

B2 – Upper Intermediate

On top of most tourists’ destination in Spain are Galleries like Prado and Reina Sofia. But there are still a whole lot more to see. The not-so-famous museums in Spain deserve to be paid a visit. Here are top ten of them.

https://www.thelocal.es/galleries/Culture/spains-best-museums

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s the best/most interesting museum you’ve ever been to?
2. What do you like most and least about museums?
3. Do you think it should be free to enter museums?
4. If you had lots of money to start your own museum, what would you exhibit in it and what would you call it?

Zero Waste Woman

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lauren Singer is a zero-waste advocate. As part of her advocacy, she lives a zero-waste lifestyle. She is able to do what would seem is the impossible — to only produce a jar that is 4 years worth of trash.

Read the article below to know more about Lauren Singer and her journey to living trashless.

https://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/04/us/lauren-singer-zero-waste-blogger-plastic/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did Lauren Singer do to eliminate trash?
  2. How has her life improved since she went trash free?
  3. With your current lifestyle, do you think this is something you can do? If not, in what ways do you try to reduce your waste?

Swap Homes for Holidays

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you’ve seen the movie The Holiday you may be familiar with the concept of “Home Exchange”.

Read the article below to know more about this kind of accommodation.

https://www.thelocal.es/20141101/travel-live-like-a-local-with-home-exchange-tlccu-2/

Discussion Questions:

1. Is Home Exchange interesting to you? Why or why not?
2. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of participating in this kind of service?
3. What accommodations do you prefer when you travel?

Behaviors That Could Kill Your Career

C1 – Advanced 

Does your job feel like a dead end? It’s easy to look around and blame company politics. But what if the problem is you?

Let Jack Welch help you evaluate yourself. Read the article on ten pitfalls that could stall your career.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141110044443-86541065-10-behaviors-that-could-kill-your-career

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you guilty of any of these behaviors?
  2. What is the danger of over-committing?
  3. Do you have colleagues who have a rigid attitude? How do you deal with them?
  4. How can we fix or solve complacency?
  5. What are some methodologies, immediately actionable practices, and respected credentials does your company employ?