Category: Class

Childhood Obesity

B1 – Intermediate

The number of children suffering from obesity is increasing. It is considered a major health concern, especially in developed countries. But what causes childhood obesity?

Read the article below to know more. Be ready to express your thoughts.

https://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/childhood-obesity/causes-and-risks-of-childhood-obesity.htm#

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you know if your child is overweight or obese?
2. Would you say that some children in your country are suffering from obesity or becoming overweight?
3. What causes a child to become overweight or obese?
4. How can you prevent your child from becoming overweight or obese?
5. What should the government do in order to prevent children from having serious weight issues?

Traditional and Western Medicine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The World Health Organization estimates that between 65 to 80 percent of the world’s population (over 4 billion people) rely on alternative medicine as their primary form of health care compared to only 10 to 30 percent of people who use conventional medicine.

http://medcitynews.com/2012/11/the-great-debate-between-western-and-alternative-medicine/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think traditional medicines are tried, tested, and safe?
  2. What traditional medicine do you know of? Have you ever tried any?
  3. Would you like to try acupuncture, cupping, massage etc.?
  4. Do you think traditional medicine works? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think traditional medicine is just a fad? Elaborate.
  6. What do you think of things like art therapy, music therapy, healing with animals, etc?

App Targets Fake ‘Made in Italy’ Labels

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever seen or bought products that looked genuine but they really aren’t? There’s an a mobile app that helps you spot fraudulent Italian products.

Read more about this app and how it works and what it can do.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-38743912

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this app? What other features would you add to it?
  2. Why might be reasons people purchase knockoffs?
  3. How prevalent is counterfeiting in your country? Talk about this problem in respect to the situation in your country.
  4. How does fraudulent labels affect the businesses/companies that manufacture the original ones?
  5. What are ways to possibly lessen the spread and sale of counterfeit products?

Swiss Army to Accept Overweight Recruits

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B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Swiss Members of Parliament is hoping to increase the number of military service recruits in their country.

Find out more how they are going to do it through this BBC article:

Calls for Swiss army to accept overweight recruits

Discuss:

1. What are your thoughts on this proposal?
2. How would you feel about mandatory military service in your country?
3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of doing military service?

Never Too Old for a Tiara

B2 – Upper intermediate

The Philippines just recently hosted the Miss Universe pageant last January 2017. It showcased a range of beauties and talents from across the globe. All young and in their prime. The video below shows a different kind of beauty contest. Watch the video carefully then be ready to answer comprehension and discussion questions.

Discuss:

1. Discuss what the video is all about.
2. What are the contestants saying about joining the pageant/contest? What are their words of wisdom?
3. What is your general opinion of beauty contests/pageants?
4. What message do you think is this video trying to send?
5. In the United States, they have beauty contests for girls as young as 5 or 6. Do you think that’s a good idea? How do you think it will affect the child?

Farmers Spray E.U. Building With Milk Powder

B2 – Upper intermediate

When the government is helping the big corporations win, the smaller guys continue to struggle. Watch the video below about a protest that some farmers made against the European Union’s decision regarding milk production and selling.

Discuss:

1. Explain why the farmers decided to spray an EU building with milk powder.
2. How’s the agriculture business/industry in your country?
3. Do you think the European Union’s action to “stabilize the market” was a good one?
4. What are some agricultural products that you import from other countries?
5. What’s an ideal way to help local farmers survive in today’s world?

Consumer Protection

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Consumer protection is an important part of any business. It allows fair transaction between buyers and sellers.

This activity will help increase your business vocabulary and practice your sentence construction. Click on the link below and be ready to have a speaking activity. Discuss the vocabulary words then answer the discussion questions.

http://www.businessenglishresources.com/learn-english-for-business/teachers-section/conversation-lessons/business-english-conversation-lessons-consumer-protection

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which product bans do you agree/disagree with in your country? Why?
  2. What type of consumer protection laws does your company need to know about? How do these laws affect your company?
  3. What are your thoughts on anti-trust laws?

Reasons to Shower Less

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all take a bath or a shower to feel fresh before going to work, after a rigorous work-out or simply to feel clean before going to bed. Do you enjoy your bath time? How often do you take a shower? They say that taking a shower might not be so good for you, so let’s find out.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/shower-less-often/

Discussion Questions:
1. Name the reasons mentioned in the article about showering less. Do you agree or disagree with them?
2. Do you prefer taking a shower or having a bath?
3. Do you prefer a quick shower in the morning or a warm bath in the evening?

Express your thoughts:
• A few germs are good for you. People wash and clean too much.
• Expensive shampoos and shower gels are a waste of money. A bar of soap is just as effective.
• The advertising industry is to blame for all the money we waste on cleaning products that we don’t need.

Video: Kuwaitis in ‘5-star’ Tents Under the Stars

B2 – Upper intermediate

In Kuwait, locals have a different way of escaping the heat during the summer. Watch the video carefully to find out what dessert camping is and express your thoughts about it.

Kuwaitis seek roots in ‘5-star’ tents under the stars

Discuss:

1. What is dessert camping and why do Kuwaitis like this?
2. How much does it cost to go camping in the dessert?
3. Describe the tents featured in the video.
4. Have you ever gone camping before? What did you like/didn’t like about it?
5. Would you consider yourself adventurous when it comes to travelling?

How to Drink Baijiu

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you heard of baijiu? If you’re into spirits and drinking then this is one liqueur that you might want to try.

Read the article about a Chinese drink heartily consumed by the locals.

Take a look at the pictures as well and be ready to answer comprehension questions.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/29/foodanddrink/how-to-drink-baijiu-china/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is baijiu and how is it made? What is it made of?
  2. On which occasions is baijiu the choice of drink?
  3. What is baijiu tourism? What do you think of it?
  4. Is there a similar tour like this in your city/country? Talk about it.
  5. What are some of the local alcohol or spirits that are commonly and popularly consumed in your country?
  6. What are your preferences when it comes to alcohol?