Category: Class

A Plastic Ocean

C1 – Advanced

“With plastic, man is faced with another brainchild run amok. At times it seems that technology cannot exist without it. Plastic may seem indispensable; it is also virtually undisposable. When man is through with it, he is hard put to get rid of it. The plastic that holds a six-pack of beer cans together might last anywhere from 450 to 1,000 years.” (Oceans – Precious Resource or Global Sewer?)

Watch the short video below then express your thoughts about trash polluting our oceans.

Discuss:

1. How would you describe the video?
2. What do you think will happen to our oceans in the future?
3. Is it possible to completely stop the use of plastic?
4. Does your city have its own initiative to lessen the use of plastic? Help the environment?

Ikea Shanghai Frowns on Elderly Daters Who Occupy Cafeteria

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How would you feel if you see a sign outside an establishment saying that the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food first? An IKEA branch has reportedly posted the same sign outside their coffee shop.

Find out more by clicking the link to the article.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37686968

Discussion Questions:

  1. What should IKEA do about older people using their cafe to look for love?
  2. In your opinion, what is wrong with using a store’s café as a meeting place?
  3. Should coffee shops stop people from using seats for extended periods of time? Share your thoughts.
  4. What makes society a place where old people feel alienated?
  5. Talk about places where elderlies can find some company in your city/country.

British People Commit Micro Crimes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Micro crimes are minor criminal offenses. Turns out, 3 out of 4 British people have, at one point in their lives, committed a micro crime.

Just what exactly is a micro crime and how serious is it?

Read the article below to discover the findings of a research done about crime. Be ready to answer discussion questions afterward.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1610/161026-micro-crime.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of micro crime?
2. How is micro crime different from the usual crimes we hear of?
3. Why do men and the middle class commit more micro crimes?
4. What crimes do you worry about in your country?
5. What should the punishment be for micro crimes?

Why Finland’s Schools are Successful

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Finland has been delivering educational excellence to its children and this country’s success in education has other nations doing their research.

Click on the link below to find out why Finland’s schools are successful.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/education/finlands-school-system-is-successful.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes Finland’s schools successful?
2. Tell me about your country’s educational system.
3. Do you think your country would benefit if it follows Finland’s way?
4. What can your country adopt from Finland’s educational system?

Jungle Marathon: A Dangerous Race

B2 – Upper intermediate

Marathon events are held everywhere all around the world. And, with its increasing popularity, different variations of marathon race are conducted. One of these is the Jungle Marathon. This is not your typical marathon, as some people say that this is one of the most dangerous races one could ever experience. Let’s find out why.

http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/jungle-marathon-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever joined a marathon before?
2. Do you think the Jungle Marathon is dangerous?
3. Why do you think a lot of people are into marathon races?
4. Would you like to try this in the future?
5. What other sporting events have you tried or are you willing to try?

Million Deaths Each Year to Air Pollution

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B2 – Upper Intermediate

Air pollution ranks number four in the leading cause of death. It has directly affected many young children and has caused unemployment in men and women.

Read more about this by clicking the link below.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/27/business/energy-environment/study-links-6-5-million-deaths-each-year-to-air-pollution.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How can air pollution be slowed down?
2. What are alternative sources of energy that can be used in order to slow down air pollution?
3. In your own little way, how can you fight against pollution?
4. Does your country have very aggressive projects or initiatives related to the care of the environment?

Japan’s Population is Declining

B1 – Intermediate

It’s official. Japan’s populations is dramatically shrinking. After years of warnings about Japan’s aging population and its low birth rate, the day is here. Japan’s official census shows that the country’s population has shrunk.

Read more about this by clicking the link below.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/asia/japans-population-is-declining.htm#

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons Japan’s population is declining?
  2. If this continues, what do you think will happen to Japan?
  3. How is the birth rate in your country? Is it also declining?
  4. Can immigration help with the problem with declining population? Share your thoughts.
  5. What can the government do to address this problem?

China Wants To Become A Soccer Superpower

chinese-football-team

B2 – Upper intermediate

Traditionally a sport dominated by European countries, soccer is a sport where a lot of Asian countries have not been really good at until recently. That is all about to change as China has announced its plan to become a soccer superpower.

Read about China’s big ambitions by clicking the link below.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/sports/china-wants-to-become-soccer-superpower.htm#

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is soccer so popular in the world?
2. Do you think China will be able to reach its goal of being a soccer superpower?
3. Do you think Chinese soccer teams stand a chance against Spanish/European ones?
4. What sports do you play? What are some you find very interesting?

What Is Branding

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The businessdictionary.com defines “branding” as “the process involved in creating a unique name and image for a product in the consumers’ mind, mainly through advertising campaigns”.

Watch this video explaining what branding is in a nutshell.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you learn about branding from the video?
  2. What are ways to build a strong corporate identity?
  3. How do you think branding has changed because of social media and the internet?
  4. What is your company’s branding like? How can it be improved?
  5. Name some companies you think has the best and the worst branding. Describe their brand and explain why you find it impressive or otherwise.

Free Speech: Is Saying Something Offensive Fine?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In 2015, The Pew Research Center conducted a survey on 38 countries to elicit their thoughts on freedom of speech. The results might come as a surprise, yet it is indeed very timely.

It is perhaps high time to open conversations on the importance of creating safe spaces and setting trigger warnings to protect students from learning materials or expressed opinions that might be troubling for them.

Listen to this podcast and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/free-speech-is-it-fine-to-say-something-offensive-students-college-vietnam/3555231.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are “safe space” and “trigger warning”? How are they important especially to students?
  2. What is your opinion on free speech at educational institutions?
  3. Are students free enough to express their opinions during class discussions?
  4. Should teachers be able to express their honest opinions on every matter or should they consider their students beliefs as well?
  5. Do you think the media in your country is able to report news freely?
  6. What may be the advantages of censorship?