Category: Class

Women with More Children Are More Productive

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the greatest worries of women is that having children could slow down their performance in their respective professions. A study reveals otherwise.

In fact, working mothers all over the world are very much capable to balance paperwork and their kids’ bath time.

The article below reveals an encouraging study on the productivity of working mothers.

https://www.today.com/parents/moms-2-or-more-kids-are-more-productive-work-study-1d80256648

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the results of this study?
  2. Are working mothers common in your country? Why do you think this is the case?
  3. What do you think are the challenges that working parents deal with?
  4. In your opinion, does having a child hinder success? Explain.
  5. What would your advice be to working parents who struggle with balancing work and their family life?

No More Playing Hooky

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C1 – Advanced

Should attendance in class be mandatory, or should students be allowed to play hooky as long as they can keep their grades up?

Technology and financial uncertainty are two factors that have changed the methods of calling the roll in universities and colleges across America, all in the hopes of tuition well spent, student loans paid and higher graduation rates.

Read on, and weigh in with the issue.

Cracking Down on Skipping Class

Discuss:

1. What is meant by “playing hooky”? Have you ever played hooky?
2. Is attendance an accurate predictor of success in university?
3. What are the consequences of skipping classes to students? To parents? To the colleges and universities?
4. Can you suggest other ways of getting students to class on time and driving down absenteeism?

Boosting your Happiness

C1 – Advanced

Every human  in the planet wants to be happy. This is considered the ultimate goal anywhere in the world.  Watch the video and read the article below to know more about the effect of happiness and unhappiness  in life.

7 ways to boost your happiness

Discuss:

1. What is your opinion about the study and advice in achieving happiness?
2. Have you done any of the practical suggestions mentioned in the article? Which ones are you currently practicing?
3. In your opinion, what other activities can help a person’s well-being?

8 Foods to Avoid Bad Breath

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C2 – Proficient

We all have different preferences, especially when it comes to food. Depending on one’s location and culture, the list of choices one can have is virtually endless.

Here are some of the world’s worst, when it comes to its foul breath-inducing properties, according to science.

THE 8 FOODS THAT GIVE YOU THE WORST BREATH, RANKED WITH THE POWER OF SCIENCE

Discuss:

1. Did your favorite food/ingredient make the list?
2. What are your favorite types of food?
3. Describe some of the best meals you’ve ever had.

London: Divorce Capital of the World for the Mega-Rich

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Getting divorced is becoming more and more common these days. Many couples are deciding to split for a lot of different reasons. When ultra wealthy couples decide to get a divorce, there’s the lengthy, sometimes ugly, discussion on the financial windfall, of course.

Read the article to know why London is the divorce capital of the world for the super-rich.

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-london-divorce-capital-world-for-mega-rich-2019-7

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did London get the title “divorce capital of the world”?
  2. Why are the British High Courts so lucrative for wives of the super-rich planning to divorce their spouses?
  3. What do you think that the British divorce law is much more generous to, typically, the wife, the person without the money?
  4. Share things you know about divorce proceedings in your country.
  5. Talk about some high-profile divorces you know about.

Eating Disorders Affect Men Too

C1 – Advanced

We commonly relate eating disorders to women. However, over the last 15 years, this has changed. The number of men suffering from eating disorders has significantly increased to 27%.

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

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/18/are-more-men-getting-eating-disorders

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to the rise of men who are being diagnosed with eating disorders. What do you think causes these disorders?
  2. Why do you think eating disorders have long been perceived as an issue affecting women and girls?
  3. What can we do to help people battling these conditions?

What’s your Dawn Wall?

C1 – Advanced

Imagine a 3,000-foot (900-meter) high rock formation. Now picture free climbing, or climbing up this gargantuan natural structure with just your hands and feet. Impossible? Not anymore. The Dawn Wall, an imposing rock structure in Yosemite Park, is possibly the world’s toughest free climb, and in 2015, Kevin Jorgeson and Tommy Caldwell were the first free climbers to make it all the way up.

Sometimes challenges in life feel uncannily similar to a steep climb. Have you scaled your own Dawn Wall lately?

Discuss:

1. What “projects” are you currently taking on? Which one seems like a climb up the Dawn Wall?
2. In the video, Kevin Jorgeson is described as someone following his bliss. What does it mean to “follow one’s bliss”? Are you following your own bliss?
3. What qualities should a person possess to succeed in life?
4. How do you approach life’s difficulties?
5. What recent personal success are you most proud of? How did you celebrate this achievement?

Western Diet Bad for Human Health, Environment

B2 – Upper intermediate

Western diet is usually high in processed sugar, fat, oil and meat. By eating these foods people begin to gain more weight. More people are adopting this kind of diet. Find out why, according to a study, western diet is bad for human health and the environment.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/western-diet-bad-for-human-health-environment/2579378.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Is this phenomenon also happening in your country?
2. Have you adapted to the western diet?
3. What is the relationship between our diet and the environment?
4. What can we do to keep our children healthy?

Zebras and Their Stripes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Animals are very different from each other. Every animal has its own distinct characteristics and appearance. Have you ever wondered why zebras have stripes?

The article below shows a very interesting reason behind the animal’s skin pattern and its purpose.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191031-the-truth-behind-why-zebras-have-stripes

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, explain the study and why zebras have stripes.
  2. What other interesting animal features do you know of? How are they helpful to them or to us humans?
  3. What are implications of the number of endangered animals increasing?
  4. Have you got any pets or interest in animals? What are your preferences when it comes to animals?

Censorship and Freedom of Speech

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B2 – Upper-intermediate

The world was shocked  when a Paris publication was attacked and resulted in the death of 12 people. This particular event leads a debate towards freedom of speech.

https://www.voanews.com/europe/hollande-vows-protect-all-faiths-muslims-protest-hebdo-reprinting

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion about freedom of speech?
2. Is it dangerous to be aggressive when you are a member of the press?
3. How do limits play a role in freedom of expression?