Category: Class

How Misbehaving Made One Man a Multimillionaire

C1 – Advanced

Jack Cator was your normal teenage school boy; defying and challenging the rules. But what he got out of that persistent attitude was quite extraordinary.

Read the article below to know more about Jack and his business and its humble beginnings.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32702501

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, explain how Jack Cator was able to come up with his business.
  2. What challenges did he encounter along the way and how did he overcome them?
  3. What do you know about VPNs?
  4. Have you experienced doing business remotely with people you’ve never met before? Describe that experience.
  5. How were you like as a 16-year-old?

Nepal Earthquakes

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C1 – Advanced

On April 25, 2015, Nepal was hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that cost thousands of lives and left so many injured.

Below is an article to look back on the devastation that hit a country and affected so many. Take a look at the before-and-after photos included in the article.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32479909

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you know of the earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015?
2. Have you experienced natural disasters such as earthquakes?
3. What are some catastrophes you’ve witnessed?
4. Is your country prepared in case a natural disaster hits?

Grammar: Double Negatives

B1 – Intermediate

Double negatives in a sentence or clause are often confusing, that is why teachers tell students to avoid using them. They are also considered a taboo in English grammar.

Watch the video then read the article below to know more about the origin of double negatives and how it can be used properly.

Everyday Grammar: The Story of the Double Negative

Discuss:

1. Explain the two kinds of double negatives.
2. Which double negative should be avoided when taking exams or when applying for school or a job?
3. Give your own examples of double negatives.

Top Cities to Visit

B1 – Intermediate

There are many cities in the world that most people like to visit. Perhaps you’ve been to one of them.

It is very important to know some information you can use if you’re planning your next out-of-the-country trip.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the top 25 cities to visit.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/top-25-cities-to-visit-in-the-world/2760339.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which of the cities in the article have you been to? Talk about your experiences there.
  2. Which ones do you want to visit one day and why?
  3. Which cities are the easiest and hardest for you to visit and why?
  4. What is your ultimate dream destination? Why do you want to visit this country so much?
  5. What are some of the best things to do when someone visits your city/country?

Trafficked into Prostitution

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Human trafficking, by definition, is the trade of humans, mostly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. Millions of people are being trafficked at any given time.  Prostitution is akin to trafficking and is a social problem difficult to abolish.

Watch the video to know about Ope’s story then read the article for extra information.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32235112

Discussion Questions:

  1. It is said that “Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession.” Would you agree or disagree?
  2. What are your thoughts on human trafficking and prostitution?
  3. How big a problem is prostitution for a country?
  4. Should prostitution be legalized? Explain your stance.

Treadmills Linked with Fatalities

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Dave Goldberg was a very successful entrepreneur who died of a severe head trauma after falling off a treadmill. The cause of the fall isn’t clear yet. Some people would call Goldberg’s death a freak accident.

Read the article below to have more information on how dangerous some exercise equipment can be.

http://www.livescience.com/50744-dave-goldberg-treadmill-accidents.html

Discussion Questions:

1. After reading the article, do you think using a treadmill is that dangerous?
2. What other considerations do we need to take before we use any exercise machine?
3. Do you know of any other gym-related accidents?

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs with COME

B2 – Upper intermediate

Read the list of phrasal verbs with the word “come” and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences as well.

Vocabulary: phrasal verbs with “come”

Discuss:

1. What are some of the interesting things (facts, food or culture) that you’ve come across with?
2. When was the last time you came down with something? How serious was it? What do you do stay healthy?
3. Have you ever cancelled an event or a meeting because something came up?
4. Who comes up with vacation ideas in your family?

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs with PUT

B2 – Upper intermediate

Read the list of phrasal verbs with the word “put” and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences as well.

Vocabulary: phrasal verbs with “put”

Discuss:

1. Have you ever put something off because of an emergency?
2. What are some of the reason you’d be put off by something like a film or a topic?
3. What commodity prices have been put up recently?
4. Have you ever put someone up during their vacation? Has anyone done the same for you?
5. What are some of the things that you can put up with and some things that you can’t?

Green Energy for Denmark

C1 – Advanced

When it comes to renewable energy, Denmark aims high. By 2020,  the country would like to get half of its energy from the wind. There are hopes that there will be environmental focus to inspire people to go green.

Watch the video below to know more about some of the efforts that Denmark is doing to be a greener country.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the video, what are organizations doing to be environmentally conscious?
2. Do you think that your country is working on the same issue as well?
3. Is having a green house something that you’re interested in?

Speaking Activity: Asking A Favor

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B1 – Intermediate

A favor is something you do to help someone. When asking for a favor we usually ask people to help us and, most of the time, we ask politely making sure that it is not an inconvenience.

Click the title below to practice your speaking skills and learn the words we can use when asking for a favor. Be ready to discuss new phrases and to answer discussion questions.

Topic: Asking a favor