Category: Class

Beyonce Leaked Photos

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Unedited images of Beyonce have circulated over the Internet showing the famous singer’s natural looks.  Reactions to the leaked photos have been mixed, and discussions have begun anew regarding the representation of women in television and print media.

Watch the video and be ready to express your thoughts about this topic.

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/02/19/orig-elbagir-beyonce-loreal-unretouched-photos.cnn

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to one interview in the video, what were the reactions to Beyonce’s unedited photos? What is your opinion on the photo?
  2. How does photo editing in advertisements affect women’s self-image?
  3. Where do you stand on editing photos that are published for the public?
  4. Why do you think celebrity photos are often edited?
  5. Should we edit the selfies that we upload to social network sites? Why or why not?

Bad Luck Can Cause Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You’ve got people who smoke and live to be 90. Then you’ve got fit ones who are diagnosed with cancer in their 40s. A research from the Johns Hopkins Medicine says that it could be bad luck cancer – and it’s could be the primary cause for some cases of cancer.

Read the article and watch the video to know the role bad luck plays in some cancer cases.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/02/health/cancer-random-mutation/

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to researchers, someone who smoked and still lived to be 90 just got plain good luck and those who live like Puritans and get cancer anyway — that’s bad luck – and it’s the primary cause of most cancer cases. Does luck have anything to do with cancer risk factors? Share your thoughts on this.
  2. Share your insights on this, “Some forms of cancer (like lung and skin cancer) are exceptions, where lifestyle and environment play a big role.”
  3. What are your thoughts on this, “All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity.”
  4. Do you see a lot of money going into cancer research in your country? Talk about this matter.

Is Your Voice Holding You Back?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We’re guilty of judging people based on how they sound. We’ve also made fun of some along the way. Let’s find out how people perceive voice in general and how we can make some improvements.

Click the link below to read the article. Watch the video as well to get extra information on how your voice can hold you back.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20150302-when-your-voice-is-a-turnoff

 Discussion Questions:

1. Why do some people want to change their voice?
2. What is vocal fry and what do you think about it?
3. Have you ever been annoyed by anyone because of the sound of their voice?

Cities with the Worst Traffic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Traffic by definition is the movement of vehicles, ships, aircraft, or persons in an area or over a route. Do you know some terminologies involved when talking about traffic? This article will provide some terms as you also learn the current top 10 cities in the world with the worst traffic.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/top-ten-cities-for-worst-traffic-jakarta-istabul-gridlock-stress-public-transportation/2665040.html

 Discussion Questions:

  1. How bad is the traffic condition in your city?
  2. What can you say about rush hour traffic in your city?
  3. How do you commute to work?

Kinds of People You Don’t Want in a Meeting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As professionals we’ve had our share of endless meetings. Some were productive but some were pointless. The agenda is important but so are the people attending the meeting. It turns out that meeting participants can affect the mood or environment in a meeting.

Here is an article to help you identify what kind of meeting  attendee you should and shouldn’t be.

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2015/02/25/13-types-of-meeting-attendees-you-dont-want-to-be

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you recognized any of the types among your colleagues?
2. Are you any of these types?
3. What do you think is the worst kind of attendee?
4. Can you think of other type/s that you can add to the list?

Flying Food

B1 – Intermediate

In order to attract new customers, entrepreneurs should know how to make their clients interested in what they have to offer. They can invest in a really amazing location, in hardworking staff, or even in state-of-the-art equipment just like in a restaurant in Singapore.

Click below to watch the video then answer the activities to practice your comprehension.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/witn/ep-150211

 Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of this restaurant?
2. Have you been to a similar establishment?
3. Would you like to be served by a “drone”?
4. Tell me about an exciting restaurant experience you’ve had.

Three-Person Babies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Britain is the first country to have a type of procedure called ” mitochondrial replacement therapy.” It is to avoid women from passing diseases or disorders to their children.

However, there are different public reactions to this procedure that really frightens and offends others.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/three-person-babies-debate-science-religion/2663320.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your stand on this treatment?
2. Would you dare try MRT even if it may threaten your and your child’s health?
3. What is your opinion on gene mutation?
4. Has science gone beyond it distinctive procedures?

Video: Does Playful Equal Productive?

C1 – Advanced

Rat race. Dog-eat-dog. Just two idioms that have been used to describe today’s corporate world. One design company, however, has decided to follow a growing trend among high-performing companies, that of fostering creativity through a less stressful office environment.

But can work and play truly co-exist? The employees at Pearfisher seem to think so. Watch the video, then come back to weigh in with your thoughts.

This office has a giant ball pit for its employees

Discuss:

1. What do the terms “rat race” and “dog-eat-dog” mean? Do these describe your workplace?
2. What big-name companies mentioned in the video have taken a different tack by designing creative spaces for their employees?
3. Based on the video, explain the “power of play.”
4. Would you prefer working in a “non-goal-orientated environment”?
5. What are the benefits that can be derived from working in a low-pressure environment? What are the drawbacks?
6. Are creative spaces suitable for all kinds of companies?

Qualities Shared by Superstar Employees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Are you a superstar employee?  Is your boss happy about your performance?

Let’s check some valuable characteristics an indispensable worker must possess.

Read the article below to know the traits you can embody to become a superstar employee. Be sure to also watch the video.

http://www.inc.com/kevin-daum/11-traits-of-extremely-valuable-employees.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about the qualities mentioned?
2. Do you have some, if not all, of these characteristics?
3. Which one do you think is the easiest to do? Which one do you think is the hardest?
4. How can you become indispensable in your company?

Eating Habits for Better Thinking

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C1 – Advanced

Have you fed your brain yet? There are some eating habits that can help you boost your brainpower.  Optimize your thinking ability by making a slight diet or lifestyle change.

Click the title below to know more about the four kinds of food that are good for the brain.

4 eating habits that could boost your critical thinking

Discuss:

1. Do you agree with what the article is saying?
2. Aside from those mentioned, do you know of other brain food that we can eat for better critical thinking?
3. How do you stay focused at work?