Category: Homework

Macron Vows to ‘Piss Off’ Unvaccinated

B2 – Upper Intermediate

President Emmanuel Macron promised to make the lives of the unvaccinated population in France difficult and inconvenient. He did so using what some people say, unfit language. This did not sit well with everyone in the country.

Read about the reactions to Macron’s statements about his strategy with the unvaxxed citizens of France.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59873833

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Macron’s statements on making unvaccinated people’s lives “in the shit”?
  2. Some people think that what he did and the things he said were divisive. Do you agree or disagree?
  3. What is it like being unvaxxed in your country?
  4. What do you think of unvaccinated people?
  5. What might be reasons people refuse to get vaxxed?

Treating Covid Like an Endemic Illness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

After having lived for so many years of the pandemic life, I think it’s safe to say that most of us have had enough. As a result, more and more countries are calling for Covid to be treated like the flu which is an endemic illness.

Spain is one of the first countries to suggest that we all should just start living with it.

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

https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/18/spain-to-move-from-treating-covid-19-as-a-pandemic-to-an-endemic

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this? Is it really time for us to start treating Covid much like the flu?
  2. What would be advantages and disadvantages of doing this now?
  3. How has your life changed because of the pandemic?
  4. What is the first thing you’d do once the world ‘goes back to normal’ again?

Debunking the Myths of OCD

B2 – Upper Intermediate

OCD is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. An obsession is an unwanted thought that repeatedly enters your mind while compulsion is a repetitive behavior that you feel you need to do to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings.

For example, someone with an obsessive fear of being burgled may feel they need to check all the windows and doors are locked several times before they can leave their house.

Watch the video to know more about the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What treatments are available for OCD?
  2. Do you think the obsessions in OCD can lead to aggressive or violent behavior? Why?
  3. Do you know someone who has an OCD?
  4. Do you keep checking things over and over again?
  5. Do you have frequent unwanted thoughts that seem uncontrollable? Do you try to get rid of these thoughts and, if so, what do you do?

The Nobel Prize

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every October, the committees in Sweden and Norway give Nobel Prizes in six areas to acknowledge innovative contribution of the chosen winners in their respective field.

Let’s watch the video and learn more about the selection process, areas, some notable laureates and the prize itself.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the prestigious Nobel Prize?
  2. What can you say about the irony of its origin?
  3. What are the different areas of the Nobel Prize?
  4. What other areas or categories do you think should be added?
  5. Do you know any Nobel Prize winners? Do you think they deserve it?

The Forgotten Art of Hitchhiking

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hitchhiking is a form of transportation that is done by asking people, mostly strangers, for a ride in their car for free. This way of travelling is very appealing, especially to those who are travelling on a budget.

Read this article about the forgotten art of hitchhiking — and why it disappeared

https://www.vox.com/2015/6/8/8737623/hitchhiking

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘hitchhike’?
  2. Is hitchhiking common in your country? Why/why not?
  3. Have you ever hitched a ride?
  4. Why do you think some states in the US banned this form of transportation?
  5. If you were the driver, would you be kind enough to pick up a total stranger off the side of the road? Why/why not?

World Health Organization Introduces Gaming Disorder

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Video games have been very popular since they were introduced. Kids and adults alike love playing video games. It is a way to relax and enjoy the time and even bond with family and friends. Video games have even been helpful in some situations and in managing some medical conditions.

With video games getting more and more accessible, more people get access and play more, which can sometimes be too much, leading to a disorder. Because of this, the World Health Organization has added this to their list of diseases, calling it gaming disorder.

Read the article below on what gaming disorder is according to the WHO.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/world-health-organisation-introduces-gaming-disorder.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think it is just right for the WHO to include this disorder? Why or why not?
  2. Who do you think are those most likely to have this disorder?
  3. What could be the possible causes of these disorders? What would be the best way to manage this disorder?  
  4. What were some games that you liked playing as a child? How about as a grown-up?
  5. Do you prefer video games or other game types? Why?

The Science of Spiciness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Studies show that there is no such thing as a spice-loving gene; no one is born loving hot sauce. Instead, the love for spicy food is learned, a result of repeated exposure to spices.

It means those who hate spice can actually train themselves, over time, to love the stuff.

Watch the video to know more information about how our bodies handle spicy food.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like eating spicy food?
  2. Are spicy foods healthy or dangerous?
  3. What are the benefits of spicy foods?
  4. Do you know someone who can eat extremely spicy food?
  5. Do you think eating spicy food increases metabolism?



People Lose Jobs in Webinar

B1 – Intermediate

Getting fired is such a terrible experience. It puts a worker in a difficult situation. It will leave someone with a lot of questions, especially when they know they were doing well in their job. Now that a lot of companies have also removed employees and have stopped hiring, it would be more difficult to recover and get another job.

For some employees at one company, they were caught by surprise during a conference call. They were left helpless, clueless, and jobless right before the holidays.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript in the link below on how this CEO fired his employees.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-lose-jobs-in-webinar-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you feel if you were fired this way?
  2. How could the CEO have handled the situation better?
  3. What are some common reasons why companies remove or fire employees?
  4. Do you know someone who got fired? What happened and how did they take it?
  5. What are your company policies when firing or removing employees?
  6. Do you know of some companies who have removed or fired employees because of the pandemic? What are they?

Getting What You Want in a Negotiation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Negotiating our way in the workplace can sound daunting and challenging. It can sometimes take all our energy preparing for it. Whether it’s something big or small, negotiating for something that we need for our job is part of our work life. Some might think that there are only certain people that are gifted with special skills to effectively negotiate their way through situations.  This is not true. These skills can be learned, and anyone can successfully and effectively negotiate once these skills are gained. 

Watch this video to learn the ways to be ready in negotiations:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your experiences with negotiations in the workplace?
  2. Do you feel worried when you think of negotiating? Why or why not?
  3. Which of these tips seems the easiest to do? Which seems the hardest?
  4. What are some effective ways that you use when negotiating in any situation?
  5. When was the last time you had a failed negotiation? What could you have done better in that situation?
  6. What are some tips that you can add to the list?

Habits that Damage Your Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Your brain is obviously a very important part of your body. It carries a lot of information around and has the main control for every function that happens in your day-to-day life.

Watch the video to know some of the considered brain-damaging habits.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which habits are you guilty of?
  2. Why do you think lack of socializing can be harmful for you?
  3. How do you take care of your brain?