The Power of a Mother’s Love

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Unconditional love of a mother is vital to one’s well-being. It has a long-lasting and profound impact to a person’s overall development.

She is the anchor of not only her children’s life but her whole family. Her love is the fuel that gives us power to do impossible things. On her love depends the emotional foundation of her children. The reason why nobody should belittle the power of mother’s love.

Read the article about the power of a mother’s love.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/the-power-of-a-mothers-love/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe your mother. What are her best qualities?
  2. Share your most unforgettable moment with your mother.
  3. Do you consider your mom as your bestfriend? Why or why not?
  4. How can a good mother-child relationship be fostered?

Dealing with Teen Depression

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Teenage years can be arduous especially during the break and peak of Covid-19 when kids and teens need to be stuck in their houses. This occurrence has lessened the vibrance of their social lives which is one of the reasons of their happiness and growth.

Though it may be temporary feelings for them, it is a very serious and debilitating mood disorder that can definitely affect their way of thinking.

Learning more about this will give us an all-around idea for us to understand what teenagers are going through.

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/teenagers-guide-to-depression.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How was your teenage life? What are the best and worst moments that you remember when you were a teenager?
  2. How can you help someone who is going through teenage depression?
  3. What important piece of advice will you give the teenagers of this generation?

How to Stop Overthinking Everything

B2 – Upper Intermediate

They say overthinking is a special form of fear. It becomes worse when emotion and imagination are being added into it. It is worrying about almost all things and thinking everything might go wrong. It kills happiness and destroys peace of mind.

In view of this, let us check some of the ways on how to control or stop being an overthinker.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2016/02/12/6-ways-to-stop-overthinking-everything/?sh=f6b7e65663cd

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the article?
  2. Share your point of view for each point mentioned in the article.
  3. What are the ways that you are applying in your life?
  4. State the disadvantages of overthinking. What might be some advantages of overthinking things?
  5. Do you consider yourself an overthinker? Why or why not?

Good Relationships Are All in the Family

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to Ivan Doig, childhood is the one story that stands by itself and in every soul.

Childhood is one of the most important factors of a human being’s physical and mental development. It has a really great impact to a person’s future in every single way. In this stage, we establish the eagerness and certainty of dealing with our analytical world.

Good or bad, it has a huge influence in our everyday lives as an adult. It extends from our avocation to dealing with crucial events and dilemmas that we encounter throughout our lives.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/good-relationships-are-all-in-the-family/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction about the article?
  2. Do you agree with the result of Harvard University research about this? Why or why not?
  3. Describe your childhood. State the most unforgettable experience you had when you were a child.
  4. How has your childhood impacted your life now?
  5. In your opinion, what is the best way to have an idyllic childhood?

Daylight Saving Time Debate

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of turning the clock one hour ahead when warmer weather approaches and an hour back when it becomes colder again. It has been used for more than a hundred years in order to save energy and make better use of sunlight. However, do its benefits really outweigh its drawbacks?

Read the article and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/daylight-saving-debate.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on Daylight Saving Time (DST) ?
  2. What are the things mentioned in the article do you agree and disagree with and why?
  3. How does DST affect you and your daily routine?

Climate Change Anxiety

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Surprising events like tornadoes, flash floods, earthquakes, and etc. are occurring in different parts of the world. It will make us think that the world we live in is dying and it’s quite distressful just to think what the future would be like for the next generation.

Watch the video and learn more about the rise of climate change anxiety.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt a sense of distress because of climate change? How do you normally cope with it?
  2. Do you think this type of anxiety could be channeled into action? Explain.
  3. Do you think this generation cares about what is going on around us or the climate change? Elaborate.
  4. What could we do to aid and save our planet?
  5. Has climate change moved you to action? What have you done to contribute to easing our problems with climate change?

Private Tutoring Ban

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At present, South Korea’s private tuition industry is growing. In 2006, its education ministry imposed curfew on private education’s operating hours. Long before that, they used to ban private tutoring completely until almost two decades later when South Korea’s constitutional court ruled that it is unconstitutional.

https://www.cato.org/commentary/youll-never-guess-what-south-korea-frowns-upon

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on South Korea’s ban on private tutoring?
  2. Can you really put a price on education? Explain your point.
  3. How can educational opportunities be possibly equalized for everybody?
  4. What are your thoughts on private tutoring?
  5. Is private tutoring common in your country? Did you use to attend after-school classes? Why or why not?

85-Year-Old Woman Finishes College

B1 – Intermediate

Going back to school isn’t just for children. Even parents and grandparents can go back to school too. They say age is not a barrier to education.

In life, things don’t always happen the way we want them to be. We may delay some things like education to prioritize more important things. But it’s definitely never too late to learn and pursue our dreams.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on how an 85-year old woman was able to finish college.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/85-year-old-woman-finishes-college-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that it’s never too late to graduate from college? Explain your answer.
  2. Would you do the same as what Jihad Butto did if you were older and need to finish your education? Why or why not?
  3. Why do students drop out of school?
  4. What might be some challenges faced by an elderly person returning to college?
  5. Do you agree or disagree with the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”?
  6. What advice can you give elderly people so they can manage their anxieties about going back to school?

Celebrating All Saints’ And All Souls Day

B2 – Upper Intermediate

All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day, is a Christian ceremony celebrated in honor of all the saints of the church. People around the world are familiar with the American version of this holiday involving costumes and trick-or-treating. Most of us follow a tradition that originates from All Saints’ Day or All Souls Day come October 31st and November 1st.

Here’s a quick look at some of the ways people celebrate Halloween around the world.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think Halloween is still appropriate to celebrate it today? Why or why not?
  2. How is Halloween celebrated in your country?
  3. Does your family have a special tradition for this holiday?
  4. What other ways to celebrate Halloween do you know of? How did you come to know this?

OPod Tube House

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Is micro-living the future? OPod is a 15sqm/161sqft house; a small but livable space built for many people who want to live debt-free.

Watch the video to know more about small homes and why they could be good for those who are looking to stretch their savings.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What thoughts were running through your mind as you watched the video?
  2. What are the biggest benefits and biggest drawbacks of living in a tiny house such as an OPod?
  3. Can families live in houses such as this? What do you think the kind of life people who live in such spaces be like?
  4. Are tiny homes just a fad or are they here to stay? Elaborate.
  5. Would you like to live in a tiny home? Why or why not?
  6. Will this kind of housing be adaptable in your country? Why or why not?