Category: Homework

Dealing with Meeting Overload

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is probably not a single employee in the world who’s free from meetings. The work culture nowadays is so obsessed with meetings that it takes the productivity out of the employee. Instead of focusing on essential work or projects, employees have to sit through some long hours trying to dissect some agenda that oftentimes can be dealt with by a few people in a few minutes.

Now that the digital workspace has been a generally acceptable avenue for the current situation, employees are no less immune to the demands of a meeting now and then. Being able to reach people even when they’re away from the office gives more reasons to accommodate calls for meetings because it is now more possible to do so.

So how do we alter this culture and improve productivity? It really is in our hands. Watch this video for some tips on what to do to be more in control of your calendar.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What has been your experience with meetings in the workplace?
  2. Do you agree with the tips laid out in the video? Why or why not?
  3. Which of the tips is the most effective? Why?
  4. Have you tried any of the tips mentioned in the video? How did it go?
  5. What other tips would you add to the list that would be effective in managing your schedule?

How to Master Small Talk as an Introvert

B2 – Upper Intermediate

By definition, introverts are individuals who get easily worn out by socializing and mostly dislike shallow conversations.

Watch the video to know some tips on how to manage small talk and avoid being socially uncomfortable despite being an introvert.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like or dislike small talks? Why or why not?
  2. What can be done to be good at making conversations with people you’ve just met?
  3. Who are some prominent figures today who you would consider introverted? How do they normally conduct themselves in a group or in front of the public?
  4. What advice would you give to introverted newly-hired employees?
  5. Would you rather be an extrovert or an introvert? Explain.

Why We Forget the Things We Learn

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Memories make us who we are. They hold very important knowledge about our lives. They provide us with a sense of self and make up our continual experience of life.

They have a fundamental role in all learning because they let you store and retrieve the information that you learn. However, for some people, it is difficult to retain things they’ve read or learned but they easily remember some of the most trivial information.

Let’s listen to the audio below to find out why we tend to forget the things we learn.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-211118

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a poor or a good memory? Explain.
  2. When was the last time you forgot something? What did you forget? Why do you think you forgot it?
  3. Is it good to have a perfect memory? Why or why not?
  4. Are you good at remembering names/numbers/faces/dates? Share some experiences.
  5. What techniques do you use to remember things?

Companies Lean Harder on Non-Parents

B2 – Upper Intermediate

With work getting very demanding nowadays, certain groups of workers are affected by some work arrangements. Parents can easily get away with leaving work early, getting extra days off, or not showing up because of domestic duties. The pressure to cover certain hours or work loads now falls on workers without kids.

Little by little, non-parents feel as if their voices or needs are not as important or respected as those of the parents. They believe that they also deserve the same benefits or leeway that the companies give parents.

Read the article below to see the differences in the work setup that non-parents experience and what they yearn for from the management.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211005-is-modern-office-culture-unfair-to-non-parents

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that there’s a huge tension building up between parents and non-parents in the workplace? Why?
  2. Do you believe that there are higher expectations for non-parents to work harder and perform better? Why?
  3. Why do you think it’s important for company management to take their employees’ concerns into account?
  4. What are some policies that you can propose for a good working environment?
  5. What are some countries that have some of the best working environments?

Flight Attendants Wear Comfortable Clothes

B1 – Intermediate

Flight attendants must maintain a certain look. We usually see flight attendants in a business jacket with either pants, skirt, or dress, hair neatly pulled back, all made-up, and wearing heels. However, flight attendants of a Ukrainian airline told their company they are not happy wearing heels and tight skirts anymore.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about flight attendants’ new way of dressing.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/flight-attendants-wear-comfortable-clothes-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the normal flight attendant’s clothes or uniform?
  2. What can you say about flight attendants being able to wear comfortable pants and shoes?
  3. Do you think this initiative could be good for the company? Why or why not?
  4. What was the best and worst experience you have had with a flight attendant?

Facebook Changes Name

B1 – Intermediate

Facebook has been in the middle of controversies recently. In order to save the company, they have decided to change its name. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Facebook’s name change.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/facebook-changes-name-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Facebook changing its name?
  2. Do you think this could help save their company?
  3. What advice can you give Mark Zuckerberg?
  4. What business moves can a company do to save their company if their situation is getting bad?
  5. Are you a Facebook user? Why or why not?

The Plant that Grows Meat

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms that have had their genes altered in some way. Genetic engineering can be done with plants, animals, or even bacterias.

In Iceland, researchers are growing genetically modified barley plants inside a greenhouse to create lab-grown meat. They believe that this cutting-edge approach can lower costs, enhance food production and quality, and eliminate dependence on live animals.

Let’s watch the video to learn more about the process of genetically modifying barley plants to grow meat.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-58709069

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this process of genetically modifying plants to create lab-grown meat?
  2. Do you think GM food is safe to eat? Explain your stand.
  3. People in the US have been eating genetically modified food for many years without ill effects. Why do you think some people in the rest of the world still have doubts?
  4. Is GM experimentation “unnatural”? Are all “unnatural” things bad? Elaborate on your stand.
  5. How can GM food solve the global problem on food shortage?

Four Seasons

B1 – Intermediate

Do you sometimes wish it could be summer all year round? Summer times are relaxing and fun. But as delightful as it is, we need the other seasons as well.

The different amounts of sunlight around the Earth during the year creates the seasons. The Earth’s orbit, rotation on its axis, and its tilt are all the reasons for spring, winter, autumn, and summer.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the four seasons.

https://listenaminute.com/f/four_seasons.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your favorite season? What do you like about it?
  2. What is the best season to visit your country and why?
  3. Does summer feel hotter than it used to? Is autumn shorter or longer? How have the seasons changed?
  4. Do you always shop for new clothes when the season changes? Why or why not?
  5. If you could eliminate one season so that it no longer existed, which would you choose?
  6. John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” Do agree that we need winter so that we appreciate summer? Explain your thoughts.

#TeamSeas: Removing 30 Million Pounds of Trash

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you browsed the internet in 2019, you would have probably heard of Team Trees, a campaign started by Mr. Beast and Mark Rober, two very famous content creators found on YouTube. This campaign showed that the younger generation still care about Earth’s environment and they have done it again.

Every 1 US dollar donated to this campaign, 1 pound of trash will be removed from the ocean. Many content creators are supporting this campaign and as of writing, #TeamSeas has already gathered $14,379,559.00 in donations.

Let us find out what #TeamSeas is about by watching the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think #TeamSeas will reach its goal of 30 Million US dollars?
  2. If you had spare money, would you donate to this amazing cause?
  3. In your opinion, will #TeamSeas help the planet?
  4. Based on this campaign, do you think it’s possible that there will be 90% less trash in the ocean by 2040? Is it possible, in your opinion?

Why Are We Wasting So Much Food?

C1 – Advanced

It’s all too common in this day and age that food waste statistics are jarring. Food can be wasted in the supply chain that begins on the farm, then goes through the harvest, packing, processing, and retail shops.

There are 1 billion malnourished people around the globe and yet one-third of edible food products are wasted every year.

Watch the video to know more about food waste.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can food-waste minimization be achieved? What can you do in your daily life to limit food waste?
  2. With food prices so low, how can we convey to consumers the value of food and importance of not wasting it? 
  3. What are the top three things governments can do to encourage food loss and waste reduction in their countries?