What is Good Business?

C1 – Advanced

Often times, we have this notion that most corporations operate in unjust and corrupt ways. Are there ways to make any business good?

Watch the video below to learn about the six things needed in achieving not only a profitable business culture but also one that is ethical.

Discussion Questions:
1. Talk about the six things that make a good business.
2. Think of other things that are necessary in order to have a good business.
3. Talk about some good companies in your country.
4. Imagine putting up your own business, what would it be and why? Talk about details of your dream business.
5. Would you prefer to be a robber baron or make a bit of cash doing good things?

Venezuelans Escape to Spain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

During Franco’s dictatorial regime, Spanish fled to Venezuela to seek refuge. Decades later, Venezuelans want to do the same and ask Spain for its compassion now that the tables have turned.

Read more on the Venezuelans’ plea for asylum in Spain in the article below.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45640307

Discussion Questions:
1. Should more Venezuelan refugees be accepted in Spain?
2. What are the positives and pushbacks of providing asylum to Venezuelan refugees?
3. What is your position on this matter?

How Cheese is Made

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cheese is one of those foods that is universally adored. We love it on pizza, pasta, toast and others. We love it on just about anything!

In this video, check out these two different creameries,and how they manufacture their own handmade cheese.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is cheese made? Would you like to try making some yourself?
  2. Do you like cheese? What are some of your favorite types and what do you normally eat it with?
  3. Talk about cheeses from your country. How are they different from others?

Confusing Words in English

There are words in English that look alike or sound alike but have completely different meanings. It’s easy to get confused with them.

Here is a quick reference on how to properly use some words like: fun-funny, surprise-shocked and famous – popular in daily conversations.

Watch the video to learn more.

 

Activity:

1. Explain the meaning of each word. How are they different from each other?

2. In what situations do you confuse these words?

3. Do you know any other confusing words?

4. Try to use these confusing words correctly in your own sentences.

 

How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Are you worried about your skin when the temperature drops?

As fall and winter come, your skin dries up as the wind steals away its moisture then the battle for having healthy skin begins.

Let’s watch Dr. Whitney Bowe as she gives some tips on how to keep skin hydrated.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the tips and tricks mentioned that can help protect your skin during fall/winter?
2. What is Hyaluronic acid?
3. How do you take care of your skin?

Why Men Have Short Hair

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hair fashions may change season to season, but the norm persisted that men needed to keep their hair short for sanitary reasons. Also, many view men with long hair as lazy slackers while those with short hair are seen as industrious.

However, since when – and why – did men begin cutting their hair short?

Find the story behind this in the video below.

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe your hairstyle.

2. In Spain, what is the trendy hairstyle for men and women nowadays?

3. How do you view men with long hair? How about women with short hair?

4. How do you think hair or hairstyles can affect our perception of a person’s personality?

The Butterfly Effect

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A man quit his job for being mistreated by his manager. But before he did, he told about his bad experience to the other employees that resulted to three other people leaving the company.

When those people found themselves unemployed, they decided to start their own business. After some time and a lot of hard work, their business became very successful to the extent that they started competing with the company they used to work for. Under the pressure of the fierce competition the old company declared bankruptcy.

A small unnoticeable change can result in a very big one later on, can’t it?

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the Butterfly Effect. Do you believe in it, or do you believe that the courses of events in this world are predetermined or inevitable?

2. Tell about your own experience of the Butterfly Effect. Think of one action that you did today. How do you think it had created a change in the events of this day?

3. How do you think your studies of English now can cause a difference in other people’s lives in the future?

How I Trained My Cats

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to many pet owners, cats are generally more difficult to train than dogs. In this video, though, a blogger named Jun shows his way of training his cats in order to have a harmonious home life with his furry friends.

If you have a cat, or thinking of getting one, do not miss this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a pet? Do you like pets? Why or why not?
  2. How does Jun train his cats? What can you say about his methods?
  3. If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you pick?

The Golden Child Syndrome

C1 – Advanced

We are used to thinking of many of the psychological problems of adulthood arise from a lack of affection in our early years. We grow mentally weak because somewhere in the past, we were not given the necessary love and care that we needed. Indeed, it’s difficult not to have been loved by one’s parents, but there’s a real challenge too in having been loved too much, which is regarded as ‘the golden child syndrome.’ Golden children suffer from the immense burden of expectation placed on their shoulders by their parents.

Watch the video below to learn more about the golden child syndrome.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the golden child syndrome? What are its effects on an individual?
  2. How would you describe your childhood?
  3. How would you describe your parent’s way of raising you?
  4. What do you think is the best way to raise children?
  5. How do you think your childhood affected you?

Citizens Give Cash to Help the Government

B1 – Intermediate

All countries have debts that they need to pay. This is why the government tries its best to find ways to pay for them.

In Malaysia, the citizens did something to help the government pay the country’s debts.

Read the article and learn how Malaysians helped the government.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1806/180603-crowdfunding-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on what the Malaysians did?
2. Would you give money to your government to pay your country’s debts?
3. Have you ever used crowdfunding to collect money for something/someone?
4. Have you ever given money to someone/for something by crowdfunding?
5. What are your thoughts on crowdfunding?