phone english blog
B1 – Intermediate
For this activity, you’ll be able to talk about family and family life. Be ready to share some of your experiences.
Click the title below and be ready to have a discussion.
C1 – Advanced
In 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a certain presidential decree that has brought forth shock and outrage among the populace.
Find out why Russia’s head of state issued this ban and how the citizens reacted. Watch the videos included in the resource to get extra information.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33818186
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Recent studies have shown that negative vibes have stronger influence in the workplace. An employee with a negative behavior could easily influence the rest of the team and might have undesirable effects on the team dynamics and quality of work.
Read the article to learn more about how negative behavior at work affect others around.
There is an old saying: It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch. The idiom can be applied to every day life. A recent research report indicates that “one bad apple” can quickly spoil the atmosphere of the office. An employee with a negative attitude brings conflict and stress to the workplace. A problem employee usually doesn’t do an equal amount of work, is always unhappy and complaining, and bullies others.
Negative behavior, the researchers found, is much stronger than positive behavior. As such, several positive employees can’t change the mood created by one negative teammate. In fact, it often leads to a downward spiral, with more and more employees becoming unhappier and unhappier as time continues. The news comes out of the University of Washington.
In order to solve the problem, companies need to deal with the negativity immediately. One answer is to have the employee work alone as much as possible. In effect, he should be isolated from other team members work-wise. Better yet, ensure that effective hiring practices prevent the problem from entering the building. Training managers to better determine potential hires helps, as do personality tests. These can identify and remove emotionally unstable or disagreeable people.
Case in point: The wife of the report’s lead author noticed that when a problem employee at her office was sick for several days, the atmosphere quickly changed. People began to help one another. They played classical music on their radios. Many went out for drinks after work. However, once the problem returned, the toxic atmosphere returned, too.
Source: headsupenglish.com
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper intermediate
Columbus Day is known as the most disputed holiday in the US. For the Native Americans, Columbus was very devastating to them, as he enslaved the natives and caused depression in the place. Columbus’ critics say that he did not land in America on that day and he did not discover America because it has long been inhabited by the natives.
Read the article below and be ready to have a discussion.
Discuss:
1. Is Christopher Columbus celebrated as an important person in Spanish history?
2. What is your opinion about the Americans dispute about “Columbus Day”?
3. Is there any controversial or disputed holiday in Spain?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Pay attention while listening and reading along with this very interesting article. You will find that some verbs are coined from animal names.
Take note of how some nouns can be used as verbs.
Discuss:
1. In your own words, explain what it means to weasel your way out of something.
2. Have you ever been hounded by someone to do something?
3. What does it mean to fish for compliments?
4. Aside from the ones used in the article, what other animals can be used as verbs?
B1 – Intermediate
To leave or not to leave? Most families and individuals have been choosing the option of moving to another country to find a better life. Would you consider yourself one of them?
Are you tired of your home country? Do you dream of better opportunities abroad? Do you sincerely believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you and 700 million other people in the world want to emigrate. This figure may sound like a lot, and it is. However, let’s make this large number even easier to understand. 700 million people exceed the entire adult populations of North and South America combined.
The largest numbers of people who want to emigrate come from sub-Saharan Africa. Roughly 38% of adults from this region would prefer to settle elsewhere. However, in Asia, only 10% of the population wants to move. Although reasons weren’t given, Asia’s huge potential for growth likely limited the number seeking lives elsewhere. Sub-Saharan Africa remains a desolate and desperate place for its inhabitants, and experts forecast an even darker future.
The top destination is overwhelmingly the US, despite an economy that continues to struggle. Britain, Canada, and France were all tied for second most desirable country for immigration, with roughly 45 million stating they desired to relocate here. Spain came in third with 35 million votes, and Saudi Arabia was fourth with 30 million. About 25 million desired to emigrate to either Australia or Germany.
There remains the generally idea of prosperity for people in the US, Britain, and other countries. This might serve as the main reason that people in economically depressed regions wish to emigrate. The global economy continues to struggle, with a similar outlook for the near future. But once these countries get back on their feet, citizens there have many more opportunities than the inhabitants in developing countries.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper intermediate
South Korean employees are finding ways to get energized and catch up on some sleep.
Read the article below to know more details about the issue. Be ready to express your thoughts.
Discuss:
1. What do you think of the idea of relaxation parlours?
2. Are there rooms in your office where you can take a power nap or a short break?
3. Would you say that people in your country work long hours?
4. What are the long term consequences of working very long hours?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Having one’s own business used to be something people did post-retirement. But with the long-drawn out unemployment crisis in Spain, it has become the only option left for many. The real issue however, is how to convert these people ‘s talents and skills into a regular source of income.
Watch the video and find out if self-employment is the key to the unemployment problem in Spain.
Discuss:
1. What do you think of self-employment as a source of income? Would you consider it yourself?
2. Do you think the Spanish government is doing enough to support self-employed individuals?
3. What qualities should a self-employed individual have in order to succeed?
4. What are the pros and cons of being self-employed?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Stress is inevitable. We’ve got small ones and big ones.
Read the article below to know some ways we can deal with stress on a daily basis. Express your thoughts afterwards.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper intermediate
In a room filled with people whom you have to speak to, it can be such a challenge to remember everyone’s name. The article below will give you an interesting tip on recalling someone’s name. Perhaps something you can use at the next party.
Discuss:
1. According to the article, what’s a good way to remember names?
2. How good are you at remembering?
3. What are some of the things you do to help remember events and birthdays?