Category: Homework

A Better Way to Track Passenger Planes

B2 – Upper intermediate

Considering the recent airplane crash incidents and disappearance, airline industry leaders and regulators want to improve airline safety. They want planes to have more dependable devices that can follow planes as they fly.

Watch the video and read the article to find out their proposal to a better way to track passenger planes.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/is-there-a-better-way-to-track-passenger-plane/2607915.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinions about some proposals/devices that are being considered by the International Civil Aviation Organization or ICAO’s.
  2. What went through your mind when you heard the news about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “We need better information-sharing across borders. We need better human intelligence on who’s on the passenger manifest and better sharing about that. We need better intelligence on crew personnel.“
  4. What can you say about this, “None of the new technology would prevent crashes. But they will help find downed planes more quickly. This might bring comfort to the family members of those who died.” Share your insights.
  5. Are you comfortable traveling by plane considering its risks? Why or why not?

Myth about Phone Privacy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Selfies and social networks have become ubiquitous in today’s modern world.

Just how secure are mobile phones and social media platforms?  With so much information being self-disclosed by millions of tech users globally, answers pertaining to data collection and use and safeguards for data protection should be everyone’s concern.

Read the article, and weigh in with your ideas on the issue.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150206-biggest-myth-about-phone-privacy

Discussion Questions:

  1. What information can hackers get from people’s use of smartphones and social networks?
  2. Do you read the Privacy Policy of each social network that you sign up for? Why or why not?
  3. According to the article, what can you do to safeguard your privacy online?
  4. Do the advantages of using social networks and smartphone applications outweigh the risk of online information leaks? Explain.
  5. Share your thought on this: “As a fundamental rule remember this: if you don’t want information like your photos to end up in unwanted hands, then don’t send it.“.
  6. Talk about any privacy issues you’ve had using your phone or social media websites. How did you deal with/resolve it?

Bullying Killed a Teen

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people feel good when they bully others. They think they can gain friends by doing it or that their images will be elevated without realizing the dangers bullying can cause.

Read the article and watch the video to have a wider insight about bullying.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/its-bullying-killed-me-dead-teens-mom-fights-protect-law-n298666

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, has bullying gotten worse over the years? Explain.
  2. How can we eliminate bullying?
  3. How are schools in your country dealing with bullying?
  4. Do you think there are enough laws in your country against bullying? Why or why not?
  5. What is the best punishment if someone committed it?

Video: School Kills Creativity

C1 – Advanced

Lets hear a public talk of Ken Robinson, a creative specialist, about the system of education.
According to him, the current school system worldwide kills creativity. As children, we are born as artists but due to the influence of school, we outgrow it.

Additionally, he said that school doesn’t nurture our dynamic and diverse brain.

Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

Click the title for the transcript: Ken Robinson Transcript

Discuss:

1. Do you think that schools do kill a child’s creativity?
2. If you agree, what changes do we need in the school system?
3. Did you enjoy your study when you were a student?

A Guide to Breakups

C1 – Advanced

Almost all of us has experienced loss. Especially during the teenage years, when young men and women start crushing on someone and have their first take on a relationship.

Read the article below to know about Julia’s dating experience and her suggestion of ending affairs.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201101/the-thoroughly-modern-guide-breakups

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you think of Julia’s heartbreaking story?
  2. What can you say about her suggestions when it comes to ending a relationship?
  3. Share any bad experiences when it comes to dating.

Make a Good Impression at a Job Interview

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Job Interview – B2 – Upper intermediate

The way you act and behave during your first interview will be very important in getting your desired job.

Below are some helpful tips on how to bag a job and impress an interviewer.

13 Ways to Make a Good First Impression at Your Next Job Interview

Discuss:

1. Why is it important to have a firm handshake?
2. Describe an appropriate dress code.
3. Aside from the 13 suggestions, what else should we do when in a job interview?
4. Are there specific job practices or customs that you do in your country when having a job interview? (Having phone interviews first, not wearing specific colors to an interview, calling people by their first names, etc.)

Gender Discrimination in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Gender discrimination remains a big issue for many women in the workplace.

Read the article to know the effects of sexism in the workplace on women.

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/effects-gender-discrimination-workplace-2860.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think gender discrimination exists?
  2. Is gender discrimination something that you witness in your workplace? Talk about it in detail.
  3. Have you ever been discriminated against? Share your experience.
  4. What about immigrants or minorities in the workplace? Do they also face some kind of discrimination in your country?
  5. What are the things that can be done to improve gender equality in the workplace?

Female Leaders in the US

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A study done by Pew Research Center suggests that most Americans think that women are very much capable to take leadership positions too. However, females getting into top positions in business and politics is something that doesn’t occur so much yet.

Find out the reasons for this.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/women-capable-top-jobs/2621182.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the results of this study? Share some insights.
  2. What do you think are the reasons for this slow ascend of women in the political and business world?
  3. What are some ways to change this situation?
  4. Have you ever worked with a female boss? Talk about it.

How Reading Can Change You

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C1 – Advanced

Reading has always been a part of people’s lives. You can learn a lot through reading. You read from the time you begin school until the time that you start working. It is one hobby that some people love and adore.

Read the article below to discover how what we read can mould our personalities.

How Reading Can Change You in a Major Way

Discuss:

1. Do you think reading is important?
2. How often do you read?
3. Do you like reading? What are your preferences in books?
4. What are some of the interesting books or stories you’ve read?

Workaholic Fathers ‘Symbolically Absent’

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C1 – Advanced

Recently, the leader of the Catholic Church spoke about fathers whose primary focus has been their work rather than their children.  He explained the important role fathers play in their children’s lives and why a patriarch’s being “symbolically absent” can be a problem not just for his family but society as well.

Read the article below and express your opinions regarding Pope Francis’ views.

Pope criticizes workaholic dads, says they’re ‘symbolically absent’

Discuss:

1. What are a father’s roles in a family?
2. What happens to children when their father is “symbolically absent”?
3. According to the article, some fathers used to practice authoritarianism. What does this mean?
5. Is an authoritarian father better than a father who’s always absent? Why or why not?