Tag: Advanced English CAE

High Cost of Illegal Immigration

C1 – Advanced

Illegal, and sometimes legal, immigration has become a hot topic for quite a while. There seems to be no best solution to this issue.

Watch the video below then express your thoughts about it.

Discuss:

1. Is illegal immigration a problem in your country?
2. In your own understanding, how does illegal immigration affect a country?
3. Define “Illegal Alien”.
4. Illegal immigrants have high hopes to get that “Big American Dream”. By this sentence, do you think America is the best country to live in? Why or why not?

Fighting Like a Girl

C1 – Advanced

Watch the video below and know more about Cris Cyborg and the things she has learned with her sport.

Discuss:

1. Who is Cris Cyborg and why was she banned from fighting for a year? What did she learn from this experience?
2. Based on the video, what are some of your limitations when you’re a professional fighter?
3. Are you fond of watching MMA or UFC?
4. What was Cyborg’s advice to girls who would like to try MMA or fighting as a sport?
5. How do you motivate yourself in life and at work, especially during difficult times?
6. What are some of the very important life values that you will learn in sports?

World of Vodou Healing in Haiti

C1 – Advanced

This video shows an interesting part of the culture of Haiti. Click below to watch the video. Be ready to answer discussion questions.

Feel free to use the 360-degree feature in the video to fully appreciate the story.

Let’s Discuss!

1. What is your understand of Voodou (Voodoo)?
2. In the video, what are they preparing for? Why do they have to paint their faces white?
3. Using different adjectives, how would you describe the ceremony?
4. What did the narrator say at the end of the video about her traditions and customs?
5. What practices do you have in your culture that bring people together?

Spain’s Newfound Love of English

C1 – Advanced

Over the past few years, the growing number of English learners has increased. From South East Asia to across Europe.

Below is an interesting article of how Spain has now welcomed the study of the English language.

7 reasons for Spain’s newfound love of English

Discuss:

1. Why is English important?
2. What are the 7 reasons why Spanish people would like to develop their English skills?
3.What age do you think a child should start learning English?
4. What if you spoke English fluently? Do you think you have a different job?/Do you think you have the same job that you have now? Why?

Giving Employees an Ownership Stake

C1 – Advanced

Employees of Chobani learned that they are getting ownership stake that could make them millionaires. They are getting shares worth up to 10 percent of the company when it goes public or is sold. Hamdi Ulukaya, the CEO, believes it’s just right to give the wealth back to his workers who have helped him build this company that is already several billion dollars worth.

Watch the video below to find out more.

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/chobani-ceo-giving-employees-an-ownership-stake-in-yogurt-empire-674292291768

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of Hamdi Ulukaya’s gesture? If you were him, would you do the same thing?
2. What are things that can transform business to a higher level?
3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of being your own boss?
4. Have you ever thought of starting a business?

Voter Records ‘were accessible online’

C1 – Advanced

The beauty of technology is much appreciated. Millions of people rely on technology to get things done – on a daily basis. But once it exposes personal information, expect a barrage of complaints.

Read the article below to find out more about the data breach that happened in Mexico.

Millions of Mexican voter records ‘were accessible online’

Discuss:

1. How was this unsecured database discovered?
2. What were the steps taken to solve this problem?
3. Think of possible scenarios if these information fall into the hands of the wrong people.
4. How would you react if your personal data became publicly accessible on the internet?

FBI Paid Professional Hackers to Crack iPhone

C1 – Advanced

In December 2015, 14 people were killed and 22 were seriously injured in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.

To aid the investigation, the FBI turned to Apple so they can gain access to the iPhone used by a shooter. The tech giant “opposed this order” for reasons such as threats to Data Security – to name one.

The FBI cracked the phone not with the help of Apple but with the cooperation of hackers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fbi-paid-professional-hackers-one-time-fee-to-crack-san-bernardino-iphone/2016/04/12/5397814a-00de-11e6-9d36-33d198ea26c5_story.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on this FBI–Apple encryption dispute?
2. What is your opinion about FBI seeking help of hackers to access the phone?
3. Should private companies willingly aid in crime investigations?
4. What are your thoughts on data security?

India Kolkata Flyover Collapse

C1 – Advanced

In March of 2016, a tragic construction accident happened in Calcutta, leaving a chaotic scene and many injured.

Watch the videos and read the article on the collapse of an Indian flyover.

India Kolkata flyover collapse: At least 20 dead

Discuss:

1. What do you think could have caused the collapse of the flyover?
2. Have you witnessed a similar accident before in your city?
3. What is your opinion on the rescue effort conducted in the article?
4. What can the Indian government do to prevent such accidents in the future?

 

Backpacking across Europe as a Backpack

C1 – Advanced

29-year old Kevan Chandler’s condition is degenerative and incurable. However, he remains inspired by Django Reinhardt’s defiance at his disability.

Just like many guys in their 20s, Chandler attempts to tour France, England, and Ireland with the help of his good friends.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/20/travel/europe-backpacker-muscular-dystrophy/index.html

Words to study:

  1. muscular dystrophy
  2. backpacking
  3. ingenuity
  4. budding
  5. degenerative

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you describe Kevan Chandler?
  2. What do think about his friends?
  3. Have you ever gone backpacking somewhere? Tell us about your experience.
  4. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of backpacking?

Cushy Norwegian Prisons

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C1 – Advanced

Nobody wants to go to prison. There is fear even in just saying the word. People have very specific images of what prison looks like. But, in Norway, things are just a little bit different than the usual.

This article includes a video. Please read the article first before watching the video to fully understand the video clip.

Anders Breivik: Just how cushy are Norwegian prisons?

Let’s Discuss!

1. Based on the article, explain what “normality principle” is.
2. Describe the prisons in Bastoey island and in Halden.
3. Explain the conditions of the prisoners in Norway and the rights they can still exercise.
4. What is the defense given by the Norwegian system when critics question their prison structure?
5. How would you describe prisons in your country?