Tag: audio

The Great Barrier Reef

B1 – Intermediate

A lot of places in the world are amazing and they need to be protected. One of them is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Tourists go here to the see incredible coral reefs.

However, the UN claims that the reef is dying. Australia disagrees with what the UN is saying. This statement is not good for their country’s tourism industry.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know about the UN and Australia and their position on the Great Barrier Reef’s state.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-great-barrier-reef-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the UN was right in saying the reef is dying? Explain.
  2. What can you say about Australia’s reaction to this statement?
  3. What do you think is the best thing to do in this situation?
  4. What do you think about the GBR? Would you like to visit it someday? Why or why not?
  5. What are some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in your city/country? Do you think they are properly protected? Why or why not?
  6. Which is more important, protecting places like the Great Barrier Reef or the tourism industry in a country? Explain.

Napalm Girl

B1 – Intermediate

The Vietnam war was was a dark period in history. During that time, many attacks were launched. In one of them, South Vietnamese planes dropped napalm bombs on a village. Direct contact with flaming napalm can cause burns all over the body. 

One of the victims of this attack is Kim Phuc Phan Thi who was 9 years old at the time. While she was burning, she had to take her clothes off. She will later be known as “Napalm Girl”.

Photographer Nick Ut took a photo of her while running for her life without clothes on. This photograph will then become one of the most iconic photos of the 20th century.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know about napalm girl’s photograph.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/napalm-girl-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about this story?
  2. Look for napalm girl’s photo on the internet. Talk about what you think of this photo.
  3. What do you think about ‘napalm girl’ and the photographer staying friends after all this time?
  4. Talk about a photo that you would remember forever. What makes this photo unforgettable?
  5. How important are photographs in telling our history?

Children and Screens

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone depends on technological devices nowadays. Some parents even use gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets to help them with their children. They let their young kids use these devices for many hours daily.

There have been many studies on the effects of screens on children. Perhaps it’s time we pay attention to the dangers of letting children be on their gadgets for long periods of time.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the WHO’s new guidelines for parents and their children’s screen time.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/children-and-screens-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this new guidelines?
  2. What are the bad effects of using devices for many hours on children?
  3. Do you think children use gadgets too much and way too young? Explain.
  4. What are alternative activities for children instead of using mobile phones and tablets?
  5. If you have children, what are your guidelines on their screen time?

Investments

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone of us wants to live a comfortable life and be financially stable. Having a stable income gives you peace of mind, but some people also choose to take the risk and invest their money.

Nowadays, people have become more curious about investments. Many are looking for ways to grow their money and achieve their financial goals. Are you one of those people?

Listen to the thoughts of one person about investments on this link.

https://listenaminute.com/i/investments.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is an effective way to handle one’s money?
  2. Have you ever thought of investing your money? Please elaborate.
  3. Where is it best to invest? Where is it risky?
  4. What are some common forms of investment in your country?
  5. Do you know someone who invested their money? How was their experience?
  6. Do banks offer a good opportunity for money to grow? Why or why not?
  7. Should courses on investments be more available? Please explain.
  8. What are some other forms of investment not related to money?

Strongest Robot in the World

B1 – Intermediate

A Japanese company has created the world’s strongest robot. It is supposed to be able to lift 2 small cars. It’s made so strong that it is almost impossible to destroy it.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the strongest robot in the whole world.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/strongest-robot-in-the-world-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe the M-20001A/1700L. What do you think of this machine?
  2. How will this machine change everything in factory automation?
  3. What are the advantage and disadvantages of automation?
  4. What kind of robot or machine would you like to be invented? Why?
  5. How advanced is robotics in your country in comparison to Japan/to other European countries?

Hobbies Are Great

B1 – Intermediate

How we spend our free time is important for our well-being. In fact, there are a lot of benefits to having hobbies. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about why hobbies are good for us.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/hobbies-are-great-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good things about hobbies?
  2. Are there any disadvantages to hobbies?
  3. What hobbies do you have and why do you enjoy doing them so much?
  4. How do your hobbies help you in your life?
  5. What hobbies do you want to take up next and why?

Men vs Women’s Intelligence

B1 – Intermediate

You might have met a man who thinks he is so clever. According to a study, men actually overestimate their intelligence. On the other hand, women tend to have a more accurate estimate of the power of their brains.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how men and women estimate their intelligence.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/men-vs-women-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with the results of this study? Explain.
  2. What do you think are the reasons men think they are intelligent than they actually are?
  3. Why are women able to have a clear idea of how clever they are?
  4. Is it a good or bad thing to overestimate your intelligence. Explain your point.
  5. How intelligent do you think you are? How do you know this?
  6. Who is the most intelligent person you know and what makes you think they are brilliant?

Refinancing Mortgage Loans

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Buying a house is probably the biggest financial decision we ever have to make in our lives. Most people do not have enough funds to cover the entire cost of their house that is why they turn to banks or other financial institutions for financial assistance. When mortgage rates go down, some people see this as a chance to refinance their mortgage.

Let’s listen to this short commercial to know more about mortgage refinancing.

Refinancing Mortgage Loans

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does mortgage refinancing work?
  2. What are the benefits of refinancing a mortgage?
  3. Do you see any pitfalls in refinancing a mortgage?
  4. Do you have a mortgage? Does this option seem appealing to you?

South Korea Influencers

B1 – Intermediate

Social media has allowed for anyone to create contents. Because of this freedom, people can impact certain information and decisions. These people are called influencers.

Influencers are now becoming celebrities. They interact with their audience through online activities. This business is booming.

South Korea has recognized this opportunity. They support this culture by providing courses and business integration.

Learn more about the influencer culture in South Korea on the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/south-korea-influencers-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of influencers? Why do you think they are so popular now?
  2. What are the positive and negative effects of influencers?
  3. Do you agree that social media affects some of our decisions? Please explain and/or give examples.
  4. Do you know some popular influencers? Who are they and what made them famous?
  5. Are there famous influencers in your country? What do they do? Do you follow some of them?
  6. What professions/industries would benefit from influencers?
  7. Is getting a degree to become an influencer a good idea? Why or why not?

Food for African Children is More Expensive

B1 – Intermediate

The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has an big effect on food prices. The higher prices of food makes it difficult for some international organizations that are helping give food to African children.  

Read the article about international organizations helping feed people in Africa’s problem with more expensive food.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/food-for-african-children-is-more-expensive-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this news?
  2. What are the reasons it is harder for international organizations to help provide food African children?
  3. Organizations must help Ukrainian refugees but this means that they have less money for food for African children. What are your thoughts on this?
  4. What can we do to help both the Ukrainian refugees and African children at the same time?
  5. What do you do to help people in need?