Tag: audio

Are Bucket Lists Always a Good Thing?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The term “bucket list” is a list of all the goals and dreams we want to achieve in our lives before we kick the bucket. It can be in a duration of a month, a year, or even a lifetime; depending on the person. Almost everyone makes a bucket list. Some are doable but others are just unachievable. More or less, people make one for some sort of self-fulfillment.

Hear more information about it from the audio below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200416

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can having a bucket list be good for you?
  2. How can having a bucket list be bad for yourself and/or others?
  3. What items are on your bucket list?
  4. Do you like planning activities or are you the spontaneous type?
  5. What really excites you the most in life?

The Power of Crying

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone had shed tears in our lifetime. Starting from the day we were born until we aged. There are countless reasons why people cry – from irritations in our eyes to different emotions we feel. Crying is part of human nature that can actually benefit us somehow.

Hear more information about it through the audio below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200423

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are reasons people cry?
  2. Why do women cry more than men?
  3. Why is it embarrassing for a man to be seen crying?
  4. Do you often cry? What makes you cry?
  5. How can crying help people?

Actors

B1 – Intermediate

It must be great to be famous, paid a lot of money, and do what you love doing. Welcome to the life of an actor!

Listen to the audio and read the transcript of this lesson about actors.

https://listenaminute.com/a/actors.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about being an actor?
  2. What are the good and bad things about being an actor?
  3. Who are some of your favorite movie stars and theatre actors?
  4. Do you like watching movies and theatre plays? Why or why not?
  5. Have you ever performed in front of many people? Talk about that moment.

‘Ghosts’ Keep Frightened Indonesians Inside, Away from Coronavirus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to the audio, Kepuh Village in Indonesia has deployed a team of ‘ghosts’ to scare people and keep them staying indoors after evening prayers. Some volunteers dress as “Pocong”. In Indonesian folklores, Pocongs are trapped souls of the dead. The village leaders have decided to take their own measures to keep people safe from Corona Virus.

Hear more information about it in the audio below.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/ghosts-keep-frightened-indonesians-inside-and-away-from-coronavirus/5370130.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was your reaction to the audio?
  2. Do you believe ghosts are real? Why or why not? If yes, talk about some ghost stories you have/know of.
  3. How can this affect people’s mindset?
  4. Do you think this could work in your country?
  5. What are some ways to keep people indoors?
  6. What are you thoughts on Widodo’s measures?

Accidents

B1 – Intermediate

We like to believe that our home is the safest place to be but it could also be a place for accidents. Working in an office seems safe, right? Accidents can take place there too.
We hear this all the time, ” Accidents do happen.” They really do but is it enough that we accept that they happen normally or is it better that we try to prevent them by being more cautious?

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about accidents and be ready to discuss afterwards.

https://listenaminute.com/a/accidents.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What common accidents at home did the speaker mention?
  2. How did the speaker describe his friend? What does it mean?
  3. Are you prone to accidents? What kinds of accidents have you gotten into?
  4. How do you try to avoid them? What precautionary measures do you take?
  5. Have you witnessed a major accident before? What happened?

The Benefits of Low Emission Zones

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many cities worldwide are striving to make the air we breathe cleaner. One initiative is having low emission zones. London, Bath, Leeds and Birmingham are just some UK cities that are adapting Clean Air Zones.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to know more about low emission zones, their benefits, and other cleaner air initiatives.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200130

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are low emission zones?
  2. What are the benefits of low emission zones?
  3. What are your thoughts on net zero zones?
  4. What kind of other cleaner-air initiatives does your city/country commit to?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement: “Low emission zones are only one part of the solution to the problem.”

The Circular Economy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Disposing wastes has environmental consequences and the impact of ineffective waste management often leads to a lot of other problems.

Is circular economy the solution to our problems with waste?

Listen to the audio and be ready to discuss afterwards.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200305

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a circular economy?
  2. What are the pros and cons of a circular economy?
  3. Talk about the waste management system in your city.
  4. Is recycling widely practiced in your country? What are your thoughts about recycling?
  5. Do you think manufacturers should be more responsible for disposal of their products?

Will Humans Become Extinct?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to the audio, about once every thousand years, an event occurs that destroys about a third of the human population. Nowadays, we are experiencing chaos caused by a pandemic called Covid-19. Everyone has been put on lockdown, a lot of people are infected, and some thousands others have died because of this outbreak.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200312

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the audio, what are some of the existential risks?
  2. What do you think could happen if human civilization is destroyed?
  3. Which do you think is the most extreme among these – plagues, natural disasters or modern dangers?
  4. Do you think doomsday is possible? How would you spend your last day?

Working From Home

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Just a month ago, working from home was was a far-fetched work setup for most of the global workforce. With the current health crisis the world is facing, however, it has become the norm. As we continue to navigate through the uncertainties and acclimatize to new living conditions, many will have to translate their skill set for use in home-based work through online technologies.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to weigh in on this matter.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/new-reality-of-working-from-home/5347353.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the differences between office-based and home-based work?
  2. Which professions can easily be done from home? Which will require more effort to relocate?
  3. What are some of the challenging aspects of working from home?
  4. Talk about your thoughts on and/or experience working remotely.

How to Keep Mentally Healthy During a Quarantine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the advent of the global pandemic Covid-19, people in many countries were put on lockdown or quarantine in their own homes in order to stop them from passing the virus on to each other. Being restricted to go out of our houses is something no one is accustomed to. Hence, many individuals struggle with this new and hopefully, temporary lifestyle we have.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript of this lesson and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/how-to-keep-mentally-healthy-during-a-quarantine/5338332.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you keep yourself mentally healthy during the quarantine in your country?
  2. Talk about your routine now that you are stuck at home. How is it different from your old routine?
  3. What do you think are some effects of this quarantine on people’s mental health?