Tag: audio

Giving Away Your Fortune

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you were a millionaire or a billionaire, would you be willing to give 99% of your fortune away to charity and leave almost nothing to your children?

Discover why Mark Zuckerberg along with many other super rich decided to give their fortune to charity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/6-minute-english/ep-160218

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of what Mark Zuckerberg and others like him did with their wealth?
2. If you would give your fortune away, who/which organization/cause would you give it to?
3. Do you agree with what Andrew Carnegie believed in, that wealth should be spent to make the world a better place?
4. How are you making a difference in your own little way?

Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Kim Jong Un is no stranger to the world. Mostly, for all the wrong reasons. Read the short article below and express your thoughts about North Korea and its leaders.

UN: Kim Jong Un Could Be Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity

Discuss:

1. Why are human rights violation common in countries like North Korea?
2. Do you think that the UN council has the right to hold this kind of investigation? Why?
3. What are your thoughts on countries under communism?

Best Tool to Teach Babies Speech

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B1 – Intermediate

Parenting is one of the most difficult but fulfilling jobs on the planet. Most parents now have very hectic work schedules, and it’s easy for them to resort to electronic gadgets to teach and keep their children busy.

Read the short article below to know more information about spending time with children.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/best-tool-to-teach-babies-speech-their-parents-voice/3140320.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the pros and cons of electronic educational tools for children.
2. Is it good to learn several languages? When do you think is the best time to learn languages?
3. If you have children, what are your rules when it comes to using electronic tools?

One School, Five Languages

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Jobs in the future will require people to be able to speak more than one language. Some schools in New York are providing dual language programs. What are your thoughts on being a polyglot?

One School, Five Languages

Discuss:

1. How many languages can you speak fluently?
2. Do you think that one day there will be just one language in the world? Would the world be a better place?
3. Are there any disadvantages in learning another language?
4. What are the advantages of being able to speak more than one language?

The Ups and Downs of Coffee and Caffeine

B1 – Intermediate

Many people drink caffeinated drinks to stay awake. A new study conducted by American and British researchers reveals the effect of caffeine on sleeping pattern.

Watch the video below to find out more.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-ups-and-downs-of-coffee-and-caffeine/3029909.html?z=0&zp=1#relatedInfoContainer

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the video (research) about?
2. Do you like drinking caffeinated drinks?
3. How often and how much coffee or tea do you drink?
4. What is circadian rhythm? How important is it?

Will New Two-Child Policy Lift China’s Economy?

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B2 – Upper intermediate

For the longest time China has sat tight with the law of one child per family. But, in 2015, the country announced its plan of lifting the old law and moving forward with two children per family.

Read the article below then express your thoughts about the topic.

Will New Two-Child Policy Lift China’s Economy?

Discuss:

1. What do you know of China’s previous one-child policy?
2. Is it good for the government to pass such laws?
3. How would you describe the population in your country?

The Meaning of Clothes

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B2 – Upper intermediate

The say that the clothes make a man. But do clothing really matter? Is the way you dress significant to who you are?

Listen to the podcast and be ready to answer some discussion questions. Be prepared to also study and explain some vocabulary words.

The meaning of clothes

Discuss:

1. According to the podcast, explain what a sari is. How is it worn?
2. How would you describe your style when it comes to clothes? What are your preferences?
3. How do you usually dress for work? Do you have a dress code at the office?
4. What is your opinion of the clothes that we have now in this generation?

What Makes Us Laugh?

B2 – Upper intermediate

As one Yiddish proverb goes, “What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul“. What do you make of this expression?

Listen to Alice and Neil’s conversation in this BBC 6 Minute English episode entitled, “What makes us laugh?”

What makes us laugh?

Discuss:

1. Do you think there is a connection between depression and comedy?
2. What kind of comedy do you prefer?
3. When was the last time you laughed so hard that it made you cry?
4. Please share some funny/famous Spanish jokes or stories.

Water on Mars: What Does It Mean?

B2 – Upper intermediate

Humans have always been curious about things – almost everything.  Our curiosity has brought us beyond planet Earth, searching for the answers of unending questions about life.  Is there life somewhere outside our beautiful planet?

Watch the video then read the article to know more.

Water on Mars: What Does It Mean?

Discuss:

1. Is it really worth the enormous expense to search for any life outside planet Earth while poverty, crime, diseases and death are still left unsolved?
2. Do you think there is life existence in other planets?

Smoking Will Kill Young Men in China

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Because of various researches and studies, we have become aware of the consequences of smoking. In China, alarming results of a report exposes the dangers of smoking among young Chinese men.

Read the article below and be ready to talk about health.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/smoking-will-kill-one-in-three-young-men-in-china/3013944.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the graph (The Price of Smoking Around the World) featured in the article.
2. Do you think that increasing the price of cigarettes will help reduce the number of smokers or cigarette-related deaths?
3. What are other good ways to discourage people from smoking?