Tag: audio

Robin Hood – A Great Legend or a Mythology

B1 – Intermediate

A legend is a story that has been passed from generation to generation but cannot be proved as true. Each country has its own legend to tell its people. Some legends are popular worldwide.

Listen to the audio clip and study the vocabulary words. Be ready to use the words in sentences and to answer some discussion questions.

Robin Hood – A Great Legend Or Mythology?

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you familiar with the story of Robin Hood? What do you think about him and what he is doing?
  2. Talk about a person you think is like Robin Hood.
  3. What are legends that you know?
  4. Do you enjoy stories about history or the olden times? Why or why not?

Cities with the Worst Traffic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Traffic by definition is the movement of vehicles, ships, aircraft, or persons in an area or over a route. Do you know some terminologies involved when talking about traffic? This article will provide some terms as you also learn the current top 10 cities in the world with the worst traffic.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/top-ten-cities-for-worst-traffic-jakarta-istabul-gridlock-stress-public-transportation/2665040.html

 Discussion Questions:

  1. How bad is the traffic condition in your city?
  2. What can you say about rush hour traffic in your city?
  3. How do you commute to work?

Three-Person Babies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Britain is the first country to have a type of procedure called ” mitochondrial replacement therapy.” It is to avoid women from passing diseases or disorders to their children.

However, there are different public reactions to this procedure that really frightens and offends others.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/three-person-babies-debate-science-religion/2663320.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your stand on this treatment?
2. Would you dare try MRT even if it may threaten your and your child’s health?
3. What is your opinion on gene mutation?
4. Has science gone beyond it distinctive procedures?

Will Synthetic Vaccine Stop Polio?

1DD26E26-6A10-4107-A000-07CF79C27F81_cx0_cy10_cw0_w987_r1_s_r1

B2 – Upper intermediate

Medical technology has improved radically. It is due to non stop hard work of medical scientists and specialists. They continuously aim for the eradication of deadly diseases with the hope of longer and healthier lives for everyone.

Read the article below to know about the latest advancement in vaccines.

Will Synthetic Vaccine Stop Polio?

Discuss:

1. What is your general opinion of vaccines?
2. Will synthetic vaccine stop polio?
3. How much do you trust modern medical technology?
4. Do you think it’s possible that all diseases will be cured by vaccine?

Will Citizenship Test Make Better Citizens?

E73CCFBC-32EC-4390-96E5-0601285E729D_w987_r1_s

B2 – Upper intermediate

The United States’ Naturalization Test is a test immigrants must pass to become a citizen. However, in Arizona it is an exam all high school students must take as the law requires it. Its goal is to let students contemplate civic awareness and allow them to participate in a democracy.

Will Citizenship Test Make Better Citizens?

Discuss:

1. Is there a similar test that immigrants must take in Spain?
2. What are the common civic activities or events in Spain (Donating blood, volunteer work, etc.)?
3. What do you think of the idea of making all high school students take the naturalization test?
4. Are you very knowledgeable when it comes to your country’s history and government?

Are Computers Making Us Less Clever?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this digital age, humans are growing more and more reliant on technology. We all know that technology is supposed to make our lives easier and more comfortable. However, what do you think are the things that we are losing when we rely too much on computers and smartphones?

Listen to the podcast and be ready to answer some discussions. Take note of new vocabulary words.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/150122

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some skills that you think you may have lost a little due to gadget/technology dependency?
  2. How do you make sure you don’t get de-skilled at something?
  3. In your opinion, how dependent are we on computers? Cite examples of situations that prove your point.
  4. Do you agree that we are dependent on computers and technology? Why or why not?
  5. How dependent are you on your phone? Why do you think this is the case?
  6. Which do you prefer, meeting other people online or speaking with them face-to-face? Why?

Autism & Air Pollution

0C8C73CC-76E0-45F0-92B8-C3D318C5DE50_w610_r1_s

B2 – Upper intermediate

We have come a long way since autism was first studied. We now have multiple research about its different causes. Nonetheless, new developments and analysis are continuous in hopes of helping multiple parents and families cope.

Read the article below and be ready to express your thoughts.

US Study Links Air Pollution to Autism

Discuss:

1. What is autism and what are its symptoms?
2. According to the article, what is the link between autism and air pollution?
3. Does your country have advanced facilities and knowledge when it comes to helping children with autism?
4. In your opinion, why do you think there is a rise in diagnosed autism?

 

Valentine’s Day: A History of the Day of Love

B1 – Intermediate

Read the article below to know the brief history of Valentine’s Day. Understand the story behind the holiday when most countries spend a lot of money and when florists and chocolate stores have very good profit.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/valentine-love-february14-candy-hearts-chocolate/1850316.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Is Valentine’s Day big in your country? How do people usually celebrate it?
2. Do you think Valentine’s Day is too commercial or consumerist? Explain.
3. Talk about your favourite Valentine’s Day memory.

Cheating Epidemic in Sports

E95BB347-C1A9-49CA-B011-8A769DF420B6_cx0_cy10_cw0_w987_r1_s_r1

B2 – Upper intermediate

We all know the controversies of winning a game due to cheating. There are some recorded evidences of how cheating is widely practiced in the world of sports. It has even caused disputes and debates over the years.

The Epidemic of Cheating in Sports

Discuss:

1. What is your stand on cheating in sport?
2. What do you think is a just punishement for an athlete who was found cheating?
3. Do you think there are other underlying reasons why athletes cheat?

Western Diet Bad for Human Health, Environment

B2 – Upper intermediate

Western diet is usually high in processed sugar, fat, oil and meat. By eating these foods people begin to gain more weight. More people are adopting this kind of diet. Find out why, according to a study, western diet is bad for human health and the environment.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/western-diet-bad-for-human-health-environment/2579378.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Is this phenomenon also happening in your country?
2. Have you adapted to the western diet?
3. What is the relationship between our diet and the environment?
4. What can we do to keep our children healthy?