Tag: audio

Bridging the Technology Gap

B1 – Intermediate

We are in the high technology age. Technical devices get upgraded almost every time.

However, did we consider those people still living in the past? If they have the same knowledge of technology as the people of this generation?

This article contains a video and an audio clip. Feel free to to watch and listen.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/teen-senior-bridge-technology-gap/2451596.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should we consider this gap a social issue?
  2. Is it easy to bridge this gap between your own grandparents or older parents?
  3. In your household, is everyone very knowledgeable when it comes to tech gadgets and devices?
  4. What domestic appliances do you have that are very modern?

Retirement

B1 – Intermediate

In most countries the official retirement age is 60. For footballers they retire much earlier than other athletes. For some people retirement is a financial decision but for others it may not be reason enough.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2013/09/130926_6min_retirement.shtml

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you consider retirement as a financial decision?
2. What are the benefits that retirees in Spain get?
3. How would you spend your time as a retiree?

Grandma Fulfills Dream of Flying

B1 – Intermediate

Walt Disney once said, ” All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Mary Moe is a true testament to these words. At age 91, she fulfilled her dream of flying a plane. Truly, Moe and her story inspires people to dream, regardless of age.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/ninety-one-year-old-achieves-dream-learns-to-fly/2471697.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you perceive aging?
  2. What are some things you think you will be doing when you are old?
  3. What is your greatest dream? How were you able to reach it?
  4. If you haven’t fulfilled it, what are the challenges that you are facing that keep you from achieving this dream? How do you plan to fulfill it?
  5. Should people realize their dream as soon as they can or wait until the perfect moment to do it? Explain.

Deleting memories

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Neurons work as transmitter of information in the brain but when the process is disturbed they lose the connection between brain cells and can cause memory loss. Scientists have successfully done a process called Electroconvulsive Therapy to delete specific memory.

Find out how this therapy works and how it helps people with post- traumatic stress disorder.

Deleting memories

Click on the title to listen to the report: Deleting Memories: Audio

Click on the title to read the text: Deleting Memories: Text

Discuss:

1. Do you have a memory that you would like to forget?
2. Is deleting a specific memory a helpful way treat depression?
3. How do you deal with traumatic memory and depression?

Video Games Good for Children

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B1 – Intermediate

Different studies were conducted on how behavior among children and teenagers are affected by playing video games. A study in Oxford University found that playing video games for less than an hour a day is good. On the other hand, playing violent video games influence teenagers to be more aggressive.

Read the article to know more about the possible benefits and consequences of vieo games on children.

Study: Playing Video Games Good for Children

Discuss:

1. Do you play video games?
2. Does it affect your way of thinking and behaviour?
3. Do you agree with idea suggested in the article?
4. Would you allow your children to play video games? If yes, what set of rules would you impose?

Language Extinction

B1 – Intermediate

Economic development is causing the extinction of some languages, according to some scientists. A study has found that minority languages in the most developed parts of the world are most at threat.

Listen to the podcast to know more about the extinction of certain languages.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2014/09/140905_witn_languages.shtml

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about a language that you know has gone extinct.
  2. In your opinion, do you think that rapid growth of a country can affect the extinction of language?
  3. What are some of the other local languages that you can speak? How about foreign languages?
  4. If you were given an opportunity, which languages would you like to learn and master?

Walk or Cycle for ‘a Happier Commute”

B1 – Intermediate

Walking or cycling to work instead of driving a car can improve feelings of health and happiness. Click on the title to know more about alternative ways of commuting. Be ready to answer some discussion questions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2014/09/140915_witn_cycling.shtml

Click on the title to listen to the report:

http://http-ws.bbc.co.uk.edgesuite.net/mp3/learningenglish/2014/09/bbc_witn_cyclists_report_140915_witn_cycling_report_au_bb.mp3

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you get to work?
  2. Do you think it is better to walk, to take your bike or to travel by public transport to work?
  3. What kind of exercise routine do you have?
  4. How do you stay healthy and happy?

Boot Camps for Internet Addicts

B1 – Intermediate

Internet addiction is one very common problem among teenagers these days. In China, one way to combat this addiction is to take children to a boot camp.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on a boot camp for internet addicts.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/can-boot-camp-cure-internet-addiction/2442322.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How many hours do you usually spend surfing the internet?
2. At work, are you highly dependent on the internet?
3. Would you consider internet addiction as a disease?
4. What are the ways you can prevent internet addiction?

How to Survive the Heat

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B1 – Intermediate

There are common health problems which are caused by high temperatures that, in the worst scenario, can lead to death.

Read the article to know more about the dangers of heat and how to be protected from it.

How to Survive the Heat

Discuss:

1. Do you love soaking yourself in the summer sun? Are you aware of its danger?
2. Have you experienced health related issues due to high temperature?
3. What activities do you enjoy doing during the summer?
4. How do you keep cool when the weather gets too hot?

 

Ozone Layer Recovering

B1 – Intermediate

According to a panel of scientists, the ozone layer is starting to repair itself. It’s a good thing that the use of aerosol cans were banned during the 1980s.

Read the lesson about the ozone layer recovering and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2014/09/140912_witn_ozone.shtml

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this?
  2. Share your ideas on how you can contribute in protecting the environment.
  3. Have you ever done any volunteer works to help save the environment?
  4. Do you reduce, reuse, and recycle? Why or why not?