Tag: B1 – Intermediate

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?

Noisy Neighbors Biggest Problem

B1 – Intermediate

We’ve all had horrible or not-so-good experiences with our neighbors.  The website “Which?” conducted a survey and found out that a number of people are stressed with their neighbors.

Read the article to know more about the different nuisances that neighbors can have with each other.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1409/140918-neighbours.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever had an annoying neighbor? Have you ever had any problems with a neighbor?
  2. What are the common problems that you experience with your neighbors?
  3. How would you describe your neighborhood or the place you live?
  4. Which would you prefer: living in the city or in the country?

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?

Thousands Wake Up During Surgery

B1 – Intermediate

A report in England states that thousands of patients a year wake up during an
operation. One doctor said it happens one in every 19,000 operations. They are now trying to find areas that could be improved during an operation to prevent this from happening.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1409/140914-surgery.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the case of waking up during a surgery is considered carelessness on the doctor’s side? Why or why not?
  2. Do you know someone who experienced the same situation? Talk about it.
  3. Have you had a surgery or any major medical procedure in the past? How did it go?
  4. How do you think you would feel if you woke up in the middle of your operation?
  5. Would you say that doctors in your country are highly-qualified?

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?

Grown-Up and Living at Home

B1 – Intermediate

The number of grown-ups who are living at home is continually increasing in different countries in the world.

This article talks about the underlying reasons regarding the issue. Some advantages and disadvantages are also discussed by different individuals from different countries.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2014/05/140516_6min_living_at_home.shtml

Audio: 

http://http-ws.bbc.co.uk.edgesuite.net/mp3/learningenglish/2014/05/140515_6_min_living_at_home_for_web_140516_6min_living_at_home_audio_au_bb.mp3

Discussion Questions:

1. Is living at home a good or bad point in your own perspective?
2. Do people in your place share the same issue (grown-up and living at home) with people from other parts of the world?
3. What do you think parents and children should do to address this issue?

Dropping Birthrates in South Korea

B1 – Intermediate

South Korea is now facing problems related to low birthrate.

Find out the reasons and consequences for their dropping birthrates.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-end-of-south-korea/2436486.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the problem in South Korea according to the audio? Is this also a problem in Spain?
  2. What are the reasons for low birthrate in SK? What about in your country?
  3. What are the impacts of low birthrates on a country?
  4. What can the government do to solve or prevent this problem from happening?

Stay Healthy by Eating Raw Chocolate

B1 – Intermediate

Health experts believe that sugar in chocolates is unhealthy. However, doctors say that there are also some benefits to eating chocolates.

This VOA news clip discusses the good effects of chocolates to your body.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/raw-chocolate-better-for-your-health/2423907.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad effects of eating chocolates?
  2. Do you think eating chocolate is good for your health?
  3. Do you enjoy eating chocolates? If yes, what kinds of chocolate do you prefer?