Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

People Want Dumbphones

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Mobile phone companies go head to head to keep innovating their products. “The smarter the better.” seems to be the motto here.

On the contrary, not everyone is so pleased. For those who can barely keep up with the latest in smartphones or those who are outright anti-technology, they want phones with less advanced specs and features. For them, “The simpler the better.”

Read this article and find out why people prefer dumbphones and will the industry respond to this increasing demand.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240515-the-dumbphones-people-want-are-hard-to-find

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “neo-Luddite”? “Self-labelled neo-Luddites and the tech-stressed are searching for phones with fewer features.” Make a sentence using this word.
  2. Define “profit margin”. “Industry experts cite precarious profit margins and a wobbly market around this niche need.” Make a sentence using this term.
  3. What does “catch-all” mean? “They’re transitioning to “dumbphones”, a catch-all term for phones with basic functions such as calling, texting and setting alarms.”  Make a sentence using this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are some people choosing basic dumbphones with stripped down capabilities?
  2. What do you think about using dumbphones again? Can you name some pros and cons?
  3. Do you think it is worth it for tech companies to keep manufacturing dumbphones? State your opinion.
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “The big tech giants don’t want anything that has to do with reducing your smartphone usage.”?
  5. How do you find the idea of a “light or minimal phone”?

Why Can’t Prices Just Stay the Same?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Seeing the prices of goods rise in our preferred supermarket is probably no longer shocking, as it is just the way things are these days. Even if we are aware that it is inflation, we nevertheless find ourselves wondering why because the majority of us are looking for solutions, particularly, relief from the strain that inflation has placed on our finances.

To understand why prices can’t stay the same, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “virtuous cycle” in economics. “When supply chain interruptions created product shortages and some companies artificially drove up prices to increase their profits, which along with some other causes, effectively turn this virtuous cycle into a vicious one.” Construct your own sentence.
  2. What does “deflationary spiral” mean? “Falling prices sound pretty good, but they can also introduce another kind of cycle: a deflationary spiral.” Make your own sentence using this term.
  3. What is the meaning of “in no small part“? “Japan is finally emerging from decades of chronic deflation, but that’s thanks, in no small part, to the high inflation that most of the world battled over the last few years.. Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘in no small part’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the factors mentioned in the video as to why prices can’t stay the same? 
  2. Share your thoughts on this, “A little inflation is a good thing.“.
  3. How is inflation affecting the people in your country? Across the globe?
  4. Do you agree with this assertion, “It’s okay if prices rise so long as wages rise too. You’ll still be able to afford the same goods if your wages keep pace with inflation.“? Explain your stance.
  5. What strategies can you recommend to counteract the strain that inflation has placed on our finances?

Jeff Bezos Got Rich When He Understood This

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Career and passion go hand in hand when it comes to finding fulfillment and satisfaction in your professional life. While some people are fortunate enough to have a career that aligns perfectly with their passion, many others struggle to find the right balance between what they love to do and what they need to do to make a living.

Finding the perfect balance between career and passion can be a daunting task. It requires self-reflection, goal-setting, and a willingness to take risks. It may involve changing career paths, pursuing further education, or starting your own business. It may also require making sacrifices, such as working long hours, moving to a new city, or taking a pay cut.

Are you living your life on the correct path? Do you ever wonder where you’re headed? Watch this video and learn something.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hot passion of the day” mean? “Do something you’re very passionate about and don’t try to chase what is kind of the hot passion of the day.” Make a sentence with this idiom.
  2. What does “bluff something out” mean? “Will you bluff it out when you’re wrong or will you apologize?” Make a sentence using this phrase.
  3. What does “dogma” mean? “Will you follow dogma or will you be original?” Make a sentence using this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you learn after watching the video?
  2. What choices have you made that makes you proud?
  3. What do you think is your calling?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “If you don’t love your work, you’re never going to be good at it.“
  5. Why do you think Bezos said, “All the curious from the ages would have wanted to be alive most of all right now?“

How Singapore Got So Crazy Rich

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Singapore, a small island city-state in Southeast Asia, has grown to become one of the world’s most powerful economies. Despite its lack of natural resources, the country has managed to transform itself from a sleepy fishing village to a global financial hub in just a few decades.

Through its strategic location, business-friendly policies, and strong emphasis on education and innovation, the country has managed to become a global economic powerhouse. While challenges remain, Singapore is well-positioned to continue its economic success in the years to come.

Watch the video and learn how a small country grew into a prosperous one.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “knowledge-based economy” mean, “Singapore shifted emphasis to a knowledge-based economy that relies more on creativity and growing Singapore’s entrepreneurs.”? Make a sentence using this phrase.
  2. What does “land reclamation” mean, “It had embarked on an ambitious land reclamation project in the 1970’s.”? Make a sentence using this phrase.
  3. What does “politicking” mean, “There will be that politicking that will happen in much more intensely in the years to come than there was ever before.”? Make a sentence using this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was Singapore’s formula for success?
  2. What are the respective economic policies of Singapore’s prime ministers? What are your thoughts on them?
  3. Tell the story on how your country’s economy grew to what it is now.
  4. What are your government’s current economic policies?
  5. What do you think your government should do and focus on economy-wise?

Spaving and How to Avoid this Financial Trap

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the world of handling money, there’s this thing called “spaving.” It’s a mix of “spending” and “saving.” It’s when people think they’re saving money by spending more upfront on things that seem better quality. Even though it might seem smart, it can actually cause money problems in the long run.

Watch this video about to know more about it and get some tips on making better choices with your money and reach your savings goals more easily.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “to rip off” mean? “Some big shot over at the weiner company and some big shot at the bun company got together and decided to rip off the American public.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “entice” mean? “Buy one, get one” has enticed you to spend more.” Make a sentence using the word.
  3. What does the word “outsmart” mean? “The algorithms are coming after you, so you have to outsmart them.” Use the word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think ‘spaving’ is a common financial strategy among people today? Why or why not?
  2. What are some potential advantages and disadvantages of the ‘spaving’ mindset?
  3. Share any personal experiences where you’ve encountered ‘spaving’ in your own life or observed it in others.
  4. What are some examples of products or services where ‘spaving’ might be particularly tempting, and how can individuals differentiate between genuine savings and falling into the ‘spaving’ trap?
  5. What alternative strategies can individuals employ to achieve their savings goals without resorting to ‘spaving’?

Stanley Cup a Viral Sensation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Stanley has been around for more than a century. However, it is not until 2017 when the brand gained traction and became viral which lead to their annual sales going up from 73 to 750 million.

In the past few years, the Stanley Tumbler has become super popular, not just for holding drinks, but also because it’s everywhere on social media and loved by lots of different people. Even though it was made for just being useful, it’s turned into a big trend that doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

Watch the video to know why the Stanley Cups became famous so quickly and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “a slow build” mean? “So it was a slow build over many months and then you could see that the waiting list began to grow.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘a slow build’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to take a liking to something” mean? “At first, the quencher was a flop. It wasn’t until a group of working moms running the popular blog ‘The Buy Guide’ took a liking to it in 2017.” Make a sentence using the phrase.
  3. What does the expression “to seize that opportunity” mean? “At this point, the quencher rise putting Stanley on the radar for more consumers and the company is looking to seize that opportunity.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can other brands learn from Stanley’s rise to popularity?
  2. What do you think are the other key factors that contributed to the Stanley Tumbler craze becoming a viral sensation?
  3. How has social media played a role in amplifying the popularity of the Stanley Tumbler?
  4. Do you believe the design and functionality of the Stanley Tumbler played a significant role in its viral success, or was it primarily driven by social influence? Explain.
  5. What impact has the Stanley Tumbler craze had on consumer behavior and purchasing decisions?
  6. In your country, are there any similarities between the Stanley Tumbler craze and other viral sensations in recent years? If so, what are they?

Selling Yourself

B2 – Upper  Intermediate 

Knowing how to talk about your accomplishments at work is quite the skill to have. This could come handy if you wish to step up the corporate ladder or land that job you are applying for. In some instances, you will have to make the gatekeepers in your workplace to take notice of and come to appreciate your work.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about selling yourself at work.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/240325

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to sell yourself” mean? “Now, some people hate saying good things about themselves, so we’ll start with how to talk about your strengths and then we’ll discuss the kinds of questions you might be asked in an interview or by your manager that give you an opportunity to sell yourself.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to have confidence in someone” mean, “I definitely think it’s important to be able to sell yourself at work, not only for your managers and your bosses and even your colleagues to have confidence in you and your work and what you’re able to produce, but also to give yourself that confidence.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “appraisal” mean here, “So we’ve got lots of ways to talk about our strengths. But when’s the best time to do it? When we’re in a job interview or an appraisal, sometimes it’s not clear what the best answers are, Phil.”? Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is important to know how to sell yourself?
  2. What might be other situations where this skill would be useful?
  3. Generally, how does talking about your achievements make you feel?
  4. If you are to sell yourself, how would you do it?
  5. Talk about an instance where you had to sell yourself at work. What could you have said differently?

Being a Social Entrepreneur

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The co-founder of B-Lab UK, Charmian Love, shares what she believes are the traits of a true leader. Her leadership tips come from a social entrepreneur perspective.

Watch the video and read the transcript as Charmian Love talks about being a social entrepreneur.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/leadership_shorts/Ep7

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to bring to the table” mean in the sentence, “Don’t underestimate what you have to bring to the table!”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “to step into” mean in the sentence, “Just recognising the really wide and diverse range in which people can step into leadership positions has been one of the joys of my journey.“? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “self-critical” mean in the sentence, “I think leaders should be very careful to not become so convinced by themselves and their own leadership model that they don’t have the ability to reflect and be, sort of, quite self-critical as needed.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you understand the role of social entrepreneurs?
  2. How are social entrepreneurs different from other entrepreneurs? Can you give examples?
  3. What leadership insights have you learned from Charmian Love?
  4. Which leadership traits mentioned in the video do you often see in your company or society?
  5. Do you want to be a social entrepreneur? Why or why not?

Billionaires Try Hard to Look Poor

B2 – Upper  Intermediate 

The super-rich are people who are absolutely not like you and me. To say the least, they can pretty much afford anything in this world, including luxury clothes.

However, most of them try to make themselves look like they are just like any of us by wearing outfits that seem so plain and ordinary, having houses and cars that seem basic, and living a lifestyle that seem simple and frugal.

Do you ever wonder why some of the top billionaires in the world appear in public looking so simple in their regular-looking outfits like basic t-shirts instead of donning Italian custom-made suits?

Watch the video that explains the concept of poverty peacocking.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “folksy image” mean, “SBF and the rest of the gang were all frauds, but putting a lot of effort into crafting a folksy image is done by most prominent business leaders for three simple reasons.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “stealth wealth” mean? “Billionaires doing a Bloomberg or NAS Daily interviews featuring their basic car and geeky wardrobe is not the same thing as stealth wealth.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “grift” mean? “An important element of any grift like this is that people need to believe that someone has become wealthy and that they can do it too.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on poverty peacocking?

2. Discuss each of the 3 reasons rich people try to look poor:

– It gets them what they want.

– It is an effective sales tactic.

– It helps them keep their workers in line.

3. Share your opinion on this, “Humble CEOs are the new fashion.”.

4. What are your thoughts on ‘Get Rich Quick Course’?

5. Talk about your insights on this, “Corporations became people, as people too, became corporations and every corporation needs a media relations department.”.

More Women Apply for Jobs in Europe

B2 – Upper  Intermediate 

Given the highly competitive job market and very unstable economy across the globe, people, particularly women, are not giving up on trying to find a greener pasture, even extending their job hunting across the pond. 

According to a report by the global recruitment-software platform iCIMS, more female job seekers are applying for jobs in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) rather than in North America. 

Read the article about this trend among female job hunters to find jobs in Europe.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240401-women-job-applications-europe-vs-north-america

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “in droves” mean? “In a tough job market and tumultuous global economy, women are searching for jobs in droves.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘in droves’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “playing field” mean in this context, ”Over the years, European employers have recognised the importance of closing their workplace gender gaps and implementing initiatives that focus on equalising the playing field, which has encouraged more women to apply for jobs”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “overarching” mean? “The overarching biggest factor, however, is the state of the global economy.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘overarching’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the drivers behind the higher volume of female job applications in the EMEA?
  2. What do you think could be consequences of this trend in the long run?
  3. Share your insights on this, “There is a structural necessity for women to participate in the workforce due to the ageing population.”. Do you think the same goes for your country? Talk about it.
  4. How does your country make it easier for younger women to enter the workforce?
  5. In your country, how have the government and employers tried to close workplace gender gaps?