Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Is Social Media Dead?

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Perhaps, three or four years ago, we were so engrossed in social media platforms. But as generative AI rises, many users feel that their feeds no longer contain contents that they can relate with or reflect their preferences or interests.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the way we use social media has changed over time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260108

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “downward spiral” mean? “Is social media on a downward spiral?” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “behemoth” mean? “We see the large social networks and the tech behemoths leaning into generated content, and I think users don’t actually want that.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “gravitate towards” mean? “I see people gravitating towards smaller online spaces, connecting more closely with individual voices, like creator types, and just posting less in general.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is social media dead? Share your insights regarding this.
  2. Was there a moment for you when you felt like social media changed? In what ways?
  3. Do you think this is really happening nowadays, “People gravitate towards smaller online spaces, connecting more closely with individual voices, like creator types, and just posting less in general.”?
  4. Do you agree or not, “Social media was friendlier before – an online space to make friends, have fun and discuss the latest cultural happenings.”? Share your thoughts.
  5. Imagine a world where people use socmed less or not at all.

The 3-2-1 Speaking Trick 

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Some people find themselves rambling when they need to make a speech. Do you ever wonder how those people who have excellent communication skills do it? 

There are tricks that you can pull up your sleeves to make you sound like a CEO. 

Watch the video on some mindset shifts that can help change the way you speak.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “neural echo effect” mean? “People mirror your micro-behaviors. This is something called the neural echo effect.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “” mean? “People judge your intelligence by clarity and not complexity. It’s called the simplicity anchor.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “curiosity loop” mean? “Questions increase dopamine. They call this the curiosity loop.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on the 3-2-1 speaking trick. (1. Pause for 3 seconds. 2. Give only 2 points. 3. End with 1 question.) Can you imagine applying this in some difficult speaking situations/conversations? If you already practice this, share your experience/s.
  2. Have you ever noticed others mirroring your micro-behaviors in a room full of people? Talk about some instances.
  3. One of the things that’s important in speaking in this day and age where we have shorter attention span than ever is “speaking in sprints, not streams”. This trick is especially useful during fights/disagreements. What are your thoughts on this? 
  4. Talk about your experience making a speech. What are your secrets to be able to communicate your ideas effectively?
  5. In your opinion and personal experience, how important is gesture priming or gesturing before you speak?
  6. What do you think about this, “The way you start a conversation matters more than the conversation itself.“?

Parents Saving Millions For Their Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

They say that starting your children off right could lead to generational wealth. Many parents save and invest so their kids can do better than them. They believe that saving up for their children could set them up for a better, brighter future.

Watch the video about some parents talking about saving millions for their children.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “generational wealth” mean? “Starting your children off right leads to generational wealth.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “full-ride scholarship” mean? “I went to South Carolina State University on a full-ride tennis scholarship.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “back-of-the-envelope calculation” mean? “I did simple back-of-the-envelope calculations in an Excel spreadsheet on how much I needed to be happy and comfortable; and maybe to raise a family.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about parents saving all their money for their children and their future? What might be the pros and cons when parents do this?
  2. Is this practice a commonplace in your country/culture? Talk about it.
  3. Do you agree or not, “Starting your children off right leads to generational wealth.”? Share your thoughts.
  4. What would you do if you were born into generational wealth? How different do you think your life would have been?

Families Choose Homeschooling to Educate Their Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In recent years, more parents have started to choose homeschooling instead of traditional public schools. Even though homeschooling is still not officially allowed by law, many families are quietly teaching their children at home. This is especially true for parents who are unhappy with long school hours, heavy exam pressure, and a school system that treats all students the same. These parents want more flexible schedules, learning that fits their child’s needs, and less academic stress. This trend shows that people are beginning to question how education should change in a fast-changing society.

Watch the video to learn more and be ready to answer the discussion questions.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “oversight” mean? “Homeschooling is growing in all three of our states and each one has its own rules, but they don’t all have the same oversight.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym or a similar expression. 
  2. What does “wellness check” mean? “Parents must demonstrate that the child is learning and allow the school district to perform a wellness check.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym or a similar expression. 
  3. What does “under the auspices” mean? “A couple was accused of abusing their daughter for years and keeping her in a dog cage under the auspices that she was being homeschooled.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym or a similar expression. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What problems in traditional schools might cause parents to choose homeschooling?
  2. Do you think homeschooling is a good solution for families who are unhappy with the public school system? Should the government allow homeschooling if parents believe it is better for their children? Share your insights.
  3. Share your opinion on this, “When parents choose to educate a child elsewhere than at school, they are responsible for the educational outcomes of the child. The board of education is not required or authorized to monitor the outcomes of the child.”
  4. What are your personal thoughts on homeschooling?
  5. How could the rise of homeschooling affect children’s social skills and future opportunities?

Baby Girls Now More Popular Than Boys

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In recent years, conversations about gender preferences have begun to shift, raising the question of whether baby girls are now more popular than boys. Cultural trends, changing family values, and social media influence how people perceive and celebrate gender, potentially reshaping long-standing preferences. This topic invites a closer look at whether these changes reflect real societal shifts or simply evolving attitudes and expressions.

Watch the video and be able to answer questions below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to leave it up to (someone/something)” mean?
    “If you leave it up to nature, there are roughly 105 male births for every 100 female ones.    ” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  2. What does “a torrent of (something)” mean? “Meanwhile, the world has recently been exposed to a torrent of news about poor male behavior.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  3. What does “skewed” mean? “In China, which has a skewed sex ratio, there are so many men that they often end up unmarried and childless.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think society genuinely favors baby girls more than boys today, or is this just a trend driven by media and social networks?
  2. In your opinion, is having a preference for a baby’s gender harmless, or can it lead to long-term social consequences?
  3. What social or cultural factors might influence a growing preference for baby girls in some societies?
  4. Are preferences for a child’s gender changing globally, or do they vary significantly by culture and region?
  5. Share your thoughts on picking your child’s gender being illegal. What do you think about some parents and doctors quietly ignoring this law in some countries?

Sweden Wants Travellers to Embrace Boredom

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Travel often feels like a race to see and do everything. But a new approach invites us to slow down, embrace quiet moments, and find meaning in stillness. Sweden is encouraging travelers to follow this path, valuing rest over rush and discovering the beauty of simply being.

Read on to learn more about this new travel campaign in Sweden.

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2025/11/26/dark-skies-and-empty-itineraries-why-sweden-wants-travellers-to-embrace-boredom

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “to beckon” mean? “In Sörmland, cabins next to forest trails beckon travellers with blissful solitude.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “stillness” mean? “Lighting a fire, going for a walk, stargazing, and watching the Northern Lights: the campaign frames these moments of stillness as the appeal rather than the absence of activity.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “a sweeping change” mean? “In an era defined by the ceaseless cycle of news and entertainment, slow travel represents a sweeping change in what many travellers seek from their trips.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the new Visit Sweden campaign inspire travelers to rethink their approach to travel?
  2. In what ways does Visit Sweden present the country as an ideal place to experience boredom?
  3. What types of experiences or activities does the campaign highlight for visitors seeking a slower pace?
  4. Have you ever experienced Sweden? How would you feel about slowing down and embracing boredom there?
  5. In what ways might experiencing boredom benefit us?

Spain’s First Quantum Computers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Telefonica (TEF) has teamed up with IQM and CESGA to bring Spain its first quantum computers, including a 54‑qubit system for advanced research and a 5‑qubit system for education and training. This marks a major step for Spain in joining the global quantum computing landscape.

The partnership aims to provide researchers and industry with access to hybrid quantum‑classical computing, accelerating innovation in science, technology, and AI. It also positions Spain as a growing hub for quantum technology development in Europe.

Read the article to know more.

https://www.tradingview.com/news/zacks:e2a292356094b:0-tef-ties-up-with-iqm-cesga-to-deploy-spain-s-first-quantum-computers

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to underscore” mean? “Telefonica’s involvement underscores the growing importance of quantum computing beyond academia.” Give a synonym. Use ‘underscore’ in a sentence.
  2. What is “free cash flow (FCF)”? “Financial goals include 1.5–2.5% revenue and EBITDA CAGR through 2028, accelerating to 2.5–3.5% from 2028–2030, alongside stronger, de-risked free cash flow and continued investment-grade strength.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is “dividend”? “The company has confirmed a dividend of €0.30 per share for 2025, set a dividend of €0.15 per share for 2026, and plans to allocate 40–60% of free cash flow to dividends for 2027–2028.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts and reaction to this, “Scheduled for delivery by June 2026, the deployment positions CESGA among Europe’s most advanced high-performance computing (HPC) centres and significantly strengthens Spain’s role in next-generation computing technologies.“
  2. How do you think quantum computing could change the way companies like Telefónica operate in the next 5–10 years, and do you think Europe can become a global leader in this technology?
  3. Why is it important for Europe to achieve technological autonomy in telecom and computing?
  4. How might combining quantum computing with AI and high-performance computing change research or everyday life?
  5. “IQM Spark system for education” Should schools and universities focus on teaching emerging technologies like quantum computing?

How a Spanish Virus Brought Google to Málaga

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A small, mostly harmless computer virus created in Spain once infected a university computer in Málaga. What seemed like a minor digital nuisance became a turning point, inspiring a young student to dive deep into cybersecurity instead of turning away from technology.

Years later, that early challenge led to the creation of VirusTotal, a platform that caught Google’s attention and reshaped Málaga’s tech landscape. The acquisition brought Google’s European cybersecurity hub to the city, transforming it into a global center for digital security.

Read the article and now more. 

https://tech.yahoo.com/cybersecurity/articles/spanish-virus-brought-google-m-180000233.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to dive back into” mean in this sentence? “He dove back into the virus’s code, looking for clues his 18-year-old self might have missed.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “hit someone like a ton of bricks” mean? “This hit Quintero like a ton of bricks; now, he would never be able to ask Antonio about “Kike.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to live on beyond these walls” mean? “Astorga’s legacy also lives on beyond these walls, and not just through his students.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the virus discovered at the university influence Bernardo Quintero’s career path and future decisions?
  2. In what ways can unexpected problems or challenges lead to innovation and long-term success?
  3. What factors helped Málaga transform from a regular city into a European technology hub?
  4. Share your thoughts on Malaga being a true cybersecurity talent hub.
  5. How does this story illustrate the relationship between curiosity, experimentation, and learning?

Google to Launch First of its AI Glasses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

AI glasses are smart eyewear that use artificial intelligence to give information directly to the user. They can work through sound or visuals and help with tasks like directions, translation, or quick answers, and are part of a growing trend in wearable technology that makes devices more personal and interactive.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this new technology from Google.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/google-ai-glasses-launch-2026.html?msockid=3e823237b7b86c5f2f8f21e1b6ac6ddf

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to ramp up efforts” mean in this sentence? “Google is ramping up its efforts to compete against Meta.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to get back into the game” mean in this sentence? “Google’s Monday updates come after the company in May announced that it would be getting back into the smart glasses game.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does “competitive market” mean? “Other companies like Snap and Alibaba have also been churning out their own AI glasses offerings as the small but competitive market continues to grow.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI glasses will become as common as smartphones? Why or why not?
  2. What are the potential advantages of audio-only glasses compared to glasses with a display?
  3. How might AI glasses change the way people communicate and learn languages?
  4. What risks or challenges could arise from wearing AI-powered glasses in public?
  5. How might AI glasses affect privacy and data security?

Too Fixated on Protein

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Protein is a very important macronutrient that our body needs for satiety, metabolism, and overall body function. Some good food sources of protein include meat, dairy, legumes, nuts, and grains.

Clearly, we need protein for good health and to build muscles, but with all this obsession with protein, we might be ignoring other important nutrients like fiber, for instance.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about our modern obsession with protein.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-251016

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to cast your eye over something” mean? “Cast your eye over most aisles in the supermarkets now and you’ll see high protein products in abundance.” Use the expression in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “health halo” mean? “Sometimes fat is good; sometimes it’s bad for consumers. But protein seems to have this continuous health halo on it.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “the tide is turning” mean? “Historically, probably not. I think the tide is turning, and there’s more people interested in fibre and optimising their fibre intake and fibermaxxing even – it’s a trend on TikTok.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that our modern obsession with protein could mean that we ignore other important food groups, like fibre? Share your insight.
  2. “The tide is turning, and there’s more people interested in fibre and optimising their fibre intake and fibermaxxing even – it’s a trend on TikTok.” Do you have the same trend in your country? Why do you think this is the case?
  3. In general, what are your thoughts about people thinking some specific food items or food groups have health halos perceiving them to be healthy based on a single feature, such as being ‘organic’, ‘gluten-free’ or in this case ‘high-protein’, even if its overall nutritional value is poor?
  4. What are your usual protein sources? Which one is your favorite?
  5. What health trends have you tried and why was it interesting for you in the first place?