Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Problems with School Systems

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Schools are supposed to teach our children about important lessons, and they do. However, there a lot of problems with school systems that completely contradict this goal.

On the internet, many people say that schools are bad for us, even though these claims are partly justified, it feels like an extreme way of interpreting the problems with most school systems.

Watch the video to find out more about some problems with our school system.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “churn out” mean, “In fact, thought leaders from around the world agree that the current system of education was designed in the Industrial Age, mainly to churn out factory workers.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does the expression “run deep” mean, “And this Industrial Age mentality of mass production and mass control still runs deep in school.”? Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “rote” mean? “Most of the learning that happens in school today is not authentic, because it relies on memorization and rote learning.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with the problems mentioned and discussed in the video? Talk about your thoughts.
  2. Besides the problems mentioned in this video, what are other issues with school systems?
  3. What are some issues with the educational system in your country?
  4. In your own opinion, do these problems outweigh the positives of school? Explain your stance.
  5. If you had the power to do so, how would you try and fix these problems?
  6. What problems did you have at school as a student?

Monkeypox Virus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Just as we thought the COVID-19 pandemic is about to end, there is a new virus that has spread through Europe and North America. It is the monkeypox that started in Africa.

Let’s watch the video and find out more about this emerging viral disease.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is monkeypox? Where did it originate? How does monkeypox spread? What are its known symptoms?
  2. What is your reaction to this new virus?
  3. What is your government doing to protect its people from this virus?

Replace Forks with Chopsticks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is said that there is a link between health and the use of chopsticks. Chopsticks are crafted pair of equal length sticks used for eating that are popular in Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.

Read the article to know why using chopsticks is better for our health and be able to answer the questions below.

https://www.sakara.com/blogs/mag/why-you-should-be-using-chopsticks

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about what is said in this article? Do you agree that using chopsticks is better for our health? Why or why not?
  2. Have you used chopsticks before? What do you think of chopsticks as utensils?
  3. Would you like to try using chopsticks to help you achieve better health? Why or why not?
  4. How do you compare the way people normally eat in your country with those from other countries?
  5. What do you do in order to prevent yourself from overeating?

A Special Restaurant

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Special events and trips are sometimes celebrated by dining in a restaurant. Restaurants represent a different dining and social experience. Famous restaurants, though expensive, are sought-after by dinner who want to get a taste of their lovely and tasty creations. Some people are even willing to book a year in advance just to secure a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript at the link below to learn about a woman’s experience in a special restaurant in Catalonia.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/audio-zone/a-special-restaurant

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was one very memorable restaurant that you had been to? What was the best dish you had?
  2. When was the last time you went to an expensive restaurant? How was the experience?
  3. What are some famous restaurants in your city and those that you want to try?
  4. Would you be willing to wait for a year just to be able to eat at a famous restaurant? Why or why not?
  5. What do you look for in a restaurant?
  6. Where can you buy some really good, affordable food in your city? Is there a restaurant that’s affordable but has really good food? What is it?
  7. Do you love imitating restaurant dishes or following recipes at home? Share your experience.

Comfortable: 50 People 1 Question

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As you might know, social media is the main engine helping the body positivity movement spread wider and get people to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Watch the video to find out the differences between how adults and children perceive themselves.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt negative about the way you look? How did you deal with it?
  2. Do you think a lot of people nowadays are overly critical of their appearance and want to change it for the better?
  3. Who is unsatisfied with their appearance the most: the adults or the children?
  4. What do the adults want to change? What do the children want to change?
  5. What conclusion can you draw with this information now?
  6. If you were asked to name one thing you would like to change about yourself, what would it be?

Truths about TV Reality Talent Shows

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are entertained. We watch an ordinary person achieve their dreams of making it. We see a superstar unfold. These and more is why we love TV reality talent shows. 

But are they really only about looking for talents or are there any secrets behind the curtains?

Here is an article that reveals the truth about TV reality talent shows.

5 Truths You Need to Know about TV ‘Reality’ Talent Shows

Discussion Questions:

  1. Were you surprised by any of the facts from the text? Which ones? Why?
  2. Cite other ways talent shows are beneficial for contestants.
  3. What do you think are the downsides of being part of such shows?
  4. Are there any talent shows in your country? What are they? How popular are they among the audiences in your country?
  5. Do you like this kind of shows? Why or why not?

Women File for Divorce More Than Men

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The desire to dissolve a marriage is typically tough, and spouses may spend years, if not a lifetime contemplating their alternatives. When it comes to starting a separation, however, there is a distinct pattern as to who takes the ultimate ruling.

On average, women end their marriages significantly earlier than males. But why are women more likely to divorce their husbands first?

Let us figure out by reading the entire text.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220511-why-women-file-for-divorce-more-than-men

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think women are the ones who usually divorce their husbands first?
  2. Do people get divorced too easily and quickly today? What do you think are the reasons for this?
  3. What are the most common factors responsible for couples to divorce?
  4. Does divorce mean part of you is a failure? Explain.
  5. Why do you think divorce rate is higher in some countries than in others?
  6. Is being divorced a social stigma in your country? Talk about it.

Taliban Orders Women to Cover Their Faces

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of the time, we can tell how people feel simply by looking at their faces. Our faces show a lot of expressions. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this non-verbal communication has been hindered by the mandatory use of face masks.

In Afghanistan, however, it is not the use of face mask that conceals their women’s faces but the mandatory use of hijab that is part of Taliban’s new order for women to conceal their faces in public.

Let’s read the article and know more about this new decree.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/8/taliban-make-burqa-mandatory-for-afghan-women

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this decree?
  2. What is the punishment for the violation of this decree?
  3. What other decrees issued by the Taliban inhibit women’s rights?
  4. How did the international community fail Afghan women according to some women’s rights activists?

The Wind-Farm Controversy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Wind turbines are one of the sources of clean, renewable energy. Because of their large sizes, they take up a lot of land area. One location in England refuses to upgrade to new larger ones for aesthetic reasons. Residents also worry about the risks it might pose to their wildlife. Arguments have been raised with regards to the benefits and drawbacks of wind-farms.

Take a look at the full lesson below to learn more about this controversy.

https://linguapress.com/intermediate/wind-farm-controversy.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does your government preserve the natural landscape and wildlife of your country?
  2. Does your government consider wind farms a good source of renewable energy? Why or why not?
  3. What are some sources of renewable energy that your country currently utilizes?
  4. What are some climate change effects that you have felt or noticed in recent years?
  5. What does your government do to tackle climate change? How do you, as an individual, contribute to your part in solving problems related to climate change?
  6. What are some pros and cons of wind farms?
  7. How do we use less energy?
  8. What are your thoughts on nuclear energy?

Left Brain Right Brain is a Myth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We assume that people think differently. Someone is very good at science and another is good at arts. Do you think this depends on a person’s being left- or right-brained?

We have all heard that the cerebral hemispheres are responsible for different activities. However, is it really true?

Watch the video and find out if the theory of left- and right-brained thinking is true or not.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Was any information mentioned in the video shocking for you? Explain.
  2. What is your attitude to the “brain dominance” tests after having discovered this new theory? Will you rely on them?
  3. Do you believe that people will one day learn all the secrets of how the brain functions?
  4. What is one proof that the left- and right-brained thinking theory is false based on the video? What are your thoughts on this?
  5. Are you left- or right-brained? What are your qualities that make you as such?