phone english blogB2 – Upper Intermediate
Your brain is obviously a very important part of your body. It carries a lot of information around and has the main control for every function that happens in your day-to-day life.
Watch the video to know some of the considered brain-damaging habits.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Being young does not mean that children cannot grasp deep and difficult topics like the value of money and how to be financially responsible. By starting early and giving them interesting and relatable concepts, they learn essential lessons and attitudes that they need to possess once they’re earning and have their own money to manage. When they know how to make good financial decisions as they grow up, they avoid financial problems in the future.
Read this article to find out how to teach children the real value of money.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/dec/13/how-to-teach-children-the-real-value-of-money
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Smoking is a hard habit to break. Most people smoke for different reasons such as peer pressure, stress relief, or some might think it’s “cool”. Quitting smoking can be very challenging but it will definitely yield greater health benefits at any age.
Let’s listen to the audio about New Zealand’s plan to end smoking.
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/new-zealand-has-new-plan-to-end-smoking/6347731.html
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
In their early life, most students believe that grades represent how smart and creative they are and that if they have good grades, they are an amazing learner.
But is this the truth? Or are grades bad for students? Because students want to have good grades, they are not taking risks by being creative because taking risks could compromise their good grades.
Instead of wanting to learn to help them be successful, their only motivation is to study just enough to ace their next test and get good grades, but they probably won’t remember any of that, because they believe good grades is enough to be successful. At least that’s what it feels like for them.
Let’s watch this video to find out why perfect grades don’t matter.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
As Covid-19 vaccination rates increase, the economy reopens. As a result, decision makers and public officials have considered the idea of a “vaccine passport”. This is required to provide proof of vaccination before traveling or conducting daily work and other activities in order to allow human mobility while protecting lives. Although there are a lot of benefits from it, the cons on the other hand, are quite controversial.
Read the article and be able to answer and answer the questions that follow.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-56125142
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Feelings of regret in the long-term are more likely for decisions involving inaction; that is, choosing not to do something (Gilovich & Medvec, 1994).
Sometimes, the regret most of us have is that we didn’t try things along the way because we worry too much. We think others’ opinions are crucial to our future success and happiness, only to realize on our deathbeds, none of that matters.
Watch the video to know some life lessons that people learn a bit too late.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Friendships play a vital role in our happiness and mental health. They provide comfort, support, and increase our sense of belongingness. But just like any human relationship, even the closest of friendships can face difficulties.
Let’s watch the video below to find out how to make good friendships last a lifetime.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Your appearance matters a lot in many situations. If you look good, you feel good. Whether you’re attending events, going out with friends, and especially at work, you want to look the part. Physical appearance does affect others’ perception of you.
Watch the video and learn why appearance and dressing for success matter.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
In this generation, when the line between offensive comedy and off-limits jokes is very thin, it’s difficult to determine whether one is just being funny or downright offensive. People say, comedy is subjective. What is funny to you may not be funny or even worse, insulting to others.
Read this news about comedian David Suarez being on trial for a tweet about women with Down Syndrome.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
There is probably not a single employee in the world who’s free from meetings. The work culture nowadays is so obsessed with meetings that it takes the productivity out of the employee. Instead of focusing on essential work or projects, employees have to sit through some long hours trying to dissect some agenda that oftentimes can be dealt with by a few people in a few minutes.
Now that the digital workspace has been a generally acceptable avenue for the current situation, employees are no less immune to the demands of a meeting now and then. Being able to reach people even when they’re away from the office gives more reasons to accommodate calls for meetings because it is now more possible to do so.
So how do we alter this culture and improve productivity? It really is in our hands. Watch this video for some tips on what to do to be more in control of your calendar.
Discussion Questions: