Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Is Renting a Good Idea?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Although owning a home is a basic life goal of most people, renting has become a choice for a lot of people nowadays. Renting a home can be an ideal option for those wanting extra flexibility and less responsibility. For some people, renting might make more sense for their financial circumstances. But is it really better to rent?

Watch the video below to see the two sides to renting.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you renting? / Have you ever rented a house/flat?
  2. What are your thoughts about renting versus owning/buying?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting?
  4. Is it more common for people in your country to rent or buy a house? Why do you think that is?
  5. Talk about your experience renting.

Cars Make You Poor

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cars have become a necessity. For most people, buying a car is one of the most expensive purchases they will ever make in their lives. While buying a new car makes you feel like you are granting yourself new freedom, a new car is more likely to take it away along with security.

Watch this video to find out why cars are not exactly an investment.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a car? What do you think about buying a car?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a car?
  3. Do you agree with what it says in the video that cars are bad investment? Why or why not?
  4. Do you prefer driving your own car or riding public transportation?
  5. What are some examples of things that are good and bad investments?

Why It Pays To Be Hungry?

B2 – Upper-Intermediate

There are tons of successful people and they have different stories to tell. My personal favorite is the ones who didn’t get their success overnight. Those who fought hard to achieve everything they want.

Successful people struggled too. They have struggled but they continued. They have doubted themselves countless times but every night, they still envision themselves winning. They don’t just give up easily and that’s what makes them different.

Here’s a motivational speech from Les Brown:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Les Brown’s story?
  2. Why do people quit on their dreams?
  3. Have you ever doubted yourself? Cite your experience.
  4. What does Les Brown mean when he said, “You have to stay hungry”?
  5. Talk about the lowest point in your life and how you overcame it?

How Will Coronavirus Change the Way We Live?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This year of upheaval has been very challenging to all of us not only because of the ongoing pandemic, but as well as the racial justice protests, the downturn of the economy without modern precedent and the unprecedented number of natural calamities experienced everywhere.

It seemed life is being flipped with this extreme turn of events. Many of us, if not complaining, have wondered why we have to face or suffer too much this year. For some, this is very perplexing to comprehend.

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-52356136

Discussion Questions:

  1. How’s your experience been so far this year? Is it challenging or somehow manageable?
  2. What aspect of this year’s local, national, or global news was the most profound for you? Is it the pandemic? The new normal? Or the racial discrimination protest? Something else? Why?
  3. How will you answer the big question: “How has 2020 challenged or changed you?
  4. Have you been dealing with all this well or have you somehow struggled to get through it? Share your experiences and motivations to live life in this challenging times.

Pursue Your Dream

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of people wants to be successful but only a few are willing to take actions. It takes a lot of courage to go after what you want despite uncertainties. The thought of going out of your comfort zone could be really challenging but sometimes, you just have to take a leap and decide that you no longer want to be mediocre.

It can be tiring and scary chasing after your goals but then you won’t mind any of that anymore because you are chasing the right thing: your passion.

Watch the video on how Steve Harvey pursued his dreams.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why going out of your comfort zone could be beneficial?
  2. What does success mean to you? What are you passionate about?
  3. Why do you think some people would settle for something familiar than something new?
  4. What are the things that drive you to pursue your dreams?
  5. Talk about the things that you’ve done for your dreams.
  6. What are the things that could one do to find his/her passion?

Thai Parks Mail Litter Back to Tourists

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Littering irritates everyone. It destroys the beauty of nature and our surrounding. People are sometimes too lazy to dump their rubbish in a bin and just throws them anywhere, making the area look dirty.

Read this lesson on an unusual punishment for littering.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200920-litter-mail.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Thailand’s litter policy?
  2. What are the rules or laws on littering in your country?
  3. Should people pay a fine or go to prison for littering? Why or why not?
  4. What does littering say about someone’s character?
  5. Should we pick up other people’s litter? Why or why not?

Is This The Era of Distrust?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The fallout of trust on the government, companies, and even individuals is evident in the recent years. As access to information is at an all-time high, it creates room for doubts on people’s minds. We tend to be cynical about almost everything now.

Is it really bad that we doubt? Do we simply have to trust everything we hear and see? Or should we realize that sometimes there is more to it than meets eye?

Listen to this podcast about trust in this day and age.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200813

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a trusting person or a skeptic?
  2. Are you familiar with the Ponzi scheme mentioned in the podcast? What is it about? Did something similar happen in your country?
  3. How would you describe someone who is gullible?
  4. What makes someone truly trustworthy?
  5. Talk about a situation you know of where public trust was betrayed.

When Adoption Is a Good Option For You

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are couples who dream and desire to raise a child. When you adopt a child, you become a parent. One of the rewards that comes with it is the feeling of fulfillment in providing a home to a child and the joy of becoming a parent.

However, before venturing into this, there are some things you should consider if adoption is really a good option for you.

Read the article and be able to answer the questions that follow:

https://www.beingtheparent.com/when-adoption-is-a-good-option-for-you/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is adoption common in your country?
  2. Do you agree with the article? What do you think of adoption?
  3. Do you think parents who adopt, have the same kind of love for their adopted child as biological parents have with their child?

World Autism Awareness Day

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Autism is a growing global health crisis. The United Nations General Assembly declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in Qatar, 2007. WAAD aims to educate people about autism and different intervention. It celebrates the unique talents and skills of people with this disorder. People with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the world.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript and be able to discuss the questions that follow.

https://eslholidaylessons.com/04/world_autism_awareness_day.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the UN adopting a resolution to recognize this disorder?
  2. How can this resolution help people with autism?
  3. How are people with this disorder viewed and treated in your country?

US-China Tech Firms Tension

B2 – Upper Intermediate

China claims that its tech companies have been victims of “naked bullying” by the US. The American government has taken restrictions measures on Chinese applications such as TikTok and WeChat. The hindering of the said apps was a result of issues with data security. Who are affected by these two largest economies’ trade war?

Let’s read more about China’s claim of naked bullying and USA’s The Clean Network through this article:

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54052765

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is naked bullying?
  2. What do you think of USA’s data privacy efforts? Do you have such policies in your country?
  3. Do you use any Chinese applications? Describe their use in your daily life.
  4. How is the trade war between US and China affecting the world?
  5. Do you think Chinese applications are danger to any country?
  6. How important is data security and privacy?