Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Trump’s Plan Could Erase After School Program

B2 – Upper intermediate

Since taking office, President Trump’s administration has been rocking boats and challenging society with new policies. School programs is one of them.

Watch the video below then express your thoughts.

Discuss:

1. What is an after school program and how does it help children?
2. What do you think will happen if budget for after school programs will cease?
3. In your country, are there similar programs to help specific children (or families) in certain communities?
4. What improvements would you like your government to make when it comes to children and their education?

 

Ageism at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A newbie does not have enough experience. A senior colleague is not technology illiterate. These are some common assumptions and generalizations we sometimes make based on a person’s age.

Ageism exists in the workplace. Are we just supposed to just sweep this issue under the rug?

Click on the link below to read more on ageism in the workplace.

https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/apr/24/ageism-at-work-being-mistaken-for-the-work-experience-kid-is-humiliating

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the negative effects of ageism on an individual?
  2. What might be the positive impact of it?
  3. Does ageism in the workplace exist in your company and/or country? Talk about it.
  4. Talk about a situation when you witnessed ageism happening.
  5. What is your stand on this, “This [ageism] isn’t just an issue young people face.“?

Globalization

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Globalization has changed society in many ways. Some people believe this has been a positive change, while others argue that it has had many negative impacts. 

In business, globalization has its advantages and disadvantages.

Find out by watching the video and be ready to answer the discussion questions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what are problem caused by globalization?
  2. What are the negative impacts of globalization?
  3. Have you ever worked for a multinational company? If yes, did you enjoy it? If no, would you like to work for a multinational company? Why / why not?
  4. Why do you think there has been an increase in multinational companies in the last 50 years?
  5. How has this increase impacted on language learning?

English Conversation – Singlehood

B2 – Upper intermediate

Singlehood is usually defined as the state of being unmarried. However, the term also applies to having no romantic partner. Some people may assume that to be single means to be unhappy. However, some people prefer to live a single life and find many advantages to it.

Singlehood is usually defined as the state of being unmarried. However, the term also applies to having no romantic partner. Some people may assume that to be single means to be unhappy. However, some people prefer to live a single life and find many advantages to it. Others choose to stay single after being divorced or widowed. On the other hand, some people are not single by choice and would like to find a partner with which to share their life.

Watch the video carefully and discuss the questions:

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about Iyanla’s advice? Do you agree with all the advice she give?
2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of being single?
3. What are the main reasons some people live a single life?
4. Do you think most people that are single are happy or unhappy?
5. Describe the differences in lifestyle of a single person from a married person.

Jungle People Have No Heart Problems

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Heart disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

Recently, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death.

Would you believe that there are people who are not at all at risk of developing heart diseases?

Read the lesson about the Tsimane people and how they are the ones with the healthiest hearts in the world.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1704/170410-heart-disease.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. “This study suggests that coronary [disease] could be avoided if people adopted some elements of the Tsimane lifestyle.” What is your opinion on this?
  2. Do you have a lifestyle that is kind to your heart? Explain.
  3. Is there anyone in your family suffering from heart disease? Talk about it.
  4. What activities are really bad for your heart?
  5. What can you do to look after your heart?

Signs You Are Succeeding In Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all probably have moments at times when we feel like we are a complete and utter failure. While this is a normal feeling, you have to find a way to see yourself and your life from a different perspective.

Sometimes we ignore the “little things.” Just because you are not a millionaire, don’t live in a mansion, and you don’t drive a fancy car, doesn’t mean you are any less successful than your peers. In fact, it’s quite the contrary.

Read the article about signs that you are succeeding in life even if it feels otherwise at times.

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/20-signs-youre-succeeding-life-even-you-dont-feel-you-are.html?ref=sidebar

Discussion Questions:

  1. Name some of signs from the article that you think are the most important and also state the reasons they are crucial in order to say you are succeeding in life.
  2. Which ones you have yet to achieve? How are you planning to get there?
  3. What are things or situations in our lives that make us feel that somehow we are failing? How can we overcome them?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “If you are happy, then you are succeeding in life.“.
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “If you can change your negative perspective on situations to a positive one, then you are successful.”?

Broken Heart Doctor

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Watch the video below about a doctor and how his heartbreak helped him become better at his profession. Share some of your experiences related to sympathizing and empathizing.

Discussion Questions:

1. At the beginning of the video, the doctor said that his heart had a “giant hole in it.” What did he mean by this? What happened to him?
2. How did the doctor describe his loneliness?
3. Why did the doctor say that the hospital is great place to be in when a person is in pain? What kind of pain was he talking about?
4. How did the doctor describe his experience working at a children’s hospital?
5. How do past experiences in life help us in the present?

Literature to Explain Migrants to Children

B2 – Upper intermediate

Reading and literature brings about many benefits, especially in children. In Bologna, Italy, a book fair for children is featuring something different and very timely.

Take a look at the video below then express your thoughts.

Video: Book fair features literature to explain migrants to children

Discuss:

1. What is the point of this unique book fair in Bologna?
2. What are other ways we can educate children about migrants and the Syrian war?
3. Are book fairs a popular idea in your country? Have you been to one?
4. What are your preferences in books? Reading materials?
5. What are the advantages of children being exposed to reading books at an early age?

 

Wildlife Travel Agent Drops Zoo Trips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Going on package tours sound really interesting. However, if these trips include activities that endanger animals and violate their rights, is it still worth it?

A travel agent in Brighton is changing things by adapting “responsible tourism”.

To read more about this, click the link below.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-39479367

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did the company “Responsible Travel” do and how do you think this would impact their business?
  2. What is ‘responsible tourism’? What are your thoughts on this?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that “Keeping animals in zoos is inhumane.“? Explain your point.
  4. Why is it important to protect animals and as well as their rights?
  5. Have you ever gone on a package tour that included animal attractions? Kindly talk about it.
  6. What are the pros and cons of going on package tours?

The Firm that Starts Work at 9.06am

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most employees consider having flexible work hours a perk. At Pivotal Software, they require their employees to clock in at exactly 9:06 in the morning.

Curious to know why? Click on the link below to read more about this unusual work rule.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37998577

Discussion Questions:

1. Why are employees at Pivotal Software required to report to work at exactly 9:06 AM?
2. What do you think of this idea?
3. Would you like such rule to be implemented in your company? Why or why not?
4. Describe your work hours and your typical work day.
5. What are the things that you do to increase your productivity at work?