Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Cyber Security for the Rich and Famous

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Smartphones are used a little too much these days – from dating to traffic updates, accessing bank accounts, among others. However, the problem is that there is no perfect control against cyber attacks even rich and high-profile individuals are vulnerable.

Let’s read more about cybersecurity through this article:

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/25/tech/bezos-amazon-cybersecurity/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is cyber security important?

2. Do you turn on automatic updates on your smartphones?

3. How often do you change your passwords? How do you make sure your passwords are protected?

4. What are the risks associated with using public wi-fi?

5. Give some tips for protecting yourself against identity theft.

Scarcity Marketing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

FOMO is an internet slang that stands for ‘fear of missing out’. It’s one of the most fundamental instincts people have and this is what businesses capitalize on as a tactic in order to create artificial scarcity so their products would be of greater value to consumers.

Watch this video to learn more about scarcity marketing and consumer theory.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is scarcity marketing and how does it work?
  2. What’s your impression of this marketing strategy?
  3. Why do you think this works?
  4. Talk about advertisements/brands that use this marketing strategy.
  5. What other marketing trick do you know of?

Testing the World’s Longest Flight

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some 40 passengers and 10 crew members took a flight for about a 20-hour flight from New York City to Sydney. This flight was a test to find out how long-haul flights such as this could affect the human body. Once investors are convinced and policymakers approve, Qantas Airways aims to offer this route in the future.

Watch this video to know how it’s like to be on what might be the world’s longest flight.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this kind of flight?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of long-haul flights?
  3. Talk about the longest flight you’ve ever been on. How was it like? How could it be improved?

Travel Tips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Samantha Brown has made a career out of globetrotting. The American television host has been known to draw from her wealth of experience on the subject of travel and sharing ideas on how to get the best out of each journey.

In the video that follows, she gives us some travel tips.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What places have you traveled to locally? Where have you gone on holidays overseas?
  2. What are possible motivations for taking trips?
  3. Samantha Brown talks about creating travel rituals. Do you have any of your own?
  4. What are the best things about being in another country for the first time?
  5. What do you think about Brown’s travel tips?
  6. What are your own suggestions for an enjoyable excursion?
  7. What do you think are the best words or phrases to know in a local language to get by in another country?

Benefits of Social Events

B2 – Upper Intermediate

New research found that going to concerts, barhopping, and taking part in other social events could make us healthier. They are restorative environments where people can go to relax, recharge, and boost their mental and physical well-being. As these activities make people healthier, they make lives longer.

Read the article and answer the questions below:

https://basmati.com/2016/09/01/5-health-benefits-social-events-and-activities

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you go to live concerts, shows, and other social events?
  2. What are your favorite social events and activities?
  3. According to the article, how does it affect our health?
  4. Do you agree that these activities positively affect our health and lengthen our life expectancy? Why or Why not?
  5. In order to live longer, how do you keep yourself healthy?
  6. If you were to live a life with longevity, how do you plan to enjoy your long years?

Why We Say “OK”

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We say ‘OK’ to express agreement, acceptance, understanding and many other positive responses. It is interesting to know that the most widely used word in the English language actually started as an editorial joke.

Let’s watch the video and find out more about the origin of ‘OK’.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the origin of the abbreviation ‘OK’?
  2. How did the past American re-electionist president use it to his advantage?
  3. How did the invention of telegraph transformed the word ‘OK’ from a slang to a formal word?
  4. What expression do you often use to express agreement?
  5. What are your favorite Spanish and English words and why?

Population Slowdown and Spain’s Economy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A great number of Spanish leaving Spain, not a very vigorous growth in the number of immigrants and the imbalance between births and deaths in the country are some of the issues Spain is confronted with.

Read the article to find out more about this issue and how it can potentially be resolved.

https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/12/23/inenglish/1577115169_134179.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the population slowdown in Spain and how it affects the economy.
  2. Explain how the population helps the economy.
  3. What are the solutions to this problem?

Chatting to New People

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Don’t talk to strangers.” That is the advice we hear from parents to their young ones for safety reasons. In contrast, this may be terrible advice for adults.

Let’s listen to the podcast and find out why it is good to talk to strangers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191212

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you like talking to strangers?

2. Do you like starting the conversation or do you wait for others to initiate contact?

3. According to the podcast, why is it good to talk to strangers? Do you agree with these reasons?

The Best Home-Cooked Meals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many will surely agree that nothing beats a home-cooked meal, especially one that’s prepared with love. Whether it’s kneading dough or licking excess icing off our fingers, or peeling vegetables or stirring a pot of soup, most of us have memories of either watching or helping out our family in the kitchen. Recipes handed down through the generations also serve as opportunities to bond and enjoy each other’s company.

In the video below, grandchildren from the four corners of the world praise their favorite cooks and the dishes they do best.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the premise of the video that grandmothers make the best home-cooked meals?
  2. What are your favorite kitchen memories spent with family? What dishes did you prepare and eat together?
  3. What recipes have been handed down to your generation by your elders like precious family heirlooms?

Grocery Store Influencers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Influencers are becoming more and more important in reaching shoppers nowadays. A full-time Detroit mother blogs about the discount German grocery chain that has a huge following. She gives very objective reviews of different products and her experiences.

Here is the article about it:

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/07/business/influencers-aldi-kroger-costco-publix/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is influencer marketing?

2. Do you follow any influencers? Why or why not?

3. Is there any authenticity in influencer marketing?

4. What do you think will be the future of influencer marketing?

5. What are other ways you find out about deals and discounts on products or services?