Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Are Women More Attractive in Heels?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is a common fact that many women do not like to wear high heels as they are uncomfortable and can cause negative health effects on the body. Arguably though, wearing high heels can make you look stylish and more confident.

Nevertheless, does the type of shoes impact on the way women are perceived?

In this social experiment video, we get to answer the question whether women in heels look more attractive to men than those in flats.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with the conclusion of the experiment? What factors do you think act on and lead to the results of the experiment?
  2. Do you think women are more attractive in heels?
  3. What do you find attractive in a person?
  4. How important is clothing in a person’s attractiveness?
  5. Talk about the type of shoes you are most comfortable wearing.

Glasses Ban for Women at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Japan, news of several companies banning the wearing of glasses among female employees made rounds recently.

This has become a controversial issue in the country as reports say that female employees have been told by their employers to stop wearing them.

Read the article to find out more about this eyewear ban among women in Japan.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50342714

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on forbidding women to wear glasses at their workplace?
  2. Do you think this ban is sexist? Why or why not?
  3. What might good things about wearing and not wearing glasses?

An Inside Look At Doomsday Bunker Homes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many of the world’s elite have reserved and designed their own secret shelters to house their families and staff. These shelters are equipped with protection against everything from bombs to bio-hazards. Many companies around the world are meeting the growing demand for these structures to protect them from any risks while also giving them luxurious amenities.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of these luxurious doomsday bunker homes?
  2. Do you believe in the Apocalypse? How do you feel about it? How would you prepare for it?
  3. If you were one of the elites, would you purchase your own doomsday bunker? How would you want it to be?

Man Claims Apple Turned Him Gay

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A Russian man has filed a lawsuit against Apple for ‘moral harm’ claiming that an iPhone app had turned him gay. According to news, he blamed Apple for pushing him towards homosexuality through manipulation and that the change has caused him moral and mental harm.

It may sound frivolous, but how can an app possibly turn a ‘straight’ man gay? Read below.

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-49933003

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the man’s claim?
  2. How is homosexuality viewed in your country?
  3. In your opinion, what are the factors in the formation of homosexuality?
  4. If you were Apple, how would you respond to this issue?

The Life of a Child Star

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fame can either make or break individuals. So what if fame comes way too early in life? This could be a struggle of a child celebrity on how to cope with the limelight and tackle the adolescent dilemmas at the same time. The constant harassment of the media, parties, wanting a photograph or an autograph, the pressure to stand out are just some of the dark side to it. Would they go down the pit or successfully be able to make a way back to normal life?

Click the link below to know some reasons why child stars go off the deep end.

https://www.medicalbag.com/home/specialties/pediatrics/the-life-of-a-child-star-why-some-go-crazy-and-others-dont/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of a young kid becoming a child star?
  2. If your son/daughter wanted to be a celebrity, would you allow them?
  3. Why do most former child stars hit rock bottom eventually?
  4. What should be done to protect child celebrities from being abused/exploited?
  5. Talk about some famous child stars that you know of.

Embracing Physical Imperfections on Social Media

B2- Upper Intermediate

An Instagram influencer from Russia has asked people to post photos of themselves not wearing any make-up. She believes in the idea of body positivity and is trying to spread it in Russia.

Men and women have found themselves battling identity issues due to the unrealistic beauty standards set by what they see on social media. It is used to promote ourselves, tons of celebrities, influencers, models and brands, also use it to sell themselves by creating an image of perfection. What exactly is the perfect beauty? How do we even define beautiful?

Read the article about how a young Russian Instagram influencer is advocating to push back against the pressure to display physical perfection on social media.

https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-49877327

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think social media promotes body positivity? Share your insights.
  2. What are your thoughts on this campaign?
  3. How does social media impact one’s self -image?
  4. Should we be comfortable to bare our physical imperfections? Why or why not?
  5. How can we promote body positivity even more?

Eating at the Worst Buffet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every time something ignites or excites our curiosity, whether it’s a movie or a newly released video game, our expectation is usually high. Sadly, there are times, although not all the time those expectations are not met and of course, it devastates you as an avid spectator and the usual reaction is to share or convince others not to patronize it.

The video below is an example.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is there something that you read, watched, listened to, visited, or played, or otherwise experienced that you think is bad and you wish others could avoid? What are those and why would you want people to stay away from them?
  2. How would you convince others to avoid these experiences?
  3. Is it worth your time convincing others?

A Culture of Rivalry

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Rivalry as defined by the Cambridge dictionary as a serious and often continuing competition has been evident in and been affecting many events such as sports and music. Even world leaders have their own slice of rivalry. Arguments and speculations of who wins and who loses in a match seems to be deeply ingrained in our cultures.

Please take time in reading about this topic further. To access the link, right click on the image, then “open in new tab”.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/18/learning/what-is-your-favorite-rivalry.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does rivalry capture your attention?
  2. Do you have your own favorite type of rivalry? Is it in sports? In pop culture? Explain why?
  3. Is rivalry ever healthy?
  4. Are there qualities that make a good rivalry?
  5. Talk about your thoughts on winning and losing.
  6. Have you ever had a rival? Share your experience.

Aviation Industry to Oppose Flight Shaming

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The aviation industry has taken an increasing amount of flak from environment advocates because of carbon emissions from commercial flights.

Read the transcript and listen to the accompanying audio to weigh in on this issue.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/aviation-industry-to-oppose-flight-shaming-movement/5155504.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the “flight shaming” movement?
  2. Should travelers find alternative means to reach their destinations and abandon taking flights altogether?
  3. What steps are being taken by the airline industry to ensure that travel by plane will become more eco-friendly?
  4. Would you ever avoid air travels?
  5. Talk about your experiences traveling by plane.

Photos Ended Child Labor in the US

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Industrial Revolution had led to a need for workers and in the pursuit of cheap labor, many companies hired children. This, in turn, had put them in dangerous conditions for long hours and low pay. As the outcry against this practice grew, the National Child Labor Committee hired Lewis Wickes Hine to travel the country and photograph and interview child laborers. His images are powerful, and his careful documentary work gave them more context and helped spur the passage of legislation.

Check out the video below on his outstanding work and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do feel about what’s discussed in the video?
  2. What are your thoughts on how Hine carefully shot his photos to shine a light on the problem in child labor?
  3. What do you think of Child Labor? Do you think it still exists today?
  4. Do you like taking pictures? What is your purpose in taking them?
  5. What do you think is the importance of photography in our life? How powerful is it?