Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

The Decluttering Trend

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you have a lot of things that you no longer need or use? Perhaps now’s the time to start decluttering.

Click the link below and find out all about this current trend of decluttering.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190411

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you need to declutter? Why or why not?
  2. What are the ways to get rid of clutters?
  3. Why do you think people keep on buying things they don’t need?
  4. What do you do with or what do you think happens to things that you no longer need?
  5. What do you think led to the rise of decluttering’s popularity?

Why’s It Called ‘Mother Tongue’?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Mother tongue is a language a person learns from birth and it plays a significant role in one’s life. It is also called home language, native tongue and a first language.

Let’s listen to the podcast and learn more about the term ‘mother tongue’ and the relationship between language and gender.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191031

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the subconscious difference in attitude towards words that are gendered?
  2. How many languages can you speak, read, and write?
  3. Why is your first language termed ‘mother tongue’?
  4. Do you think that the mother tongue should only be used as a medium in higher education?

The Rise of Virtual Restaurants

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Much commerce is being done through the Web these days. This is particularly evident in the food industry. The Internet is offering exciting new possibilities for sellers and foodies alike.

The following audio and text will deepen our understanding of this matter.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/online-food-ordering-gives-rise-to-virtual-restaurants/5137728.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Nowadays, people either order in or eat out. What makes either option appealing?
  2. Which apps have you already used to have food delivered? Was it a convenient or cumbersome means of ordering food?
  3. Why have some restaurateurs decided to take the “virtual” route in doing business? What keeps some of them from fully embracing the idea?

What Really Happens to the Plastic You Throw Away

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The plastic bottle. By the time you read this, you would have probably gone through hundreds of these ubiquitous yet nondescript items. Where did they come from? Where are they headed?

Watch this informative video and find out the fate of three such bottles.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the narrator, how is plastic made?
  2. Explain what happens to each of the three plastic bottles in the story. Which scenario does the video state is the best outcome?
  3. In your city, what usually happens to discarded plastic bottles? How do you feel about this after watching the video?
  4. Enumerate all the plastic items you can see from where you’re sitting or standing at the moment. How many are there in total? What is your reaction to this tally?
  5. What concrete steps can we take to ensure less plastic harms the global ecosystem?

Why McDonald’s Failed In Iceland?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

McDonald’s famous golden arches seem ubiquitous the world over, but in one European country, it eventually closed shop. What led to the fast-food giant’s downfall in this part of the world? Will it make a comeback?

The video that follows provides, pardon the pun, food for thought.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like fast food fare? Why or why not?
  2. Which fast-food restaurants thrive in your country? What do you think contributed to their success?
  3. What restaurant franchises failed to gain a foothold where you live? Why do you think this happened?

Internship – Exploitation or Experience?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

College students need to find the balance between work, friends, family, and academic deadlines. With all these overwhelming tasks and pressure, the significance of having a substantial internship experience can be overlooked.

Let’s listen to the podcast and find out more about internship, its significance, and the issues surrounding it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191017

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is an internship? Did you have an internship as a college student?
  2. How important is an internship?
  3. What is your opinion on the unpaid nature of internship programs? Do you think it is fair to work for free?

Importance of Diversity in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Diversity in the workplace can create a better company. It shows what employees from different backgrounds can actually do and its impact on the company in both financial and cultural aspects. They have the opportunity to learn from one another to have a more effective workplace.

Watch the video explaining the importance of diversity in the workplace.

Discussion Questions :

  1. What is the importance of diversity at work?
  2. What is your opinion about different backgrounds and cultures at work?
  3. How is a greater diversity of workers has been impacting businesses?
  4. What conflicts or problems might arise in working with different cultures in the office?
  5. How can working with people from different cultures be applied to a situation in your past/present work?

Little Things That Affect Our Work Relationships

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The workplace is a professional environment so no matter who you work with, you want to maintain a certain level of professionalism.

Coworker relationships involve a series of “micromoves” which are “small actions or behaviors that seem inconsequential at the moment but affect how we relate to one another”.

In this article, we look at how we can preserve our working relationship.

The Little Things That Affect Our Work Relationships

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe your relationships at work.
  2. How do you fix a bad working relationship?
  3. What are the factors to having good relationships at work?

Forever 21’s Downfall and Bankruptcy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Forever 21 made billions in revenue and was one of the fastest-growing fashion empires. Now, the owners have filed for bankruptcy after struggling to keep up with the rise of e-commerce. As one of the largest occupants of American shopping centers, a massive shutdown of Forever 21’s stores could aggravate the ongoing retail apocalypse.

Watch the video about how Forever 21’s success and downfall.

Discussion Questions:

1. In your opinion, where did Forever 21 go wrong?

2. What can filing for bankruptcy do to a company? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

3. In your opinion, what can the retailers do to save Forever 21?

4. What can Forever 21’s bankruptcy mean for the future of fast fashion?

5. Talk about some of the most popular fashion companies in your country?

Children’s Allowances

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some parents now take a different tack when giving their children an allowance, making it an early form of financial literacy. They hope their kids will use the money they’ve been given responsibly and set aside a fair sum for the rainy days.

Let’s take a closer look at how parents get their money’s worth by reading the article below.

https://www.thetimesinplainenglish.com/childrens-allowances-getting-your-moneys-worth/

Discussion Questions:

  1. When you were a child, what was considered a reasonable allowance? How did you spend this amount and did you have some amount left for savings?
  2. What is the average allowance given to children in your country nowadays? What factors do parents consider in figuring out the right amount?
  3. How are children expected to spend their allowances?
  4. What values do parents hope their children will exhibit in terms of how they use the money entrusted to them?
  5. Imagine explaining financial management to a child. How would you go about it?