Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Being Alone The Key to Rest

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B2 – Upper intermediate

At the end of a long week or even a hectic month at the office, we all long for that time when we can just sit back and relax. Resting is important to everyone.

Read the article below to know some facts about the kind of rest that we need. You may read the article in parts. Take note of new vocabulary words.

How being alone may be the key to rest

Discuss:

1. What did the article say about getting the best kind of rest?
2. What recreational activities do you enjoy doing?
3. How do you make sure that you get enough rest?
4. Have you experienced going on a short holiday alone?

Car-Free Day in Madrid

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© El Pais

B2 Upper Intermediate

Commuters were faced with heavy traffic congestion as Madrid celebrates its yearly car-free day or “Día sin Coches”.

Read the article below to see how some reacted to this event.

http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/09/22/inenglish/1474544921_591930.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about the Car-Free Day?
2. What do you think about the traffic situation in your city?
3. What do you think are other alternatives to private transport?

Vital Pieces of Advice from People Over 60

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Life can sometimes really get the best of each and every one of us. Try to be an old head on young shoulders and outsmart life.

Read this article and learn a thing or two from people who have definitely been there and done that.

https://themindcircle.com/20-absolutely-vital-pieces-of-advice-from-people-over-60/

Discussion Questions:

1. Which pieces of advice do you agree/disagree with?
2. What is the most important advice you have received from your parents, grandparents, or someone you consider wise?
3. What piece of advice would you tell your 12-year-old self?

Brown Shoes Could Lose You a Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When you show up for a job interview, you need to ‘dress the part’. This means that you need to wear clothes that would make you look very suitable for the job you are applying for.

If you dream of being an investment banker in the UK, you need to be wearing the right color of shoes to get that job. According to a report published by the U.K. Social Mobility Commission, it’s possible to lose a chance at a job if you don’t fit the classic look of a ‘polished city banker’.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/01/wearing-brown-shoes-could-lose-you-a-banking-job-in-uk.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe a complete outfit you’d wear to a job interview.
  2. Should a job applicant be judged by what they are wearing rather than their skills or qualifications?
  3. One respondent in this study said he even had to change his accent. What is something that you changed or willing to change in order to get a job?
  4. Why are looks very important in some jobs?
  5. Talk about some ‘unwritten expectations’ of Spanish workers in your own industry.

A Social Experiment on Social Learning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social experiments can be very interesting. Below is a video on how people sometimes conform to society, even without knowing why.

Watch the video then express your thoughts.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “internalized behavior“. “This sort of internalized form of her behavior is part of what we call “social learning”, starting at a very early age when we see members of our group perform a task.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to follow in one’s footsteps” mean, “Our brains [ literally ] rewards us for following in their footsteps.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to join the ranks” mean, “It’s why even this rebel, who wasn’t standing for any of this nonsense, eventually joined the ranks.” Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Kindly explain the experiment. What were your thoughts on the result of this social experiment?
  2. How do you think you would do in this experiment?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that conformity affects the way you act? Explain and cite examples.
  4. Name some behaviors/beliefs you’ve got from social learning.
  5. What are the benefits and risks of social conformity?

TGI Thursday!

B2 – Upper intermediate

Fridays are awesome. Fridays are the best. It reminds us that we survived the week and that the weekend is coming. Yet, for some employees, Thursdays are what they look forward to.

Read the article then express your thoughts about different work schedules.

Although the workweek varies from country to country, the majority of people in the majority of places around the globe work five days per week. Some cultures maintain an older, six-day workweek. A few countries and/or businesses have reduced the number of days work to four, but instead require employees to work longer hours. The four-day workweek has begun to demonstrate massive positives. This suggests that people may soon say, “TGIThursday!”

With a four-day workweek, companies immediately reduce energy costs. The buildings are closed for three days. This saves millions of dollars for the largest employers. Employees also feel more refreshed after longer weekends, which lead to less stress, fewer health problems, and a drop in absenteeism. Productivity increases too.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “TGI” stand for in “TGI Thursday“? “This suggests that people may soon say, “TGI Thursday!” Use the expression in a sentence.
  2. What does “around the globe” mean? “Although the workweek varies from country to country, the majority of people in the majority of places around the globe work five days per week.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘around the globe’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “absenteeism” mean? “Employees also feel more refreshed after longer weekends, which lead to less stress, fewer health problems, and a drop in absenteeism.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on a four-day workweek?
  2. What are the positives and negatives of a four-day workweek?
  3. Would a four-day workweek likely be adopted in your country? Would it work? Why or why not?
  4. For you, what is the ideal number of working days a week and why?
  5. Do you think longer days off could help decrease absenteeism and increase productivity? Share your opinion.

12-Year Old Scores College Acceptances

B2 – Upper Intermediate

12-year old Tanishq Abraham is just like any other young boy his age. He goes on Twitter and plays video games. But what makes him different is that, by age 11, he had already received a college degree.

Read the article below to find out more about child prodigy, Tanishq Abraham.

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/college-game-plan/tanishq-abraham-12-scores-college-acceptances-uc-davis-uc-santa-n578056

Discussion Questions:

1. If you were Tanishq’s parent, would you allow him to go to college at a very young age?
2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of entering college at an early age?
3. How would you feel having a college classmate who is 12 years of age?
4. Would you give up your job to support your child when you see that they are gifted? Why or why not?
5. Would you allow your child to give up college education for a career (e.g. sports, modelling or entertainment)? Why or why not?

Bad Day at the Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When you accidentally send a text message to your boss but was meant for your boyfriend or girlfriend, what do you think is the best way to deal with it?

BBC asked the question, “What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you at work?” via Quora, a question and answer website. Below are some of the interesting answers.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20150402-bad-day-at-work-top-this

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had at work? How did you recover from the humiliation?
  2. What do you think are the benefits and setbacks of painfully losing one’s pride in the office?
  3. How would you describe your office? Do people get along well or is distance kept?

Tech Support Scams on the Rise

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nowadays, we seem to rely highly on technology to go about our daily lives. Because of this, there are some people who take advantage of this to dupe people. How dependent are you on technology?

Read the article below to learn of the new threat where technology is involved.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1606/160624-tech-support.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about what you read?
2. How worried are you about Internet security?
3. What do you do to keep your computer safe? What risks are there of being online?
4. Who do you think are most at risk from scams like this?

Chile Bans McDonald’s Happy Meals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

With hopes of reducing the growing number of overweight children, Chile’s government bans marketing of toys in children’s food. McDonald’s Happy Meal and Kinder Surprise Egg are some, among others, affected by this measure.

Read this article about Chile banning Mc Donald’s Happy Meals.

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/War-on-Fat-Chile-Bans-McDonalds-Happy-Meals-and-Kinder-Eggs-20160525-0045.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this ban? Should this policy be adapted on a global scale? Why or why not?
  2. What are your thoughts on unhealthy food being passed off as something that could make kids happy?
  3. What are other ways to keep children from becoming overweight?
  4. What are things that the health authority in your country is doing to keep children healthy?
  5. Were you fond of fastfood as a kid? Why or why not?