Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Van Gogh’s Real Mental Illness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Van Gogh is no doubt a legendary man and one of the most influential, if not the most influential artists of all time. He is perceived though by many as the ‘mad’ artist as accounts told of him showing an unusual personality and losing his sanity. But, what mental disorder did Van Gogh really go through? Schizophrenia, bipolarism, or even depression?

Let’s think big and discover in the video below for it may change our perspectives about the poor man.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is temporal lobe epilepsy? Do you know anyone who has or might have this condition?
  2. How are mental illnesses viewed in Spain?
  3. Which one artist do you admire the most?
  4. If Vincent Van Gogh were alive, how do you think his life would be different at the present time?
  5. What one question would you ask Van Gogh?

Shocking Cultural Norms from Around the World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A big part of traveling is to gasp at breathtaking sights, taste different kinds of cuisines, and admire traditions and customs. Each culture has its own set of rules that makes it unique. However, some countries have unbelievable, bizarre, and more shocking norms than others.

So if you are planning to go to Croatia, Ireland, Lebanon, and the rest, then you had better watch the video to prepare yourself.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which cultural norm did you find the most shocking, and why?
  2. Have you visited any of the countries in the video? If so, did you observe or experience the said customs?
  3. Do you know other strange practices and traditions in any country? In Spain?
  4. What is a common misconception about the Spanish culture?

Why Don’t Young People Read the News

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A number of surveys found that people age 18-34 are consistently less knowledgeable about current events than older people.

Let’s read the article below and find out why a lot of young people do not watch the news anymore.

https://www.thoughtco.com/why-dont-young-people-read-the-news-2074000

Discussion Questions:

1. What might be reasons young people aren’t interested in reading or learning period?

2. What are the reasons young people are not interested in the news?

3. Why is it important for young people to be abreast with current events?

4. How can news be made appealing to the younger audience?

Connectivity Improved the Way We Bring Up Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For most families, it can be difficult to keep up with the rapid development in technological devices, mobile applications, and the ways young people use them.

Digital parents play a crucial role in molding how their children use digital media. It’s important for parents to have conversations with their children about the digital world – so families can make the best use of it and enable children to navigate it safely.

Read the article on connectivity and raising children.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/digital-parents-how-connectivity-has-improved-the-way-we-bring-up-children_uk_5cc3060ee4b05f4d35ff4a7b

Discussion Questions:

1. Is technology a good or a bad thing?
2. How has technology changed parenting?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using gadgets for children?
4. From what age do you think children should have a mobile phone?

Harmful Tourism

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries. It generates jobs and revenue for the country or the local government. Travelers love being in foreign lands but the same cannot be said completely for the local residents.

Let’s listen to the podcast and learn some tourism vocabulary too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190912

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the harmful effects of tourism discussed in the podcast?

2. What are your thoughts on this?

3. Do you like to travel? How often do you so?

4. Do you like visiting other countries or do you prefer traveling in your country?

5. What does Disneyfication mean?

Leftovers You Should Stop Eating

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Leftovers can be a good solution to a quick meal. It is so easy to just reheat them in the microwave to satisfy one’s hunger. However, reheating certain food can be risky and much too fatal.

Watch the video and see if you are guilty as charged.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe your reaction to this video.

2. What are the leftover food mentioned in the video?

3. Are you guilty of eating any of these leftover food?

4. What are the proper food reheating techniques discussed in the video? Do you have the time to do them when you eat leftover food?

A Message to Today’s World Leaders

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Greta Thunberg, 16, a Swedish climate advocate and recipient of Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award, recently gave an impassioned speech addressed to world leaders at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.

Watch her full speech here:

 

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What emotions did Thunberg’s speech arouse in you?
  2. What actions can young people do to protect the environment?
  3. What are the possible consequences of ignoring climate change?
  4. If you were to address your country’s leaders, what would you tell them about climate change?
  5. If you were President, what would you do about the environmental problems in your country?

 

 

Canadian Prime Minister in Black and Brown Face

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been caught in a controversy wherein photographs of him wearing a face make-up to look like a brown/black-skinned person emerged. Justin Trudeau has apologized for his embarrassing and offensive actions of racism since.

Let’s watch the news below:

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on this headline?

2. What are your thoughts on dressing up as someone of different color at a party/event?

3. If you were Trudeau how would you handle this row?

 

Dealing with Self-doubt

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Whenever you are preparing for something, most likely there is something that might prevent you from thinking that you’ll succeed in doing it. It is what we call the evil within or our self-doubt. We are often told not to be overwhelmed with negative thoughts and trust one’s self to overcome obstacles and succeed in whatever you are aiming for. However, most of us are struggling with how to fight the devil within ourselves.

Watch this video about five things you can do to eliminate self-doubt.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt self- doubt? Share your experience/experiences.
  2. In general, are you confident in yourself? Or are you plagued by doubts?
  3. What role does self-doubt play in your life? Does it affect your performance at school or work?
  4. What are the sources of your self-doubt?
  5. Do you have your own strategies to deal with self-doubt? How effective have they been?

Empty-Nesters are Happier

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Perhaps it’s true what they say: having children does make a person happier but research shows, some parents only feel so after their children had left the nest.

Find out more about why empty nesters are happier parents.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/parenting/2019/08/20/empty-nest-parents-happier-when-kids-move-out-study-finds/2052323001/

Discussion Questions:

1. Who really is happier — people with or without children?
2. What is your opinion on the statement: “parents are happier, but only after their children had moved out”? What do you think this implies?
3. What are the positive and negative aspects of parenthood?