Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Giving Away Your Fortune

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you were a millionaire or a billionaire, would you be willing to give 99% of your fortune away to charity and leave almost nothing to your children?

Discover why Mark Zuckerberg along with many other super rich decided to give their fortune to charity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/6-minute-english/ep-160218

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of what Mark Zuckerberg and others like him did with their wealth?
2. If you would give your fortune away, who/which organization/cause would you give it to?
3. Do you agree with what Andrew Carnegie believed in, that wealth should be spent to make the world a better place?
4. How are you making a difference in your own little way?

Drugs Under Control In Portugal

B2 – Upper intermediate

Portugal had one of the highest drug use rates in Europe. Now, they have the problem under control. Read the article below to learn how Portugal treat their drug abusers. Be ready to express your thoughts.

Drugs Under Control in Portugal

Discuss:

1. Is there a drug abuse situation in your country?
2. What do you think is the best way to combat drug abuse?
3. What are some of the social issues that you think your country (or government) should tackle?

Moving On When Someone You Love Dies

B2 – Upper intermediate

The article below is meant to practice your reading and vocabulary. Feel free to read it part by part. Highlight any word or expressions you would like to discuss with your teacher.

How to Go on Living when Someone You Love Dies

Discuss:

1. How do you understand the word “grief”?
2. Does your country have very special traditions when it comes to grieving lost loved ones?
3. What are some of the points in the article that you agree with? Disagree with?

High Blood Pressure – A Silent Killer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Below is a short article that gives some interesting information about high blood pressure and its consequences.

Read the article then be ready to talk about health and other health issues.

http://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-silent-killer.htm

Discussion Question:

  1. Do you know some people who suffer from high blood pressure? What are their struggles with this condition?
  2. Is high blood pressure also a widespread health problem in your country? Why do you think that is?
  3. Have there been steps taken by the national health ministry to reduce cases of this so-called ‘silent killer’? What are they?
  4. Do you agree that a lifestyle change can make a person healthier?
  5. What are some of the things you do to stay healthy?

Ways To Make Any Workout Feel Easier

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having a fitness regimen means committing yourself to a series of activities that can be done with regularity. Some might start hitting the gym, start having a diet plan, but most fail when it comes to consistency.

In this topic, we are going to discover some ways to make any work-out feel easier.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/15-science-backed-ways-to-make-any-workout-feel-easier_us_56be5c66e4b0b40245c6c820?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on these tips?
  2. Do you exercise? If yes, how often? If not, why so?
  3. What other things do you do to stay fit?
  4. How else can we motivate ourselves to exercise?
  5. How would you describe your diet?

Entitled Millennial or Starving Ex-Employee?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Talia Jane was recently dismissed from her job. she feels it was an unfair dismissal, but some think otherwise.

Read on and discover why this woman’s post became viral on the internet.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35636280

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Talia Jane and what were the problems she cited?
  2. What do you think about her and what she did?
  3. Would you support or fund “Help a Yelper EAT”? Why or why not?
  4. What was your life like when you were a fresh graduate/in your 20s?
  5. How do you display work ethic?

Interview Tips That Lead to Job Offers

B2 – Upper intermediate – Job Interview

If you’re counting down the days till your next job interview, these helpful hints will help you get in the right mood so you can leave a lasting impression on the interviewers:

Interview Tips That Lead to Job Offers

Discuss:

1. According to the article, why is it good to take notes during the interview?
2. What is the importance of researching the company you are applying for?
3. What are other things you can do to be prepared for your interview?

Hooked Up to Computers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

With so many advancements in the medical field, it is no surprise that doctors and surgeons are able to utilize computers as part of a person’s recovery.

Read the article below to know about Matt Nagel and his operation.

http://fullspate.digitalcounterrevolution.co.uk/archive/ai.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your initial reaction to the story?
  2. Will this kind of technology be helpful to a lot of people? Why or why not?
  3. How can this technology be helpful to paralyzed people? What do you see are its dangers/risks?
  4. Do you see this new technology becoming widely available to help a lot of people in the near future?
  5. Matt Nagel is the first patient to try out this new technology. Would you be willing to be the first person to ever try out a new medical technology? Why or why not?

Video: Women and Self-defence

B2 – Upper intermediate

Click on the title below and listen to the story of Rana Abdelhamid and how her movement is empowering Muslim women in her country.

Teaching self-defence to Muslim women

Discuss:

1. Describe how Rana Abdelhamid feels about martial arts?
2. What is WISE and how did it start? What is the story behind this initiative?
3. Have you noticed an increase in discrimination and violence in your country?
4. According to the video, what makes Muslim women more susceptible to facing violence?
5. How would you protect yourself if you are threatened?

Video: Kenya’s Woman Cartoonist

B2 – Upper intermediate

Cartoons have a very different way of showing crucial and weighty issues to the public. Click on the title below to watch about Celeste Wamiru and her cartoons.

Kenya’s first woman editorial cartoonist

Discuss:

1. What kind of cartoon does Celeste Wamiru create?
2. In the video, what does “pushing the envelope” mean?
3. What did Celeste Wamiru suggest when she said that “as cartoonists…it gives us the license to offend”?
4. What is your general opinion of freedom of the press? Is this a right that members of the press take advantage of in your country?
5. What are some of the values your country has that are still considered conservative?