phone english blogB2 – Upper intermediate
What comes to your mind when you hear someone say “I’m just blowing off some steam.”? Watch and listen carefully to the video to understand what this idiom means.
Discuss:
1. How do you blow off steam?
2. Do you think blowing off steam at someone is acceptable?
3. How do you manage your emotions, especially when getting angry?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Are apples like people that they fall from trees? Watch and listen carefully to the video to understand what this idiom means.
Discuss:
1. In your own words explain the idiom.
2. Would you say the same thing about you and your parent/s? How about you and your child?
3. Do you know someone (a friend or a relative) who doesn’t fall far from the family tree?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Can you really physically peel your eyes? Watch and listen carefully to the video to understand what this idiom means.
Discuss:
1. Talk about times when you had to keep your eyes peeled because you were looking for something.
2. At work, when do you have to keep your eyes peeled?
3. Are you very good at finding things?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Do you trust your police force? Watch as people from different parts of the globe express their opinions and share their experiences on their country’s protectors.
Discussion Questions:
1. How would you rate the performance of your country’s police force?
2. What changes would you like to be implemented when it comes to protecting the welfare of citizens?
3. Have you ever been treated unfairly by someone in authority?
Business English – B2 – Upper intermediate
Read the list of business phrasal verbs and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences and will be answering some discussion questions.
Discuss:
1. If you had the chance or the opportunity what business would you like to set up?
2. Describe a time when a meeting was called off and why it happened.
3. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation at work and what you did to resolve it.
4. What are some of the reasons leaders at work have to step down?
Business English – B2 – Upper intermediate
Read the list of business phrasal verbs and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences and will be answering some discussion questions.
Discuss:
1. During the economic crisis, what were some of the things that your company had to cut back on?
2. Are there any reports that you have to hand in at the end of the day/month?
3. In your profession or industry, what are some of the things you look out for to be able to do a good job?
4. At work, who are some of the people you count on?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Most of us are born with good eye sight and sadly take it for granted. Read about Ray Flynn and the extraordinary second chance he had to see life in a different light.
Feel free to work on the different activities below the article with your next teacher.
Discuss:
1. Talk about and describe some of the medical breakthroughs that you know of.
2. Have you had an operation before?
3. What medical operations do you think should be free to help citizens in your country?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Selling and Chewing gums is prohibited in Singapore. Do you want to find out why? Listen to the podcast carefully then express your thoughts about it.
Discuss:
1. What do you think of Singapore banning chewing gums?
2. Would you like gums to be prohibited in your country just like in Singapore?
3. What other bad / antisocial habits do you wish to be prohibited in your country?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
At one point in our lives, we’ve been guilty of liking a song that was just too mainstream pop. We’ve secretly danced to Britney Spears and sang along the Backstreet Boys.
Watch the video to find out how our guilty pleasure music benefits our well-being.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
A new security bill has been passed in Japan. It will allow military troops to fight abroad for the first time after the WWII. Some believe this is unconstitutional.
Opponents of this new legislation are taking their frustrations to the streets. But what exactly are they fighting for?
Watch the video and be ready to discuss the issue that Japan is facing.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33546379
Discussion Questions: