Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Bullying or Normal Competition?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Bullying has become a universal issue, whether in school or at work. Is it really bullying or just a normal competition among peers?

Let’s find out more about it through the audio conversation below. Be prepared to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-150108

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on corporate bullying?
  2. Have you witnessed bullying within your company?
  3. What policies are there to curtail bullying in the workplace in your country?
  4. How do we draw the line between competition and bullying at work?

Teenagers and Sleep

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you have teenagers at home, then you’re probably familiar with the problem of them not going to bed on time and consequently, not being able to wake up the next morning for school.

Read the article below to discover the importance of getting enough sleep for teenagers and how to help them get enough of it.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/teenagers-and-sleep-how-much-sleep-is-enough

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think most teenagers are “night owls”?
  2. How were your sleeping habits when you were a teen? What would you have done differently?
  3. As an adult, do you still have difficulties getting enough sleep? Why or why not?
  4. What are some of the health issues that are associated to sleeplessness?

Leisure Time for A Healthier You

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Life can be very difficult if you don’t know how to relax. Having time for leisure is important for us to stay healthy. There are various activities we can do to give ourselves enjoyment and take our minds away from work even just for a short time.

Read the article below to know more about the relationship between leisure time and mental health.

Leisure time physical activity linked to lower depression risk

 Discuss:

1. What activities do you do when you’re not working? How often do you do them?
2. How do you handle everyday stress?
3. What sport or physical activities are you engaged in?

More Foreign Students in the US

B2 – Upper intermediate

More and more students from other countries flock to the US to pursue their education. Watch the video and read the article below to know more of the facts.

US Hosts Record Number of Foreign Students

Discuss:

1. What do you think are the main reasons why most students prefer to study in America?
2. What are the benefits of studying abroad?
3. Have you ever considered or experienced studying abroad? Talk about this experience.

The Danger of Artificial Intelligence

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Scientist Stephen Hawking believes that Artificial intelligence can be a threat to human race.

Read the article below to know more about the possible consequences of artificial intelligence. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1412/141209-stephen-hawking.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you know about artificial intelligence?
2. Do you believe this famous scientist’s
statement?
3. How have robots helped us in the past 15 years?
4. In your opinion, what are some jobs that only people can do?

Record Percentage of Americans Have Never Married

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There’s a surprising census data among Americans who have never married. Nowadays, women are more likely to pursue a better career and look for men with stable jobs. On the other hand, men who have never married said finding a woman who would be a good mother is more important.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on changes in the American family over the years.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-league-dating-app-marriage-dating-trends-us-/2514824.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the marrying age in Spain? Do you think this is the best age to be settling down? Why or why not?
  2. According to the research, almost half of Americans ages 24-35 has never been married. Compare this to the situation in your country.
  3. What is more important to you in finding a partner, one with a stable career or someone who would be a good husband/wife?
  4. What do you think of the new ways of dating or meeting a potential partner?
  5. What are your thoughts on apps such as The League?

Is Writing by Hand Better?

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Scientists say that typing is a less effective way of remembering something. Many students now have resorted to typing on laptops or computers. Typing leads to mindless transcription.

Is Writing Notes by Hand Better Than Typing?

Discuss:

1. What is your opinion about the study?
2. How can computers affect us in a negative way?
3. Do you still prefer writing some of your notes?
4. What do you do to help yourself remember some things like birthdays or errands or even names?

Jailed for Helping

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A 90-year old chef was put into jail for feeding the homeless. There is a law in Florida which forbids people to feed the homeless.

Read this article about a chef who got in trouble for feeding homeless people.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/chef-90-faces-jail-fines-feeding-homeless-121414540.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does this law make sense? Explain your opinion.
  2. Why do you think the local Florida government implemented this kind of law?
  3. Is it wrong to help the needy ones? Explain.
  4. How do you help the needy ones?
  5. Is there any similar law in your city/country? Talk about it.

Spain’s Best Museums

B2 – Upper Intermediate

On top of most tourists’ destination in Spain are Galleries like Prado and Reina Sofia. But there are still a whole lot more to see. The not-so-famous museums in Spain deserve to be paid a visit. Here are top ten of them.

https://www.thelocal.es/galleries/Culture/spains-best-museums

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s the best/most interesting museum you’ve ever been to?
2. What do you like most and least about museums?
3. Do you think it should be free to enter museums?
4. If you had lots of money to start your own museum, what would you exhibit in it and what would you call it?

The Trash-less Lady

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Is it really possible to live without producing trash? Read the article below to know more about Lauren singer and her journey to living trash-less.

SHE HASN’T MADE ANY TRASH IN 2 YEARS. THIS IS WHAT HER LIFE IS LIKE

Discuss:

1. What did Lauren Singer do to eliminate trash?
2. How has her life improved since she went trash free?
3. With your current lifestyle, do you think this is something you can do?
4. How do you try to live with less clutter?