Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Effects of Daylight Saving Time

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Daylight saving time (DST) has been practiced by some countries as early as 1908. The tradition of adjusting time back during the fall has given joy to most people as it would mean extra time for sleep. But DST can also cause other “side effects”.

Click the link below to learn about the 5 weird effects of Daylight Saving Time.

http://www.livescience.com/40903-daylight-saving-time-affects-your-body.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which effect of Daylight Saving Time were you most surprised about?
  2. Where did the idea of Daylight Saving Time come from?
  3. What are the upside and downside of DST?
  4. Are you in favor of DST? Why or why not?

Women Try Manspreading for a Week

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are some things we do that we are probably not very aware that they could be a nuisance to others. One example is manspreading.

Watch the video below about manspreading and how three women decided to conduct an experiment related to gender differences. Express your thoughts afterwards.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the women feel about this experiment?
  2. What is manspreading? What is your viewpoint on this?
  3. Is this behaviour natural or is it just an I-can-do-what-I-want attitude
  4. How do you react when a woman beside you spreads her legs when sitting? How about if it’s a man? What’s the difference?
  5. Is there such thing as gender-based accepted behavior?

Winter and HBO Spain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Whether you are a big fan of US TV series or just a couch potato, here’s good news for you. HBO is launching a Spanish service real soon.  No specific date yet, but officials are saying that it is coming very soon.

Read this article about HBO along with one of the most well-loved TV series Game of Thrones coming to Spain.

The US channel responsible for hit series including Game of Thrones, Girls and True Detective is launching a Spanish service.

Although no exact launch date has yet been confirmed, the streaming platform is expected to be active within days after HBO Spain activated a twitter account with the announcement that it was “coming very soon”.

A message from Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays Jaime Lannister in the hit series Game of Thrones, and is currently on location in Spain filming Season Seven also had a message to fans.

“Very soon everyone in Spain will be able to watch all the seasons of Game of Thrones fans on HBO España,” he said on in a clip filmed in Seville.

HBO has teamed up with Vodafone to offer the streaming service, with customers able to access it for €7.99 a month, after initial free trial periods.

It looks like there will be an option for non-Vodafone customers to access HBO España as well, although the price point hasn’t been made public yet.

The US company promises access to an initial catalogue of over 3,000 titles including documentaries, Hollywood blockbusters and kids’ shows.

New episodes of current hits such as The Night Of, Vinyl, Westworld, Divorce, and of course, Game of Thrones will be available as they premiere in the US.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What streaming platforms do you subscribe to? And why?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using streaming platforms?
  3. How have streaming platforms changed the way people watch movies and TV shows?
  4. Do you think streaming platforms will completely replace movie theaters and cable TV in the future? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think streaming services are better than traditional television? Why or why not?

Working Abroad

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Migrating to another country would be a breeze if we all spoke one language and had similar cultures. However, once you leave your home country, you start to realize that things are actually very different.

There are many differences among various cultures across the globe. Your ability and willingness to cope with these differences determine how your experience will be like living and working in a foreign country.

Watch the video below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:
1. Do you agree with the speaker that the best way to compete and succeed in today’s economy is to move to other countries?
2. What are the main reasons people move abroad?
3. What are some of the benefits of working in another country?
4. What do you think are the main challenges people face when working abroad?
5. When is the best time and What’s the ideal amount of time to work abroad? Why?

Facebook Plans to Combat Fake News

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Facebook has been under a lot of criticism for being a portal for posting and spreading fake news particularly on the altered results of the recently concluded US elections.

Read the article on Facebook’s plans on fighting against fake news on their website.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38039506

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “arbiter” mean? “He noted Facebook did not want to discourage the sharing of opinions or become ‘arbiters of truth’.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “uncharted territory” mean? “What Facebook’s challenges over fake news reveal, I think, is that we’re in completely uncharted territory.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “astute” mean? “Zuckerberg’s global ambitions will live or die on his ability to be an astute political operator.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the measures that Facebook is taking in order to stop the spread of fake news on their site?
  2. What do you think Dave Lee meant when he said, “we’re in completely uncharted territory”?
  3. Why is addressing this issue crucial?
  4. How can we spot fake news?
  5. Tell us about fake news you read or heard of recently.

Customer Service

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How important is it really to take care of the customers’ needs? Customer service is making sure a customer is rendered superior quality service and assistance before, during and after a purchase of a product.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss Jackie’s recent customer service experience.
  2. What is the importance of having an excellent customer service?
  3. Do you think companies should invest more on this area? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about the best and worst customer service you’ve ever had.

Myanmar and Iraq Most Generous Countries

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There’s a saying that goes, “It’s better to give than to receive.“

This is what Burmeses and Iraqis are trying to do in their lives. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) found that Myanmar is the country where the most generous people in the world live. While the most helpful people to strangers are from Iraq.

Read the article about how people from the countries Myanmar and Iraq are the most generous in the world.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1610/161028-charity.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on the results of the study?
2. Do you think doing charitable acts are necessary? Why or why not?
3. Would you say being generous and helpful are two traits that most Spanish people have?
4. What’s the most generous thing you’ve ever done?
5. Name some important charities in your country.

American Voters Decided More Than Just the Presidency

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B2 – Upper intermediate

And so the United States presidential election is over. The country has a new president, who will take office in January of 2017. There is mixed emotions on the results. But voters were not only choosing who the best candidate should take office. They were also hopeful that certain policies would change.

Read the article below to know more about policy measures that Americans are trying to work on.

American Voters Decided More Than Just the Presidency

Discuss:

1. Is marijuana legal in Spain? What about medical marijuana?
2. Are you able to possess any type of gun in Spain? Do you think it makes you any safer owning a gun?
3. What is the minimum wage in Spain? Do you think you can live off of the current minimum wage in the States at $7.25 an hour or 6.75 Euro?
4. Do you know when they stopped implementing the death penalty in Spain? Do you agree with having the death penalty?
5. Is euthanasia legal in Spain? Do you think someone has the right to decide to end his/her life if he/she is suffering from a terminal disease?

Unexploded Bombs Still a Problem in Laos

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Most countries have many remembrances of past wars. Unfortunately, in countries like Laos, these reminders still have the power to injure them.

Read the article below and express your thoughts about it.

Unexploded Bombs Still a Problem in Laos

Discuss:

1. Who do you think is responsible for the clean up of the remaining bombs?
2. Should the USA pay for the medical bills of those people who are affected by the bombs or should it be charities?
3. Do you think that bombs today are more sophisticated because of advanced technology?

Developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

B2 – Upper intermediate

There are many differences between males and females. And dealing with stress is one of them. Read the article below to know more about PTSD and how stress affects specific gender.

Boys and girls react differently to stress

 Discuss:

1. What do you know about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
2. What damage does stress do to the body? How does it change people?
3. Who do you think are emotionally stronger, boys or girls?
4. What are some of the world’s most stressful job?