Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

One School, Five Languages

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Jobs in the future will require people to be able to speak more than one language. Some schools in New York are providing dual language programs. What are your thoughts on being a polyglot?

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/dual-language-schools-popular-in-new-york-city/3094014.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How many languages can you speak fluently?
  2. Do you think that one day there will be just one language in the world? Would the world be a better place?
  3. Are there any disadvantages in learning another language?
  4. What are the advantages of being able to speak more than one language?

Japan’s Fake Food

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is an old saying, ‘we eat with our eyes’. Many instances we’ve proven that this could be true.

Realistic-looking food are used as an advertising tool all over Japan. Various food items on display are not real but they look so tempting, you’d want to eat them!

Watch the video and read the transcript to know more about this Japanese culture that is both an art and a business.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tasty-to-the-eyes-japans-fake-food/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of realistic-looking food displays?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that when it comes to food, “before you eat, observe it”?
  3. According to the video, why is plastic food important in Japan?
  4. Based on the video, how are some of the food made? What are some of the equipment they use?
  5. Have you been to Japan? Would you like to visit?

Top 10 Fascinating Facts About the Philippines

B2 – Upper intermediate

Here’s an interesting video you can watch to know a little more about the Philippines. Be ready to practice your speaking skills by answering the different discussion questions with your teacher.

Discuss:

1. Talk about some of the facts that you learned in the video. Which one did you find interesting?
2. Have you been to the Philippines? What do you already know about the country?
3. Share some interesting facts about your own country.

Electric Car

B2 – Upper intermediate

An electric car uses electrical energy stored in  rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device. With the current problems in climate change, more people are looking for alternative energy sources. Some experts say that using electric cars is one of the best solutions in dealing with fuel demands and pollution.

Read the article below to know more about Tesla Motor’s electric car.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1507/150721-electric-car.html

 Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of electric cars?
2. What would future cars be like?
3. How will electric cars affect traffic and road safety?
4. What are your preferences when it comes to vehicles?

Virtual Worlds Are Useful for Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Learning could be fun and engaging with the aid of modern technology innovations like the so-called virtual world. The program is designed to educate children and at the same time, help them to experience life in the real world. But will this really help them be better when it comes to socializing?

Read the short article below then express your thoughts.

http://www.english-online.at/society/web-worlds/virtual-worlds-for-children.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think that virtual worlds really help children?
2. Are there any advantages to pushing children to engage in virtual programs? If there is, what are they?
3. What other form of technology can be considered useful in a child’s development?

The End of Newspapers

B2 – Upper intermediate

News nowadays are just at the fingertips. You’ll know the latest in an instant. No need to go to a newspaper stand to read the latest.

The enormous information over the internet world is overwhelming. The information is so huge that reliability seems irrelevant and undependable. In contrast, news based on articles, ideas and opinions seems to be more honest.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Journalists and experts in the news industry wonder if print journalism will survive. More people go to the Internet for news because of accessibility. Readers can browse through additional articles across several newspapers, read blogs, listen to audio, and watch videos. In addition, the content is often free. However, the end of newspapers may mean more than the end of a medium. It could mean the end of journalism as we know it.

For the most part, journalists and the newspaper industry are honest. The same cannot be said about blogs and faux news-like websites, even if they have become a popular source of information. The articles might often express biased opinions, or report information that hasn’t been fact checked. There is a need for balanced reporting or journalistic integrity.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s your opinion on newspapers and journalists?
2. What’s your opinion on blogs and bloggers?
3. What would happen if newspapers completely disappeared? Why do you think so?

Financial Lessons from Our Grandparents

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the modern world, everything is easy-access. From buying clothes, to furniture to groceries – everything can now be bought online with your handy dandy credit cards. But did you know that when it comes to saving, the best people to ask advice from are our grandparents?

Read the article below and express your thoughts.

http://www.wisebread.com/10-financial-lessons-we-learn-from-our-grandparents

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some financial lessons that you have learned from your parents/grandparents?
  2. How can we teach young people about financial sense?
  3. Do you prefer paying with cash or credit card? Explain your choice.
  4. What do you think are the advantages of paying cash?
  5. Are you good at saving money? Why or why not?
  6. What are the things that you plan on spending in the future?

More and More 70-year-olds Working

B2 – Upper intermediate

Around 10 per cent of British people in their early 70s are now working. It is the highest figure since records began. How do you feel about this? Do you think that the government should do something about this?

Read the article below and answer some discussion questions.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151110-working.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. At what age do you want to stop working and why?
  2. Is it wrong for people in their 70s to work? Explain.
  3. What are the difficulties for people when they retire?
  4. How important is a pension?

Drone Deliveries Coming to a Home Near You

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Drones are a fun way to capture a view from above. In the United States, however, governments have started on laws to regulate the use of drones.

Watch the video below and express your thoughts.

http://www.voanews.com/a/3084535.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you like online shopping? What are the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping?
2. What can you say about the new technology that Amazon is planning to use for deliveries?
3. How do you think this technology will affect the demand on human labor in the commercial industry?
4. Does your city have very strict rules when it comes to using drones?

Corruption Busting Is Her Game

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A 23- year old woman investigates corruption and manages an organization’s digital communications platform. She’s trying to build an international community of online corruption fighters.  It’s a space where people share evidence of graft, and where the corrupt are named and shamed.

Read the article about Kavisha Pillay’s work with Corruption Watch and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.voanews.com/a/corruption-busting-is-her-game/3075265.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Kavisha Pillay’s idea and actions?
  2. Would you be courageous enough to join her in cyber space to fight against corruption?
  3. Do you think the idea of naming and shaming will be as effective as hoped? Why or why not?
  4. What else can concerned citizens do to help curb or stop corruption?