Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

The Downsides of Being Clever

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most parents would want to have intelligent kids. The common education system promotes academic excellence. People would do everything to be smart by studying hard; going to private academy for tutorials and starting early on in education to have an edge in life.

However, it has been discovered that there are disadvantages to being an intellectual.

Read the article below to know what they are and to find out about intellectual humility.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150413-the-downsides-of-being-clever

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to the article?
  2. Share your thoughts on this, “Lone stars, isolated even as they burn their brightest.“
  3. What is your opinion on this, “Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing.“?
  4. “Wisdom can be trained.” Where do you stand on this?
  5. Have you witnessed intelligent people make the wrong choices for themselves?
  6. Do you think that the educational system should be changed when it comes to measuring intelligence? Explain.
  7. How can employers take advantage of intellectual humility when interviewing candidates?

Do We Need New Internet?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some internet experts are saying that the worldwide web has become unsafe that the best thing to do is to start all over.

Read the article below and share your thoughts about Internet safety.

http://www.english-online.at/media/new-internet/do-we-need-new-internet.htm

 Discussion Questions:

  1. How useful is the Internet to you?
  2. How common is Internet fraud in your country?
  3. Internet experts say that the whole net has become so unsafe that it would be best to start all over again. Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain.
  4. Talk about the good and bad things about the internet.
  5. How can we keep ourselves safe when using the internet?

Smoking: Cause of Preventable Death

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Smoking is linked to preventable deadly diseases like cancer and heart disease. In America the percentage of smokers has dwindled. How about in your country? Anti-smoking measures help a great deal in educating people about this vice and, in the process, reduces the number of smokers.

Smoking is the Leading Cause of Preventable Death

 Discuss:

1. Do you think that graphic warnings on cigarette packages help in educating people?
2. Are there a lot of smokers in your country?
3. What do you think are good ways to quit smoking?

Human Microchips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Office ID cards are a thing of the past. With this futuristic office in Sweden, you wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting your ID at home ever again. You won’t even need some cash to buy coffee in the cafeteria.

Listen and read as Neil and Harry of BBC’s 6 Minute English talk about this ultramodern identification system.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/persian/features/6-minute-english/ep-150319

*Click the title to watch a video of similar topic: Microchip Implants for Employees

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are we on our way to being part human, part machine?
  2. Would you be interested to try this ID system in this office?
  3. How can we benefit from this kind of technology?
  4. What are the dangers of this technology?
  5. How do you remember all your passwords?

Chief Shames ‘Drunk’ Flight Attendant

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Receiving an email from your boss could either mean good news or bad news. But how would you react if you receive an email similar to the article below?

Read and express your thoughts about it.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2998774/Qatar-Airways-boss-shames-drunk-air-stewardess-emailing-photo-slumped-floor-outside-accommodation-airline-staff.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think the boss did the right thing? Why or why not?
2. What can you say about the alleged behavior of the flight attendant?
3. Where do you think should employers draw the line when it comes to monitoring their employees’ activities outside work?

Getting Caught Red-Handed

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We always try to do our job well. Who would want to be caught slacking off or doing something you aren’t supposed to during your shift.

Check out the article and video below then share your thoughts on the employee’s actions.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/03/09/mcdonalds-drive-thru-news-live_n_6830512.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

Discussion Questions:

  1. Did you think what happened to the traffic reporter was funny or unfortunate? Do you think he handled the situation well?
  2. If you were in the traffic reporter’s place, how would you handle the situation?
  3. If you were the station manager, would you do anything to reprimand the employee?
  4. Share a situation where you were caught red-handed.

Burnout Is Not a Badge of Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Getting tired and working too hard is now being equated to productiveness. And there is a growing sense of pride in being too busy to do anything else but work.

Should this be the case? Is this the better choice?

Read the article why a burnout is not a badge of success.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/self-made/202509/burnout-is-not-a-badge-of-success

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “slammed” mean? “If I were to ask these women, “how are you doing,” I would hear a chorus of “busy,” “exhausted,” and “totally slammed right now.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What is a “badge of honor“? “Burnout has become so normalized in our culture that it’s practically a badge of honor.” Use this term in a sentence.
  3. What is a “perfect storm“? “Layer that onto professional expectations of working longer, harder, and faster just to be seen as “equally competent,” and you’ve got a perfect storm for burnout.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some effects of occupational burnout?
  2. Why do you think being busy is often mistaken for status and success?
  3. What is your opinion about this, “It’s time to choose energy as a status signal instead.“?
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “Success can feel energizing – when it aligns with values.“
  5. Do you think people in your country cling to burnout culture? Why do you think this is the case?

 

Building Self Confidence

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Confidence is knowing and implying what you’re good at, your value to other people, and acting in a way that shows that to others. Our level of self-confidence can convey in many ways: our behavior, body language, how we speak, and what we say.

Read the article below to know more on how we can be confident in ourselves.

How to Build Self-Confidence

Discuss:

1. Do you agree with what the article says about being more self-confident?
2. How do you confront your fears?
3. What do you do to make sure you’re taking good care of yourself?
4. Do you believe in pep talk?

 

The Widening Aisle Of Interracial Marriages

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Multicultural marriages have been more popular than ever. Many reasons have been attributed in seeking partners from another country.

Let’s know more about real people’s accounts. How are they managing their relationship?

http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/02/13/276516736/walking-down-the-widening-aisle-of-interracial-marriages

Discussion Questions:

1. How are interracial and multicultural marriages viewed in your country?
2. Do you have friends or know anyone who married someone of a different race or culture?
3. In your opinion, what are some of the challenges that couples of mixed marriages face?

Yotel – Tiny Hotel Rooms

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Whether you are on a vacation or on a business trip, one of the things that is on the top of your list is a nice play to stay at where you can relax after a long day of city tour and shopping or after an intense meeting with a client.

A new hotel has just opened in the city of New York in the U.S. Find out below what makes it different from the rest.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/travel/yotel-tiny-hotel-rooms-in-manhattan.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like staying at hotels when travelling?
  2. Have you experienced staying at a luxurious hotel?
  3. What are some of the excellent accomodations that you’ve stayed at in the past?
  4. Are there unique places to stay in in your city?