Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Cars Lose Their Value So Fast

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of our largest lifetime investments may be a car. But unlike other investments like a house, a car’s value depreciates quite rapidly.

In what way and why?

Watch the video below to help you find out the answers to these questions.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be underwater on a loan” mean? “A car owner is underwater on a loan if their loan is larger than what their car is worth.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and make your own sentence using the term ‘underwater on a loan’.
  2. How about the word “abate“? “A lot of those trends have abated since, but those odd times led to lasting changes in the post-pandemic world.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and make your own sentence using the term ‘abate’.
  3. Do you know what “rein in” means? “The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates in order to rein in inflation and that has made borrowing more expensive.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and make your own sentence using the term ‘rein in’.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the 3 main reasons mentioned in the video that causes car depreciation?
  2. Do you agree to these reasons why cars lose their value? Why or why not?
  3. Could you consider cars as investment? Why or why not?
  4. Which do you consider is the better choice between a new car or a used one? State your stance.
  5. What are different factors a buyer should consider before buying a car?

Energy Vampire Co-Worker

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you ever feel emotionally fatigued or drained after engaging with a certain coworker? You may be dealing with an “energy vampire,” a person who drains your energy and leaves you feeling empty. These energy-sapping colleagues can be tough to interact with.

Read the article to the signs your co-worker is an ‘energy vampire’ and how to set boundaries when one has to deal with them.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/energy-vampire-work-office_l_65679997e4b07b937ff3672c

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “lopsided” mean? “If it’s always lopsided in your favor, that could be a potential sign that you’re draining your co-workers.” Give two synonyms and make a sentence with “lopsided”.
  2. Explain the expression “to feed off of someone/something“. “Robinson looks like an ordinary human, but he is a superpowered vampire who feeds off of bothering and boring his colleagues.” Make a sentence using this idiom.
  3. What does “speed bump” mean here, “Thinking of them that way may help you see they are a person, just like you, but who had some speed bumps and poor guidance that resulted in this unfortunate interpersonal style,” so “knowing this may give you some more patience and compassion when interacting with them.”? Give two synonyms and make a sentence using ‘speed bump’.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some common behaviors or traits exhibited by “energy vampire” co-workers that can drain your emotional energy in the workplace?
  2. Have you noticed a colleague who seems to drain the energy from the room? How is it like dealing with this person?
  3. What are ways for you to deal with these energy-draining colleagues in your daily work life?
  4. How do you keep your energy levels up at work?
  5. What can one do if their energy vampire boss is not listening to them or their requests?

Introverts Can Become Master Networkers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A professional network can offer you many things, but perhaps the most talked about, is career growth. Research shows that people with stronger networks end up with higher salaries and more promotions. It makes sense. The more connected you are to people at different job levels, both inside and outside of your organization, the more likely you are to know about new opportunities when they arise.

If you’re feeling confused, anxious, or unsure about what networking really is, why it matters, and how to get started, here are some pieces of advice.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/29/expert-networking-tips-for-introverts-from-coach-jevonya-allen.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be cut out for something” mean? “There’s nothing wrong with having an introverted personality — and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re less cut out for a successful career.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “strong suit” mean? “While networking might not be your strong suit, Allen says it’s a skill you can pick up in a few small steps.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to put forth” mean? “Consider avoiding events right after work, when you might be too tired to put forth your best effort.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the tips from the article?
  2. How easy is it for you to do networking at business events? 
  3. When you go to business gatherings, who do you want to meet and why?
  4. Which conversation at a business event was the most memorable for you? What did you learn from that encounter?
  5. How different do you think your conversations/networking with people/colleagues/peers from other countries would be and why is that?

Human-Centered Design

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Human-centered design is a way of solving problems, and it’s getting a lot of attention. This video shows you what human-centered design is all about and why it’s making waves. It explains how focusing on people can make a big difference in different areas or industries.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “on the fly” mean in the sentence, “The inspiration phase is about learning on the fly, opening yourself up to creative possibilities, and trusting that as long as you remain grounded in the desires of people you’re designing for, your ideas will evolve into the right solution.”? Give two synonyms and use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “shore up” mean in the sentence, “During the implementation phrase, you’ll build partnerships, shore up your business model, and get your idea out into the world.”?  Give two synonyms and use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does the expression “to get one’s idea/s out into the world” mean in the sentence. “During the implementation phrase, you’ll build partnerships, shore up your business model, and get your idea out into the world.”?  Give two synonyms and use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What makes human-centered design effective?
  2. How does human-centered design uniquely benefit users?
  3. Share successful examples of human-centered design applications.
  4. Has your company adopted human-centered design in its projects? Cite examples on how.
  5. Do you think this method can work for personal projects? Why or why not?

A Japanese Method to Relax

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Life moves pretty fast. If you need a quick breather, these Japanese relaxation techniques could be your new go-to. The video spills the beans on a five-minute calming session that could be a game-changer.

Check out the full video and get ready to relax in no time.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “take a toll” mean in the sentence “Excessive stress can take a toll on your life.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “decisive” mean in the sentence “The ring finger is responsible for making you more decisive.”?  Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “hustle and bustle” mean in the sentence “Get peace of mind in the middle of hustle and bustle.”?  Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the Japanese relaxation hack all about?
  2. What are the benefits of a quick relaxation routine that make it worth exploring?
  3. Have you ever tried a similar relaxation method? Share your experiences.
  4. What are your struggles in finding time for relaxation?
  5. In what other situations could a quick relaxation trick come in handy?

The Stress Bucket

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Stress hits everyone differently, and this stress bucket thing? It’s the real deal. This video breaks it all down, giving you the inside scoop on managing stress like a pro.

Check out the full video to wrap your head around the stress bucket and maybe find your own stress-busting strategy.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrasal verb “to break something down” mean in the sentence, “Make a list to break problems down.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “tackle” mean? “Which smaller task should you tackle first?”  Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrasal verb “fill up” mean in the sentence “Different problems and demands fill up your buckets.”?  Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s this stress bucket the video is talking about?
  2. Discuss about the tricks the video suggests for getting rid of stress.
  3. Share your own stress bucket stories.
  4. Spot the signs – when is your stress bucket about to overflow?
  5. Which stress-busting tip from the video would you like to try?

Positive Psychology at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Ever feel like work is a bit of a rollercoaster? Well, positive psychology might just be the game-changer you didn’t know you needed. This video digs into how positive vibes can seriously shake things up in the workplace.

Dive into the full video here to get the lowdown on injecting some positivity into your 9-to-5 grind.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “core strength” mean, “By consciously engaging in work and activities that utilise your core strengths, you can become more confident and more productive.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “tangible goal” mean in the sentence, “Set tangible goals for yourself.”?  Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “take pride in something” mean in the sentence “Take pride in your accomplishments.”?  Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the key takeaways from the video about positive psychology at work?
  2. Can you pick out some practical tips from the video for keeping things sunny at work?
  3. How can positive vibes improve your work life (talk about your situation)?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that a happier workplace makes you more productive? Why or why not?
  5. What are some small changes you can think of to sneak some positive psychology into your work routine?

Viral Post Blew Up a Business

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, connect, and promote ourselves or our businesses. With just one social media post promotion, individuals and companies can reach a vast audience and make a significant impact.

When it comes to promoting a product or service on social media, suppliers can be valuable allies. By collaborating with suppliers and showcasing their contribution in the production process through engaging posts, companies can not only increase brand visibility, but also strengthen their supplier relationships.

Watch this video to find out how a single Facebook post transformed a business.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-67692431

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does idiom “blow up” mean in the sentence? “A viral Facebook post nearly blew up our business.” Use this in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the phrase “supply chain“? “We quickly sold out of everything we had in the warehouse and we had to dial up our relationships with the whole of our supply chain.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning when “to change the game“? “We started the brand, launched it nationwide in 2014, but everything changed in 2017 when a viral Facebook post completely changed the game for us.” Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is advertising for a company or a product?
  2. Do you advertise your business (the company you are working for) or its products? If so, in what ways?
  3. How significant is it to research a product’s supply and demand chain?
  4. Why should a company value its relationships with its suppliers?

Power of Personal Development in Building Wealth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the quest for success and financial prosperity, many focus on external investments, but there’s a potent yet often overlooked strategy: investing in oneself through personal development. This ongoing journey involves enhancing knowledge, skills, and overall well-being.

Personal development takes varied forms, from attending seminars to caring for physical and mental health. It’s a holistic approach that not only boosts intellectual prowess, but also nurtures qualities vital for success.

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

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/investing-yourself-power-personal-development-building-wealth/

Vocabulary Discussions:

  1. What does “personal development” mean, “By focusing on personal development, you can increase your earning potential, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and gain numerous other benefits that can help you achieve your goals.? Construct a sentence using this phrase.
  2. What does “entrepreneurial mindset” mean in the sentence, “You can increase your earning potential, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and gain numerous other benefits that can help you achieve your goals”? Use this in a sentence.
  3. What does the expression “venture” mean in the sentence, “By learning how to identify opportunities, take risks, and innovate, you can start your own business or invest in entrepreneurial ventures that have the potential for high returns.“? Construct a sentence using this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you define personal development and why do you think that this is referred to as an investment?
  2. How can developing new skills and knowledge impact your career advancement, especially in your chosen field?
  3. Do you believe that continuous learning is essential for career growth? Why or why not?
  4. What is a “growth mindset,” and why is it considered essential for long-term success? Can you share an example from your own life where having a growth mindset helped you overcome a challenge?
  5. How do you currently invest in yourself for personal development? Are there specific goals you would like to achieve through personal development soon?

Amish Forced to Change Their Lifestyle

B2 – Upper Intermediate

To outsiders, the Amish life is both fascinating and shocking. Their way of living does not seem to fit in the modern world we currently live in. However, much of the knowledge we have about this group is not entirely accurate because of the sense of privacy this group upholds. In the USA, several Amish people are straying from their traditional norms and practices.

Let’s read the article and know more as to why some Amish are forced to change their way of living.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/people/amish-forced-to-change-lifestyle.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the adjective “scarce“. “However, as their traditional farmland is getting scarcer more and more of them are forced to change the way they live and adopt to a new lifestyle.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘scarce’ in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “far cry” in this context? “Some have even started internet-based shops, a far cry from the typical Amish traditions.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “breach“? “Normally this means more income for the family, but it also represents a breach of culture and traditions.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the Amish? What misconceptions have you heard about them?
  2. What are your thoughts on their way of life?
  3. What do you think this change in their lifestyle imply?
  4. Is there a group in your country that is similar to the Amish? If yes, how are they similar?
  5. What factors contribute to the change of lifestyle of the Amish in the USA?