Tag: business and business english

Globalization

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Globalization has changed society in many ways. Some people believe this has been a positive change, while others argue that it has had many negative impacts. 

In business, globalization has its advantages and disadvantages.

Find out by watching the video and be ready to answer the discussion questions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what are problem caused by globalization?
  2. What are the negative impacts of globalization?
  3. Have you ever worked for a multinational company? If yes, did you enjoy it? If no, would you like to work for a multinational company? Why / why not?
  4. Why do you think there has been an increase in multinational companies in the last 50 years?
  5. How has this increase impacted on language learning?

Wildlife Travel Agent Drops Zoo Trips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Going on package tours sound really interesting. However, if these trips include activities that endanger animals and violate their rights, is it still worth it?

A travel agent in Brighton is changing things by adapting “responsible tourism”.

To read more about this, click the link below.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-39479367

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did the company “Responsible Travel” do and how do you think this would impact their business?
  2. What is ‘responsible tourism’? What are your thoughts on this?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that “Keeping animals in zoos is inhumane.“? Explain your point.
  4. Why is it important to protect animals and as well as their rights?
  5. Have you ever gone on a package tour that included animal attractions? Kindly talk about it.
  6. What are the pros and cons of going on package tours?

In the Wine World, Does Bottle Size Matter?

C1 – Advanced

Wine has been around for as long as we can remember. And most of the time, we’re after the taste and not the bottle. A Napa Valley wine maker is redesigning wine bottles.

Watch the video below of a discussion about wine bottles and the issue of changing them.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, why are wine bottles being changed?
  2. In your opinion, it a good idea to change the size and shapes of wine bottles?
  3. What did the guest say about retailers and wine bottles?
  4. What are your preferences when it comes to wine and other alcoholic beverages?
  5. Is it better to showcase wine in a new and different way or the standard way? Explain.

Supermarkets Are not Cheating Customers

C1 – Advanced

Consumers are always on the look out for promotions and discounts on almost every products. But are all promotional products worth your cash?

Read the article below and express your thoughts about it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38967432

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think multi-buy packages are a good deal or is it a way to entice customers to buy more than what they really want? Share your thoughts.
  2. How could supermarkets handle this issue with multi-buy better without causing annoyance to their customers?
  3. Do you like these kinds of offers? Why or why not?
  4. What are other ways you think supermarkets are tricking their customers?
  5. Share your experience getting tricked by a store or supermarket offer?

The Pros and Cons of Advertising

B1 – Intermediate

Advertising is very important. It is a good way for consumers to know a product very well. Advertising also influences people’s mood and emotions. It makes people buy things they don’t need and makes them feel depressed for not being able to buy items that are in fashion.

Read the article below to know more about the good and bad in advertising.

http://www.english-online.at/media/advertising/pros-and-cons-of-advertising.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is it necessary to advertise?
2. Is there truth in advertising?
3. What kind of advertisements attract your attention?
4. Do you find advertising persuasive? Why do you buy one product over another?
5. Should alcohol or tobacco companies be allowed to advertise? Why or why not?
6. What is the most advertised product in your country?
7. What are the harmful and the beneficial effects of advertising?

Google Will Use Renewable Energy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In an attempt to reduce the impact of global warming, many organizations are looking at using renewable energy. Google is one of them.

Google wants aims to shift to renewable energy by 2017 in order to power all their data centers and offices.

Read the article below and be ready to talk about technology. Share your thoughts as well.

https://www.voanews.com/a/mht-google-says-will-use-100-percent-renewable-energy/3625221.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of using renewable energy?
  2. What are the disadvantages of using renewable energy?
  3. Do you think more companies will follow once a large company like Google shows that it is possible not to rely on fossil fuels? Why or why not?
  4. With wind farms and solar panels being expensive for its initial cost, do you think it would be cheaper in the long run for companies to do this? Explain.
  5. Is there a push in your country to go with renewable energy sources and electric vehicles? Why do you think this is the case?

Huggable Robots

C1 – Advanced

For kids, going to the hospital can be a terrifying and sometimes boring experience. An interesting innovation from researchers and roboticists may be a good solution- a robot companion.  This robot’s creators aim to know if it can can have therapeutic value for hospitalized children. Can it really alleviate sick children’s anxiety, pain, and isolation?

Let’s meet this blue bear who’s making sick kids less blue.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of “Huggable”? How does a child respond to it?
2. What suggestions did one of the kids give to make it a better robot companion?
3. How else can we make a doctor’s visit less dreadful for children?
4. Did you enjoy hospital visits when you were a kid? How about now?

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”.

¡Aquí estamos! No te pierdas nada sobre #HBOEspaña. Muy pronto, lo mejor de HBO y mucho más a un solo click… https://t.co/Dj8courKpp pic.twitter.com/Or29YxApMv — HBO España (@HBO_ES) November 16, 2016

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.

Alguien tiene algo que decir… Síguenos y no te pierdas nada sobre HBO España: https://t.co/Dj8coua9xR @nikolajcw pic.twitter.com/qxAhPiJdAZ — HBO España (@HBO_ES) November 16, 2016

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.

READ MORE: Ten incredible Spain locations for Game Of Thrones Season 7

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. Would you consider yourself a fan of the show Game of Thrones?
  2. Why do you think GOT has become of the most famous series of all time?
  3. What other shows do you enjoy watching and why?
  4. How much television do you watch everyday?
  5. Are you happy with the programmes on TV? 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?

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.