Tag: Business & Business English

3D Printing: Turn Your Head into Chocolate Lollipops

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Imagine your head as a chocolate. Now, you can actually have it done and enjoy watching your friends eating a candied version of your head.

Click on the link below and express your thoughts about this start-up company and their sweet idea.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35040661

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the process of making the 3D chocolate heads.
2. What do you think of this start-up company?
3. What is your opinion of 3D printing? Do you think it has its own limitations?
4. If you were throwing a party, would you give out chocolate heads as sweets or souvenirs?
5. Would you like a candy version of yourself on a stick?

China Airlines to Blacklist Rowdy Passengers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Flight delays are definitely unpleasant experience when traveling. But how do you react to it? Some people take it too far – causing even bigger problems at the airports, with the airlines and fellow passengers.

It’s time something is done about this. Read on how some Chinese Airlines are trying to address the problem on misbehaving air commuters.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35462707

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think blacklisting passengers is a good idea?
2. Have you ever been on a flight with an unruly passenger? Talk about this incident.
3. What are other actions/behaviors that should cause someone to be banned from airports or airlines?
4. Should aviation laws in your country be toughened to address problems with trouble-causing passengers?

The Unstoppable Growth of Themed Cruises

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Over the past decade, traveling on ​large ​ships for ​pleasure has become increasingly appealing to larger number of vacationists and younger generation holidaymakers. Themed cruises are now very popular catering not only to the traditional customers of this kind of holiday but also to people who are interested in varied subjects.

Read on this article about the growth of themed cruises.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35924022

Discussion Questions: 

  1. Have you ever been on a cruise? Tell us about this holiday.
  2. Talk about the popularity of cruises among holidaymakers in your country.
  3. If you were to go on a themed cruise, what would it be?
  4. What are other popular holiday ideas common in your country?

Potato Farmer Swapped Bankruptcy for Making Millions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The story of William Chase is just one of many talking about the struggles and triumphs of doing what you love and turning it into a business. If you’re as lucky as him, you might even end up making millions.

Read the article about the potato farmer who went from being bankrupt to a millionaire. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35491792

Discussion Questions:

1. In your own words, tell the story of William Chase.
2. What were some of the challenges that he encountered? What were his frustrations?
3. How would you describe the agricultural industry in your country?
4. Are your local farmers supported by the government?
5. If you had the opportunity to have a business, what would you put up?

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?

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?

The Volkswagen Scandal

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It has been more than a decade since car makers started focusing on producing diesel vehicles thinking that these cars are excellent for the environment. According to some recent scientific evidences, this is not exactly the case, and there are even pleads to decrease the number of diesel cars in several cities.

Diesel sales were already waning. Needless to say, this controversy came at a bad time. Find out more about this scandal from this BBC article.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34324772

Discussion Questions:

1. What are thoughts on this scandal involving Volkswagen?
2. How has this accusation affected the company and other car manufacturers?
3. In your country, do a lot of people drive a VW car? Or do they prefer other brands?
4. What are your preferences when it comes to cars?

Starbucks Is Hiking Prices Again

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Part of most people’s morning routine is getting their daily coffee fix. How would a 5 to 20-cent increase on your favorite coffee’s price sound? 

Like any business, Starbucks has the power to raise its prices. Loyal customers are probably just going to brush this aside.

Read the article and watch the video to learn about Starbucks’ plans to hike their prices again and also know how they are doing in the market.

http://money.cnn.com/2015/07/06/news/companies/starbucks-price-hike/index.html?iid=surge-stack-intl

Discussion Questions:

1. Is Starbucks popular in your country? What are the other big coffee chains or coffee bars that are doing well in your country?
2. Why do people keep on coming back to Starbucks despite the high prices of their coffee and their constant price increase?
3. According to the article, where does Starbucks put its money?

Public Loo Converted into Cafe

C1 – Advanced

Would you feel comfortable eating at an old toilet? Some business owners in London got really creative with their space.

Watch the video below and see the transformation of this old Victorian toilet.

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about the transformation of the old public toilet?
2. Would you consider dining in this cafe?
3. Describe some of the peculiar cafes or restaurants that you have visited or seen in the past.