Tag: Business English

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Louis Vuitton is one of the most important brands in the fashion industry, and perhaps the world. Many can only dream about owning a bag or any item from the very expensive designer label.

So many are trying to imitate, make, and sell fake Louis Vuitton products.

The problem is that it is getting more and more difficult to know if they are authentic or not.

Watch the video how to difficult it is to tell an original Louis Vuitton bag from a fake one.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the word “sought-after” mean? “She sells Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and other sought-after brands.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘sought-after’ in your own sentence. 
2. What does the phrase “telltale sign” mean? “Do they have items that no one else has, but all of a sudden, this website has them? Those are definite telltale signs.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘telltale sign’ in your own sentence.
3. What does “run-of-the mill” mean? “This is your run-of-the-mill counterfeited piece with the Gucci.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘run-of-the mill’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can the difficulty of spotting fake products affect the original brands?
2. How can brands fight against counterfeiting?
3. How can you tell if an item sold online is fake or not?
4. Share your experience unintentionally buying a fake product on the internet.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Subscriptions are becoming an inevitable aspect of both online and offline life. There will always be a subscription-based service to suit your demands, whether they are related to entertainment, food, or music. We pay for an increasing number of subscriptions because we desire services in our lives, and the more we pay, the bigger our costs get.

To learn more about how businesses use the subscription model, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Explain “cash grab”. “ Like most people, I thought that subscriptions were just an annoying and frustrating cash grab by greedy corporations.”. Create a sentence using this phrase.
2. What does “software tethering” mean? “This tactic is called software tethering and it shows up all over the place” Use this term to make your own sentence.
3. What is the meaning of “to go public“? “Salesforce went public in 2004 and was the top performing IPO of the year.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about subscription-based services in general?
2. How do you feel about subscription services that force you to pay for something you own?
3. What is the purpose of subscriptions today? Why were they designed this way? Are they built with good intentions in mind? 
4. Do you have any subscriptions? If so, is the price worth the services they offer you?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Despite their global reputation, many of America’s biggest brands are struggling to maintain a competitive edge in China. Shifting consumer preferences, the rise of local competitors, and increasing regulatory challenges are making it harder for these brands to thrive. Chinese consumers are favoring domestic products that better align with their tastes, values, and budgets. This evolving market landscape highlights the challenges of adapting to a rapidly changing and highly competitive environment.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “squeeze out” mean in this sentence, “Tastien” is just one example of a Chinese brand squeezing out U.S. rivals.“? Use the phrase in a sentence.
2. What does “to make inroads” mean? “Younger Chinese consumers are increasingly gravitating towards brands that incorporate elements of traditional Chinese culture and style and it has allowed brands like Anta to make inroads in a market that long has been dominated by Nike and other Western brands.” Use the phrase in a sentence.
3. What does the phrase “an untapped gold mine” mean? “The country’s more than 1 billion shoppers were once seen as an untapped gold mine for Western brands.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think some American brands struggle to connect with Chinese consumers, despite their global popularity?
2. Do you believe American companies should prioritize adapting their products to local tastes, even if it means changing their identity?
3. What strategies can American brands adopt to compete effectively with Chinese companies in their home market?
4. How does the rise of national pride and preference for local brands influence consumer behavior in China?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Chaos packaging is a new design trend that uses bold, unusual elements to make packaging stand out and surprise people. With bright colors, mixed-up patterns, and unpredictable fonts, chaos packaging aims to break the rules and create eye-catching designs through intentional disorder. This style appeals to people who like unique and expressive looks, helping products stand out on busy store shelves.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “press for more” mean in this sentence? “Those creative containers along with their delicious product are keeping consumers pressed for more.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does ‘hit the sweet spot‘ mean? “Creativity with a little side of chaos and some advertising that experts say, could hit the sweet spot in sales.” Make one sentence using this expression.
3. What does “gold” mean in this sentence? “If you have an interesting packaging that people are willing to take a photo and post and do the advertising for you, that’s gold for marketers.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think chaos packaging helps products stand out in a positive way, or does it create too much visual noise?
2. In your opinion, does the use of chaotic design elements make a product seem more appealing or less trustworthy?
3. How might chaos packaging influence the way consumers perceive a brand or product?
4. What are some potential downsides to using chaos packaging, especially in terms of readability and clarity?
5. How does chaos packaging compare to more traditional, minimalist packaging in capturing consumer interest?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In recent years, Americans have been tipping less, a trend influenced by various factors including economic pressures and changing attitudes toward gratuity. This decline in tipping can significantly impact workers, particularly in service industries where tips often supplement low wages.

As employees rely on these additional earnings for their livelihood, reduced tipping not only affects their financial stability but also raises questions about the future of tipping culture in the U.S. Understanding this shift is crucial for both workers and consumers.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the expression “fed up” mean? “In the U.S, a growing number of folks are fed up with tipping.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘fed up’ in your own sentence.
2. What does the word “hassle” mean? “61% of the consumers would just rather pay higher prices on the menu as they don’t want the hassle of the tipping.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘hassle’ in your own sentence.
3. What does the word “stingy” mean? Ex. People are a little worried about inflation so some people are getting cheaper and stingier. Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘stingy’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think tipping should still be a common practice, or should businesses increase wages to reduce the reliance on tips? Explain.
2. Should taxes on tips be eliminated? Share your point of view.
3. How do you feel about the expectation to tip in situations where service fees are already included?
4. Do you believe that tipping less is justified given the rising costs of living and inflation? Share your opinion.
5. How does the cultural perception of tipping in the U.S. compare to that in other countries, and what can Americans learn from those differences?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone knows that the pandemic presented difficulties for most businesses across the globe, and the restaurant industry is among those struggling to survive.

However, a lot of owners of food-related businesses shifted their focus to tools that could be utilized for business during the most difficult times, and that’s when they turned to the internet and opened “pop-up” or transient restaurants.

To learn more about “pop-up” restaurants, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “untenable” mean? “…it was incredible to do it for as long as they’ve done it, but it’s untenable to kind of grow until they decide what the next step is going to be.” Use this term to make your own sentence.
2. What is the meaning of “limited run“? “In some cases the limited run is the goal.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘limited run’ in your own sentence.
3. Explain “brick and mortar”. “The future of Border Town is definitely a restaurant, you know, definitely a brick and mortar.”  Create a sentence using this term.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of “pop-up restaurants’?
2. Do “pop-ups” have a similar following in your nation? If yes, which is the most well-liked and why did it become successful?
3. What is your opinion on the sustainability of “pop-ups”? Justify your position.
4. How do you think humans get motivated to venture into new things amidst crucial times? 
5. Under difficult economic circumstances, are people in your nation more optimistic or pessimistic when it comes to their business ventures? Explain your stance.