phone english blogC1 – Advanced
Online delivery service is very popular and a convenient way for customers to receive items right at their doorstep but to what extent? Will this continue to keep the streets busy and congested.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42245367
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
We have been so used to our financial information being kept strictly confidential by our banks. In the UK, a competition watchdog is lobbying for open banking.
Read more on it and be in the know about what it is, how it will work and other relevant information regarding secured financial info sharing among firms.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42253051
Discussion Questions:
1. What is Open Banking?
2. How do you feel about this news?
3. In what ways is this a positive change?
4. What things are you worried about?
5. How would people take such change in your country?
B1 – Intermediate
There are do’s and don’ts of writing work emails. Should employees refrain from including smiley face emojis in their emails?
Read more about the use of emojis in work emails.
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1708/170816-smiley-face-emojis-5.html
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
The world is changing along with the way we live and work. Working remotely is one work styles that is becoming a trend in the workplace nowadays. With teleworking becoming more and more popular these days, it is important to note the good and bad things about it and to know how to deal with them so telecommuting becomes advantageous and satisfying to a person who works from home.
Lift the lid on the joys and struggles of being a home-based worker.
https://blog.trello.com/tips-for-tackling-remote-work-challenges
Let’s talk:
1. What are some challenges that teleworkers face and what are ways to cope with them?
2. How do you view telecommuting?
3. How would you feel about working remotely on a regular basis?
4. Do you think everyone should be given the option to telework?
5. What other workplace trends are becoming popular in your country?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Humans are naturally inclined to have desires for things. In the business setting, whoever provides these desires in the best way and timely manner possible, gets ahead of the competition.
With this in mind, instant gratification can offer a wide array of benefits for digital marketers.
Get a deeper understanding of instant gratification, how it works to a company’s advantage in marketing, and ways to provide it to customers.
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235088
Discussion Questions:
1. Explain why people expect immediate responses now.
2. What are your thoughts on the ideas presented in this article?
3. What are some other ways to handle customer’s desire for instant gratification?
4. Does the company you work for use instant gratification? In what ways?
5. Do you agree that instant gratification provides benefits for businesses?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Employees are going on a strike. They have decided to demand a pay increase from the Bank of England. Getting very little to no rise in their salary means workers have to constantly make ends meet.
Find out more about the current situation that the bank’s staff have to face and what led them to make the said decision.
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1707/170705-bank-of-england.html
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think are the good and bad things about being a bank worker?
2. Do you think good pay is the most important requirement in a job? Cite a few reasons why.
3. Talk about what you know about the pay rise system in your country.
4. What are the usual reasons workers’ union go on strike in your country?
5. Do you believe strikes should be forbidden? Explain.
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Rumors in the workplace can lead to hurt feelings and may mean employees have to work in a hostile environment. Whether a rumor is true or not, the outcome of spreading it can be damaging. Employers have a responsibility to try to control the spread of workplace rumors to ensure that the work environment is a positive place for all employees.
Watch the video and read the transcript about clearing up confusions.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Do you ever wonder why the right products show up on the side of your screen whenever you open the Google website? They are secretly scanning and searching for our activities and match it with the products we would likely buy. For some, the thought of it is scary. No wonder human rights activists are concerned about it for years.
Read more about it here:
Discussion Questions:
1. What email service do you use? Why?
2. Do you find online ads useful or annoying? Why?
3. Why do you think Google is the most popular search engine?
4. Do you worry about your privacy when you browse the internet? Why? Why not?
5. Do you think that email scanning is an invasion of privacy? Why? Why not?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
If one is ever made to be redundant, their employer must treat them with fairness and act in accordance with their contract and legal redundancy rights. That includes making sure they’re consulted, following the right selection process, and giving them sufficient notice period.
Everyone should know their rights when faced with this situation.
Watch the video and read the transcript about making someone redundant.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Innovation is the development and implementation of ideas that lead to more value for whatever business you are in.
When grocery chain Tesco wanted to expand their market share in South Korea, they came up with a brilliant idea. Because the people in South Korea work long hours, Tesco thought of an efficient way to sell their products. Why is this shop interesting to view?
Watch the video to find out. Be able to answer the questions that follow.
Discussion Questions: