Tag: Business English

Cocoa Farmers Grow Rubber Trees

B1 – Intermediate 

One of the biggest cocoa producer in the world is Ivory Coast. However, many farmers do not want to grow cocoa anymore. Instead, they are planting more rubber trees.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Ivory Coast shifting from cocoa to rubber cultivation.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/cocoa-farmers-grow-rubber-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “shift” mean? “Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is seeing a shift among farmers toward rubber cultivation.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘shift’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “labor-intensive” mean? “Farmers find rubber farming cheaper and less labor-intensive.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘labor-‘intensive’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “drive” mean in this context? “Climate change and high production costs are driving this change.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘drive” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the world’s largest cocoa producer shifting to rubber cultivation?
  2. What are the reasons farmers are do not want to grow cocoa anymore?
  3. What effects will this have on the cocoa industry?
  4. What can the government do to help cocoa farmers?
  5. What crops are most commonly cultivated in your country? Which ones are gaining more popularity among farmers in the recent years and why?

Elon Musk Wins Record Pay Deal 

B1 – Intermediate 

Elon Musk has received the biggest pay deal in history amounting to $56 billion. This pay is 3,000 times the normal salary for CEOs in America. As a point of reference, the average income in US is $59,384.

Earlier this year, Musk’s pay deal was blocked by a court. According to the judge, that amount was not fair. However, Tesla shareholders thought the opposite and said Musk has shown incredible business expertise. They believe this is for the good of the company. They also considered that this pay deal is fair considering what Musk has done for the business.

Read this article about Elon Musk’s record-breaking pay deal.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2406/240617-record-breaking-pay-deal-5.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “shareholder” mean? “The judge said the size was unfair. However, over 70 per cent of shareholders said it was in Tesla’s best interests.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “base” mean in this context? “We have the most awesome shareholder base.” Use this word in a sentence with the same meaning.
  3. What does “a ringing endorsement” mean? “He said the vote was “a pretty ringing endorsement“.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about Elon Musk’s huge pay deal.
  2. Do you think CEO’s and higher management should be paid an incredibly huge amount of money? Why or why not?
  3. Do you agree with the court when they tried to block his pay deal saying it was unfair? Share your opinion.
  4. How can a huge pay deal of the CEO impact a company? 

Barcelona to Ban Apartment Rentals to Tourists

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Barcelona, a top tourist destination known for its vibrant culture and stunning architecture, has announced a bold plan to shut down all holiday apartments by 2028. This move aims to address the growing concerns over the impact of tourism on local communities and housing availability. The decision marks a significant shift in the city’s approach to managing its tourism industry and balancing the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Read this article to learn more about Barcelona’s plan to shut down holiday apartments by 2028.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/22/barcelona-to-ban-apartment-rentals-to-tourists-in-bid-to-cut-housing-costs#:~:text=Barcelona%2C%20a%20top%20Spanish%20holiday,the%20city%20livable%20for%20residents.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “in a bid to do something” mean? “Barcelona has announced plans to ban apartment rentals to tourists from 2028 in a bid to bring down housing costs for residents.” Make a sentence with this idiom.
  2. What does “to rein in something” mean? “Barcelona, a top Spanish holiday destination, has announced it will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein in soaring housing costs and make the city livable for residents.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “priced out”? “National governments relish the economic benefits of tourism – Spain ranks among the top-three most visited countries in the world – but with local residents priced out in some places, gentrification, and owner preference for lucrative tourist rentals are increasingly a hot topic across Europe.” Make a sentence with this phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this plan?
  2. Talk about the benefits and problems associated with short-term holiday rentals in a city.
  3. How will this choice impact residents in Barcelona who depend on earnings from holiday rentals?
  4. How do you expect this move to influence Barcelona’s cultural and tourism scenery in the future?
  5. Should other cities consider adopting Barcelona’s approach to managing tourism and housing issues? Why or why not?
  6. Cite other strategies Barcelona could consider to strike a balance between the demands of residents and tourists.

Prices of Air Travel

B1 – Intermediate

In recent years, the prices of air travel have fluctuated significantly, influenced by various factors such as fuel costs, economic conditions, and global events.

The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, led to unprecedented disruptions in the airline industry, causing dramatic shifts in airfare pricing. As airlines adapt to changing demand and new safety protocols, passengers face both opportunities and challenges in securing affordable flights.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about airfares stabilizing.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/prices-of-air-travel-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “surge” mean? “Airfares in Europe and Asia are stabilizing or dropping, which indicates the end of the post-COVID travel surge.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘surge’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “budget airline” mean? “Budget airline Ryanair’s CEO noted that ticket prices are increasing less than expected, which affected European airline shares.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “downturn” mean? “Overall, the industry expects a return to normal pricing rather than a major downturn.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘downturn’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In what ways can travelers find the best deals on airline tickets?
  2. What are the pros and cons of budget airlines compared to traditional carriers?
  3. What strategies can airlines use to keep ticket prices competitive while maintaining profitability?
  4. What role do economic conditions play in determining airfare prices? Explain.

Bulgaria’s Rose Industry

B1 – Intermediate

Bulgaria is famous for its rich history and expertise in rose oil production. Their products are important in the global fragrance and cosmetics industry. The country’s unique climate and fertile soil provide ideal conditions for cultivating roses. This is why Bulgaria is one of the top producers of this exquisite oil.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the rose industry in Bulgaria.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/bulgarias-rose-industry-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “harvest” mean? “Last week, farmers were busy harvesting petals about a month earlier than usual due to climate change, which has brought warmer and more humid springs.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘harvest’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “yield” mean? “This year, conditions were more favorable, resulting in better yields.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘yield’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “unreasonably” mean? “This year’s improved output was due to an unseasonably warm winter and a very warm March.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘unreasonably’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has climate change affected the production of rose oil in Bulgaria?
  2. Do you think the demand for rose oil will increase in the future? Why or why not?
  3. How important is the rose oil industry for Bulgaria’s economy? Elaborate.
  4. What are some potential challenges faced by farmers in Bulgaria when producing rose oil?
  5. How do you think advancements in technology could affect the production of rose oil in the future?

Marks & Spencer Makes More Money

B1 – Intermediate 

By 2021, Marks & Spencer (M&S) had incurred debts of about £200m. Their sales decreased by almost a third when the lockdowns during the pandemic happened.

Fast forward to 2024, we’ve heard some positive news for this clothing and homeware brand. Their profits have increased a lot.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about M&S’ growth.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/ms-makes-more-money-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “retailer”? “British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) saw a 58% rise in yearly profit, beating expectations.” Make your own sentence with this word.
  2. Define “margin target”. “M&S hit their margin targets early, with 4.8% in food and 10.3% in clothing and home.” Make your own sentence with this phrase.
  3. What does “market share” mean? “They aim to increase their market share by 2027/28 and are confident about the future.”  Make your own sentence with this phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the things you know about M&S?
  2. What can you say about Marks & Spencer’s higher profits?
  3. What have they been doing to improve their sales?
  4. How can a company increase their market share?
  5. What has your company done to improve sales and increase market share?

People Want Dumbphones

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Mobile phone companies go head to head to keep innovating their products. “The smarter the better.” seems to be the motto here.

On the contrary, not everyone is so pleased. For those who can barely keep up with the latest in smartphones or those who are outright anti-technology, they want phones with less advanced specs and features. For them, “The simpler the better.”

Read this article and find out why people prefer dumbphones and will the industry respond to this increasing demand.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240515-the-dumbphones-people-want-are-hard-to-find

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “neo-Luddite”? “Self-labelled neo-Luddites and the tech-stressed are searching for phones with fewer features.” Make a sentence using this word.
  2. Define “profit margin”. “Industry experts cite precarious profit margins and a wobbly market around this niche need.” Make a sentence using this term.
  3. What does “catch-all” mean? “They’re transitioning to “dumbphones”, a catch-all term for phones with basic functions such as calling, texting and setting alarms.”  Make a sentence using this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are some people choosing basic dumbphones with stripped down capabilities?
  2. What do you think about using dumbphones again? Can you name some pros and cons?
  3. Do you think it is worth it for tech companies to keep manufacturing dumbphones? State your opinion.
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “The big tech giants don’t want anything that has to do with reducing your smartphone usage.”?
  5. How do you find the idea of a “light or minimal phone”?

Stanley Cup a Viral Sensation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Stanley has been around for more than a century. However, it is not until 2017 when the brand gained traction and became viral which lead to their annual sales going up from 73 to 750 million.

In the past few years, the Stanley Tumbler has become super popular, not just for holding drinks, but also because it’s everywhere on social media and loved by lots of different people. Even though it was made for just being useful, it’s turned into a big trend that doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

Watch the video to know why the Stanley Cups became famous so quickly and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “a slow build” mean? “So it was a slow build over many months and then you could see that the waiting list began to grow.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘a slow build’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to take a liking to something” mean? “At first, the quencher was a flop. It wasn’t until a group of working moms running the popular blog ‘The Buy Guide’ took a liking to it in 2017.” Make a sentence using the phrase.
  3. What does the expression “to seize that opportunity” mean? “At this point, the quencher rise putting Stanley on the radar for more consumers and the company is looking to seize that opportunity.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can other brands learn from Stanley’s rise to popularity?
  2. What do you think are the other key factors that contributed to the Stanley Tumbler craze becoming a viral sensation?
  3. How has social media played a role in amplifying the popularity of the Stanley Tumbler?
  4. Do you believe the design and functionality of the Stanley Tumbler played a significant role in its viral success, or was it primarily driven by social influence? Explain.
  5. What impact has the Stanley Tumbler craze had on consumer behavior and purchasing decisions?
  6. In your country, are there any similarities between the Stanley Tumbler craze and other viral sensations in recent years? If so, what are they?

Billionaires Try Hard to Look Poor

B2 – Upper  Intermediate 

The super-rich are people who are absolutely not like you and me. To say the least, they can pretty much afford anything in this world, including luxury clothes.

However, most of them try to make themselves look like they are just like any of us by wearing outfits that seem so plain and ordinary, having houses and cars that seem basic, and living a lifestyle that seem simple and frugal.

Do you ever wonder why some of the top billionaires in the world appear in public looking so simple in their regular-looking outfits like basic t-shirts instead of donning Italian custom-made suits?

Watch the video that explains the concept of poverty peacocking.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “folksy image” mean, “SBF and the rest of the gang were all frauds, but putting a lot of effort into crafting a folksy image is done by most prominent business leaders for three simple reasons.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “stealth wealth” mean? “Billionaires doing a Bloomberg or NAS Daily interviews featuring their basic car and geeky wardrobe is not the same thing as stealth wealth.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “grift” mean? “An important element of any grift like this is that people need to believe that someone has become wealthy and that they can do it too.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on poverty peacocking?

2. Discuss each of the 3 reasons rich people try to look poor:

– It gets them what they want.

– It is an effective sales tactic.

– It helps them keep their workers in line.

3. Share your opinion on this, “Humble CEOs are the new fashion.”.

4. What are your thoughts on ‘Get Rich Quick Course’?

5. Talk about your insights on this, “Corporations became people, as people too, became corporations and every corporation needs a media relations department.”.

The Benefits of Having a Corporate Social Responsibility Program

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This lesson delves into businesses’ evolving role in addressing societal and environmental challenges while driving long-term value. It goes beyond mere philanthropy, encompassing a holistic approach that considers impacts on stakeholders. Companies embracing this recognize wider consequences and aim to create enduring value by integrating ethical principles, sustainable practices, and community engagement. This approach fosters positive relationships, enhances brand reputation, mitigates risks, and attracts socially conscious consumers and investors, positioning these companies for sustained success.

Read the article below about the benefits of having corporate social responsibility program and be ready to answer the following questions. 

https://benevity.com/resources/corporate-social-responsibility-benefits

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “executive buy-in” mean in the sentence, “Winning executive buy-in, assigning responsibilities and finding the right CSR software are some of the biggest hurdles to jump — that’s before you’ve even mapped out the details.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the noun “stakeholder” mean, “Stakeholders want to know if this project will see a positive return on investment (ROI).”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “from strength to strength” mean in the sentence, “Ranked as the world’s most reputable company in 2020 by RepTrak, the children’s building blocks brand continues to go from strength to strength.“? Use this noun phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think business leaders today prioritize making money above everything else, or do they consider social responsibility more now? Why or why not?
  2. What are the potential consequences of prioritizing profits over other considerations such as environmental impact, employee well-being, and community engagement?
  3. What role do consumers and investors play in shaping companies’ approaches to social responsibility, and how can businesses respond to their changing expectations?
  4. How do you prioritize profit versus social responsibility in your own approach to work or business decisions?
  5. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to choose between maximizing profits and acting in a socially responsible manner? If so, how did you navigate that decision?