Tag: Business

Non-Fungible Tokens

B1 – Intermediate

Non-fungible means there is only one of that thing. Non-fungible token is an item or a product that has no copy. When you buy an NFT, you get a certificate even though it only exists in the digital world. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on non-fungible tokens or NFTs.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-like-non-fungible-tokens-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of NFTs?
  2. Would you be interested to buy an NFT? Why or why not?
  3. What might be the reasons people buy NFTs?
  4. What are the good and bad things about NFTs?
  5. What is one thing you would like to be non-fungible and only you own it? Talk about it.

Alcohol-Free Bars

B1 – Intermediate

Drinking is probably one of the most social things we humans do. However, more and more people are becoming uninterested in drinking. Then alcohol-free spirits and bars increase their popularity.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on alcohol-free bars.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/alcohol-free-bars-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What might be reasons people prefer alcohol-free spirits?
  2. Would you enjoy going to an alcohol-free bar? Why or why not?
  3. Talk about your favorite bar. What do you like most about this particular bar?
  4. What are the most common alcoholic drinks people drink in your country?
  5. Do you think people will drink alcohol less and less in the future? Why or why not?

Timber Shortage Increases House Prices

B1 – Intermediate

Timber is one important material in building construction. However, due to climate change, there is a shortage in its supply. This shortage causes the price of timber to increase. Thereby, increasing the prices of new houses too.

Read the article about global timber shortage and its effects on the housing industry.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210806-timber-shortage-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the problem with timber shortage in the world?
  2. What else can be done to solve the problem with timber shortage?
  3. According to DIY stores, home projects have created extraordinary demand for timber. What do you think of this? 
  4. Have you done any DIY reformations in your house during the lockdown/pandemic, too? Talk about it.
  5. Is your country also committed to planting more trees just like the UK? Explain.

Cuba Allows Owning of Private Businesses

B1 – Intermediate

Since 1959, businesses in Cuba have been owned by the state. After a very long time, Cubans will be able to legally own a private business again.

Read the article about the changes in owning businesses and the economy in Cuba.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210810-cuba-business-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this change?
  2. This change was possible because of the people’s protests. Do you think that the people have succeeded in getting what they were demanding from the government? Explain.
  3. Is it a good or a bad thing when businesses are owned by the state? Explain.
  4. Do you think that Cuba’s economy will start recovering now? Elaborate.
  5. At this moment, what are people protesting for in your country?

Expensive Printer Ink

B1 – Intermediate

More and more, we are trying to go paperless. However, printers are still very useful to many people. Would you be surprised if we said you can buy a liter of printer ink for $846?

Read the article about the costliest liquid – branded printer ink.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210727-printer-ink-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of a printer ink that costs $846 a liter?
  2. Why do you think this printer ink is so expensive?
  3. How much is your printer ink? Would you buy a very expensive printer ink like this? Why or why not?
  4. Have you got a printer or not? What do you usually print? 
  5. Should we limit or stop printing on papers already and just go fully digital?

Spain’s New Electricity Billing System

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A new billing system has been introduced in Spain in June 2021. It is supposed to allow consumers track when they save on their bills. However, there have been many issues seen on this new system.

Read the article to have a better understanding of this new electricity billing system in Spain.

https://english.elpais.com/economy_and_business/2021-06-01/consumer-associations-slam-spains-new-electricity-billing-system.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why was this new billing system implemented?
  2. What are the problems with this new system?
  3. As a consumer, what are your thoughts on this new billing system?
  4. Do you try and conserve electricity? Why or why not? If you do, what are the practices you observe?
  5. In general, what other issues do you have with your electricity service and/or provider?

Store Returns

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Store return policy is considered one of the most important factors in customer’s purchasing decision. Customers want the guarantee that they can return the product they bought with no hassles. Therefore, it is necessary for companies to set reasonable return policies. However, do customers really take the time to understand them?

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on store returns.

Store Returns

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is wrong with the sweater according to the customer?
  2. Why isn’t the customer allowed to return the product?
  3. Have you returned a product before? How did it go?
  4. What is the usual return policy in your country? Do you carefully read the terms and conditions in a return policy?
  5. Have you ever had any other problems returning products and getting a refund?

Pre-Loved Fashion from Niche to Mainstream

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fashion-conscious consumers are turning towards pre-loved or secondhand clothes. As a result of this craze, big brands like Asos and Marks & Spencer are joining in. They believe that this trend could go into the mainstream.

Buying pre-loved clothes allows shoppers to keep up with trends without drying up their budgets. Aside from that, it is also good for the environment. Using and reusing clothes help reduce overall carbon emissions. Hence, it’s is hitting two birds with one stone.

Click the link and read the article to know more about how pre-loved fashion is turning from niche to mainstream.

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/may/01/pre-loved-fashion-moves-from-niche-to-mainstream-as-retailers-join-the-fray

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are pre-loved items? Have you ever owned any? Why or why not?
  2. What are your thoughts on this emerging trend in business and in the fashion industry?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that well-know retail brands should join in on this? Explain your point.
  4. What are the benefits and disadvantages of buying pre-loved items?
  5. How do you normally dispose of your old stuff?

Levi’s Baggier Balloon Jeans

B1 – Intermediate

Levi’s Jeans spoke about the latest trend in baggier jeans. Consumers are now looking for a more comfortable, more relaxing denim during this pandemic.

Let’s read about the baggier ‘balloon’ jeans trend according to Levi’s.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210412-levis-jeans-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of jeans?
  2. Are baggy or skinny jeans better?
  3. Will jeans ever go out of fashion?
  4. What was your best ever pair of jeans?
  5. How important is it to be fashionable?

Insect Ice Cream

B1 – Intermediate

Ice cream is a popular dessert among kids and adults. It has many flavors. But have you heard of an insect ice cream?

Despite a long tradition of eating insects in some countries, the image of eating insects is not for everyone.

However, a restaurant in South Africa is becoming popular because of an interesting dessert on their menu: maggot ice cream!

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about insect ice cream.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/insect-ice-cream-level-1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this ice cream? Would you like to try it?
  2. What is your favorite dessert? Do you like ice cream?
  3. Have you tried any exotic ice cream flavors before?
  4. Have you eaten insects before? What did it taste like?
  5. In general, what is your opinion on extremely strange flavors/food?