Tag: Business

Online Piracy

B1 – Intermediate

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, a lot of people stay at home. One thing you can do in your house is watching movies and series. Normally, you need to pay for subscription to Netflix, Amazon Prime, or HBO to be able to watch.

But what do you do if don’t want to pay to watch movies and series? Some people go to online piracy sites. These are websites where you can download or stream films and TV shows illegally but for free. This action is a big problem for the entertainment businesses.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about online piracy.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/online-piracy-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is online piracy and how does it affect companies like Netflix and Disney? What are its effects on the entertainment industry?
  2. What is your opinion about online piracy?
  3. How common or big is this problem in your country?

Microsoft to Buy TikTok

B1 – Intermediate

TikTok has become a very popular social media platform nowadays. It’s an app where users can upload very short videos of themselves doing some funny stuff.

Microsoft has been considering to buy TikTok but President Trump is opposed to it. Then later changed his mind.

Read this lesson about Microsoft buying TikTok.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200805-tiktok-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is President Trump opposed to Microsoft buying Tiktok at first? What changed his mind?
  2. What do you think of Microsoft’s offer of $50 billion for a part of the company?
  3. How popular is Tiktok in your country?
  4. Why do you think Tiktok is popular? What do you think of this app?
  5. Given a chance, what company would you like to buy or invest in and why?

New Netflix Subscribers Surge During Pandemic

B1 – Intermediate

Netflix is quite popular all over the world nowadays. It is a video streaming service that allows members to watch popular movies, TV shows, and documentaries on different devices. More and more people are now subscribing to Netflix since most of us are staying at home because of the pandemic.

Read this lesson on the increase in Netflix subscribers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2004/200425-netflix.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Netflix? Do you have a subscription? Why or why not?
  2. Do you like this kind of app? Why or why not?
  3. Why is there a big increase in the number of new Netflix subscribers recently?
  4. What TV shows or movies do you watch on Netflix?
  5. Do you think people will not continue with their subscription to Netflix after the pandemic? Why or why not?
  6. What are other activities you can do at home apart from watching on Netflix?

Accusing Business Rival of Stealing Staff and Trade Secrets

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The world’s top electric-vehicle manufacturer Tesla claims that its rival Rivian Automotive Inc. has repeatedly poached their employees and stolen some of their intellectual property.

Read more about this news on business rivalry and stealing talents and trade secrets from the link below:

https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/tesla-lawsuit-accuses-rival-stealing-staff-trade-secrets-200723051819087.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Rivian’s alleged pattern of poaching its employees and stealing trade secrets from Tesla?
  2. Talk about your experience being poached by other companies. How did it happen?
  3. Do you think it is ethical to divulge information/knowledge you have acquired from your former company to your present employer?
  4. How does your company protect itself from poaching and intellectual property theft?
  5. What is your direct competitor/s like? Do you think your company has the same problem as Tesla with them?

Things Selling Out This Summer

After months of quarantine, things would change this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Many people have now adapted to the “new normal” and families are looking for alternative solutions to enjoy this summer season.

More and more people are opting to enjoy their time in comfort of their own backyards or to take up outdoor recreation.

This gave rise to the popularity of inflatable pools, bicycles, and roller skates. It might be difficult to find and buy these items now. The same way hand sanitizers and toilet papers were sold out at the beginning of the quarantine.

Read this article and be able to answer the questions that follow:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/07/07/10-things-selling-out-everywhere-summer-pools-floats-bikes-and-more/53v88942002/

Discussion Questions:

  1. During this pandemic, what are some of the recreational items/toys/products that are selling out nowadays in your country?
  2. What have you bought recently that you think is useful? What about something that is recreational? Explain why.
  3. Do you agree with the things that are mentioned in the article?
  4. What new recreational activities have you started doing during and after the pandemic?
  5. How did you cope with living the “new normal”?

Circus Has Problems

B1 – Intermediate

Cirque du Soleil was founded in 1984 and it has become very famous all over the world since then. They’ve had very successful shows in many different countries. 

However, due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company had faced a lot of money problems.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/circus-has-problems-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear ‘circus’?
  2. Have you ever seen any Cirque du Soleil performances? Talk about it.
  3. Now that they might never see them perform again, would you have liked to watch their show or would you like to get the chance to see their show again?
  4. What was your reaction to this news?
  5. Do you think there is still a possibility for this circus group to have shows again in the future? Why or why not?

Car Rental Hertz Files for Bankruptcy

B1 – Intermediate

When traveling around other places, sometimes, you need to rent a car so you can get around more conveniently.

Hertz is a car rental company. It is one of the world’s biggest. However, it recently filed for bankruptcy.

Read the lesson and get more information about this car rental company going bankrupt.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200525-bankruptcy-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you familiar with Hertz? What do you know about this company?
  2. Why is Hertz filing for bankruptcy?
  3. What is your reaction to this news?
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a car?
  5. Have you got any experience renting a car? Share it with us.

Millennials and Business

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It seems the millennials are attracted to starting their own businesses and it’s not just about making money, but also about passion and doing good. A lot of people think supporting young people to become business leaders should start at home and they should be educated to be independent for a better life.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to learn more about the young entrepreneurs.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200625

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about millennials who start their own business?
  2. Are there a lot of young entrepreneurs in your country? If so, what are the common startup businesses?
  3. Does your government offer any support to startup businesses especially to young entrepreneurs?
  4. What can you say about crowdfunding? Do you think it’s appropriate to do?

Store Sells Only Expired Food

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A nonprofit community grocery store called The Daily Table, founded by Doug Rauch, sells discounted food past its sell-by date. It aims to provide food to communities most in need at prices that are affordable to everyone thereby finding solutions to food waste and hunger.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of stores selling out-of-date food?
  2. Do you think this is a solution to reduce food waste and hunger?
  3. Do you think expired food is edible and safe to consume?
  4. What do you usually do with food past its expiration date?

Company Bankrupt

B1 – Intermediate

One objective companies’ have is to make loads of profit. However, they sometimes also face problems with money. When they go bankrupt, it can be a big problem for the company and their workers too.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio from the link below.

Company Bankrupt – level 1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What usually cause companies to go under?
  2. What happens when a company goes bankrupt?
  3. How can companies stay profitable?
  4. In your country, what kind of help does the government give to companies that are about to go bankrupt?
  5. Do you know any companies that went bankrupt? Talk about what happened.