Tag: C1 – Advanced

Achieving Work-Life Balance

C1 – Advanced

Work-life balance refers to the balance between a person’s career and his or her personal life. Many people work longer hours and have fewer holidays and days off, in part because of globalization, outsourcing, and a loss of job security. As a result, employees have less time for personal interests, friends and family. Such an imbalance can lead to reduced productivity, depression and high levels of stress.  Although the employee makes the choice to work longer hours, the corporate culture is also responsible. Companies should educate their workers on the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

Watch the video carefully and be able to answer the discussion questions below:

http://www.englishwithjo.com/business-english-work-life-balance/#more-1994

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a good balance between your work and personal life? If yes, how do you achieve it?
  2. Do you like working under pressure?
  3. What deadlines do you have to meet in your daily life?
  4. Are you good at managing your time?
  5. Do you ever delegate tasks when you get too busy?
  6. Have you ever worked over the weekend to meet a deadline?
  7. Have you ever missed an important social or family event because of work?

Math Anxiety

C1 – Advanced

Do you feel very worried when dealing with anything related to mathematics? If your answer is yes, keep this in mind: “anxiety is not a reflection of your ability”.

Watch this Ted-Ed video and learn more about mathematical anxiety, what causes it and what the best ways are to deal with it:

 

Let’s talk:
1. Explain the concept “growth mindset”. Do you agree with this?
2. What can you do when you suffer from math anxiety?
3. What problems did you have in math and how were you able to conquer it?
4. Are boys innately better at math than girls?
5. What were your best and weakest subjects when you were a student? Why do you think that is?

Why Do We Feel Nostalgia?

C1 – Advanced

On holidays, it’s natural to feel a longing for times gone by—a childhood spent singing carols or meals spent with now departed loved ones. Recently, scientists have explored the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, finding that it serves a positive function, improving mood and possibly mental health.

Watch and listen carefully to the video and be ready to answer the questions:

Discuss:

1. What makes you nostalgic?

2. How often do you feel nostalgic and how does it affect you? Does it affect you in a positive way or in a negative way?

3. In your own opinion, Is nostalgia good or bad? Explain your answer.

4. How do you deal with nostalgia?

The Benefits of Good Posture

C1 – Advanced

Having good posture is imperative to have good health. Along with eating right and getting enough sleep, correct posture will help you be more physically fit.

Watch the video below to know how our posture affects our health.

Discuss:

1. What do you think about your posture? Is it good or bad?
2. According to the video, what does good posture look like?
3. What are the causes of poor posture? What are it effects?
4. How can one achieve a good posture?

3 Tips to Boost Your Confidence

C1 – Advanced

People admire individuals who are self-confident. Self-confident people are risk-takers and are not afraid to face their challenges. They have an air of optimism around them and are comfortable with themselves.

The video below shows us how we can have that self-confidence to carry us through the day.

Watch the video carefully then be ready to answer some discussion questions:

Discuss:

  1. How is confidence defined in the video?
  2. What are several factors that impact self-confidence?
  3. How confident do you feel? Are you full of it, or do you wish you had more of it?
  4. To what extent are you aware of your weaknesses and strengths? How do you feel about your weaknesses?
  5. How can you improve your self-confidence?
  6. What are the factors that build your self-confidence?
  7. If you have a low self-confidence, what do you guess are the contributing factors?

What Would Happen if you Didn’t Sleep?

C1 – Advanced

It may seem obvious that sleep is beneficial. Even without fully grasping what sleep does for us, we know that going without sleep for too long makes us feel terrible, and that getting a good night’s sleep can make us feel ready to take on the world.

Scientists have gone to great lengths to fully understand sleep’s benefits. In studies of humans and other animals, they have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions.

Watch the video carefully then be ready to answer some discussion questions:

Discuss:

1. In the video, what are the effects of Sleep Deprivation?
2. What does sleep do to our body that makes it very important?
3. How many hours of sleep do you generally need per night? Do you manage to sleep as much as you need? If not, why not?
4. Do you use, or have you ever used, any special methods that help you get to sleep? (e.g. sleeping pills, herbal remedies,counting sheep,meditation )

In the Wine World, Does Bottle Size Matter?

C1 – Advanced

Wine has been around for as long as we can remember. And most of the time, we’re after the taste and not the bottle. A Napa Valley wine maker is redesigning wine bottles.

Watch the video below of a discussion about wine bottles and the issue of changing them.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, why are wine bottles being changed?
  2. In your opinion, it a good idea to change the size and shapes of wine bottles?
  3. What did the guest say about retailers and wine bottles?
  4. What are your preferences when it comes to wine and other alcoholic beverages?
  5. Is it better to showcase wine in a new and different way or the standard way? Explain.

Japan’s Legendary Female Divers

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C1 – Advanced

The Japanese are renowned for keeping most of their traditions alive. “Ama” divers is one of them. Read the article below to know what and who “ama” divers are and be ready to answer some discussion questions.

On the job with Japan’s legendary female ama divers

Discuss:

1. What kind of diving do the “ama” divers do?
2. In your country, what industries were thriving in the past but are now declining?
3. What are some traditions that your country has strongly carried through the years (food,feast, etc.)
4. What are some of the small towns in your country that local and foreign tourists like to visit because of it history and heritage?

World’s Cheapest Michelin-Starred Meal

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C1 – Advanced

Who doesn’t want to have meal rated by the Michelin guide? We all are interested as to why a certain dish was given a star or two, but keeping in mind that it just might break the bank. Interestingly enough, Singapore offers something else.

Read the article below to know more about a cheap yet very tasty serving of noodle.

Singapore offers the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal

Discuss:

1. Discuss the restaurant and food of Chan Hon Meng.
2. Have you experienced eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant? How was that experience?
3. What are some of the local food joints that you enjoy going to?
4. What new cuisines would you like to explore or try?

Supermarkets Are not Cheating Customers

C1 – Advanced

Consumers are always on the look out for promotions and discounts on almost every products. But are all promotional products worth your cash?

Read the article below and express your thoughts about it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38967432

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think multi-buy packages are a good deal or is it a way to entice customers to buy more than what they really want? Share your thoughts.
  2. How could supermarkets handle this issue with multi-buy better without causing annoyance to their customers?
  3. Do you like these kinds of offers? Why or why not?
  4. What are other ways you think supermarkets are tricking their customers?
  5. Share your experience getting tricked by a store or supermarket offer?