Tag: C1 – Advanced

20 English Words to Not Say When Travelling

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C1 – Advanced

If you are a frequent traveler or you are involved in the e-commerce industry and have an international clientele, better know these English words to avoid unintended double entendre.

Avoid These 20 English Words When in Other Countries

Discuss:

1. Aside from the ones mentioned in the article, do you know of other English terms that should be avoided when travelling?
2. When you travel to a foreign country do you use English or do you use the language of the country?
3. Are there some Spanish words that foreign people often misuse?

How to Stay Focused at Work When You’re the Boss

C1 – Advanced

Whether you are a simple employee, a manager or a company owner, you  need to stay focused on your job to be continuously productive. However, there’s almost always something that may distract you and could affect your performance at work.

In the link below, CEO’s of different companies share how they stay focused on their job.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-31497071

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say on this statement: “The CEO’s job is not for the faint-hearted.” ?
  2. What’s your impression on CEOs and bosses in general?
  3. What does it take to be a great boss/CEO?
  4. How do you stay focused at what you do? How do you deal with distractions at work?
  5. For you, what would be the best working conditions to achieve optimum results?

Video: Is talking on your cell bad for you?

C1 – Advanced

Cellphones are now an essential part of living. Without our cellphones, it’s pretty difficult to function normally. Nevertheless, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains that we have limited knowledge of it.

Click the link below to  know more about the dangers of using mobile phones.

Is talking on your cell bad for you?

Discuss:

1. According to the video, how should we use our mobile phones?
2. What kind of radiation does a cellphone emit?
3. What did the World Health Organization say about cellphones? Who may be more at risk?

Video: School Kills Creativity

C1 – Advanced

Lets hear a public talk of Ken Robinson, a creative specialist, about the system of education.
According to him, the current school system worldwide kills creativity. As children, we are born as artists but due to the influence of school, we outgrow it.

Additionally, he said that school doesn’t nurture our dynamic and diverse brain.

Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

Click the title for the transcript: Ken Robinson Transcript

Discuss:

1. Do you think that schools do kill a child’s creativity?
2. If you agree, what changes do we need in the school system?
3. Did you enjoy your study when you were a student?

A Guide to Breakups

C1 – Advanced

Almost all of us has experienced loss. Especially during the teenage years, when young men and women start crushing on someone and have their first take on a relationship.

Read the article below to know about Julia’s dating experience and her suggestion of ending affairs.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201101/the-thoroughly-modern-guide-breakups

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you think of Julia’s heartbreaking story?
  2. What can you say about her suggestions when it comes to ending a relationship?
  3. Share any bad experiences when it comes to dating.

How Reading Can Change You

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C1 – Advanced

Reading has always been a part of people’s lives. You can learn a lot through reading. You read from the time you begin school until the time that you start working. It is one hobby that some people love and adore.

Read the article below to discover how what we read can mould our personalities.

How Reading Can Change You in a Major Way

Discuss:

1. Do you think reading is important?
2. How often do you read?
3. Do you like reading? What are your preferences in books?
4. What are some of the interesting books or stories you’ve read?

Workaholic Fathers ‘Symbolically Absent’

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C1 – Advanced

Recently, the leader of the Catholic Church spoke about fathers whose primary focus has been their work rather than their children.  He explained the important role fathers play in their children’s lives and why a patriarch’s being “symbolically absent” can be a problem not just for his family but society as well.

Read the article below and express your opinions regarding Pope Francis’ views.

Pope criticizes workaholic dads, says they’re ‘symbolically absent’

Discuss:

1. What are a father’s roles in a family?
2. What happens to children when their father is “symbolically absent”?
3. According to the article, some fathers used to practice authoritarianism. What does this mean?
5. Is an authoritarian father better than a father who’s always absent? Why or why not?

What the World Can Learn from Auschwitz

C1 – Advanced

The world commemorates the history of Auschwitz concentration camp.  Anita Lasker-Wallfisch said that it was like a global cemetery without a tomb. It was an unspeakable hell.

Click below to watch the videos. This is a set of eight short video clips. Feel free to watch as many as you wish but do watch at least three.

http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/01/22/voa-orig-natpkg-anita-lasker-wallfisch.cnn/video/playlists/intl-70-years-since-the-liberation-of-auschwitz/

Discussion Questions:

1. Re-tell the stories of the survivors featured.
2. What can we learn from this terrible part of the history?
3. How did you feel after watching the videos?

Gadgets in School as Educational Tools

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C1 – Advanced

The use of tablet and iPads in schools are nothing new. But is it really effective? Read the article below to know more about how technology can be effective in schools.

Should schools gorge on gadgets?

Discuss:

1. How do you feel about young children using tablets and laptops in learning their ABC’s and 123’s?
2. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using such technology in the classroom?

Toyota Selling Hydrogen Fuel Car

toyota mirai
Photograph: Toyota/EPA

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Toyota has started selling a few hundred Mirai cars in Japan, US and Europe.  The Japanese car maker has taken its first small step into the unproven market for emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicles.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/18/toyota-begin-selling-fuel-cell-cars-mirai

Discussion Questions:

1. Which car bands do you prefer?
2. Do you think more environment-friendly cars should be produced?
3. Are there now more and more “green” cars running aound your city?
4. Is air pollution a major problem in your country? Kindly discuss.