Tag: Family and Relationships

Family Influences Career Choice

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some say that young people nowadays are not willing to follow in their parents’ footsteps in business or lifestyle. 

Read the article to know why some young people choose to follow their parents’ advice when choosing their career and others don’t.

https://medium.com/elizabethsblog/how-family-influences-your-career-choice-75ff9452cd21

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does steer away from someone/something mean? “When children are exposed to their parents’ beliefs, this can result in the individual steering away from certain career choices and following their guardian’s ideals and beliefs.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does peer influence mean? “Other factors such as church and peer influences are generally overridden by home and school.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does nurturing mean? “Another factor of how a parent can influence a child’s career choice may depend on how nurturing the parents are.” Give a synonym and use ‘nurturing’ in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that families have a large impact on what career path their children might choose? Explain your stand.
  2. Why do you think parents want their children to follow a certain career path?
  3. Who influenced the career path that you are in now? What impact did they make on you or your decision to take up a degree/profession in this field?
  4. In your opinion, why are young people reluctant to follow their parents’ career advice?
  5. What career advice would you give your children (children of your friends or relatives)?

Overprotective Parenting Style

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you see the difference between how parents controlled their kids in the past and how they do it now?

Read the article and discuss parental control and better parenting options.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/overprotective_parenting_style

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does overindulge mean? “According to leadership expert Tim Elmore, when we rescue too quickly and overindulge our children with “assistance,” we remove the need for them to navigate hardships and solve problems on their own.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does swoop in mean? “Help them develop coping skills by not swooping in to save them every time they are in distress.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is a role model? “This is a mom or dad who sets carefully defined limits for children, the one who is a good role model and praises children for their efforts.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you know any family that control their kids too much? What do they do?
  2. What are the parenting styles mentioned in the article?
  3. Do you think you will allow your children to use the Internet without controlling them?
  4. What are the negative effects of overprotective parenting style?

Secrets to a Happy Marriage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Marriage won’t work if you neglect each other’s desires and needs. Do you know how to maintain a happy married life?

Let’s watch the video where truly experienced ladies share their secrets to happy and successful marriages.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sassy” mean? ” I know that she can be sassy, but I try not to take it seriously.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “anticipate” mean? “I know for me, there’s been a lot of care-taking, that my husband has had to do, that you never anticipate.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “stigma“ mean? “It doesn’t really hold a stigma now.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the key to a long, successful marriage? Explain.
  2. Do you agree that the new generation has an absolutely different attitude to marriage? Why (not)?
  3. If people are unhappy in marriage, should they stay together? Why (not)? And what if they have children?
  4. How can people maintain romantic relationship through the years?

Is It Worth Having Kids

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Children are usually perceived to be the ray of sunlight to many families, but is it always the case? Taking into account the various aspects of parenting them, that ultimately result in the significant occurrence of the opposite consequence such as opting not to have them at all.

Take a look at the video below to learn more about the value of having of kids.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “financial implications” mean”? The financial implications are big.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Do you know what “to miss out on something” mean? “…so I almost felt like I’m missing out something on something...” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does ” motherhood penalty” mean? “...but for women, the dip is much bigger and their earnings rarely recover…this is known as the motherhood penalty.“ Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your stance on having kids?
  2. Would it make families happier? Explain.
  3. How does the cost of raising kids affect your plans to have them now, later, or not at all?
  4. What is it like to be a parent? Kindly share the process and experience of this very challenging journey.
  5. How does parenting shape the society we are currently living in?

Your Family Tree Explained

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Let us explore the significance of terms like “great” and “grand” in describing your ancestors and their connections. Explore this fascinating topic and gain a deeper understanding of your familial bonds.

Here’s a video that unravels the mysteries of family tree relationships.

Vocabulary Questions:

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. Your siblings’ children are your nieces and nephews, collectively – niblings, and you are their aunt or uncle.

2. When you get married, you get everyone’s favorite in-laws.

3. The cousin number is the same as the “G” rule: it tells you how many in-betweeners until the connection on the family tree.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is it important for you to learn about your family tree and ancestors? Why or why not? 

2. How far back can you trace your family tree? Do you know any ancestors beyond your grandparents?

3. How can understanding one’s family tree help in developing a sense of identity and belonging? 

4. What are some common methods for researching and documenting a family tree?

5. Do you enjoy connecting with relatives or distant cousins? If yes, how do you go about it?

Surviving Family Holidays

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Family holidays — a period of sweet relaxation, mouthwatering meals and lovely family evenings or perhaps, enjoyable “me time” full of memorable moments. Do family holidays remind you of a comedy film or a drama?

Read the article to know about why family holidays can sometimes be even a horror film for the whole family and how to survive them. 

10 Tips for Surviving Family Holidays
https://www.thehealthjournals.com/10-tips-surviving-family-holidays/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “alleviate” mean? “Creating a plan alleviates stress if your family is indecisive or time is limited” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “err on the side of” mean? “Err on the side of sharing pertinent information, even if it feels like over-communicating. ” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “cognizant” mean? ” Be cognizant of differing bedtimes. Leave a thank you note or flowers.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you do if your relatives become too annoying?
  2. Why do you think it’s difficult for some people to survive family gatherings?
  3. Have you ever faced difficult situations during family gatherings? Share your experience.
  4. Do you ever try to avoid some topics when you talk to people you don’t know well? If so, what are they?
  5. What habits of others can drive you crazy?
  6. Why would someone feel guilty during a family celebration?

The Intertwined Lives of Sister Best Friends

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The connection between true friends is a precious gift that transcends time and space. This attachment is even stronger for some when it comes to sisterhood. Sister best friends have special and compelling ties that is beyond description. They grow up around each other, share experiences and secrets, and ultimately, become deeply intertwined in each other’s lives.

The lives of sisters who are close often overlap, creating a strong alliance that may be their greatest significant link, though it is not without obstacles and conflicts.

For a more comprehensive understanding about the unbreakable connection between sister best friends, click on the link.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221121-the-intertwined-lives-of-sister-best-friends

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “life in parallel” mean in the sentence, “As twin flames, we feel each other’s lives and have always experienced life in parallel.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “biggest cheerleaders” mean, “We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and as the eldest, I will always be fiercely protective of Lauren.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “cause friction” mean in the sentence, “Intense bonds can impact other friendships and cause friction in – or even end – romantic relationships.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of difficult situation can arise when sisters weave their lives closely together?
  2. What advantages and drawbacks can one experience from having a strong sisterly bond?
  3. Can you give examples of how sisters maintain their own distinct identities while still being closely interconnected?
  4. Is it possible for the bond between sisters to change over time? If yes, in what ways?
  5. How significant is the bond you share with your family members? Please share.

Making Friends After 60 Is Really Hard

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People’s social circles may change as they age, such as the loss of friends due to relocation, illness, or death. As a result, seniors may feel withdrawn and alone. Unfortunately, making friends later in life particularly for those over the age of 60 can be exceedingly difficult but not at all impossible.

Seniors may face issues such as limited social interaction opportunities, access to technology, stigma, and shifts in their social circles. But on the other hand, they can improve their social connections and overall quality of life by being proactive and seeking out new social opportunities.

Relationship building later in life may necessitate greater effort and commitment, but the advantages associated with social connection are well worth it.

To gain additional knowledge, access the link and read the entire article.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/making-new-friends-60s-advice_l_641ca16ae4b0a3902d35c9b7

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “mesh well” mean, “If you can offer that connection and companionship, there is someone out there with those needs whose personality would mesh well with yours, and that person would want you as a friend.” ? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to tap into sth” mean, “To find your people as an older adult, tap into your interests. That might mean signing up for an art class, getting a part-time job, looking for a book club at the local library, trying a new activity like pickleball, or joining a religious, political or volunteer group for a cause that’s close to your heart.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “going to bag” mean, “ “ Hey, you want to go have lunch?’ — if you’re not feeling quite up to it, you’re probably going to bag,” she said.” ? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What societal factors contribute to the difficulty of making friends in later life?
  2. What is social isolation and how does it affect seniors?
  3. What are some effective strategies for older adults to meet new people and build connection?
  4. How can seniors maintain existing friendships and strengthen social ties?
  5. In what ways can family members and caregivers facilitate social interaction for seniors?
  6. What are the community programs or resources available to help seniors build social connections in your country?

Househusbands Embarrass their Wives

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Living without a traditional job is now the new lifestyle. Nowadays, people choose not to make a career and decide to try a different way of living. Moms and dads have also been shifting roles.

Although it isn’t very new, being or having a househusband is still something that not everyone is willing to flaunt this domestic arrangement out in the open.

Please read the article to know more about the househusbands of Wall Street.

When Stay-at-Home Husbands Are Embarrassing to Their Wives

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “at the top of the heap” mean, “I’ve been covering the elite echelons of big law firms for over 10 years, and I can tell you that many of the women who make it to the top of the heap often have a man at home who’s shepherding the kids around town, planning the meals, and otherwise keeping the hearth fired up.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “ambivalence” mean, “All of this points to our entrenched ambivalence about changing gender roles. Men in these situations often feel alienated, particularly if they are surrounded by stay-at-home moms.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “bow out” mean, “Though three couples were happy to speak to me on the record about their arrangement, many more bowed out about going public.“? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that being a househusband is an alternative lifestyle to having a regular job? Why?
  2. Why are househusbands less common than housewives?
  3. What are your thoughts on this reversed domestic gender roles?
  4. Share your opinion on this statement: “We simply haven’t evolved to the point where a househusband is considered desirable.“.
  5. How are fathers better at being in-charge of raising the children and taking care of everything domesticity-related?
  6. Do you know any proud stay-at-home dads? What can you say about their lifestyle?

Gen Z Make Friends in the Pandemic Era

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Building a relationship early in your career is vital, especially for those who are migrating to a foreign city and have no existing connections. These friends focus on providing assistance during both personal and professional shocks, and in some cases, they even become lifelong friends.

While work has traditionally been a place to make connections, many of these young people have lacked chances as businesses shifted to hybrid, distributed, or remote-working concepts. While making friends as an adult can be tough in and of itself, hurdles have never been significantly greater, particularly for Gen Z.

According to experts, social circles have downsized generally speaking after a desolate period of time during the global epidemic  and in some cases, they were never established at all. This indicates that some young adults are searching for fresh ways to form relationships.

Generation Z, in particular, is using mobile innovations to build long-term strong ties in different manners that earlier generations did not. Put bluntly, young employees are increasingly becoming innovative in their approaches of making new acquaintances.

Read the article to know more about how Gen Z or zoomers make meaningful connections in the pandemic era.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230201-can-gen-z-make-friends-in-the-pandemic-era

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “top of mind” mean, “For many, limited social networks have been top of mind, and they’re working on innovative ways to build the kinds of friendships older generations found more readily at places like offices.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “all walks of life” mean, “The 24-year-old grew up in Ireland, and was eager to “meet people of all walks of life.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to put one’s self out there” mean, “During the pandemic, I was shocked with how anti-social I’d gotten, how nervous I was to talk to new people and put myself out there”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the pandemic take a toll on your friendships? Please share.
  2. During the lockdown, how did you maintain contact with your friends?
  3. How did friendship help us cope with the isolation during the lockdowns? Talk about it.
  4. Are you comfortable extending your social circle online? Why or why not?
  5. How has your way of meeting new people or making new connections changed over the years?
  6. What are the advantages and pitfalls of online friendships?