Tag: First Certificate FCE

Voluntourism: More Harm than Good?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Teaching English in foreign countries, helping to build schools and orphanages, working on conservation projects … These are all examples of voluntourism. It’s a combination of visiting other countries while doing some volunteer works too.

Dedicating time and effort to doing volunteer activities seems great and fulfilling. But is it all what it’s cracked up to be? 

Watch the video about voluntourism and its downsides.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to what’s discussed in this video?
  2. Has anyone shared their volunteering experience with you? What did they tell you? Talk about some of your volunteer works too.
  3. Would you prefer to volunteer with animals or do some administrative work?
  4. Do you think that all job positions are suitable for volunteering? What other jobs can you do as a volunteer?
  5. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to abandon your responsibilities?
  6. What do you think the pros and cons of so-called “voluntourism” are?

New York City Bans Foie Gras

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Foie gras is a special food made of duck’s liver. However, this delicacy is not without controversy attached to it. The thing is, the way foie gras is made is rather agonizing for the ducks. Hence, some cities are deciding to outlaw this food product.

New York City is one city that has also voted to ban the sale and production of foie gras by 2022.  It has long been considered a French delicacy, but for animal rights activists, they are concerned about the cruelty inherent in its production process. The demand is still there and it continues to be served at many restaurants in New York. Reactions have been mixed and emotional but activists hope this new ban will put an end to its consumption.

Read the article and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.treehugger.com/new-york-city-bans-foie-gras-4856359

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever eaten/tried foie gras before? If you have, how do you find this French delicacy? If you haven’t, would you like to give it a try? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think about banning its sale and production?
  3. What would be the positive and negative effects of banning it?

Optimists vs Pessimists

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Optimism and pessimism are our way of thinking and considered basic traits of the human brain. Optimism reflects a belief of hopefulness about the future whilst pessimism is not a trait most people desire to have. There are benefits and drawbacks to both.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript below to find out more about optimism and pessimism.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220331

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you more of an optimist or a pessimist? Explain your answer.
  2. Do you enjoy being with optimist people or do you find them annoying? Explain.
  3. Have ever lost something because of being optimist/pessimist?
  4. How do you deal with unpleasant or disastrous situations?
  5. Think of a situation where optimism can save you?
  6. Optimistically speaking, what will you be doing 10 years from now?

Freeganism: A Solution to Food Waste?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We work, earn money, buy food, eat, and repeat the cycle. It is what most of us know. We get a job or run a business to put food on the table. Not many people are aware of, more so, care for freeganism.

Freegans do not believe in capitalism,and they strive to reduce the amount of food waste on the planet. Interestingly, freegans can eat food for free. Discover how and why they do it.

Watch the short clip about freeganism.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which part of the video appeals to you?

2. Tell me about a time when you or anyone you know wasted food?

3. Do you agree that freeganism is the solution to food waste?

4. If given a chance, would you eat in freegans’ mobile kitchen? 

5. Most freegans don’t believe in the money economy. What are your thoughts on this?

6. Do you know any other unconventional lifestyles like freeganism? Describe such lifestyles.

Male Postnatal Depression

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We live in a male supremacy and authoritarian society, for sure. As a result, some believe that men are incapable of suffering. Unfortunately, males have been defeated by their own vulnerabilities numerous times, leading to a variety of mental health issues or worst-case scenario, suicide. Consider the new fathers who have fallen victim to this chasm.

Fathers can also battle from postnatal depression but are not given the opportunities, supports, or the encouragements they need to cope.

To find out more about postnatal depression among men, let’s take a moment to read the full article.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220601-male-postnatal-depression-why-men-struggle-in-silence

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can sufferers (both men and women) of postnatal depression be supported?
  2. What are some factors that can contribute to depression in new fathers?
  3. Why do postnatal depression in men often goes undiagnosed?
  4. When do you believe fathers get depressed?
  5. What are some strategies for reducing the chances of paternal postnatal depression?

What It Feels Like to Sleep on the Side of a Mountain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever been in a situation where your friends wanted to do something extreme but you didn’t or maybe the other way around? Let’s compare your experience with the experience of the guy from the video.

Watch the video about a blogger who sleeps suspended on the side of a mountain and answer the questions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the most extreme place you have ever been to? What did you do during the trip? Would you like to do it again?
  2. Why, despite the fact that such a vacation can be unpleasant, do people choose to spend time like this?
  3. How do you think it would be like for you to sleep on a portaledge?
  4. What is something you do that makes you feel empowered?

Life in the Modern Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Work offices are critical to productivity, collaboration, and innovation. We probably spend more than one-third of our lives at the work office. However, the pandemic has introduced dramatic changes in our work culture.

Let’s listen to the audio and read transcript below about life in the modern office.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220505

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on hot-desking?
  2. How would you describe your workplace? How about your own work desk/space?
  3. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about your workplace?
  4. How has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your workplace?
  5. What do you think is the worst thing about working in an office?
  6.  Share your thoughts on this statement, “It’s important to have a workplace that’s safe, comfortable, and familiar”.

Swedes Don’t Feed Their Children’s Playmates

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cultures’ customs on hospitality differ. It is said that hospitality customs are very complicated issue.

Swedes are under fire on social media. Apparently, visiting playmates of their children are not offered snacks or to join the family’s meal. 

Find out why and why it is causing an uproar online.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jun/01/its-a-scandi-scandal-why-has-social-media-turned-on-sweden

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Swedes’ not feeding their children’s playmates when they visit? In your opinion, should Swedes change this? Why or why not?
  2. What is the custom in your country on this? Is it customary in your country to offer house guests food?
  3. What are other customs you have with house visitors and when visiting others’ home?
  4. Do families eat together in your country? Why or why not?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that “the meaning of shared meals and, in particular, the cultural mechanism of hospitality runs deep”? Share your insights.
  6. Share some mealtime customs in your country.

Upskilling and the Future of Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you haven’t noticed, the world as we know it is changing ever so fast. No one is spared from keeping up with the times. No employee remains indispensable.

For one to stay competitive in their industry and relevant in the workplace, there is a  compelling need to be honing or discovering new skill sets. 

Read the article below about the importance of upskilling.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220412-what-upskilling-means-for-the-future-of-work

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is upskilling important?
  2. Does your company offer training sessions on various subjects and do you normally sign up for them? What is the most significant skill have you acquired so far?
  3. Is this statement true in your industry or kind of job: “the skills required in the workforce are changing fast”? Explain.
  4. What are ways you get yourself ahead of the curve professionally?
  5. What other hard and soft skills do you wish to acquire and why?

Companies’ Business Model: Supporting and Rewarding Employees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Any perceptive company would be wise enough to put their money on their employees’ mental health and overall wellness to ensure they remain motivated and feeling supported. 

Read the article below about some companies that support and reward their employees.

https://www.inc.com/graham-winfrey/best-workplaces-editors-list-2022.html?cid=sf01002

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that “companies should be invested in their employees’ success, no matter the cost”? Explain.
  2. Which perk/s mentioned in the article do you also want to get?
  3. What are things your company invest in when it comes to its employees’ wellness?
  4. In what other ways do you think your company supports its employees?
  5. Where is the best place you’ve ever worked in and why?