Tag: First Certificate FCE

The Secret to Being a Successful Freelancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You are your own business when you start being a freelancer.
You have to market yourself and you have to know how to run your business on your own. It could be tough but it’ll give you the freedom to choose and do what you want the most.

Watch as Paco De Leon talk about the secrets to becoming a successful freelancer.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that artists are way too underpaid these days?

2. When starting a freelancing career, why is it important to know your target customers?

3. Explain: “When you earn enough working with clients that value your work, you don’t have to compromise by working with clients who don’t. “

4. Do you want to be a freelancer? If yes, what kind of business would you want to start?

5. Are the tips mentioned above helpful? Which one is your favorite?

A Secret to Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Victory, triumph, accomplishment — these are other terms of success. But what really is success to you? Success depends on each individual and what their targets are.

Some people define success if they get rich, some define it if they get promoted from work, and some define it if they have peace of mind.

But one thing is for sure, in order to achieve success, you should have a goal and you need to set your priorities straight. And then work for and focus on it. And if you achieve it, hold on to it and do not be so confident that you’ll never lose it.

Let’s check this eye-opening video about the secret to success.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is success for you?
  2. Do you think the mentor gave him a good advice?
  3. What would be your advice to the man?
  4. What is your goal?
  5. Do you consider yourself successful at this point in your life?

Plastic Bag Ban

B2 – Upper Intermediate

San Francisco is one of the first cities in the U.S. to ban the use of plastic shopping bags to reduce the environmental impact caused by plastic waste. The ban is not only on the use of plastic bags but also use of paper as their goal is to “bring your own” in promotion of reusable bags.

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

http://www.manythings.org/b/e/234/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of banning plastic and paper bags in promotion of reusable bags?
  2. What are the advantages and drawbacks of this ban?
  3. In your country, what bags do shops and grocery stores provide to customers when they buy products and goods from their stores?

Get Out of Bed When You Can’t Sleep

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Sleep is one of the most vital and essential things we need for survival. It is the phase where our awareness and stimuli from the environment are being reduced. Sleep was often neglected though, it is one of the major components of overall health of individuals. One of the reasons why sleep is important is because it helps the body to be fit and have energy for another day of work.

But what should you do if you can’t sleep? Let’s check out this video for more information on what you can do when sleep eludes you.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Can you sleep easily? Why or why not?
  2. What do you do when you can’t sleep?
  3. Why do we need to get out of bed when we can’t sleep?
  4. What is chronic insomnia? Do you know anyone who suffers from it? Describe their condition.
  5. Talk about the least and longest sleep you’ve ever had.

Chatting about a Series

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s amazing how there are so many great TV series to watch to entertain and even help us learn. Thus, we can share and talk about these with our family and friends. What series do you enjoy watching?

Let’s listen to this podcast about the TV series.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening/intermediate-b1/chatting-about-a-series

Discussion Questions:

  1. What series do you think this chat is about?

2. What’s your favorite TV show and why? Can you recommend a TV series? Tell us the plot.

3. What streaming platform do you use to watch TV series? Why have you chosen this platform?

4. Are TV series getting better or worse?

5. Why do you think watching series is a popular past-time?

Do Employers Look for Experience or Education?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Education is often described as an investment. Does having a high academic qualification still remain an important consideration in landing a job? Do companies hire employees based on their skills and experiences?

Let us read some of the factors to consider when it comes to the duel between education and experience.

https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0710/experience-or-education-which-one-lands-you-the-job.aspx

Discussion Questions:

1.What is more important – skills without a degree or a degree without skills?

2. How does a college degree improve a graduate’s employment opportunities?

3.What are some jobs where college qualifications aren’t required?

4. Is a college degree necessary in the job you have? Why do you think you were hired by your company?

5. What are some of your job-seeking experiences?

What’s the Point of Blood Types?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

I don’t think we are consciously aware of why we have different types of blood. For some cultures, it could be a determiner of how you possess your personality.

Scientifically, our blood types are most likely to exist to fend off some infectious diseases such as the one that the world is currently facing. They say that the one that defines blood types are the genes that were inherited.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the personality type associated with your blood type mentioned in the audio?
  2. How important is it to know our blood types? How does knowing it been helpful to you so far?
  3. Are different blood types related to different personalities? Support your stand.
  4. When did you know your blood type? What was the situation you were in that led to you knowing your blood type?
  5. Talk about the unique beliefs in your country related to blood types?

No More Bosses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Holacracy is a method of removing job titles and hierarchy. In this system, decision-making is distributed among self-managing teams. In this method, certain positions in the business hierarchy such as managers are dissolved.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of having a boss/manager? Can you think of any disadvantages in the absence of one?
  2. Do you agree with holacracy? Are there companies in your country that practice holacracy?
  3. Describe your relationship with your former and current bosses. How helpful were they to you?

What Kids Can Teach Adults about Asking for Help

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of the time while we are busy telling our children all about life, our children teach us what life is really all about. Being asked for help is a privilege but there is also happiness and joy that can come from leaning on those you love in times of need.

Watch the video to find out why you should start asking for help in times of need.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it important to ask help when you need it?
  2. Who usually helps you at your worst? Tell your experience.
  3. Why are some people afraid to ask for help?
  4. Have you helped someone during their most difficult times? How so?

Coronavirus: Dealing with Mass Unemployment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of people have been stressing about being permanently or temporarily laid off from their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. It has caused financial problems to a lot of people. Some started finding jobs that are not in their fields of expertise and some have been trying to survive by the money that the government has given them. They say that we are not yet in a place where we can talk about recovery and the ripple effect will come in the future.

Let’s listen to the audio below to learn more.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200924

Discussion Questions:

  1. Has the pandemic caused mass unemployment in your country?
  2. What would be the ripple effect of mass unemployment?
  3. Would upskilling or reskilling be the answer to our problem?
  4. What are your thoughts about not having a job for life?
  5. What do you think are other ways to deal with mass unemployment?