Tag: First Certificate FCE

Pursue Your Dream

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of people wants to be successful but only a few are willing to take actions. It takes a lot of courage to go after what you want despite uncertainties. The thought of going out of your comfort zone could be really challenging but sometimes, you just have to take a leap and decide that you no longer want to be mediocre.

It can be tiring and scary chasing after your goals but then you won’t mind any of that anymore because you are chasing the right thing: your passion.

Watch the video on how Steve Harvey pursued his dreams.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why going out of your comfort zone could be beneficial?
  2. What does success mean to you? What are you passionate about?
  3. Why do you think some people would settle for something familiar than something new?
  4. What are the things that drive you to pursue your dreams?
  5. Talk about the things that you’ve done for your dreams.
  6. What are the things that could one do to find his/her passion?

Thai Parks Mail Litter Back to Tourists

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Littering irritates everyone. It destroys the beauty of nature and our surrounding. People are sometimes too lazy to dump their rubbish in a bin and just throws them anywhere, making the area look dirty.

Read this lesson on an unusual punishment for littering.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200920-litter-mail.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Thailand’s litter policy?
  2. What are the rules or laws on littering in your country?
  3. Should people pay a fine or go to prison for littering? Why or why not?
  4. What does littering say about someone’s character?
  5. Should we pick up other people’s litter? Why or why not?

Is This The Era of Distrust?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The fallout of trust on the government, companies, and even individuals is evident in the recent years. As access to information is at an all-time high, it creates room for doubts on people’s minds. We tend to be cynical about almost everything now.

Is it really bad that we doubt? Do we simply have to trust everything we hear and see? Or should we realize that sometimes there is more to it than meets eye?

Listen to this podcast about trust in this day and age.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200813

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a trusting person or a skeptic?
  2. Are you familiar with the Ponzi scheme mentioned in the podcast? What is it about? Did something similar happen in your country?
  3. How would you describe someone who is gullible?
  4. What makes someone truly trustworthy?
  5. Talk about a situation you know of where public trust was betrayed.

When Adoption Is a Good Option For You

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are couples who dream and desire to raise a child. When you adopt a child, you become a parent. One of the rewards that comes with it is the feeling of fulfillment in providing a home to a child and the joy of becoming a parent.

However, before venturing into this, there are some things you should consider if adoption is really a good option for you.

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

https://www.beingtheparent.com/when-adoption-is-a-good-option-for-you/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is adoption common in your country?
  2. Do you agree with the article? What do you think of adoption?
  3. Do you think parents who adopt, have the same kind of love for their adopted child as biological parents have with their child?

World Autism Awareness Day

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Autism is a growing global health crisis. The United Nations General Assembly declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in Qatar, 2007. WAAD aims to educate people about autism and different intervention. It celebrates the unique talents and skills of people with this disorder. People with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the world.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript and be able to discuss the questions that follow.

https://eslholidaylessons.com/04/world_autism_awareness_day.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the UN adopting a resolution to recognize this disorder?
  2. How can this resolution help people with autism?
  3. How are people with this disorder viewed and treated in your country?

US-China Tech Firms Tension

B2 – Upper Intermediate

China claims that its tech companies have been victims of “naked bullying” by the US. The American government has taken restrictions measures on Chinese applications such as TikTok and WeChat. The hindering of the said apps was a result of issues with data security. Who are affected by these two largest economies’ trade war?

Let’s read more about China’s claim of naked bullying and USA’s The Clean Network through this article:

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54052765

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is naked bullying?
  2. What do you think of USA’s data privacy efforts? Do you have such policies in your country?
  3. Do you use any Chinese applications? Describe their use in your daily life.
  4. How is the trade war between US and China affecting the world?
  5. Do you think Chinese applications are danger to any country?
  6. How important is data security and privacy?

Perspective

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our reaction to all the things that are happening in our lives has a really great impact on what will happen to our future. We make decisions and act according to what and how we feel presently. Our perspective in different situations might make or break us. After all, they say that a negative mind will never give you a positive life.

Let us find out what happened to the old lady on how changing her perspective helped her a lot in having a happy life.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Can you tell the summary of the story of the old lady?
  2. What is perspective?
  3. Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
  4. What did the monk advise her?
  5. Do you agree with the monk?
  6. If you are to give an advise to the old lady, what will you tell her?
  7. How do you deal with the negative things that are happening in your life?

I Can’t Do It

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people are struggling from depression and the worst part is they are dealing with it just by themselves. Causes of it are usually bad experiences and misfortunes.

However, this woman was able to cope up with this in spite of all the challenges she had to go through. And now, she’s known as one of the most famous writers not only in her country but all around the globe.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think the title of the video is “I Can’t Do It”?
  2. How do you cope up with sad moments in life?
  3. What can you say about the story of JK Rowling?
  4. What have you learned from JK Rowling’s life story?
  5. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? What is your favorite part of the novel? Why?

The Power of Education

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Educating yourself is one of the best things you can do to help yourself grow and become knowledgeable. There is a saying that goes, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world “.

The story in this video will somehow prove us that education can really change the world.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the story of Frederick Douglass?
  2. How was education instrumental to his life?
  3. How has education helped you in your life?
  4. How will you explain Frederick Douglass’ famous saying “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”.
  5. Do you believe that education is powerful? Explain your answer or cite example situations.

He Failed 1000 Times

B2 – Upper Intermediate

All of us want to be successful in this race called life. However, it is impossible to reach success without going through failures and hardships.

In this video, we will learn how one of the most popular cooks in the world became known despite thousands of rejections and misfortunes.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you experienced failure?
  2. What was your biggest failure that you’ve had so far?
  3. How did cope up with it?
  4. What can you say about the story?
  5. If you were in Colonel Harland Sanders’ situation, will you do the same? Why/why not?