Tag: First Certificate FCE

Chatting to New People

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Don’t talk to strangers.” That is the advice we hear from parents to their young ones for safety reasons. In contrast, this may be terrible advice for adults.

Let’s listen to the podcast and find out why it is good to talk to strangers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191212

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you like talking to strangers?

2. Do you like starting the conversation or do you wait for others to initiate contact?

3. According to the podcast, why is it good to talk to strangers? Do you agree with these reasons?

The Best Home-Cooked Meals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many will surely agree that nothing beats a home-cooked meal, especially one that’s prepared with love. Whether it’s kneading dough or licking excess icing off our fingers, or peeling vegetables or stirring a pot of soup, most of us have memories of either watching or helping out our family in the kitchen. Recipes handed down through the generations also serve as opportunities to bond and enjoy each other’s company.

In the video below, grandchildren from the four corners of the world praise their favorite cooks and the dishes they do best.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the premise of the video that grandmothers make the best home-cooked meals?
  2. What are your favorite kitchen memories spent with family? What dishes did you prepare and eat together?
  3. What recipes have been handed down to your generation by your elders like precious family heirlooms?

Grocery Store Influencers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Influencers are becoming more and more important in reaching shoppers nowadays. A full-time Detroit mother blogs about the discount German grocery chain that has a huge following. She gives very objective reviews of different products and her experiences.

Here is the article about it:

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/07/business/influencers-aldi-kroger-costco-publix/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is influencer marketing?

2. Do you follow any influencers? Why or why not?

3. Is there any authenticity in influencer marketing?

4. What do you think will be the future of influencer marketing?

5. What are other ways you find out about deals and discounts on products or services?

Bride Meets Recipient of Son’s Heart

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nuptials are always memorable occasions. One wedding, in particular, stood out, going viral because of an unexpected sixth groomsman. Who was the young man, and why was his presence so significant to the newlyweds?

Watch the video below and find out.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Many people have opined that the groom’s gesture was the best wedding gift possible for his wife. Do you agree?
  2. If you could give or receive a truly memorable wedding present, what would it be? Would you prefer a physical object or a unique experience?
  3. What is the attitude towards organ donation in your country? Should people consider becoming organ donors?

Remarkable Ways Dogs Comfort Us When We’re Sick

Researchers provide us with information about the therapeutic benefits of dogs, both physical and psychological. Dogs have a remarkable sense of smell which detects illnesses and changes in people’s behavior. The positive reactions to pet dogs can also stimulate social bonding, relaxation, and trust, and ease stress.

Our dogs can make us feel better. Read the article below to see how dogs know when and how to provide support and comfort for us when we’re not in the pink of health.

https://barkpost.com/good/5-remarkable-ways-dogs-comfort-us-when-were-sick/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of pet dogs? How do you feel being with them?
  2. Have you ever been comforted by a dog before?
  3. Do you agree with what the article says?
  4. What are some other popular pets in your country?

Family Christmas Photo

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Christmas is a memorable time and an opportunity to spend extra time together as a family, reconnect with our spouse, children, friends and create holiday memories together. But sadly some people can’t have this, like this family. A military wife edited her deployed husband to be part of their Christmas family photo.

Watch this heart-warming video:

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about their Christmas family photo?

2. Have you been away from your family during the Christmas holidays?

3. Do you enjoy large family get-togethers or find them overwhelming during Christmas holidays?

4. Describe your most memorable Christmas /New Years gathering. What makes it so special? 

5. Talk about your best Christmas family photo and some family traditions your family has.

Is Shame Always Bad?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this age of social media, public shaming is nothing new. It is easier to call out people when they have done something unacceptable – big or small. Some experts say that public shaming has lasting damaging effects but can something good also come out of it?

Listen to the podcast and learn more about this feeling.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190718

Discussion Questions:

  1. How popular is social media shaming? Can you recall some instances of such?
  2. How is shaming someone good according to the podcast?
  3. What does the speaker mean with ‘Teflon-coated politicians’?

A Teen’s First Look at Color

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Color. It’s something most of us don’t even give a second thought to. But really, how differently we might experience the world around us if we were unable to perceive its rich hues.

Watch the video below and join a young man and his friends as they celebrate a momentous event in his life.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is color? In what ways would we be disadvantaged if we couldn’t accurately see colors?
  2. Think of a memory that stands out for you. What dominant colors do you recall from this page in your personal history?
  3. What is your favorite color? Why do you like it?
  4. Aside from color perception, what other things do we humans usually take for granted?
  5. What does it mean when we say a person uses colorful language, or that he or she has a colorful past? What about if that person is a colorful character?

Can Robots Care for Us?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Can robots have empathy? Can robots care for us?

Let’s find out by listening to the podcast carefully.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191121

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of having a robot carer?
  2. Do you think it’s possible for robots to have empathy?
  3. Would you buy one for yourself? Why or why not?
  4. How are elderlies taken care of in your country?

“Living Funerals” in Seoul

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people would rather not talk about death, finding it too morbid to dwell on. However, one community center in Seoul, South Korea has taken mulling over death to a whole new level with its “dying well” program. It has provided more than 25,000 people an experience it calls a “living funeral”.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to see how thinking about death has actually helped some people lead better lives.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/south-koreans-take-part-in-living-funerals-to-improve-lives/5156961.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a “living funeral”?
  2. What benefits did the participants say they got out of this event?
  3. Do you think talking about death can be healthy?
  4. What do you feel when people bring up the topic of death?
  5. What are your thoughts on “living funerals”?