Tag: First Certificate FCE

Canadian Prime Minister in Black and Brown Face

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been caught in a controversy wherein photographs of him wearing a face make-up to look like a brown/black-skinned person emerged. Justin Trudeau has apologized for his embarrassing and offensive actions of racism since.

Let’s watch the news below:

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on this headline?

2. What are your thoughts on dressing up as someone of different color at a party/event?

3. If you were Trudeau how would you handle this row?

 

Dealing with Self-doubt

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Whenever you are preparing for something, most likely there is something that might prevent you from thinking that you’ll succeed in doing it. It is what we call the evil within or our self-doubt. We are often told not to be overwhelmed with negative thoughts and trust one’s self to overcome obstacles and succeed in whatever you are aiming for. However, most of us are struggling with how to fight the devil within ourselves.

Watch this video about five things you can do to eliminate self-doubt.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt self- doubt? Share your experience/experiences.
  2. In general, are you confident in yourself? Or are you plagued by doubts?
  3. What role does self-doubt play in your life? Does it affect your performance at school or work?
  4. What are the sources of your self-doubt?
  5. Do you have your own strategies to deal with self-doubt? How effective have they been?

Empty-Nesters are Happier

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Perhaps it’s true what they say: having children does make a person happier but research shows, some parents only feel so after their children had left the nest.

Find out more about why empty nesters are happier parents.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/parenting/2019/08/20/empty-nest-parents-happier-when-kids-move-out-study-finds/2052323001/

Discussion Questions:

1. Who really is happier — people with or without children?
2. What is your opinion on the statement: “parents are happier, but only after their children had moved out”? What do you think this implies?
3. What are the positive and negative aspects of parenthood?

Time Outs to Discipline Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Time out is often used by parents nowadays as a form of discipline to their misbehaving children. Some suggest that this can be ineffective and even harmful to a child’s emotional health and the relationship with their parents. While others say it doesn’t affect the child’s behavior.

Let’s know more about the effects of time outs on children.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49692573

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of time-outs as a punishment?

2, What measures of discipline do/would you give your children?

3. How might time-outs affect parent-child relationships?

4, How effective are time-outs in disciplining children?

5. How’s your parenting skills like?

 

 

Little Secrets to Getting Rich

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is a difference between having money and being wealthy. If you want to be wealthy, it’s time to look for ways on how to do so.

Watch the video and find out some secrets to becoming wealthy.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the five secrets to getting rich?
2. Are you doing any of the tips mentioned in the video?
3. Do you want to be rich? Why/why not? If yes, what are you doing in order to achieve it?
4. Who’s the richest person you know and how did this person become wealthy?
5. What are the good and bad things about being very wealthy?

Active or Reflective Listening

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we think of communication, we think of talking. That’s where we’re wrong. Listening is also a crucial skill that is necessary for effective communication.

Active listening involves full concentration, understanding, responding and looping back.

Watch the video and learn tips and expressions you can use when the need for active or reflective listening arise.

Read the article here as well: https://spunout.ie/health/article/listening-is-helping

Discussion Questions:
1. Discuss the 6 tips from the video. Which expression/s or tip/s did you find most useful/interesting? Why?
2. Talk about a situation when you lend someone your ear.
3. Do you agree that listening is helping?
4. How important is talking and listening during difficult times for you?
5. What are other ways to show someone your support during tough times?

Never Run Out of Things to Say in Conversation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you meet awkward silences during your talks with anyone?

Here are some tips to make a conversation more effective and interesting.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion of the video?

2. Are you a sociable person?

3. How do you engage in conversation with other people?

4. What topics do you usually talk about? What topics do you avoid?

5. What are other ways to have a smooth interaction/conversation with other people?

Why Japan Has So Many Vending Machines

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you have ever been to Japan, there is probably one thing you quickly noticed and asked yourself was, “Why are there many vending machines everywhere?”. In fact, there is one vending in every 23 Japanese.

Watch the video and find out why in Japan, there are vending machines everywhere.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are there vending machines everywhere in Japan?
  2. Are there a lot of vending machines in your country?
  3. What are the things/systems that are automated in your country?
  4. How interested are you in automating everything?
  5. Do you think vending machines are a lucrative business?

The Most Dangerous Sport

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As much as sports are enjoyable, it can also be perilous or at times, even deadly. Athletes understand the perils in their respective sports. Tragically, sometimes this means even their lives are can be at risk.

Let’s find out what is considered the most dangerous sport in the world. Play at your own risk.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What sport do you play? Tell us about your own experience of getting an injury.

2. Do you know any athlete who suffered from a serious injury or died while competing?

3. Despite the risks, why do people obsess over sports like football, basketball, and boxing?

4. If you could, would you ban these dangerous sports?

Ways to Make Yourself Happier

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Happiness can be defined from different perspectives. Others find happiness mainly in relationships with others especially from family and friends while some depend on success and material things.

Our sources of happiness may differ but there are ways to make our pursuit of happiness easier.

Please read the article below to know the 10 ways to be happier.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201607/10-ways-make-yourself-happier-in-30-seconds-or-less

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you define happiness?
  2. What are your sources of happiness?
  3. Is it easy for you to be happy?
  4. What do you to make others happy?
  5. Why is it important to stay happy?