Tag: First Certificate FCE

Digital Citizenship

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Internet safety is now a major concern for everybody who depends on technology a lot. It has been a critical issue, especially for parents of children in the 21st century. They are exposed to malicious hackers and bullies glossing over their privacy.

Learn more all about digital citizenship through the video below.

https://youtu.be/SAQLjT4jwzQ

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you concerned about internet safety?
2. Do you think schools should incorporate digital citizenship into their curriculums?
3. Should big tech companies be in the business of teaching children how to be good digital citizens?
4. How do you learn to be safe online?
5. Did someone teach you how to identify schemers, hackers, and bullies online?
6. How important is it to be safe online?

Pricing Effect

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More often than not, people always shop for value. Is the price a signal for value? Do you have some hints to tell if something is more valuable than the other but why does a higher price tag make wine taste better?

Let’s check out the video and see what’s going on inside our brains when we see the tag:

Discussion Questions:
1. Tell something about the experiment.
2. What Kind of buyer are you?
3. What do you consider when shopping? How do you decide?
4. Can you set apart an expensive wine from a cheap one?

Venezuelans Escape to Spain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

During Franco’s dictatorial regime, Spanish fled to Venezuela to seek refuge. Decades later, Venezuelans want to do the same and ask Spain for its compassion now that the tables have turned.

Read more on the Venezuelans’ plea for asylum in Spain in the article below.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45640307

Discussion Questions:
1. Should more Venezuelan refugees be accepted in Spain?
2. What are the positives and pushbacks of providing asylum to Venezuelan refugees?
3. What is your position on this matter?

How Cheese is Made

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cheese is one of those foods that is universally adored. We love it on pizza, pasta, toast and others. We love it on just about anything!

In this video, check out these two different creameries,and how they manufacture their own handmade cheese.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is cheese made? Would you like to try making some yourself?
  2. Do you like cheese? What are some of your favorite types and what do you normally eat it with?
  3. Talk about cheeses from your country. How are they different from others?

How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Are you worried about your skin when the temperature drops?

As fall and winter come, your skin dries up as the wind steals away its moisture then the battle for having healthy skin begins.

Let’s watch Dr. Whitney Bowe as she gives some tips on how to keep skin hydrated.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the tips and tricks mentioned that can help protect your skin during fall/winter?
2. What is Hyaluronic acid?
3. How do you take care of your skin?

Why Men Have Short Hair

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hair fashions may change season to season, but the norm persisted that men needed to keep their hair short for sanitary reasons. Also, many view men with long hair as lazy slackers while those with short hair are seen as industrious.

However, since when – and why – did men begin cutting their hair short?

Find the story behind this in the video below.

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe your hairstyle.

2. In Spain, what is the trendy hairstyle for men and women nowadays?

3. How do you view men with long hair? How about women with short hair?

4. How do you think hair or hairstyles can affect our perception of a person’s personality?

The Butterfly Effect

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A man quit his job for being mistreated by his manager. But before he did, he told about his bad experience to the other employees that resulted to three other people leaving the company.

When those people found themselves unemployed, they decided to start their own business. After some time and a lot of hard work, their business became very successful to the extent that they started competing with the company they used to work for. Under the pressure of the fierce competition the old company declared bankruptcy.

A small unnoticeable change can result in a very big one later on, can’t it?

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the Butterfly Effect. Do you believe in it, or do you believe that the courses of events in this world are predetermined or inevitable?

2. Tell about your own experience of the Butterfly Effect. Think of one action that you did today. How do you think it had created a change in the events of this day?

3. How do you think your studies of English now can cause a difference in other people’s lives in the future?

How I Trained My Cats

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to many pet owners, cats are generally more difficult to train than dogs. In this video, though, a blogger named Jun shows his way of training his cats in order to have a harmonious home life with his furry friends.

If you have a cat, or thinking of getting one, do not miss this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a pet? Do you like pets? Why or why not?
  2. How does Jun train his cats? What can you say about his methods?
  3. If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you pick?

Covering Tattoos in Japan

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In some countries, tattoos are still viewed as a negative sign about a person and a lot of people are still offended by seeing people who have them. Japan is one of those countries that maintain a rather conservative view on tattoos.

Read more about the request made to tattooed rugby players ahead the Rugby World Cup next year in Japan.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45586210

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree with this request?

2. Would you consider having a tattoo?

3. Why do you think people want to get tattoos?

4. Is it accepted in your country?

5. How important is it to respect local customs?

Nervous vs. Excited

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you feel nervous during an interview or presentation or just generally feel anxious? There are plenty of moments that can make us nervous. The good news is that you can overcome your fears with the simple technique of training your mind to perform under pressure.

Watch as Simon Sinek explains this technique further.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is there a difference between nervous and excited?

2. In what situations are you often nervous and excited about?

3. How would you turn nervousness into excitement? Give examples.