Tag: First Certificate FCE

Donut Spree for Charity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A local doughnut shop in California has people lining out the door before the sun even comes up.

Watch the video to discover the reason, which is sweeter than the treat itself. Find out why people are splurging on them.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Why are the people buying all the donuts? How does the video impact you?

2. Describe your own community. How does your community look after its own people?

3. Do you support your local shops and businesses?

4. How can you encourage solidarity and charity in your community?

5. What treats are Spanish crazy about?

Spooky Stories for Your Halloween

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Halloween… many Spanish associate this holiday with the United States. But in fact, according to historians, this tradition is most likely Celtic in origin. It only became widely celebrated in America after the mass Irish and Scottish immigration in the 19th century. Nevertheless, in recent years, it has grown in popularity in Spain and has become a time for parties and revelry.

Halloween is a spooky time for many. In this video, check out some hair-raising anecdotes from real people. Truth or fiction? See for yourself.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the video about? What can you say about these stories?
  2. Does your family celebrate Halloween?
  3. Tell us about a spooky story of your own.

Designer Babies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A designer baby is one whose genetic makeup has been selected in order to get a particular trait or remove a particular defect in the baby’s gene. It has become an increasingly popular procedure since it helps couples with infertility-related issues. The practice pre-selects before implantation. This procedure allows couples to screen viable embryos for various genetic traits, such as potential diseases the embryo could have and other traits that the embryo would likely attain before implanting them into the mother’s womb.

Since this has been created, it has caused uproar throughout the scientific community as to whether it is an ethical procedure or not. There are many questions that have been brought up, but these are very difficult to answer. Should there be designers babies?

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Designer Babies?
  2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of pre-implantation genetic screening?
  3. Would you be willing to undergo this procedure? Why or why not?

Smart Cities

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The population is beginning to move to urban areas, mainly due to economic reasons. Along with that ever-growing number of citizens are the huge challenges the cities face. Imagine from small cities to sprawling metropolis issues like traffic congestion, climate change, providing quality education, and affordable housing as well as health services.

Cities are also the heart of innovation. Imagine surpassing all of these challenges and making your city a smart city where people could live fulfilled and meaningful lives, offering great opportunities and enabled seamlessly by technology.

Watch the video below to learn more about smart cities.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What is a smart city?
2. What are smart cities all about?
3. How does technology empower communities and social inclusion?
4. How can we enable educating the urban population to understand the smart city concept?

5. What do you think are the advantages and pitfalls of smart cities?

Samsung Pays After Worker Deaths

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Samsung is one of the world’s largest producers of electronic devices. In the latest news, the company has agreed to compensate  workers who had fallen ill and died from on-the-job chemical exposure at its South Korean factories after protests at various Samsung sites to pressure the company into the deal.

Click the link to read more about the article:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-46060376

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think Samsung will stand by its promise to compensate its employees?

2. What are the health effects of chemical exposure?

3. What safety measures should companies have for their employees who are working in a hazardous environment?

4. How can companies replace hazardous chemicals to safer alternatives?

5. Name some companies which has workplace hazards. How can they improve?

 

What it Takes To Make a Wedding Cake

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the highlights of a wedding reception is the cake. Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are simple and unassuming, while others have numerous tiers and can amount to hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. But no matter the cost, the wedding cake symbolizes the same things: prosperity, fertility, and good luck for the couple who eats it.

In the video below, take a look at how one of the most well-known cake artists makes this wonderful piece of pastry.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the video about? Explain it in your own words.

2. What is your opinion about wedding cakes? Do you prefer simple cakes or lavish ones?

3. Tell us about your own/dream wedding.

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?