Tag: First Certificate FCE

Pet Ownership Positively Affects Your Kids

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Animals play an important role in our lives. We value them as our companion and a part of our family, which can affect our lives. Is this companionship good and beneficial to our lives?

Let’s discover the positive effects of having a pet on a child’s development.

http://www.sheknows.com/pets-and-animals/articles/2212/kids-and-pets

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does having pets help a child’s development?
  2. Did you have pets as a young child? Whether yes or no, how do you think that affected you growing up?
  3. Do you believe that despite the fact that adopting a pet is a huge commitment, it outweighs all the challenges that come with taking care of a pet? Share your thoughts.
  4. Would you be comfortable having pets near infants and toddlers? Why or why not?

A Better Way to Track Passenger Planes

B2 – Upper intermediate

Considering the recent airplane crash incidents and disappearance, airline industry leaders and regulators want to improve airline safety. They want planes to have more dependable devices that can follow planes as they fly.

Watch the video and read the article to find out their proposal to a better way to track passenger planes.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/is-there-a-better-way-to-track-passenger-plane/2607915.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinions about some proposals/devices that are being considered by the International Civil Aviation Organization or ICAO’s.
  2. What went through your mind when you heard the news about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “We need better information-sharing across borders. We need better human intelligence on who’s on the passenger manifest and better sharing about that. We need better intelligence on crew personnel.“
  4. What can you say about this, “None of the new technology would prevent crashes. But they will help find downed planes more quickly. This might bring comfort to the family members of those who died.” Share your insights.
  5. Are you comfortable traveling by plane considering its risks? Why or why not?

Myth about Phone Privacy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Selfies and social networks have become ubiquitous in today’s modern world.

Just how secure are mobile phones and social media platforms?  With so much information being self-disclosed by millions of tech users globally, answers pertaining to data collection and use and safeguards for data protection should be everyone’s concern.

Read the article, and weigh in with your ideas on the issue.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150206-biggest-myth-about-phone-privacy

Discussion Questions:

  1. What information can hackers get from people’s use of smartphones and social networks?
  2. Do you read the Privacy Policy of each social network that you sign up for? Why or why not?
  3. According to the article, what can you do to safeguard your privacy online?
  4. Do the advantages of using social networks and smartphone applications outweigh the risk of online information leaks? Explain.
  5. Share your thought on this: “As a fundamental rule remember this: if you don’t want information like your photos to end up in unwanted hands, then don’t send it.“.
  6. Talk about any privacy issues you’ve had using your phone or social media websites. How did you deal with/resolve it?

Bullying Killed a Teen

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people feel good when they bully others. They think they can gain friends by doing it or that their images will be elevated without realizing the dangers bullying can cause.

Read the article and watch the video to have a wider insight about bullying.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/its-bullying-killed-me-dead-teens-mom-fights-protect-law-n298666

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, has bullying gotten worse over the years? Explain.
  2. How can we eliminate bullying?
  3. How are schools in your country dealing with bullying?
  4. Do you think there are enough laws in your country against bullying? Why or why not?
  5. What is the best punishment if someone committed it?

Make a Good Impression at a Job Interview

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Job Interview – B2 – Upper intermediate

The way you act and behave during your first interview will be very important in getting your desired job.

Below are some helpful tips on how to bag a job and impress an interviewer.

13 Ways to Make a Good First Impression at Your Next Job Interview

Discuss:

1. Why is it important to have a firm handshake?
2. Describe an appropriate dress code.
3. Aside from the 13 suggestions, what else should we do when in a job interview?
4. Are there specific job practices or customs that you do in your country when having a job interview? (Having phone interviews first, not wearing specific colors to an interview, calling people by their first names, etc.)

Gender Discrimination in the Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Gender discrimination remains a big issue for many women in the workplace.

Read the article to know the effects of sexism in the workplace on women.

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/effects-gender-discrimination-workplace-2860.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think gender discrimination exists?
  2. Is gender discrimination something that you witness in your workplace? Talk about it in detail.
  3. Have you ever been discriminated against? Share your experience.
  4. What about immigrants or minorities in the workplace? Do they also face some kind of discrimination in your country?
  5. What are the things that can be done to improve gender equality in the workplace?

Female Leaders in the US

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A study done by Pew Research Center suggests that most Americans think that women are very much capable to take leadership positions too. However, females getting into top positions in business and politics is something that doesn’t occur so much yet.

Find out the reasons for this.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/women-capable-top-jobs/2621182.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the results of this study? Share some insights.
  2. What do you think are the reasons for this slow ascend of women in the political and business world?
  3. What are some ways to change this situation?
  4. Have you ever worked with a female boss? Talk about it.

Cheating Epidemic in Sports

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B2 – Upper intermediate

We all know the controversies of winning a game due to cheating. There are some recorded evidences of how cheating is widely practiced in the world of sports. It has even caused disputes and debates over the years.

The Epidemic of Cheating in Sports

Discuss:

1. What is your stand on cheating in sport?
2. What do you think is a just punishement for an athlete who was found cheating?
3. Do you think there are other underlying reasons why athletes cheat?

‘Safer GMOs’ made by US scientists

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B2 – Upper intermediate

The use of GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) has been around for years and yet the issue of whether it is safe or not has not yet been fully concluded. Because of that, there are groups and individuals who are against the use of GMO in consumer products.

‘Safer GMOs’ made by US scientists

Discuss:

1. What is your stand on this issue?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the use of GMO?
3. The article talks about new and “safer” GMO. Do you think it is a better option? Why or why not?

 

Sunday Night Hobbies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people have manic Mondays and some people have the Sunday blues. It’s pretty normal to get the blues knowing that your weekend is about to end. The article below shows interesting suggestions on how to make the most of your weekends.

Here are the things that most successful people do with their Sunday evenings.

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-successful-people-do-on-sunday-night-2014-12?utm_content=buffer5d5f4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons people do not look forward to Sunday evenings?
  2. Talk about your Sunday evening habits.
  3. Do you get the Sunday blues as well? What do you do to overcome it?
  4. How would you describe your ideal weekend?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement, “Sunday night routines help us to anticipate the week ahead and to prepare for the unexpected.”.