Food in Britain: The Borough Market

B1 – Intermediate

Whether you dabble in cooking and culinary arts or just love to eat, food really brings people together. And, in the Borough Market, you’ll see different kinds of people with different tastes.

Watch the video then feel free to answer the quiz on the right side of the video. Be prepared to have a speaking activity.

http://www.eslvideo.com/eslvideo_quiz_lowint.php?id=25938

Discussion Questions:

1. What were some of the dishes in the video that you would like to have?
2. Have you been to the Borough Market? Have you visited a similar market?
3. Would you like to try a full English Breakfast?
4. Describe your favourite dish.
5. What are some cuisines that you haven’t tried but are interested in trying?

The Ups and Downs of Coffee and Caffeine

B1 – Intermediate

Many people drink caffeinated drinks to stay awake. A new study conducted by American and British researchers reveals the effect of caffeine on sleeping pattern.

Watch the video below to find out more.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-ups-and-downs-of-coffee-and-caffeine/3029909.html?z=0&zp=1#relatedInfoContainer

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the video (research) about?
2. Do you like drinking caffeinated drinks?
3. How often and how much coffee or tea do you drink?
4. What is circadian rhythm? How important is it?

Chicago Pizza

B1 – Intermediate

There’s thin crust, there’s thick crust. Deep dish and all-meat. With so many choices out there, what makes pizza the best pizza?

Read the article and be ready to answer the discussion questions included in this article.

Chicago pizza is a unique and famous pizza from Chicago. But how is Chicago pizza different from the pizza served in New York, London, or Italy?

First, the crust is about 2.5 inches deep, or about 6.35 cm. It is cooked like a pie in a deep, round pan. The pan has a lot of olive oil, so the crust becomes crunchy on the bottom.

For toppings, the pizza usually has about 1/4 inch of sausage, 1/4 inch of cheese, and 1/4 inch of chunky tomato sauce. Other popular ingredients include pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, and olives.

No one know exactly who made this style of pizza first, because several restaurants claim to be the creators. However, everyone from Chicago has a favorite pizza restaurant, and they feel very strongly that it is the best pizza.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you like pizza? What kind of pizza do you like?
2. Do you want to try Chicago pizza? Why/not?
3. Does your hometown or country have an unusual / unique dish?
4. Talk about some of the strange dishes that you have tried in the past.

Smoky, Juicy Grilled Mussels and Clams

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Seafoods are some of the best food one can ever have. However, cooking them, especially shellfish, could really be tricky.

In this video, Melissa Clark teaches us the perfect way to prepare and grill clams and mussels.

Watch this video carefully and be ready to answer the comprehension questions afterwards.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe the process of how the shellfish were cooked.
  2. Are you fond of shellfish? Why or why not?
  3. Are seafood or shellfish commonly eaten or available in your city/country? Why or why not?
  4. What are some shellfish or seafood recipes you know. Talk about them.

The Chocolate Capital of the World

B1 – Intermediate

Chocolates! One of the most famous desserts and confectionery known to man. So just how famous is chocolate in Belgium? Read on and be ready to talk about some of your cocoa favourites.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/europe/brussels-chocolate-capital-of-the-world.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like chocolates? What are some of your favourites?
  2. Traditionally, how do people in your country take chocolate?
  3. Aside from chocolates, what other types of sweets do you enjoy?
  4. What are some of the products that your country famously export?

Best Food Markets in Madrid

market-fish

C1 – Advanced

Food markets have been a buzz for some years now and Madrid’s Mercado San Miguel is one of them.

Read the article and watch the video then be ready to talk about the beauty of food markets.

Best Food Markets in Madrid, Spain – Fresh Fish, Meat, Veggies and Cafes

Let’s Discuss!

1. According to the video, what are some of the “services” that the Mercado San Miguel offer as a food market?
2. What are some of the food markets that you’ve been to? Where do you usually shop for food?
3. Share some of your favourite traditional food or dishes.

Vocabulary: Food – Different categories

Couple drinking beverage 00

A1 – Beginner

This page will show you the different English terms of food. From fruits and vegetables to spices and seasonings.

Click on each food category and familiarize yourself with the different terms. Be ready to use some of the words during the speaking exercise.

 

Food Vocabulary: Different Categories

Discuss:

1. Do you like to cook? Which ingredients do you often use when you cook?
2. What are your preferences when it comes to eating bread?
3. Which type of you meat do you prefer?

Vocabulary: Basic Food and Drinks

imgBB

A1 – Beginner

This resource will help increase your vocabulary when talking about basic food and drinks.

Read and listen to the different English terms for basic food and drinks and be ready to use them during the speaking exercise.

Basic Food and Drinks

Discuss:

1. What do you usually drink in the morning for breakfast? Are you a coffee or tea drinker?
2. What fruits do you enjoy eating?
3. What are the vegetables you least like or don’t like too much?

Alcoholism on the Rise in Italy

drunk-teenager

B2 – Upper intermediate

As in other cultures, wine is part of the Italian culture. Italians take wine pretty seriously. They relax and enjoy a glass paired with their delectable dishes.

However, for the young, the story isn’t quite the same. Read the article below about young Italians and their drinking habits.

Alcoholism on the Rise in Italy

Discuss:

1. What do you think is a healthy dose of alcohol?
2. How much beer, wine or vodka can you drink daily without any damage to your health?
3. Italian youths are becoming reckless drinkers. Do you see this happening in your country?

Public Loo Converted into Cafe

C1 – Advanced

Would you feel comfortable eating at an old toilet? Some business owners in London got really creative with their space.

Watch the video below and see the transformation of this old Victorian toilet.

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about the transformation of the old public toilet?
2. Would you consider dining in this cafe?
3. Describe some of the peculiar cafes or restaurants that you have visited or seen in the past.