Tag: internet

A Day Without Internet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are living an “always-connected lifestyle”. This means that we are constantly connected to the internet. With this level of dependency, try to imagine a day without it.

Read the article and find out what it would be like if the internet would be shut down for one day.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170207-what-if-the-internet-stopped-for-a-day

Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think would happen if the internet stopped for a day? According to the article, what would happen if the internet stopped for a day?
2. How much do you use the internet?
3. What uses do you have for it?
4. What may be the advantages and disadvantages of a “kill switch”?
5. What do you do alternatively when you’re not online?

No Wi-Fi, No Problem

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever imagined a world without internet? Can you live or work in such an environment? Well, there’s a place in the US where they don’t have any wi-fi or even an internet connection.

Let’s read more about the lifestyle of the people living in this place and start a discussion.

https://www.voanews.com/a/no-wi-fi-no-internet-no-problem/3784710.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you feel about living in a town with no internet service? Why?
2. What do you imagine the lifestyle of Green Bank residents is like?
3. Do you think it is difficult for Green Bank residents to stay informed? Why? Why not?
4. How do you think the priorities of people living with and without the internet differ?
5. Are there any populated areas in your country with no internet access?

Tech Support Scams on the Rise

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nowadays, we seem to rely highly on technology to go about our daily lives. Because of this, there are some people who take advantage of this to dupe people. How dependent are you on technology?

Read the article below to learn of the new threat where technology is involved.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1606/160624-tech-support.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about what you read?
2. How worried are you about Internet security?
3. What do you do to keep your computer safe? What risks are there of being online?
4. Who do you think are most at risk from scams like this?

A Tool to Rid Internet of Child Porn

Microsoft_CNNPH

B2 – Upper intermediate

How safe are you and your children when using the Internet?
Read the article and get to know the software PhotoDNA.

Microsoft launches tool to rid Internet of child porn

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this tool?

2. What are ways to ensure children’s internet safety?

3. What do you think is the role of parents when it comes to children and their Internet usage?

4. How is the government in your country trying to fight cybercrimes?

China Blocks YouTube

B1 – Intermediate

These days, it is easy to get and share information from different parts of the world. The Internet made this possible. However, in China, the Internet is highly controlled by the government.

Read the article below and be ready to express your thoughts about China and how they control the Internet.

http://www.english-online.at/technology/china-blocks-youtube/china-blocks-youtube.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think what China is doing is a good idea? Explain your thoughts.
  2. How is censorship good and bad?
  3. What do you think would happen if Spain decides to control the Internet?
  4. How often and what do you use the Internet for?
  5. What social media sites do you like visiting and why?
  6. What do you think about YouTube?

How Misbehaving Made One Man a Multimillionaire

C1 – Advanced

Jack Cator was your normal teenage school boy; defying and challenging the rules. But what he got out of that persistent attitude was quite extraordinary.

Read the article below to know more about Jack and his business and its humble beginnings.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32702501

Discussion Questions:

1. In your own words, explain how Jack was able to come up with his business.
2. What do you know about VPNs? Is this something you use?
3. Have you experienced doing business remotely with people you’ve never met before? Describe that experience.

Speaking Activity: Social Media & Privacy

social-media-and-privacy

B2 – Upper intermediate

Many people increasingly utilize social Networks such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. These networks allow users to publish details about themselves and their lives and also connect to their friends and colleagues. However some of the information revealed in these networks should remain private and not published at all.

Click the title below to practice your speaking skills and talk about using social media. Be ready to discuss new phrases and to answer discussion questions.

Topic: Social Media & Privacy

 

Do We Need New Internet?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some internet experts are saying that the worldwide web has become unsafe that the best thing to do is to start all over.

Read the article below and share your thoughts about Internet safety.

http://www.english-online.at/media/new-internet/do-we-need-new-internet.htm

 Discussion Questions:

  1. How useful is the Internet to you?
  2. How common is Internet fraud in your country?
  3. Internet experts say that the whole net has become so unsafe that it would be best to start all over again. Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain.
  4. Talk about the good and bad things about the internet.
  5. How can we keep ourselves safe when using the internet?

Building a ‘Halal’ Internet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Officials in Iran are planning to build a completely separate Internet called Yooz. Its purpose is to filter objectionable information just like China’s “Great Firewall”, the largest web filtering and censorship operation in the world.

Read the article below to know more about Yooz then express your opinions.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/iran-next-step-in-building-hala-internet/2676579.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you use the internet?
  2. How important is the internet to your day to day life?
  3. What is your opinion about filtered and censored internet access
  4. Do you think that Yooz will do its job in filtering and securing?

Boot Camps for Internet Addicts

B1 – Intermediate

Internet addiction is one very common problem among teenagers these days. In China, one way to combat this addiction is to take children to a boot camp.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on a boot camp for internet addicts.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/can-boot-camp-cure-internet-addiction/2442322.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How many hours do you usually spend surfing the internet?
2. At work, are you highly dependent on the internet?
3. Would you consider internet addiction as a disease?
4. What are the ways you can prevent internet addiction?