Tag: Listening

Think Yourself Rich!

 C1 – Advanced

In 1937, the book “Think and Grow Rich” was a big hit. Everybody wanted to be rich and the book gave tips on how to be so. Could it still be practical today? Read the article and express your thoughts about it.

Be ready to explain the different idiomatic expressions used in the article. Feel free to listen to the audio clip as well.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/think-yourself-rich-or-try-saving/1906479.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the expression “Money is the root of all evil” mean?
2. How would you explain the phrase “Money makes the world go round”?
3. Do you consider yourself thrifty or a spendthrift?
4. What are the ways in which we can save money?

Stay Healthy by Eating Raw Chocolate

B1 – Intermediate

Health experts believe that sugar in chocolates is unhealthy. However, doctors say that there are also some benefits to eating chocolates.

This VOA news clip discusses the good effects of chocolates to your body.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/raw-chocolate-better-for-your-health/2423907.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad effects of eating chocolates?
  2. Do you think eating chocolate is good for your health?
  3. Do you enjoy eating chocolates? If yes, what kinds of chocolate do you prefer?

Video: Young Kids as Coders

C1 – Advanced

Meet Max, a ten year old boy, whose interest is, probably, far different from most kids his age. Watch as he talks about why he thinks it’s important for young kids to be taught how to write codes.

Ten-year-old computer programmer backs school change

Discuss:

1. What can you say about Max?
2. Do you agree with what he said?
3. Do you think it would be good to teach Spanish children to code computer programs too?

Gaming Technology in Surgical Training

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Following Facebook’s recent acquisition of Oculus VR – a next generation virtual reality technology – gaming enthusiasts are expressing hostility towards it. Discover how gaming technology could be used in surgical training and find out why the gaming industry is being antagonistic about it.

Feel free to watch the videos included in the article.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/281752.php#1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about this news?
  2. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using such technology?
  3. What other technologies has drastically helped the medical industry?

From Couch Potato To Cabin Fever

B1 – Intermediate

We all have different ways we like spending our downtimes. Some people would rather enjoy much of their free time hanging out at home.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about different expressions related to house/home.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/words-and-their-stories-from-couch-potato-to-cabin-fever-132322483/118835.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about being a couch potato?
  2. What are other alternatives to being a couch potato?
  3. How do you cope with cabin fever especially in winter?
  4. How might becoming an empty nester feel like for parents?
  5. How can older parents deal when their kids leave the nest?