Tag: People and Human Interest

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of us do everything we can to avoid boredom. We scroll, stream, or check our phones the moment there’s nothing else to do. But this video challenges that habit and argues that boredom plays an important role in helping us think, reflect, and find meaning in our lives.

Watch the video to hear why boredom isn’t something to escape, and how constantly avoiding it may be affecting our mental health.

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does “default mode network” mean in the sentence, “Boredom is a tendency for us to not be occupied otherwise cognitively, which switches over our thinking system to use a part of our brain that’s called the default mode network”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “doom loop” mean in the sentence, “Well, that’s a big problem. That’s a doom loop of meaning”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “get your arms around” mean in the sentence, “Because it sends you to the types of questions that you can’t get your mind around. You can’t get your arms around”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think people are so uncomfortable with boredom?
2. How does boredom help people think about meaning and purpose, according to the video?
3. Do you agree that smartphones make it harder to reflect on life? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had good ideas when you were bored? What were you doing at the time?
5. Would you be willing to try short periods without your phone during the day? Why or why not?

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Some people find themselves rambling when they need to make a speech. Do you ever wonder how those people who have excellent communication skills do it? 

There are tricks that you can pull up your sleeves to make you sound like a CEO. 

Watch the video on some mindset shifts that can help change the way you speak.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “neural echo effect” mean? “People mirror your micro-behaviors. This is something called the neural echo effect.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
2. What does “” mean? “People judge your intelligence by clarity and not complexity. It’s called the simplicity anchor.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. What does “curiosity loop” mean? “Questions increase dopamine. They call this the curiosity loop.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. Share your thoughts on the 3-2-1 speaking trick. (1. Pause for 3 seconds. 2. Give only 2 points. 3. End with 1 question.) Can you imagine applying this in some difficult speaking situations/conversations? If you already practice this, share your experience/s.
2. Have you ever noticed others mirroring your micro-behaviors in a room full of people? Talk about some instances.
3. One of the things that’s important in speaking in this day and age where we have shorter attention span than ever is “speaking in sprints, not streams”. This trick is especially useful during fights/disagreements. What are your thoughts on this? 
4. Talk about your experience making a speech. What are your secrets to be able to communicate your ideas effectively?
5. In your opinion and personal experience, how important is gesture priming or gesturing before you speak?
6. What do you think about this, “The way you start a conversation matters more than the conversation itself.“?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A shocking heist place in Paris, where “priceless” jewelry was stolen from the world-famous Louvre Museum. The incident has raised serious questions about security in one of the most visited cultural landmarks on Earth. Authorities are investigating how the thieves managed to bypass tight security measures and escape with such valuable items. The theft has sparked global attention and concern over the protection of historical and artistic treasures.

Watch the video and be able to answer the question below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the word ‘heist’ mean?“ The daring heist at the Louvre left authorities stunned, as thieves managed to escape with priceless jewelry from one of the world’s most secure museums. Make a sentence using the word.
2. What does ‘in broad daylight’ mean? “The thieves stole the jewelry in broad daylight.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does the phrase “never see the daylight again’ mean? “The stolen jewelry may never see the light of day again.” Make your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How could such a high-profile theft happen in one of the most secure museums in the world like the Louvre?
2. What do you think motivates people to steal priceless jewelry that can’t easily be sold or displayed publicly?
3. How might this incident affect the public’s trust in museum security and the way historical treasures are protected?
4. In your opinion, should punishment for stealing cultural treasures be harsher than for ordinary theft?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this short video, some people are asked what resilience means to them.

To see how people define resilience and why they consider it important, watch the full video.

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does “to push through something” mean in the sentence? “Resilience is about pushing through through life’s hardships even when you don’t want to or you feel like you can’t.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “to keep one’s head up” mean in the sentence? “To me, resiliency is the ability to keep your head up when things aren’t looking great.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “to work through something” mean in the sentence? “If we don’t talk about it, then we can never bond over things. We can never work through problems.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. For you, what does resilience mean?
2. Can you think of a time when you had to “bounce back” from a problem?
3. Why do you think it’s important to teach resilience to young children?
4. How can adults demonstrate resilience?
5. What other examples can you think of that show resilience in everyday life?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Adapting to a new culture can be both exciting and challenging. When people move to a different country or environment, they often go through what’s known as culture shock—a process of adjusting to unfamiliar customs, values, and lifestyles. This experience typically unfolds in four stages of adaptation: the honeymoon, frustration, adjustment, and adaptation stages.

Understanding these stages helps individuals navigate cultural differences more smoothly and develop a deeper appreciation for their new surroundings.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Explain what “honeymoon stage” means. “In the honeymoon stage, everything is beautiful. The people are friendly, the culture rich, and the way of local life fascinating.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.
2. What does “reverse culture shock” mean? “Those who have adapted to a new society may face a surprise when they eventually return home. After another honeymoon, they often enter a reverse culture shock.” Use the term in a sentence.
3. What does the phrase “set in” mean? “After the excitement of moving to a new country faded, homesickness and loneliness began to set in as part of culture shock.” Make one sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think experiencing culture shock is a necessary part of truly understanding another culture? Share your thoughts.
2. In your opinion, which stage of adaptation (honeymoon, frustration, adjustment, adaptation) best shows a person’s resilience?
3. Do you believe some people adapt to new cultures faster because of personality, or is it more about preparation and experience?
4. How might the honeymoon stage affect someone’s first impressions of a country, and how do those impressions change later?
5. Share your own experience going through the different stages of adaptation to culture shock.
   

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cultural clichés, or stereotypes, are simplified ideas people hold about certain groups or nationalities. They often come from bits of truth but are exaggerated or generalized over time. While some clichés may seem harmless or even flattering, many can lead to misunderstanding and unfair judgment. Exploring the truth behind cultural clichés helps us see people as individuals, appreciate real cultural diversity, and move beyond shallow assumptions.

Watch the short video and be able to answer the questions below:

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is the difference between “explicit stereotype” and “implicit stereotype“? Cite an example situation for each type.
2. What does the phrase “to cloud one’s judgement” mean? “Believing in stereotypes can cloud one’s judgment, causing people to misjudge others before getting to know them personally.” Make your own sentence.
3. What does the phrase “unbiased standpoint” mean? “Armed with this self-awareness, you try to interact with each French individual from a seemingly unbiased standpoint.” Make a sentence using the term.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think stereotypes are sometimes based on a small truth, or are they mostly unfair generalizations?
2. In your opinion, is it possible to completely get rid of cultural clichés in today’s society?
3. Do you believe media plays the biggest role in spreading stereotypes, or do they come more from personal experiences?
4. What are some common stereotypes about your culture, and how accurate or inaccurate do you think they are?
5. How can education and cross-cultural experiences help break down harmful stereotypes?
6. What stereotypes are associated with people from your country? Do you find these stereotypes to be all true?