Tag: People and Human Interest

Building Rapport With Others

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Building rapport is a great way to connect with others. Each person has a different way of doing it. Furthermore, doing so is important if you want to get on well with others socially or at work.

To add, a book written by Emily Alison identified four main communication styles: the friendly and cooperative monkey, the bossy lion, the passive mouse, and the conflicting t-rex. Not surprisingly, Alison thinks that the best at building rapport is the friendly and cooperative monkey. 

Let’s click the link below and know more about the different communication styles.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-210617

Discussion Questions:

  1. Please describe each communication styles mentioned in the audio. Which style best fits/describes you?
  2. What is building rapport? What are effective ways to establish a connection with others?
  3. What is the importance of building rapport?
  4. How would you describe the way you build rapport with other people?
  5. When is building rapport difficult? Share some of your related experiences.

Betrayal: Dealing with Being Cheated On

B2 – Upper Intermediate

They said that the most distressing part of being betrayed is it never comes for your enemies but from the people who are dearest to you.

But the question is, when you are betrayed by one of your loved ones, would you be able to forgive them? Would you be able to trust again? Would you to distance yourself from others just to feel safe and avoid getting stabbed in the back? Or would you just forgive but never forget?

Watch this story of betrayal and cheating.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you really think betrayal is a normal part of human life? Why or why not?
  2. In your opinion, what do you think are the reasons people betray one another?
  3. Have you experienced being betrayed? What happened? How did you handle that experience?
  4. Do you easily trust others? Why or Why not?

Don’t Give Up!

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Difficulty and hardships are being experienced by the majority of us; especially in this time of crisis. Our strength has been tested when the pandemic hit our lives. Businesses have been closed as a result of thousands of people becoming unemployed. Each of us has experienced hardships at one point in our lives.

Let us be inspired from the story of one of the most famous action stars of all time, Sylvester Stallone.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Sylvester Stallone’s life story? What lesson/s did you learn from his life story?
  2. What can you say about his determination in life?
  3. Have you ever experienced hardships before and decided not to give up? What happened and how did you overcome such a difficult circumstance?
  4. What are the things you do to motivate yourself at times you feel like giving up?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement: “You never lose as long as you never give up.”

The Race Called Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this race called life, we think that we are always running alone. Not until we see someone who needs help more than we do. Some of them are our family, friends, and people we meet along the way.

It is not how fast we finish the race, it’s not all about the rush it’s about time to savor every moment and slow down for us to have a chance to appreciate life’s beauty.

Watch this inspirational video about the race called life.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to the story? Share a similar story/experience when you had to run for and/or against something/someone.
  2. Share your thoughts on this statement: “It’s not important if you win, it’s important how you run this race.”
  3. In this thing called life, what or who are you running for and against? Who are the people cheering you on?
  4. If life is a race, how would you describe your race?
  5. Aside from winning/succeeding, what are other things that matter in life?

The Master and the Bow

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Each one of us has our own goals in different areas in life. It may be financials, family, career, or personal-related. Goals are the substantial reason why we keep on going and aspiring.

Watch the video below about setting your eyes straight on your target.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that goals are important in our lives? Why or why not?
  2. What is your main goal in life?
  3. How do you stay on track in achieving your goals?
  4. How do you set goals in life?
  5. Have you ever failed in achieving a goal you’ve set? How did you deal with failing?

Maya Angelou and Sally Ride Will Be Honored on Quarters

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Did the images featured on your paper money or coins ever get into you? Are they familiar? Ever wondered why they are imprinted on our money?

Writer and poet Maya Angelou and astronaut Sally Ride will be featured in the US Mint’s American quarter to honor their immeasurable contributions to the country.

Watch the video and read the write-up below to know more about these inspiring women and the act of honoring them.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maya-angelou-sally-ride-quarters/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who do you think should we honor on our money?
  2. Do you think the people featured in your money are representing your country well? Why or why not?
  3. Is this a sufficient way of honoring these people given their magnificent contributions?
  4. How should society determine who is worthy of being honored on money?
  5. Are there people you wish to see on money? Why and what did they do to deserve it?

What Makes a Good Life?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are constantly being pushed to have a better career or pursue bigger dreams thinking it could make us happy and fulfilled.

In this video, you will know more about true happiness and satisfaction as psychiatrist Robert Waldinger shares three important lessons learned from a 75-year-old study on adult development.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on what Robert Waldinger is talking about.
  2. What keeps us happy, healthy, and satisfied as we go through life?
  3. What can you say about the quality of relationships that you have in your life?
  4. Do you agree that loneliness can kill us? Elaborate.
  5. What is your most important life goal?
  6. Do you think money and fame are important to be happy in life?

How to Gain Control of Your Free Time

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Time is a gift. What you do with it is a choice. We have the power to do the things that we enjoy even if we are busy. It’s only a matter of priority.

Time management expert Laura Vanderkam offers a few practical strategies to help us find time to do our commitments. Watch this video to know why it’s necessary to choose what to prioritize.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you do in your free time? Why is this the activity you chose to spend your free time on?
  2. What are your priorities now? What makes them the most important things for you?
  3. How has the way you spend your free time changed over the years?
  4. How would you like to change the way you spend your free time?
  5. In general, do you think you manage your time well? If yes, how do you do it? If not, what can you do to change it?

Food Superstitions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you ever believe in bad or good luck? Well, perhaps most of us do and the food culture is no exception as we have different beliefs on how it brings good or bad luck, in other words, superstitions.

Listen to the podcast about food superstitions and learn more.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you superstitious? Are most people in your country superstitious?
  2. What are food superstitions you know of?
  3. Can you share any food superstitions you have in your country?
  4. Do you believe in any food superstitions? Why or why not? What are examples of food superstitions do you believe?
  5. Could traditions lead to superstitions? Explain your thoughts.

Would You Opt for a Life with No Pain?

C1 – Advanced

The idea of happiness is too vague that it has always been a bone of contention. Can happiness always be equated with experiences that bring us pleasure? Do these experiences need to always be realistic?

Let’s watch the video and find out more about life’s pleasure and pain.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain Robert Nozick’s “experience machine”.
  2. Imagine a life without pain. How would it be like?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living a life of limitless pleasure?
  4. Do you agree that in life, there should be a balance between happiness and pain? Support your stand.
  5. Would you rather be left in the dark than to know a harsh truth? Explain your opinion.