Tag: People and Human Interest

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.

Why We May Have To Re-Learn To Socialize

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We’ve been living in a pandemic world for over a year now. We’re already accustomed to our new social routines such as Zoom meetings, FaceTime dates, or ever virtual happy hours.

But with the vaccinations ramping up and restrictions beginning to be loosened in some countries, the new question is: Are we ready? After so much time apart, do we even know how to socialize in person?

Let’s read the article below on how we can re-train ourselves to be with others again.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210218-why-we-may-have-to-re-learn-to-socialise

Discussion Questions:

  1. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on your social life?
  2. Were you able to meet with other people during the COVID-19 pandemic?
  3. Would you feel anxious about returning to ‘normal’ again?
  4. Are you good at socializing? How do you socialize?
  5. How much do you socialize with people from work? What do you usually do to connect with your colleagues?
  6. How do we re-learn how to talk to people and manage the social awkwardness that may result from a year of isolation?

Backyard Squirrel Maze

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever seen a squirrel before? And if so, have you ever thought that small creatures like them could have an advanced brain?

Probably not right? Well, think again. As of recent, squirrels have been proven to be incredibly smart. Want to know how that is?

Let’s watch this video to find out if squirrels are really smart.

Discussion Questions:

  1. After watching the video, do you partially understand the intelligence of squirrels? After watching this video, do you now think that some humans are possibly not as intelligent as squirrels? Explain your thoughts.
  2. Do you believe that squirrels can fall from any height and survive? Explain your stand.
  3. What animal do you know of that possesses such wits? What are they capable of doing?

Lessons the Pandemic Taught Us about Work, Life, and Balance

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Everybody is just going forward so afraid to get stuck. While this pandemic opened our eyes to endless possible ideas, it has also made us realize how strong, resilient, and brave we can be in times of hardships. It has made us rethink our life decisions and ponder whether we have truly lived to our fullest potential. It has made us answer one big question: Are you genuinely happy with the kind of life that you’ve lived so far?

Watch the video on the four things this pandemic has taught all of us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What has this pandemic taught you?
  2. How has your work/life changed since the pandemic?
  3. What struggles have you experienced working from home?
  4. How can you be a better employee this year?
  5. What difference can you make?

The Strongest Predictor for Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Grit can make or break your future. Studies show that grittier kids have a higher chance of succeeding simply because they persevere even when they fail.

Watch this video and know about the strongest predictor of success.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain “Grit”? Do you agree or disagree with her that looks, physical health, IQ, etc. aren’t the greatest predictor of success?
  2. Who do you consider is successful and why?
  3. What’s the greatest failure you’ve ever had and what did you learn from it?
  4. Do you still persevere in difficult times? How do you do it? What’s the most difficult circumstance you’ve ever had to persevere with?
  5. How do you motivate yourself? Do you have a growth mindset?

The Keys to a Great Conversation

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Talk is never cheap. It takes a lot of effort to make a good conversation. Some are not very good at carrying conversations while some are just naturally born with it.

Watch the 10 basic rules on how to have a better conversation:

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the tips/rules mentioned in the video that you’d likely start using/doing.
  2. Talk about the tips/rules mentioned in the video that you disagree with.
  3. Why is it important to be interested in what others have to say?
  4. Is it difficult for you to make a conversation with a stranger? Why or why not?
  5. Talk about an important conversation you have ever had in your life.
  6. What do you do to improve your communication skills?

Texting and Driving

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Driving requires focus and attention. You need to pay attention to the road, to the car in front of you, and to pedestrians crossing the road. Texting while driving is not advisable and in fact, against the law. You won’t be able to focus on your surroundings and immediately react to different situations. Worse, you might get into an accident and hurt other people too.

Click the link and listen to the audio about texting while driving.

Texting and Driving

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the dangers of texting while driving?
  2. Is it against the law in your country to text and drive?
  3. Have you seen someone texting while driving? What do you think of people doing this?
  4. Have you gotten into and accident before? If yes, what happened?
  5. What are some important things to remember when you are driving?