Tag: People and Human Interest

Eastern vs Western Ideas of Happiness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Comparing the East to the West, the answer to the question of what makes people happy is radically different. Westerners might benefit from adopting the Eastern perspective.

Contrary to what the Western intellectual tradition indicates, the Eastern tradition has long taught us something entirely different. In order to be happy, what we need to do most of all is to go out and rule the world; obtain resources, create enterprises, run governments, earn reputation, and conquer nations. It has been argued that for us to be content, we must learn to master not the world but the lens through which we perceive this world—that is, our thoughts.

Watch the video about the Western and Eastern ideas of happiness.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the Western concept of happiness?
  2. What are your thoughts on the Eastern view of happiness?
  3. What is happiness for you?
  4. What do you think are the ingredients of contentment?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that success and great wealth wouldn’t, in the end, “do the trick”? Share your thoughts.

Stop Taking Your Fears to Social Media

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people today look to social media for comfort during their most trying times. Unfortunately, we have a higher propensity to promote more self-hatred when you put our emotions out on social media.

Watch the video about why we should not put our fears out on social media.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What social networking sites do you frequently use?
  2. What is the role of social media in your life?
  3. Have you ever turned to social media for reassurance?
  4. How do you believe expressing your feelings in such a public way impact you?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement, “Social media is built on the troubles of the individual soul.”

Passion or Duty

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are frequently faced with what appears to be a very difficult decision when determining what to do with our lives: the passionate route vs. the safe one, but which is best for us in the long run?

Watch the video about the choice between passion and duty.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are you passionate about? Would you give up your current job to pursue it? Why or why not?
  2. Share your thoughts on this statement, “A decade of mixed results on a passion project is inherently less onerous than unspectacular returns for a whole career in a hateful field”.
  3. Do you tend to go the passionate route or the safe one?
  4. What is your opinion about pursuing your passion? How about staying on a safe route?

More Young Adults are Renting Next Door to Retired Folks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A trend called intergenerational roommates is making a buzz in America. The idea is to arrange affordable accommodation for a young person on someone else’s property. The property owner is at least one generation older than the renter.

This living arrangement is beneficial for both parties. The older person will have someone to help around the house, while the younger one will only have to spend at least $700 a month in a tier one city like Boston.

Read the entire article in this link.

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/more-and-more-young-adults-are-renting-alongside-retirement-age-with-intergenerational-benefits/

Discussion Questions:

1. The article mentions the growing isolation among the elderly in the US. Considering this factor, discuss how the trend of intergenerational roommates helps improve the situation.

2. Do you get along well with people from the older generations? Why or why not?

3. How is your relationship with people from younger generations?

4. What can younger people learn from the older generation and vice versa?

5. Do you see any drawbacks in having intergenerational roommates? If so, what are they?

Town Has Strange Records

B1 – Intermediate

Every town is known for something. This small Czech town are famous for having some of the most unusual world records.

Setting new records is a way to make your town well-known. It is also something that can make everyone come together.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the Czech town with some strange records.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/town-has-strange-records-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this town and their unusual records?
  2. Why are such records so important to some people or for some cities/countries?
  3. What records does your city hold?
  4. Would you participate in an event to set a record for your city/country? Why or why not?
  5. If you could set a record for doing something, what would it be?

A Unique Village Has No Locks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The second tier in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is safety. It includes having a roof over our heads so that we don’t need to sleep out on the street. Shelters give people a sense of protection during sleeping hours. They also serve as a safe place for our belongings that we cannot take with us when we leave for work or school. But what if these homes have no locks? Does it mean outsiders can just come and go? Are these homes still conducive to people’s well-being?

Watch this fascinating video to discover and explore a unique village in India.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this? How would you feel about leaving your house unlocked when you go out?
  2. In your understanding, how does tradition influence people’s decision not to have doors and locks in their homes?
  3. Is safety one of your top priorities? Explain why.
  4. Describe the safety measures you take in your own home.
  5. Describe your neighborhood and explain the safety practices in the community.

Sam Walton Biography

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have all heard of stories featuring different inspiring people from all kinds of industries. Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, is one of them. Sam encountered failures and challenges in his personal life, work, and business, but he never gave up.

Learn more about Sam Walton by watching the animated video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Sam Walton tried many jobs from a young age until he opened his first Walmart store. How do you think his experiences helped him succeed?
  2. What are some ways a person can take to escape poverty?
  3. Talk about one of your favorite success stories. Tell the person’s name, his profession, and journey to success.

Woman Saves Dogs

B1 – Intermediate

They say dogs are man’s best friend. But in countries like China, they are nothing but juicy meat. Eating them is normal there.

A retired Chinese woman who also is a known animal activist does everything she can to save dogs from being killed and eaten. She takes care of many dogs in her home. Many people support her but there are also a lot who don’t because they think that eating dogs is a normal part of their tradition.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a woman who rescues dogs.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/woman-saves-dogs-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of what this woman does for these dogs? Would you support her? 
  2. What do you think of some people taking advantage of her and selling her dogs to make money?
  3. What is your opinion on eating dogs as a tradition in some countries?
  4. If you could save an animal and take care of a lot of them, what would it be and why?
  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pet?

Napalm Girl

B1 – Intermediate

The Vietnam war was was a dark period in history. During that time, many attacks were launched. In one of them, South Vietnamese planes dropped napalm bombs on a village. Direct contact with flaming napalm can cause burns all over the body. 

One of the victims of this attack is Kim Phuc Phan Thi who was 9 years old at the time. While she was burning, she had to take her clothes off. She will later be known as “Napalm Girl”.

Photographer Nick Ut took a photo of her while running for her life without clothes on. This photograph will then become one of the most iconic photos of the 20th century.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know about napalm girl’s photograph.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/napalm-girl-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about this story?
  2. Look for napalm girl’s photo on the internet. Talk about what you think of this photo.
  3. What do you think about ‘napalm girl’ and the photographer staying friends after all this time?
  4. Talk about a photo that you would remember forever. What makes this photo unforgettable?
  5. How important are photographs in telling our history?

Hobbies Are Great

B1 – Intermediate

How we spend our free time is important for our well-being. In fact, there are a lot of benefits to having hobbies. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about why hobbies are good for us.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/hobbies-are-great-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good things about hobbies?
  2. Are there any disadvantages to hobbies?
  3. What hobbies do you have and why do you enjoy doing them so much?
  4. How do your hobbies help you in your life?
  5. What hobbies do you want to take up next and why?