Tag: People and Human Interest

Right Time for Elderly To Hand Over Their Keys

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Driving helps people in their senior years stay mobile and independent. However, the risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash increases as people age.

An article in the New England Journal of Medicine argues that “retirement from driving threatens one’s health and wellness.”

Watch the video to know more about it and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own personal view, are the elderly drivers still capable of driving? Should they be allowed to drive despite their age? Why or why not?
  2. As age affects driving ability, what should be done to maintain the safety driving on the road especially for the elderly?
  3. Do you agree that retirement from driving threatens one’s health and well-being? Explain your answer.

Fascism

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fascism is generally related to German Nazi and Italian regimes that took control in the aftermath of World War I. This political system centers on national strength and national interest over all other societal needs.

Read the lesson on fascism and living through a fascist regime below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/history/fascism/life-in-a-fascist-regime.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is fascism? Can you name countries with a fascist state?
  2. What factors led to the rise of fascism in Europe?
  3. What are some good and bad things about fascism? 
  4. Have you had a fascist state in the past? How was the situation for ordinary citizens?
  5. What do you think is the most ideal political system?

People’s Relationships with Pets During Pandemic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There’s no question that having a pet in your home during the best of times can bring joy. In more trying times, as we’re experiencing now during the COVID-19 pandemic, pets can offer more than just a slobbery greeting or good-natured nuzzle.

Let’s find out how people’s relationships with pets have
changed during the pandemic.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/people-s-relationships-with-pets-have-changed-during-pandemic/5742399.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have, or have you ever had any pets?
  2. Why do you think people keep pets?
  3. Sometimes people claim that pets give people psychological or physical help. What is your opinion?
  4. What are the positive and negative aspects of owning pets?
  5. There are occasional news reports about dangerous dogs attacking people. What could be done to prevent this?

The Egg – A Short Story On Reincarnation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever heard or seen someone saying that they are someone in their past life and puzzled you at some point as to what they are really trying to say? It is believed that this kind of phenomenon is called reincarnation when someone is reborn and have already experienced or had vision of their past life. The idea or possibility conveys both mystic and exotic sense.

Watch the video and learn more about reincarnation.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard of reincarnation? How does reincarnation occur?
  2. How is reincarnation viewed in your culture?
  3. Do you believe it could be true or not? Would you like to experience this phenomenon?
  4. If you were to be reincarnated, how would you like your new life to be?
  5. Can someone who experienced it be credible in claiming it to have happened? How could someone justify such mystic occurrence?

Black Death

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Terrified of COVID-19? Did you know that there was a far worse disease that bedeviled the lands during the middle of the 13th century. This catastrophic plague is known as the Black Death. This fatal disease wiped out almost one-third of Europe’s population.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/history/black-death/black-death-in-the-middle-ages.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How clueless were the medical experts on the cause of Black Death? What perceptions and speculations did people have back then?
  2. What were the symptoms of Black Death?
  3. What strange methods did people use to fight against this plague?
  4. How would you compare the situation then and now with the COVID-19 pandemic?
  5. Throughout the history of your country, have there been other diseases that afflicted many people? Talk about it and that moment.

Keep It To Yourself

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are absolutely some things that we need to keep to ourselves. Privacy is something that everyone needs to cherish especially in this era when different social media platforms are everywhere. Privacy is not an option but a necessity because what people don’t know, they can’t ruin.

Here are some of the things in our lives that we should keep in private.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that there are things that we should keep to ourselves? What are some of those things?
  2. Are you a private person or an open book? Why is that so?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of keeping things private?
  4. What are the things that you share on your social media accounts?
  5. Talk about your top three picks on the things that you should keep in private from the video.

Silent People Are Successful

B2 – Upper Intermediate

They say silent people have the loudest minds because they rather think of ideas than talk. They rather plan productive things rather than engage in discussions. Do you agree with this?

Let us learn more about the reasons why it is said that silent people are successful.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the difference between introvert and extrovert?
  2. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
  3. According to the video, what are the three reasons why silent people are successful? Explain each reason.
  4. Do you agree that silent people are successful? Why or why not?
  5. Talk about a person you know who keeps it to themselves but is extremely successful.

Why You Should Use Food Delivery Apps During The Pandemic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Due to the coronavirus crisis, a lot has been changing in the food sector. People have replaced dining out with take-out and delivery meals. As a result, more customers and restaurants are relying on apps for transporting food . It has now gained popularity and consumers all over the world are downloading and using food delivery apps to buy groceries and food during the pandemic. 

Read the article and be able to discuss the questions that follow.

Why You Should Use Food Delivery Apps During The Pandemic

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever used delivery apps to have food delivered in your home? What do you think of it?
  2. Do you agree with the advantages of using food delivery apps mentioned in the article? Why or why not?
  3. In your own opinion, what are the pros and cons of using delivery apps for consumers and business owners?
  4. Is food delivery gaining popularity in your country? Why or why not?

Shakira Sells the Rights to Her Music

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Shakira is undeniably one of the most popular Latin artists of all time. Hips Don’t Lie, Whenever, Wherever and She Wolf are just some her most famous songs. 

We have seen many artists fight for rights to their songs but in other instances, they actually are the ones who sell them to big music companies and Shakira has recently decided to sell the rights to her songs to Hipgnosis.

Curious to know why she did it? Read the full article below.

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55645178

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Shakira’s decision to sell the rights to her music?
  2. Is this a good deal for both parties (Shakira and Hipgnosis)?
  3. For artists, what are the benefits of selling music? Why are artists selling their music?
  4. If you were an artist like Shakira, do you think you would do the same?
  5. Who is your favorite musician? Talk about their music and artistry.

How Craving Attention Makes You Less Creative

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Joseph Gordon-Levitt explains why our creativity is becoming more of a means to an end and that end is to get attention. When social media exploded, suddenly everybody wanted to show-off and get attention.

If we let our creativity be driven by a desire to get attention then we’ll never be creatively fulfilled.

Watch this video to find out why paying attention could make us happier than getting attention.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you know people who love to show-off?
  2. Why do you think people like seeking attention?
    How can it be bad for them?
  3. How much attention do you give to your social media accounts?
    Why does social media somehow trains our mind to crave for attention?
  4. Why do you think it’s necessary to see other creative people not as your competitors but as collaborators?