Tag: People and Human Interest

Psychic Predictions

C1 – Advanced

According to research, psychic power has no relation to education, IQ or selective memory but is rather related to lack of analytical skills. Although science claims there is no evidence that such a power exists, a reasonable number of people still believe in it. It is not surprising though since there were a few psychics in the past that gave accurate predictions.

Let’s watch the video and learn more about these predictions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the psychic predictions mentioned in the video?
  2. Do you believe in psychic power? Why or why not?
  3. Can this power be helpful or abusive to those who believe in it?

Beauty Standards on Social Media

B2- Upper Intermediate

An Instagram influencer from Russia has asked people to post photos of themselves not wearing any make-up. She believes in the idea of body positivity and is trying to spread it in Russia.

Men and women have found themselves battling identity issues due to the unrealistic beauty standards set by what they see on social media. It is used to promote ourselves, tons of celebrities, influencers, models and brands, also use it to sell themselves by creating an image of perfection. What exactly is the perfect beauty? How do we even define beautiful?

Let’s read the article:

https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-49877327

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on flaunting physical perfection on social media?

2. How does social media impact one’s self -image?

3. Should we be comfortable to bare our physical imperfections? Why or why not?

4. Do you think our personalities are more important than how we look?

5. How can we further promote body positivity?

A Culture of Rivalry

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Rivalry as defined by the Cambridge dictionary as a serious and often continuing competition has been evident in and been affecting many events such as sports and music. Even world leaders have their own slice of rivalry. Arguments and speculations of who wins and who loses in a match seems to be deeply ingrained in our cultures.

Please take time in reading about this topic further. To access the link, right click on the image, then “open in new tab”.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does rivalry capture your attention?
  2. Do you have your own favorite type of rivalry? Is it in sports? In pop culture? Explain why?
  3. Is rivalry ever healthy?
  4. Are there qualities that make a good rivalry?
  5. Talk about your thoughts on winning and losing.
  6. Have you ever had a rival? Share your experience.

Photos Ended Child Labor in the US

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Industrial Revolution had led to a need for workers and in the pursuit of cheap labor, many companies hired children. This, in turn, had put them in dangerous conditions for long hours and low pay. As the outcry against this practice grew, the National Child Labor Committee hired Lewis Wickes Hine to travel the country and photograph and interview child laborers. His images are powerful, and his careful documentary work gave them more context and helped spur the passage of legislation.

Check out the video below on his outstanding work and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do feel about what’s discussed in the video?
  2. What are your thoughts on how Hine carefully shot his photos to shine a light on the problem in child labor?
  3. What do you think of Child Labor? Do you think it still exists today?
  4. Do you like taking pictures? What is your purpose in taking them?
  5. What do you think is the importance of photography in our life? How powerful is it?

The Decluttering Trend

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you have a lot of things that you no longer need or use? Perhaps now’s the time to start decluttering.

Click the link below and find out all about this current trend of decluttering.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190411

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you need to declutter? Why or why not?
  2. What are the ways to get rid of clutters?
  3. Why do you think people keep on buying things they don’t need?
  4. What do you do with or what do you think happens to things that you no longer need?
  5. What do you think led to the rise of decluttering’s popularity?

Why’s It Called ‘Mother Tongue’?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Mother tongue is a language a person learns from birth and it plays a significant role in one’s life. It is also called home language, native tongue and a first language.

Let’s listen to the podcast and learn more about the term ‘mother tongue’ and the relationship between language and gender.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191031

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the subconscious difference in attitude towards words that are gendered?
  2. How many languages can you speak, read, and write?
  3. Why is your first language termed ‘mother tongue’?
  4. Do you think that the mother tongue should only be used as a medium in higher education?

Are You Good at Complaining?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It has been said that complaining, to a certain degree, has some stress-relieving benefits. Being able to voice out your frustrations in small doses can appease one’s anger. For some, complaining comes naturally. For others, complaining just isn’t their nature.

Listen to this podcast and be ready to talk about people’s willingness to air displeasure.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191003

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you often complain when you feel that you were wronged or you did not get your money’s worth? Talk about your experiences filing complaints.

2. What good does complaining do?

3. According to the podcast, what are the most used methods for complaining?

4. Why do people resort to modern methods such as social media platforms to voice out their complaints?

5. What do you usually to get what you want?

Undo

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people say that we should look at mistakes with a positive mindset. That rather than feeling let down by ourselves and others, we should see errors as opportunities for learning and growth. But what if there was a way to undo things that have gone wrong with a simple keystroke?

Watch the following short film to see what one man did when fate seemingly smiled down on him.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the choices Stu made when he discovered what “Ctrl Z” on his keyboard could do?
  2. Given a one-time “Ctrl Z”, what personal decision would you undo to change the outcome of?
  3. How do you handle mistakes? What thoughts fill your head after committing an error? What emotions do you feel?
  4. In your opinion, what is the proper way to correct a workmate? A subordinate? Your boss?
  5. Describe the attitude toward correction that can lead to positive results.

Van Gogh’s Real Mental Illness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Van Gogh is no doubt a legendary man and one of the most influential, if not the most influential artists of all time. He is perceived though by many as the ‘mad’ artist as accounts told of him showing an unusual personality and losing his sanity. But, what mental disorder did Van Gogh really go through? Schizophrenia, bipolarism, or even depression?

Let’s think big and discover in the video below for it may change our perspectives about the poor man.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is temporal lobe epilepsy? Do you know anyone who has or might have this condition?
  2. How are mental illnesses viewed in Spain?
  3. Which one artist do you admire the most?
  4. If Vincent Van Gogh were alive, how do you think his life would be different at the present time?
  5. What one question would you ask Van Gogh?

Why Don’t Young People Read the News

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A number of surveys found that people age 18-34 are consistently less knowledgeable about current events than older people.

Let’s read the article below and find out why a lot of young people do not watch the news anymore.

https://www.thoughtco.com/why-dont-young-people-read-the-news-2074000

Discussion Questions:

1. What might be reasons young people aren’t interested in reading or learning period?

2. What are the reasons young people are not interested in the news?

3. Why is it important for young people to be abreast with current events?

4. How can news be made appealing to the younger audience?