phone english blogC1 – Advanced
Imagine if half of the population were randomly wiped out in just a snap. How would the society function after such a decimation? Could this end up being a good thing for humanity?
Discussion Questions:
1. What atrocious situations would happen the moment half of the population were wiped out?
2. What would happen after humans adjusted to it?
3. How do you see this from an ethical perspective?
4. If you were in this situation, how would you deal with this new world?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
We have heard the phrase: “opposites attract” before. Is it always the case though? When choosing our life/romantic partner, do we tend to abide by this idea or do we look for someone who we have more similarities with?
Watch the video and be able to discuss the questions that follow:
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Everyone seems to be wearing or owning a pair of comfortable shoes these days. Comfort shoes such as trainers are now on trend as trendsetters are popularizing them. Many believe that comfort is more important than style. But, if you could mix them, it would much better. There is a mass casualization known as streetwear trend happening over the years as what one of a fashion editor has said.
Listen to the podcast and learn more about this topic.
Discussion Questions:
1. What has caused people to wear comfy shoes recently?
2. Are you wearing or owning a pair of comfy shoes?
3. Do you prefer comfort over style? If so, why?
4. According to the podcast, what is the streetwear trend?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Have you ever taken something that is not yours? Why did you do it? Was it out of necessity or was it just for kicks?
Watch the video and learn more about the greatest thieves in history and their reasons for stealing.
Discussion Questions:
C1 – Advanced
When majority of the people agree on something, it is easy to conclude that it may be true/reliable or it is the right thing to do. However, in ancient Jewish law, it was the opposite. If the defendant was found guilty unanimously then he would be acquitted. Why was that so? Lawmakers back then observed that when there is unanimous agreement, there is the presence of systemic flaws in their judicial process.
Watch the video to know about the paradox of unanimity and know whether we should trust unanimous decisions.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Honesty in a marriage is so important. You can’t build a strong relationship on half-truths and half-lies. However, is it necessary to have your phone checked or you checking on your spouse’s phone?
Watch this video and weigh in on whether or not it is okay to go through your spouse’s phone.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
In the 17th century, people used to put on these detailed wigs that looked woolly. Put them on the wrong way and that would obscure the person’s vision hence the inability to see if a trick is being played on them.
Listen to the audio below and find out how pulling one’s woolly hat over someone’s eyes explains deception and trickery.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-190318
Discussion Questions:
1. What does ‘to pull the wool over someone’s eyes’ mean?
2. Has anyone pulled the wool over your eyes?
3. How do feel when you find out you have been tricked into doing something?
4. Do you blame yourself for falling victim to deception/trickery?
B1 – Intermediate
Has anyone always given you food that you don’t honestly like but you didn’t want to offend that person so you keep receiving it and saying it is ‘special’ when it is just not good. This is what happened to Feifei. Neil gave her an advice to ‘keep a lid on it’. What might this expression mean?
Listen to the audio and find out what Neil meant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-190325
Discussion Questions:
1. What does ‘keep a lid on it’ mean? Does it have other meanings?
2. Talk about a situation wherein you had to keep something under control. How did you prevent that situation from getting worse?
3. Talk about a time you had to keep a secret.
B2 – Upper intermediate
Young people often feel pressured to make decisions about how they want to spend the rest of their lives. Should we follow our passion wherever it may take us? Which is better—do what you love or learn to love what you do? How can you know which course to take or avoid?
Watch the video and listen to Mike Rowe talk about his opinion on “following one’s passion”.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is your opinion about the statement “Don’t follow your passion”?
2. What do you really want?
3. Do you like what you are now?
4. What do you think will happen if you had followed your passion?
5. Would you be willing to work for free just to follow your passion?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Keeping your room or house clean can be tedious and time-consuming. Unfortunately, household chores are a must and you have to do them if you want to live in a neat and comfortable environment.
In this video, you will learn about seven great tips to make sure that you are cleaning your space the right way.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the 7 tips described in the video?
2. Do you like cleaning? How do you clean your room/house? How often do you do so?
3. Share some of your own house cleaning techniques / maintenance tips.