Tag: People and Human Interest

The Philosophy of Cynicism

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Complexity has been part of human evolution. We are all living in a bubble as life is made easier by the advanced technology which made humans acquire more than what they really need.

This is our present reality. However, cynicism is contrary to how many are living their lives now. It is about spurning the comfort and materialism to adhere to simple living.

Watch the video below to learn more about this philosophy.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is cynicism?
  2. How has this practice evolved through time?
  3. Can we consider cynicism a good trait to possess?
  4. What did you learn about this philosophy?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement: “by rejecting the opinions of others and societal measures of success, we could be truly free”.

The Danger of Silence

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Clint Smith stated, “we spend so much time listening to the things people are saying that we rarely pay attention to the things they don’t”. Simple words that have a very powerful meaning.

There are a lot of reasons why people stay silent, one could be telling the truth is difficult and staying silent won’t give you a hard time. But then again, being silent all the time can also spell disaster.

Watch the video below and learn more about the dangers of silence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can silence be negative to people?
  2. Is there an advantage to being silent?
  3. Do you prefer being silent or honest?
  4. Are you comfortable sharing your two cents?
  5. How is having a voice important?
  6. Talk about a story when you stood up for someone/something.

Ways to Stop Over Apologizing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An apology is telling someone how sorry you are for the pain or trouble you have caused them while promising that the bad behavior will not be repeated. However, are you the type of person who tends to over apologize ?

While it is a powerful tool for building trust, valuing the other person and your relationship with them, we sometimes need to assert our self-worth and try not to apologize for everything little thing so much.

Let’s read the ways on how to stop saying sorry too much.

https://www.thelawofattraction.com/stop-saying-sorry/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the article?
  2. What makes a good apology?
  3. When apologizing, is it best to make it up with someone with a costly gift?
  4. How do you apologize for a personal and professional mistake?
  5. Should you apologize if you feel that you are right?

How Miscommunication Happens ( and How to Avoid it)

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How do you feel when you try to explain something as simple as possible yet the other person still doesn’t get it? Frustrating, right? How about when you worked hard on your presentation but none of your colleagues get your pitch. Miscommunication is definitely draining especially when you are working in a big team.

Please watch the video and get some ideas on how we can minimize frustration while expressing ourselves better.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Some may argue that good communicators are born, not made. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
  2. What can you do to prevent miscommunication?
  3. Why do miscommunication and misunderstanding happen?
  4. Talk about your experience related to this topic.

Health Benefits of Gardening

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Greens, colorful flowers, and vegetables, these are some views that will surely give us positive emotions. Feelings like amusement, appreciation, excitement, passion, happiness, and serenity will definitely have a great impact on our mental health.

Would you believe that you can achieve all these positive emotions in one activity? Yes! It’s gardening!

Here are the 8 surprising health benefits of gardening:

https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/health-benefits-of-gardening

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the health benefits of gardening?
  2. Do you like gardening? Why or Why not?
  3. Do you have a garden? If yes, what are the plants that you have in your garden? If not, do you plan to put up a garden?
  4. Would you like to try growing your own food? Why or why not?
  5. According to WHO, good health means the presence of sense of community and happiness. Can you explain this?

The Rise of the Ripped Teen

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Elite is a popular 2018 Spanish thriller teen drama on Netflix. Perhaps one thing you will quickly notice about this show is how bulked up these high school students are! In a way, you’d think to yourself, that’s unrealistic, teens are normally not that buff. Safe to say, these teenagers do not only work on their studies now but on their bodies as well.

However, after reading this article, you might need to think again. The way these high schoolers are portrayed in that series could be true; that many people in their teens are all about abs and pecs now.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/09/anyone-popular-at-school-has-muscles-the-rise-of-the-ripped-teen

Discussion Questions:

  1. What might have led to this trend? What do you think are the good or a detrimental effects of this teens?
  2. What is your reaction to the rise of popularity of the muscular teens?
  3. Is this the same situation in your country? 
  4. What is your reaction to this: “If you’ve got a child who is overweight, you worry. I’ve got one who is extremely muscular and lean, and I still worry”?
  5. How would you compare teenagers’ hobbies and interests during your teenage years and now?

Reading Might Help You Live Longer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s undeniable that screens compete daily for our attention. Work and entertainment all play out to some extent on these digital displays, so much so that our days are consumed in activities that require their use. This includes reading.

Some argue that reading off anything other than a screen should be relegated to the past. However, some studies suggest that the act of assimilating ideas from the printed page may be just what the doctor ordered.

In this video, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains how reading (or listening to a good read) can help add years to your lifespan.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What benefits of reading are mentioned by Dr. Gupta?
  2. How do you like your books? On the printed page, as an audiobook, or scrollable on a portable screen?
  3. What do you think can be done to encourage people to read more?

Fathers Are Too Old

B1 – Intermediate

Some men would say that becoming a father is the best thing that ever happened to them. They claim that the best thing about it is the fulfillment you get in raising someone and seeing them grow up to be great people. But is there a perfect age to become a dad?

Click the link below to read the transcript and listen to the audio about being a father when you are older.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/fathers-are-too-old-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do men delay having children?
  2. What is your opinion on sperm freezing? Is it popularly done by men in your country?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that earlier fatherhood should be promoted among young men?
  4. What are the good and bad things about having children when you are older?
  5. Do you think men in your country are having children when they are younger or older? Why do you think this is the case?
  6. Talk about your father or being a father yourself.

Ways to Kill Your Dreams

They say that dreams are only for children or for people who have the means to reach it. In reality, dreams are lifelong goals that we can achieve through discipline, hardwork, and believing in ourselves.

Brazillian entrepreneur Bel Pesce enumerate the ways of discouraging thoughts when we try to achieve our dreams and on how to keep ourselves going.

Watch the video below and learn more.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss the five ways how not to follow your dreams?
  2. What does overnight success mean? Share a related story.
  3. What are your first thoughts about the video?
  4. What are your childhood dreams that came true?
  5. In the video, what is meant by “believe the fault is someone else’s?”
  6. From the five tips mentioned in the video, what is one tip that can be most helpful to you?

Are Bucket Lists Always a Good Thing?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The term “bucket list” is a list of all the goals and dreams we want to achieve in our lives before we kick the bucket. It can be in a duration of a month, a year, or even a lifetime; depending on the person. Almost everyone makes a bucket list. Some are doable but others are just unachievable. More or less, people make one for some sort of self-fulfillment.

Hear more information about it from the audio below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200416

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can having a bucket list be good for you?
  2. How can having a bucket list be bad for yourself and/or others?
  3. What items are on your bucket list?
  4. Do you like planning activities or are you the spontaneous type?
  5. What really excites you the most in life?