Tag: People and Human Interest

Why Men Have Short Hair

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hair fashions may change season to season, but the norm persisted that men needed to keep their hair short for sanitary reasons. Also, many view men with long hair as lazy slackers while those with short hair are seen as industrious.

However, since when – and why – did men begin cutting their hair short?

Find the story behind this in the video below.

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe your hairstyle.

2. In Spain, what is the trendy hairstyle for men and women nowadays?

3. How do you view men with long hair? How about women with short hair?

4. How do you think hair or hairstyles can affect our perception of a person’s personality?

The Butterfly Effect

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A man quit his job for being mistreated by his manager. But before he did, he told about his bad experience to the other employees that resulted to three other people leaving the company.

When those people found themselves unemployed, they decided to start their own business. After some time and a lot of hard work, their business became very successful to the extent that they started competing with the company they used to work for. Under the pressure of the fierce competition the old company declared bankruptcy.

A small unnoticeable change can result in a very big one later on, can’t it?

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the Butterfly Effect. Do you believe in it, or do you believe that the courses of events in this world are predetermined or inevitable?

2. Tell about your own experience of the Butterfly Effect. Think of one action that you did today. How do you think it had created a change in the events of this day?

3. How do you think your studies of English now can cause a difference in other people’s lives in the future?

How I Trained My Cats

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to many pet owners, cats are generally more difficult to train than dogs. In this video, though, a blogger named Jun shows his way of training his cats in order to have a harmonious home life with his furry friends.

If you have a cat, or thinking of getting one, do not miss this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a pet? Do you like pets? Why or why not?
  2. How does Jun train his cats? What can you say about his methods?
  3. If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you pick?

Living on the Most Crowded Island on Earth

B2 – Upper intermediate

Santa Cruz del Islote is a tiny island off the coast of Colombia. It is home to 1,200 people and is considered the most densely populated island on the planet.

Check out the video to learn more about this unusual place.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Would you like to live on an island like this? Why or why not?
  2. What are the pros and cons of living in a densely populated and isolated area?
  3. Have you ever thought of island living? Is it something that you would like to do?

Things Successful People Do Every Friday Afternoon

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of (working) people would agree that Friday is the best day of a workweek. And why not? It serves as the welcome wagon to the weekend.

We have different habits, plans, and practices on a Friday afternoon. Some are fun and dynamic, while some are easy-breezy and laid-back. But, how do successful people spend theirs? Let’s find out.

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-successful-people-do-friday-afternoon-2016-10

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you usually end your workweek?
  2. What do you normally do on Friday afternoons?
  3. Do you agree that we should adhere to our routines to be more successful?
  4. How do your bosses and colleagues contribute to you having a perfect end-of-shift Friday?

A Conversation about Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As one saying goes, “Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable”… Or, is it?

Watch the video below of a very young boy and an old man, who are 57 years apart as they talk about life and their experiences.

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s the worst thing about being young? What do you fear about being old?

2. Do you wish you were young/er, or old/er? Why?

3. How do you view falling in love at your age now?

4. What advice would you give your younger self? What would you ask your older self?

5. What is the most important thing in your life now?

Miss Universe’s First Transgender Contestant

B2 – Upper Intermediate

On June 29, Angela Ponce of Seville made history as she was crowned Miss Universe-Spain. She is the first ever transgender candidate in the prestigious pageant’s 60-year history. Although this is seen as a groundbreaking achievement for the LBGTQ community, many people on social media are divided in their opinions about allowing a former male to take part in an event associated with natural-born women.

Take a look at the article and find out more.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/face-body/meet-miss-universes-first-transgender-contestant/news-story/308156f8ac3e2c5e492abfe53cbb08e5

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should a transgender woman be allowed to compete in Miss Universe? What is your opinion?
  2. Why is this a controversial subject? How can this affect society in general?
  3. Are beauty contests popular in your country? What can you say about beauty pageants?

Thailand Cave Rescue

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Last 23rd of June, a group of boys and their football coach went missing while exploring a cave in the north of Thailand. Fortunately, they were all found alive by British volunteer divers, 9 days later.

Watch and read about the youths’ harrowing experience and the massive and daring rescue mission that was organized to find them.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44688909

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the article and video all about? Who should be held responsible in this situation?
  2. Exploring a cave, especially a big and deep one, can be very dangerous. Is it something that you would like to try? Why or why not?
  3. If you were trapped inside a cave, what would you do in order to survive?

Things That Are Keeping You From Living Your Best Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you ever feel that life is just passing by and you’re getting older by the second? I bet many of us have felt like this once in a while.

Here’s an article that will tell you how to live your life to the fullest.

https://www.elitedaily.com/p/7-things-that-keep-you-from-living-your-best-life-at-25-9434112

Discussion Questions:

  1. How was your life like when you were 25? Is there anything you wished you would have done then?
  2. Which point from the article are you guilty of doing and want to stop?
  3. How do you make sure you are living your life to the fullest?
  4. Do you feel your age? Why is that so?

Things That Should Never Be In Your Bedroom

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A full night’s sleep is basically important for health. In actuality, it is just as essential as eating healthy and exercising. However, there are factors that interfere with natural sleep patterns, and as a matter of fact, they are found just right inside our bedrooms.

View the gallery to know what’s not to keep there.

https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/organizing-tips/g3745/things-to-throw-out-your-bedroom/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe what your room looks like. What are important things that you should have there and what are those that you keep out?
  2. What do you think your bedroom says about your personality?
  3. If you could give your room a makeover, what would you put and remove from it?