Tag: People and Human Interest

Tips from Spain’s Centenarians

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone would like to know the secret to a long life and a healthy body. Why not learn from Centenarians who have lived for more than 100 years?

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

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-centenarians-idUSKBN14J128

Discussion Questions:

  1. What tips did the elderly Spanish people offer to those wishing to live long lives?
  2. How old is the oldest person that you have ever met? How would you describe him/her?
  3. Would you like to live for more or less 100 years? How do you imagine living this part of your life?

Broken Heart Doctor

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Watch the video below about a doctor and how his heartbreak helped him become better at his profession. Share some of your experiences related to sympathizing and empathizing.

Discussion Questions:

1. At the beginning of the video, the doctor said that his heart had a “giant hole in it.” What did he mean by this? What happened to him?
2. How did the doctor describe his loneliness?
3. Why did the doctor say that the hospital is great place to be in when a person is in pain? What kind of pain was he talking about?
4. How did the doctor describe his experience working at a children’s hospital?
5. How do past experiences in life help us in the present?

Advice to Young Women

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Advice is usually a recommendation about what might be thought, said, or otherwise done to address a problem, make a decision, or manage a situation. Everyone needs to ask advice at some stage in their lives, whether it is from family, friends, colleagues, or another trusted individual. Likewise, we all offer advice, assistance, and support to someone in need of guidance at some point in time.

Watch the video on what advice women can give to younger girls. Be able to answer the discussion question that follows.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the advice that was given to  young women?
  2. What is the best piece of advice you have received from a family member?
  3. What three pieces of advice will you give your children?
  4. Do you often ask family and friends for advice?
  5. Whose advice do you follow more, your parents’ or your friends’ advice?
  6. Do you ask your colleagues for advice?

Your New Favourite Bookshop

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Events such as literary talks, philosophical gatherings and open mic storytelling… How do these sound to you?

When you visit Libreria, you would surely be brought back to a time when you used to love reading paper books. But for some gadget-dependent individuals, there might be a problem when you come to this library. You are not allowed to use your mobile phone or tablet. And if you were caught doing so, you will be requested to stop.

Read more about Liberia, a bookshop where customers are banned from using mobile phones and tablets inside the shop.

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160324-could-this-be-your-new-favourite-bookshop

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about Libreria?
2. Do you enjoy going to libraries? Why or why not?
3. Are there places in your city/country where you can go for digital detox?
4. Where do you like to go when you want to unplug from the hustle and bustle of your modern life?