Tag: People and Human Interest

An Inside Look At Doomsday Bunker Homes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many of the world’s elite have reserved and designed their own secret shelters to house their families and staff. These shelters are equipped with protection against everything from bombs to bio-hazards. Many companies around the world are meeting the growing demand for these structures to protect them from any risks while also giving them luxurious amenities.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of these luxurious doomsday bunker homes?
  2. Do you believe in the Apocalypse? How do you feel about it? How would you prepare for it?
  3. If you were one of the elites, would you purchase your own doomsday bunker? How would you want it to be?

Man Claims Apple Turned Him Gay

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A Russian man has filed a lawsuit against Apple for ‘moral harm’ claiming that an iPhone app had turned him gay. According to news, he blamed Apple for pushing him towards homosexuality through manipulation and that the change has caused him moral and mental harm.

It may sound frivolous, but how can an app possibly turn a ‘straight’ man gay? Read below.

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-49933003

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the man’s claim?
  2. How is homosexuality viewed in your country?
  3. In your opinion, what are the factors in the formation of homosexuality?
  4. If you were Apple, how would you respond to this issue?

The Life of a Child Star

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fame can either make or break individuals. So what if fame comes way too early in life? This could be a struggle of a child celebrity on how to cope with the limelight and tackle the adolescent dilemmas at the same time. The constant harassment of the media, parties, wanting a photograph or an autograph, the pressure to stand out are just some of the dark side to it. Would they go down the pit or successfully be able to make a way back to normal life?

Click the link below to know some reasons why child stars go off the deep end.

https://www.medicalbag.com/home/specialties/pediatrics/the-life-of-a-child-star-why-some-go-crazy-and-others-dont/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of a young kid becoming a child star?
  2. If your son/daughter wanted to be a celebrity, would you allow them?
  3. Why do most former child stars hit rock bottom eventually?
  4. What should be done to protect child celebrities from being abused/exploited?
  5. Talk about some famous child stars that you know of.

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?

Embracing Physical Imperfections 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?

Read the article about how a young Russian Instagram influencer is advocating to push back against the pressure to display physical perfection on social media.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think social media promotes body positivity? Share your insights.
  2. What are your thoughts on this campaign?
  3. How does social media impact one’s self -image?
  4. Should we be comfortable to bare our physical imperfections? Why or why not?
  5. How can we promote body positivity even more?

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”.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/18/learning/what-is-your-favorite-rivalry.html

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?