Tag: People

Is it OK to Disagree?

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Not all the time we see each other eye to eye. Each and everyone of us has our own opinions and beliefs. It is virtually impossible for everyone to have the exact same thoughts about something.

The important thing is to be accepting and tolerant of this difference in viewpoints.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript and be ready to ponder whether it is OK to disagree.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260101

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to take the heat out of the environment” mean here, “Generally, people make better decisions and are more engaging and more open when they’re happier, but much of the time it will be just a case of calming down to try and take some of the heat out of the environment.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What is does “silver bullet” mean? “Political scientists think the silver bullet is to get offline and meet people.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “divided” mean here, “By meeting people who have different opinions and beliefs to you, the more you’ll realise they’re not that different to you at all. And that could make you more accepting and lead to a society that is less divided.” Use the word in this context in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it OK to disagree? Share your opinion. 
  2. What are the pros and cons of disagreements?
  3. Share your perspective on this, “We are becoming a more divided society.”
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “We might like to believe that we’re accepting and tolerant of others’ beliefs, but for many people it can be difficult to communicate with people who have very different opinions to our own.”
  5. Talk about your own experience disagreeing with others. How did you handle that situation?

Scared of Speaking English

B1 – Intermediate 

Learning a foreign language is not easy. Conversing in a language other than one’s mother tongue could make someone feel intimidated and nervous. Sometimes, it could even make a person frustrated.

However, there are ways on how to be more self-confident when you need to speak in a different language.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about how to deal with speaking anxiety.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/260122

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to relate to” mean? “I’m sure that’s a situation lots of people can relate to.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What is a “new joiner”? “So when I first joined the BBC, the Learning English team made an assessment of my English level, which they used to do for all new joiners to see if they need any help or courses.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to stress” mean here, “I couldn’t really understand what the barista was saying, and I felt pretty nervous to order coffee and was trying to stress every single word, hoping that my grammar is correct and I am pronouncing the words right.” Use the verb in this context in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is speaking in a foreign language so stressful?
  2. How did having to speak in another language make you feel at first? How about over time?
  3. Share your opinion, “Mistakes are normal. Mistakes can be a good thing. They can help us learn.”
  4. What are some ways to fight anxiety when speaking a foreign language? In your case, which one is the most effective and why?
  5. Talk about your own experience where you got a little nervous about speaking in another language.

Greece Is the Best Place to Retire 

B1 – Intermediate 

It has become very common for older people to live abroad in their golden years. They choose to spend their retirement years in another country.

Some factors they consider when choosing a place to retire in are climate, the cost of living, healthcare, and housing. 

International Living magazine released its Annual Global Retirement Index and named Greece as the best place to live in during a person’s sunset years.

Read the article about Greece as the best country to retire in the whole world.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2512/251204-retiring-in-greece.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “overseas” mean? “More and more people are choosing to spend their retirement overseas.” Use the word in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  2. What does “retiree” mean? “It is the first time Greece has been the number-one choice for retirees.” Use the word in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  3. What does “in every sense” mean? “Greece had what many people were looking for. The country was beautiful, welcoming, and affordable. It offered a lifestyle that feels rich in every sense.”  Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Greece being the best place to retire?
  2. In general, what would make a place a very good place to retire in?
  3. Climate, the cost of living, healthcare, and housing are the most important things for older people who want to live in another country. Which one among these four factors do you think is the most important and why?
  4. In your opinion, where is the best place to retire and why?
  5. What do you think about retiring overseas?

Superman #1 the Most Expensive Comic

B1 – Intermediate 

It was in 1939 when the comic book Superman # 1 first came out. It started the genre of superhero comics. Superman No. 1 went on to become the inspiration for many other superheroes that followed.

A copy of the first Superman comic that is in perfect condition belonged to three brothers who found it after 86 years of just collecting dust in their late mother’s house.

At an auction, it was sold for $9.12 million.

Read the article about Superman #1 comic selling for $9.12 million at an auction.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2511/251124-superman-comic-5.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is an “auction”? “A pristine copy of the very first self-titled Superman comic has been sold at auction for $9.12 million.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “blueprint” mean here, “Superman No. 1 became the blueprint for today’s modern superheroes.” Use the word in a sentence. What’s another meaning of “blueprint”?
  3. What does “mint condition” mean? “Mint condition copies are very rare because many people cut off the front cover to use as a poster.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts about the story of the three brothers and them finding this comic at their late mother’s house after 86 years.
  2. What do you think about the amount of money that this comic was sold for?
  3. What are your thoughts on this comic being the “pinnacle of comic collecting?
  4. Do you like collecting? Why or why not?
  5. If there is one piece of pop culture history that you could have, what would it be and why?
  6. What is the most priceless thing you own and why is it so valuable for you?

Japan’s Legendary Sushi Chef Still Working at 100

B1 – Intermediate 

Jiro Ono is a very famous sushi chef from Japan. He decided not to quit work even after he turned 100.

Chef Ono believes working is the secret to living a long and healthy life. He has no plan to stop any time soon.

Read the article about Jiro Ono, the famous sushi chef in Japan who decided to continue working despite being 100 years old.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2510/251030-sushi-chef-jiro-ono.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to retire from one’s job” mean? “Ono-san said he has no plans to retire from his job.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to keep going” mean? “I plan to keep going for about five more years.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to reach the top” mean? “I haven’t reached perfection yet. I’ll continue to climb and try to reach the top, but nobody knows where the top is.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about working even at 100 years old?
  2. Share your opinion on this: the best medicine is to work.
  3. What do you think is the secret to living a long and healthy life?
  4. How do centenarians in your country usually spend their life at that age?
  5. What do you think about Chef Ono’s sushi restaurant’s concept?
  6. Would you be interested to visit Sukiyabashi Jiro? Why or why not?

Grown-ups Buying Kids’ Toys

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

The toys that we used to love playing with as kids are a very nostalgic way to reminisce our childhood. 

This must be the reason why some adults still enjoy the idea of buying kids’ toys and playing with them.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about grown-ups buying and playing with kids’ toys.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250814

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “disposable income”. “Once I kind of had a stable job with disposable income, I kind of rediscovered my love for soft toys, and I started buying them again because I’ve always loved collecting things, because, you know, they bring me happiness, they bring me joy.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “inner child” mean?  “And I think also a big pillar of my channel and my content is reconnecting with my childhood, and healing that inner child, and I think the toys also play a part in that.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. Explain the meaning of “to have time on one’s hands”. “During the pandemic, people had time on their hands. Many adults went online, hoping to find the toys they remembered from childhood.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What might be the reasons grown-ups like buying and/or playing with toys?
  2. What do you think about adults still buying and playing with toys?
  3. Share your insights on this, “Adults buying kids’ toys for themselves account for between 30 and 40% of the entire toy market.” 
  4. Do you consider yourself a “kidult”? Why or why not? What are some things/activities you still enjoy that are normally for younger people? Why do you think you still like them until now?
  5. During the pandemic, people had time on their hands. What did you do with yours?

Zoo Asks for Unwanted Pets to Feed to Big Cats

B1 – Intermediate 

The Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark has requested pet owners to donate their unwanted pets. They plan to feed pets such as chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, and small horses to some zoo animals.

Read this article about the zoo’s request to pet owners to donate their unwanted pets to make them as feed for the zoo’s captive predators.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250811-zoo-pet-food.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to put down” mean? “The zoo said that the practice of putting down animals to be used as feed was common in Denmark.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. Also, give another meaning of “put down”.
  2. What does “waiting list” mean? “There is so much interest in helping the zoo that there are waiting lists to donate horses.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “tax deduction” mean? “Donors can even receive a tax deduction based on the animal’s value.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about this news.
  2. Talk about the good and bad thing about this scheme.
  3. What is your thought about putting down animals to be used as feed?
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “Unwanted small creatures as food is practical because nothing goes to waste, and we ensure the natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators.”?
  5. Do you think that there will also be so much interest in helping zoos this way in your country? Why or why not?

What is Success?

B1 – Intermediate 

Perhaps, each person has his or her own definition of success. For some, it is about being always on top, while for others, it just means to have family and friends and a job.

What is Success? – Interview

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to live paycheck to paycheck” mean, “Success is also the ability that you’re not living paycheck to paycheck.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “rainy day” mean here, “You know, you can also save up money for a rainy day.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “well taken care of” mean? “ One of the big things for me, though, is having enough money to support my family. Uh, so I have a child. So making sure that he is well taken care of. ” Use this phase in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. For you, what is success?
  2. What is your biggest success so far?
  3. Talk about a moment when you were on the brink of success, but failed.
  4. What must a person do when they fail?
  5. We can have successes every day, especially at work or in our hobbies. What are your successes for today at work and in your hobbies? How do you feel about it?

Music Festivals Are Becoming Less Popular

B1 – Intermediate 

Very famous music festivals like Coachella, Burning Man, and Lollapalooza have seen some decrease in ticket sales. Live events such as these seems to be getting less interest from its fans.

All-inclusive festival deals can be for several hundred dollars or even up to 1000 dollars.

However, with the increasing costs of travel and the tickets, people would rather spend that amount on other activities.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the music festivals becoming less popular.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/music-festivals-are-becoming-less-popular-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “lodging” mean? “Festivals can cost several hundred dollars or even up to 1000 dollars for a full experience, including transportation and lodging.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “stream” mean? “Many prefer to stream concerts or join virtual festivals on gaming platforms like Fortnite and Roblox.” Use this word in a sentence. 
  3. What does “take place” mean? “In 2024, over 1,100 festivals took place in the US, but around 40 were canceled.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons music festivals are becoming less interesting for fans?
  2. What are your thoughts on music festivals becoming less popular?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Some fans now prefer to spend that money on other things than a music festival.”
  4. Is the same thing happening in your country? Why do you think this is?
  5. Talk about a time you went to a music festival.

Grow a Garden Game Breaks Record

B1 – Intermediate 

Grow a Garden is a horticultural-themed game. On June 14, 2025, the game broke the record for having the most number of users who were simultaneously online at the same time. This is more than the 14.3 million that the famous game Fortnite has set previously.

Read the article about how Grow a Garden broke the record for concurrent users.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2506/250623-grow-a-garden.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to break the record for something” mean? “An online gardening game has broken the record for the most users being online at the same time.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “to be fueled by someone/something” mean? “The game’s owners said its success is fueled by vibrant social interactions.“ Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “to unlock something” mean? “They can also unlock rare seeds, exotic crops, and underwater gardens and magical forests.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “garden”?
  2. Share your reaction and opinion about this news.
  3. What do you think about this game? Would you be interested in trying to play it? Why or why not?
  4. Experts believe Grow a Garden may not lead to a love of gardening. What is your opinion about this?
  5. Have you ever played any simulation game like “Grow a Garden”? Talk about how to play that game and why you liked it.