Tag: People

How to Practice Effectively

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You may have heard the old saying that “practice makes perfect”. Mastery, repetition, and habits are concepts often heard in self-development circles. Some have even tried to reduce the attainment of mastery to a matter of focused repetition on a task for a period of 10,000 hours or roughly ten years.

However, as we will see in the following video, effective practice may be more about neural tissue than actual muscle.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what role does the brain play in mastery?
  2. What myths about mastery does the video debunk?
  3. What are some tips in making practice time more effective?
  4. What skills are you currently working on? Do you feel that you are on your way to mastering them?

Las Vegas Casinos

B1 – Intermediate

For some, gambling is a way to entertain themselves but for others, it becomes a part of their routine. There are certain things you can remember in order to gamble wisely.

Watch this video on some tips when you go to a casino to gamble.

Las Vegas Casinos

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to Randall, what are the things you should remember when you gamble? Do you agree or disagree with his tips?
  2. What do you think of gambling?
  3. Is gambling a part of culture in your country? What are the most common forms of gambling in your country? Is there an area in your country famous for gambling?
  4. Do you believe in ‘beginner’s luck’?
  5. What does the expression ‘the house always wins’ mean? Do you think this is true or not?

A Man Collects Old Phones

B1 – Intermediate

Hassan al-Tourky has a fascination for old phones. This is his unusual past-time. He and his children have the same passion for old telephones. They even have a small business for it.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio to find out more about Hassan al-Tourky’s unusual hobby.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-man-collects-old-phones-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your hobbies? What are your unusual hobbies?
  2. What thing/things do you collect? Why do you love them?
  3. If you could collect any old thing what would it be and why?
  4. What thing do you want to own from a famous person?
  5. Do you want your children to have the same hobby as you? Why or why not?
  6. Why is having a hobby important?

Go to Town

B1 – Intermediate

When you do things, do you do them with a lot of enthusiasm? How about when you want something, do you do or spend everything you’ve got just to enjoy it?

Let’s listen to the audio about the expression ‘go to town’.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/go-to-town.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is something that you have done with a lot of enthusiasm?
  2. What is something that you have splurged on?
  3. Are you the type who always ‘goes to town’ or do you do things in minimum?
  4. Why is it good to ‘go to town’? Why is it bad?

China’s Richest Man

B1 – Intermediate

Zhong Shanshan, the founder of the popular Chinese bottled water brand Nongfu Spring, is now the richest person in China. He worked as a construction worker before making it big in business of bottled water which is a huge industry in China.

Let’s read the article:

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200926-richest-man-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think it’s like to be rich?

2. How easy is it to start a company?

3. How happy are you with your level of wealth?

4. What things would you change if you were a multi-billionaire?

Fight Tooth and Nail

B1 – Intermediate

One of the best traits a person can have is being persistence. It is the determination to achieve an objective despite setbacks. In order to do to reach our goal, we must sometimes ‘fight tooth and nail’.

Listen to this audio and find out what ‘fight tooth and nail’ means.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/fight-tooth-and-nail.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does ‘fight tooth and nail’ mean?
  2. What do you do when things don’t go according to your plan? Do you usually have a fallback plan?
  3. Is being persistent always good or is it better to know when to give up?
  4. Talk about a time when you had to go through major difficulties to achieve your goal.

Long Trip With No Money

B1 – Intermediate

It is always fun to travel for pleasure. One important thing we need when traveling is money. But what happens when you try traveling without any money. Some people tried it.

Find out what happened to their long trip without any money.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/long-trip-with-no-money-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Would you take this kind of pilgrimage too?
  2. What would happen if you traveled without any money in your city, country, and other countries?
  3. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: “when you smile at people, take time to understand their story, then they will come forward and are naturally kind”?
  4. Would you help a person who is traveling without any moment? What kind of help would you give them?
  5. Who is the kindest person you know?

World Autism Awareness Day

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Autism is a growing global health crisis. The United Nations General Assembly declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in Qatar, 2007. WAAD aims to educate people about autism and different intervention. It celebrates the unique talents and skills of people with this disorder. People with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the world.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript and be able to discuss the questions that follow.

https://eslholidaylessons.com/04/world_autism_awareness_day.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the UN adopting a resolution to recognize this disorder?
  2. How can this resolution help people with autism?
  3. How are people with this disorder viewed and treated in your country?

Skiing Accident

B1 – Intermediate

Skiing is a very popular activity during winter. While it is very fun to do, it is also dangerous. You have to be very careful when you go skiing to prevent accidents.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a professional American skier who had an accident while skiing in an Alaskan mountain.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/skiing-accident-in-alaska-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like skiing? Why or why not? Talk about your first time skiing.
  2. What other winter activities do you like?
  3. What was your most memorable skiing or winter trip? Why was it memorable?
  4. Have you ever had any accidents doing sports?
  5. What is your opinion on getting injured while doing sports?

Gossiping is Worse Than Covid

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone gossips. Gossiping is usually done by talking about people behind their backs, which is painful for that person who is being talked about whether the information is true or not. It may only lead to some emotional and social problems.

Read the article below to know more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200910-gossip-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What images come to your mind when you hear the word ‘gossip’?
  2. Why might the Pope think gossip is worse than COVID-19?
  3. What do you think of people who gossip on social media?
  4. How do you feel if you are the subject of gossip?
  5. Should gossiping be made illegal? Why / Why not?