Tag: People

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?

Gut Feeling

B1 – Intermediate

Imagine your boss making an important decision for the company based on their intuition. This would be met with doubts since important decisions should be carefully thought of, right?

Let’s listen to the audio and find out more about gut feelings.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/gut-feeling.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a gut feeling?
  2. Have you ever had one before? Did you react based on it?
  3. Talk about a gut feel you had and did it come true or not?
  4. Do you believe that gut feelings help us avoid danger or potential failure?
  5. What are the things you consider before making major decisions?

India, Russia, and One Chess Gold Medal

B1 – Intermediate

In competitions, there is only one winner. But at the Olympiad 2020, that one gold medal went to two competing countries India and Russia. The chess match was done online due to Covid-19 but India had internet problems.

Read this lesson to find out more about two countries winning one gold medal in chess.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200902-chess-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on giving the gold medal to both India and Russia?
  2. Was it acceptable to share the medal due to internet problems from India’s end? Why or why not?
  3. Have you ever heard of a similar story? Tell us about it.
  4. Do you know how to play chess? How and when did you learn to play it? What can you say about this game/sport?
  5. Is there a Spanish game similar to chess? Talk about it.

11-year-old’s Ballet Video Goes Viral

B1 – Intermediate

Dancing is the art of moving the body to the rhythm of music. It is both an art and a form of recreation. Most people dance to have fun or to entertain others but dancing can also be used for communicating. Dancers express feelings of joy without saying a word.

Let’s read the article below and learn more about an 11-year-old boy whose video went viral.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200714-ballet-dancer-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is dance and what is your favorite form of dance?
  2. What do you think of male ballet dancers?
  3. What do you like to create? What things do you find joy in doing?
  4. What do you have a passion for?
  5. How do you deal with obstacles in front of you?

Your Other Half

B1 – Intermediate

Every person has their own important person in their lives, like someone they are romantically involved and a special person whom they share intimacy with. The term “other half” can mean a partner, spouse (husband or wife), boyfriend, girlfriend, or lover. It is used when you don’t want to be too specific.

Watch the short video to learn more about the expression ‘your other half’ and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a significant other? If yes, how did you meet? If no, what qualities do you look for in a partner?
  2. Tell us something about your other half.
  3. What are the things that you have in common and those that you differ from?
  4. What are the pros and cons of having your better half in your life?
  5. How would you compare the times you were/are with and without a partner/spouse?