Tag: People

Introverts vs Extroverts

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you get energized when in an outer world or inner world? Are you outgoing or inward? Do you prefer a wide range of friends or are you reflective? Or maybe, you could do both things and be one and the other at the same time. Watch the video to get down pat.

Discussion questions:

1. What are the differences of extroverts and introverts?

2. Do you think one personality is better than the other? Give the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of personalities.

3. Do you consider yourself an extrovert, introvert, or ambivert?
Try this personality test with the student: https://www.quietrev.com/the-introvert-test/

4. What do you think the world would be like if extroverts were the only ones living in it? Only introverts?

Absurd Diets

© via The Guardian

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having breakfast at the same place every single day for 15 years… bacon and eggs three times a day… apples and carrots for weeks on end…

These diets may sound untrue but they are actual diets of some very wealthy and high-profile people.

Find out about famous people’s strange diets through this article:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2017/oct/15/bacon-eggs-every-meal-absurd-diets-rich-famous

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on the diets mentioned in the article?
2. Which one did you find most absurd?
3. Why is proper diet important?
4. Talk about special diets you know of or those you’ve actually tried in the past or would want to try in the future.

Blind Cambridge Law Degree Holder

B1 – Intermediate

You really don’t have to subscribe to the life that was written for you.
– Allan Hennessy

He is not your ordinary guy. Mediocrity is not the way to describe him. Disability did not overtake his life.

Watch the video to get a glimpse of Allan Hennessy’s life.

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/education-40710025/the-disabled-refugee-with-a-first-class-cambridge-law-degree

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe Allan Hennessy.
2. What are his challenges and how did he overcome them?
3. What is his life story about?
4. What lessons did you learn from his life?
5. Have you ever broken free from labels and stereotypes?

Finding Your Passion

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You know exactly what you’re passionate about, and you can recite your elevator pitch in your sleep, but no one would know it based on your job title.

Maybe you don’t yet have the necessary skills or experience to land your dream job. Maybe you’re about to make a big career change. Or maybe what you’re passionate about just isn’t a financially viable option. (After all, “Follow your passion” may make a great commencement speech theme, but it’s certainly not a career plan. Some argue it’s not even great advice.)

Watch the vide below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are you passionate about?
2. How did you find out what your passion was?
3. Do you agree with the statement: “Finding your passion means you’ll never have a job.”?
4. Do you think finding your dream job is unrealistic?
5. What stops people from following their passions in life?

Spain Honors ‘Skateboarding Hero’

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For the past few years, terror attacks have been happening around the globe. When accidents happen most of us would run far away from it and save our dear life from danger. One Spanish skateboarder courageously faced the adversary and lost his life saving others. That’s why the Spanish government recognized him as a hero.

Read more about Ignacio Echeverría’s act of heroism from the article below.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40226731?intlink_from_url=http://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c0adb26a-0bdb-4f42-8c12-7d41b56986de/spain&link_location=live-reporting-story

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about Echeverría’s death?
2. Do you think he deserves to be honored as a hero? Why?
3. In your opinion, what makes someone a hero?
4. If you witness a crime in front of you, what would you likely do?
5. Do you think it’s dangerous to live in London? Do you feel safe living in Spain?

Boy Beats Disability

B1 – Intermediate

Everyday, thousands of people with disabilities are challenged. Disability need not be an obstacle for this boy to succeed.

Read the transcript and/or watch the video to find out more about an incredible 10-year old boy who faced up to challenges of being disabled.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/boy-beats-disability-level-3/

Discussion Questions:
1. What kinds of disability do you know of?

2. What kinds of discrimination do people with disabilities face?

3. What can you do to help handicapped people?

4. Does your country have special training facilities for handicapped people?

5. Can a physical disability prevent a person from succeeding?

Ways the Rich Signal Their Wealth

C1 – Advanced

Long time ago, corsets and silver spoons symbolized high social position. In the modern times, more middle-class people can go on fancy vacations and afford luxury bags too. The challenge for the super rich is to look for ways to set them apart in terms of their elite social status.

Read this article to find out how the elites mark their social position.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20170614-the-new-subtle-ways-the-rich-signal-their-wealth

Discussion Questions:

1. According to this article, how are the rich establishing their status now?
2. What are your thoughts on conspicuous and inconspicuous consumption?
3. Why do you think the super rich are spending less on material goods and the middle-income groups are going on the opposite direction?

Baby Boomers – The Golden Generation

B1 – Intermediate

Almost exactly nine months after World War II ended, “the cry of the baby was heard across the land,” as historian Landon Jones later described the trend. More babies were born in 1946 than ever before: 3.4 million, 20 percent more than in 1945. This was the beginning of the so-called “baby boom.” In 1947, another 3.8 million babies were born; 3.9 million were born in 1952; and more than 4 million were born every year from 1954 until 1964, when the boom finally tapered off. By then, there were 76.4 million “baby boomers” in the United States. They made up almost 40 percent of the nation’s population.

Read the full article about baby boomers here:

http://www.english-online.at/geography/baby-boomers/baby-boomers-golden-generation.htm

Let’s talk:

1. Who are baby boomers?

2. Are boomers prepared for the challenges of aging?

3. What is your opinion on some baby boomers who can’t retire because they haven’t saved enough money to take it easy? Is the situation in your country the same?

Online Dating Scam

B1 – Intermediate

Online dating (or Internet dating) is a system that enables strangers to find and introduce themselves to new personal connections over the Internet, usually with the goal of developing relationships.

Read the lesson about online dating scams.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1704/170412-online-dating.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about meeting potential romantic partners virtually?
  2. Would you ever use an online dating service? Why or why not?
  3. Is online dating common in your country? Why or why not?
  4. What are the good things and bad things about online dating?
  5. Talk about some online dating experiences you’ve had/stories you’ve heard about.

The Shorter Lives of Men Explained

B1 – Intermediate

People have done marvelous things in order to be able to live longer. But it is still a fact that women have a longer life expectancy that men.

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

Women live longer than men. It’s true in most countries, and has been a known fact since the 18th century. Studies to discover the possible reasons have been done, and there are many possible explanations. Some reasons include work habits, stress, diet, and bad genes. But a new idea suggests something different. Men have shorter life spans because attracting a partner takes a lot of energy, which reduces the number of years a man lives.

Daniel Kruger at the University of Michigan suggests that many animals advertise their suitability to females. For example, some animals butt heads. Other animals have beautiful feathers. Human males compete for money, property, and social status. If a man has money and social status, they show their ability to provide food, clothes, education, and so on for a future family.

But what about men with less money or power?

Another study explained that young, single men often take risks. They are also more aggressive and hold back their emotions. These actions have the same effect as money and social status.

Both studies conclude that women carefully select a partner, because of the survival and success of their children. All of the energy which is used to impress women means shorter life spans for men.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “suitability” mean? “Daniel Kruger at the University of Michigan suggests that many animals advertise their suitability to females.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “hold back” mean? “They are also more aggressive and hold back their emotions.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “take a lot of something” mean? “Men have shorter life spans because attracting a partner takes a lot of energy, which reduces the number of years a man lives.” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the article’s findings? Why/not?
  2. Were you surprised by the article’s findings? Why/not?
  3. The lifespan of women has been decreasing recently. Why do you think so?
  4. Is it possible to limit the risks young men take? Why do / don’t you think so?
  5. Why do you think young men take so many risks?