Tag: Preliminary PET

Strike in South Korea

B1 – Intermediate

The fight for better wages continues. In South Korea, workers are fighting for a wage system that pays based on performance and not on tenure.

Read the article then listen to the audio clip. Express your thoughts about the topic.

http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/strike-in-south-korea-level-3/

For additional information on this story, read also:

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180510000763

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “seniority” mean, “More than 40,000 South Korean workers in different industries went on strike as the government said that their pay should be based on their job performance rather than on their position or seniority.”? Use this word in your sentence.
  2. What does “demand” mean in this sentence, “The workers demand a stop to adopting the legal wage system based on performance which the government is pushing and they say will hurt the people.”? Use it in your sentence.
  3. What does “dispute” mean, “Workers hope that the protest will achieve their aim and allow the disputes to be resolved soon.” Use it in your sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘strike’?
  2. Do you think salaries should be based on performance or seniority? 
  3. Are there a lot of labor strikes and unions your country?
  4. What are the changes necessary in your current labor system/policies?
  5. In your country, is the minimum wage enough to live by?

Internet Addiction Sign of Mental Health Problems

B1 – Intermediate

The Internet is like any other tool that can be useful or harmful. Many young people, including adults, find themselves addicted to the Internet.  What is an Internet addiction?  Can it really cause mental health problems?

Read the article below then express your thoughts.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1609/160921-internet-addiction.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of internet addiction? Do you think it is possible to be addicted to the internet? Explain.
  2. Can internet addiction lead to more serious mental health problems? Explain.
  3. Do you rely on the internet for work?
  4. Are you able to “switch-off” or stay away from the internet, too? How do you do it?
  5. Is it important to disconnect from the internet, too? Why?
  6. What are the pros and cons of always being online?
  7. Discuss the following issues related to the internet:
    Cyber-bullying
    Identity theft
    Online gambling

Villages for Sale

B1 – Intermediate

Because of globalization and the need to look for better jobs, it has become common for people to move to big cities. In Spain, villages are becoming abandoned because of this.

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

In many countries, young people have moved from the countryside to urban areas for jobs, financial success, and a more exciting life. As a result, the countryside has a lot of elderly, with a few youths who dream of escape. Of course, these communities are aware of the problem, and many solutions have been tried. For example, there might be tax breaks, fast and reliable Internet access for telecommuting, or appeals to a safe environment to raise children. There have been an equal number of successes and failures.

In Spain, though, the problem is extremely serious. There are hundreds of villages where no one lives. In recent years, schools closed as the population decreased in smaller villages. And as a result, even more residents moved to larger towns and cities with schools, hospitals, and public transportation.

For some people, the result is an opportunity. People with extra money can buy houses, farmland, or even whole villages. A village with good farmland might sell for only $230,000. In a poorer area, it might be only tens of thousands of dollars.

For others, though, there is only sadness. The older people in the area remember happier times. They hope that if people buy the various properties, then someone will look after part of the country’s heritage.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you want to buy a second home? How about a whole village? Why / not?
2. Imagine you bought a village. What would you do with it?
3. Which is a better environment for children, the city or the countryside? Why?
4. What might be done to bring back people to the countryside? Please explain.

Speaking Activity: Homeless People

B1 – Intermediate

Homelessness is when a person does not have a permanent home or a place to live in. It’s very difficult for homeless people to find a secure and safe place to stay in. There are several reasons why and how people end up homeless.

Answer the questions in this activity then express your thoughts about it.

Homeless People and their Struggles

Body in a Freezer

B1 – Intermediate

People will do anything not to be caught by the police. Crime nowadays are becoming more and more aggressive.

Read the article below then play the audio clip to practice your listening skills. Be ready to answer some discussion questions.

Body in a Freezer

Discuss:

1. Have you heard of a similar news happening in Europe?
2. In your country, are there people who try to sell passports and documents illegally?
3. Is drug trafficking a problem in your country/city?
4. How would you describe the police force of your country?

Education Woes

B1 – Intermediate

Education is something that every citizen should have. It is important and beneficial to the future of a child. But, some powerful countries are starting to have a little bit of problem in this area.

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

More than 10% of high schools in the US are “dropout factories.” This insulting nickname applies to schools where less than 60% of students graduate.

Most of these schools are in large urban centers which also have a lot of poverty. The neighborhoods may have high rates of crime, drugs, and violence. However, some dropout factories are also located in areas with numerous blue-collar jobs. These neighborhoods and towns often haven’t traditionally emphasized the importance of high school graduation.

Many of the students at these dropout factories enter with poor reading, writing, and math skills. For example, some kids may enter ninth grade with a fifth grade reading ability. Because of these difficulties, so many of these children don’t have opportunities as adults.

Japan faces a different problem. Private high schools are available to many kids who don’t have academic or social skills for traditional schools. These private high schools are expensive, but very easy to enter. Students can fail tests, skip homework, text friends, and even sleep in class, yet they will still graduate. These schools have been called “degree mills.”

Additional education woes come out of England. Although the government has supported a massive program to raise reading rates, there hasn’t been much change. The reading rates are the same as the rates in the 1950s.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is/was your high school like? Please explain.
  2. How important is education for success? Why do you think so?
  3. What can be done to improve education and graduation rates?
  4. Are there similar problems in your country? Are there different problems?
  5. Will children receive a better or worse education in the future? Why?

Speaking Activity: Talking Business

B1 – Intermediate

This speaking activity will give you phrases and dialogues you can use when on the telephone, during meetings, while having a presentation and making negotiations.

For every topic, there are recorded audios and scripts.  Remember the phrases that are useful for conversations.

Talking Business 

Get an electric shock to stop buying things

B1 – Intermediate

Are you in impulsive buyer? Where do you spend your monthly salary on? For those who can’t seem to stop themselves from spending too much, this might be the solution to your problem.

Get an electric shock to stop buying things

Discuss:

1. What do you think of the idea of the Pavlok?
2. How often do you spend too much money?
3. What other things do we need a shock to stop us doing something?
4. What do you know about the Internet of Things?

Weapons Maker Now a Fashion Brand

B1 – Intermediate

Business people should always look for other ways to make money. A Russian company decided to take another path to continue earning rather than giving up and closing shop because of Western sanctions.

Read the article below then express your thoughts about it.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1605/160509-kalashnikov.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of Kalashnikov branching out into fashion?
2. What do you think of gun companies?
3. Do you think Kalashnikov will be successful in their fashion business?
4. How would you explain the word “patriotism”? Would you consider yourself patriotic?

The London Underground

B1 – Intermediate

Here’s an interesting history about the train network in London. Read the article and study the highlighted words. Be ready to answer discussion questions.

http://www.english-online.at/travel/london-underground/london-tube.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, retell the story behind the London Underground. How was it used during the Second World War?
  2. How reliable is the train network in your country?
  3. Does your train network have its own history? An architectural value? Talk about it.
  4. What monuments in your city or country have been restored over the years? How important are these monuments?
  5. What other historical places do you find interesting and intriguing?