phone english blogB1 – 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.
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.
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?
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?
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:
B1 – Intermediate
Transportation is always a part of our lives. There are different kinds of transports all over the world and they have developed and modernized over the years.
Learn the different types of transportation in this video and answer the quiz after watching.
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
The eldest daughter of US president Obama, Malia, is taking a year off before attending Harvard in fall next year. Nowadays, more and more high school graduates are delaying college.
The question is, is it always a good thing? Read the article below to know more about it.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is gap year?
2. What are the top activities done during this period?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing a gap year?
4. What is your personal opinion on this?
5. Did you take a gap year? / If you could go back in time, would you do it?
B1 – Intermediate
Almost everyone belongs to a family. We can’t imagine to exist without someone else who cared for us when we were young. We need a family.
What else is the meaning of family to you? The following article lets you know the response of other teens and young adults about how their families make them happy.
Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
What makes teens and twenty-somethings happy? According to a survey, spending time with family made people in this age group the most happy. Time with friends came in second place, and time with a boyfriend or girlfriend came in third place. Almost no one said money brought happiness.
Seventy-three percent said that a good relationship with their parents made them feel good. In addition, when they looked for a role model, almost half of the people who took the questionnaire mentioned one of their parents. Moms ranked higher than dads, though.
Some of the discoveries were less positive. White people generally felt happier than black people or Hispanics in all economic categories. And as for stress, kids had a 10% higher rate than adults. Younger respondents said school stressed them out the most. Older people were worried about jobs and finances.
The survey also wanted to know whether today’s youth will remain happy in the future. Sixty-two percent of teens believed the future will bring more happiness. However, they also expect to have a more difficult life than their parents.
Source: headsupenglish.com
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
Whether you dabble in cooking and culinary arts or just love to eat, food really brings people together. And, in the Borough Market, you’ll see different kinds of people with different tastes.
Watch the video then feel free to answer the quiz on the right side of the video. Be prepared to have a speaking activity.
Discussion Questions:
1. What were some of the dishes in the video that you would like to have?
2. Have you been to the Borough Market? Have you visited a similar market?
3. Would you like to try a full English Breakfast?
4. Describe your favourite dish.
5. What are some cuisines that you haven’t tried but are interested in trying?
B1 – Intermediate
Would you still continue you trip or your planned activity, even if you had a bad dream about it the previous night?
Read the article below to get some information about dreaming and how it affects people.
http://www.english-online.at/science/dreams/hidden-truths-unconscious.htm
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you remember any of your dreams?
2. Do you believe in the interpretations of dreams?
3. Share some of the nightmares you’ve had in the past. Share some of the good ones as well.
4. Has a dream ever influenced your thoughts?
B1 – Intermediate
It is no secret that Spain is famous for its bullfighting. Thousands of tourists get excited to watch a real bullfight in the arena.
Read the article below and express your thoughts about bullfighting and how activists are trying to stop the sport.
http://www.english-online.at/culture/bullfighting/bullfighting-in-spain.htm
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of bullfighting as a kind of entertainment?
2. Do you think bulls should be eaten after being killed in the arena?
3. Is it possible to completely wipe out the industry of bullfighting?
4. Are there other historical activities in your country that should be stopped?