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B1 – Intermediate
For this activity, you’ll be able to talk about family and family life. Be ready to share some of your experiences.
Click the title below and be ready to have a discussion.
B1 – Intermediate
To leave or not to leave? Most families and individuals have been choosing the option of moving to another country to find a better life. Would you consider yourself one of them?
Are you tired of your home country? Do you dream of better opportunities abroad? Do you sincerely believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you and 700 million other people in the world want to emigrate. This figure may sound like a lot, and it is. However, let’s make this large number even easier to understand. 700 million people exceed the entire adult populations of North and South America combined.
The largest numbers of people who want to emigrate come from sub-Saharan Africa. Roughly 38% of adults from this region would prefer to settle elsewhere. However, in Asia, only 10% of the population wants to move. Although reasons weren’t given, Asia’s huge potential for growth likely limited the number seeking lives elsewhere. Sub-Saharan Africa remains a desolate and desperate place for its inhabitants, and experts forecast an even darker future.
The top destination is overwhelmingly the US, despite an economy that continues to struggle. Britain, Canada, and France were all tied for second most desirable country for immigration, with roughly 45 million stating they desired to relocate here. Spain came in third with 35 million votes, and Saudi Arabia was fourth with 30 million. About 25 million desired to emigrate to either Australia or Germany.
There remains the generally idea of prosperity for people in the US, Britain, and other countries. This might serve as the main reason that people in economically depressed regions wish to emigrate. The global economy continues to struggle, with a similar outlook for the near future. But once these countries get back on their feet, citizens there have many more opportunities than the inhabitants in developing countries.
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
It is amazing how languages are developed in our minds. It is a wonder how we learn words and languages. Speaking and writing our thoughts are also a marvel.
The article below talks about how languages have developed and discusses the elements of language.
http://www.english-online.at/society/languages/history-of-languages.htm
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
Happiness, as defined by Wikipedia, is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Many research groups are using the scientific method to research what happiness is, and how we can get it.
Read this lesson about how happiness affects our health.
http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/how-happiness-affects-our-health.htm
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
Coffee, sodas or tea? Staying awake or getting enough energy to get through the day is something so necessary these days that energy drink manufacturers have become more creative.
Read the article to know what’s going on in the world of energy drinks.
More than 500 new energy drinks have been released this past year, and it has doctors worried. Nutritionists warn that the large amounts of caffeine and sugar in each drink can hook kids on an unhealthy up-and-down cycle. The drinks contain megadoses of vitamins, too. These can cause their own side effects if taken every day for a period of months. But maybe the most alarming news comes from reports that kids are drinking several in a row for the high it gives. More and more calls are coming in to poison-control centers from young people sick on too much caffeine.
Danger adds to the appeal. Most brands target in on the danger, particularly towards male teens and twenty-somethings. There is “Cocaine Energy Drink,” “Pimpjuice,” and “Bawls.” Hannah Kirby, the creator ofCocaine Energy Drink, said she first wanted to call it “Reboot”–“a pretty ho-hum name.” But the name was already taken, so she chose to be daring. The drink is getting the attention she desires, too. Kids quickly noticed it among a thousand other energy drinks. Their slogan: “The Legal Alternative.”
Some beer manufacturers now produce “energy beers,” or beer that contains caffeine. But mixing energy drinks with alcohol isn’t so new. Bartenders have been mixing the first energy drink in the West, called “Red Bull,” for more than a decade with vodka. Although the energy drink-alcohol combination doesn’t make you feel as drunk, you still are. Coordination and reaction times worsen. The potential for accidents and alcohol poisoning increases.
Just how much caffeine does an energy drink contain? A study at the University of Florida discovered that many of the drinks contain two to four times the amount of caffeine as Coke. The serving size, though, is usually one-third smaller than a standard can. Energy drinks aren’t regulated in the U.S., but the study strongly suggests warning labels.
Source: headsupenglish.com
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever (or do you often) drink energy drinks?
2. Do you think energy drinks are dangerous?
3. Why do you think energy drinks are becoming so popular?
4. Caffeine is an addictive drug. Why is it legal when other harmful drugs are illegal?
B1 – Intermediate
A nice t-shirt for only 2 euros sounds like a really good bargain. But, is it really?
Watch the video and discover why this “good buy” comes at a cost for the lowly third world sewers who make them.
Discussion Questions:
1. When buying clothes, what things do you consider?
2. What do you think can be done to help improve the situation of sweatshop workers in third world countries?
3. Is there an advocacy or cause that you support? If you do, explain why you support it.
B1 – Intermediate
Listen to the audio clip to know more about contracted speech and why native English speakers talk fast.
Discuss:
1. What did you learn from the article?
2. Do you have trouble understanding spoken English? What is the biggest challenge for you?
3. What do you think is the best way to catch grammar sound?
B1 – Intermediate
Is money really the root of all evil? Read the article to find out what professor Paul Piff says about being wealthy and being poor.
Read the article below about what money does to people and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1503/150320-wealth.html
Discussion Questions:
1. Explain what Professor Piff said about wealthy and poor people.
2. Do you agree with the study of Professor Piff?
3. What things will change for you if you become wealthy?
B1 – Intermediate
A study shows that many people spend half the day daydreaming or have their minds wander instead of concentrating on what they are doing. Most of those who daydream are the ones not happy at the moment like those who are working.
http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/living/people-spend-half-the-day-daydreaming.htm
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
Chocolates! One of the most famous desserts and confectionery known to man. So just how famous is chocolate in Belgium? Read on and be ready to talk about some of your cocoa favourites.
http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/europe/brussels-chocolate-capital-of-the-world.htm
Discussion Questions: