Tag: Preliminary PET

Bridging the Technology Gap

B1 – Intermediate

We are in the high technology age. Technical devices get upgraded almost every time.

However, did we consider those people still living in the past? If they have the same knowledge of technology as the people of this generation?

This article contains a video and an audio clip. Feel free to to watch and listen.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/teen-senior-bridge-technology-gap/2451596.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should we consider this gap a social issue?
  2. Is it easy to bridge this gap between your own grandparents or older parents?
  3. In your household, is everyone very knowledgeable when it comes to tech gadgets and devices?
  4. What domestic appliances do you have that are very modern?

Fear

B1 – Intermediate

Fear is an emotion observed by living things particularly among humans and animals. Fear may take place in response to a certain stimulus or that provokes response.

Find out what some people are afraid of:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/expressenglish/2011/10/111031_ee_fear_page.shtml

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your greatest fear?
2. How do you usually respond to fear? Can you think of good ways to handle fear?
3. Do you think psychiatric intervention is necessary to address issues concerning fear?
4. Share some of your scary experiences.

Retirement

B1 – Intermediate

In most countries the official retirement age is 60. For footballers they retire much earlier than other athletes. For some people retirement is a financial decision but for others it may not be reason enough.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2013/09/130926_6min_retirement.shtml

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you consider retirement as a financial decision?
2. What are the benefits that retirees in Spain get?
3. How would you spend your time as a retiree?

Cash for Better Grades

B1 – Intermediate

A new report says ensuring children money to pass exams does not give them better grades. Parents might be wasting their money by using cash as an incentive.

Read the lesson below and be ready to discuss.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141008-exams.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think you can encourage a child to study harder?
2. How did your parents motivate you when you were studying?
3. What motivates you to work harder?
4. Would you like to go back to school or study a new course?
5. How would you define success?

Grandma Fulfills Dream of Flying

B1 – Intermediate

Walt Disney once said, ” All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Mary Moe is a true testament to these words. At age 91, she fulfilled her dream of flying a plane. Truly, Moe and her story inspires people to dream, regardless of age.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/ninety-one-year-old-achieves-dream-learns-to-fly/2471697.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you perceive aging?
  2. What are some things you think you will be doing when you are old?
  3. What is your greatest dream? How were you able to reach it?
  4. If you haven’t fulfilled it, what are the challenges that you are facing that keep you from achieving this dream? How do you plan to fulfill it?
  5. Should people realize their dream as soon as they can or wait until the perfect moment to do it? Explain.

Jealousy

B1 – Intermediate

Jealousy is an emotion which is often comprised of negative thoughts, possessiveness, anxiety and fear. It is also often referred to by people as ” green-eyed monster”.

Jealousy

Discuss:

1. Have you ever been jealous? How do you manage such emotion?
2. Is being jealous okay? When is it wrong to be jealous?
3. Would you consider yourself to be an emotional person?

Global Yoga Day

B1 – Intermediate

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked world leaders to start a U.N. International Yoga Day. He spoke about the benefits of yoga, saying it was good for the mind and body, and could also help climate change.

*on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as International Yoga Day by resolution 69/131.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1409/140930-international-yoga-day.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you tried yoga before? What do you think about yoga?
  2. What are the benefits of doing yoga?
  3. Why is exercising and meditating important?
  4. What activities do you do to help improve your mood, mental, and physical health?
  5. What do you think of meditation?

Fined for Wasting Food

B1 – Intermediate

The city of Seattle is introducing a system to fine people who waste food. They will get a $1 fine if more than 10 per cent of their garbage is food. The Seattle Public Utilities department said the new garbage disposal system should make people more aware that recycling is important.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1409/140926-food-waste.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the problem of food wastage and give some solutions to it.
  2. Do you think that fining people will lessen the amount of food that is being wasted? Explain your opinion.
  3. Is recycling done in your neighborhood or city? Talk about it.
  4. What laws does your country have when it comes to food wastage?
  5. What are other things the government can do to discourage food wastage?

 *Update: This law has been in effect since January 2015

Tacos with Insects

64_Tacos_Carnitas

B1 – Intermediate

A restaurant owner in Mexico is offering tacos topped with insects. He has wild items added to his menu such as scorpions and spiders too.

 Tacos with insects

Discuss:

1. What exotic kinds of food do you know or have tried?
2. Are there exotic foods in Spain?
3. For you, is it okay to use and put insects in our food? Why or why not?

People From a Rainforest

B1 – Intermediate

A footage shows native people emerge from the Amazon rain forest and make contact with the outside world. Brazilian experts said the indigenous people likely crossed the border from Peru facing pressure from illegal logging and drug trafficking at home.

http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-from-a-rainforest-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

1. Is drug trafficking happening in Spain? How about illegal logging?
2. Have you ever taken a trip to exotic places?
3. Are there still places in your country that are still “untouched” by civilization?