Tag: Psychology

Are Friends Better Than Family?

B1 – Intermediate

For most people, friends are just as important to them as their families while others can easily choose one over the other.

A study shows that one between these two types of relationships is a better predictor of health and happiness, so which one do you think is it?

Let’s find out:

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/health-lifestyle-friends-or-family/3952739.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the study?
  2. Do you feel that, “Blood is thicker than water.”? Or do you feel that friends are more important? Or do you think both are equally valuable? Explain.
  3. How do members of a family support each other? / How do friends support each other?
  4. Do you prefer to have many friends or just a few close ones? Explain your choice.
  5. What are the benefits of having just a few close friends? How about the benefits of having many friends? Are there disadvantages for both too?
  6. How close are you to your family? How about your extended family? (cousins, aunts, great uncles etc.) Why is this the case?

How to Become More Disciplined?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all have bad habits that we want to get rid of. Have you ever tried changing your behavior and end up going back to it again after few days or months? Then, perhaps you are not doing it right.

There are certain tricks we can employ in order to be more disciplined. Willpower is the key in this case.

Let’s watch this video and learn from the life story of Lucas. Prepare to discuss your thoughts after watching.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did Lucas become more self-disciplined?
  2. What kind of behaviors do you want to change and be more disciplined in?
  3. Would you consider yourself disciplined. How did you become so?
  4. Are you consistent with your good habits? If no, why? If yes, then how do you remain consistent?
  5. How can one resist temptations so we may be able to stick to our habits?

Faces and Impressions

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B2 – Upper Intermediate

Image is everything. We often make a quick judgement about someone based on their appearance or facial expression after meeting them even for only a matter of seconds. In most cases, we likely never change our opinions about that person.

Some impressions we make are trustworthiness, dominance, and attractiveness. Making a good first impression is incredibly important because you only get one shot at it.

Let’s listen to the podcast:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-170629

Discussion questions:

1. What are the best ways to make a good first impression?

2. Have you met someone whom you didn’t like so much right away even though you didn’t know him very well yet?

3. In what jobs do people have to make very quick decisions based on first impressions?

Music Makes Us Happy

B1 – Intermediate

A brain chemical called ‘dopamine’ is said to be released when we listen to music, eat, and do other rewarding activities.

Read the article below to know how exactly music affect our mood and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Music has been a part of human history and culture for a very long time. Perhaps it has always been a part of our history and culture. And scientists now know the reason. Music makes us feel good.

It doesn’t matter what kind of music people listen to. When we listen to music, our brains produce a chemical. The chemical increases our heart rate. It makes us breathe faster. We even get chills with some exciting music. The same chemical makes us happy when we eat delicious food, laugh with friends, or win at something difficult.

Almost everyone feels the same way about music. In fact, even babies reacted to music!

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Does music make you feel good?
2. What kind of music gives you the chills?
3. What other things make you feel good?

The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When you know more than one language, it’s no doubt that it makes life easier. Traveling seems more fun, watching movies even without subtitles is not a problem, and talking with native speakers is not too intimidating anymore. But are there other advantages to having a bilingual or multilingual brain?

Watch the video and know the other benefits of knowing more than one language and what it can do to our brain.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is a bilingual brain different from a monolingual brain?
  2. Talk about some benefits of a bilingual brain.
  3. Talk about any disadvantages to knowing multiple languages.
  4. What are your thoughts on staying monolingual?
  5. Do you think everyone will be bilingual or even multilingual in the near future? Why or why not?

Why Do We Dream?

B2 – Upper intermediate

Dreaming is a part of our everyday lives and yet we don’t know much about it. While we don’t fully understand its purpose, a couple of theories might shed some light on this matter.

Watch the video below to find out why we dream.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what are the possible purposes of dreaming?
  2. What do you usually dream about?
  3. What do you think the usual things you dream of mean?
  4. Do you think dreams can be interpreted? Explain.

Signs You Are Succeeding In Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all probably have moments at times when we feel like we are a complete and utter failure. While this is a normal feeling, you have to find a way to see yourself and your life from a different perspective.

Sometimes we ignore the “little things.” Just because you are not a millionaire, don’t live in a mansion, and you don’t drive a fancy car, doesn’t mean you are any less successful than your peers. In fact, it’s quite the contrary.

Read the article about signs that you are succeeding in life even if it feels otherwise at times.

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/20-signs-youre-succeeding-life-even-you-dont-feel-you-are.html?ref=sidebar

Discussion Questions:

  1. Name some of signs from the article that you think are the most important and also state the reasons they are crucial in order to say you are succeeding in life.
  2. Which ones you have yet to achieve? How are you planning to get there?
  3. What are things or situations in our lives that make us feel that somehow we are failing? How can we overcome them?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “If you are happy, then you are succeeding in life.“.
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “If you can change your negative perspective on situations to a positive one, then you are successful.”?

Math Anxiety

C1 – Advanced

Do you feel very worried when dealing with anything related to mathematics? If your answer is yes, keep this in mind: “anxiety is not a reflection of your ability”.

Watch this Ted-Ed video and learn more about mathematical anxiety, what causes it and what the best ways are to deal with it:

 

Let’s talk:
1. Explain the concept “growth mindset”. Do you agree with this?
2. What can you do when you suffer from math anxiety?
3. What problems did you have in math and how were you able to conquer it?
4. Are boys innately better at math than girls?
5. What were your best and weakest subjects when you were a student? Why do you think that is?

Why Do We Feel Nostalgia?

C1 – Advanced

On holidays, it’s natural to feel a longing for times gone by—a childhood spent singing carols or meals spent with now departed loved ones. Recently, scientists have explored the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, finding that it serves a positive function, improving mood and possibly mental health.

Watch and listen carefully to the video and be ready to answer the questions:

Discuss:

1. What makes you nostalgic?

2. How often do you feel nostalgic and how does it affect you? Does it affect you in a positive way or in a negative way?

3. In your own opinion, Is nostalgia good or bad? Explain your answer.

4. How do you deal with nostalgia?

Habits That Will Improve Your Life

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B2 – Upper intermediate

One popular proverb you’ve probably heard is the one that goes, “Change is the only constant thing in this world”.

Read on for some ways to start bringing in that change you’ve been meaning to see in your life.

10 Habits That Will Dramatically Improve Your Life

Discuss:
1. What are some changes you’d like to make in your life? And why are these changes crucial to you?
2. Which habit/s from the list would you likely adapt?
3. What are your thoughts on “going out of one’s comfort zone?”