Tag: Psychology

Mindfulness at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Mindfulness at work involves bringing its practice into the professional setting to enhance focus, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. It encourages present-moment awareness, stress reduction techniques, and better emotional regulation, ultimately fostering a positive work culture and improving individual and organizational performance.

Watch the video about some tips on how to practice mindfulness at work.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “disarm” mean in the sentence, “It’s going to disarm some issues that may be popping up because people know that you’re taking the time to figure out what they’re saying”? Think of a synonym and use this word in your own words.
  2. What does the expression “on the right note” mean in the phrase, “to get you started off on the right note“? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the expression “run high with something” mean in the sentence, “It takes any stress levels that you have which you’re usually running pretty high with and allows you to bring it down.” Use the expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you incorporate mindfulness into your daily work routine?
  2. How do you think mindfulness contributes to overall workplace well-being and employee satisfaction?
  3. How do you handle distractions or stressors at work while trying to maintain a mindful mindset?
  4. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start practicing mindfulness at work but doesn’t know where to begin?
  5. Share any mindfulness techniques or practices that have helped you stay focused and productive at work.

The Psychology of Greed

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not everyone’s greed.”.

One must ask, where does this desire to accumulate things, keep them for yourself, and not share them with others stem from?

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to explore the psychology of greed.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240118

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mean, “Some people indeed have worked themselves up by their own bootstraps and get what they have because they worked hard.” Give 1-2 synonyms or similar expressions and use “to pull yourself up by your bootstraps” in your own sentence.
  2. What does “flip of a coin” mean, “They talked about how they controlled their own outcomes, they talked about how it was the decisions they had made that had led to their being ultimately victorious, and not that flip of a coin that randomly got them into that position of privilege in the first place.”? Give 1-2 synonyms or similar expressions and use “flip of a coin” in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”to take credit for” mean, “Interestingly, the rich players took credit for winning.”? Give 1-2 synonyms or similar expressions and use “to take credit for” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is greed ever good? Share your thoughts.
  2. Talk about your opinion on this, “It’s not greed itself that’s bad, but the things we’re greedy for.”.
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “We’re genetically built to want things that increase our social status.”.
  4. When someone feels financially better off than others translates into feeling better than others and the reason behind these feelings could be what money buys you, especially one thing: space. Share your thoughts on how well-off people don’t need others in their lives as much because they can afford to be in their own private bubble.
  5. Talk about an instance you think you got a little greedy. How can it be justified?

Paying Attention to Our Dreams

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Paying attention to our dreams can offer valuable insights into our subconscious thoughts, emotions, and concerns. While some view dreams as random mental chatter, others believe they hold significant meaning and that they can provide clues to unresolved issues or desires.

Psychologists and researchers often explore the potential connections between dreams and waking life, studying patterns and themes to understand their potential impact on our mental well-being.

Ultimately, the importance of paying attention to dreams varies from person to person, but many find that acknowledging and reflecting on their dreams can offer unique perspectives and foster personal growth.

Read the article about how much should we be paying attention to our dreams and some benefits of keeping a dream log. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

How Much Should We Be Paying Attention To Our Dreams?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the verb “decipher” mean, “People have been recording, analyzing, and attempting to decipher dreams for centuries, as is seen in evidence of cave drawings and early literature.”? Give two synonyms and use ‘decipher’ in a sentence.
  2. What does “omen” mean, “Some believed they were prophecies from God, others interpreted dreams as omens from demonic forces”? Give two synonyms and use ‘omen’ in a sentence.
  3. What does “wiring” mean in the sentence, “Keeping a dream log is just one more way we can get to know ourselves and better understand our unique wiring.”? Use this word in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you typically remember your dreams? How do you perceive the importance of dreams in your life?
  2. What are your thoughts on making a dream log? How might keeping one contribute to personal growth or understanding oneself better? 
  3. Do you believe dreams have psychological significance, or do you see them as random brain activity during sleep? Explain.
  4. Have you experienced instances where your dreams seemed influenced by your activities or thoughts before sleep? How do you think external factors affect dream content?
  5. What are your thoughts on the idea that dreams might reflect physical health or conditions in the body? Do you find this concept plausible or far-fetched? Explain.

Confidence Dumping

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Ever catch yourself over-enthusiastically sharing your achievements or being nudged about boasting? If the desire for acknowledgment and external validation feels familiar, you might be engaging in “confidence dumping,” as labeled by TikTok creator Connor DeWolfe. Recognizing this behavior is the first step and there’s no need for shame.

Read this article to learn more about “confidence dumping”.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-confidence-dumping_l_653a5e99e4b0c855610460a1

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cut someone some slack” mean? “It’s important to cut folks some slack and assume the best intentions.” Make a sentence with this idiom.
  2. Define “along the lines of something”. “Along the lines of the latter, put a rock, penny or something else you want to collect in a jar.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “counterintuitive”? “It might seem counterintuitive, but people with ADHD engage in this behavior when they are in a supportive environment with others where they feel they can be vulnerable and will not be judged.” Give two synonyms and make a sentence with “counterintuitive”.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on “confidence dumping”?
  2. Have you ever noticed instances when you or someone you know engage in “confidence dumping”? How does it make you feel?
  3. What are the potential negative impacts of being on the receiving end of “confidence dumping,” both personally and professionally?
  4. How does “confidence dumping” impact team dynamics, and what strategies can address it in a workplace?
  5. Can you think of a more positive and helpful way of conveying your accomplishments without resorting to confidence dumping?
  6. What are effective ways to feel validated or affirmed?

A Japanese Method to Relax

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Life moves pretty fast. If you need a quick breather, these Japanese relaxation techniques could be your new go-to. The video spills the beans on a five-minute calming session that could be a game-changer.

Check out the full video and get ready to relax in no time.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “take a toll” mean in the sentence “Excessive stress can take a toll on your life.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “decisive” mean in the sentence “The ring finger is responsible for making you more decisive.”?  Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “hustle and bustle” mean in the sentence “Get peace of mind in the middle of hustle and bustle.”?  Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the Japanese relaxation hack all about?
  2. What are the benefits of a quick relaxation routine that make it worth exploring?
  3. Have you ever tried a similar relaxation method? Share your experiences.
  4. What are your struggles in finding time for relaxation?
  5. In what other situations could a quick relaxation trick come in handy?

The Stress Bucket

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Stress hits everyone differently, and this stress bucket thing? It’s the real deal. This video breaks it all down, giving you the inside scoop on managing stress like a pro.

Check out the full video to wrap your head around the stress bucket and maybe find your own stress-busting strategy.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrasal verb “to break something down” mean in the sentence, “Make a list to break problems down.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “tackle” mean? “Which smaller task should you tackle first?”  Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrasal verb “fill up” mean in the sentence “Different problems and demands fill up your buckets.”?  Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s this stress bucket the video is talking about?
  2. Discuss about the tricks the video suggests for getting rid of stress.
  3. Share your own stress bucket stories.
  4. Spot the signs – when is your stress bucket about to overflow?
  5. Which stress-busting tip from the video would you like to try?

Positive Psychology at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Ever feel like work is a bit of a rollercoaster? Well, positive psychology might just be the game-changer you didn’t know you needed. This video digs into how positive vibes can seriously shake things up in the workplace.

Dive into the full video here to get the lowdown on injecting some positivity into your 9-to-5 grind.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “core strength” mean, “By consciously engaging in work and activities that utilise your core strengths, you can become more confident and more productive.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “tangible goal” mean in the sentence, “Set tangible goals for yourself.”?  Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “take pride in something” mean in the sentence “Take pride in your accomplishments.”?  Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the key takeaways from the video about positive psychology at work?
  2. Can you pick out some practical tips from the video for keeping things sunny at work?
  3. How can positive vibes improve your work life (talk about your situation)?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that a happier workplace makes you more productive? Why or why not?
  5. What are some small changes you can think of to sneak some positive psychology into your work routine?

What Multitasking Does to Your Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Ever wondered what happens to your brain when you’re multitasking? It turns out, our brains are more like jugglers than seamless multitasking machines.

In this brief exploration, we’ll uncover the effects of multitasking on our cognitive functions and delve into why it might not be the brain’s favorite act.

Watch the video to learn more and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “under one’s nose” mean, “Being able to filter out irrelevant detail is an amazingly useful tool, but it means we can miss things that are right under our noses.” Write a sentence using this expression.
  2. What does “to miss something” mean? “When attention is overloaded, we miss things, and the result is nearly always that we perform tasks less well than we would doing them one at a time.” Use the phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does the expression “to make it through to something” mean, “Not everything will make it through to conscious awareness.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that multitasking enhances or hinders your overall productivity and efficiency? Explain.
  2. Do you think our brains are naturally wired to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, or is it a skill that can be developed over time? Share your insights.
  3. How would you weigh the importance of focus and concentration against the allure of multitasking in a fast-paced work environment?
  4. In your experience, do you find that multitasking helps or hampers your ability to retain information and learn effectively?
  5. What consequences do the pressure to multitask in today’s society has long-term?

Eco-Anxiety

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The impact of climate change is undoubtedly on Mother Nature. However, this problem isn’t only affecting the planet, but also people’s mental health.

According to experts, more and more people suffer from ‘eco-anxiety’. Knowing the state that our world is in now is enough to bring people stress and anxiety.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about climate anxiety.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230810

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”ball game” mean? “We perhaps have these models… now we have the exact science, so it is an absolutely different ball game… we actually know what to do now.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”impassioned” mean? “It is about getting on with it, and the young people are the furthest ahead in this they can see the future as theirs and they’re impassioned to do something about it.” Give 2 synonyms and use “impassioned” in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to reach net zero” mean, “And also, you know, at the moment the government is trying to reach net zero by 2050 and all that, and they committed to creating 2 million new green jobs.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on eco-anxiety?
  2. How do the climate change-related issues take a toll on you and/or the people around you? 
  3. How can we deal with eco-anxiety?
  4. What is your reaction to this, “Many of those suffering from eco-anxiety are young people.“? Why do you think this is the case?
  5. Do you think young people are truly impassioned to do something about the state we have left the planet in? Why or why not?
  6. Do you think dedicating one’s entire working life to building a green sustainable future has a huge effect on their psychology? Explain your thoughts.

Generosity Contributes to Human Happiness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Generosity is universal across cultures.

There have been quite a number of experiments showing that generosity is a common trait, regardless of socioeconomic status. It is also a more spontaneous behavior compared to greed, which, as a matter of fact, requires more careful thought.

Read the article why it is more than likely that generosity enhances social relationships.

https://harrytprewitt.medium.com/scientific-proof-of-generosity-contributing-to-human-happiness-643178c90206

Vocabulary Questions:

  1.  What does ” generosity” mean? “So far, it was known that being generous increases our feeling of happiness and that happiness was supposed to be, in turn, one of the motivations for generosity.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “top the charts” mean? “The likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Mike Bloomberg top the charts.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “philanthropist” mean? “There can be many examples of philanthropists being generous with their work.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the result of this study?
  2. How important is public commitment in encouraging generous behavior? Explain your ideas.
  3. Talk about a foundation which helps the homeless/refugees/the elderly/orphans that you know of.
  4. What humanitarian project would you like to set up?
  5. When presenting a charity organization, how can you make the audience donate or volunteer?