Tag: Reading

Aboriginal Children – Australia’s Stolen Generation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For more than six decades since 1910, many children of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were forcibly taken away from their families as part of the Australian government’s policy of Assimilation. This is a policy based on the misguided belief that these First Nations children would be better raised by a white family.

Read the lesson on Australia’s Stolen Generation below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/history/aborigines/australias-stolen-generation.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the Stolen Generation?
  2. Why were Aboriginal children stolen?
  3. Do you think this government policy is justified and humane? Elaborate.
  4. Do you agree that the Australian government should compensate all families affected by this policy? Elaborate.
  5. Do you think that the government should publicly acknowledge and apologize for this act? Elaborate.

Share Buying Mistakes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to stock market experts, more and more traders commit mistakes in buying shares in the wrong company. This could be a result of the recent trading controversy involving GameStop. This frenzy highlighted the mix-up traders can commit when buying shares.

Read this article on the growing incidence of share buying mistakes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56020950

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain “ticker tape confusion”.
  2. What mistakes have traders been making in buying shares?
  3. What are the reasons for such trading mistakes? How can said share buying mistakes be prevented?
  4. What are your thoughts on the fact that mistakes are not only committed by novice and private investors but even by retail and institutional ones?
  5. Have you ever invested? Talk about what you know about investing.

Emotional Spending

B2 – Upper Intermediate

With the crazy times we’re living, each and everyone of us tries to find our own source of happiness. Some have found it in online shopping or online spending. 

Since the pandemic started, many have been struggling with the dilemma: “Should I give in to such frivolous purchases or not?” “Would this bring joy to my life?”

Read this article on to how to recognize the problem of emotional spending and how to take control of your finances again.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/feb/09/i-thought-buying-things-would-make-me-feel-better-it-didnt-the-rise-of-emotional-spending

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are reasons that led people to an online spending frenzy?
  2. What is an investigative shopper? Are you one?
  3. Have you ever been guilty of emotional spending? How has it been beneficial for you and how has it been disadvantageous?
  4. How has your online spending habits changed during the pandemic?
  5. What can one do to avoid emotional spending?

Why CEOs Make So Much Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An Economic Policy Institute analysis showed that on average, high-ranking executives of some of the largest US companies earned around $21 m a year. 

Despite a looming global economic recession, it appears that the salaries of CEOs continue to get bigger and bigger. This will most likely intensify the scrutiny of pay inequality.

Read this article to find out why CEOs make so much and if it has always been the case.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210125-why-ceos-make-so-much-money

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the responsibilities of a CEO?
  2. Why should they be paid a lot? Is this fair?
  3. Would you like to become the CEO of a company one day? If so, what kind of top boss would you be like?  If not, for what reasons?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that CEOs are the most important factor of success of a company hence, they should be paid the highest?
  5. What do you know about the CEO of your company?

People’s Relationships with Pets During Pandemic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There’s no question that having a pet in your home during the best of times can bring joy. In more trying times, as we’re experiencing now during the COVID-19 pandemic, pets can offer more than just a slobbery greeting or good-natured nuzzle.

Let’s find out how people’s relationships with pets have
changed during the pandemic.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/people-s-relationships-with-pets-have-changed-during-pandemic/5742399.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have, or have you ever had any pets?
  2. Why do you think people keep pets?
  3. Sometimes people claim that pets give people psychological or physical help. What is your opinion?
  4. What are the positive and negative aspects of owning pets?
  5. There are occasional news reports about dangerous dogs attacking people. What could be done to prevent this?

Refurbished Smartphones

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Phones are much more expensive than before. The prices of flagship phones from big brands have jumped more than a hundred percent in just a few years. Some people are unwilling to spend thousands of dollars on a device that turns obsolete in just a few years.

These days, there is an increasing demand for refurbished phones. A refurbished phone is one that has been previously owned which has been sold or traded-in to a company that then resells it after bringing it up to its best possible condition.

Read the article below to learn more about refurbished phones and decide whether they are worth buying or not.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/feb/09/refurbished-smartphones-are-widely-available-so-should-you-buy-one

Discussion Questions:

  1. How many phones have you had? On average, how long do you hold on to your phones?
  2. Do you think the prices of smartphones these days are reasonable? Why or why not?
  3. Have you owned a refurbished phone? Do you think it is worth buying?
  4. What are the environmental impacts of e-waste? What can we do to lessen them?
  5. Share any experience with a faulty mobile phone or gadget.

No Free Meals for Poorer Children

B1 – Intermediate

In some countries, giving free school meals is one program that many public schools have. This is to be sure that children get proper nutrition while they study. It is also a way to help children who comes from poor families.

Read more about the UK government voting not to give free school meals to poorer kids.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201028-free-school-meals-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did the UK government do? Do you agree or disagree with the UK government’s decision? Support your stand.
  2. Are school meals completely free in schools in your country? How are the food like? 
  3. Why are these school meals important to children?
  4. How else does your government try to improve children’s conditions in schools?
  5. What was your school like? How was the food at your school cafeteria?

100 Years of the Word Robot

B1 – Intermediate

In the past few decades, there has been rapid progress in modern technology. In some cases, we’ve seen how science-fiction turned into reality. Some people are even warning us of the possible consequences of this fast technological changes.

This year, we celebrate the 100th year of the word “robot” and we have come to a point when such technology has become more common as robots are now being used in major industries.

Let’s get to know more about the origin of the word robot by clicking the link and listening to the audio.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/100-years-of-the-word-robot-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are robots used in your industry?
  2. What are some of the uses of robots?
  3. Do you think it is possible for a robot revolt to happen in the future?
  4. What do you think are the pros and cons of fast technological change?
  5. What are some science-fiction concepts in movies that turned into reality?

Flagging Productivity at Work? Tricks to Get Your Mojo Back

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all have those days when completing our assigned tasks seems beyond reach. With the temptation of social media, mobile games, and the internet in general—not to mention the constant bustle of people in the office—it’s easy to fall prey to disruptions and distractions at work.

So, what can we do about it? How to be productive at work?

Let’s read the article about the 5 simple tricks to be more productive at work.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/364586

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can people improve their productivity?
  2. Are you a very motivated person or do you wait until the last minute to do things?
  3. What technology helps you to be productive?
  4. Do you think that some people are more productive because of genetics or how they were raised?
  5. What are some things you want to do but don’t have time for?

Panic-Buying Events and How Supply Chains Have Adapted

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Attributed to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, panic buying is now a frequent occurrence in many countries, leading to stock-outs and supply chain disruptions.

Let us learn more about how supply chains have adapted to this situation.

https://theconversation.com/panic-buying-events-are-the-new-normal-heres-how-supply-chains-have-adapted-154362

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the panic buying? Is there any need to panic buy?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that official warnings against panic buying might even do more harm than good?
  3. What are the most important things to buy at the moment?
  4. Are you worried about not having masks, sanitizer, food, etc.? What is the worst thing to run out of for you?
  5. Should stores limit the amount of things shoppers can buy?
  6. What advice do you have for people who are stockpiling things?