Tag: Reading

Canadians Start ‘Caremongering’ Trend

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the wake of a pandemic in 2020, a new word emerged — Caremongering. No one knows if this word is going to stick around for long for it to be included in dictionaries. Nevertheless, this word is making rounds in Canada.

Read the article to learn about ‘caremongering’ and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51915723

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the term ‘caremongering’. Why is this important these days?
  2. What does ‘scaremongering’ mean? What are your thoughts on this?
  3. Talk about some acts of kindness you saw on social media.
  4. Would you like to do or have you done anything to practice ‘caremongering’ amidst the pandemic?
  5. What things do you do or you see other people do to remain hopeful despite these hard times?

The End of New York’s Public Payphones

B1 – Intermediate

Public payphones are being removed on New York streets to give pedestrians more space and give this much needed sidewalk spaces to people with disabilities and those with little kids.

Let’s read the article to find out more about this news.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2003/200320-pay-phones-1.html

Discussion Questions :

  1. How important are pay phones?
  2. Should New York keep some pay phones for tourists’ use?
  3. Are there any public pay phones in your town? Do you use them?
  4. What would our lives be like without pay phones? Are they still important these days?
  5. What would your life be like without your mobile phone?

What Am I…Chopped Liver?

B1 – Intermediate

As a member of a group, we feel important and needed when our opinion or presence is recognized. In situations when our feelings tend to be overlooked, we feel less relevant. We tend to ask, “What am I…. chopped liver?” Does this expression make sense?

Check out this lesson to learn more about the expression “What am I… chopped liver?”.

What Am I, Chopped Liver?

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the expression “What am I chopped liver?” mean?
  2. What is the origin of this expression?
  3. Have you ever been ignored or overlooked before? How did you react to this situation?
  4. How do you make people around you feel important?

Astronauts Bake First Space Cookies Ever

B1 – Intermediate

Astronauts have baked cookies in space for the first time ever. Normally, space food is prepared on Earth and then astronauts heat them up there before eating them. But now, they can bake in space too.

Read more about this news from the link below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2001/200128-space-baked-cookies-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Do you know anything about baking? Why or why not?
  3. Talk about your favorite bakery and your favorite baked products.

Does It Make Sense to Pay People to Have Kids?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most European countries are struggling with population slowdown. Several countries are trying to provide financial inducements to deal with this problem and prevent imminent consequences in the future – but just how effective are these measures?

Read this article and watch the video to see all compelling points around this incentive.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20191017-does-it-make-sense-to-pay-people-to-have-kids

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the ‘baby bonus’?
  2. What do you think are the strong and weak points of this measure?
  3. Do you think this kind of bonus would soon be implemented in your country too? Why or why not? What are other good family policies do you have in your country?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that people’s attitudes to having children at all have changed over time? Cite situations to support your stand.
  5. What are other means to reverse shrinking population?

South Korean Men Leads Beauty Market

B2 – Upper Intermediate

South Korean men have begun spending more money on beauty and skincare products. This has become a trend to which men conform more to using cosmetics products that enables them to improve their appearance. Will the Western men’s definition of beauty change because of this fashion?

Let’s read more about it in the article below.

https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/south-korea-male-beauty-market-chanel/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about male beauty?
  2. How is vanity among men viewed in your country? What do you personally think when a man takes care of his skin so much and/or puts on some makeup?
  3. What is your beauty obsession? Why?
  4. How do makeup and beauty products affect masculinity?
  5. Should we associate beauty rituals with femininity or with self-care and success?

Is It Good to Disagree?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We often find ourselves in disagreement with others. It’s inevitable to have it with your friends, family, colleagues, or even strangers. Experiencing this could give you a headache especially if it ends badly. However, disagreements are not always bad. Sometimes it’s necessary and surprisingly healthy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200206

Discussion Questions:

  1. Dalai Lama said “Disagreement is something normal”. Do you agree or disagree?
  2. How is disagreeing a bad thing and a good thing?
  3. What are the usual things that you disagree with with other people?
  4. How would you explain the phrase “agree to disagree”?
  5. Do you think that people should always compromise? Why?
  6. How can disputes be settled amicably?

Jantelagen: Why Swedes Won’t Talk about Wealth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a lot of countries around the world, wealth and everything that comes with it are shiny badges that show everyone that you have made it. However, in Sweden, there’s a cultural code known as jantelagen that prevents people from flaunting their wealth, success, and everything else most people would commonly brag about. 

Read the article and also watch the video to know more about jantelagen and be ready to express your thoughts on this.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20191008-jantelagen-why-swedes-wont-talk-about-wealth

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on jantelagen? Do you think it should be kept or should it disappear? 
  2. Is this principle upheld in your country? How would you compare Spain and Sweden when it comes to this subject?
  3. Is high income a badge of success in your country? In general, do people feel comfortable or even proud about talking about their salaries or material possessions? 
  4. What are things that people often brag about in your country?
  5. Who is the most humble and the most ostentatious person you know?

Creating a Dream Team

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you ever wonder why a team consisting of very talented employees usually do not perform to their maximum capacity? Is there really a way to create a ‘dream team’ in the workplace? If so, how is it done?

Read the article and find out more about the up and coming science of collective intelligence and learn some tips on how to boost team performance — dream team or not.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190807-the-science-of-creating-a-dream-team

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are factors affecting a team’s success?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that team members’ IQ have something to do with their success/excellent performance?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that too much talent can be counterproductive?
  4. Describe your team at work, your team dynamics, and talk about how each member contributes in making the team perform to its best potential.
  5. What was the biggest challenge that your team ever had to face and how did you overcome it?

Scientists Start Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

B1 – Intermediate

E.T. stands for Extra-Terrestrial. Back in the 80s, a film became very famous. It is a story of an alien who was left behind on Earth, found by a little human boy and the two eventually become the best of friends.

More than three decades later, scientists have started working on finding more signs of alien life. 

Read the article below to know why scientists are interested to know more about the possibility of life in space.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2002/200217-extraterrestrial-life-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the fact that scientists are spending time and money on this subject?
  2. What are your thoughts on E.T?
  3. What pieces of evidence that aliens exist do you know of?
  4. What would you do if you found out aliens really exist?
  5. Talk about films about aliens you know about or have watched.