Tag: Reading

Social Hermits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social Media  has definitely changed our society.  Now, we can easily get information on what’s going on with people from other countries.  We can get connected with our friends or relatives living miles away.

But because of  the usefulness, efficiency and effectiveness of social media, people are becoming too connected and dependent on it. Is social media really helping us become  more connected with others?

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Do social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter make people more social? Or do these sites make people become loners? Of course, social networking sites let people stay in contact, which is especially helpful in the busy world of today.

Social networking offers positives. For example, the various sites and apps help people keep in contact with “proximity friends.” These are people who are or were physically close but not personally close, such as former classmates and colleagues, parents of the children your kids play with in the neighborhood, and friends of friends. We might send these people holiday or birthday cards, or call with congratulations of a wedding or a newborn.

However, face-to-face contact is quite rare. There is the feeling of contact, but it may be superficial and achieved through emails and instant messages. The contact might not be deep and rich, even if many people know more small details about one another.

People “talk” with one another more frequently, but they meet in person less frequently. So let’s return to the original question: Are people becoming social hermits?

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you (or do you) use social networking sites? Talk about the pluses and minuses.
2. Are people better or worse communicators because of social network sites?
3. What is a social hermit? What images or ideas does this phrase raise?
4. How might social networking sites be used for business or education?

Time Spent Online ‘overtakes TV’

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B2 – Upper intermediate

A 2016 article shows how the youth of today have switched pastimes. Read the article below to know what young people are preoccupied with and the changes that come with it.

Time spent online ‘overtakes TV’ among youngsters

Discuss:

1. Is it common for children in your country to own a tablet or similar device?
2. How does this new trend affect the childhood of these youngsters?
3. What do you think are good ground rules children should have when it comes to using devices?
4. What were some of your hobbies when you were young?

Women Pay More in Shops

B1 – Intermediate

Gender tax. Strangely enough, there is such a thing as “gender tax”. Unfortunately, it is the women who have to suffer.

Read the article to know more about gender tax and express your thoughts about it.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1601/160121-gender-tax.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you believe that items for women are more expensive?
2. How often do you shop?
3. Do you prefer certain brands when you go shopping? Why or why not? Elaborate.
4. Are you particular when it comes to quality, or are you okay with buying cheap items? Explain.

15-Year-Old Puts Cancer Industry To Shame

B2 – Upper intermediate

The Big C. The disease has cost many lives and millions of dollars. Studies and research are continuous to help combat the disease.

Read the article below then watch the video of Jack and how he was able to contribute in the fight against cancer.

15-Year-Old Puts Cancer Industry to Shame: Develops 100% Accurate Cancer Test Using Google

Discuss:

1. How do you feel about cancer in general?
2. Why do you think more and more people are suffering from this illness?
3. Aside from cancer, what other diseases should be given a lot of attention and funding?

Best Tool to Teach Babies Speech

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B1 – Intermediate

Parenting is one of the most difficult but fulfilling jobs on the planet. Most parents now have very hectic work schedules, and it’s easy for them to resort to electronic gadgets to teach and keep their children busy.

Read the short article below to know more information about spending time with children.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/best-tool-to-teach-babies-speech-their-parents-voice/3140320.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the pros and cons of electronic educational tools for children.
2. Is it good to learn several languages? When do you think is the best time to learn languages?
3. If you have children, what are your rules when it comes to using electronic tools?

The Rise of Alternative Funerals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In most countries, planning your funeral is something not often talked about. But a new generation of entrepreneurs are encouraging people to be more open and comfortable about it.

Click on the title below to read more about the business of death and how businesspersons are breathing new life into it. Be prepared to discuss words and expressions.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35235590

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe the different funeral business featured in the article and what they offer.
2. What is your general opinion of a less traditional funeral?
3. Why do you think this business is starting to pick-up in the UK?
4. What is the advantage of having an alternative type of funeral?

Compulsive Internet Disorder

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Is the Internet killing us?

Read the article below about the disorder that is directly related to using the Internet. Be prepared to answer the speaking activities.

The Internet has become an important aspect of most people’s lives, because it’s used for communication, information, or entertainment. Billions of people around the world send e-mail, chat online, read the news, and maybe even gamble, trade stocks, or play competitive games on a daily basis. Some have moved into a dangerous realm, though. The Internet can provide a sense of instant fulfillment or cause people to withdraw from the real world, exactly like someone addicted to drugs or alcohol.

A number of psychologists state that people who become addicted to the Internet already suffer from some kind of illness. For example, someone hooked on day trading would still recklessly buy and sell stocks by phone or face to face with a broker. But other psychiatrists see the addiction as real. These professionals believe the medical world should recognize Internet addiction, and insurance companies should pay for treatment.

While doctors and other experts debate the issue, South Korea has already acted on the problem. In addition to counseling centers and treatment programs at hospitals, a rehab center for teens has recently been established. The country held the world’s first conference on compulsive Internet disorder, too. Ninety percent of South Korean homes have Internet access, and online gaming is a national sport. Children ditch school to play games. Some gamers have even dropped dead from exhaustion after days and days online.

The rehab center offers teens the opportunity to rediscover satisfaction with the real world. During the twelve days, participants are barred from computers and may only use a cell phone one hour per day. The remaining time gets filled with physical exercise and group activities which establish real-life emotional bonds.

The center turns away about four applicants for each available opening.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. How many hours per day do you use the Internet?
2. Is Internet addiction a real illness that doctors and insurance companies should recognize?
3. Could you go without a computer or the Internet for one week? one month? one year?
4. At which point does the Internet become an addiction rather than a useful tool?
5. What is the most useful invention of the last thirty years? How about the most dangerous?

More People to Stick to New Year’s Resolutions

B1 – Intermediate

A New Year’s resolution is an opportunity to gauge our goals or to try something different for the new year. What are some of the changes that you want to happen?

Read the article to know some interesting facts about New Year’s resolutions. Be ready to do some of the speaking activities included in the article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1601/160103-new-years-resolutions.html

 Discussion Questions:

  1. Why don’t people keep their New Year’s resolutions?
  2. Why do young people make more resolutions than old people?
  3. What are the good and bad things about New Year’s resolutions?
  4. Are New Year’s resolutions useful? Why or why not?
  5. What is one goal or resolution you have this year?

The Second Lives of Swiss bunkers

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C1 – Advanced

Bunkers, especially from war, will always give you an eerie and strange feeling. In Switzerland, however, some people were actually able to utilize them as way of profit.

Click on the title below to look at the photos and read the article on how some Swiss bunkers were brought back to life. Be ready to discuss some words and expressions.

The fascinating second lives of Swiss bunkers (one is a mushroom farm)

Discuss:

1. What do you think of re-using old bunkers like the Swiss did?
2. Would you stay at a hotel like Hotel Zero?
3. Have you ever been to a place which was an important part of history?
4. Describe some of the strange places that you have visited in the past.

The Magic of Tidying Up

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Are you one of those people who always has a messy room? You have so many stuff but you just don’t know how to throw them out.

Read the article below and see how easy it is to organize and live in a place with space for you to finally breathe, relax and think.

The magic of tidying up: your guide to getting your place clean once and for all

Discuss:

1. How do you organize your things?
2. Is it easy for you to do housework or household chores?
3. What other tips can you think of on how to tidy up a room?