Tag: Reading

Coping With Death and Grief

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Death is part of life. Passing of a loved one makes us feel a lot of different emotions. When such tragic thing happens, we end up trying to do everything we can to avoid the pain.

Read more about the “five stages of grief” and be able to discuss the questions below:

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/emotional-health/coping-with-death-and-grief/coping-with-death-and-grief

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are there special rites or ceremonies performed when a person dies in your country?
  2. How do you view death?
  3. Is there any person you would die for in order to save? Who is it?
  4. How do your national customs surrounding death reflect the values of your country?
  5. What are funerals like in your country? What are some funeral customs in your country?

Interesting Facts about Spanish Culture

B1 – Intermediate

Spain has a lot to offer any sort of traveler. Spanish culture is just as fascinating as the nation’s coastlines and museums, and probably much more nuanced! Even if you spent years in Spain you most likely wouldn’t be able to uncover every aspect of the country’s vibrant traditions, but that doesn’t mean you won’t try, right?

Let’s check a few interesting facts about Spain and the Spanish way of life.

https://www.languagetrainers.co.uk/blog/2017/06/21/6-interesting-facts-about-spanish-culture/

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think is interesting about your culture?

2. What don’t you like about your culture?

3. When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually think of?

Spain’s Strangest Laws

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Spanish city of Palma de Mallorca approved fines of €600 ($820) for people daring to go shirtless in the city centre. To honour the occasion, The Local has rounded up some of the strangest laws in Spain. Read on to find out more.

 

https://www.thelocal.es/galleries/culture/top-10-spains-weirdest-laws/1Spain’s strangest laws

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘law’?

2. What laws in your country do you hate?

3. What’s the craziest law you know of?

4. Are there any laws in your country that you think should be made tighter?

5. Have you ever broken any laws?

Idioms and Their Origin

B1 – Lower Intermediate

Image result for cat got your tongue idiom

 

An idiom is a word or phrase which means something different from its literal meaning. When used correctly, it can amplify messages in a way that draws readers and listeners in and helps awaken their senses.

Let us get to find out some of the most used idioms and their crazy origins.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/popular-idioms-with-crazy-origins

Discussion questions:

1. Tell some real-life situations when you have used or experienced these idioms.

2. Are you good at using idioms when speaking? How do you feel about people who are good at using idioms in a conversation?

3. Give an example of a Spanish idiom and explain its meaning and origin.

4. When is it necessary to use idioms? When is it not?

 

Who was John Titor?

B2 – Upper Intemediate

What would be your reaction if you talked to a person who claimed that he had time traveled and lived in 2036? Scientists attest to the possibility of time traveling, though there is no official announcement of an existence or creation of a time machine.

Find out more about John Titor’s story of taking a leap into the future.

WHO WAS JOHN TITOR?

Discussion questions:
1. What do you think of Titor’s claim of time traveling?

2. Why do you think he said that his goal was not to be believed? If you could meet Titor, what are the things that you would like to know about his experience?

3. Would you try time-traveling? At what point in the past would you like to go back to? How do you visualize the future would be like?

Sugar Baby University

B1 – Intermediate

In the US, there is a growing number of men and woman who have found alternative ways of getting through to college/university. They are turning to dating websites looking for wealthy older men (or women) who want to pay for their college fees.

Read the article below about sugar daddies paying for their sugar babies’ tuition and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.businessinsider.com/seeking-arrangement-sugar-daddies-pay-sugar-babies-college-tuition-2017-11

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on websites such as “seekingarrangement.com”?
  2. Do you hear this kind of arrangement being sought and made by young people in your country?
  3. Share your thoughts on this statement, “Some of [the sugar daddies] have that ‘white knight’ scenario where they really want to be helping somebody and saving them from their debt.”?
  4. In your country, how expensive is it to get through college?
  5. What are alternative ways to finish your college education if you can’t afford it?

Strange Laws Around the World

B1 – Intermediate

When you’re travelling around the world, it’s not always a bad idea to do your research on local laws and traditions. Not only could this keep you out of trouble, but it can also help you get the most out of your trip. However, there are some strange laws in some countries that will surely make you scratch your head.

Here are 14 strange laws to keep in mind next time you book a trip.

https://www.businessinsider.com/14-strange-laws-from-around-the-world-2016-7

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which among the laws mentioned do you find most absurd?
  2. Does your country have any strange laws as well?
  3. If you could add or remove a law in your country, what would it be?

Companies and Motivation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Talents are the backbone of any company. However, a lot of companies seem to miss exploring the area where they provide their employees what they need and want.

Read more about companies and motivating employees from the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Far too many companies get it backwards. As opposed to motivating and instilling their staff with a desire to strive towards success, they sap any motivation that exists. The company becomes rotten, unable to meet changes in the marketplace, filled with staff who does the minimum, and filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Companies succeed when employees get what they need and want, namely opportunities to contribute, a sense of achievement, and the feeling of camaraderie. In addition, other important factors include managers who immediately provide both negative and positive feedback, continued training, equity in all decisions and company endeavors, and a sense that teamwork is beneficial and important. For any company moving in the wrong direction, it takes a monumental effort to once again motivate employees. However, it can be done.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it take for a company or business to succeed?
2. Do you agree or disagree that all companies should motivate their staff?
3. How does your company make sure the employees are well-motivated?
4. What suggestions can you give your employers to ensure employees’ satisfaction at work?
5. What are the things that keep you motivated to do your job?

Untrue Myths

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Myth, in everyday language, means a fiction or a fabrication. A few or even most of them are total lies. But admit it or not, they can sometimes have a compelling influence on us and a society as a whole.

The article below tries to explain why it is time to put an end to the most alluring everyday myths, mistaken beliefs, and exaggerations passed down from generation to generation.

https://thoughtcatalog.com/nico-lang/2013/09/13- everyday-myths-you-wont-believe-arent-true/

Discussion questions:

1. Which of these myths did you use to believe or do you still believe now?

2. How do you think these myths started?

3. Can you think of an everyday myth that turns out to be real?

4. Do you know if any of these 13 myths can more likely be real?

5. Think of another example of an everyday myth that is not really true.

Go Beyond the Female Stereotypes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Advertisements can subtlely convey a message to the viewers. A veteran South African politician said, “Adverts create a role model that people look up to, even mimic and try to be like.”  Do you think the government should do something to regulate ads?

Let’s read the article below and talk about female stereotypes in ads.

https://www.voanews.com/a/un-advertisers-female-stereotypes/3912630.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that advertisements are more influential than movies, books, or online content? Why? Why not?
  2. Why do you think stereotyping is such a common practice?
  3. Would you agree that “adverts create a role model that people look up to?” Why or why not?
  4. Do you think that ads can influence how kids and young adults think about their body? Explain.