Tag: Reading

It Only Takes One Bad Apple

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recent studies have shown that negative vibes have stronger influence in the workplace. An employee with a negative behavior could easily influence the rest of the team and might have undesirable effects on the team dynamics and quality of work.

Read the article to learn more about how negative behavior at work affect others around.

There is an old saying: It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch. The idiom can be applied to every day life. A recent research report indicates that “one bad apple” can quickly spoil the atmosphere of the office. An employee with a negative attitude brings conflict and stress to the workplace. A problem employee usually doesn’t do an equal amount of work, is always unhappy and complaining, and bullies others.

Negative behavior, the researchers found, is much stronger than positive behavior. As such, several positive employees can’t change the mood created by one negative teammate. In fact, it often leads to a downward spiral, with more and more employees becoming unhappier and unhappier as time continues. The news comes out of the University of Washington.

In order to solve the problem, companies need to deal with the negativity immediately. One answer is to have the employee work alone as much as possible. In effect, he should be isolated from other team members work-wise. Better yet, ensure that effective hiring practices prevent the problem from entering the building. Training managers to better determine potential hires helps, as do personality tests. These can identify and remove emotionally unstable or disagreeable people.

Case in point: The wife of the report’s lead author noticed that when a problem employee at her office was sick for several days, the atmosphere quickly changed. People began to help one another. They played classical music on their radios. Many went out for drinks after work. However, once the problem returned, the toxic atmosphere returned, too.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree, that “one bad apple spoils the bunch?” Why/not?
  2. Have you ever had a similar experience as the example? What happened when the negative person was away?
  3. If your office were “toxic,” would you consider quitting? Why/not?
  4. What other solutions do you think might work with a bad apple? Why?
  5. Do you think that a bad apple usually knows he creates a negative atmosphere? Why/not?

Columbus Day: Some Love It, Others Not

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Columbus Day is known as the most disputed holiday in the US. For the Native Americans, Columbus was very devastating to them, as he enslaved the natives and caused depression in the place. Columbus’ critics say that he did not land in America on that day and he did not discover America because it has long been inhabited by the natives.

Read the article below and be ready to have a discussion.

Columbus Day: Some Love It, Others Not So Much

Discuss:

1. Is Christopher Columbus celebrated as an important person in Spanish history?
2. What is your opinion about the Americans dispute about “Columbus Day”?
3. Is there any controversial or disputed holiday in Spain?

Animals That Are Also Verbs

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Pay attention while listening and reading along with this very interesting article. You will find that some verbs are coined from animal names.

Take note of how some nouns can be used as verbs.

Weasel, Duck, Dog: Animals That Are Also Verbs

Discuss:

1. In your own words, explain what it means to weasel your way out of something.
2. Have you ever been hounded by someone to do something?
3. What does it mean to fish for compliments?
4. Aside from the ones used in the article, what other animals can be used as verbs?

Want to Emigrate?

B1 – Intermediate

To leave or not to leave? Most families and individuals have been choosing the option of moving to another country to find a better life. Would you consider yourself one of them?

Are you tired of your home country? Do you dream of better opportunities abroad? Do you sincerely believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you and 700 million other people in the world want to emigrate. This figure may sound like a lot, and it is. However, let’s make this large number even easier to understand. 700 million people exceed the entire adult populations of North and South America combined.

The largest numbers of people who want to emigrate come from sub-Saharan Africa. Roughly 38% of adults from this region would prefer to settle elsewhere. However, in Asia, only 10% of the population wants to move. Although reasons weren’t given, Asia’s huge potential for growth likely limited the number seeking lives elsewhere. Sub-Saharan Africa remains a desolate and desperate place for its inhabitants, and experts forecast an even darker future.

The top destination is overwhelmingly the US, despite an economy that continues to struggle. Britain, Canada, and France were all tied for second most desirable country for immigration, with roughly 45 million stating they desired to relocate here. Spain came in third with 35 million votes, and Saudi Arabia was fourth with 30 million. About 25 million desired to emigrate to either Australia or Germany.

There remains the generally idea of prosperity for people in the US, Britain, and other countries. This might serve as the main reason that people in economically depressed regions wish to emigrate. The global economy continues to struggle, with a similar outlook for the near future. But once these countries get back on their feet, citizens there have many more opportunities than the inhabitants in developing countries.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about emigrating?
  2. Would you want to emigrate to another country? If yes, where? Why?
  3. How can migrating be a bad thing?
  4. Do a lot of people from your country migrate to other countries? Why is this the case? What might be reasons they emigrate
  5. In your country, what problems do immigrants face?

Office Workers Head to Relaxation Parlours

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B2 – Upper intermediate

South Korean employees are finding ways to get energized and catch up on some sleep.

Read the article below to know more details about the issue. Be ready to express your thoughts.

South Korea: Office workers head to relaxation parlours

Discuss:

1. What do you think of the idea of relaxation parlours?
2. Are there rooms in your office where you can take a power nap or a short break?
3. Would you say that people in your country work long hours?
4. What are the long term consequences of working very long hours?

Lower Your Stress Levels

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Stress is inevitable. We’ve got small ones and big ones.

Read the article below to know some ways we can deal with stress on a daily basis. Express your thoughts afterwards.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-e-porter/5-changes-that-will-immediately-lower-your-stress-levels_b_8229422.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the changes mentioned in the article?
  2. Which ones do you practice daily?
  3. Can you think of other ways we can face daily challenges?
  4. What activities do you like to do to relax yourself?
  5. What are some of your favourite hobbies?

Trick For Remembering Someone’s Name

B2 – Upper intermediate

In a room filled with people whom you have to speak to, it can be such a challenge to remember everyone’s name. The article below will give you an interesting tip on recalling someone’s name. Perhaps something you can use at the next party.

A Scientifically Proven Trick For Remembering Someone’s Name

Discuss:

1. According to the article, what’s a good way to remember names?
2. How good are you at remembering?
3. What are some of the things you do to help remember events and birthdays?

Thoughts You Deserve to Let Go Of

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Rachael Yahne shares an interesting advice on how to live a life that is not littered with negativity. Read the article below and share your thoughts afterwards.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachael-yahne/8-toxic-thoughts-you-deserve-to-let-go-of_b_8173156.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the points that the author discussed? Why/why not?
  2. How do you combat negativity?
  3. What are some of the things in life that you wish to change?

Elements of Language

B1 – Intermediate

It is amazing how languages are developed in our minds. It is a wonder how we learn words and languages.  Speaking and writing our thoughts are also a marvel.

The article below talks about how languages have developed and discusses the elements of language.

http://www.english-online.at/society/languages/history-of-languages.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, how many languages are spoken in the world nowadays?
  2. Is it practical to have just one language all over the world?
  3. How many languages can you speak fluently? What languages would you like to learn?

Job Promotions Unhealthy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As employees, we always strive to go up the corporate ladder as we stay longer in a company. As we become more successful in our career, we are faced with more responsibilities and challenges. These things cause stress. Studies in the past indicate that stress is a silent and deadly killer.

Read the article below then express your thoughts.

Ambition drives people at work to succeed, receive recognition, and eventually move up the chain of command.  And with promotions and increased responsibilities also come dreams of new cars, bigger homes, more exotic vacations, and perhaps an earlier, more fulfilling retirement.  Yet new research out of Britain irrefutably showed that promotions at work may actually harm the health of people.

Research indicated that the mental health of people worsened with a promotion.  What’s more, it wasn’t a short-term deterioration but instead continued for the long term.  Mental strain increased by an average of 10%.  In addition, people were more likely to skip visits to the doctor, citing stress and a general lack of time that unexpectedly came with the new job.  The research also showed that a promotion offered no health benefits whatsoever.

Past studies have shown what a silent and deadly killer stress can be, as it affects every part of the body.  Stress can lead to heart disease, cancer, depression, and even more bouts with the common cold because it slows or shuts down important bodily functions like digestion, physical growth, and parts of the immune system.  Although this is just temporary, frequent and severe stress causes the slow down to occur again and again.  The effects are compounded over time.

The findings came from an annual survey which also included information from roughly 1,000 newly promoted people.  And although the poor economy and the threat of joblessness loom large enough to cause stress for some, there’s now something else to worry about too: recognition and job promotion.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “chain of command” mean, “Ambition drives people at work to succeed, receive recognition, and eventually move up the chain of command.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “bout” mean here, “Stress can lead to heart disease, cancer, depression, and even more bouts with the common cold because it slows or shuts down important bodily functions like digestion, physical growth, and parts of the immune system.” Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “compounded” mean, “The effects are compounded over time.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some areas that generally cause stress at work? How about areas for you at your job?
  2. Do you agree that the new job responsibilities that come with a promotion are stressful?
  3. Why are some people so ambitious that they seek promotions again and again?
  4. Have you ever heard the term “work-life balance?” What do you think it means?