phone english blogC1 – Advanced
There are daily struggles in life. But there are also small miracles. Read the article below to know some of the greatest things that have happened to different people.
Think of as many reasons to love the the world.
Discuss:
1. What do you think of the reasons mentioned in this feature?
2. What are the things that you’d like to do or experience for yourself?
3. What other places in the world would you like to travel to?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
There are a lot of health benefits to being vegetarian.
Let’s find out about the reasons being vegetarian is good for us. Also be ready to answer the questions that follow.
Discussion Questions:
C1 – Advanced
Yamato Tanooka is 7 years old. He was left in the woods by his parents as punishment for being overly active. His father admitted to doing it and his parents were very apologetic about what happened.
Is this abuse or did his parents just lost control of the situation and didn’t know how else to discipline him?
Discuss:
1. What is your reaction that “many parents in Japan tend to see their children as their personal possessions”?
2. What is your idea of good and bad parenting?
3. How are kids usually punished in your country when they misbehave?
4. When do we say it’s abuse and when do we say it’s discipline?
5. What do you think are effective ways to discipline children?
6. How can we keep children safe from abuse?
C1 – Advanced
The month of June is known for the time to give appreciation to one of the most important persons in our lives, our fathers. Read the article and know more about the history of this special day.
Discuss:
1. How would you describe your father?
2. How is Father’s Day celebrated in your country? family?
3. If you’re a father, what’s the best Father’s Day present you’ve ever received and why?
4. What interesting presents have you given your father?
B1 – Intermediate
Are you in impulsive buyer? Where do you spend your monthly salary on? For those who can’t seem to stop themselves from spending too much, this might be the solution to your problem.
Discuss:
1. What do you think of the idea of the Pavlok?
2. How often do you spend too much money?
3. What other things do we need a shock to stop us doing something?
4. What do you know about the Internet of Things?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Do looks really matter? Apparently, they do. A recent study conducted by the University of Chicago and University of California reveals that attractive employees tend to get paid more.
Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1605/160523-cosmetics.html
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper intermediate
TV advertisements have very big impact on people. The are able to persuade their audience to buy certain products. The catchier the ad, the more it will be remembered.
One specific Chinese advert made an impact on a lot of people. Specifically because it hit a nerve and was branded a racist.
Discuss:
1. What did you think of the advertisement? Do you think it was funny at all?
2. Do you think that the advertsing agnecy failed to be sensitive or were they just being funny?
3. Do you agree that there is a bit of a racist in each one of us?
B2 – Upper intermediate
The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) is very displeased by the series of English words being used in Spanish. This drove them to launch a campaign to fight against the so-called “English invasion”.
But what exactly are some anglicised words that you’d typical hear in daily conversations in Spain? Read the article below then express your thoughts.
Discuss:
1. Are you familiar with these 10 words? Which words have you used?
2. Do you have a favourite Spanglish word?
3. Can you think of any more examples of anglicized slang?
4. What is your opinion about making English words part of the Spanish language? Should it really be stopped or not?
5. Have you seen the ads published by RAE? What do you make of them?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Death is unwelcome but inevitable. On the other hand, immortality sounds impossible. We have never heard of someone who lived forever no matter how man worked and toiled to curtail death.
Now, with this scientific discovery, will man ever surpass the age of 969, the longest life ever recorded in humanity?
Read the article below about the immortality gene.
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
Business people should always look for other ways to make money. A Russian company decided to take another path to continue earning rather than giving up and closing shop because of Western sanctions.
Read the article below then express your thoughts about it.
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1605/160509-kalashnikov.html
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of Kalashnikov branching out into fashion?
2. What do you think of gun companies?
3. Do you think Kalashnikov will be successful in their fashion business?
4. How would you explain the word “patriotism”? Would you consider yourself patriotic?