Are They Migrants or Refugees?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

By definition, an immigrant is someone from a foreign country who relocates to live in another country. The European migrant crisis is surging and EU is struggling to respond to this.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript whether they should be considered as migrants or refugees.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/migrants-or-refugees/2948447.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the similarities and differences of migrants and refugees?
  2. What’s your take on the migrant crisis?
  3. If given the chance, what kind of help would you give?
  4. Do you think Syrian refugees will be able to call Europe their new home?

Braille – A Language for Blind People

B2 – Upper intermediate

They say that necessity is the mother of all inventions and man, in general, will always crave for knowledge. It is probably this combination that brought Louis Braille to the development of the Braille System.

Read the article below to find out more about the Braille system.

Braille – A Language for Blind People

Discuss:

1. Does your country have special training facilities for people who are visually impaired?
2. In your country, do people with disabilities have specific benefits?
3. Are you aware of any new technologies that people with disabilities are using to make everyday life easier?

Turkey Allows Schools to Teach Kurdish

B2 – Upper intermediate

Minority groups all over the world are given their rights and privileges. But how far is a government willing to go to make them feel part of the society?

Read the article below and be ready to express your thoughts by answering the discussion questions.

Turkey allows schools to teach Kurdish

Discuss:

1. What is the importance of allowing Kurdish to be taught in schools in Turkey? How significant is it?
2. What are the different minority groups in your country?
3. Is your country fair in giving rights to citizens belonging to minority groups?

Should India’s Jains Be Given the Choice to Die?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Jainism is an ancient religion which still exists and practised by a large number of people in India. Jains have a controversial practice in which they stop eating and drinking with the intention of preparing for death.

Read the article below to see how the government of India is responding to Jainism’s method of moving on to the after life.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-33998688

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your own perspective about this controversy?
2. When do you think it’s right for the state (government) to intervene against any religious practice?
3. In your country, what are the different religions or faiths that are practiced?

Sleeping in a Taxi

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B2 – Upper intermediate

If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere.

The beauty of New York calls travelers from all over the world and one businessman has just made it possible for budget travelers to enjoy the allure of Manhattan without having to break the bank.

Read the article and watch the video to find out how.

http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/sleeping-in-a-taxi-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Jonathan Powley’s idea for budget travelling? Would you try it?
  2. What are some of the best accommodations you’ve experienced during your past travels? What about not-so-good experiences?
  3. How would you travel if you were on a budget?

Eating Out in Old Dubai

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B2 – Upper intermediate

What makes a city more interesting is its diversity and the history behind it. Take a stroll in the streets of Dubai and discover the medley of cultures it has to offer.

Eating Out in Old Dubai

Approximately one-third of Dubai’s population is of South Asian origin—the ties between the United Arab Emirates and India and Pakistan date back to the 19th century, when the Emirates (then known as the Trucial States) were administered by the British Raj. Indian immigrants started coming to Dubai in larger numbers in the 1960s. From its historic role as a city connecting the Middle East and India, to the skyscrapers of today, South Asian immigrants have been central to Dubai’s history. One of their most popular contributions to Dubai’s culture has been the spicy curries and the variety of breads that are characteristic of South Asian cuisine. The streets of the neighborhoods Deira and Satwa, in Old Dubai, are lined with Indian and Pakistani restaurants like Ravi where diners can enjoy a delicious meal al fresco on one of Dubai’s warm evenings.

Discuss:

1. Describe the diversity of the city or town you live in.
2. If I were to visit your country or your city, where would you bring me? (Also talk about places that aren’t touristy.)
3. Describe some of the places that you have visited that are very rich in history and diversity.

The Japanese Women who Married the Enemy

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C1 – Advanced

After WWII, Japan was devastated yet thousands of their women married American soldiers and moved to the US to have a new life.

Read the article and watch the videos to find out how the Japanese women survived the American lifestyle.

The Japanese women who married the enemy

Discuss:

1. What was your reaction after reading the text and watching the videos?
2. What were the challenges and how did the women in the story overcome them?
3. Would you marry someone who is considered an enemy by many?
4. What do you know about WWII and what damage did it bring to your country?

Money Makes You a Bad Person

B1 – Intermediate

Is money really the root of all evil? Read the article to find out what professor Paul Piff says about being wealthy and being poor.

Read the article below about what money does to people and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1503/150320-wealth.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain what Professor Piff said about wealthy and poor people.
2. Do you agree with the study of Professor Piff?
3. What things will change for you if you become wealthy?

People Spend Half the Day Daydreaming

B1 – Intermediate

A study shows that many people spend half the day daydreaming or have their minds wander instead of concentrating on what they are doing. Most of those who daydream are the ones not happy at the moment like those who are working.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/living/people-spend-half-the-day-daydreaming.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that there is a connection between daydreaming and unhappiness or happiness?
  2. Do you sometimes catch yourself daydreaming?
  3. How do you manage to stay focus on what you are doing?

The Chocolate Capital of the World

B1 – Intermediate

Chocolates! One of the most famous desserts and confectionery known to man. So just how famous is chocolate in Belgium? Read on and be ready to talk about some of your cocoa favourites.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/europe/brussels-chocolate-capital-of-the-world.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like chocolates? What are some of your favourites?
  2. Traditionally, how do people in your country take chocolate?
  3. Aside from chocolates, what other types of sweets do you enjoy?
  4. What are some of the products that your country famously export?