Tag: Reading

Is Your Voice Holding You Back?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We’re guilty of judging people based on how they sound. We’ve also made fun of some along the way. Let’s find out how people perceive voice in general and how we can make some improvements.

Click the link below to read the article. Watch the video as well to get extra information on how your voice can hold you back.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20150302-when-your-voice-is-a-turnoff

 Discussion Questions:

1. Why do some people want to change their voice?
2. What is vocal fry and what do you think about it?
3. Have you ever been annoyed by anyone because of the sound of their voice?

Cities with the Worst Traffic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Traffic by definition is the movement of vehicles, ships, aircraft, or persons in an area or over a route. Do you know some terminologies involved when talking about traffic? This article will provide some terms as you also learn the current top 10 cities in the world with the worst traffic.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/top-ten-cities-for-worst-traffic-jakarta-istabul-gridlock-stress-public-transportation/2665040.html

 Discussion Questions:

  1. How bad is the traffic condition in your city?
  2. What can you say about rush hour traffic in your city?
  3. How do you commute to work?

Kinds of People You Don’t Want in a Meeting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As professionals we’ve had our share of endless meetings. Some were productive but some were pointless. The agenda is important but so are the people attending the meeting. It turns out that meeting participants can affect the mood or environment in a meeting.

Here is an article to help you identify what kind of meeting  attendee you should and shouldn’t be.

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2015/02/25/13-types-of-meeting-attendees-you-dont-want-to-be

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you recognized any of the types among your colleagues?
2. Are you any of these types?
3. What do you think is the worst kind of attendee?
4. Can you think of other type/s that you can add to the list?

Three-Person Babies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Britain is the first country to have a type of procedure called ” mitochondrial replacement therapy.” It is to avoid women from passing diseases or disorders to their children.

However, there are different public reactions to this procedure that really frightens and offends others.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/three-person-babies-debate-science-religion/2663320.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your stand on this treatment?
2. Would you dare try MRT even if it may threaten your and your child’s health?
3. What is your opinion on gene mutation?
4. Has science gone beyond it distinctive procedures?

Qualities Shared by Superstar Employees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Are you a superstar employee?  Is your boss happy about your performance?

Let’s check some valuable characteristics an indispensable worker must possess.

Read the article below to know the traits you can embody to become a superstar employee. Be sure to also watch the video.

http://www.inc.com/kevin-daum/11-traits-of-extremely-valuable-employees.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about the qualities mentioned?
2. Do you have some, if not all, of these characteristics?
3. Which one do you think is the easiest to do? Which one do you think is the hardest?
4. How can you become indispensable in your company?

Eating Habits for Better Thinking

snacks-nuts-teacup-2

C1 – Advanced

Have you fed your brain yet? There are some eating habits that can help you boost your brainpower.  Optimize your thinking ability by making a slight diet or lifestyle change.

Click the title below to know more about the four kinds of food that are good for the brain.

4 eating habits that could boost your critical thinking

Discuss:

1. Do you agree with what the article is saying?
2. Aside from those mentioned, do you know of other brain food that we can eat for better critical thinking?
3. How do you stay focused at work?

How to Live a Positive Life

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C1 – Advanced

In our modern world, it can sometimes be impossible to stay positive. There are a lot of things that can cause us stress, either personally or professionally.

Read the article below and know more about steps we can take to help us look at the bright side.

10 Rules to Live By for Those Who Want to Live a Positive Life

Discuss:

1. How important is it to be positive?
2. Do you agree with the steps mentioned in the article? Would you add more to it?
3. What are some of the activities you do or habits you have to keep yourself from being pessimistic?

Offices with Cats Help Employees

office-cats

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cat cafes are on the rise but so are offices where pets are allowed. It has been discovered that pets help in de-stressing people, especially after a long day at work.

Read the article below to find out about a Japanese company that helped their employees be more productive in a “furry” way.

https://www.odditycentral.com/animals/japanese-company-fills-offices-with-cats-to-help-employees-unwind-and-improve-productivity.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did a Japanese company come up with this idea?
  2. Do you think having cats in the office can lower stress levels? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think this idea will really increase productivity?
  4. What things help you unwind from work?
  5. What helps you be more productive at work?

Unhealthy Vices

B2 – Upper Intermediate

All of us have habits, be it good or bad. We do these habits as some sort of coping mechanism when we’re stressed. Sometimes it’s done to get pleasure or even to avoid pain.

This article from 2012 proves that you can kick that bad habit any time or any year.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2013/01/15/8-unhealthy-vices-to-extinguish-now

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have any vices or bad habits you’d like to overcome? What are they and how do you plan to extinguish them?
  2. What do you think are the negative effects of vices?
  3. Cite other unhealthy habits that were not mentioned in the article.

20 English Words to Not Say When Travelling

Obama

C1 – Advanced

If you are a frequent traveler or you are involved in the e-commerce industry and have an international clientele, better know these English words to avoid unintended double entendre.

Avoid These 20 English Words When in Other Countries

Discuss:

1. Aside from the ones mentioned in the article, do you know of other English terms that should be avoided when travelling?
2. When you travel to a foreign country do you use English or do you use the language of the country?
3. Are there some Spanish words that foreign people often misuse?