Tag: Reading

Spanish Spending Habits

B2 – Upper intermediate

According to a global study carried out by consultancy firm, Nielsen, 86% of the Spanish claim to have changed their buying habits over the last year in order to save on household expenses.

This percentage is “well above the European average,” which is currently at 65%. The study noted that 18% of the Spanish have no money left at the end of the month after covering their basic needs. Among those who have some money left, 41% is spent on leisure activities/entertainment outside of the home, 37% on savings, 29% on clothes, 25% on holidays, 24% on paying off debts or loans and only 6% is dedicated to pension plans or investments.

The report highlighted that 85% of those questioned believe that now is not a “good time” to buy things they do not want or need. Nielsen pointed out that this “negative” view over buying, is the view held by the majority throughout Europe.

The actions the Spanish are taking in order to save are to spend less on entertainment outside the home (69%); spend less on gas or electricity bills (65%); reduce spending on telephones/communications (58%), buy fewer clothes (56%) and take less holidays (51%).
The consultant noted that a “large part” of those interviewed said that they will maintain these cost-cutting measures even when the economic situation improves, “especially when it comes to reducing their spending on bills.”

Spanish among the most pessimistic
The consumer confidence index in Spain fell four points during the third quarter, reaching 48, “which puts it at the bottom of all the countries of the world.” The European average is currently 74 points, whereas the world average is 92.

El Economista reported that 96% of Spanish consumers believe the country is in recession, and 82% do not foresee an improvement in the next twelve months.

Discussion Questions:

1. What brought about the changes in the Spanish’s spending habit?
2. What do you think about the Spanish spending habit?

3. What is your spending habit like?
4. What changes have you done in your spending habits over the years?

 

Time Management to Improve Health and Productivity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Keeping up in today’s fast-paced world can be a daunting task to many. Take control of your life by enhancing your time management skills. Learn valuable tips from an expert through this article.

http://jamesclear.com/time-management-tips

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe your time management skills at work and at home.
2. How do you deal with distractions?
3. Share your own approach in getting things done.

Dropping Birthrates in South Korea

B1 – Intermediate

South Korea is now facing problems related to low birthrate.

Find out the reasons and consequences for their dropping birthrates.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-end-of-south-korea/2436486.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the problem in South Korea according to the audio? Is this also a problem in Spain?
  2. What are the reasons for low birthrate in SK? What about in your country?
  3. What are the impacts of low birthrates on a country?
  4. What can the government do to solve or prevent this problem from happening?

Think Yourself Rich!

 C1 – Advanced

In 1937, the book “Think and Grow Rich” was a big hit. Everybody wanted to be rich and the book gave tips on how to be so. Could it still be practical today? Read the article and express your thoughts about it.

Be ready to explain the different idiomatic expressions used in the article. Feel free to listen to the audio clip as well.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/think-yourself-rich-or-try-saving/1906479.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the expression “Money is the root of all evil” mean?
2. How would you explain the phrase “Money makes the world go round”?
3. Do you consider yourself thrifty or a spendthrift?
4. What are the ways in which we can save money?

Stay Healthy by Eating Raw Chocolate

B1 – Intermediate

Health experts believe that sugar in chocolates is unhealthy. However, doctors say that there are also some benefits to eating chocolates.

This VOA news clip discusses the good effects of chocolates to your body.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/raw-chocolate-better-for-your-health/2423907.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad effects of eating chocolates?
  2. Do you think eating chocolate is good for your health?
  3. Do you enjoy eating chocolates? If yes, what kinds of chocolate do you prefer?

Gaming Technology in Surgical Training

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Following Facebook’s recent acquisition of Oculus VR – a next generation virtual reality technology – gaming enthusiasts are expressing hostility towards it. Discover how gaming technology could be used in surgical training and find out why the gaming industry is being antagonistic about it.

Feel free to watch the videos included in the article.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/281752.php#1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about this news?
  2. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using such technology?
  3. What other technologies has drastically helped the medical industry?

Shoppers in Venezuela to be Fingerprinted

B1 – Intermediate

Venezuelans are experiencing food shortages in their country. The government came up a with a solution and decided to have shoppers scan their fingerprints to monitor the groceries they purchase. Venezuelans think this is illegal and that it will take their privacy away from  them.

Read the article and express your thoughts about it.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1408/140825-food-shortages.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “panic buying” mean? “It’s a kind of panic buying. President Nicolas Maduro has started a new system to stop people buying too much.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What is a “smuggler“? “The government blames smugglers who buy cheap goods and take them to Colombia to resell them for up to four times their original price.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. Can you give 1 synonym of “shortage“? “There are many reasons for Venezuela’s food shortages.” Use “shortage” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that fingerprint scanning is the solution to the food shortage that they are experiencing? Explain.
  2. In your opinion, what is the best solution to this problem?
  3. Have you experienced food shortage in your country? Talk about it in detail.

Older People Are Better Off than the Young

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We normally see older people better off than the young ones. That might be acceptable given that they have spent decades working their tails off. However, some believe this is not fair. That

Read the article to learn why, in the present time, it seems that the older generation is richer than the younger ones.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jun/26/fair-older-people-better-off-young

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it only fair that older people have more money than young ones? Explain your stand.
  2. What are the possible implications of elderly people having better lives through their retirement years?
  3. Have you thought of retirement? How do you imagine your later-years would be like?
  4. What preparations are you doing for your twilight years?
  5. How secure is the older generation in your country when it comes to pension and state benefits?
  6. What are your thoughts on saving for the future?

From Couch Potato To Cabin Fever

B1 – Intermediate

We all have different ways we like spending our downtimes. Some people would rather enjoy much of their free time hanging out at home.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about different expressions related to house/home.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/words-and-their-stories-from-couch-potato-to-cabin-fever-132322483/118835.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about being a couch potato?
  2. What are other alternatives to being a couch potato?
  3. How do you cope with cabin fever especially in winter?
  4. How might becoming an empty nester feel like for parents?
  5. How can older parents deal when their kids leave the nest?