Tag: Reading

Malala Yousafzai Wins Nobel Peace Prize

C1 – Advanced
The girls’ rights activist Malala Yousafzai has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014. She is known mainly for human rights advocacy for education and for women in her native province and has made her countrymen very proud.

Malala Yousafzai wins Nobel Peace Prize

Discuss:

1. Share your ideas about gender equality. Do you think women in your country are being treated fairly?
2. What are the other social issues in your country that you think should be addressed?

*article was published in October 2014

Lego Ends Ties with Shell

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lego had a partnership with Shell and made toys that had Shell logo on them. There were over a million people who emailed Lego asking it to end its deal with Shell that brought pressure to finally end its contract with the oil company.

Read the article about Lego ending its tie-up with Shell.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141012-lego.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Give your opinion about Greenpeace’s move to pressure Lego from ending their contract with Shell.
  2. Do you think that parents have a responsibility of choosing the right toys to educate their children about preserving the environment?
  3. Are there specific projects to tackle environmental issues in your country? Talk about some that you know of.

India Removes 287 Laws

B2 – Upper Intermediate
 

The Indian government decides to dismiss laws that date back to the 19th century, when India was under British rule. The law minister is doing a clean up of India’s legal system and described some of the laws as bizarre and outdated.

 

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141010-laws.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Give your opinion about India’s move in removing obsolete laws.
2. Are there laws in your country that you think are laughable or you find useless?
3. What are some of the current laws you have regarding Internet use, domestic violence and other social concerns?

Norway’s 12-year-old Child Bride

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Thea, a young girl from Norway, started writing about details of her wedding preparations. One day, her mom told her that she has to get married to Geir, who is 37 years old.

The truth about Thea, Norway’s 12-year-old child bride 

Discuss:

1. What was your reaction while reading the article?
2. What is your opinion on the idea of child bride?
3. Why do you think other countries allow child brides?
3. What is your opinion on arranged marriages?
4. What do you think is the ideal age to get married?

Bridging the Technology Gap

B1 – Intermediate

We are in the high technology age. Technical devices get upgraded almost every time.

However, did we consider those people still living in the past? If they have the same knowledge of technology as the people of this generation?

This article contains a video and an audio clip. Feel free to to watch and listen.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/teen-senior-bridge-technology-gap/2451596.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this type of classes?
  2. Would you volunteer to be a tech teacher to an elderly person? Why or why not?
  3. What are some things that older people should learn about technology/internet etc. and why?
  4. What are other things old people should be taught about by younger people?
  5. Should this tech gap be considered a social issue? Explain.

Cash for Better Grades

B1 – Intermediate

A new report says ensuring children money to pass exams does not give them better grades. Parents might be wasting their money by using cash as an incentive.

Read the lesson below and be ready to discuss.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141008-exams.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think you can encourage a child to study harder?
2. How did your parents motivate you when you were studying?
3. What motivates you to work harder?
4. Would you like to go back to school or study a new course?
5. How would you define success?

Cartoon Gets Racism Warning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Amazon, has put a warning on some of the ‘Tom and Jerry’ cartoons.  They have said that that the scenes were wrong when the cartoons were made 70 years ago, and are still wrong today.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141004-tom-and-jerry.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you define the term “racism”?
  2. Do you think that racism can be seen in some cartoons? Give some examples.
  3. Do you witness racism in your workplace or in your community? How about in other TV shows?
  4. Why do you think racism is present in our society?

Where the Spanish Go for a Better Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Due to the economic crisis that the country has been experiencing, some Spanish have opted to find opportunities outside of their country.  Which countries do the Spanish usually go to find a better job?

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20141003-why-are-spaniards-fleeing-home

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you say that the situation is still the same now?
2. Have you ever considered immigrating?
3. If you would move to a different country for work, where would it be and why?
4. Do you have colleagues or friends from different parts of the world?

Grandma Fulfills Dream of Flying

B1 – Intermediate

Walt Disney once said, ” All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Mary Moe is a true testament to these words. At age 91, she fulfilled her dream of flying a plane. Truly, Moe and her story inspires people to dream, regardless of age.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/ninety-one-year-old-achieves-dream-learns-to-fly/2471697.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you perceive aging?
  2. What are some things you think you will be doing when you are old?
  3. What is your greatest dream? How were you able to reach it?
  4. If you haven’t fulfilled it, what are the challenges that you are facing that keep you from achieving this dream? How do you plan to fulfill it?
  5. Should people realize their dream as soon as they can or wait until the perfect moment to do it? Explain.

Global Yoga Day

B1 – Intermediate

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked world leaders to start a U.N. International Yoga Day. He spoke about the benefits of yoga, saying it was good for the mind and body, and could also help climate change.

*on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as International Yoga Day by resolution 69/131.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1409/140930-international-yoga-day.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you tried yoga before? What do you think about yoga?
  2. What are the benefits of doing yoga?
  3. Why is exercising and meditating important?
  4. What activities do you do to help improve your mood, mental, and physical health?
  5. What do you think of meditation?