Tag: Reading

The Dangers of a Nice Company Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People seek genuine pleasant workplaces, not superficial ones. Seize the opportunity to reflect and assess whether your organization genuinely nurtures a culture of kindness or simply puts up a front.

This enlightening article delves into the hazards of a “nice” company culture.

https://www.applauz.me/resources/the-dangers-of-a-nice-culture

Vocabulary Questions:

Give the meaning of the highlighted words in the following sentences. Provide sample sentences.

  1. In short, is it possible to set the bar too low?
  2. Mistakes and toxic actions being swept under the rug.
  3. Nice cultures are guilty of the opposite — dancing around hard truths.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the article define “nice company culture” and why is it hazardous?
  2. Why do leaders pursue a nice culture in organizations?
  3. What are the downsides of a nice culture in an organization?
  4. How does open and honest communication help combat the hazards of a nice company culture?
  5. Have you faced challenges expressing dissenting views or giving candid feedback? How were they received, and what were the outcomes?

Life Purpose

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At what moments in our lives do we start thinking about the meaning of life? Our life purpose can be described in many ways and some people of different ages ponder over this personal enigma.

Read the article and try to unlock the mystery of life by discussing common views on life’s meaning. 

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-life-purpose

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “fluctuation” mean here, “What’s more, your purpose can actually shift and change throughout life in response to the evolving priorities and fluctuations of your own experiences.”? Give a synonym and use ‘fluctuation’ in this context in a sentence.
  2. What does “shipwreck” mean in this context, “Questions about life purpose may arise at any time in life, but you may notice that they are especially prevalent during times of transition or crisis—for example, a career or educational change, personal loss, or long-distance move. Sharon Daloz Parks calls these events “life’s shipwrecks.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “reframe” mean? “This is the secret to a fully alive life: to reframe our life questions over and over.“ Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, what is the secret to a fully-alive life?
  2. Share your thoughts on the equation for purpose that is G + P + V = P (gifts + passions + values = purpose).
  3. Would you say that you have fulfilled some of your dreams? What have you accomplished?
  4. What do you think is your life purpose?
  5. Is life a predetermined path? Explain your views on this.

Silence Your Inner Critic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are times when we end up being our own biggest critic. We tend to be harsher on ourselves when we mess something up. Rather than being our biggest enemy, we must try to be kinder to ourselves and free ourselves from our inner critics.

Read this article to learn the easiest way to silence your inner critic.

https://lifehacker.com/the-easiest-way-to-silence-your-inner-critic-1850497775

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “stem from something” mean? “He used to have a severe case of toxic self-talk that stemmed from an addiction to perfectionism, as it related to performance.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to be stuck in a loop” mean? “In fact, many of us are stuck in a toxic feedback loop with ourselves that is more damaging than we might think.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “the bulk of the work” mean? “Regardless, the bulk of the work is done when you stop talking to yourself negatively and redirect that negative self-talk into a kinder monologue.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you find yourself being your own biggest critic? How so, and in which situations?
  2. According to the article, negative self-talk can have a significant impact on our self-esteem and well-being. Can you think of a time when your inner critic affected your confidence or mood?
  3. What other steps can you take to have more self-compassion and avoid all the negative self-talk?
  4. Do you believe that silencing your inner critic can have a positive impact on your personal and professional growth? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think having an inner critic is ever necessary? Why or why not?

Manuka Honey Trademark Battle

B1 – Intermediate

Manuka honey is premium quality honey made from bees that only pollinate manuka or tea trees which are native in Australia and New Zealand. 

For years, the two countries have had some disputes on who owns the right to manuka honey’s trademark.

Read this lesson about the manuka honey trademark battle between Australia and New Zealand.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2305/230525-manuka-honey-trademark-2.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the definition of the word “trademark”. “The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand decided that no one could trademark the word “manuka”.”. Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “treasured” mean here, “They said manuka was a “treasured” NZ species.”? Give 1-2 synonym/s of ‘treasured’ and use the word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “long history” mean, “Our product has a long history of being recognized as manuka honey.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand’s decision to not let anyone trademark the word “manuka”?
  2. Are there any products from your country that became controversial due to its trademark? Talk about them.
  3. What are some products that your country is well-known for? Why are they world-famous?

India’s Unwanted Girls

B1 – Intermediate

One of the driving factors to the growing population in India is the family’s preference to have at least one son. Families keep on having children until the mother finally gives birth to a male baby. Although the country has shown improvement in several measures concerning women’s empowerment, the preference for a son has not completely disappeared in their culture.

Let’s read the article and know more about the Indian parents’ undying desire to have a son.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/asia/indias-unwanted-girls.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “go missing” mean? “About 2 Indian females go missing across all age groups because of abortions, diseases and malnutrition.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the phrase “would rather“. “Many families would rather have a son than a daughter.” Give two synonyms and use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrasal verb “take over” mean? “In upper-class families, sons carry on the family tradition or take over the family business.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do parents in India desire to have sons instead of daughters?
  2. What is the dowry system? What is your opinion on it?
  3. What could be the long term effects of son preference in India?
  4. Do you have a child? If yes, did you have a gender preference? Why or why not?
  5. In some societies, they prefer a boy for a child. What do you think about this?

People Switch Careers to Teaching

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The role of an educator is instrumental in sculpting the minds of the youth, fueling the ambitions of future leaders, and leaving an enduring imprint on the very essence of society.

Many individuals, driven by a genuine passion for a subject and a desire to work with children, choose to switch careers to become teachers. 

Unlock the insights behind this career transition and discover the remarkable impact it can have on both teachers and their students by clicking on the link.

https://theconversation.com/working-with-kids-being-passionate-about-a-subject-making-a-difference-what-makes-people-switch-careers-to-teaching-205999

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “mid-career” mean, “A 2022 survey by the federal government’s Behavioural Economics Team found one in three mid-career individuals was open to the idea of teaching.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “make the switch” mean in the sentence, “Many had thought about becoming a teacher for a long time, calling it a longstanding interest or “someday” career. This desire often predated their first career choice, but life circumstances played a big role in choosing when to make the switch.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “longstanding interest” mean in the sentence, “Many had thought about becoming a teacher for a long time, calling it a longstanding interest or “someday” career. This desire often predated their first career choice, but life circumstances played a big role in choosing when to make the switch.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In what ways can teaching provide an avenue for individuals to make a difference in the lives of children and society as a whole?
  2. Do you hold the belief that teaching is an esteemed and honorable occupation?
  3. Is teaching considered a popular and commonly chosen profession in your country? Why or why not?
  4. Share any personal stories or examples of individuals who switched careers to teaching and successfully made a difference in the lives of their students.
  5. Talk about your ideal vocation that you dream of attaining.
  6. What field or area of study has held your fascination over an extended period of time? Please share.

The Daily Habit that Is Making You Tired

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fatigue and exhaustion are all too typical in today’s hectic society. Regardless of getting an apparent sufficient amount of sleep, many people wake up tired and drained. While many factors play a role to this tendency, doctors are highlighting a daily habit that often goes unnoticed, but can have an immense effect on our energy levels.

The link provided will offer an in-depth understanding of the habit doctors assert is secretively responsible for causing fatigue and explore the potential consequences it entails.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/daily-habit-making-you-tired_l_6442e319e4b039ec4e7ead02

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sap” mean in the sentence, “Here are the biggest ways you might be sapping your energy — and what to do instead.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “nix” mean, “Experts agree there’s a seemingly harmless behavior you should nix.”? Give 2 synonyms for this word and use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “mess with” mean in the sentence, “Big, late-night meals mess with our body’s natural circadian rhythm. That makes it harder to get quality rest.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some common habits that doctors believe are draining our energy levels?
  2. Does this article change your mind about your meal habits? Why/why not? Explain.
  3. What are your thoughts on this statement, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and supper like a pauper.”?
  4. Are there specific dietary habits that can contribute to low energy levels? Tell me more.
  5. What are some alternatives or healthier habits that can boost energy levels?
  6. Can adopting these energy-boosting habits have long-term benefits for overall health and well-being? In what ways?

Rekindle Lost Passion

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Knowing what your passion is a great thing. Most people go on about their lives trying to find it.

However, finding out what it is and keeping the fire burning for it is not the be-all and end-all. Losing your interest in what you are passionate about and trying to rekindle that lost fervor is another thing.

Read the article to learn the five ways that can help reignite your fire.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230113-the-mindset-to-re-kindle-lost-passion

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “fan the flames” mean, “What strategies do they use to fan the flames of their zeal for work?“? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “in a rut” mean, “If you still feel like you are in a rut, you might simply be asking too much from your career.“? Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. Define “self-consequating“. “Two of the most useful techniques are “proximal goal setting” and “self-consequating”.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the techniques mentioned in the article?
  2. What are some common reasons why people lose their passion for their work or hobbies?
  3. Have you ever experienced a loss of passion or enthusiasm in your life? If so, how did it manifest and how did you handle it?
  4. How important is it to have a supportive network or community when trying to rekindle lost passion?
  5. Are there any specific strategies or techniques mentioned in the article that resonate with you and that you would consider implementing to reignite your passion?

Restrict Kids’ Youtube Settings

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Imagine that your child has started spending less time with you. He doesn’t share what’s going on in his life, where he’s been, or who his friends are.

This scenario has become all too familiar to some parents. Sadly, they’ve lost their kids to gadgets or technology.

Read the article to know how you can block inappropriate contents and not let social media interfere with your relationship with your loved ones.

https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/parental-control-guide-restrict-kids-youtube-settings/story?id=52135658

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “safeguard‘ mean? “An outline for parents to set up controls to add safeguards for kids.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “to spark outrage” mean? “Paul, a 22-year-old comedic actor with 15 million subscribers on YouTube, sparked outrage after posting a video which appeared to show the lifeless body of a person who committed suicide.” Use phrase word in a sentence.
  3. What does “to slip through the cracks” mean? “It can difficult for YouTube’s filter or algorithm to stop videos like Paul’s from slipping through the cracks due to the sheer volume of content that gets uploaded to YouTube daily.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Imagine an app you would like to use to keep track of some activity. What kind of app would it be exactly? Do you think such an app may already exist?
  2. Share your personal stand on allowing children to use the Internet without controlling them.
  3. What are some others way to ensure children’s safety when they go online?
  4. Do you know any family that control their kids too much? What do they do?
  5. How do you feel when if you can’t reach your loved ones by phone? Share your experience when you can’t contact a friend or family.

Surviving Family Holidays

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Family holidays — a period of sweet relaxation, mouthwatering meals and lovely family evenings or perhaps, enjoyable “me time” full of memorable moments. Do family holidays remind you of a comedy film or a drama?

Read the article to know about why family holidays can sometimes be even a horror film for the whole family and how to survive them. 

10 Tips for Surviving Family Holidays
https://www.thehealthjournals.com/10-tips-surviving-family-holidays/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “alleviate” mean? “Creating a plan alleviates stress if your family is indecisive or time is limited” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “err on the side of” mean? “Err on the side of sharing pertinent information, even if it feels like over-communicating. ” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “cognizant” mean? ” Be cognizant of differing bedtimes. Leave a thank you note or flowers.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you do if your relatives become too annoying?
  2. Why do you think it’s difficult for some people to survive family gatherings?
  3. Have you ever faced difficult situations during family gatherings? Share your experience.
  4. Do you ever try to avoid some topics when you talk to people you don’t know well? If so, what are they?
  5. What habits of others can drive you crazy?
  6. Why would someone feel guilty during a family celebration?