Tag: Reading

The Sky-High Cost of Returning to the Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The pandemic enforced the idea of working from home for a huge number of companies. Many have realized that this setup is possible for their roles and have gotten used to it. However, with eased restrictions, companies are now requiring most of their employees to return to the office.

The transition back to the old ways has not been so easy. The increasing prices of fares, petrol, food, and clothing, which are related to an employee’s daily work-related activities, have placed a burden on their finances. Even with salary increases, these were still inadequate to meet their spending demands.

Read this article below to learn more about the impact of transitioning back to the office.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220420-the-sky-high-cost-of-returning-to-the-office

Discussion Questions:

1. What was your work setup before and during the pandemic?
2. What is your current work setup?
3. What would be a preferable alternative work setup for your current role?
4. What are the pros and cons of working from home?
5. What are the pros and cons of working in the office?
6. Has your company introduced a hybrid work setup? What would that be like?
7. What are some work-related costs you shell out daily and monthly?
8. How else can companies help employees with the transition and these increasing work-related costs?

Minister of Loneliness

B1 – Intermediate

The Japanese government appointed Tetsushi Sakamoto to be the “minister of loneliness”. Since Japan has been having problems with the high number of suicide in their country, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga created this role to help those people who are feeling lonely and isolated due to the coronavirus pandemic. They hope people could do activities that would improve interactions among themselves.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the minister of loneliness.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210225-minister-of-loneliness-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did the Japanese government appoint a minister of loneliness?
  2. What is your opinion about a ministry of loneliness?
  3. What organizations were formed in your country during the pandemic?
  4. Do you think loneliness and isolation were a problem for many people in your country especially because of the pandemic? Why do you think this is?
  5. How can we know if someone is experiencing anxiety or depression?
  6. How can we help people who are dealing with negative thoughts?

Identical Twins Are Not So Identical

B1 – Intermediate

Most people would be in awe with the sight of identical twins since it is pretty rare to see individuals who looks perfectly alike. Some would say that they are carbon-copy physically and even mentally but according a study, they are not perfectly similar since identical twins do not share totally identical DNA. This research shows that this tiny difference could impact the twins’ characteristics.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about identical twins.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210110-identical-twins-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it common in your country to have twins? Why do you think that is?
  2. How can identical twins be similar and different?
  3. How does nature versus nurture affect child development?
  4. What do you think are the good and bad things about having twins?
  5. What do you think are the hardships that twins could experience?

Online Romance Fraud

B1 – Intermediate

Online romance has increased a lot in the information age; even more during the coronavirus pandemic since most people have been isolated in their own homes. People try to find their romantic partner using different platforms.

Unfortunately, not everyone on these platforms wants romance. Some are just there with fake online identities. They gain their victim’s affection and trust and then try to take their money. These fraudsters deceive people into believing they are in a platonic or romantic relationship when all they want is money.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the increase in online romance fraud.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2103/210319-romance-fraud-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is online romance fraud popular in your country? Why or why not?
  2. Why has online romance fraud increased nowadays?
  3. How can we know if someone is a scammer on these dating apps?
  4. How can we prevent being scammed online?
  5. Have you experienced any form of online fraud?
  6. How is online dating different from dating in-person?

Myths about Food Bloggers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A food blogger has already become a popular job nowadays, but some people still don’t understand how to earn money by just posting food photos, recipes, or pretty much anything that’s food-related. That’s why there are a lot of myths about this job.

Read the article to check if your vision of food blogging was correct.

What do Bloggers Really Do?: 7 Myths About Food Bloggers

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is there any information that surprised you about food blogging?  What was it?
  2. If you decided to become a food blogger, what direction would you choose? Why?
  3. What ideas for food blogs can you think of?
  4. What food blogs, if any, do you follow? What attracts you about these blogs?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement: “Food Bloggers can’t be trusted because their food is free.”

Unusual Things That Are Common in Other Countries

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the characteristics that distinguish humans from other members of the animal world is our tendency to develop conventions. Thousands of diverse cultures have sprung up around the world since the beginning of civilization.

Sometimes, there normal things that are customary in other countries but are very different from what we are used to.

Here are 10 incredible customs from all over the world.

https://brightside.me/wonder-places/10-unusual-things-that-are-common-in-other-countries-796969/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Name some points from the article that you found really unusual and explain why you think they are rather bizarre.
  2. Have you ever experienced culture shock? Share your experience and how you dealt with it.
  3. Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture? What was that practice and how did you and that person bridge the gap between your customs?
  4. Do you think “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” is always good advice? Why or why not?
  5. If foreigners visit your country, what are things that might surprise them?

Ways to Fight Mental Health Stigma

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Generally speaking, our culture isn’t very acceptant of people with mental disabilities. So, if someone ends up being diagnosed with a mental health disorder like depression, a majority of them will clam up in a social situation. It’s because of the social stigma that they’re afraid to open up to people, fearful that they’re just going to be told to be happy, smile, get over it and move on — a gross oversimplification of a very real mental disability.

Read the article to know why it is crucial to care for mental health and how to help others manage their feelings and emotions to get back on track.

https://www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/october-2017/9-ways-to-fight-mental-health-stigma

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do all people value the body the same as the mind? Explain.
  2. What prevents people from opening up to others and learning how to overcome problems?
  3. What are the ways to get over a mental health problem?

Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock after the Oscars Slap

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone in the entertainment industry anticipates the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, whereby artist are given with international recognition, prestige, and awards. The 94th Academy Awards for the year 2022 could be one of the most controversial events when actor Will Smith slapped host Chris Rock on the stage for joking about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her shaved head. Afterwards, Will Smith apologized to everyone except to Chris Rock but eventually made a public apology to him a day later.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about Will Smith’s apology.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220331-will-smith-apology-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about Will Smith’s actions during the Oscars?
  2. What would you do if your were in Will Smith’s situation at that time?
  3. How do you usually react to an insensitive joke about you or your love ones?
  4. Is it better to defend yourself through words or actions when offended? Explain your point.
  5. How do you apologize when you intentionally or unintentionally hurt someone?

Society and Life in the 1960s

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The sixties was a revolutionary time. It was a memorable point in history, filled with celebrations and controversies. This was not only evident in one country, but all across the globe.

Activism, inventions, conflict, and music painted a rich picture of this decade. These marked as a springboard for other developments and changes that came in the decades that followed.

Read the article below on what life was like in the 60s.

https://www.english-online.at/history/1960s/society-and-change-in-the-sixties.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What were some historical events in the 60s that you know about?
2. Who among these historical figures are you familiar with?
3. What would be some interesting things that you would want to try in this decade?
4. How was your country during this time?
5. What were some good and bad things that came out of the 60s?
6. What are some other memorable decades?
7. If you could travel in time, what decade would you go to and why?

Kids Getting Older Younger

B2 – Upper Intermediate

New technology may be exposing children to more data, attempting to make them more cognitively sophisticated. Is it causing them to mature more quickly or more slowly than generations past? To see if they are undoubtedly growing up much quicker is a matter of interpretation. It may also be necessary to refresh what we consider are the accomplishments of transformation and what it tends to mean to leave the nest.

Let us read the full text to find out if children nowadays grow up quite quickly.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220324-kgoy-kids-getting-older-younger

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is unlimited access to news, social media, and other privileges forcing the present generation into emotional maturity before they reach adulthood? Share your two cents on this.
  2. Do you agree or disagree that children now are more savvy than previous generations? Explain your stand.
  3. Do you think we’ve become obsessed with technology? Why or why not?
  4. How does technology affect children’s learning and development?
  5. What are the benefits and drawbacks of technology in education and to the new generation?
  6. Should we blame technology or failed parenting for KGOY?