Tag: Reading

Pope Francis on Opting for Pets over Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Pope Francis has made comments that couples who opt for animals instead of children are selfish. According to him, there are a lot of people nowadays who prefers to have one child or none at all but has cats or dogs that take the place of children. He also said that this denial of fatherhood or motherhood takes away our humanity. He encourages people to adopt children or make children naturally.

Learn more by reading the article on the website below.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/05/europe/pope-dogs-cats-kids-intl/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with Pope Francis? Why or why not?
  2. Would you prefer having pets, children, both, or none?
  3. What are the pros and cons of having pets?
  4. What are the pros and cons of having children?
  5. What can happen in the future if more people choose to have pets instead of children?

China’s Artificial Sun

B1 – Intermediate

Nowadays, scientists want to develop sources of clean energy. China has a project that aims to do this through nuclear fusion. They tested it recently and set a new record. With this success, advances in this technology could help our planet be cleaner and greener.

Read this article to learn about China’s hottest scientific development.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2201/220106-artificial-sun-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What could be the uses of this artificial sun?
2. Who do you think would benefit from using this kind of energy?
3. Do you think this source of energy is safe? Explain.
4. Do you know of other countries that are developing nuclear fusion? Do you think all countries should aim to develop this kind of energy? Why?
5. What are some good sources of clean energy?
6. When would be the right time to shift from fossil fuels to other sources of energy?

Macron Vows to ‘Piss Off’ Unvaccinated

B2 – Upper Intermediate

President Emmanuel Macron promised to make the lives of the unvaccinated population in France difficult and inconvenient. He did so using what some people say, unfit language. This did not sit well with everyone in the country.

Read about the reactions to Macron’s statements about his strategy with the unvaxxed citizens of France.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59873833

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Macron’s statements on making unvaccinated people’s lives “in the shit”?
  2. Some people think that what he did and the things he said were divisive. Do you agree or disagree?
  3. What is it like being unvaxxed in your country?
  4. What do you think of unvaccinated people?
  5. What might be reasons people refuse to get vaxxed?

Treating Covid Like an Endemic Illness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

After having lived for so many years of the pandemic life, I think it’s safe to say that most of us have had enough. As a result, more and more countries are calling for Covid to be treated like the flu which is an endemic illness.

Spain is one of the first countries to suggest that we all should just start living with it.

Read the article below and watch the video be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/18/spain-to-move-from-treating-covid-19-as-a-pandemic-to-an-endemic

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this? Is it really time for us to start treating Covid much like the flu?
  2. What would be advantages and disadvantages of doing this now?
  3. How has your life changed because of the pandemic?
  4. What is the first thing you’d do once the world ‘goes back to normal’ again?

The Forgotten Art of Hitchhiking

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hitchhiking is a form of transportation that is done by asking people, mostly strangers, for a ride in their car for free. This way of travelling is very appealing, especially to those who are travelling on a budget.

Read this article about the forgotten art of hitchhiking — and why it disappeared

https://www.vox.com/2015/6/8/8737623/hitchhiking

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘hitchhike’?
  2. Is hitchhiking common in your country? Why/why not?
  3. Have you ever hitched a ride?
  4. Why do you think some states in the US banned this form of transportation?
  5. If you were the driver, would you be kind enough to pick up a total stranger off the side of the road? Why/why not?

World Health Organization Introduces Gaming Disorder

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Video games have been very popular since they were introduced. Kids and adults alike love playing video games. It is a way to relax and enjoy the time and even bond with family and friends. Video games have even been helpful in some situations and in managing some medical conditions.

With video games getting more and more accessible, more people get access and play more, which can sometimes be too much, leading to a disorder. Because of this, the World Health Organization has added this to their list of diseases, calling it gaming disorder.

Read the article below on what gaming disorder is according to the WHO.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/world-health-organisation-introduces-gaming-disorder.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think it is just right for the WHO to include this disorder? Why or why not?
  2. Who do you think are those most likely to have this disorder?
  3. What could be the possible causes of these disorders? What would be the best way to manage this disorder?  
  4. What were some games that you liked playing as a child? How about as a grown-up?
  5. Do you prefer video games or other game types? Why?

Home Office Injuries Are Workplace Accidents

B1 – Intermediate

Injury sustained within the office premises is considered a workplace accident and it is your employer who is responsible for your medical needs. Most people are working from home these days because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, your home office is your workplace. What happens when you have these accidents while working from home?

Let’s read the German court ruling of this case.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2112/211213-workplace-accidents-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think employers are liable for employees’ work from home accidents?
  2. Do you have a workplace accident insurance? If yes, what is your insurance coverage?
  3. What are the common workplace accidents in your line of work?
  4. Are you working from home? Do you have a designated home office?

Teaching Children the Real Value of Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being young does not mean that children cannot grasp deep and difficult topics like the value of money and how to be financially responsible. By starting early and giving them interesting and relatable concepts, they learn essential lessons and attitudes that they need to possess once they’re earning and have their own money to manage. When they know how to make good financial decisions as they grow up, they avoid financial problems in the future.

Read this article to find out how to teach children the real value of money.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/dec/13/how-to-teach-children-the-real-value-of-money

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think teaching children this is important?
  2. What are some tips that you can add to the list?
  3. Do you think schools should include finance classes starting on 1st grade? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about your experience of financial awareness growing up and as you started working. Was it a difficult journey or not?
  5. How different is it at this current age to openly discuss and get children involved with finances as compared to 10 or 20 years ago?
  6. Does regional culture play a role in how financial topics are discussed within the family? Explain your answer.

Open Borders for Afghan Refugees

B1 – Intermediate

Afghanistan has encountered a huge crisis in their country. Afghans have enjoyed their freedom for the past two decades but this has suddenly changed. Due to the Taliban takeover last August, young human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, urged countries to accept and protect Afghan refugees.

Read the article below to find out more about her plead from this lesson.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210820-afghan-refugees-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does your country accept refugees from other countries? What help does your government offer them?
  2. What would be effective programs to help refugees seeking help in your country?
  3. How effective is it being an activist?
  4. Are there famous activists in your country? What do they advocate for?
  5. What are some causes or movements that you advocate for?

Bezos Promises to Help Nature

B1 – Intermediate

During a trip in space, Jeff Bezos was able to see our planet and he saw how delicate it is and he felt the need to protect it. So he has decided to give $2 billion dollars to help earth.

Read the lesson on Jeff Bezos giving $2 billion to help protect our planet.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2111/211104-helping-nature-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Jeff Bezos’ act of giving a huge amount of money to help earth?
  2. If you were very rich, would you do the same? Explain.
  3. Do you think going into space would change you? Why or why not?
  4. What can you promise to help protect our planet?
  5. What are the biggest environmental issues you have in your country?