Tag: Social Issues

Global Birth Rate Crisis

B1 – Intermediate 

The world is home to more than 8 billion people. In the past, the United Nations estimated that by the year 2100, the population is going to be 10.8 billion.

In contrary to that, a recent report released by the The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says the world has a problem because the birth rates are shrinking. The world’s population is falling due to different reasons.

Read the article about the UN’s report on the world’s birth rate crisis.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2506/250612-global-birth-rates-crisis.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “falling birth rate” mean? “Falling birth rates and increased longevity are creating many problems.” Use this expression in a sentence.  Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “to struggle with something” mean? “Many countries are [struggling] with ageing and shrinking populations, labour shortages, and rising healthcare and pension costs.” Use this phrase in a sentence. 
  3. What does “family-friendly policy” mean? “The UN said one solution to the crisis is to create “family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare and paid leave for all carers.” Use this phrase in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion on this news.
  2. What are the reasons for the falling birth rates across the world and what are its consequences?
  3. Do you have the same problem in your country? Do you have family-friendly policies? Talk about it.
  4. What is your opinion on giving all carers a pay?
  5. Many couples want children, but they cannot afford them. Share your insights on this.

Crack Down on Ghost Plates

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

In the UK, there is a strong demand for the ministers to launch a strict crack down on ghost plates. 

Some plates suppliers do not register with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and do not comply with the ministry’s requirements. 

This, in turn, has lead to a heightened problems with ghost plates and cloning.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the pressure on UK ministers to take urgent action to tighten the regulations on ghost number plates.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/ministers-crack-down-ghost-plates

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “fringe issue”? “She said, ‘Dodgy number plates are no longer a fringe issue. They’re everywhere and they’re undermining the rule of law on our roads.’ Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “unscrupulous” mean? “Far from being the tightly regulated industry it should be, number plates are increasingly being sold by unscrupulous below-the-radar suppliers using non-compliant, untraceable materials.“ Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “below-the-radar” mean? “Far from being the tightly regulated industry it should be, number plates are increasingly being sold by unscrupulous below-the-radar suppliers using non-compliant, untraceable materials.“ Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on the increasing dodgy number plates in the UK.
  2. What are the problems associated with these illegal plates?
  3. Is there a similar problem in your country? Talk about it. 
  4. What are the laws against ghost plates in your country?
  5. What is the importance of ensuring that all number plates are displayed correctly and legally on the roads?

The Profit in Nonprofits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nonprofit organizations help many people by offering food, education, and support. They are started by people in local communities to improve lives. Sometimes, nonprofits help when governments do not. They provide important services like food banks, free legal help, and care for children with special needs.

Watch the full video:

Vocabulary Discussions

  1. What does “to give back to” mean? “I was able to start a non-profit and give back to my community.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to stand up for” mean? “I get to stand up for issues and speak out on things that interest us the most.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to come together” mean? “People in your community that you don’t even know but who have come together in a non-profit to do good.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some ways nonprofits help people in local communities?

2. Why might nonprofits be needed when governments can’t help?

3. What feelings do you think the speaker had while waiting in line for free cheese?

4. How can helping others through nonprofits change the life of a community?

5. After reading this blog, why do you think the speaker says “there is profit in nonprofits”?

International Organizations: Governmental and NGOs

B2 – Upper Intermediate

International organizations help countries work together to solve global problems. Some are created by governments to promote peace, trade, or public health. Others are started by private citizens and focus on things like human rights or disaster relief. These groups play an important role in making the world more stable, fair, and safe.

To learn more about how these organizations work and the history behind the symbol of the Red Cross, watch the full video:

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “at the cost of someone/something” mean? “Their end goal is free trade between each and have received criticism for being single-minded and not worried about the environment at the cost of trade.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “veto power” mean? “These five countries have the veto power over the other ten members who change every two years.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to have someone’s voice heard” mean? “This does not mean you have to always agree with the decisions being made, but you do get to have your country’s voice heard.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are some jobs international organizations do?
  2. Why do you think countries create organizations together?
  3. Do you think it’s better for organizations to be run by governments or private citizens? Why?
  4. Have you heard of any international organizations before? What do they do?
  5. If you could join an international organization, which one would you choose and why?

Global Cooperation in a Changing World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The world is facing many big problems like wars, diseases, and climate change. In this video, Jose Manuel Barroso talks about why countries need to work together to solve these problems. He explains how cooperation between countries and organizations can save millions of lives, especially children, through vaccines and partnerships.

Watch the full video here:

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “geopolitical friction” mean in the sentence, “My prediction is that the geopolitical friction will increase not decrease.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “supra national cooperation” mean in the sentence, “Sometimes some forms of supra national cooperation like the European Union is the right way forward.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “private partnership” mean in the sentence, “It is a public private partnership with the governments of rich countries and developing countries”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think it is important for countries to cooperate on global problems?
  2. How can partnerships between governments and private companies help solve health problems?
  3. Have you ever worked with others to solve a big problem? What did you learn?
  4. What do you think are some challenges when countries try to work together?
  5. How can people like you help support global health and cooperation?

The EU Commission’s Survival Kits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The European Commission has introduced a “resilience kit” to help citizens prepare for emergencies such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or conflicts by being self-sufficient for 72 hours. The kit includes essentials like food, water, medicine, and important documents. While some see this as a sensible move toward preparedness, far-right critics have labeled it as fearmongering and “war hysteria.” However, many European countries—especially those near Russia—have already adopted similar initiatives, reflecting a growing emphasis on civil protection. Supporters argue that being prepared does not create panic but instead empowers people to respond confidently to crises.

Read the article to learn why the EU’s survival kits are stirring debate and be prepared to answer the questions below.

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/02/the-eu-commissions-survival-kits-fearmongering-or-necessary-preparedness

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “fear mongering” mean? “Are the EU Commission’s survival kits fearmongering or necessary preparedness?” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “to keep something at hand” mean? “The Minister of the Interior and the emergency services advised on how to prepare an emergency bag and keep it at hand.” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “worst-case scenario” mean? “In Spain, First Vice-President and Minister of Finance María Jesús Montero said that she works for peace while saying it is “logical” to prepare for the worst-case scenario.” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this emergency-preparedness kit?
  2. Have you ever experienced a situation where you wished you had been more prepared? Share this story.
  3. What would you include in your own resilience kit, and why?
  4. Does this news promote practical preparedness, or does it lean more toward fear mongering? Explain your answer.
  5. How did the recent power outage in Spain and Portugal highlight the need for better emergency preparedness among households?
  6. How can schools or local communities contribute to building a culture of preparedness without causing unnecessary alarm?

Bricklayer Shortage Worsens UK Housebuilding Crisis

B1- Intermediate 

The housing crisis in the UK is getting worse. One factor that is contributing to it is a shortage of bricklayers. 

Read this lesson about how the shortage of bricklayers is making the UK housing crisis even worse.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2503/250303-bricklayer-shortage-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the term “housing ladder”. “Britain needs more homes so young people can get on the housing ladder.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “rough sleeping” mean? “Rising rent and unaffordable housing have increased rough sleeping.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “to pull every lever” mean specifically in this context, “It said it was doing its best to build 300,000 new homes. It added: ‘We will pull every lever to deliver on our commitment.’?” Make a sentence using this idiom in the same context. Give another meaning of ‘pull a lever’.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the effects of the shortage of bricklayers in the UK?
  2. Is there a similar problem in your country with lack of construction workers? How is it affecting the housing industry of your country?
  3. What is your opinion on this, “The UK blamed the lack of workers on ‘years of underinvestment in skills’.”? Compare it with your country. Do you think the government invests enough in the citizens’ skills training?
  4. What kind of problems does the housing industry have in your country these days? Talk about some of them as detailed as you can.
  5. Is it also difficult for young people in your country to get on the housing ladder? Why is this?

The Hidden Cost of Korea’s Beauty Industry

B2 – Upper Intermediate

South Korea is regarded as the global center for cosmetics, providing the state-of-the-art procedures that have kept them at the forefront of the beauty industry. And they continue to prosper and expand over the years as they successfully promote their medical sector to foreigners who are prepared to pay for their promising services.

See the video below to learn more about the dark side of Korea’s beauty business success.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “biggest draw“. “The biggest draw was people were very satisfied with their results.”  Create a sentence using this term.
  2. What does “to put someone/something at the top of the game” mean? “These cutting-edge treatments are putting South Korea at the top of the beauty game.” Use this idiom to make your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “to turn back the clock“? “From non-invasive lifting ultrasound, to skin boosting injections using DNA from salmon, she’s hoping to turn back the clock on her appearance.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘turn back the clock’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects does medical tourism have on the nation’s healthcare system, as discussed in the video? And by being the cosmetic capital of the world, secure better healthcare?
  2. How did Korea manage to succeed in the beauty game?
  3. What are your thoughts on chasing beauty through state-of-the-art aesthetic procedures? Will you patronize it given the chance? Why or why not?
  4. Share your thoughts on how South Korean government promotes medical tourism? Does your government promote it to boost the economy? Why or why not?

Greenland’s Leader Ready to Talk to Trump

B2 – Upper Intermediate

US President Donald Trump recently proposed the idea that the U.S. should buy the Arctic island of Greenland due to its strategic importance to the U.S. and NATO. Greenland politicians however, did not like this proposal as the island has been part of Denmark for many centuries.

Let’s read the article and know more about the national security and territorial issue between Greenland and the USA.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyp4p1x10no

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “the master of one’s own house” mean? “Egede emphasized Greenland’s aspirations, saying: “We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the meaning of the phrase “to gain momentum“. “An independence movement has gained momentum in recent years, which Egede discussed in his new year speech.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the phrase “cut ties“? “Egede emphasized Greenland’s aspirations, saying: We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house … This is something everyone should respect. But that doesn’t mean we are cutting all ties, all cooperation and all relations with Denmark. Use it in in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this news?
  2. Should Europeans be alarmed by Trump’s comments regarding Greenland? Why or why not?
  3. What do you think are the chances of Greenland being completely independent from Denmark?
  4. Share your thoughts on the U.S. maintaining a military base in the northern part of the strategically important territory in Denmark.

Gen-Z Women’s Views on the Tradwife Phenomenon

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A “tradwife,” or traditional wife, embraces traditional gender roles, focusing on homemaking, child-rearing, and supporting a spouse. Rooted in mid-20th century ideals, this lifestyle sparks debate about gender equality and modern feminism. While critics see it as outdated, supporters view it as a personal choice reflecting traditional values. Interestingly, some Gen Z women are revisiting the tradwife concept, seeing it as a way to prioritize family and personal fulfillment over career ambitions, further fueling discussions on women’s evolving roles.

Read this article about the tradwife phenomenon.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/family-and-relationships/marriage/gen-z-women-are-sharing-their-views-on-the-viral-tradwife-phenomenon-and-it-s-so-so-fascinating/ar-BB1rnnQ0

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “wide-ranging” mean? “Their points of view on the “tradwife” phenomenon were wide-ranging”. Make your own sentence.
  2. What does “exaggerated” mean in this context, ”I believe that their way of life is greatly exaggerated when they put it on social media.”? Give at least 2 synonyms of this word and make a sentence for each.
  3. What does “disingenuous” mean? “Not only is it sending harmful and misogynistic messages about gender roles to young girls, but it’s disingenuous.” Give two (2) synonyms of this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the term “tradwife” mean to you, and how do you define it?
  2. Share your own opinion about the tradwife trend.
  3. Talk about some good and bad about being a tradwife.
  4. Why do you think some women choose the tradwife lifestyle today?
  5. How does the tradwife lifestyle differ from traditional gender roles in history?
  6. Do you think social media has influenced the resurgence of the tradwife concept? Elaborate on your opinion.