Tag: Social Issues

Strike in South Korea

B1 – Intermediate

The fight for better wages continues. In South Korea, workers are fighting for a wage system that pays based on performance and not on tenure.

Read the article then listen to the audio clip. Express your thoughts about the topic.

http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/strike-in-south-korea-level-3/

For additional information on this story, read also:

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180510000763

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “seniority” mean, “More than 40,000 South Korean workers in different industries went on strike as the government said that their pay should be based on their job performance rather than on their position or seniority.”? Use this word in your sentence.
  2. What does “demand” mean in this sentence, “The workers demand a stop to adopting the legal wage system based on performance which the government is pushing and they say will hurt the people.”? Use it in your sentence.
  3. What does “dispute” mean, “Workers hope that the protest will achieve their aim and allow the disputes to be resolved soon.” Use it in your sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘strike’?
  2. Do you think salaries should be based on performance or seniority? Support your answer.
  3. Are there a lot of strikes and labor unions your country? Why is this the case?
  4. What are the changes necessary in your current labor system/policies?
  5. In your country, is the minimum wage enough to live by? Explain.

Video About Domestic Violence

C1 – Advanced

This is  a 5-minute video about domestic violence.

Domestic violence isn’t just about physical abuse. It includes emotional abuse and it affects the whole family. One in three women are affected by domestic violence in Australia.

Watch the video below then share your thoughts.

Discuss:

1. How would you describe the husband during the first part of the video? How about the wife?
2. Is domestic violence a big problem in your country?
3. What are the necessary steps to solve domestic violence?
4. Are there organizations in your country helping domestic violence victims and survivors?

Insiders Blast Trump’s ‘Sexist’ Remarks

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C1 – Advanced

Donald Trump has been accused of sexism by ex-contestants and staff on his reality show The Apprentice. Over 20 people that were interviewed said his behavior toward women was inappropriate.

Read the article then express your thoughts about it.

Ex-Apprentice insiders blast Trump’s ‘sexist’ remarks

Discuss:

1. Do you think someone who insults women should have the privilege to lead them?
2. Donald Trump has avoided paying federal taxes. Do you think it’s fair that someone who makes millions every year pay less in taxes than someone who makes minimum wage?
3. Do you think these allegations are true?
4. What is the general consensus of Donald Trump in Spain?

Pitbull Ban Put on Hold

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C1 – Advanced

Last week the city of Montreal passed a bill banning the pitbull dog breed.  The law will prevent the sale of any pitbull and all current pitbulls will need to be sterilized, micro-chipped and vaccinated by 31 March 2017. They must also be kept on a short leash and muzzled in public. Pitbull owners must also undergo a criminal background check.

Montreal pitbull ban put on hold

Discuss:

1. Do you think a state has the right to ban an entire breed of dog?
2. Do you think it’s the owner or the breed of dog that can make a dog violent?
3. Is there any law in Spain that legislates dog breeds?
4. Have you ever seen a pitbull and did it appear to be violent or more aggressive than another breed?

Speaking Activity: Homeless People

B1 – Intermediate

Homelessness is when a person does not have a permanent home or a place to live in. It’s very difficult for homeless people to find a secure and safe place to stay in. There are several reasons why and how people end up homeless.

Answer the questions in this activity then express your thoughts about it.

Homeless People and their Struggles

The Likely Cause of Addiction

C1 – Advanced

What comes to your mind when you hear “drug addiction”? This article discusses a very different approach in understanding the causes of drug addiction, claiming that “almost everything we have been told about addiction is wrong.”

Read the article below then express your thoughts.

The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think

Discuss: 

1. Explain Professor Alexander’s theory on drug addiction. Do you agree or disagree with it?
2. What do you think are some reasons people become addicted to drugs?
3. How do we help people with such ordeals?
4. What do you think of what Portugal did in order to solve their problems with drug addiction in the country?
5. How serious is the drug problem in your country? How does the government deal with it?

The Age We Start Losing Friends

C1 – Advanced

Have you ever heard of the saying, “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out”? A psychological research revealed that people start losing friends earlier than we thought. Our social circle actually starts to shrink when we reach 25.

Read the article below to know more of the facts about people and relationships.

http://qz.com/689017/research-has-uncovered-the-precise-age-at-which-we-start-losing-friends/

Discussion Questions:

1. Do we need a lot of friends? How many friends do you think one needs to have?
2. What do you think are the reasons why we start losing friends at a certain point in our lives?
3. Why do you think women keep more friends even as they age compared to men?
4. What’s your thought on this statement: “Social media may well be changing friendship.”?
5. How do you stay in touch with friends?

Beat a Bully Without Using your Fists

C1 – Advanced

Bullying is becoming alarmingly widespread. Schools and the government have started to get involved. Watch the video below to know how a person is affected by bullying and what people can do to cope and protect themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SvK5s-bZ3k

Discuss:

1. According to the video, why are people bullied?
2. What facts did you gather from the video about bullying?
3. How are people bullied?
4. What is the effect of bullying to the victim?
5. How can we beat a bully without using a fist?

Looks aren’t Everything

C1 – Advanced

Looks aren’t everything. Image is powerful.

Let’s pay attention and listen to a talk by Cameron Russell.

Discuss:

1. What does the speaker mean when she says “People are paying for how they look not on what they are.”?
2. Why do you think the speaker says that she’s really insecure?
3. How is media affecting our ideas of beauty?
4. Aside from beauty, what else did the speaker talk about?

Women Wearing Cosmetics Are Paid More

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do looks really matter? Apparently, they do. A recent study conducted by the University of Chicago and University of California reveals that attractive employees tend to get paid more.

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

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1605/160523-cosmetics.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it right that attractive people get paid more? Defend your stand.
    Are you very particular when it comes to clothes or beauty products?
  2. How is beauty defined in your society?
  3. How important is looks in your job?
  4. Are your colleagues particular about how you look and what you wear?
  5. Is there a dress code in your office or can you wear whatever you wish?