Tag: Social Issues

Should Cigarette Smoking Be Banned

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco use is the major cause of preventable and premature death worldwide. The argument of banning smoking has been a strong one. Although dangerous to health, smokers think that they also have the right to choose to smoke or not.

Read the article and find out different points of view toward smoking.

https://quitsmokingcommunity.org/the-big-debate-should-cigarette-smoking-be-banned/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that smoking cigarettes should be banned? Explain your answer.
  2. What are the good and bad effects of completely banning cigarettes?
  3. Do you think smokers are harming other people? Defend your stand.
  4. Should government restrict smoking to protect smokers? Why or why not?
  5. Should smoking advertisement be limited or banned? Why or why not?

Euthanasia – Pros and Cons of Mercy Killing

B1 – Intermediate

Euthanasia has always been a controversial topic. It also has other names. It is sometimes called assisted suicide and mercy killing.

Click the link below to know more about euthanasia and its pros and cons.

http://www.english-online.at/society/euthanasia/pros-and-cons-of-euthanasia.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of euthanasia?
  2. Are you in favor of euthanasia? Why or why not?
  3. Could euthanasia be used to reduce health care cost? Explain.
  4. Is euthanasia allowed in your country? If yes, what is your opinion? If not, do you think it should be?

Women Try Manspreading for a Week

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are some things we do that we are probably not very aware that they could be a nuisance to others. One example is manspreading.

Watch the video below about manspreading and how three women decided to conduct an experiment related to gender differences. Express your thoughts afterwards.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the women feel about this experiment?
  2. What is manspreading? What is your viewpoint on this?
  3. Is this behaviour natural or is it just an I-can-do-what-I-want attitude
  4. How do you react when a woman beside you spreads her legs when sitting? How about if it’s a man? What’s the difference?
  5. Is there such thing as gender-based accepted behavior?

Migrants Storm Border in Spain’s Ceuta

B2 – Upper Intermediate

African migrants usually climb the fence that separates Morocco from Spain. If someone manages to scale those fences, he lands in Europe. Tens of thousands of African and Arab migrants try to do so each year. Many have traveled hundreds of miles already, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, but also from conflict zones like Syria or Somalia.

https://www.thelocal.es/20161101/over-200-migrants-storm-border-in-spains-ceuta

Discussion Questions:

1. Is immigration from one country to another a problem? In what ways do you see it as a problem?
2. Do you think that immigrants (legal or illegal) are treated well in most countries?
3. Do you think immigration and crime are closely related?
4. Should any government limit the number of immigrants entering the country?
5. Is local culture threatened by immigration?

Ikea Shanghai Frowns on Elderly Daters Who Occupy Cafeteria

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How would you feel if you see a sign outside an establishment saying that the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food first? An IKEA branch has reportedly posted the same sign outside their coffee shop.

Find out more by clicking the link to the article.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37686968

Discussion Questions:

  1. What should IKEA do about older people using their cafe to look for love?
  2. In your opinion, what is wrong with using a store’s café as a meeting place?
  3. Should coffee shops stop people from using seats for extended periods of time? Share your thoughts.
  4. What makes society a place where old people feel alienated?
  5. Talk about places where elderlies can find some company in your city/country.

Japan’s Population is Declining

B1 – Intermediate

It’s official. Japan’s populations is dramatically shrinking. After years of warnings about Japan’s aging population and its low birth rate, the day is here. Japan’s official census shows that the country’s population has shrunk.

Read more about this by clicking the link below.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/asia/japans-population-is-declining.htm#

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons Japan’s population is declining?
  2. If this continues, what do you think will happen to Japan?
  3. How is the birth rate in your country? Is it also declining?
  4. Can immigration help with the problem with declining population? Share your thoughts.
  5. What can the government do to address this problem?

China Bans Immoral Content from Television

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is a well-known fact that media is very influential. Censorship boards are present to help rate television shows and guide parents and children accordingly. But, in China, the government has decided to totally ban shows that display violence, homosexuality and excessive drinking.

Read the article below then express your thoughts about the topic.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/asia/china-bans-immoral-content-from-television.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think it’s a good idea for China to ban television shows mentioned in the article? Explain.
  2. The article mentioned that China considers homosexuality as a mental disease. What is your opinion on this?
  3. Is there really a way to protect children and youth from sensitive social issues? What are some ways to do this?
  4. Does your country have a censorship board? If not, should your country have one? If yes, are they very strict? Talk about this government agency in detail.
  5. What contents should be censored on different media (social, TV, radio, etc.)?

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?