Tag: Social Issues

Beyonce Leaked Photos

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Unedited images of Beyonce have circulated over the Internet showing the famous singer’s natural looks.  Reactions to the leaked photos have been mixed, and discussions have begun anew regarding the representation of women in television and print media.

Watch the video and be ready to express your thoughts about this topic.

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/02/19/orig-elbagir-beyonce-loreal-unretouched-photos.cnn

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to one interview in the video, what were the reactions to Beyonce’s unedited photos? What is your opinion on the photo?
  2. How does photo editing in advertisements affect women’s self-image?
  3. Where do you stand on editing photos that are published for the public?
  4. Why do you think celebrity photos are often edited?
  5. Should we edit the selfies that we upload to social network sites? Why or why not?

ATM Thefts Becoming a Common Crime

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People will do anything for money. That includes stealing a cash machine.

In Iowa, for instance, this type of incident is on the rise.

Read the article about the rising incidents of ATM thefts.

https://www.kcci.com/article/atm-thefts-becoming-a-common-crime-in-iowa-1/6902236

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think are the reasons cash machine thefts are becoming common?
  2. Share some ways on how this kind of incidents can be prevented.
  3. Talk about any ATM/bank related-crimes in your country or the world that you know of.
  4. In your opinion, are ATMs still relevant these days?

Myth about Phone Privacy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Selfies and social networks have become ubiquitous in today’s modern world.

Just how secure are mobile phones and social media platforms?  With so much information being self-disclosed by millions of tech users globally, answers pertaining to data collection and use and safeguards for data protection should be everyone’s concern.

Read the article, and weigh in with your ideas on the issue.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150206-biggest-myth-about-phone-privacy

Discussion Questions:

  1. What information can hackers get from people’s use of smartphones and social networks?
  2. Do you read the Privacy Policy of each social network that you sign up for? Why or why not?
  3. According to the article, what can you do to safeguard your privacy online?
  4. Do the advantages of using social networks and smartphone applications outweigh the risk of online information leaks? Explain.
  5. Share your thought on this: “As a fundamental rule remember this: if you don’t want information like your photos to end up in unwanted hands, then don’t send it.“.
  6. Talk about any privacy issues you’ve had using your phone or social media websites. How did you deal with/resolve it?

Bullying Killed a Teen

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people feel good when they bully others. They think they can gain friends by doing it or that their images will be elevated without realizing the dangers bullying can cause.

Read the article and watch the video to have a wider insight about bullying.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/its-bullying-killed-me-dead-teens-mom-fights-protect-law-n298666

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, has bullying gotten worse over the years? Explain.
  2. How can we eliminate bullying?
  3. How are schools in your country dealing with bullying?
  4. Do you think there are enough laws in your country against bullying? Why or why not?
  5. What is the best punishment if someone committed it?

Censorship and Freedom of Speech

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B2 – Upper-intermediate

The world was shocked  when a Paris publication was attacked and resulted in the death of 12 people. This particular event leads a debate towards freedom of speech.

https://www.voanews.com/europe/hollande-vows-protect-all-faiths-muslims-protest-hebdo-reprinting

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion about freedom of speech?
2. Is it dangerous to be aggressive when you are a member of the press?
3. How do limits play a role in freedom of expression?

Victims of Cosmetic Surgery

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being beautiful gives you a lot of advantages. It boosts confidence and people seem to trust you more. In some job applications, they prefer to hire people who are more good looking. But how far you will go to be beautiful?

Read the article below and be prepared to express your thoughts.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30295758?OCID=fbasia

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What is your personal definition of beauty?
  3. How important is beauty to you?
  4. What do you do in order to be beautiful or presentable?
  5. How far are you willing to go to be beautiful or to change your physical appearance?
  6. Is plastic surgery common in your country? Why or why not?

Are We Less Smarter Now?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A research suggests that humans have become less smarter since the Victorian Era. In  this article, it explains how and why human intelligence has declined over the past years.

Read the article below and watch the two videos included in the article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/people-getting-dumber-human-intelligence-victoria-era_n_3293846.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that people have already reached their intellectual peak? Why or why not?
  2. Aside from those stated in the article, what other factors do you think cause or can cause the decline of intelligence?
  3. Do you agree that people today are becoming less intelligent? Why or why not?
  4. What do you think can be done to improve intelligence today?

Bullying or Normal Competition?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Bullying has become a universal issue, whether in school or at work. Is it really bullying or just a normal competition among peers?

Let’s find out more about it through the audio conversation below. Be prepared to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-150108

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on corporate bullying?
  2. Have you witnessed bullying within your company?
  3. What policies are there to curtail bullying in the workplace in your country?
  4. How do we draw the line between competition and bullying at work?

Jailed for Helping

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A 90-year old chef was put into jail for feeding the homeless. There is a law in Florida which forbids people to feed the homeless.

Read this article about a chef who got in trouble for feeding homeless people.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/chef-90-faces-jail-fines-feeding-homeless-121414540.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does this law make sense? Explain your opinion.
  2. Why do you think the local Florida government implemented this kind of law?
  3. Is it wrong to help the needy ones? Explain.
  4. How do you help the needy ones?
  5. Is there any similar law in your city/country? Talk about it.

Malala Yousafzai Wins Nobel Peace Prize

C1 – Advanced
The girls’ rights activist Malala Yousafzai has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014. She is known mainly for human rights advocacy for education and for women in her native province and has made her countrymen very proud.

Malala Yousafzai wins Nobel Peace Prize

Discuss:

1. Share your ideas about gender equality. Do you think women in your country are being treated fairly?
2. What are the other social issues in your country that you think should be addressed?

*article was published in October 2014