Tag: Speaking

Food Theft ‘Not a Crime’

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An Italian court has ruled that stealing a small amount of food due to starvation is not a crime. A man’s sentence was overturned because his lawyer argued that he only committed the crime out of desperation.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36190557

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with this Italian court ruling? Why or why not?
  2. What are the good things and consequences of the said ruling?
  3. What should be done with people who are caught stealing food?
  4. What do people in your country do when they are starving and don’t have any money to buy food?

Growing Organic Food ‘Sin Fronteras’

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Organic food and organic products have increased its popularity in the last years.

Click the title below and watch the video. Be ready to share your thoughts and talk about health.

Discussion Questions:

1. What has farming taught Eduardo Rivera?
2. Why is he very interested in organic farming? What is his goal?
3. How does he promote his products?
4. How are organic products fairing in your country?

Happiness Is… Family?!

B1 – Intermediate

Almost everyone belongs to a family. We can’t imagine to exist without someone else who cared for us when we were young.  We need a family.

What else is the meaning of family to you? The following article lets you know the response of other teens and young adults about how their families make them happy.

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

What makes teens and twenty-somethings happy? According to a survey, spending time with family made people in this age group the most happy. Time with friends came in second place, and time with a boyfriend or girlfriend came in third place. Almost no one said money brought happiness.

Seventy-three percent said that a good relationship with their parents made them feel good. In addition, when they looked for a role model, almost half of the people who took the questionnaire mentioned one of their parents. Moms ranked higher than dads, though.

Some of the discoveries were less positive. White people generally felt happier than black people or Hispanics in all economic categories. And as for stress, kids had a 10% higher rate than adults. Younger respondents said school stressed them out the most. Older people were worried about jobs and finances.

The survey also wanted to know whether today’s youth will remain happy in the future. Sixty-two percent of teens believed the future will bring more happiness. However, they also expect to have a more difficult life than their parents.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the top three things that make you happy? Why are they the most important things to you?
  2. Who is your role model in life? Why do you look up to them?
  3. What are some things that worry or stress you out? Why are you stressed out by this?
  4. Do you think the future will bring more happiness for everyone? Why or why not?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that we could have a more difficult life than our parents? Elaborate on your stand.

Instagramming Your Food Makes It Taste Better

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is often said that “we eat with our eyes“. Do you agree with this saying?

This article will show you the truth about the relationship between taking a photo of your food and how it can taste better.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/food-porn-instagram-psychology/

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, how does food become more delicious when you take a photo of it first before you actually eat it? Do you agree with this?
  2. Do you follow any food-related accounts on Instagram? Why or why not? If yes, talk about the interesting thing about that page/account.
  3. How do you feel about people’s addiction of taking pictures of their food before they eat it? Are you guilty of this habit?

Spain’s Newfound Love of English

C1 – Advanced

Over the past few years, the growing number of English learners has increased. From South East Asia to across Europe.

Below is an interesting article of how Spain has now welcomed the study of the English language.

7 reasons for Spain’s newfound love of English

Discuss:

1. Why is English important?
2. What are the 7 reasons why Spanish people would like to develop their English skills?
3.What age do you think a child should start learning English?
4. What if you spoke English fluently? Do you think you have a different job?/Do you think you have the same job that you have now? Why?

First Human Head Transplant

B2 – Upper intermediate

Organ transplants have saved many lives. But, an Italian neurosurgeon wants to take a few steps further with his first human head transplant.

Read the article below to learn more about Dr. Canavero and his potential patient.

First Human Head Transplant Planned for 2017

Discuss:

1. Is Dr. Sergio Canavero’s idea worth a try?
2. Do you believe that the current technology we have is well- equipped for this attempt?
3. Would you volunteer for a medical experiment for greater and good intentions?

Giving Employees an Ownership Stake

C1 – Advanced

Employees of Chobani learned that they are getting ownership stake that could make them millionaires. They are getting shares worth up to 10 percent of the company when it goes public or is sold. Hamdi Ulukaya, the CEO, believes it’s just right to give the wealth back to his workers who have helped him build this company that is already several billion dollars worth.

Watch the video below to find out more.

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/chobani-ceo-giving-employees-an-ownership-stake-in-yogurt-empire-674292291768

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of Hamdi Ulukaya’s gesture? If you were him, would you do the same thing?
2. What are things that can transform business to a higher level?
3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of being your own boss?
4. Have you ever thought of starting a business?

Doctors Say No to Tackling in Rugby

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Rugby has got to be one of the toughest and testosterone-filled sport out there. There’s beauty and strength in the game, but also danger.

Click on the title below and be ready to express your thoughts about the sport.

Doctors say no to tackling in rugby

Discuss:

1. What are the two sides discussed in this article?
2. How do you feel about contact sports like rugby or American football?
3. Do you agree with what the article is saying?
4. Aside from rugby, what do you think are other sports that can be physically dangerous?

Voter Records ‘were accessible online’

C1 – Advanced

The beauty of technology is much appreciated. Millions of people rely on technology to get things done – on a daily basis. But once it exposes personal information, expect a barrage of complaints.

Read the article below to find out more about the data breach that happened in Mexico.

Millions of Mexican voter records ‘were accessible online’

Discuss:

1. How was this unsecured database discovered?
2. What were the steps taken to solve this problem?
3. Think of possible scenarios if these information fall into the hands of the wrong people.
4. How would you react if your personal data became publicly accessible on the internet?

Are There Hidden Truths in Dreams?

B1 – Intermediate

Would you still continue you trip or your planned activity, even if you had a bad dream about it the previous night?

Read the article below to get some information about dreaming and how it affects people.

http://www.english-online.at/science/dreams/hidden-truths-unconscious.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you remember any of your dreams?
2. Do you believe in the interpretations of dreams?
3. Share some of the nightmares you’ve had in the past. Share some of the good ones as well.
4. Has a dream ever influenced your thoughts?