Tag: Speaking

Drugs Under Control In Portugal

B2 – Upper intermediate

Portugal had one of the highest drug use rates in Europe. Now, they have the problem under control. Read the article below to learn how Portugal treat their drug abusers. Be ready to express your thoughts.

Drugs Under Control in Portugal

Discuss:

1. Is there a drug abuse situation in your country?
2. What do you think is the best way to combat drug abuse?
3. What are some of the social issues that you think your country (or government) should tackle?

The Job Nobody Wants

B1 – Intermediate

A small town in New Zealand is offering a good amount of money to any doctor who would like to serve its residents.  The search has been going on for quite some time but has been unsuccessful.

Read the article below to know more about the job that nobody wants.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1602/160226-doctors.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to hit one’s head against a brick wall” mean? “I would like to stay but I hit my head against a brick wall trying to attract doctors.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “countryside” mean? “Dr. Kenny thinks the problem is that the job is in the countryside.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “swap” mean? “He said he has a great lifestyle and he wouldn’t swap it for city life.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think it is so difficult to find someone for the job mentioned in the article?
  2. If you were a young doctor, would you be interested to take this job? Why or why not?
  3. What is your opinion about this, “The problem is that the job is in the countryside and everyone wants to live and work in the big cities.“
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in rural areas?
  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city?

Moving On When Someone You Love Dies

B2 – Upper intermediate

The article below is meant to practice your reading and vocabulary. Feel free to read it part by part. Highlight any word or expressions you would like to discuss with your teacher.

How to Go on Living when Someone You Love Dies

Discuss:

1. How do you understand the word “grief”?
2. Does your country have very special traditions when it comes to grieving lost loved ones?
3. What are some of the points in the article that you agree with? Disagree with?

Life in 2116

B1 – Intermediate

Nothing is certain when it comes to the future. Is the future a scary or an exciting thought for you? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a quick glance at what the future looks like?

Read on this news item on experts’ predictions for 2116.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1602/160218-the-future.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How has the Internet changed your life?
2. Do you think the future will be good or bad? Explain.
3. Will people still need to study English in 2116? Why or why not?
4. What questions would you like to ask an expert from the future?

Racism: Then and Now

B1 – Intermediate

How do you understand the word “racism”? This word has been widely used for a long time now, especially more in today’s society.

Read the article below to get more information on what racism is then express your thoughts about it.

http://www.english-online.at/society/racism/racism.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you explain racism in the past and racism now?
  2. How are people of a different color or appearance treated in your home country?
  3. Can you tell a story of experiencing or witnessing racism?
  4. What are some ways we can prevent racism and discrimination?
  5. Have you ever experienced being discriminated against?
  6. In what ways is racism and discrimination a problem in society?
  7. Some people believe that humanity is divided into distinct races, others believe that all human beings belong to only one race. What do you think of this?

Cyberbullying On The Rise

B1 – Intermediate

When people start using technology to put people down, a new threat emerges. Click below to find out more about cyberbullying and why it has become so widespread.

http://www.english-online.at/society/cyberbullying/cyberbullying-on-the-rise.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What could be reasons the incidence of cyberbullying is increasing?
  2. What are some ways to help lessen the instances of cyberbullying?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Parents face the fact that they don’t know their child is a cyberbully.“.
  4. Do you think the same problem exist in your country? Talk about it.
  5. Are there strict laws against cyberbullying in your country? Explain.

High Blood Pressure – A Silent Killer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Below is a short article that gives some interesting information about high blood pressure and its consequences.

Read the article then be ready to talk about health and other health issues.

http://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-silent-killer.htm

Discussion Question:

  1. Do you know some people who suffer from high blood pressure? What are their struggles with this condition?
  2. Is high blood pressure also a widespread health problem in your country? Why do you think that is?
  3. Have there been steps taken by the national health ministry to reduce cases of this so-called ‘silent killer’? What are they?
  4. Do you agree that a lifestyle change can make a person healthier?
  5. What are some of the things you do to stay healthy?

Ways To Make Any Workout Feel Easier

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having a fitness regimen means committing yourself to a series of activities that can be done with regularity. Some might start hitting the gym, start having a diet plan, but most fail when it comes to consistency.

In this topic, we are going to discover some ways to make any work-out feel easier.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/15-science-backed-ways-to-make-any-workout-feel-easier_us_56be5c66e4b0b40245c6c820?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on these tips?
  2. Do you exercise? If yes, how often? If not, why so?
  3. What other things do you do to stay fit?
  4. How else can we motivate ourselves to exercise?
  5. How would you describe your diet?

Entitled Millennial or Starving Ex-Employee?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Talia Jane was recently dismissed from her job. she feels it was an unfair dismissal, but some think otherwise.

Read on and discover why this woman’s post became viral on the internet.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35636280

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Talia Jane and what were the problems she cited?
  2. What do you think about her and what she did?
  3. Would you support or fund “Help a Yelper EAT”? Why or why not?
  4. What was your life like when you were a fresh graduate/in your 20s?
  5. How do you display work ethic?

After Vacation: Tips to Bounce Back Fast

C2 – Proficient

Vacations are events we always look forward to. There’s stress in planning the perfect one. But there’s also stress involved when it’s time to check back to reality and start working again.

Read the article on how to get your head back in life’s game to do some hard work.

After Vacation: Tips to Bounce Back Fast

Discuss:

1. Which of the tips in the article do you agree on? Disagree on?
2. Which ones do you practice?
3. Do you often go on big holidays?
4. Do you find it hard getting back to the routine after a long vacation?