phone english blogB2 – Upper intermediate
Here’s an interesting video you can watch to know a little more about the Philippines. Be ready to practice your speaking skills by answering the different discussion questions with your teacher.
Discuss:
1. Talk about some of the facts that you learned in the video. Which one did you find interesting?
2. Have you been to the Philippines? What do you already know about the country?
3. Share some interesting facts about your own country.
B2 – Upper intermediate
An electric car uses electrical energy stored in rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device. With the current problems in climate change, more people are looking for alternative energy sources. Some experts say that using electric cars is one of the best solutions in dealing with fuel demands and pollution.
Read the article below to know more about Tesla Motor’s electric car.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of electric cars?
2. What would future cars be like?
3. How will electric cars affect traffic and road safety?
4. What are your preferences when it comes to vehicles?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Learning could be fun and engaging with the aid of modern technology innovations like the so-called virtual world. The program is designed to educate children and at the same time, help them to experience life in the real world. But will this really help them be better when it comes to socializing?
Read the short article below then express your thoughts.
http://www.english-online.at/society/web-worlds/virtual-worlds-for-children.htm
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think that virtual worlds really help children?
2. Are there any advantages to pushing children to engage in virtual programs? If there is, what are they?
3. What other form of technology can be considered useful in a child’s development?
B2 – Upper intermediate
News nowadays are just at the fingertips. You’ll know the latest in an instant. No need to go to a newspaper stand to read the latest.
The enormous information over the internet world is overwhelming. The information is so huge that reliability seems irrelevant and undependable. In contrast, news based on articles, ideas and opinions seems to be more honest.
Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
Journalists and experts in the news industry wonder if print journalism will survive. More people go to the Internet for news because of accessibility. Readers can browse through additional articles across several newspapers, read blogs, listen to audio, and watch videos. In addition, the content is often free. However, the end of newspapers may mean more than the end of a medium. It could mean the end of journalism as we know it.
For the most part, journalists and the newspaper industry are honest. The same cannot be said about blogs and faux news-like websites, even if they have become a popular source of information. The articles might often express biased opinions, or report information that hasn’t been fact checked. There is a need for balanced reporting or journalistic integrity.
Source: headsupenglish.com
Discussion Questions:
1. What’s your opinion on newspapers and journalists?
2. What’s your opinion on blogs and bloggers?
3. What would happen if newspapers completely disappeared? Why do you think so?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Around 10 per cent of British people in their early 70s are now working. It is the highest figure since records began. How do you feel about this? Do you think that the government should do something about this?
Read the article below and answer some discussion questions.
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151110-working.html
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
More and more people are becoming aware of climate change, simply because it’s more evident. Do you think we still have time to save this Earth?
Winters are becoming warmer each year. Summers are hotter and drier. Scientists say that extreme weather will become normal in the future. Water shortages will be common too, and will affect more than one billion people around the world. And according to new information, global warming may destroy some of the Earth’s natural wonders.
World governments and environmental organizations are starting to talk more honestly about climate change. Evidence increasingly shows how much damage we have done to the environment. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Brussels recently said that humankind’s activities are definitely the top reason for our hotter planet.
So what will the impact be? With warmer oceans, coral reefs everywhere will begin to die. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders, will disappear. In the Amazonian rain forest, many of the trees will die, and much of the area will become dry savannah. In Chile and Argentina, melting glaciers will create a drier climate. As a result, there will be more forest fires in the region.
Some of the damage cannot be repaired. Action now, though, could limit or prevent some of the problems.
Discuss: (from article)
1. Are you concerned about the environment?
2. What could every person on Earth do right now to help save the environment?
3. How has the environment changed since you were a child?
4. What do you think the Earth will be like in the future?
5. Have you ever seen any of the natural wonders?
C1 – Advanced
Parental leaves are enjoyed by employees to help take care of their children. In recent years, companies have recognized the importance of a father’s role during the first few weeks of a newborn. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took two months of paternity leave following the birth of his daughter. What does this mean for the rest of the working fathers out there?
Discuss:
1. What do you think of the idea of paternity leave?
2. What do you think about what you read?
3. What kind of message is Mark Zuckerberg sending?
4. Do fathers in your country take advantages of their paternity leaves?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
A 23- year old woman investigates corruption and manages an organization’s digital communications platform. She’s trying to build an international community of online corruption fighters. It’s a space where people share evidence of graft, and where the corrupt are named and shamed.
Read the article about Kavisha Pillay’s work with Corruption Watch and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
http://www.voanews.com/a/corruption-busting-is-her-game/3075265.html
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Have you ever been to Thailand? Thais have actually made having fun a way of life – something we could all learn from.
Find out more why having fun is of utmost reverence in this country.
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20151119-can-thailand-teach-us-all-to-have-more-fun
Discussion Questions:
1. What is sanuk?
2. How do the Spanish have fun?
3. In Thailand, people resign from a good-paying job because it’s not fun. What are your thoughts on this?
4. Is there a similar holiday in Spain as Thailand’s “Songkran”?
B1 – Intermediate
Knowing what happiness is can be difficult to explain. People from different situations will give different kinds of answers.
Read the article below and be ready to answer some discussion questions.
Although you may not be able to measure your happiness levels, you can still take some advice to increase the positive emotions in your life.
It’s difficult for experts to understand happiness. However, according to experts, married people are generally happier. Richer people also tend to be happier, although they then compare their wealth to their peers (and maybe don’t feel so rich). And if you live in a richer country, you’re likely happier too.
But it’s not easy to earn more money, move to a rich country, or find the perfect partner. Some things you can control include exercise, because healthy bodies and minds lead to happiness. You should also solve problems sooner rather than later. Spending time in nature also lowers stress, which might then improve happiness. Meditation is also very effective.
Source: headsupenglish.com
Discussion Questions:
1. Are you generally a positive or a negative person? Why do you think so?
2. Why do you think some people are so happy? Why are other people so unhappy?
3. What advice would you give to someone for a happier life? Please explain.