Tag: Speaking

How to Drink Baijiu

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you heard of baijiu? If you’re into spirits and drinking then this is one liqueur that you might want to try.

Read the article about a Chinese drink heartily consumed by the locals.

Take a look at the pictures as well and be ready to answer comprehension questions.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/29/foodanddrink/how-to-drink-baijiu-china/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is baijiu and how is it made? What is it made of?
  2. On which occasions is baijiu the choice of drink?
  3. What is baijiu tourism? What do you think of it?
  4. Is there a similar tour like this in your city/country? Talk about it.
  5. What are some of the local alcohol or spirits that are commonly and popularly consumed in your country?
  6. What are your preferences when it comes to alcohol?

Africa’s Coffee Renaissance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nigeria’s young entrepreneurs are thinking creatively and boldly. Watch the video and read the article about two Nigerian brothers who profited on coffee.

2 brothers have tapped into Africa’s coffee renaissance

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe the coffee business of Ngozi and Chijioke Dozie. What makes their coffee bar different?
2. What do the brothers hope for in the future for their business?
3. How are coffee bars faring in your city/country?
4. Are there many start-up businesses in your city/country? Are they being supported by the local government?

Saudi Arabia’s Cinema Ban

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C1 – Advanced

It is common knowledge to most that the Middle Eastern culture is one that comes with very rigid rules. From what women can wear to gender segregation. In Saudi Arabia, cinemas are struggling as well.

Read the article below to know more about the film industry in Saudi.

In the age of YouTube, what’s the point in Saudi Arabia’s cinema ban?

Discuss:

1. What information did the article say about the cinema ban in Saudi Arabia?
2. What did the article say about women and driving?
3. Tell me something about the author of the article.
4. What do you know about the Middle Eastern culture?
5. Would you consider travelling to the Middle East?

Festivals: Chinese New Year

B1 – Intermediate

In most Asian countries, New Year’s is celebrated twice – in January and in February.

Read the article below to know more about the Chinese New Year and some cultural traditions that the Chinese practice. Be ready to also talk about this holiday and the important festivals from your country.

http://www.english-online.at/culture/chinese-new-year/chinese-new-year-celebrations.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe how the Chinese celebrate their New Year.
  2. How do you celebrate NY in your country?
  3. Have you ever seen or witnessed a dragon dance or a Lantern Festival? What do you think of it?
  4. What are some Spanish festivals that are very specific to a region?
  5. In your country, what are the dishes or food that are especially served during New Year? Why are they typical NY food?

Are We Ready for E-Books?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is an increasing popularity of e-books, especially among youngsters. Some people think that printed books will be replaced by e-books, which are more convenient and affordable. However, some argued that nothing could ever replace the feeling of owning and the physical enjoyment that printed books can provide to its readers.

Let’s find out more about e-books.

http://www.english-online.at/media/ebooks/are-we-ready-for-ebooks.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-books?
  2. What do you like about printed book?
  3. Based on the article, why do major publishers think that reading books on screen is what most of the consumers need?
  4. What are some of the books that you have enjoyed reading?
  5. Do you also like to read articles from magazines or the newspaper?

The First Starbucks in Italy

B1 – Intermediate

Starbucks is one of the most popular American coffee shop chains known around the world. Presently, it has more than 20,000 stores in 67 countries. Starbucks has achieved worldwide recognition and success. Can it also be successful in Italy, a country that is known to have long cultural ties with coffee?

Let’s find out more about it.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/starbucks-to-open-first-store-in-italy.htm#

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the article, when will Starbucks open its first store in Italy?
2. Have you tried Italian espresso? How about Starbucks coffee?
3. Why do Italians have mixed reactions/feelings about the opening of Starbucks in their country?
4. What was the article pertaining to when it mentioned  the “watery undrinkable” coffee?
5. Can Starbucks succeed in Italy?
6. Are there Starbucks stores in your country? What’s the most popular coffee shop chain in your country/Europe?

Speaking Activity: Success and Failure

B2 – Upper intermediate

Today’s society put too much emphasis and importance on being successful. In turn, failure becomes something that can be considered as personal weakness. How do you view success? How do you view failure?

Answer the following questions below related to success and failures and be ready to practice your speaking skills.

Discuss:

1. Describe a successful person.
2. Is your idea of success the same as other people’s idea of success?
3. Do you think people focus too much on appearing to be successful?
4. Why is money the most common way of judging success?
5. Can money buy happiness?
6. Do you think some parents put too much pressure on their children to be succesful?
7. Have there been any failures that made your life better?
8. Is there a right time to give up and stop trying? Or should you never give up?
9.Can you think of any famous people who failed spectacularly at something?
10. Talk about a time you failed at something you tried. How were you able to cope with it?
11. Can you think of any famous quotes or idioms about success or failure?

The Growing Threat of Creationism

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever thought how the Earth was created or formed?  The controversy over the creation of Earth still puzzles and confuses many of us and the topic on the theory of creationism and evolution has been debated for the past century.

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

How old is the Earth? Is it billions of years old, or a significantly younger several thousand? The debate between the theory of evolution and creationism continues, primarily in the US. It’s a dispute fueled by politics, cultural differences, and religion.

The theory of evolution holds that plants and animals changed slowly, generation after generation, over billions of years. Helpful traits were passed onto offspring, while harmful ones grew rare. Creationism, however, supposes that God created the Earth in six days, exactly as depicted in the Bible, only a few thousand years ago. Intelligent design, which has been labeled as a form of neo-creationism, points to the complexity of some animals as an indication that God guided their development.

In the US, numerous conservative leaders have opposed the teaching of evolution in the classroom. Others have striven to get creationism taught side-by-side with evolution, as an alternative and equally-valid theory. Kansas, for example, has flip-flopped on the issue several times over the past few years. Courts, however, have repeatedly ruled creationism, as well as intelligent design, a form of religious teachings. It should have no place in the public classroom.

Although creationism in Europe hasn’t achieved the number of adherents as it has in the US, numbers are increasing. Therefore, the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly will debate a resolution to declare creationism a form of religious extremism. An Assembly member commented that different religious views exist, yet creationism isn’t science. It shouldn’t be presented as such in the classroom. Furthermore, the resolution views creationism as an attack on science and human rights.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Based on the text, why do you think more and more people in Europe believe in creationism?
2. Should creationism and evolution be taught side-by-side in the classroom? Why/not?
3. Is creationism a threat? Why/not?

How Food Trucks Took Over City Streets

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C1 – Advanced

Food trucks. Their evolution has been a good one. Sprouting up like mushroom, people seem to enjoy every bit of it.

Read the article below and be ready to increase your vocabulary by going through the different terms and expressions. Feel free to read the article section per section with your teacher.

How Food Trucks Took Over City Streets

Discuss:

1. Describe the change of food trucks since it began.
2. Why are food trucks so appealing to the young? The culinary graduates?
3. Explain why having a food truck business is not as easy as some think. What are the challenges business owners face?
4. On the other hand, what are the advantages of having a food truck as a business?
5. Are food trucks a trend in your city as well? What is your general opinion of them?

Work Permits for Syrian Refugees

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Syrian refugees have now settled in in their host countries and most of them are working on moving on. But being productive and feeling optimistic about the future proves to be harder.

Watch the video below to know more about the challenges that Syrian refugees are facing when it comes to getting work.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-38574483#

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the video, what are some of the things that Syrian refugees want?
2. How would you describe the morale of the refugees?
3. How can host countries benefit from refugees?
4. Do you think that giving work permits to refugees can bring more harm than good? What are the anxieties of the locals (in host countries?)