Tag: Speaking

Japan Set For Invisible Trains

B1 – Intermediate

Japan is known for its technological advances. In 2018, the country will be launching its first invisible train.

Read the article below to know how this transport could be invisible. Be ready to practice your speaking skills by talking about transport systems.

A Japanese architect has designed a train that is not only fast but blends into the landscape so well, that onlookers find it hard to see. Such invisible trains are expected to be introduced to the Tokyo area in 2018.

Kazuyo Sejima, the Japanese architect who has designed the new high-speed train,  is known for creating glass buildings that blend into their environment. This is the first time, however, that she has designed something that is actually moving.

The invisible trains will be made out of reflective material that has been used on other objects in the past, for example, the Louvre-Lens museum in France.

Seijima has created the train for Seibu railway company’s 100th anniversary. The company, famous for their colourful high-speed bullet trains,  already operate 180 km of railway lines around Tokyo. The new invisible trains will be travelling on a limited number of routes in Japan.

Not only the outside of the trains will be new. Seijima has created the interior with bigger windows and more seat space. According to the train company, passengers will have the experience of a train ride in a moving living room.

Words

  • according to = as said by …
  • anniversary = birthday
  • blend = to mix together
  • design = plan and create
  • experience = feeling
  • however = but
  • interior = the inside
  • introduce = here: to start travelling
  • invisible = something that you cannot see
  • landscape = countryside
  • limited = only a certain number
  • onlookers = people who stand nearby and see the train
  • operate = here: trains that travel
  • passenger = here: person who travels in a train
  • reflective = something that sends back most of the light that shines on it
  • seat = where a person sits

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe the train that Kazuyo Sejima designed? Why is it called an invisible train?
2. How would you describe the trains in your country?
3. Have you taken the different trains in Europe? Have you visited other European countries using trains?
4. Would you say that public transportation in your country is very effective? What else could it improve on?

The Euro Turns 15

B1 – Intermediate

The European Union brought on a lot of changes. One of them is the change of currency. 2017 marks the 15th year for the euro currency. Was it a good idea? Will it last for many more years? Click the link below to watch the video and express your thoughts about it.

Discussion Questions:

1. What did the video say about the challenges of the euro currency?
2. What do you remember about the events in your country when your currency changed to euro?
3. Why do you think the United Kingdom decided to keep the British pound when they joined the EU?
4. What is your opinion of having one currency?

The Perils of Business Travel

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In some occupations, going places is one of the things that comes with the job. While it has a lot of benefits, it also involves some risks.

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

Although technology has enabled videoconferencing, complete with multiple participants in multiple locations, business travel still proves a necessity for some industries, organizations, and positions. A few reasons include: Difficulties with time zones, the need to have project participants together for brainstorming sessions, or even just an old-fashioned mindset in which an employee’s physical presence is a necessity to get anything done. However, new data confirms what has long been suspected: Frequent business travel is bad for you.

To start, in terms of health, a traveler’s circadian rhythm gets disrupted with travel. This refers to your physical, mental, and behavioral cycle each day, such as when you wake up at a regular time in the morning or experience a dip in energy in the early afternoon. Your mood, ability to concentrate, and judgment are all negatively impacted from travel.

Anyone who has experienced jet lag comprehends just what it feels like to be several hours off a regular schedule. However, the immune system is also compromised, and this can mean a greater likelihood for colds and flu. Even worse, the risk of a heart attack and stroke also increase with frequent travel. And lastly, the business traveler also receives increased exposure to radiation; monthly flights from New York to London put a person above the maximum annual dosage.

There are other negatives too, one of which is the effects on family. Missed birthdays and other important events like milestones can become a regular occurrence, and which lead to the loss of the traveler’s familial role. All in all, there are a lot of perils related to business travel.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “peril” mean? “All in all, there are a lot of perils related to business travel.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘peril’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “milestone” mean? “Missed birthdays and other important events like milestones can become a regular occurrence, and which lead to the loss of the traveler’s familial role.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘milestone’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does the adjective “compromised” mean in this context, “However, the immune system is also compromised, and this can mean a greater likelihood for colds and flu.“? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘compromised’ in your own sentence in this context.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about business trips?
  2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of always traveling for work?
  3. Is traveling an essential part of your job? If so, please explain the reasons why. If not, would you like to be given the opportunity to do so?
  4. Are there any places you wouldn’t want to visit for business? Why?
  5. Talk about one of the most memorable business trips you’ve ever had. What made it so unforgettable?

What’s Your Superpower?

B1 – Intermediate

In the past few years the number of superhero films has seemed like it doubled. You’ve got different movies from Marvel and DC Comics left and right. And people just can’t get enough of them.

Click the link below and listen to the podcast about superhero and superhero films. Feel free to listen more than once and to read the transcript as well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-170112

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about superhero films?
  2. What are some of the superhero films that you think are actually good?
  3. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
  4. Do you think such films are good for children? Are they bad for children?
  5. Did you read comic books when you were a child? Have you heard of manga comic books?

Speaking Activity: It’s a Smaller World, After All

What pops in your head when you hear the the term “globalization”? Does it give out a positive vibe or more of a negative connotation?

Express your thoughts about globalization and other topics related to it. Be ready to practice your sentence construction during the activity. Be ready to support your answers with an explanation.

  • Would you support a one-world government? Why/not?
  • Would you support English as the official language of Earth? Why/not?
  • Would you support an international standard of laws with only one system of courts?
  • Will humankind be better off because of globalization? If yes, how so? What negatives might result?
  • What does “globalization” mean to you? Please explain.
  • How does globalization affect the different cultures of the world? Why do you think so?
  • How will globalization affect different cultures of the world in the future? Please explain.
  • How will globalization affect your country in 25 years? 50 years? 100 years? Please explain.
  • What will happen to the tribes in Africa and the Amazon, as well as other indigenous people around the world, in the next 25 year? 50 years? 100 years? Why?
  • Some people say that the world is getting smaller and smaller. What do you think this actually suggests, and is it true? Why/not?
  • What would happen if the world had one government, one language, and one culture?
  • How will globalization affect business and economics in the future? Please explain.
  • Because of globalization, will the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? Why/not?
  • Many of the world’s economies are tied together, so that any financial problems in one country affect the people elsewhere. Is this a good or bad thing? Why do you think so?
  • Should young people live abroad for a year as part of their education? Why/not?
  • At present, English is the world’s lingua franca. What will be the common language in 25 years? How about in 50 years? Why do you think so?
  • With English as the lingua franca now, how does it affect globalization? Why do you think so?
  • What events or disasters could halt globalization? Do you think any of these disasters/events could happen? Why/not?
  • Which invention of the 20th century has had the greatest impact on humankind? Is it the airplane, the automobile, or the Internet? Why do you think so?
  • How will the Internet and instant access to information affect the lives of our children? Please explain.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Speaking Activity: Are You a Health Nut?

“Health is wealth.” “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” These are just some famous sayings we have about health. It is no secret that people want have a full life – a healthy life. How do you take care of yours?

Answer the different questions related to health. This activity will help practice your sentence construction.

  • Do you regularly think about your health? Why/not? How about worry about it?
  • If there was a pill that allowed you to eat anything without putting on the pounds, would you take it? How would you answer if there were side-effects too?
  • Is dieting healthy? Why/not?
  • Do you think that glamour magazines and supermodels portray an unrealistic image of the human body? Should these sort of magazines be banned and/or regulated?
  • How healthy do you consider yourself to be? Please explain.
  • Do you agree or disagree? Eating healthily takes top priority, even if it means eating food that doesn’t taste very good. Please explain.
  • Have you ever heard this phrase before? You are what you eat. What does it mean?
  • Do you agree or disagree? The happiest people are healthy people.
  • In today’s fast-paced society, how easy is it to eat healthily? Please explain.
  • Which nationality portrays the unhealthiest image? How about the healthiest? Why?
  • How often do you go to the doctor to check your health? Should you go more often?
  • Which ends up as more important to our physical health, the food that we eat or our genes? Why?
  • Do you think that genetically modified food is unhealthy? How about dangerous? Should it be banned? Why/not?
  • Do you think the food we eat affects our physical and mental health? Why/not?
  • In countries with national health insurance, do you think obese people should pay higher taxes for health coverage? How about people who smoke? How about people with a history of health problems? Why/not?
  • Who is primarily responsible for our health, the government or ourselves? Why?
  • What do you think about diets that promise dynamic results in only a short amount of time? Have you ever tried such a diet? If yes, what were the results?
  • How often do you go on a diet?
  • What are your opinions about vegetarians and vegans? Are they healthy? Would you ever consider trying that lifestyle?
  • What impact does the environment play on our health as individuals? How about on a larger scale, such as society as a whole?

Source: headsupenglish.com

Venezuela Seizes Toys for Its Children

B1 – Intermediate

The government of Venezuela has decided to confiscate some toys from a distributor to give them to children for free or at discounted prices in time for Christmas. Do you think the government has the right to do this?

Read the article and let’s discuss.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1612/161213-toys.html

 Discussion Questions:

1. What is your general opinion about the article?
2. How important are toys to children?
3. What are some of the toys that you enjoyed during your childhood?
4. What can you say about the toys of children today?
5. Is the government right to take the toys for the children?

What Is Life Really Like In Sweden?

C1 – Advanced

Bike lanes, IKEA and Absolut Vodka. These are what Sweden is famously known for, among others. But what else do we know about Sweden? What do Swedes like about their country? Watch the video below and be ready for a discussion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjq9OEvmjvk

Discuss:

1. Describe education in Sweden.
2. What are the benefits of parents in Sweden?
3. How would you describe work-life balance of the Swedes?
4. What are some of the challenges Sweden is currently facing?
5. Are you happy with the educational system of your country? How about the benefits that parents in your country receive?

Speaking Activity : Beauty

beautyB1 – Intermediate

Beauty and being beautiful has been a misleading issue to men and women alike. Dozens and hundreds of campaigns have been launched to remind people of how beauty can be relative. But what is beauty?

Answer the questions below and be ready to have a speaking activity with your teacher.

Discuss:

1. Do you think beauty is the same for every person?
2. Do you think that different cultures think about beauty differently?
3. What do you think of plastic surgery?
4. What is the most common plastic surgery in your country?
5. What does “Beauty is only skin deep.” mean?
6. What kind of beauty contests are popular in your country? Do they have beauty contests for men too?
7. Do you personally know anyone who have gotten plastic surgery?
8. Who are the most beautiful/handsome celebrities in your country?
9. What makes someone beautiful?
10. Do you think science can measure beauty?

Rules That Make Employees Want to Quit

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every workplace needs rules. They discourage employees from coming to work late, getting drunk at their desks, and most importantly, are intended to ensure efficiency. However, a lot of companies have rules that frustrate employees because they sometimes cross the line into ridiculousness.

Read the article below then express your thoughts about it.

http://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/10-dumb-rules-that-make-your-best-people-want-to-quit.html?utm_content=buffer49014&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Discussion Questions:

1. Do agree with the items listed? why or why not?
2. Give examples of “dumb rules” you’ve encountered.
3. Why do you think rules are necessary?