Tag: Speaking

India Removes 287 Laws

B2 – Upper Intermediate
 

The Indian government decides to dismiss laws that date back to the 19th century, when India was under British rule. The law minister is doing a clean up of India’s legal system and described some of the laws as bizarre and outdated.

 

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141010-laws.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Give your opinion about India’s move in removing obsolete laws.
2. Are there laws in your country that you think are laughable or you find useless?
3. What are some of the current laws you have regarding Internet use, domestic violence and other social concerns?

Norway’s 12-year-old Child Bride

image

B2 – Upper intermediate

Thea, a young girl from Norway, started writing about details of her wedding preparations. One day, her mom told her that she has to get married to Geir, who is 37 years old.

The truth about Thea, Norway’s 12-year-old child bride

Discuss:

1. What was your reaction while reading the article?
2. What is your opinion on the idea of child bride?
3. Why do you think other countries allow child brides?
3. What is your opinion on arranged marriages?
4. What do you think is the ideal age to get married?

Bridging the Technology Gap

B1 – Intermediate

We are in the high technology age. Technical devices get upgraded almost every time.

However, did we consider those people still living in the past? If they have the same knowledge of technology as the people of this generation?

This article contains a video and an audio clip. Feel free to to watch and listen.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/teen-senior-bridge-technology-gap/2451596.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should we consider this gap a social issue?
  2. Is it easy to bridge this gap between your own grandparents or older parents?
  3. In your household, is everyone very knowledgeable when it comes to tech gadgets and devices?
  4. What domestic appliances do you have that are very modern?

Fear

B1 – Intermediate

Fear is an emotion observed by living things particularly among humans and animals. Fear may take place in response to a certain stimulus or that provokes response.

Find out what some people are afraid of:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/expressenglish/2011/10/111031_ee_fear_page.shtml

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your greatest fear?
2. How do you usually respond to fear? Can you think of good ways to handle fear?
3. Do you think psychiatric intervention is necessary to address issues concerning fear?
4. Share some of your scary experiences.

Retirement

B1 – Intermediate

In most countries the official retirement age is 60. For footballers they retire much earlier than other athletes. For some people retirement is a financial decision but for others it may not be reason enough.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2013/09/130926_6min_retirement.shtml

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you consider retirement as a financial decision?
2. What are the benefits that retirees in Spain get?
3. How would you spend your time as a retiree?

Cash for Better Grades

B1 – Intermediate

A new report says ensuring children money to pass exams does not give them better grades. Parents might be wasting their money by using cash as an incentive.

Read the lesson below and be ready to discuss.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141008-exams.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think you can encourage a child to study harder?
2. How did your parents motivate you when you were studying?
3. What motivates you to work harder?
4. Would you like to go back to school or study a new course?
5. How would you define success?

Cartoon Gets Racism Warning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Amazon, has put a warning on some of the ‘Tom and Jerry’ cartoons.  They have said that that the scenes were wrong when the cartoons were made 70 years ago, and are still wrong today.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141004-tom-and-jerry.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you define the term “racism”?
  2. Do you think that racism can be seen in some cartoons? Give some examples.
  3. Do you witness racism in your workplace or in your community? How about in other TV shows?
  4. Why do you think racism is present in our society?

Where the Spanish Go for a Better Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Due to the economic crisis that the country has been experiencing, some Spanish have opted to find opportunities outside of their country.  Which countries do the Spanish usually go to find a better job?

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20141003-why-are-spaniards-fleeing-home

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you say that the situation is still the same now?
2. Have you ever considered immigrating?
3. If you would move to a different country for work, where would it be and why?
4. Do you have colleagues or friends from different parts of the world?

Grandma Fulfills Dream of Flying

B1 – Intermediate

Walt Disney once said, ” All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Mary Moe is a true testament to these words. At age 91, she fulfilled her dream of flying a plane. Truly, Moe and her story inspires people to dream, regardless of age.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/ninety-one-year-old-achieves-dream-learns-to-fly/2471697.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you perceive aging?
  2. What are some things you think you will be doing when you are old?
  3. What is your greatest dream? How were you able to reach it?
  4. If you haven’t fulfilled it, what are the challenges that you are facing that keep you from achieving this dream? How do you plan to fulfill it?
  5. Should people realize their dream as soon as they can or wait until the perfect moment to do it? Explain.

Jealousy

B1 – Intermediate

Jealousy is an emotion which is often comprised of negative thoughts, possessiveness, anxiety and fear. It is also often referred to by people as ” green-eyed monster”.

Jealousy

Discuss:

1. Have you ever been jealous? How do you manage such emotion?
2. Is being jealous okay? When is it wrong to be jealous?
3. Would you consider yourself to be an emotional person?