Tag: technology

Grocery Store Influencers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Influencers are becoming more and more important in reaching shoppers nowadays. A full-time Detroit mother blogs about the discount German grocery chain that has a huge following. She gives very objective reviews of different products and her experiences.

Here is the article about it:

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/07/business/influencers-aldi-kroger-costco-publix/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is influencer marketing?

2. Do you follow any influencers? Why or why not?

3. Is there any authenticity in influencer marketing?

4. What do you think will be the future of influencer marketing?

5. What are other ways you find out about deals and discounts on products or services?

Can Robots Care for Us?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Can robots have empathy? Can robots care for us?

Let’s find out by listening to the podcast carefully.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-191121

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of having a robot carer?
  2. Do you think it’s possible for robots to have empathy?
  3. Would you buy one for yourself? Why or why not?
  4. How are elderlies taken care of in your country?

The Rise of Virtual Restaurants

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Much commerce is being done through the Web these days. This is particularly evident in the food industry. The Internet is offering exciting new possibilities for sellers and foodies alike.

The following audio and text will deepen our understanding of this matter.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/online-food-ordering-gives-rise-to-virtual-restaurants/5137728.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Nowadays, people either order in or eat out. What makes either option appealing?
  2. Which apps have you already used to have food delivered? Was it a convenient or cumbersome means of ordering food?
  3. Why have some restaurateurs decided to take the “virtual” route in doing business? What keeps some of them from fully embracing the idea?

Cover Your Camera

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Netizens noticed something about Mark Zuckerberg’s laptop when he posted a picture on Instagram: there was a tape covering the camera and the microphone to protect against hackers.

Is the multi-billionaire being paranoid? Or, is it a call for everyone not to trust his or her own webcam?

Watch the video below:

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you find webcam hacking as a serious issue?
  2. Can you share some tips or insights on how we can keep our cameras and privacy secure?
  3. What actions should every government do to protect its citizens from webcam hacking?

Digital Parenting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For most families, it can be difficult to keep up with the rapid development in technological devices, mobile applications, and the ways young people use them.

Digital parents play a crucial role in molding how their children use digital media. It’s important for parents to have conversations with their children about the digital world – so families can make the best use of it and enable children to navigate it safely.

Read the article on connectivity and raising children.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/digital-parents-how-connectivity-has-improved-the-way-we-bring-up-children_uk_5cc3060ee4b05f4d35ff4a7b

Discussion Questions:

1. Is technology a good or a bad thing?
2. How has technology changed parenting?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using gadgets for children?
4. From what age do you think children should have a mobile phone?

Amazon Alexa Answers Health Questions

B1 – Intermediate

Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants can listen to, answer questions, and follow commands. But should it give health advice too?

Read about AI assistants answering health questions from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190712-alexa-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the good and bad things about an AI assistant answering questions about health?
2. Why are some people worried about this new feature of Alexa?
3. Would you use this feature to ask about your health questions?

Will Drones Transform Farmers’ Lives in Thailand?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Today’s technology is rapidly evolving and now with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle also known as a drone, our agriculture will soon be revolutionized.

Read the article below to know how Thai Agriculture could expand and evolve.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/03/asia/bug-away-thailand-drones-intl/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How will drones transform agriculture?

2. What are the pros and cons of using drones?

3. What do you think are other uses of drones?

4. Would you like to have a drone? What are you going to use it for?

5. How has the agriculture sector changed in your country over the past years?

Pay Money to Become More Intelligent

B2- Upper Intermediate

What if you could make money or type something just by thinking about it? What if you could get richer, get healthier or even live longer? It sounds like science fiction, but it might be closer to reality than we think.

Super smart people could be walking down the street; men and women who’ve paid to increase their intelligence. Dr. Cerf believes we will be able to control our lives better if we have more control over our brains.

Listen to the audio about smart chips:

 

Read the transcript here: https://deepenglish.com/2019/04/become-more-intelligent/

 

Discussion Questions: 

1. Would you want to get a smart chip implanted on your brain?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of smart chips?

3. What will be the social implications of smart chips?

4. Will the smart chips create intelligence inequality?

5. What are some brain exercises that help enhance our intelligence?

 

Smart Speakers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Smart speakers have been gaining popularity all over the world. We find convenience in using these devices as they listen to all our commands.

But how can we be sure that this mere ‘listening’ by these gadgets isn’t ‘spying’?

Listen to the discussion on smart speakers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190509

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you make of smart speakers?
  2. What are your thoughts on the possibility of you being spied on through your smart devices?
  3. Talk about your experience using a smart speaker or any smart device. If you aren’t using one yet, what are your reasons for not doing so?
  4. Tell us your experience eavesdropping.

Vampire Shopping

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the many things we can do on our laptops and smartphones is shopping. We can do it any moment of the day, even in the dead of the night. But is this a good thing to do?

Listen to this episode as the hosts talk about their shopping habits and vampire shopping.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190530

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on very late night shopping?
  2. What are the pros and cons of shopping online?
  3. Talk about your online shopping habits, experiences, and online shopping’s effects on you.
  4. Have you ever bought things you regretted or were ashamed of?
  5. Have you ever gotten sucked into something?