Tag: Text

South Korea and China Clash on Social Media Over Kimchi

B1 – Intermediate

Kimchi is a common dish among Koreans. It is a traditional fermented food which is made up of mainly vegetables and chili pastes and is normally served as sides. Koreans eat kimchi multiple times a day.

China has a similar dish called pao cai and they are trying to claim the international certification for the process of making this dish.

Let’s read the article below to learn why South Koreans and Chinese are clashing on social media over this.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201203-kimchi-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think China should have the international certification? Why / Why not?
  2. What are the staple dishes of your country?
  3. What do you know about kimchi?
  4. What dish / dishes from your country are you most proud of?
  5. What kind of Chinese food and/or Korean food do you like? Why?

Experimental Brain Implants in Monkeys Offer Hope for Restoring Vision in Blind People

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we try to close our eyes and see nothing, what are the things that comes to your mind? Do you like the feeling of not being able to see a variety of colors and nothing but darkness?

This is how we picture the life of a blind being. Isn’t it hard? Yes, of course! However, after a series of experiments conducted with monkeys, scientists are a step closer to restoring one’s vision through brain implants. This technology, if developed fully, is a breakthrough that will give those who are wishing to restore their eyesight some hope.

Kindly read the article below to further understand this futuristic technology that could uplift many people and their hopes of seeing light and colors.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/03/europe/brain-implant-blind-intl-scli-scn/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_content=2020-12-03T20%3A59%3A03&utm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the scientists come up with this idea?
  2. Did you ever wonder how it feels to be visually-impaired?
  3. What are the potentials of this technology?
  4. Do you think this technology will be a breakthrough for the hopefuls?
  5. How could it change the life of someone who wants to be able to see?

The World’s First Solar-Powered Airport

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Solar energy is the technology used to harness the sun’s energy and make it useable. Many are familiar with so-called photovoltaic cells, or solar panels, found on things like spacecraft, rooftops, and handheld calculators. The cells are made of semiconductor materials like those found in computer chips. When sunlight hits the cells, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms. As the electrons flow through the cell, they generate electricity.

Let’s find out how an airport from India became the world’s first solar-powered airport.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/technology/worlds-first-solar-powered-airport.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes into mind when you hear the term ‘solar energy’?
  2. Are you interested in solar energy?
  3. What are the pros and cons of solar energy?
  4. Do you think buying solar panels for your home is a good investment?
  5. Do you think solar energy could solve the global warming problem?
  6. How can you save some energy in your everyday life?

Fire Safety

B1 – Intermediate

It takes a long time to build a house but only a few minutes to destroy it by the fire. Not only is fire economically damaging it could also be life-threatening. How do we get out of this situation or altogether avoid it?

Let’s watch the video and know some tips on fire safety.

Fire Safety

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are Randall’s fire safety tips?
  2. What other fire safety tips you observe at home?
  3. Are fire alarms and water sprinklers required in residential apartments in your country? If so, why do you think that is?
  4. Do you have a specific fire emergency number? How quickly do they respond?
  5. Have you witnessed fire before? How did you feel at that moment? How serious were the damages?

The ‘Minterns’ Taking Internships in their 30s

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At the age of 30, society expects us to have stable careers and secure jobs. However, not everyone feels personal fulfillment in what they do around this age. This is especially true for millennials.

A study conducted showed that almost half of millennials are dissatisfied with their jobs. A lot of them leave within the first 24 months. Some choose to shift from their original career paths to a different one, purposely starting from the bottom again.

Click the link below and read the article to know more about “minterns”.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190815-the-minterns-taking-internships-in-their-30s

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who are considered as “minterns”? What do you think of people in their 30s taking on internship jobs?
  2. What do you think this work trend reflects?
  3. Can you imagine yourself doing what Alejandro Cavazos did given a chance? Why or why not?
  4. Why do you think a lot of millennials are dissatisfied with their jobs?
  5. How important is personal fulfillment in choosing your career path?
  6. What are you looking for in terms of career development?

A Very Young Influencer

B1 – Intermediate

A seven-year-old child influencer from Italy has gained heartfelt support from people all over the world when his videos went viral on social media platforms. He proves that disability does not prevent a person from inspiring others.

Read the article and listen to the audio and be able to answer the discussion questions:

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-very-young-influencer-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think it is a good idea to make a very young child become an influencer on social media? Why or why not?
  2. If you had/have a child, would you let them become an influencer at a very young age? Why or why not?
  3. What do you think are the perks and pitfalls of being a child influencer?
  4. What do you think of social media influencers who have disabilities? How can they affect the lives of the viewers? What can we learn from them?
  5. How has the society changed their view on people with disabilities over the years?

Inactive Twitter Accounts

B1 – Intermediate

Twitter is working to clean up inactive accounts to present more accurate and credible information that people can trust. This is in response to their commitment to serve the public conversation.

Read the article and listen to the audio and be able to answer the questions that follow:

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/inactive-twitter-accounts-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Twitter removing inactive accounts?
  2. What is your opinion on this: “If Twitter deletes their accounts, people lose memories of them [people who have died]”?
  3. Do you have Twitter? If so, how much do you use it?
  4. What do you think are the good and bad thing about Twitter?
  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having social media accounts?

More Women Drinking Alcohol

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Alcohol use disorder or most commonly known as alcoholism is the inability to manage one’s drinking habits. People struggling with alcoholism may impact relationships, personal matter, work life, and problems with one’s overall health. Nowadays, with the restriction of doing outdoor activities, more and more people especially women are drinking alcohol at home.

Let’s listen to the audio below to learn more.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/more-women-drinking-alcohol/5620265.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is alcoholism a problem in your country?
  2. What are the usual reasons why people drink?
  3. What are the impacts of alcohol in our body?
  4. Why do you think more and more women have been drinking?
  5. How can people overcome alcohol abuse?

Researchers Want to Correct Japanese English

B1 – Intermediate

The government in Japan is using computer and online translations to translate Japanese into English which results to confusing words and expressions for English speakers visiting the country.

Let us read more about the article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201121-japanese-english-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Japan’s problem?
  2. Are there any strange translations from your language into English?
  3. What do you think of translation software?
  4. What do you think of the government using these software?
  5. Have you ever made a big or strange mistake translating into English?

Fashion Designer Encourages Youth to Choose Heritage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fashion trends have changed dramatically over the years but this Vietnamese fashion designer encourages youth to choose heritage to bring back traditions and customs with a twist of modern fashion.

Let’s read the article to know more.

https://www.gulftoday.ae/lifestyle/2020/11/28/vietnamese-fashion-designer-encourages-youth-to-choose-heritage

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about cultural heritage fashion ?
  2. Are you a fashionable person? What fashion trend do you follow?
  3. How are some fashion designers reinventing heritage as modern design?
  4. Do you think heritage fashion can be restrictive and impractical in today’s society?
  5. Do you wear any fashionable clothes that represents your country?