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Las Vegas Casinos

B1 – Intermediate

For some, gambling is a way to entertain themselves but for others, it becomes a part of their routine. There are certain things you can remember in order to gamble wisely.

Watch this video on some tips when you go to a casino to gamble.

Las Vegas Casinos

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to Randall, what are the things you should remember when you gamble? Do you agree or disagree with his tips?
  2. What do you think of gambling?
  3. Is gambling a part of culture in your country? What are the most common forms of gambling in your country? Is there an area in your country famous for gambling?
  4. Do you believe in ‘beginner’s luck’?
  5. What does the expression ‘the house always wins’ mean? Do you think this is true or not?

Eating Jellyfish Could Save Endangered Fish

B1 – Intermediate

Endangered species are very common nowadays. It is because humans everything from their homes and even the animals too. They are so small in number. They are at a very high risk of extinction. We need to take some actions in order to preserve them.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201024-jellyfish-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How serious is the problem of food shortage?
  2. What do you think of people fishing for endangered species?
  3. Do you think eating jellyfish would help the world? Why/Why not?
  4. What would happen if many fish became extinct?
  5. Do you worry that fish are in danger of being extinct? Why/Why not?

Problem of Abolishing Coins

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The concept of currency has changed in all countries in the world over time. It has changed from barter system to coins, paper, and now, digital payment system. Since coins are often lost or discarded by customers, do you think it is time to eliminate them?

Let’s read the article on the problem with taking coins out of circulation.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20201012-the-problem-with-abolishing-coins

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about coins? What problems associated with coins and eliminating them were mentioned in the article?
  2. Do you still use coins in paying? Is it convenient or the opposite for you?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using coins?
  4. Do you think coins practically have no value anymore? What would happen if these were abolished?
  5. What forms of monetary payment do you use these days?
  6. Talk about the history of money in your country (from barter to bank notes to credit cards to online or mobile payments etc.)

“Speaking Up About HIV Stigma” Campaign

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Aside from the serious medical issues HIV positives are facing, they are also experiencing stigma and discrimination because of this disease. As a result, they tend to be discriminated in most social groups they belong to. Illinois HIV Care Connect launched a campaign to raise awareness on this issue.

Read this article for more information on this campaign.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201021005133/en/Illinois-HIV-Care-Connect-Launches-%E2%80%9CSpeaking-Up-About-HIV-Stigma%E2%80%9D-Campaign-in-Spanish-to-Encourage-Social-Media-Engagement

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the campaign about? How will it be helpful to those affected people?
  2. What is your reaction to this news?
  3. Are sexually transmitted diseases openly talked about in your country?
  4. Are there any laws in your country that protect the confidentiality and basic rights of people with HIV?
  5. What do you think are some ways to end the HIV stigma?

Two-fifths of World’s Plants at Risk of Extinction

B1 – Intermediate

Plants are everywhere. They provide us with so many resources to survive and most importantly, they maintain the atmosphere. Plants play an important role in the discovery of new drugs/medicines even for life-threatening diseases.

What will happen if all plants become extinct?

Let’s read the article below to learn more about plants extinction.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201002-plant-extinction-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of plants? How useful are they?
  2. What will happen as more and more plants become extinct?
  3. How serious an issue is food insecurity?
  4. Should we spend more money on genetically modifying plants? Why/why not?
  5. What do you think world leaders will do about this problem?

Men Create All the Problems

B2 – Upper Intermediate

While great strides have been made in the fight for women’s rights, there are still a few places on the planet where even their most basic needs continue to be denied by their patriarchal society.

Read the article below and be ready to weigh in on this issue.

https://www.thetimesinplainenglish.com/men-create-all-the-problems/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the article’s headline “Men Create All the Problems!”? Is it justified in the context of the information presented?
  2. What is your reaction to this story on the plight of Afghan women?
  3. Describe how you feel when you contrast the state of women’s rights in Spain to that of the women in Afghanistan.
  4. What improvements have you observed in Spanish society with regards to the treatment of women? What further actions can be done to ensure gender equality?

Things Making a Comeback During the Pandemic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a lot of problems and drastic changes in many areas of the economy. However, amidst the crisis, some products and industries are reaping benefits from the massive changes in how we live, work, and shop.

Read the article and know the things making a huge comeback during the pandemic.

https://www.countryliving.com/life/inspirational-stories/g32631751/things-making-comeback-during-pandemic/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which ones on the list do you think are must-have items during the pandemic? Which ones do you think are not that important?
  2. What items have become in demand again during the pandemic in your country?
  3. What are the things you have bought during the pandemic and what made you buy them?
  4. What are some things you have stopped buying during the pandemic?

China’s Richest Man

B1 – Intermediate

Zhong Shanshan, the founder of the popular Chinese bottled water brand Nongfu Spring, is now the richest person in China. He worked as a construction worker before making it big in business of bottled water which is a huge industry in China.

Let’s read the article:

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200926-richest-man-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think it’s like to be rich?

2. How easy is it to start a company?

3. How happy are you with your level of wealth?

4. What things would you change if you were a multi-billionaire?

How Will Coronavirus Change the Way We Live?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This year of upheaval has been very challenging to all of us not only because of the ongoing pandemic, but as well as the racial justice protests, the downturn of the economy without modern precedent and the unprecedented number of natural calamities experienced everywhere.

It seemed life is being flipped with this extreme turn of events. Many of us, if not complaining, have wondered why we have to face or suffer too much this year. For some, this is very perplexing to comprehend.

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-52356136

Discussion Questions:

  1. How’s your experience been so far this year? Is it challenging or somehow manageable?
  2. What aspect of this year’s local, national, or global news was the most profound for you? Is it the pandemic? The new normal? Or the racial discrimination protest? Something else? Why?
  3. How will you answer the big question: “How has 2020 challenged or changed you?
  4. Have you been dealing with all this well or have you somehow struggled to get through it? Share your experiences and motivations to live life in this challenging times.

Thai Parks Mail Litter Back to Tourists

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Littering irritates everyone. It destroys the beauty of nature and our surrounding. People are sometimes too lazy to dump their rubbish in a bin and just throws them anywhere, making the area look dirty.

Read this lesson on an unusual punishment for littering.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200920-litter-mail.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Thailand’s litter policy?
  2. What are the rules or laws on littering in your country?
  3. Should people pay a fine or go to prison for littering? Why or why not?
  4. What does littering say about someone’s character?
  5. Should we pick up other people’s litter? Why or why not?