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Do Employers Look for Experience or Education?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Education is often described as an investment. Does having a high academic qualification still remain an important consideration in landing a job? Do companies hire employees based on their skills and experiences?

Let us read some of the factors to consider when it comes to the duel between education and experience.

https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0710/experience-or-education-which-one-lands-you-the-job.aspx

Discussion Questions:

1.What is more important – skills without a degree or a degree without skills?

2. How does a college degree improve a graduate’s employment opportunities?

3.What are some jobs where college qualifications aren’t required?

4. Is a college degree necessary in the job you have? Why do you think you were hired by your company?

5. What are some of your job-seeking experiences?

Water on the Moon

B1 – Intermediate

The moon is nearest to the earth. It has no light of its own but shines at night by the reflected light of the sun. Several craters are found on the surface of the moon made by impact events.

NASA found out that the moon may have more amounts of water than we thought.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about this amazing news about water in the moon.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201030-water-on-the-moon-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What things do you know about the moon?
  2. What experiments might take place on the moon?
  3. Why might permanent moon bases be important?
  4. What do you think about water existing on the moon?
  5. How important is space exploration?

Diet Drinks As Unhealthy As Sugary Ones

B1 – Intermediate

Diet soda is addictive. Many people think that diet soda is healthy because diet soda contains no fat, low or no calories, and no sugar. Yet, it doesn’t really mean that drinking it won’t lead to weight gain.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about diet drinks.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201101-diet-soda-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should we be eating or drinking anything artificial? Why/why not?
  2. What do you think of artificial sweeteners?
  3. What kinds of food would you like to remove from your diet?
  4. How good or bad is your daily diet? Describe your diet.
  5. What can we do to prevent obesity?

How to Practice Effectively

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You may have heard the old saying that “practice makes perfect”. Mastery, repetition, and habits are concepts often heard in self-development circles. Some have even tried to reduce the attainment of mastery to a matter of focused repetition on a task for a period of 10,000 hours or roughly ten years.

However, as we will see in the following video, effective practice may be more about neural tissue than actual muscle.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what role does the brain play in mastery?
  2. What myths about mastery does the video debunk?
  3. What are some tips in making practice time more effective?
  4. What skills are you currently working on? Do you feel that you are on your way to mastering them?

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?