Tag: Text

Open-Plan Offices

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In recent years, companies have opted for open-plan offices to encourage employee interaction and collaboration. In a new study, however, having an open floor plan may in fact have the opposite effect and be counterproductive.

Read the article to find out more.

https://theconversation.com/a-new-study-should-be-the-final-nail-for-open-plan-offices-99756

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the article all about? Explain in your own words.
  2. What are the pros and cons of having an open floor plan? What about a closed one?
  3. Talk about the layout or floor plan of your own company/office. How do you think can communication and teamwork be improved in your company?

Four-Day Workweeks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This headline may seem too good to be true. But a New Zealand company is saying otherwise. In fact, it may be a true solution to productivity problems.

Read the article to find out about this innovative experiment.

https://theconversation.com/working-four-day-weeks-for-five-days-pay-research-shows-it-pays-off-100375

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the article in your own words. What is your opinion about this New Zealand company’s bold move?
  2. Talk about your work schedule. Do you think applying this same technique can be beneficial for yourself and for your company? Why or why not?
  3. How can one achieve work-life balance? Provide some of your own personal tips.

Japan Lowers Age of Adulthood

B1 – Intermediate

More and more young Japanese do not want to get married and start a family. This would affect the economy and the whole society in the future.

To avoid serious consequences of this trend, the Japanese government has decided to change adulthood age from 20 to 18.

Read on about this change through the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1806/180617-adulthood-4.html

Discussion Question

  1. What can you say about this change?
  2. What effects are the Japanese government hoping for with this change?
  3. Do you think those would be achieved?
  4. How do you think the traditional “Coming of Age” Day in this country will change now?
  5. What are some things 18 and 20 year-olds do in your country?

Cash for Not Speeding

B2 – Upper Intermediate

From 2018 to 2019, Brabant, the Netherlands will be installing a dynamic speedometer. This would track whether drivers are following the 30 km/hr speed limit.

The project aims to make motorists attentive to their speed and at the same time, earn some cash for the benefit of their community.

Find out more about this new road safety scheme through the article below:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/25/dutch-speed-camera-stop-drivers-limit-helmond

Discussion Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on this news? Do you think positive reinforcement would work in this case?
2. Do you agree that keeping the proper speed when driving reduces the occurence of road accidents?
3. What are other ways to achieve zero or reduced road fatalities?

Flying Car

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For decades, we have faced traffic congestion problems. One bizarre idea to help ease traffic jams on the roads is to invent cars that fly. Flying cars will no longer be just an imagination as flying cars could be on sale next year.

Read the full article and know more details about this invention.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44805697

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you like to own a flying car?

2. How would flying cars change our lives?

3. What do you think should be the requirements to be able to fly this kind of car?

 

Things Successful People Do Every Friday Afternoon

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of (working) people would agree that Friday is the best day of a workweek. And why not? It serves as the welcome wagon to the weekend.

We have different habits, plans, and practices on a Friday afternoon. Some are fun and dynamic, while some are easy-breezy and laid-back. But, how do successful people spend theirs? Let’s find out.

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-successful-people-do-friday-afternoon-2016-10

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you usually end your workweek?
  2. What do you normally do on Friday afternoons?
  3. Do you agree that we should adhere to our routines to be more successful?
  4. How do your bosses and colleagues contribute to you having a perfect end-of-shift Friday?

Mad Cool Festival Chaos

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Mad Cool Festival is a relatively new rock and pop festival held in Madrid in the summer. 80,000 tickets to the event sold out in a few days. Concert-goers were expecting 3 days of music, fun, and unforgettable moments. It was indeed unforgettable, but for entirely different reasons.

Read the article and find out what went “mad” at the Mad Cool Festival 2018.

https://www.thelocal.es/20180716/complaints-flood-in-over-madcool-festival-chaos

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the article in your own words.
  2. What do you think the organizers should have done differently?
  3. Have you been to a concert or music festival before? Talk about your own experience.

Beautiful Spanish Beach Towns

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Spain is a hugely popular destination for tourists. Pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters, a thriving nightlife, and dozens of unique festivals draw millions of people to this culturally-diverse country every year. Many people have flocked to the partying capital Mallorca or the magnificent Costa Brava strip in Catalonia but what about the other lovely seaside towns that Spain has to offer?

Take a look at the gallery and find out more about 10 lesser-known but no less beautiful seaside destinations in Spain.

https://www.thelocal.es/galleries/travel/spains-ten-most-beautiful-beach-towns-

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, what is the most famous tourist destination in your country?
  2. What can you say about these other seaside towns? Do you know any of these from the list?
  3. Describe the most beautiful beach you’ve ever been to. What is special or unique about it?
  4. What may be some pros and cons of visiting popular and off-the-beaten track beaches?

The Inevitability of the Office Romance

C1 – Advanced

Fraternization in the workplace involves relationships that go beyond the normal scope of employee interactions. Some companies may allow dating among their employees, but others strictly do not.

Read more about employee fraternization and how an organization can establish a healthy employee dating policy within it.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220228-the-inevitability-of-the-office-romance

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some benefits and harms of allowing a romantic relationship in a workplace?

2. Tell me about employee fraternization in your workplace. Why or why is it not allowed?

3. In what industries do you think employee fraternization can and can stringently not be allowed?

4. If employee fraternization were not allowed in your company, what would you do if you fell in love with a colleague?

Stress Relief

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone experiences stress at times. Stress can be helpful because people can develop the skills they need to deal with possible threatening situations throughout life. Stress is a disadvantage when it prevents a person from taking care of themselves or their family.

More and more people try to find healthy ways to cope with it.

Click the link and find out some simple tips to help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/gretchen-rubin/stress-relief-10-extremel_b_617967.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you stressed out? What usually makes you stressed?
  2. Do you think the tips mentioned in the article are helpful to relieve stress?
  3. How do you cope up with stress?
  4. Do you have any more tips to add in order to reduce stress?