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Climate Change Will Crush Real Estate Values

C1 – Advanced

Key players in the real estate industry are spending huge amount of resources into estimating climate risk and its possible consequences on property portfolios. This process might cost investors large amounts of money if they aren’t prepared. But for those who are, there’s a big chance to profit more.

Read the article to find out more about climate risk and its probable effect on property investments.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/08/climate-change-will-crush-real-estate-values-for-unprepared-investors-report.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think properties are good investment? Why or why not?
  2. How much damage do you think natural disasters have affected residential and commercial real estate in your country in the past years? Cite some incidents.
  3. Explain what this statement means, “This process will be painful for investors who are caught off guard, but those who are prepared have the potential to outperform”.
  4. How do real estate investment companies in your country gauge climate change risks? What mitigation strategies have they developed?

Spanish Taxman Investigates Ronaldo Revelations

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some high-profile personalities have been implicated in tax-dodging activities after documents gathered by German weekly Der Spiegel were leaked. Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, is one of them.

Read the article to know more about this tax controversy involving high-profile footballers.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40260517

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on this news?

2. What can be done in order to prevent high-profile personalities from committing tax fraud?

3. What changes would you like to see in your country’s tax system?

Night Vision

B1 – Intermediate

Scientists have given mice the ability to see in the dark. Cells found in mice’s retinas are also found in humans. Researchers hope that one day humans may be able to see in the dark.

Let’s read the article to know how these rodents were able to see better in the dark.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1903/190306-night-vision.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What did scientists inject into the mice’s eyes?
2. How long did the effects of injections last?
3. What do you think of this research?
4. Would you like to be able to see in the dark? Why or why not?
5. What is your opinion on technologies like this that give humans abilities that are beyond what’s normal?

Button Batteries Kill

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Medical cases involving button batteries have been reported since the 1970s. Who would have thought that these tiny things in your remote control or car keys could be so dangerous?

Read the article to find out more.

https://theconversation.com/button-batteries-kill-heres-how-we-can-prevent-needless-child-deaths-from-battery-ingestion-101187

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, how do button batteries cause damage?
  2. What can parents do to prevent incidents with batteries from happening? How should parents child-proof their homes?
  3. How prevalent are button battery injuries among kids in your country? Why do you think that is?
  4. What other health-related issues are very common among children in your country these days?
  5. Have you or anyone you know had a medical emergency as a kid or involving a child? Please share.

How to Call in Sick to Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone needs a time off from work for being under the weather. We are not machines that do not get run-down, so calling in sick to work is necessary. However, some people skip out work for some reasons, such as having a doctor’s appointment, not feeling like working, needing to relax, and catching up on sleep. Regardless if it is a genuine illness or not, be sure to follow the right steps for taking a sick day.

Read here: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-call-in-sick-to-work-4172109

Discussion Questions:

1. Talk about the process of filing a leave in your company.

2. Have you faked an illness just to take a day off?

3. What are some common fake reasons for taking a personal day? How can we lessen some of these crooked actions?

4. How can one motivate himself to go to work everyday?

Starbucks Cafes

B1 – Intermediate

Cafes are known for their very comfortable and homey ambiance. This makes it a perfect place to relax and pass time. The question is, if you want to stay in a cafe for many hours or just use their toilets, is it necessary to order something?

Read more below about this new rule that Starbucks is implementing in its stores.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1805/180522-starbucks-cafes-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion about this news?
2. Do you agree that any person who enters a shop is a customer? Explain.
3. Do you believe this new rule will make life easier for the cafe managers? Why or why not?
4. What do you think would be the results of this new rule to Starbucks?

Film Star Pay

B1 – Intermediate

It looks like they live in a world of fame, money, and glamour. Celebrities seems to have it all. This kind of life attracts many people to dream of becoming a star too.

But what if movie stars do not receive high pay? Will it be as interesting to become one?

Read more about the new rule in China in the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1807/180701-film-star-pay-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree with the government’s decision?
2. Should movie stars be paid a lot of money? Why or why not?
3. Who is your favorite movie star? Talk about him or her.

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?