Tag: Text

The Second Lives of Swiss bunkers

CYre09nWEAA4b8N

C1 – Advanced

Bunkers, especially from war, will always give you an eerie and strange feeling. In Switzerland, however, some people were actually able to utilize them as way of profit.

Click on the title below to look at the photos and read the article on how some Swiss bunkers were brought back to life. Be ready to discuss some words and expressions.

The fascinating second lives of Swiss bunkers (one is a mushroom farm)

Discuss:

1. What do you think of re-using old bunkers like the Swiss did?
2. Would you stay at a hotel like Hotel Zero?
3. Have you ever been to a place which was an important part of history?
4. Describe some of the strange places that you have visited in the past.

The Magic of Tidying Up

preview-982705-650x341-98-1470402276

B2 – Upper intermediate

Are you one of those people who always has a messy room? You have so many stuff but you just don’t know how to throw them out.

Read the article below and see how easy it is to organize and live in a place with space for you to finally breathe, relax and think.

The magic of tidying up: your guide to getting your place clean once and for all

Discuss:

1. How do you organize your things?
2. Is it easy for you to do housework or household chores?
3. What other tips can you think of on how to tidy up a room?

One School, Five Languages

4ACCE0CF-1685-420D-80E7-B0BC3DF77B90_cx2_cy5_cw90_w987_r1_s_r1

B2 – Upper intermediate

Jobs in the future will require people to be able to speak more than one language. Some schools in New York are providing dual language programs. What are your thoughts on being a polyglot?

One School, Five Languages

Discuss:

1. How many languages can you speak fluently?
2. Do you think that one day there will be just one language in the world? Would the world be a better place?
3. Are there any disadvantages in learning another language?
4. What are the advantages of being able to speak more than one language?

Kids To Start Doing Chores

C1 – Advanced

Some parents are so occupied with letting their kids do activities that will help them be successful individuals in the future. Who would have thought that those expensive personality development courses can be outweighed by doing household chores when it comes to predicting success?

Science Has Figured Out The Best Age For Kids To Start Doing Chores

Discuss:
1. Do you agree with the idea presented in this article?
2. What other activities can help develop a child’s personality and character?
3. How do you think doing household chores as a child helped you in life?

The Struggle to Stay Child-Free

_87129859_pregtest_think976

C1 – Advanced

In many countries, it seems like having a child or children is the most important thing. Some women spoke up about the hardships that they encountered upon deciding not to have children and are telling the world about it.

The struggle to stay child-free

Discuss:

1. In your old age would you want your children to look after you?
2. Is having children the norm in your country?
3. In other countries, like Iran, educated women see having children as a burden. What is your reaction to this?

Home Schoolers On the Rise

B1 – Intermediate

What enters your mind when someone mentions the term “Home School”?

Read the article below to know more about what home schooling is and how some parents consider this education option.  Be ready to do the speaking activities in this article with your teacher.

More and more families are choosing to teach their children at home. Although some families disagree or dislike with what is taught in schools, the reason for the new trend is different. Instead, home schooling better fits their lifestyles than public schools.

For example, Lisa Mazzoni and her family live in California and Florida. Lisa sometimes does her algebra or history homework by the pool or on her condo’s rooftop. Lisa’s mother says, “For someone who travels a lot and wants to keep the family together, it’s an excellent choice.” The Mazzonis own a speedboat company, and so they must travel frequently.

Private teachers cost about $70 to $110 an hour, though. Supporters see in-home teaching as the chance to give children the best schooling with flexible schedules. However, some believe that children don’t have the chance to build friendships and social skills. Group lessons, such as ballet or sports, may help, but the results aren’t clear.

There are many companies that supply teachers and materials, which makes it easier for families to choose home schooling. Tiffany Wheeler, another home schooler, explains it best. “It’s fun,” she says as she sits relaxed at her bedroom desk.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some reasons that you would want to home school your child?
2. What are some reasons that you wouldn’t want to home school your child?
3. Do you think home schooling via the Internet will be common in the future?
4. What would you say if your son/daughter wanted to quit school and study at home?
5. If you moved to an English speaking country for one year, would you home school?

Japan’s Fake Food

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is an old saying, ‘we eat with our eyes’. Many instances we’ve proven that this could be true.

Realistic-looking food are used as an advertising tool all over Japan. Various food items on display are not real but they look so tempting, you’d want to eat them!

Watch the video and read the transcript to know more about this Japanese culture that is both an art and a business.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tasty-to-the-eyes-japans-fake-food/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of realistic-looking food displays?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that when it comes to food, “before you eat, observe it”?
  3. According to the video, why is plastic food important in Japan?
  4. Based on the video, how are some of the food made? What are some of the equipment they use?
  5. Have you been to Japan? Would you like to visit?

Electric Car

B2 – Upper intermediate

An electric car uses electrical energy stored in  rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device. With the current problems in climate change, more people are looking for alternative energy sources. Some experts say that using electric cars is one of the best solutions in dealing with fuel demands and pollution.

Read the article below to know more about Tesla Motor’s electric car.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1507/150721-electric-car.html

 Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of electric cars?
2. What would future cars be like?
3. How will electric cars affect traffic and road safety?
4. What are your preferences when it comes to vehicles?

Virtual Worlds Are Useful for Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Learning could be fun and engaging with the aid of modern technology innovations like the so-called virtual world. The program is designed to educate children and at the same time, help them to experience life in the real world. But will this really help them be better when it comes to socializing?

Read the short article below then express your thoughts.

http://www.english-online.at/society/web-worlds/virtual-worlds-for-children.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think that virtual worlds really help children?
2. Are there any advantages to pushing children to engage in virtual programs? If there is, what are they?
3. What other form of technology can be considered useful in a child’s development?

The End of Newspapers

B2 – Upper intermediate

News nowadays are just at the fingertips. You’ll know the latest in an instant. No need to go to a newspaper stand to read the latest.

The enormous information over the internet world is overwhelming. The information is so huge that reliability seems irrelevant and undependable. In contrast, news based on articles, ideas and opinions seems to be more honest.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Journalists and experts in the news industry wonder if print journalism will survive. More people go to the Internet for news because of accessibility. Readers can browse through additional articles across several newspapers, read blogs, listen to audio, and watch videos. In addition, the content is often free. However, the end of newspapers may mean more than the end of a medium. It could mean the end of journalism as we know it.

For the most part, journalists and the newspaper industry are honest. The same cannot be said about blogs and faux news-like websites, even if they have become a popular source of information. The articles might often express biased opinions, or report information that hasn’t been fact checked. There is a need for balanced reporting or journalistic integrity.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s your opinion on newspapers and journalists?
2. What’s your opinion on blogs and bloggers?
3. What would happen if newspapers completely disappeared? Why do you think so?