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Financial Lessons from Our Grandparents

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the modern world, everything is easy-access. From buying clothes, to furniture to groceries – everything can now be bought online with your handy dandy credit cards. But did you know that when it comes to saving, the best people to ask advice from are our grandparents?

Read the article below and express your thoughts.

http://www.wisebread.com/10-financial-lessons-we-learn-from-our-grandparents

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some financial lessons that you have learned from your parents/grandparents?
  2. How can we teach young people about financial sense?
  3. Do you prefer paying with cash or credit card? Explain your choice.
  4. What do you think are the advantages of paying cash?
  5. Are you good at saving money? Why or why not?
  6. What are the things that you plan on spending in the future?

World Wonders Threatened

B1 – Intermediate

More and more people are becoming aware of climate change, simply because it’s more evident. Do you think we still have time to save this Earth?

Winters are becoming warmer each year. Summers are hotter and drier. Scientists say that extreme weather will become normal in the future. Water shortages will be common too, and will affect more than one billion people around the world. And according to new information, global warming may destroy some of the Earth’s natural wonders.

World governments and environmental organizations are starting to talk more honestly about climate change. Evidence increasingly shows how much damage we have done to the environment. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Brussels recently said that humankind’s activities are definitely the top reason for our hotter planet.

So what will the impact be? With warmer oceans, coral reefs everywhere will begin to die. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders, will disappear. In the Amazonian rain forest, many of the trees will die, and much of the area will become dry savannah. In Chile and Argentina, melting glaciers will create a drier climate. As a result, there will be more forest fires in the region.

Some of the damage cannot be repaired. Action now, though, could limit or prevent some of the problems.

Discuss: (from article)

1. Are you concerned about the environment?
2. What could every person on Earth do right now to help save the environment?
3. How has the environment changed since you were a child?
4. What do you think the Earth will be like in the future?
5. Have you ever seen any of the natural wonders?

Facebook boss to take paternity leave

C1 – Advanced

Parental leaves are enjoyed by employees to help take care of their children. In recent years, companies have recognized the importance of a father’s role during the first few weeks of a newborn. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took two months of paternity leave following the birth of his daughter. What does this mean for the rest of the working fathers out there?

Facebook boss to take paternity leave 

Discuss:

1. What do you think of the idea of paternity leave?
2. What do you think about what you read?
3. What kind of message is Mark Zuckerberg sending?
4. Do fathers in your country take advantages of their paternity leaves?

Corruption Busting Is Her Game

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A 23- year old woman investigates corruption and manages an organization’s digital communications platform. She’s trying to build an international community of online corruption fighters.  It’s a space where people share evidence of graft, and where the corrupt are named and shamed.

Read the article about Kavisha Pillay’s work with Corruption Watch and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.voanews.com/a/corruption-busting-is-her-game/3075265.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Kavisha Pillay’s idea and actions?
  2. Would you be courageous enough to join her in cyber space to fight against corruption?
  3. Do you think the idea of naming and shaming will be as effective as hoped? Why or why not?
  4. What else can concerned citizens do to help curb or stop corruption?

Why Do People Drink?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Drinking alcohol is considered a very social activity. However, what might cause one to drink one too many?

Let’s find out the factors that cause people to consume alcohol. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201703/why-do-people-drink

Discussion Questions:

  1. What normally causes people to drink to excess?
  2. What made you have your first drink? Talk about your whole experience having your first taste of alcohol.
  3. What’s the drinking culture like in your country?
  4. Talk about how drinking culture and attitudes to alcohol vary from country to country.

Diamonds Are a Waste of Your Money

C1 – Advanced

As the famous saying goes, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Ira Weissman will make people change their minds in his article about diamonds.

Read the piece below then share your thoughts about the well-loved stone.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-weissman/7-reasons-why-you-shouldn_b_1720870.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How did the tradition of diamonds as an engagement ring begin?
2. Do you think diamonds are worth it?
3. Is giving some diamonds a sign of true love or appreciation?

Video: In Hong Kong, Neon’s Fading Glow

B2 – Upper intermediate

Technology has to evolve and we have to adapt. But what about those who are left behind?

Watch the video and talk about “fading” technology and express your thoughts about it.

In Hong Kong, Neon’s Fading Glow

Discuss:

1. What is your general reaction to the video?
2. Name some of the businesses that closed because of evolving technology.
3. Do you think there is a way of “re-using” or mixing old technology with new technology?

The Country Where Fun is a Way of Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever been to Thailand? Thais have actually made having fun a way of life – something we could all learn from.

Find out more why having fun is of utmost reverence in this country.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20151119-can-thailand-teach-us-all-to-have-more-fun

Discussion Questions:

1. What is sanuk?
2. How do the Spanish have fun?
3. In Thailand, people resign from a good-paying job because it’s not fun. What are your thoughts on this?
4. Is there a similar holiday in Spain as Thailand’s “Songkran”?

Are You Happy?

B1 – Intermediate

Knowing what happiness is can be difficult to explain. People from different situations will give different kinds of answers.

Read the article below and be ready to answer some discussion questions.

Although you may not be able to measure your happiness levels, you can still take some advice to increase the positive emotions in your life.

It’s difficult for experts to understand happiness. However, according to experts, married people are generally happier. Richer people also tend to be happier, although they then compare their wealth to their peers (and maybe don’t feel so rich). And if you live in a richer country, you’re likely happier too.

But it’s not easy to earn more money, move to a rich country, or find the perfect partner. Some things you can control include exercise, because healthy bodies and minds lead to happiness. You should also solve problems sooner rather than later. Spending time in nature also lowers stress, which might then improve happiness. Meditation is also very effective.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you generally a positive or a negative person? Why do you think so?
2. Why do you think some people are so happy? Why are other people so unhappy?
3. What advice would you give to someone for a happier life? Please explain.

False Money-Saving Tricks

05-money-saving-tricks-grocery-promotions

C1 – Advanced

Are you able to save money or does money simply flow through your fingers? Often than not we have our own tips and tricks on how to save money. But are those really helpful? Let’s find out what Reader’s Digest editors say about some money saving myths:

7 False Money-Saving Tricks You Try That Might Be Making You Poor

You use travel sites, not airlines, to book flights

Now that travel sites like Expedia are doing such brisk business, airlines are fighting for their own pieces of the profits. Many carriers now offer lowest-price-guaranteed fares on their own websites, and waive the booking fees that the big travel sites often tack on to your reservation. And if you’re wondering why you’re not finding fares for some of your favorite bargain airlines, like Southwest or JetBlue, on these big travel sites, it’s because these airlines don’t always release their inventory to travel superstores. That’s yet another reason to do some extra sleuthing on your preferred carrier’s web page before finalizing your reservations. Don’t miss more savvy ways to save money online.

You ‘top off’ your gas tank

Those little squirts of gas you try to add to your tank at the end of a filling often end up staying in the hose. That means you’ve actually given gas away to the next user of your pump!

You always turn off lights when you leave a room

Think you’re doing your electric bill a favor? Turning off compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer, when you leave a room for less than 15 minutes actually costs more than leaving them on. So if you are likely to be back in that part of your house soon, leave the lights on to save. Try these tricks to save money on your electricity bill, instead.

You cut up extra credit cards

Yes, it’s smart to reduce your temptation to splurge by destroying cards. But if you actually cancel them, it could hurt your credit rating. Here’s why: Lenders worry about how close you are to using all the credit available to you. If you close an account, you lose its credit line. As a result, you are using a greater portion of the reduced amount you can now borrow. How many cards do you need? While the average American household has nine, two or three active cards should be plenty. (By the way, these are the times you should never, ever use your credit card.)

You fall for common grocery store promotions

Here’s a well-kept secret: When a grocery store advertises a special (say, buy 10 containers of yogurt for $5), you don’t have to buy the number of items they’re advertising. In this case, you could buy one container for 50 cents. Unless the store specifically states otherwise, you should buy as few as you want. Also: Don’t fall for limits. Keep your money in your purse when you see signs like “Limit six per customer. Stores know that customers will buy more of an item if they think there’s a shortage, and there generally isn’t. Check out 50 more supermarket tricks you still fall for.

You dropped your wholesale club membership (and no longer use the pharmacy)

If you decide to stop paying for a wholesale club membership, you can still buy prescriptions there even if you’re not a member. The pharmacy may tack on a small fee, but you have the right under federal law to fill prescriptions at any pharmacy, so tell the person asking for your ID at the front door that you’re only visiting the pharmacy. (But don’t get carried away; you won’t be able to buy anything else without a club membership ID). Learn more tips to wholesale shop without a membership card.

You frequent discount stores

They tempt you not only with their excellent bargains, but also with their, “I don’t know what I was thinking when I bought this” impulse buys. How can you avoid these temptations? Avoid the shopping cart. Buy only what you can carry in your arms. You’ll end up buying only what you really need and want. Here are 56 more almost effortless ways to save money.

Discuss:

1. What are the 7 mentioned saving tricks that can backfire on your budget? Do you agree or disagree?
2. Are you guilty of doing these tricks?
3. How do you save money?
4. Explain the phrase “Save your pennies for a rainy day.”