Tag: Text

Dutch Towns Tell Tourists How to Behave

B1 – Intermediate

It is often said that tourism can either be a boon or bane to a city or country.

Seems as though this little old Dutch town’s villagers have had enough of how touristic their village is.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1704/170414-tourism.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe Old Holland and how locals live there.
  2. Do you agree that those rules should be implemented to the tourists visiting Old Holland? Why or why not?
  3. What are the rules they talked about with local tour companies and what do you think about them? What rules for tourists would you add?
  4. What kind of bad behaviors have you observed tourists have when they visit your city/country?
  5. In general, what responsibilities do you think tourists have?

BBC Lingohack: 19 April 2017

B1 – Intermediate

Watch the video below to practice your listening skills and increase your vocabulary. Be ready to use the different vocabularies in sentences. You may also read the transcript below the video.

BBC Lingohack: 19 April 2017

Discuss:

1. Explain the word “camaraderie” and use it in a sentence.
2. Why are there dogs in the office of Brooke, Reggie, Max and Peggy?
3. What is a tunnelling machine? What are they going to do in the river Thames?
4. What is the new spin that a group put in their yoga class?
5. Have you tried yoga? What do you think about it?

Ageism at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A newbie does not have enough experience. A senior colleague is not technology illiterate. These are some common assumptions and generalizations we sometimes make based on a person’s age.

Ageism exists in the workplace. Are we just supposed to just sweep this issue under the rug?

Click on the link below to read more on ageism in the workplace.

https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/apr/24/ageism-at-work-being-mistaken-for-the-work-experience-kid-is-humiliating

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the negative effects of ageism on an individual?
  2. What might be the positive impact of it?
  3. Does ageism in the workplace exist in your company and/or country? Talk about it.
  4. Talk about a situation when you witnessed ageism happening.
  5. What is your stand on this, “This [ageism] isn’t just an issue young people face.“?

English Conversation – Singlehood

B2 – Upper intermediate

Singlehood is usually defined as the state of being unmarried. However, the term also applies to having no romantic partner. Some people may assume that to be single means to be unhappy. However, some people prefer to live a single life and find many advantages to it.

Singlehood is usually defined as the state of being unmarried. However, the term also applies to having no romantic partner. Some people may assume that to be single means to be unhappy. However, some people prefer to live a single life and find many advantages to it. Others choose to stay single after being divorced or widowed. On the other hand, some people are not single by choice and would like to find a partner with which to share their life.

Watch the video carefully and discuss the questions:

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about Iyanla’s advice? Do you agree with all the advice she give?
2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of being single?
3. What are the main reasons some people live a single life?
4. Do you think most people that are single are happy or unhappy?
5. Describe the differences in lifestyle of a single person from a married person.

Jungle People Have No Heart Problems

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Heart disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

Recently, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death.

Would you believe that there are people who are not at all at risk of developing heart diseases?

Read the lesson about the Tsimane people and how they are the ones with the healthiest hearts in the world.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1704/170410-heart-disease.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. “This study suggests that coronary [disease] could be avoided if people adopted some elements of the Tsimane lifestyle.” What is your opinion on this?
  2. Do you have a lifestyle that is kind to your heart? Explain.
  3. Is there anyone in your family suffering from heart disease? Talk about it.
  4. What activities are really bad for your heart?
  5. What can you do to look after your heart?

Online Dating Scam

B1 – Intermediate

Online dating (or Internet dating) is a system that enables strangers to find and introduce themselves to new personal connections over the Internet, usually with the goal of developing relationships.

Read the lesson about online dating scams.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1704/170412-online-dating.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about meeting potential romantic partners virtually?
  2. Would you ever use an online dating service? Why or why not?
  3. Is online dating common in your country? Why or why not?
  4. What are the good things and bad things about online dating?
  5. Talk about some online dating experiences you’ve had/stories you’ve heard about.

Signs You Are Succeeding In Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all probably have moments at times when we feel like we are a complete and utter failure. While this is a normal feeling, you have to find a way to see yourself and your life from a different perspective.

Sometimes we ignore the “little things.” Just because you are not a millionaire, don’t live in a mansion, and you don’t drive a fancy car, doesn’t mean you are any less successful than your peers. In fact, it’s quite the contrary.

Read the article about signs that you are succeeding in life even if it feels otherwise at times.

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/20-signs-youre-succeeding-life-even-you-dont-feel-you-are.html?ref=sidebar

Discussion Questions:

  1. Name some of signs from the article that you think are the most important and also state the reasons they are crucial in order to say you are succeeding in life.
  2. Which ones you have yet to achieve? How are you planning to get there?
  3. What are things or situations in our lives that make us feel that somehow we are failing? How can we overcome them?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “If you are happy, then you are succeeding in life.“.
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “If you can change your negative perspective on situations to a positive one, then you are successful.”?

11 Habits Of Mentally Strong People

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C1 – Advanced

Mentally strong people have healthy habits. They manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in ways that set them up for success in life.

Check out these things that mentally strong people  do so that you too can become more mentally strong.

11 Habits Of Mentally Strong People

Discussion:

1. How would you describe being mentally strong?

2. Do you consider yourself a mentally strong individual?

3. Which of the habits mentioned in the article do you practice? Which ones do you not?

4. Would you like to add anything to the list?

 

Older Mothers Raise Happier Children

B1 – Intermediate

Women are usually encouraged to have children as early in life as possible. Yet a new study suggests that older mothers are more likely to raise happier and well-adjusted children.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1703/170331-older-mothers.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the average age of starting a family in your country?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having kids when you are older?

3. how would you describe your relationship with your parents? Do you think their age had an effect on this?

Literature to Explain Migrants to Children

B2 – Upper intermediate

Reading and literature brings about many benefits, especially in children. In Bologna, Italy, a book fair for children is featuring something different and very timely.

Take a look at the video below then express your thoughts.

Video: Book fair features literature to explain migrants to children

Discuss:

1. What is the point of this unique book fair in Bologna?
2. What are other ways we can educate children about migrants and the Syrian war?
3. Are book fairs a popular idea in your country? Have you been to one?
4. What are your preferences in books? Reading materials?
5. What are the advantages of children being exposed to reading books at an early age?