phone english blog
B2 – Upper intermediate
Are you a true-blue Espanol? Read the article and see which among the cultural quirks you can identify with. Be ready to debunk the myths, explain the idiosyncrasies, and add what you think is missing from the list.
Discuss:
1. Which ones do you practice? Which ones are not true for you?
2. Do you think you can add more to the list?
3. What do you think is the history behind some of the mentioned practices?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
A team of scientists who’ve successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig’s heart into a baboon is hoping someday to do the same procedure for human patients desperately in need of replacement organs.
Read the following article then be prepared to answer some discussion questions.
Discussion Questions:
A1 – Beginner
This page will show you the different English terms of food. From fruits and vegetables to spices and seasonings.
Click on each food category and familiarize yourself with the different terms. Be ready to use some of the words during the speaking exercise.
Discuss:
1. Do you like to cook? Which ingredients do you often use when you cook?
2. What are your preferences when it comes to eating bread?
3. Which type of you meat do you prefer?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Part of most people’s morning routine is getting their daily coffee fix. How would a 5 to 20-cent increase on your favorite coffee’s price sound?
Like any business, Starbucks has the power to raise its prices. Loyal customers are probably just going to brush this aside.
Read the article and watch the video to learn about Starbucks’ plans to hike their prices again and also know how they are doing in the market.
http://money.cnn.com/2015/07/06/news/companies/starbucks-price-hike/index.html?iid=surge-stack-intl
Discussion Questions:
1. Is Starbucks popular in your country? What are the other big coffee chains or coffee bars that are doing well in your country?
2. Why do people keep on coming back to Starbucks despite the high prices of their coffee and their constant price increase?
3. According to the article, where does Starbucks put its money?
A1 – Beginner
This resource will help increase your vocabulary when talking about basic food and drinks.
Read and listen to the different English terms for basic food and drinks and be ready to use them during the speaking exercise.
Discuss:
1. What do you usually drink in the morning for breakfast? Are you a coffee or tea drinker?
2. What fruits do you enjoy eating?
3. What are the vegetables you least like or don’t like too much?
B1 – Intermediate
Every culture has a different way of celebrating certain events. Christmas in Spain might be celebrated differently from Christmas in South Korea.
Read the article and watch the video to learn how Peru celebrates the Festival of the Sun.
http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/festival-of-the-sun-level-3/
Discussion Questiosn:
1. Describe how Peruvians commemorate or celebrate the Festival of the Sun.
2. Describe how traditional or religious festivals are observed in your country. Which ones do you participate in?
3. What other traditional festivities from other countries do you know of?
B2 – Upper intermediate
How would you feel if important monuments and sites in your country were destroyed? Just before the mass exit of Syrians happened, trouble had been brewing in different parts of Syria and it involved some historical buildings being at risk.
Read the article and watch the short video clip to learn what is happening to some of the heritage sites in Syria.
Discuss:
1. Why do you think the militant groups are destroying important structures in Syria?
2. In your opinion, what do you think will happen to the country Syria in the next 5 to 10 years?
2. Describe and talk about some of the heritage sites in your country that you have seen. How are they being maintained?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Members of Generation Y are born in a time of constant access to technology in their youth. Also called millennials, this generation has been, somewhat, criticized for how they view life.
Read the article below then express your thoughts about the topic.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
An oil spill is a form of pollution. The term is usually applied to marine oil spills, where oil is released into the waters, but spills may also occur on land.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript on oil-eating bacteria.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201509/oil-eating-bacteria/
Discussion Questions:
C1 – Advanced
Does status play a role when two people are in love? In China, it does. And, most of the time, it’s not easy getting around it.
Read the article below to find out about Xiao Yang and how he dealt with his sensitive situation.
Discuss:
1. What do you think of Xiao Yang’s letter?
2. Do you think the mother was right to have misconceptions?
3. China has a very interesting history when it comes to status symbols. Is it the same in your country? Discuss some of the traditions you have in your country when it comes to marriage and the role of men and women in society.