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Green Energy for Denmark

C1 – Advanced

When it comes to renewable energy, Denmark aims high. By 2020,  the country would like to get half of its energy from the wind. There are hopes that there will be environmental focus to inspire people to go green.

Watch the video below to know more about some of the efforts that Denmark is doing to be a greener country.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the video, what are organizations doing to be environmentally conscious?
2. Do you think that your country is working on the same issue as well?
3. Is having a green house something that you’re interested in?

Speaking Activity: Asking A Favor

can-i-ask-you-a-favor

B1 – Intermediate

A favor is something you do to help someone. When asking for a favor we usually ask people to help us and, most of the time, we ask politely making sure that it is not an inconvenience.

Click the title below to practice your speaking skills and learn the words we can use when asking for a favor. Be ready to discuss new phrases and to answer discussion questions.

Topic: Asking a favor

Are You a Shopaholic?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Shopping is fun. For women, mostly, it is a time to bond with friends and family members. On the other hand, if you let your impulse get the best of you, your love for purchase can do you more harm than good.

Read the article below to know more about the facts of being a shopaholic.

The lives of some people revolve around shopping, as they repeatedly make purchases regardless of need or available money. Some of these people make impromptu purchases. Some of these people have closets with unopened purchases. Some of these people have racked up overwhelming amounts of credit card debt. If this sounds like you, then you may be a shopaholic.

A recently administered test to determine the predilection towards compulsive buying reveals that 9% of people fall into this category. Another recent test revealed a slightly smaller percentage of 6%. This new data concludes an increase in the number of shopaholics from just fifteen years ago, as well as determines that men remain just as prone to the shopping urge as women. The test consisted of six statements which people answered on a 7-point scale, from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Some statements included:

* Much of my life centers around buying things.

* I buy things I didn’t plan to buy.

* Others might consider me a shopaholic.

Compulsive buying obviously leads to financial problems such as an empty bank account and maxed out credit cards. Yet these unneeded and unwanted purchases may be the manifestation of more serious problems, namely depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. What’s more, relationships and family harmony also deteriorate because of disagreements over the purchases. Shopaholics may then hide their purchases, as well as the accompanying costs, and thus add to the strain. It’s a problem that affects people of all income brackets.

Researchers suggest that shopaholics felt better when they were shopping, even when they realized the associated harm.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Based on the information in the article, would you consider yourself a shopaholic?
2. Do you know anyone who might be a shopaholic?
3. Do you agree that women and men suffer from the problem equally?
4. Do you agree that anxiety and low self-esteem cause compulsive buying? Why/not?
5. What solutions are there for people who are shopaholics? How can they be helped?

Venice – City of Canals

rialto-bridge-canale-grande-venice

B2 – Upper intermediate

Some say that Venice is the romance capital of the world.

Read the article below to know more about the city itself and the life and history of this tourist spot.

Venice – City of Canals

Discuss:

1. Describe some of the beautiful places that you’ve visited in the past.
2. Do you often travel? What do you like most about travelling?
3. Have you been to Venice? If you have, describe your trip. If you haven’t, is this city on your bucket list of places to visit?

All About Bananas

B1 – Intermediate

Bananas are very popular fruits all over the world. They have essential nutrients that helps keep you healthy.

Here’s an article that’s all about bananas.  Read about the facts of this well-known fruit and how important it is in some regions or countries.

http://www.english-online.at/biology/bananas/bananas.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the very common fruits that you have in your country?
2. Talk about some of the food products that your country exports.
3. What are some of your preferences when it comes to fruits and vegetables and how do you like to eat them?

More Rights for Women in Saudi Arabia

B1 – Intermediate

Each country has its own rules and customs. Some are liberating while others are dated.

Read the article and discover how Saudi Arabia is changing some of their traditions.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/people/more-rights-for-women-in-saudi-arabia.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the rights that you enjoy as a woman in your country?
2. In your country, what other laws should the government pass for women and children?
3. How are the women viewed in your society?

Italian City Bans Foreign Food

B1 – Intermediate

In this age of globalization,  an Italian city is doing everything to keep their food tradition.

Some groups do not approve of this even if Italy’s Agriculture Minister supports the foreign food ban.

http://www.english-online.at/culture/italy-foreign-food-ban/italian-city-bans-foreign-food.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about banning foreign food in a city?
  2. Is this possible in the city where you live in? Why or why not?
  3. Do you like foreign food? Why or why not?
  4. Are there many foreign restaurants in your city? Which one is your favourite and why?
  5. How can cities and regions preserve their food traditions?

US Love Affair with McDonald’s Waning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More and more Americans are turning their backs on McDonald’s. With lower sales for six straight quarters, one of the largest fast-food chain’s new British CEO’s main task now is to entice Americans to remain drawn to eating their burgers, among their other food products.

Read the article about how Americans’ love for McDonald’s is waning.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32573204

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are reasons for fast food becoming less craved for by many?
  2. How much do people love fast food in your country? Why do you think it’s that way?
  3. Do you agree that people are more health-conscious nowadays? Explain your point.
  4. What are the pros and cons of fast food?
  5. Talk about your own diet / eating habits.

The Canadian Niceness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever travelled to a country full of rude people or experienced being greeted by stiff immigration officers after a long-haul flight? Canada offers something different.

Read the article and discover the innate humility and politeness of Canadians.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150311-can-canada-teach-the-rest-of-us-to-be-nicer

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Canadians’ reputation for being some of the nicest people in the whole world?
  2. How would you describe people from your country and their general attitude toward foreign tourists? Do you think they’re nice enough?
  3. Share some of your past travel stories. Have you ever had bad experiences with rude locals?
  4. What are some of the countries that you have visited which you would like to visit again because of the locals’ niceness?
  5. Some countries are known as rude countries as perceived by travelers. Are you still interested to travel there? If so, what are some things you can do to make sure that your experience visiting those countries will be as pleasant as possible?

Speaking Activity: Social Media & Privacy

social-media-and-privacy

B2 – Upper intermediate

Many people increasingly utilize social Networks such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. These networks allow users to publish details about themselves and their lives and also connect to their friends and colleagues. However some of the information revealed in these networks should remain private and not published at all.

Click the title below to practice your speaking skills and talk about using social media. Be ready to discuss new phrases and to answer discussion questions.

Topic: Social Media & Privacy