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Hunger in America

B2 – Upper intermediate

One in seven American families suffer from food insecurity. Inflation is low but the population’s ability to get healthy food is decreasing. Eating unhealthy food can cause illness such us diabetes and hypertension and food insecurity can lead people to committing crimes such us robbery and stealing.

Hunger Threatens One in Seven Americans

Discuss:

1. What do you think people can do to address this issue in their own little ways?
2. Can you think of alternative ways to get healthy food in cheaper cost?
3. Has your country experienced such difficulty? Do you see this happening in the future?
4. How secure are the citizens of your country when it comes to their employment?

How to Survive the Heat

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B1 – Intermediate

There are common health problems which are caused by high temperatures that, in the worst scenario, can lead to death.

Read the article to know more about the dangers of heat and how to be protected from it.

How to Survive the Heat

Discuss:

1. Do you love soaking yourself in the summer sun? Are you aware of its danger?
2. Have you experienced health related issues due to high temperature?
3. What activities do you enjoy doing during the summer?
4. How do you keep cool when the weather gets too hot?

 

Ozone Layer Recovering

B1 – Intermediate

According to a panel of scientists, the ozone layer is starting to repair itself. It’s a good thing that the use of aerosol cans were banned during the 1980s.

Read the lesson about the ozone layer recovering and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2014/09/140912_witn_ozone.shtml

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this?
  2. Share your ideas on how you can contribute in protecting the environment.
  3. Have you ever done any volunteer works to help save the environment?
  4. Do you reduce, reuse, and recycle? Why or why not?

Make Your Happy Hour

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Happiness- the quality or state of being happy. We each have our own definition of happiness depending on situations we are in.

Read the article below and know more about the pursuit of happiness.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/20/opinion/alston-happiness-day/index.html?hpt=hp_t5

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes you happy?
2. What are the components of happiness?
3. Will you consider happiness as a luxury item?

PepsiCo CEO Indra K. Nooyi Can’t Have It All

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being a women and a CEO of one of the world’s top companies might not be a walk in the park for anybody. But we’ve watch a lot of boss ladies “have it all”.

Read and watch the interview of Indra K. Nooyi and know more about her work ethics and what it is to be a CEO of a multinational company.

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/07/why-pepsico-ceo-indra-k-nooyi-cant-have-it-all/373750/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you react to your mother if you were Indra?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that women can’t have it all? Explain.
  3. If you are/were a working parent, what do you think would be your coping mechanisms in being a good parent and at the same time, the best employee/boss at your company?
  4. Share your thoughts on this statement, “The biological clock and the career clock are in total conflict with each other.”

Spanish Spending Habits

B2 – Upper intermediate

According to a global study carried out by consultancy firm, Nielsen, 86% of the Spanish claim to have changed their buying habits over the last year in order to save on household expenses.

This percentage is “well above the European average,” which is currently at 65%. The study noted that 18% of the Spanish have no money left at the end of the month after covering their basic needs. Among those who have some money left, 41% is spent on leisure activities/entertainment outside of the home, 37% on savings, 29% on clothes, 25% on holidays, 24% on paying off debts or loans and only 6% is dedicated to pension plans or investments.

The report highlighted that 85% of those questioned believe that now is not a “good time” to buy things they do not want or need. Nielsen pointed out that this “negative” view over buying, is the view held by the majority throughout Europe.

The actions the Spanish are taking in order to save are to spend less on entertainment outside the home (69%); spend less on gas or electricity bills (65%); reduce spending on telephones/communications (58%), buy fewer clothes (56%) and take less holidays (51%).
The consultant noted that a “large part” of those interviewed said that they will maintain these cost-cutting measures even when the economic situation improves, “especially when it comes to reducing their spending on bills.”

Spanish among the most pessimistic
The consumer confidence index in Spain fell four points during the third quarter, reaching 48, “which puts it at the bottom of all the countries of the world.” The European average is currently 74 points, whereas the world average is 92.

El Economista reported that 96% of Spanish consumers believe the country is in recession, and 82% do not foresee an improvement in the next twelve months.

Discussion Questions:

1. What brought about the changes in the Spanish’s spending habit?
2. What do you think about the Spanish spending habit?

3. What is your spending habit like?
4. What changes have you done in your spending habits over the years?

 

Time Management to Improve Health and Productivity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Keeping up in today’s fast-paced world can be a daunting task to many. Take control of your life by enhancing your time management skills. Learn valuable tips from an expert through this article.

http://jamesclear.com/time-management-tips

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe your time management skills at work and at home.
2. How do you deal with distractions?
3. Share your own approach in getting things done.

Dropping Birthrates in South Korea

B1 – Intermediate

South Korea is now facing problems related to low birthrate.

Find out the reasons and consequences for their dropping birthrates.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/the-end-of-south-korea/2436486.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the problem in South Korea according to the audio? Is this also a problem in Spain?
  2. What are the reasons for low birthrate in SK? What about in your country?
  3. What are the impacts of low birthrates on a country?
  4. What can the government do to solve or prevent this problem from happening?

Think Yourself Rich!

 C1 – Advanced

In 1937, the book “Think and Grow Rich” was a big hit. Everybody wanted to be rich and the book gave tips on how to be so. Could it still be practical today? Read the article and express your thoughts about it.

Be ready to explain the different idiomatic expressions used in the article. Feel free to listen to the audio clip as well.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/think-yourself-rich-or-try-saving/1906479.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the expression “Money is the root of all evil” mean?
2. How would you explain the phrase “Money makes the world go round”?
3. Do you consider yourself thrifty or a spendthrift?
4. What are the ways in which we can save money?

Stay Healthy by Eating Raw Chocolate

B1 – Intermediate

Health experts believe that sugar in chocolates is unhealthy. However, doctors say that there are also some benefits to eating chocolates.

This VOA news clip discusses the good effects of chocolates to your body.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/raw-chocolate-better-for-your-health/2423907.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad effects of eating chocolates?
  2. Do you think eating chocolate is good for your health?
  3. Do you enjoy eating chocolates? If yes, what kinds of chocolate do you prefer?