phone english blog
C1 – Advanced
The use of tablet and iPads in schools are nothing new. But is it really effective? Read the article below to know more about how technology can be effective in schools.
Discuss:
1. How do you feel about young children using tablets and laptops in learning their ABC’s and 123’s?
2. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using such technology in the classroom?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Toyota has started selling a few hundred Mirai cars in Japan, US and Europe. The Japanese car maker has taken its first small step into the unproven market for emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicles.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/18/toyota-begin-selling-fuel-cell-cars-mirai
Discussion Questions:
1. Which car bands do you prefer?
2. Do you think more environment-friendly cars should be produced?
3. Are there now more and more “green” cars running aound your city?
4. Is air pollution a major problem in your country? Kindly discuss.
C1 – Advanced
Christian Schallert’s 258 square foot apartment doesn’t look big enough to be a comfortable home, but he did an awesome job of designing it to make it feel bigger than the actual measurement would suggest.
Read the the article then watch the video to view the whole apartment.
Discuss:
1. How would you describe your house/flat?
2. What do you think about his apartment’s design concept?
3. Talk about your dream house.
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Tech pro Elon Musk warned people about the danger of artificial intelligence. Nowadays, machines are all around us. Opinions will differ when it comes to AI.
https://money.cnn.com/2014/10/26/technology/elon-musk-artificial-intelligence-demon/?iid=EL
Discussion Questions:
1. Has AI made our lives better?
2. Do you see the dangers of using or relying on artificial intelligence?
3. Do you support artificial intelligence?
4. Do you think we can depend on Elon Musk’s statement about AI?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
One of the greatest worries of women is that having children could slow down their performance in their respective professions. A study reveals otherwise.
In fact, working mothers all over the world are very much capable to balance paperwork and their kids’ bath time.
The article below reveals an encouraging study on the productivity of working mothers.
https://www.today.com/parents/moms-2-or-more-kids-are-more-productive-work-study-1d80256648
Discussion Questions:
C1 – Advanced
Should attendance in class be mandatory, or should students be allowed to play hooky as long as they can keep their grades up?
Technology and financial uncertainty are two factors that have changed the methods of calling the roll in universities and colleges across America, all in the hopes of tuition well spent, student loans paid and higher graduation rates.
Read on, and weigh in with the issue.
Discuss:
1. What is meant by “playing hooky”? Have you ever played hooky?
2. Is attendance an accurate predictor of success in university?
3. What are the consequences of skipping classes to students? To parents? To the colleges and universities?
4. Can you suggest other ways of getting students to class on time and driving down absenteeism?
C2 – Proficient
We all have different preferences, especially when it comes to food. Depending on one’s location and culture, the list of choices one can have is virtually endless.
Here are some of the world’s worst, when it comes to its foul breath-inducing properties, according to science.
Discuss:
1. Did your favorite food/ingredient make the list?
2. What are your favorite types of food?
3. Describe some of the best meals you’ve ever had.
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Getting divorced is becoming more and more common these days. Many couples are deciding to split for a lot of different reasons. When ultra wealthy couples decide to get a divorce, there’s the lengthy, sometimes ugly, discussion on the financial windfall, of course.
Read the article to know why London is the divorce capital of the world for the super-rich.
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-london-divorce-capital-world-for-mega-rich-2019-7
Discussion Questions:
C1 – Advanced
We commonly relate eating disorders to women. However, over the last 15 years, this has changed. The number of men suffering from eating disorders has significantly increased to 27%.
Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/18/are-more-men-getting-eating-disorders
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper intermediate
Western diet is usually high in processed sugar, fat, oil and meat. By eating these foods people begin to gain more weight. More people are adopting this kind of diet. Find out why, according to a study, western diet is bad for human health and the environment.
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/western-diet-bad-for-human-health-environment/2579378.html
Discussion Questions:
1. Is this phenomenon also happening in your country?
2. Have you adapted to the western diet?
3. What is the relationship between our diet and the environment?
4. What can we do to keep our children healthy?