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Electric Car

B2 – Upper intermediate

An electric car uses electrical energy stored in  rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device. With the current problems in climate change, more people are looking for alternative energy sources. Some experts say that using electric cars is one of the best solutions in dealing with fuel demands and pollution.

Read the article below to know more about Tesla Motor’s electric car.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1507/150721-electric-car.html

 Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of electric cars?
2. What would future cars be like?
3. How will electric cars affect traffic and road safety?
4. What are your preferences when it comes to vehicles?

Virtual Worlds Are Useful for Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Learning could be fun and engaging with the aid of modern technology innovations like the so-called virtual world. The program is designed to educate children and at the same time, help them to experience life in the real world. But will this really help them be better when it comes to socializing?

Read the short article below then express your thoughts.

http://www.english-online.at/society/web-worlds/virtual-worlds-for-children.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think that virtual worlds really help children?
2. Are there any advantages to pushing children to engage in virtual programs? If there is, what are they?
3. What other form of technology can be considered useful in a child’s development?

The End of Newspapers

B2 – Upper intermediate

News nowadays are just at the fingertips. You’ll know the latest in an instant. No need to go to a newspaper stand to read the latest.

The enormous information over the internet world is overwhelming. The information is so huge that reliability seems irrelevant and undependable. In contrast, news based on articles, ideas and opinions seems to be more honest.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Journalists and experts in the news industry wonder if print journalism will survive. More people go to the Internet for news because of accessibility. Readers can browse through additional articles across several newspapers, read blogs, listen to audio, and watch videos. In addition, the content is often free. However, the end of newspapers may mean more than the end of a medium. It could mean the end of journalism as we know it.

For the most part, journalists and the newspaper industry are honest. The same cannot be said about blogs and faux news-like websites, even if they have become a popular source of information. The articles might often express biased opinions, or report information that hasn’t been fact checked. There is a need for balanced reporting or journalistic integrity.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. What’s your opinion on newspapers and journalists?
2. What’s your opinion on blogs and bloggers?
3. What would happen if newspapers completely disappeared? Why do you think so?

Financial Lessons from Our Grandparents

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the modern world, everything is easy-access. From buying clothes, to furniture to groceries – everything can now be bought online with your handy dandy credit cards. But did you know that when it comes to saving, the best people to ask advice from are our grandparents?

Read the article below and express your thoughts.

http://www.wisebread.com/10-financial-lessons-we-learn-from-our-grandparents

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some financial lessons that you have learned from your parents/grandparents?
  2. How can we teach young people about financial sense?
  3. Do you prefer paying with cash or credit card? Explain your choice.
  4. What do you think are the advantages of paying cash?
  5. Are you good at saving money? Why or why not?
  6. What are the things that you plan on spending in the future?

World Wonders Threatened

B1 – Intermediate

More and more people are becoming aware of climate change, simply because it’s more evident. Do you think we still have time to save this Earth?

Winters are becoming warmer each year. Summers are hotter and drier. Scientists say that extreme weather will become normal in the future. Water shortages will be common too, and will affect more than one billion people around the world. And according to new information, global warming may destroy some of the Earth’s natural wonders.

World governments and environmental organizations are starting to talk more honestly about climate change. Evidence increasingly shows how much damage we have done to the environment. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Brussels recently said that humankind’s activities are definitely the top reason for our hotter planet.

So what will the impact be? With warmer oceans, coral reefs everywhere will begin to die. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders, will disappear. In the Amazonian rain forest, many of the trees will die, and much of the area will become dry savannah. In Chile and Argentina, melting glaciers will create a drier climate. As a result, there will be more forest fires in the region.

Some of the damage cannot be repaired. Action now, though, could limit or prevent some of the problems.

Discuss: (from article)

1. Are you concerned about the environment?
2. What could every person on Earth do right now to help save the environment?
3. How has the environment changed since you were a child?
4. What do you think the Earth will be like in the future?
5. Have you ever seen any of the natural wonders?

Facebook boss to take paternity leave

C1 – Advanced

Parental leaves are enjoyed by employees to help take care of their children. In recent years, companies have recognized the importance of a father’s role during the first few weeks of a newborn. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took two months of paternity leave following the birth of his daughter. What does this mean for the rest of the working fathers out there?

Facebook boss to take paternity leave 

Discuss:

1. What do you think of the idea of paternity leave?
2. What do you think about what you read?
3. What kind of message is Mark Zuckerberg sending?
4. Do fathers in your country take advantages of their paternity leaves?

Corruption Busting Is Her Game

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A 23- year old woman investigates corruption and manages an organization’s digital communications platform. She’s trying to build an international community of online corruption fighters.  It’s a space where people share evidence of graft, and where the corrupt are named and shamed.

Read the article about Kavisha Pillay’s work with Corruption Watch and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.voanews.com/a/corruption-busting-is-her-game/3075265.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Kavisha Pillay’s idea and actions?
  2. Would you be courageous enough to join her in cyber space to fight against corruption?
  3. Do you think the idea of naming and shaming will be as effective as hoped? Why or why not?
  4. What else can concerned citizens do to help curb or stop corruption?

Why Do People Drink?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Drinking alcohol is considered a very social activity. However, what might cause one to drink one too many?

Let’s find out the factors that cause people to consume alcohol. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201703/why-do-people-drink

Discussion Questions:

  1. What normally causes people to drink to excess?
  2. What made you have your first drink? Talk about your whole experience having your first taste of alcohol.
  3. What’s the drinking culture like in your country?
  4. Talk about how drinking culture and attitudes to alcohol vary from country to country.

Diamonds Are a Waste of Your Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As the famous saying goes, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Ira Weissman will make people change their minds in his article about the reasons diamonds are not exactly a good investment that we think they are.

Read the piece below then share your thoughts about the well-loved stone.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-weissman/7-reasons-why-you-shouldn_b_1720870.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on some the key points put across in this article.
  2. Do you personally think diamonds are worth it? Share your own opinion.
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “The idea of a diamond engagement ring is roughly a century old. Guess who invented the concept? Not surprisingly, it’s the same people who mined the diamonds — the De Beers diamond syndicate.“.
  4. What do you think are other things that are a safe place to put away money for a rainy day?
  5. Do you agree or disagree, “Spending a month’s (or two!) salary on something so impractical (a diamond engagement ring) — at the exact same time you are beginning your new life together as a budding family — is a very poor financial decision.“? Explain your stand on this matter.

Video: In Hong Kong, Neon’s Fading Glow

B2 – Upper intermediate

Technology has to evolve and we have to adapt. But what about those who are left behind?

Watch the video and talk about “fading” technology and express your thoughts about it.

In Hong Kong, Neon’s Fading Glow

Discuss:

1. What is your general reaction to the video?
2. Name some of the businesses that closed because of evolving technology.
3. Do you think there is a way of “re-using” or mixing old technology with new technology?