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Hygiene Poverty

B1 – Intermediate

In the UK, more and more people can no longer afford to buy basic hygiene products like soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and others.

This is mainly due to the constant increase in the cost of living.

Read the lesson on hygiene poverty and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2211/221107-hygiene-poverty-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this, “Millions of people can no longer afford essential hygiene products.”?
  2. In your opinion, how serious is this “crisis”?
  3. How important is proper hygiene?
  4. What are the effects of hygiene poverty on people?
  5. Are hygiene banks necessary? Why or why not?
  6. What are other things people can no longer buy or do because of inflation?

Buy Nothing Day and Stop Over-Consumption

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Will you accept the challenge of buying fewer things?

Look at a popular online magazine headline and talk about your shopping habits and how they could influence your life and our planet.

Greenpeace campaigner Bonnie Tang said: “Hong Kongers love buying clothes and, apparently, throwing them away as well. At the rate they are entering our landfills we have to wonder why they are buying so many outfits only to throw them into trash bins. This level of wasteful consumption is ultimately a heavy burden on the environment.”

A Greenpeace study on the amount of textiles discarded in Hong Kong over the past 10 years found that the weight of discarded clothing averaged 100,000 tonnes annually. Although the amount of clothes being thrown away remains high, the government fails to collect and provide statistics on the environmental costs of public consumption or wastage of clothing.

“The issue of clothing waste has many mini-solutions including recycling, upcycling, and donation, however the thread that is woven throughout this issue is overconsumption,” Tang added. “Overconsumption is fueled by consumer demand and met all too enthusiastically by the fast fashion industry.”

Greenpeace calls on the Hong Kong public to acknowledge the impact that high consumption levels have on the environment. Consumers are urged to reduce unnecessary spending and adopt more environmentally-friendly consumption habits, such as buying clothes made from non-toxic materials, wearing second-hand clothes, repairing worn clothes, and not discarding old clothes.

Facts retrieved from https://www.greenpeace.org/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a lot of clothes or do you have a small wardrobe?
  2.  What can people do to minimize the negative effect of their shopping habits?
  3.  Have you ever thought about changing your shopping habits?

More Married Couples Remaining Childless

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we hear about couples getting married, it automatically comes to our mind that they are already expecting a child or going to have children. However, this is no longer the case: some couples choose to live alone, with no intention of having children. 

Here’s an article you can read to learn some of the reasons why some couples don’t want kids.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/census-more-married-couples-women-childless-no-kids-1998331

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on voluntary childlessness?
  2. According to the article, what are the reasons for voluntary childlessness?
  3. Why do you think couples opt not to have any children?
  4. How is childlessness viewed in your country?
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “Having to make a trade-off with one’s career is a big concern for women.”?

Space Travel Changes Astronauts’ DNA

B1 – Intermediate

With the growing interest in both commercial space flights and space exploration, many companies and countries have entered into space industry. This means more astronauts are being sent to space more frequently than in the past. A new study found that astronauts’ DNA have higher level of mutation.

What exactly does this imply?

Let’s read the article and know more about the DNA mutation of astronauts who have traveled to space.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2209/220908-astronauts-dna-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the health risks due to DNA mutation for astronauts?
  2. What are the implications of this new study for commercial space exploration?
  3. What measures should countries and companies have to avoid or minimize such health risks?
  4. Given these major health risks, do you think going to space is still worth it?

Radio Stations Shut Down in Venezuela

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has closed down almost one hundred radio stations due to lack of valid licenses. However, journalists and opposition leaders have a different opinion. They believe this is another blow to freedom of speech.

Read the article about radio stations shut down in Venezuela.

https://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/08/01/venezuela.radio.stations/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is the Venezuelan government closing down numerous independent radio stations?
  2. What do you think of the massive closure of radio stations in Venezuela? Do you think it is a subtle act of suppressing press freedom?
  3. What are the indirect effects of these radio station closures?
  4. What are the regulations of the ownership and operation of radio and television stations in your country?

The Smart Way to Learn from Failure

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The idea that failure is a bad thing is one that is quite often held. Numerous people who struggle with something are frequently labeled as losers, but if they take the lessons from their defeats, they become victors.

Failure teaches individuals that success is earned through tenacity and hard work, and that they are just like everyone else. The most valuable lessons in life are commonly learned through bad decisions made and the wisdom acquired through them. But do we actually learn from our mistakes, or do we purposefully fail to acknowledge them and carry on as if nothing had happened?

Check out the following article for more information on how to gain knowledge from our shortcomings.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221019-the-smart-way-to-learn-from-failure

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your personal perspective on failure?
  2. Have there been any failures that made your life better?
  3. Is there a right time to give up and stop trying?
  4. Can you name any well-known figures who failed miserably at something?
  5. Describe a time when you tried something and failed.

Anti-Cheating Exam Hats

B1 – Intermediate

Cheating in exams is a dishonest action and it harms an individual. Studying for an examination is very important. Through examinations, it enhances our personality, knowledge, and learning power. We also get to know where we are behind and we can move ahead for improvement.

Let’s read the article below to know more about how creative a college in the Philippines is in fighting against cheating in examinations.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2210/221027-anti-cheating-hats-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of anti-cheating hats?
  2. How much pressure is there to pass exams? What’s the best way to pass exams?
  3. What should happen to students who cheat?
  4. How stressed out do you get about/during exams?
  5. What do schools in your country do to prevent cheating?

Bees Like Playing with Balls

B1 – Intermediate

Bees are small flying insects, buzzing around with its painful stings which always make people afraid and annoyed. They are renowned in facilitating pollination for most plant life. Without bees, there would be a huge decrease in pollination, which later result in reduce in plant growth and food supplies.

Let’s read the article below and learn more about bees.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2211/221103-bees-and-balls-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about bees? How do you think bees might play?
  2. What are you thoughts on the results of study?
  3. What do you associate bees with?
  4. Do you like being busy? When are you as busy as a bee?
  5. What are the benefits of bees?
  6. How do you relax after a busy day?

Thinking about ‘Future You’ Builds a Happier Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

These days, mindfulness is extremely popular and for good reasons. Being present-oriented can enhance our health and quality of life, foster love and care, and deepen our emotional bonds.
What if we look beyond the here and now? A growing body of research indicates that while thinking about the future can cause anxiety, it can also enrich our lives. Yes, as implied, we ought to give our future selves more of our attention, because through fantasizing, we can look at alternate paths to reach for our aspirations in life.

Read the article to learn about how thinking about ‘future you’ can help lead a better, happier, and more meaningful life.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220201-how-thinking-about-future-you-can-build-a-happier-life

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you hope for for your own future?
  2. What anxieties and concerns do you have for the future?
  3. How has your vision of your future self changed from when you were young to present?
  4. What did you believe about your years ahead when you were younger?
  5. Would you rather spend 100 years in the distant past or the future? Why?

Guantanamo Bay Releases Oldest Detainee

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It has been around twenty years since the first prisoner set foot in the infamous Guantanamo Bay. There are nearly 800 detainees in this prison camp who are mostly held without charge or trial. Quite recently, the oldest prisoner has been released and sent back home to Pakistan.

Let’s read the article to know more about Guantanamo Bay and the controversies surrounding it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63438878

Discussion Questions:

  1. When and why was the detention camp established?
  2. What is your opinion on Guantanamo Bay’s human rights violations?
  3. What are your thoughts about detainees being cleared for release and do you think it is an “embarrassment to the US”? Share your opinion.
  4. How does your government treat people arrested on suspicions of terrorism?
  5. What is the maximum period of detention for people held without charges in your country? Do you think it is a reasonable period of time?