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Plant-Based Milk

B1 – Intermediate

Plant based milk is a lactose free substitute to cow milk. They are low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. Common plant milks are almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, and soy milk.

This type of milk is gaining popularity in the recent years.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about plant-based milk.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220502-plant-based-milk-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of plan-based milk? Elaborate.
  2. Are there any bad things about dairy milk?
  3. How will the war in Ukraine affect food prices?
  4. Why are more people turning to veganism?
  5. What do you think of the rising prices of food?

Women File for Divorce More Than Men

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The desire to dissolve a marriage is typically tough, and spouses may spend years, if not a lifetime contemplating their alternatives. When it comes to starting a separation, however, there is a distinct pattern as to who takes the ultimate ruling.

On average, women end their marriages significantly earlier than males. But why are women more likely to divorce their husbands first?

Let us figure out by reading the entire text.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220511-why-women-file-for-divorce-more-than-men

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think women are the ones who usually divorce their husbands first?
  2. Do people get divorced too easily and quickly today? What do you think are the reasons for this?
  3. What are the most common factors responsible for couples to divorce?
  4. Does divorce mean part of you is a failure? Explain.
  5. Why do you think divorce rate is higher in some countries than in others?
  6. Is being divorced a social stigma in your country? Talk about it.

Taliban Orders Women to Cover Their Faces

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of the time, we can tell how people feel simply by looking at their faces. Our faces show a lot of expressions. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this non-verbal communication has been hindered by the mandatory use of face masks.

In Afghanistan, however, it is not the use of face mask that conceals their women’s faces but the mandatory use of hijab that is part of Taliban’s new order for women to conceal their faces in public.

Let’s read the article and know more about this new decree.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/8/taliban-make-burqa-mandatory-for-afghan-women

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this decree?
  2. What is the punishment for the violation of this decree?
  3. What other decrees issued by the Taliban inhibit women’s rights?
  4. How did the international community fail Afghan women according to some women’s rights activists?

The Wind-Farm Controversy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Wind turbines are one of the sources of clean, renewable energy. Because of their large sizes, they take up a lot of land area. One location in England refuses to upgrade to new larger ones for aesthetic reasons. Residents also worry about the risks it might pose to their wildlife. Arguments have been raised with regards to the benefits and drawbacks of wind-farms.

Take a look at the full lesson below to learn more about this controversy.

https://linguapress.com/intermediate/wind-farm-controversy.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does your government preserve the natural landscape and wildlife of your country?
  2. Does your government consider wind farms a good source of renewable energy? Why or why not?
  3. What are some sources of renewable energy that your country currently utilizes?
  4. What are some climate change effects that you have felt or noticed in recent years?
  5. What does your government do to tackle climate change? How do you, as an individual, contribute to your part in solving problems related to climate change?
  6. What are some pros and cons of wind farms?
  7. How do we use less energy?
  8. What are your thoughts on nuclear energy?

What is Slow Living?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The modern life constantly presses us to do, perform, or buy more. However, our jobs, quality of work, health, financial security, and communities may suffer. If a hectic life is causing stress, is there anything you can do to manage it?

Slow living may help combat this near-constant state of overload. Please read the article to know more about it.

What is slow living?

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is slow living defined in the article?
  2. What are your thoughts on this lifestyle?
  3. What are some preconceived notions about slow living?
  4. What are the benefits of following a slow life according to the article?
  5. Name some disadvantages to this way of life.
  6. Share your experience completing tasks at a leisurely pace. Was it easy or hard for you to do so? Why do you think that is?

Traditional English Breakfast

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Britain, the traditional English breakfast is a national institution. It has been enjoyed for so many years by people from all walks of life. It is served in luxury hotels, guest houses, country inns, B&B’s, guest houses, restaurants, and cafes. Even when traveling abroad, it can be found on the menu. It certainly is a meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Read the article to learn more about the traditional English breakfast and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Traditional-English-Breakfast/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever had traditional English breakfast before?What do you think about it?
  2. How would you compare the traditional English breakfast to that of your country? What is a typical breakfast in your country and what does it consist of?
  3. What do you usually have for breakfast and how important is it for you?
  4. Do you think it is important to keep a traditional meal such as this as is? Why or why not?
  5. What was the most bizarre breakfast food you’ve ever had and why did you think it was unusual?

The People Penalized for Expressing Feelings at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

How we convey ourselves in the organization is kept in check by implicit ’emotional laws.’ Interestingly, not all sentimental outbursts are evaluated evenly.

According to one study, ‘feeling rules’ are administered differently depending on ethnic and gender identity.

Let us read the full text to find out more about the gender gap regarding these so-called “feeling rules”.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211029-the-people-penalised-for-expressing-feelings-at-work

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you deal with emotional outbursts at work?
  2. Who is responsible for emotional outbursts at work?
  3. What is your personal view on getting punished at work for expressing one’s emotions?
  4. How can this gap be bridged?
  5. Do you think that these unspoken “feeling rules” exist in the companies that you have worked for? Talk about some instances where they were displayed.

Afternoon Tea

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Afternoon tea is an integral part of the British culture. It is a light meal served between 3:30 and 5 PM. It consists of tea, small sandwiches, cakes, lovely pastries, scones, bread, and jam which are served more fancily, on a tiered stand. In the recent years, this tradition became widely popular. Later, it spread all over the world and many people prepared it at home. Eventually, it became more of a special gathering to celebrate special life events with family and friends.

Read the article to learn more and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Afternoon-Tea/

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, how did tea tradition become a fashionable social event?
  2. Have you engaged in an afternoon tea party before? How was it? What do you think of this British tradition?
  3. Do you have this kind of tradition in your country? Tell something about it.
  4. What is the most quintessential of Spanish customs? Talk about it.

WikiLeaks Founder’s Extradition Case

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Wikileaks published, among others, documents and materials that exposed misconduct by the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan. Several rights groups have been throwing their support to WikiLeaks’s founder Julian Assange and have been asking for his release. However, the United States stands firm on its decision to continue asking for the former’s extradition in order for him to face the charges against him.

Let’s watch the short video to know the updates on the extradition request for Julian Assange.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Julian Assange and what crimes is he facing in the US?
  2. What is your take on this extradition of Julian Assange?
  3. Should matters of national security trample on government transparency?
  4. Should there be a limit to freedom of the press?

South Korea Bans Child Monitoring App

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our lives are now very much dependent on smartphones. They have become a need. They enable us to multitask.

Coupled with the power of the Internet, kids and teens are able to explore the world and do more using these. As children start to own smartphones at an earlier age, parents are getting more wary of the risks involved.

In South Korea, the government has passed a law to help ensure the safety of children and teens’ smartphone use through an app. However, problems arose along the way.

Read the article to learn more about the banning of the use of a mobile phone app that monitors social media activities of parents’ children in South Korea.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/living/south-korea-bans-child-monitoring-app.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with the South Korean government’s prohibiting this app? Explain your position.
  2. Is this monitoring software a good idea? Please explain.
  3. What are some famous apps that promise the same concept?
  4. How effective are these apps?
  5. Are you concerned about your online presence? Why or why not?
  6. What are other effective means to monitor the online activities of our children?
  7. What is your opinion on children owning smartphones?
  8. Has your government also approved and banned certain apps in your country? Why did they do so?