Tag: Text

Private Tutoring Ban

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At present, South Korea’s private tuition industry is growing. In 2006, its education ministry imposed curfew on private education’s operating hours. Long before that, they used to ban private tutoring completely until almost two decades later when South Korea’s constitutional court ruled that it is unconstitutional.

https://www.cato.org/commentary/youll-never-guess-what-south-korea-frowns-upon

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on South Korea’s ban on private tutoring?
  2. Can you really put a price on education? Explain your point.
  3. How can educational opportunities be possibly equalized for everybody?
  4. What are your thoughts on private tutoring?
  5. Is private tutoring common in your country? Did you use to attend after-school classes? Why or why not?

Celebrating All Saints’ And All Souls Day

B2 – Upper Intermediate

All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day, is a Christian ceremony celebrated in honor of all the saints of the church. People around the world are familiar with the American version of this holiday involving costumes and trick-or-treating. Most of us follow a tradition that originates from All Saints’ Day or All Souls Day come October 31st and November 1st.

Here’s a quick look at some of the ways people celebrate Halloween around the world.

ALL SAINTS DAY WORLDWIDE TRADITIONS

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think Halloween is still appropriate to celebrate it today? Why or why not?
  2. How is Halloween celebrated in your country?
  3. Does your family have a special tradition for this holiday?
  4. What other ways to celebrate Halloween do you know of? How did you come to know this?

More People Eat Insects

B1 – Intermediate

Eating bugs and insects are considered gross and disgusting but lots of people around the world eat them in different types and flavors.

Meat is one of the best source of protein. However, there are other certain insects that can be good source of protein too.

Let’s read the article below to know more about eating insects.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210927-eating-bugs-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. In general, what do you think about eating bugs?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that eating insects will soon be widely accepted? Explain your opinion.
  3. Would you eat food from insects if it didn’t look like insects? Why or why not?
  4. How would you feel about seeing food items from insects in supermarkets?
  5. How will eating insects help the planet?

Japanese Royal to Marry a Commoner

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Japan has very strict lineage rules for royal families which state that male royals can marry commoners but female royals cannot. Princess Mako will not accept the payoff she is entitled to upon abdication. We all know the prestige and wealth that royal families tend to enjoy but this is one of the downsides of being a member of the royal family.

Read more about Japan’s Princess Mako and her upcoming wedding to a commoner.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58758317

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which aspects make this wedding very controversial in Japan?
  2. What do you think of Japan’s very strict lineage rules?
  3. How would you compare Japan’s monarchy to other countries’?
  4. What are your thoughts on royals marrying commoners?
  5. What is your opinion on monarchy?

Lost at Sea

B1 – Intermediate

Being lost at sea can be the worst nightmare. The view of the sea in every direction is simply a glistening sheet of nothingness.

Let’s read the article below on how two men survived the sea despite the odds and what their experience was.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2110/211011-lost-at-sea-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the article you have read?
  2. What would you say about the character of the two men?
  3. How would you feel if you were lost at sea?
  4. What do you think you would do when you try to ‘get away from it all’?
  5. When was the last time you had a nice break? Share that moment.

Boxer for President

B1 – Intermediate

Manny Pacquiao is a professional boxer, basketball player, actor, and singer. At the age of 16, he was already a top junior boxer.

He entered politics, even won as congressman and is currently a Philippine senator and has announced that he would be running for President in the 2022 elections.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about this boxing legend and his political aspirations.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210923-boxing-legend-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can boxing skills help someone to be a good president?
  2. What do you think of Pacquiao’s other successes?
  3. What advice would you give Manny Pacquiao?
  4. For you, what should be the qualifications for presidential candidates?

The Impact of Digital Technology on Healthcare

Digital technology is no doubt an essential part of healthcare and has helped transform the field of medicine. It has improved its way of access by inputting all medical information in an electronic health record (EHR) with the intention that all healthcare professionals can see and share medical information rapidly with each other resulting to a more efficient patient care and better outcome. Researchers can now gather massive amounts of data needed for conducting epidemiological research studies and clinical trials in a short amount of time with the use of technology. Health workers could easily contact each other by means of email, texts, calls etc. with the purpose that they could acquire the information they need quickly. Online platforms and social media are also used in such a manner that they could post videos, write articles, and do webinars to contribute some knowledge to other people specially to those who want pursue a career in medicine or healthcare. We also have different health apps that could help patients monitor their health, access test results, and get medicine recommendations. Overall, digital technology has made a tremendous impact on healthcare and is expected to continue improving in the years to come. 

Read the article to learn more about the impact of digital technology on healthcare.

https://healthmanagement.org/c/cardio/news/the-impact-of-digital-technology-on-healthcare

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the impact of digital technology on healthcare?
  2. What are the pros and cons of using digital technology in medicine and healthcare?
  3. What are the struggles in healthcare without digital technology?
  4. What are some digital technology that are used for healthcare?
  5. What digital technology can be a good invention for the future of healthcare?

The Case for International Civil Servants

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More than ever, the works of high-quality international civil servants are needed when it comes to worldwide efforts in tackling issues such as climate change and digital technologies.

Read the article below about the case for international civil servants.

The case for international civil servants

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the functions of international civil servants?
  2. What are some challenges international civil servants face?
  3. Talk about the presence and importance of international civil service within your own country.
  4. Share your insights on this statement, “These officials’ special status extends global governance beyond cooperation among nation-states, but it does not reflect a utopian attempt establish a world government.“.
  5. How exactly can international organizations and civil servants champion “common good”?

France Recalls its Ambassadors to Australia and US

B1 – Intermediate

French ambassadors to Australia and the US have been recalled. This is after a diplomatic row of “exceptional gravity” involving Australia cancelling a deal with France. After which, Australia planned to negotiate with the US.

Read the article about the diplomatic dispute between France and Australia and the United States.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210920-ambassador-recall-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, explain why France decided to pull out their ambassadors to Australia and the US.
  2. What do you think will happen to the diplomatic relations between the three countries now and in the future?
  3. Has your country had a diplomatic spat with other countries? What was the dispute about? How was it resolved?
  4. Why is diplomacy important between countries?
  5. Does your country have good foreign relations with most other countries? 

Video Stores’ Digital Streaming Resistance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Since the late 1870s, films have been in existence as one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Since its introduction to the society, films and the industry that revolves around it have evolved so much. 

Year 2020, the availability of technology and the Coronavirus pandemic led to a new phase in the history of films and the way we consume them. Streaming digitally through platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime became widely embraced by the world. Keeping the passion for physical movies became more challenging than ever.

Read the article about the video stores in Spain fighting to attract customers amidst the rising popularity of digital streaming.

https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2021-09-16/netflix-resistance-the-video-stores-fighting-the-rise-of-streaming-in-spain.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do physical movie stores still exist in your city? Talk about these places and your experience/s going there.
  2. Do you think video stores would continue to thrive further on? Talk about the challenges and opportunities of such business in the recent times. 
  3. Do you agree or disagree that with streaming platforms “You are forced to see what the company wants you to see, you don’t have any autonomy.”? Explain.
  4. What do you think about digital streaming platforms?
  5. Compare and contrast physical and digital film formats.
  6. Should we make sure that our children know about physical movies? Why or why not?