Tag: Text

Larks Are Happier than Night Owls

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being a lark means waking up early and going to bed early. Whereas, the opposite night owl, is someone who tends to stay up until late at night. Being a lark is usually associated with being a go-getter.

Studies have shown that people who are more active at night face greater health risks such as diabetes and low muscle mass.

But is staying up late really as bad as some people make it out to be?

Let’s read the article below about advantages of being an early riser.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jun/08/the-lark-advantage-why-naturally-early-risers-are-happier-than-night-owls

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you the type of person who is active during the day or at night? Why?
  2. What are your thoughts on this statement: “People who get up earlier in the morning tend to be happier and better protected against depression.”?
  3. Do you tend to sleep through the night without waking? If not, what usually wakes you up?
  4. In your opinion, what is the main function of sleep? Why do some people need more sleep than others?
  5. Which do you enjoy more: the silence of night or the calmness of morning? Why?
  6. Have you ever suffered from insomnia? Share your experience.

Credit Card Rewards

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we use credit card rewards, we think it’s our banks that shoulders our bills. How very thoughtful and generous of them, right? What most of us do not realize, though, is that businesses have got to find a way to compensate for that.

Find out about the ugly truth behind who really foots these credit card rewards.

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22454885/who-pays-for-credit-card-rewards

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you use credit card rewards to purchase things? Talk about your experience.
  2. What do you thing about this: “Credit card perks reward rich Americans to the detriment of the poor.”?
  3. Would you say that the payment system in your country has also evolved into a reverse Robin Hood? Explain.
  4. Has knowing that every time you use a rewards card to pay for something you buy at some shop, some others paying in cash is footing some part of your tab changed your thoughts about (using) rewards cards? Support your stand.

Limited Fiscal Sponsorship: A New Tool Of Social Enterprise

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The main goal of social enterprises is not only to maximize profits but to also catalyze social change. The profits they make are often allocated to funding social programs.

These social enterprises try various structures and challenge traditional approaches to being a for-profit and non-profit business.

Learn about a new tool in social enterprise called limited fiscal sponsorship.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/annefield/2015/09/30/limited-fiscal-sponsorship-a-new-tool-in-the-arsenal-of-social-enterprise/?sh=595ba71425a3

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain limited fiscal sponsorship. What do you see are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
  2. Name other approaches that are used to fund and structure social enterprise ventures.
  3. What do you think about social entrepreneurship?
  4. Would you consider putting up your own company with the same business approach? Why or why not?
  5. Name successful social enterprises or entrepreneurs you know of. What are they well-known for?

Building Blocks to a New Social Economy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Perhaps the goal now is to create an economy that is not only sustainable and resilient but also human-centric. One that will enable us to achieve economic objectives of growth, inclusion, and equity. 

Is it possible for the industry to provide economic boom from only flourishing jobs and economic upturn while having the societal well-being as the one that will point to the information on producing goods and providing services?

Read the article about the building blocks of a new social economy.

https://ssir.org/articles/entry/social_tech_entrepreneurs_building_blocks_of_a_new_social_economy

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is technology pivotal in supporting a new purpose-driven economy?
  2. What do you know about social entrepreneurship?
  3. What are other ways to create integrated and inclusive social and industrial policies?

Spain’s New Electricity Billing System

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A new billing system has been introduced in Spain in June 2021. It is supposed to allow consumers track when they save on their bills. However, there have been many issues seen on this new system.

Read the article to have a better understanding of this new electricity billing system in Spain.

https://english.elpais.com/economy_and_business/2021-06-01/consumer-associations-slam-spains-new-electricity-billing-system.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why was this new billing system implemented?
  2. What are the problems with this new system?
  3. As a consumer, what are your thoughts on this new billing system?
  4. Do you try and conserve electricity? Why or why not? If you do, what are the practices you observe?
  5. In general, what other issues do you have with your electricity service and/or provider?

Cancel Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate

They say that the only constant thing in life is change. Being adaptable to change is a big part of what makes us grow as individuals and collectively, as a society. For years on end, we’ve been witness to a lot of things that had to be changed. Some to our advantage, while others, to our demise. Now, these changes could often be about our views on different social issues or matters. As our opinions change, they too, become polarized.

In the recent years, we’ve seen a pattern of having the thought that someone can be “canceled” or culturally prevented from staying relevant or famous, has been a topic of debate.

Our growing inclination toward “cancel culture” and “canceling someone” seems to have become a formula.

It starts when someone does or says something offensive. It is then followed by a public outrage on social media. The last stage involves the unfortunate backlash on that person’s career, sometimes ending up in destroyed careers or dismissal from jobs.

Read the article and join in on the cancel culture debate.

Cancel culture is a threat to freedom of speech

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on cancel culture? Do you view it as an important tool of social justice or a new form of merciless mob intimidation? Should it be stopped or continued?
  2. What are the good and bad things about it?
  3. What might the effects of being canceled be on a person/group/organization? 
  4. Which people, celebrities, or public figures you know suffered from the backlash of this emerging social culture? What offensive thing did they do and how did being ‘canceled’ affect them?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that “The view that a traditional approach — apology, atonement, and forgiveness — is no longer enough might be startling.”?

Why We May Have To Re-Learn To Socialize

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We’ve been living in a pandemic world for over a year now. We’re already accustomed to our new social routines such as Zoom meetings, FaceTime dates, or ever virtual happy hours.

But with the vaccinations ramping up and restrictions beginning to be loosened in some countries, the new question is: Are we ready? After so much time apart, do we even know how to socialize in person?

Let’s read the article below on how we can re-train ourselves to be with others again.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210218-why-we-may-have-to-re-learn-to-socialise

Discussion Questions:

  1. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on your social life?
  2. Were you able to meet with other people during the COVID-19 pandemic?
  3. Would you feel anxious about returning to ‘normal’ again?
  4. Are you good at socializing? How do you socialize?
  5. How much do you socialize with people from work? What do you usually do to connect with your colleagues?
  6. How do we re-learn how to talk to people and manage the social awkwardness that may result from a year of isolation?

Working Long Hours Kills

B1 – Intermediate

In Japan, there is a specific term for death by overwork, which is “karoshi”. However, this phenomenon is not only exclusive in Japan. It happens all over the world. In fact, a WHO study revealed that 750,000 people die prematurely due to overwork.

Click the link to learn more about the dangers of overworking.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2105/210522-working-hours-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the dangers of overworking?
  2. How many hours do you spend time working? Do you work overtime or not? Do you sometimes get overworked?
  3. What is your opinion on this statement: “No job is worth the risk of stroke or heart disease.”?
  4. In your country, what are some government policies to prevent workers from overworking?
  5. How has your working hours and workload changed during the pandemic?

Dog Body Armor Against Bald Eagle Attacks

B1 – Intermediate

To protect their pet dogs from bald eagle attacks, owners are buying a special dog armor. This vest also protects small dogs from coyotes.

Let’s read the article about this special dog vest and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2105/210520-bald-eagles-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this dog armors/coyote vests?
  2. Should dogs wear protective vests from other harmful animals?
  3. Are you a pet owner? How do you protect your pet/s from danger?
  4. What other things can people use to scare birds or coyotes away from their dogs?

Live Well with Covid and Chronic Illness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all know what it feels like to be sick. It feels unpleasant and distressing. For people suffering from chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, or Covid, there are some things you can do to feel better. While you’ll still have to let the illness run its course, you can at least make things a little more bearable.

Here are ten helpful tips on living well through a chronic illness. Let’s read the article below.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/apr/22/10-ways-live-well-with-long-covid-chronic-illness

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you consider yourself healthy? How can you tell?
  2. How often do you get sick? Talk about the last time you had a serious illness.
  3. What do you think the worst illness to have would be? Why do you say so?
  4. How does chronic illness affect one’s daily life?
  5. How can one stay positive if they have a chronic illness?