Tag: video

Going Through Security at Airports

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Why do travelers have to go through all the security checks at airports?

Watch the video using the link below to learn about a major event that changed air travel security forever.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hijacked” mean? “In 1972, three men with guns and hand grenades hijacked a plane from Birmingham, Alabama.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “ransom” mean? “They threatened to crash the plane into a nuclear reactor in Tennessee unless they were paid a $10 million ransom.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “screening” mean? “Airports began screening passengers and their carry-on luggage like they still do today.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think airport security needs to become stricter after incidents like this?
  2. How do security screenings help prevent dangerous situations?
  3. Do you think security screenings at most airports are thorough enough? Why or why not?
  4. What other safety measures can airports implement to ensure passenger safety?
  5. How have security procedures changed over the years?

Regions of the World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The world is home to nearly 8 billion people, spread across seven continents and almost 200 countries. But even with modern technology making global connections easier, where you live still shapes how you experience the world.

Watch the video below to explore how different regions are studied through various lenses.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sprawling” mean? “These people inhabit seven sprawling continents and almost 200 different countries.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  2. What does “legacy” mean? “The spread of democracy in the Americas and the legacy of colonialism across several regions.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does “navigate” mean? “We’ve created a road map to cut through the complexities and to help you navigate the regions of the world.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms..

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think different regions are studied through different lenses?
  2. How do modern advancements make the world feel smaller?
  3. How does geography influence the way people live and interact?
  4. In what ways do economic and political factors shape a region?
  5. Why is it important to understand global issues beyond our own country?

Trump Wants to End Penny Production

B2 – Upper Intermediate

President Donald Trump recently proposed ending the production of the penny, reigniting a long-running debate. Supporters argue that eliminating the one-cent coin could save the government money and reduce inefficiencies, while opponents believe it could lead to rounding issues and impact charitable donations. Is it time to say goodbye to the penny, or does it still have a place in our pockets?

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “seigniorage“? “The coin has had a negative seigniorage for almost 20 years and part of the reason for the increased production cost is the metal, in this case, zinc, has gotten more expensive.” Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “round off ” mean? “Canada rounds off all cash transactions to the nearest 5 cents interval.” Make a sentence using the phrase.
  3. What does the word “mint” mean here, “Last year, the mint lost more than $85 million to make more than 3 billion pennies.“? Use the word in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think eliminating the penny would have a significant impact on everyday transactions? Why or why not?
  2. Should sentimental or historical value be a factor in deciding whether to keep the penny? Explain.
  3. Would rounding prices to the nearest nickel be fair to consumers and businesses? Explain.
  4. How do the costs of producing pennies compare to their actual usefulness in today’s economy?
  5. What potential effects could removing the penny have on low-income individuals and cash-based transactions?
  6. How have other countries handled getting rid of low-denomination coins, and what lessons can the U.S. learn from them?

Why We Need Rites of Passage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

By the time we take our first steps and say our first words, we are leaving a mark of our time in this world. Each culture around the globe has identified certain events or achievements to commemorate life-changing moments, which we refer to as “rites of passage”.

To find out more about the rites of passage we commemorate, please watch the discussion below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “radar of consciousness”. “This is something that often ends up on my radar of consciousness because I have many males in my audience.” Use this term to make your own sentence.
  2. What does “twiddling of thumbs” mean? “It’s not about the twiddling of thumbs. We are passing on to you the obligation of adulthood.” Create a sentence using this idiom.
  3. What is the meaning of “frown upon“? “This has become rather you know frowned upon in our kind of politically correct woke world.” Use this phrasal verb in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is it to commemorate the transitions in life? Explain.
  2. What are your thoughts on involving pain as part of the rite of passage?
  3. What are rites of passage do you know and celebrate?
  4. How does your community and family celebrate or honor the important milestones in your life?
  5. What kind of celebration of coming of age would you like to have? Which customs, themes, rituals, or activities would you like to incorporate in your culture? Why these rites?

How Coca-Cola Used You To Win

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign brilliantly transformed a simple idea—printing popular names on Coke bottles—into a viral marketing phenomenon. By making the experience personal and shareable, Coca-Cola not only boosted sales, but also reconnected with young adults, turning an ordinary product into a social experience.

Watch the video to know more about it and be able to answer the questions below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “fizzle out” mean? “In early 2010, Coca-Cola’s sales were fizzling out particularly in Australia where young adults weren’t drinking Coke.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “cherry on top” mean? “Every single word was reviewed and approved by Senior Management and the cherry on top, they had to design a brand new font specifically for this campaign.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “strike gold” mean? “Among young adults, consumption of Coke jumped by 7%. It wasn’t long enough that Coca-Cola realized they had struck gold.” Use it in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the success of the “Share a Coke” campaign was primarily due to personalization, or were other factors equally important? Why?
  2. Some critics argue that Coca-Cola’s campaign was clever but didn’t lead to long-term brand loyalty. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
  3. In your opinion, should more brands adopt similar personalized marketing strategies, or does this approach lose its impact when overused?
  4. How did the “Share a Coke” campaign change consumer behavior, and what lessons can other brands learn from it?
  5. What role did social media play in making the campaign go viral, and do you think it would have been as successful without it?





How Banks Magically Create Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone was curious about the origins of money and how it flows through our economy. Did you know that a government facility in Washington, DC, converts paper into cash every hour of the day in order to meet demand? But there’s a catch: most of the money exists digitally.

See the video below to learn more about how banks magically create money.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “type into existence“. “Before it ever reached your bank account, it changed hands countless times, passing through people, governments and businesses all after being simply type into existence.”  Create a sentence using this term.
  2. What does “hard to come by” mean? “To make transactions easier, people started to pay using more commonly used items like cattle, grain and salt. Everyone needed these things, but they were hard to come by and that’s what made them valuable.” Use this idiom to make your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “intrinsic value“? “The paper itself has no intrinsic value but it became as good as gold.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘intrinsic value’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does money work and evolve?
  2. When did the entire idea of money started to change?
  3. What’s the bank role in money processing?
  4. What does “new money” mean?
  5. How do banks actually generate revenue?
  6. What are “bonds,” and what role do they play in the banking system?

Spain Introduces Three-Year Tourist Ban

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Tourism ban is a topic that has gained traction in recent years, particularly due to the rapid changes in environmental conditions, cultural impacts, and the effects of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. While tourism is essential for many economies around the world, there are strong arguments for placing restrictions or even banning certain forms of tourism to protect local communities and the environment. 

By recognizing the importance of preserving local integrity and ecosystems, societies can work toward creating a more sustainable tourist landscape that benefits everyone involved. The challenge lies in finding the balance between enjoying travel and protecting the places that make it special. 

Watch the video to see how Spain is dealing with tourist overcrowding.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to sit out” mean here, “Don’t think Barcelona is sitting this one out.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does  “to come with a price” mean? “Well, it turns out that those Instagram photos with endless sunshine and vibrant street scenes come with a price.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “grumble ” mean? “Spaniards are starting to grumble about their once Charming neighborhoods being taken over by tourists and who can really blame them.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does overtourism affect a city/country? Talk about the benefits and drawbacks.
  2. What could be the social and economic consequences of a ban on tourism in popular destinations?
  3. What are your thoughts on “Local only.” areas?
  4. How might a tourism ban affect local culture and heritage in places that heavily depend on tourism?
  5. What alternatives to tourism might local communities explore if tourism were banned or significantly restricted?
  6. Is overtourism really a problem for a city/country? Why or why not?

Quiet Luxury: A Marketing Psychology Trick

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Quiet luxury, a growing trend in the fashion and lifestyle industries, emphasizes understated elegance over flashy branding. Rather than relying on visible logos or extravagant designs, it appeals to consumers who value exclusivity, craftsmanship, and subtle sophistication. This marketing strategy taps into psychology, creating a sense of prestige through minimalism and discretion. By targeting those who seek status without overt display, brands successfully position quiet luxury as a symbol of refined taste and timeless wealth.

Watch the video to learn more and be able to answer the following questions.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “over-the-top” mean? “Luxury fashion is often loud, with monograms, logos, and over-the-top designs, like Gucci belts and Louis Vuitton handbags that everyone can spot miles away.” Give 2 synonyms. Make a sentence using the expression.
  2. What does “stay under the radar” mean? “These subtle cues help us connect with the people who get it while staying under the radar for everyone else.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the expression, “take something to a new level” mean? “Everything from the way we dress sends messages to others, but quiet luxury takes it to a new level.” Use it in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. How does quiet luxury differ from traditional luxury branding, and what psychological factors contribute to its appeal?
  2. In what ways does quiet luxury influence consumer behavior and perceptions of status?
  3. Do you believe quiet luxury is a genuine expression of sophistication, or is it just another marketing strategy to target wealthy consumers? Why?
  4. Is quiet luxury more sustainable compared to traditional luxury brands, or is it simply a rebranding of consumerism? Elaborate.
  5. Do you think the appeal of quiet luxury will continue to grow, or will it eventually be replaced by more conspicuous trends? Expand.

DeepSeek

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Companies in the tech sector are investing billions of dollars to stay ahead of the AI revolution. Nevertheless, a Chinese startup company that was established with relatively little funding appears to have stunned the market by being competent and even outperforming ChatGPT.

To learn more about Deep Seek, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to spin out of a hedge fund” mean? “DeepSeek is a Chinese AI startup that was formed in 2023 and spun out of a hedge fund.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “sidestep” mean? “Just don’t ask it about Chinese politics. It’s reasoning is align with that of Beijing’s sensors, meaning, some questions are politely sidestepped.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘sidestep’ in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “over the edge“? “ DeepSeek can be used uncensored on it’s platform but what really sent investors over the edge is that DeepSeek was able to build this model and train it at just a fraction of the cost.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘over the edge’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard anything about DeepSeek? What is your initial reaction to the Chinese startup AI company?
  2. How do you think DeepSeek questions the narrative of US tech giants supremacy, who have claimed supremacy in the AI race?
  3. Why was DeepSeek better than other popular models, such as open AIS, and other benchmarks?
  4. What made it possible to create such a proficient app with just a fraction of funding compared to other competitors with billions or even predicted trillions of dollars in funding?
  5. What are your thoughts on this statement: “I think that the US has spent a long time underestimating China. China’s tech sector is actually very capable of innovating and creating these very powerful and very advanced products, and I think that Silicon Valley’s presumed lead that they have over China, I don’t think they should take that for granted.“

The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The increasing demand for non-alcoholic beer is driven by a focus on health and mindful drinking. With advancements in brewing, both major and craft breweries now offer better-tasting options, making it a popular choice for social settings. As wellness trends continue to shape the market, non-alcoholic beer is redefining the way people approach beer consumption.

Watch the video to learn more and be able to answer the questions below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “to get the ball rolling” mean? “We like to think that Athletic [Brewing Company] really got the ball rolling in this space. Non-alcoholic craft beer has been the fastest growing category in beer for four plus years now.” Use the expression in a sentence.
  2. What does “zebra striping” mean? “So the trend of “zebra striping” where people drink alcohol, non-alcohol, alcohol, non-alcohol throughout the night to pace out their session, moderate their ABV intake has become increasingly common.” Use the term in a sentence.
  3. What does “to find one’s footing” mean? “Non-alcoholic beer is still finding its footing in the US.” Use the idiom in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think non-alcoholic beer can ever fully replace traditional beer in social settings? Why or why not?
  2. Is the rise of non-alcoholic beer a passing trend, or do you believe it represents a long-term shift in consumer habits? Explain.
  3. Do you think non-alcoholic beer should be marketed differently than regular beer? If so, how?
  4. What factors do you think have contributed the most to the growing popularity of non-alcoholic beer?
  5. Would you be interested in having non-alcoholic beer? Why or why not?
  6. Have you ever done “zebra striping” at an occasion? Why did you do it? If not yet, why haven’t you done it?
  7. “You don’t always have to have alcohol to have fun.” Do you agree or disagree?