Tag: video

American Chinese Restaurants Outnumber Fast Food Chains

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

In the United States, there are more Chinese restaurants than most major fast-food chains like McDonald’s. For decades, it was very difficult for authentic Chinese dishes like Peking duck to gain popularity as the Americanized versions were more appreciated by the locals. Many Chinese restaurateurs also faced discrimination and cultural resistance.

Today, as China’s restaurant industry slows, many Chinese chains are expanding into the US, betting that Americans are more open to authentic Chinese cuisine.  

Watch the video and explore how Chinese food became a staple of American dining and how the industry is evolving.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be shrouded in something” mean? “The origin of fortune cookie is just like the origin of pizza. It is shrouded in mystery.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to be blown out of proportion” mean? ”It isblown totally out of proportion. Prejudice against Chinese food has become embedded when society needs a scapegoat.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What is a “scapegoat”? ”It is blown totally out of proportion. Prejudice against Chinese food has become embedded when society needs a scapegoat.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your impression about the history of how Chinese cuisine became widely-accepted in America?
  2. What do you think it is about Chinese restaurant business that made it very lucrative in the US? Do you think it will work in your country too?
  3. How popular has the Chinese cuisine become in your country? What do you think about that? What are other foreign cuisines popular in your country? Why do you think this is?
  4. Do you think adapting traditional foods to local tastes helps preserve or dilute a culture’s culinary identity? Why?
  5. Should restaurants prioritize authenticity or customer preferences when serving cultural foods? Share your thoughts.

Job Hugging

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this day and age, the world has begun to feel incredibly unstable. With the rise of artificial intelligence, the onset of large economic wars, and problems with even securing job positions, Gen Z has become paranoid about leaving their current positions.

To find out more about job hugging, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “fly around” mean? “And there are all of these workplace buzzwords that are just flying around, things like ‘quiet quitting, bare minimum Mondays, the great resignation’.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “flip something around” mean? “But if you flip that around, you have all these employees saying, “Well, why are you just treating me like a number?”  se this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “canary in the coal mine” mean? “I think the tech sector is a good kind of canary in the coal mine.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the positive and negative effects of job hugging?
  2. Do you believe job hugging will be less prevalent in the next few years? Elaborate on your answer.
  3. How will job hugging affect Gen Z in the future?
  4. In your opinion, what does job hugging say about the current state of the job market?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Fear is the biggest obstacle to career growth.”

Prenuptial Agreements

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A prenuptial agreement, also commonly called a “prenup”, is a legal contract signed before marriage that explains how assets and debts will be divided if the couple divorces. It helps protect financial interests, prevent disputes, and promote clear communication between partners. Many people view it as a practical tool for financial planning and security.

To learn more about the topic, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to set forth” mean?“It sets forth the rights of each party to the property of the other in the event of divorce or death.”  Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “alimony” mean? “It can also impact support rights and obligations such as alimony upon divorce.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “enforceable” mean? “It is more likely that a court will consider a prenuptial agreement enforceable if each party is represented by counsel.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of prenuptial agreements in the event of a divorce?
  2. Should prenuptial agreements be encouraged for all couples or only for those with significant assets?
  3. Does discussing a prenuptial agreement before marriage imply a lack of commitment to the relationship? Share your thoughts.
  4. “Prenuptial agreements protect individuals and reduce conflict during divorce.” Do you agree or disagree?
  5. How do cultural and societal views influence people’s opinions about prenuptial agreements?

Vitamin Patch

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Vitamin patches are wearable supplements that deliver vitamins through the skin. People usually place the patch on their arm, shoulder, or another area of the body for several hours. These vitamin patches are wearable supplements designed to deliver vitamins through the skin in a simple and convenient way.

Barrière is a company seeking to innovate the supplement industry. Its slogan, “Wear your vitamins,” reflects its focus on wearable vitamin patches as an alternative to traditional supplements.

Watch the video about vitamin patches and how Barriere is trying to disrupt the US supplement market.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “cost prohibitive”? ”We’ve done user trials. There’s one trial available, but it’s been cost prohibitive and it’s unfortunately not required to sell in America.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What is the meaning of “clinical efficacy”? “From what I see, we are choosing convenience over clinical efficacy.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “bioavailability” mean? “The assumption is that because they’re so small, they’re going to penetrate the skin. Therefore, you will have bioavailability of these supplements and herbs.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using vitamin patches?
  2. What are your thoughts on this supplement? Would you try a vitamin patch instead of taking supplements by mouth? Why or why not?
  3. Do you trust new health trends easily, or do you prefer to do more research first? Explain your answer.
  4. The FDA has declared that it plans to end its war on vitamins. What are your thoughts on this?
  5. How important is marketing for health products like vitamin patches?
  6. Could wearable health products become more popular in the future? Why or why not?

Ube: The Purple Food Taking Over Your Feed

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Following the popularity of bright green matcha, a new food trend has become an internet sensation: the vibrant purple ube or purple yam.

Although it has only recently become popular internationally, ube has been popular in its native country, the Philippines, for a long time.

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to come on the back of something” mean? “I think it is because of its color, coming on the back of big trends with matcha or acai bowls.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “commonplace” mean? “So, like you said, it’s been around for thousand of years and it’s super commonplace in Filipino kitchens.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “slow burn” mean? “It’s a slow burn trend that really took off at the end of 2025 and into this year.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard or seen anything about this purple food known as “ube”? Tell us about your experience. Why do you think it’s becoming a trend nowadays?
  2. What are the benefits of having food trends gain global attention?
  3. How does increasing demand help the country of origin develop sustainability?
  4. Talk about a local food from your country that gained global recognition.
  5. What other food trends or food items have become popular in your country?

Women More Likely to Die in Crashes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is commonly stated that men are more likely to die earlier than women. However, there are several scenarios in which the opposite is true. Filmmaker Eve Van Dyke discovered this during a trip in November 2024 that ended in a car crash. She noticed that the women sustained worse injuries than the men involved in the accident. As it turns out, that was not merely a coincidence. In the United States, women are 17% more likely than men to die in car accidents and 73% more likely to suffer serious injuries.

To find out why, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “descent into the rabbit hole” mean? “
    If my descent into the rabbit hole taught me anything, it’s going to take a lot more than that to change the course of women’s car safety.”     Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “sheer callous” mean?“Either it’s sheer calluses or indifference or they don’t bother to find out how their cars behave.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to sideline someone/something” mean? “NHTSA has been sidelining female dummies for nearly 50 years.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think cars are designed for men rather than women? Share your insight.
  2. What are your thoughts on women experiencing more severe road accident injuries than men? What do you think are the reasons for this?
  3. Do you believe that authorities have neglected women’s safety despite calls for greater consideration of this issue? What is your opinion?
  4. How common is it for women to be involved in vehicular accidents in your country? What factors might contribute to these accidents?
  5. Should authorities implement significant changes to the existing policies to better protect women from deaths or injuries resulting from vehicular accidents? Share your insights.

A Multi-Million Dollar Plot to Change What You Eat

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having a healthy and balanced diet is an important part of living a robust life. However, the definitions of “good” and “bad” food are constantly changing. This is not only because the technology used to measure the healthiness of food has improved. Different sectors of the food industry continuously seek to promote their own products while criticizing foods that do not align with their interests. And the influence of the food industry does not end with biased research; it extends all the way to the highest levels of government and the law itself.

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to rag on someone/something” mean? “I hate to rag on avocado, but they have a powerful board, and they fund an incredible amount of research.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “blanketed nutrition space” mean? “And big food has blanketed nutrition space with so much money, it’s created a bunch of fun secondary problems.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “amuse-bouche” mean? “The industry-funded studies, the conflict of interest that’s all kind of amuse-bouche for where the industry’s real influence lies.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How might corporate interests conflict with public health goals?
  2. Do you think nutrition advice based on research funded by large companies is reliable? Explain your stance.
  3. Are you also confused by the nutrition advice you have heard over time? Give examples of when this has occurred.
  4. How can marketing strategies shape people’s perception of “healthy” and “unhealthy” foods? Do you think “health food” labels are always reliable? Why or why not?
  5. Do you believe food companies are always honest in their health claims? Why or why not?
  6. How can people protect themselves from misleading food marketing?

Ways to Protect Your Peace Without Cutting Everyone Off

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The video “6 Ways to Protect Your Peace Without Cutting Everyone Off” talks about how you can protect your mental and emotional well-being without completely cutting people out of your life. It explains that peace doesn’t always mean isolation, but learning how to handle relationships in a healthier way.

It also highlights the importance of setting boundaries, managing your reactions, and choosing how much energy you give to others. Instead of cutting people off easily, the video encourages balance and emotional control in everyday relationships.

Watch the video and learn more.

Vocabulary Questions:  

  1. What does the idiom “cut someone off ” mean?  “While distance can be healthy in cases of abuse or repeated harm, psychology suggests that cutting people off too easily can sometimes lead to isolation.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does the term “emotional detachment” mean?  “Another skill that helps protect your peace is emotional detachment. This doesn’t mean you stop caring about people.” Use the term in a sentence.  Give a synonym. 
  3. What does idiom “take something personally” mean?  “If someone criticizes you, it doesn’t always mean you have to take it personally.” Use the term in a sentence.  Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:  

  1. What does “protect your peace” mean to you personally?
  2. Do you think cutting people off is always a good solution when someone feels stressed or overwhelmed? Why or why not? 
  3. Can you give an example of a healthy boundary in a friendship or family relationship? 
  4. Have you ever experienced emotional overload? What caused it? How were you able to overcome it?
  5. Is it possible to protect your peace while still maintaining close relationships? How? 

What Happens in Your Brain When You Can’t Recall a Word

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The video explains why people sometimes experience “tip-of-the-tongue” moments, when a word feels just out of reach. It discusses how the brain stores and retrieves language and why certain memories can temporarily become difficult to access, even when we know the information is there.

The video also explores the science behind memory and communication, showing how different areas of the brain work together during word recall. It highlights factors such as stress, aging, and distraction that can interfere with memory while emphasizing that occasional forgetting is a normal part of brain function.

Watch the video and learn more.

Vocabulary Questions:  

  1. What does “tip-of-the-tongue state” mean? “Lots of things seem to influence how likely you are to enter a tip-of-the-tongue state.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to trip someone up” mean? “Cognitively, recognizing a face and associating it with general information, like someone’s profession, is often easy, while names tend to trip us up.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “red herring” mean? “In these situations, the words seem to work as distracting, red herring-like blockers in the retrieval pathway.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:  

  1. Have you ever experienced this situation? Describe it.
  2. What strategies can help someone remember a forgotten word?
  3. Can practicing language skills improve word recall? Share your insights.
  4. Do you think technology helps or weakens our abilities to remember words? Share your opinion.

Confessions of a Former Body Positivity Influencer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people on the internet quickly judge and scorn people with bigger bodies, thinking of them as lazy and less deserving of personhood. In response, many influencers promote body positivity, encouraging fat and obese people to love themselves at any size.

However, loving yourself doesn’t always mean taking care of yourself. Instead of using positivity as simple encouragement, many people and influencers have taken body positivity as a message to ignore their health.

Watch the video about the confessions of a former body positivity influencer.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to run for the hills” mean? “It was actually something people found disgusting. “Run for the hills. It’s Fatzilla! ” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “to stay silent” mean?“I was scared to say the wrong thing, so I stayed silent..”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to brand someone a pariah” mean? “The body positivity community branded me a pariah, and so I left.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Gabriella’s story?
  2. Why is body positivity important in today’s society?
  3. What are the positive and negative effects of body positivity?
  4. In your opinion, can body positivity and healthy living coexist? If yes, how?
  5. Have you witnessed real examples of fatphobia toward someone? Share about it.
  6. Share your thoughts on this statement: “Not every fat person is unhealthy, and not every skinny person is healthy.”