Tag: video

Phones Are Designed to be Addicting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s not just your willpower—phones are deliberately designed to be addictive. With features like infinite scrolling, push notifications, and personalized content, smartphones keep users engaged longer than they intend. Tech companies use psychological tricks to tap into our need for connection, rewards, and instant gratification, making it harder to put our devices down. As a result, many find themselves spending more time on their phones than they planned, raising concerns about the impact on mental health and well-being.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “push notification“? “When push notifications were first introduced for email on Blackberries in 2003, they were actually seen as a way for you to check your phone less.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “puppet master” mean here, “If Facebook sends you a push notification that a friend is interested in an event near you, they’re essentially acting like a puppet master, leveraging your desire for social connections so that you use the app more.” Make a sentence using this expression.
  3. What does “grab bag” mean? “But today, you can get notifications from any app on your phone. So every time you check it, you get a grab bag of notifications that can make you feel a broad variety of emotions.” Use the phrase in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe smartphone companies intentionally design their devices to be addictive? Why or why not?
  2. What are your thoughts on how tech companies profit off of users’ attention?
  3. How has smartphone use impacted your ability to focus or be present in daily life?
  4. Should tech companies be held responsible for the addictive nature of their devices, or is it up to users to control their own habits?
  5. What steps can individuals and society take to reduce smartphone addiction without completely giving up technology?
  6. Share your thoughts on this statement, “Addiction is money.“

Brands Use Anchoring in Advertising

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Brands use anchoring in advertising to influence consumer perception and decision-making by presenting an initial reference point—often a price, feature, or comparison—that shapes how customers evaluate a product. This psychological tactic can make discounts seem more appealing, premium options appear more valuable, or certain products stand out as the best choice. From “original price” comparisons to strategic product placements, anchoring plays a crucial role in shaping purchasing behavior and maximizing sales.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “to pull up” mean in this sentence? “You’re heading to a store and when you pull up, you see a sign saying, “Cheeseburgers, buy two get one free!” Make a sentence using it.
  2. What does the phrase “to go for something” mean? “When you see the sign, “Buy two get one free” you go for it.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “deal” mean in this sentence? “Buy two get one free” sounds like a great deal.” Use it in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think brands use anchoring ethically in advertising, or is it a manipulative tactic? Why?
  2. Have you ever made a purchase because an initial price or comparison influenced your decision? How did you feel afterward?
  3. Should there be regulations to limit how brands use anchoring in marketing strategies? Why or why not?
  4. How do brands use anchoring in pricing strategies, such as discounts and “original price” displays, to influence consumer behavior?
  5. Can anchoring be used positively in advertising, such as promoting healthier choices or sustainable products? Why or why not?





Wildfire Victims Face Insurance Crisis

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Wildfire victims are facing a growing insurance crisis as rising disaster risks make coverage harder to obtain and more expensive. In wildfire-prone areas, many homeowners are seeing their policies canceled, premiums skyrocket, or insurers pull out altogether. As climate change fuels more frequent and severe fires, the insurance industry is struggling to keep up, leaving victims with fewer options for rebuilding their lives. This crisis raises urgent questions about the future of home insurance, government intervention, and how communities can better prepare for wildfire risks.

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


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the phase “pull back“? “With insurers pulling back, thousand of California homeowners have been left without coverage.” Make a sentence using the expression.
  2. What does “moratorium” mean? “The California Insurance Commissioner is issuing a one-year moratorium to protect homeowners.” Use the word in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “cascade” mean? “The report suggesting the insurance crisis could lead to a housing one with echo of 2008, saying this is predicted to cascade into plunging property values in communities where insurance becomes impossible to find or prohibitively expensive.” Use the word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should the government step in to provide insurance assistance for wildfire victims, or should it be left to private insurers? Why?
  2. Do you think insurance companies are justified in raising premiums or dropping coverage in wildfire-prone areas?
  3. Is it fair to require homeowners in high-risk wildfire zones to pay significantly higher insurance rates?
  4. How can insurance companies balance financial risk while still providing coverage for wildfire victims?
  5. How should communities and governments prepare for the increasing risks of wildfires and their impact on home insurance?




How Will the Global Economy Fare in 2025?

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

As the new year starts, questions on how some of the world’s Powerhouse economies will fare arise.

While, the US saw strong growth, China and Germany’s economies did not see much boost in the previous year. They struggled to deal with fundamental challenges.

How will President Donald Trump’s return to office and America’s tariff-centred policies affect the global economy?

Watch the video on some insights on how the global economy will fare in 2025.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is does “economic laggard” mean? “Traditionally, the German economy is seen as the Powerhouse of Europe. It is after all, the largest economy in Europe, but increasingly, it’s the economic laggard.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “a lump of coal in one’s stocking” mean? “If Donald Trump comes into office in January and imposes huge tariffs on imports to the US, then economies everywhere will face a big disruption and Wall Street might find a lump of coal in its stocking.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “in the doldrums” mean? “We think the impact of rate easing on the economy will be marginal because most of the credit-intense sectors are still in [the] doldrums.” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, how will the US, German, and Chinese economy fare this year? Talk about some challenges and possible workarounds for each country.
  2. What might be the effects of US tariff-centered policies in the global economy? How about in your country?
  3. How do you think the economy of your country will fare this year?
  4. What are your thoughts on supporting the crypto industry? Could it boost a country’s economy? Explain.

Fast Food Goes High Tech with New A.I. Drive-Thrus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fast food chains are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize the drive-thru experience. From voice-activated ordering systems to automated menu suggestions, AI-powered drive-thrus aim to speed up service, reduce errors, and enhance customer convenience. Wendy’s is investing in this technology, using machine learning and natural language processing to understand orders more accurately and personalize recommendations. While AI drive-thrus promise efficiency and innovation, they also raise some questions. As the fast food industry goes high-tech, AI is reshaping the way customers order their favorite meals.

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


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “behind-the-scenes” mean”? “Wendy is now using AI to take your drive-thru orders. Let’s take a look at the behind-the-scenes of the new technology and put it to the test.” Make a sentence using this expression.
  2. What does the phrasal verb “step in” mean? “Ordering something not on the menu, that’s when human stepped in.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “driven by” in this sentence? “Using AI drive-thrus seems much faster, a new trend driven by technology.” Make a sentence using the phrase.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI-powered drive-thrus will improve the customer experience, or will they make it less personal? Why?
  2. Should fast food companies prioritize speed and efficiency over human jobs when implementing AI technology? Share your insights.
  3. Would you feel comfortable ordering from an AI drive-thru, or do you prefer interacting with a human employee?
  4. What are the potential benefits and risks of using AI in fast food ordering systems?
  5. How can companies balance technological advancements with the need to maintain human jobs in the industry?




The Hidden Cost of Korea’s Beauty Industry

B2 – Upper Intermediate

South Korea is regarded as the global center for cosmetics, providing the state-of-the-art procedures that have kept them at the forefront of the beauty industry. And they continue to prosper and expand over the years as they successfully promote their medical sector to foreigners who are prepared to pay for their promising services.

See the video below to learn more about the dark side of Korea’s beauty business success.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “biggest draw“. “The biggest draw was people were very satisfied with their results.”  Create a sentence using this term.
  2. What does “to put someone/something at the top of the game” mean? “These cutting-edge treatments are putting South Korea at the top of the beauty game.” Use this idiom to make your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “to turn back the clock“? “From non-invasive lifting ultrasound, to skin boosting injections using DNA from salmon, she’s hoping to turn back the clock on her appearance.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘turn back the clock’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects does medical tourism have on the nation’s healthcare system, as discussed in the video? And by being the cosmetic capital of the world, secure better healthcare?
  2. How did Korea manage to succeed in the beauty game?
  3. What are your thoughts on chasing beauty through state-of-the-art aesthetic procedures? Will you patronize it given the chance? Why or why not?
  4. Share your thoughts on how South Korean government promotes medical tourism? Does your government promote it to boost the economy? Why or why not?

Meta Ends its Fact-Checking Program

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s digital world, misinformation seems to be everywhere.
Due to the anonymity social media platforms provide, the reach and speed of misinformation creates a ground for the proliferation of false narratives. This is why Meta launched its independent, third-party fact-checking program in 2016. Less than a decade later, Meta is ditching fact-checkers in the US.

Let’s read the article and know more about these changes in the Meta platform. You may also watch the video.

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/meta-ends-fact-checking-program-community-notes-x-rcna186468

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hot-button issue” mean? “Beyond the end of the fact-checking program, Zuckerberg said, the company will eliminate some content policies around immigration, gender and other hot-button issues and refocus its automated moderation systems on what he called “high severity violations,” relying on users to report other violations.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is “legacy media“? “Zuckerberg pointed to the election as a major influence on the company’s decision and criticized “governments and legacy media” for, he alleged, pushing “to censor more and more.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “to get back to one’s roots” mean? “We’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms,” Zuckerberg said in a video. Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Meta’s decision to end third-party fact-checking?
  2. What do you think are the impacts this decision will have on Facebook in the long run?
  3. Share your thoughts on a community-driven fact-checking system.
  4. In your opinion, should social media companies be responsible for fact-checking information on their platforms? Explain your stance.
  5. What can one do when they come across misinformation or fake news on social media?

Brain Rot

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The internet is a fascinating place. It has given students the ability to research topics, ideas, and concepts at the click of their fingers. However, it has also given way to an ailment known as brain rot. Brainrot happens when people consume mindless and pointless content online. This disease has proven to be very dangerous to the psyche of our future generations.

To learn more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “brain turns into mush”. “ Have you ever felt your brain turning into mush.”. Create a sentence using this expression.
  2. What does “creep in” mean? “You know that feeling when you’ve watched so many Tiktoks that you start dreaming in 15-second clips? That’s brain rot creeping in.” Use this phrasal verb to make your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “rabbit hole“? “You open Instagram and watch the reel. But then, you swipe up to see the next reel, and the next, and the next. Before you know it, you’re deep into the Instagram reel rabbit hole.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt the effects of brain rot? If yes, share your experience.
  2. If you’ve experienced your brain turning into a mush, how do you fight against it?
  3. How can we determine if we are affected by this condition? And how can we prevent it?
  4. Do you think that brain rot is a threat to the current generation? Explain your stance.

Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Bag

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Louis Vuitton is one of the most important brands in the fashion industry, and perhaps the world. Many can only dream about owning a bag or any item from the very expensive designer label.

So many are trying to imitate, make, and sell fake Louis Vuitton products.

The problem is that it is getting more and more difficult to know if they are authentic or not.

Watch the video how to difficult it is to tell an original Louis Vuitton bag from a fake one.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “sought-after” mean? “She sells Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and other sought-after brands.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘sought-after’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the phrase “telltale sign” mean? “Do they have items that no one else has, but all of a sudden, this website has them? Those are definite telltale signs.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘telltale sign’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “run-of-the mill” mean? “This is your run-of-the-mill counterfeited piece with the Gucci.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘run-of-the mill’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can the difficulty of spotting fake products affect the original brands?
  2. How can brands fight against counterfeiting?
  3. How can you tell if an item sold online is fake or not?
  4. Share your experience unintentionally buying a fake product on the internet.

Singapore’s Urban Farming Initiatives

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Urban farming is a growing trend in cities worldwide as people become more aware of the benefits of growing their food. This form of agriculture involves growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs in urban environments, such as rooftops, balconies, and vacant lots. One of the main benefits of urban farming is the ability to produce fresh, organic produce right in the heart of the city.

By growing food locally, urban residents can reap the benefits of fresh, organic produce while reducing the environmental impact of food production. With the growing popularity of urban farming, this trend is clear to continue flourishing and bringing positive change to urban communities.

Watch the video to learn how a country that imports more than 90% of its food is changing its way to embrace urban farming.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the noun zoning? “Singapore developed policy and zoning and incentives around urban agriculture that say this is allowed to be done on top of a parking garage or allowed to be done in a vacant area.” Create a sentence using the word.
  2. What is the meaning of the green movement? “Singapore’s architectural community is also joining the green movement.” Use this term in your sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “to sow the seeds“? “In a world of finite resources, they are sowing the seeds of possibility.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Singapore’s urban farming initiatives?
  2. Do you think this project is applicable in your country? Please justify your answer.
  3. What do you think are the benefits and downsides of urban farming?
  4. Do you think you can do this? Why or why not?
  5. Do you know of any plans your government has regarding agriculture? What are those plans?