Tag: video

Comfortable: 50 People 1 Question

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As you might know, social media is the main engine helping the body positivity movement spread wider and get people to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Watch the video to find out the differences between how adults and children perceive themselves.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt negative about the way you look? How did you deal with it?
  2. Do you think a lot of people nowadays are overly critical of their appearance and want to change it for the better?
  3. Who is unsatisfied with their appearance the most: the adults or the children?
  4. What do the adults want to change? What do the children want to change?
  5. What conclusion can you draw with this information now?
  6. If you were asked to name one thing you would like to change about yourself, what would it be?

Left Brain Right Brain is a Myth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We assume that people think differently. Someone is very good at science and another is good at arts. Do you think this depends on a person’s being left- or right-brained?

We have all heard that the cerebral hemispheres are responsible for different activities. However, is it really true?

Watch the video and find out if the theory of left- and right-brained thinking is true or not.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Was any information mentioned in the video shocking for you? Explain.
  2. What is your attitude to the “brain dominance” tests after having discovered this new theory? Will you rely on them?
  3. Do you believe that people will one day learn all the secrets of how the brain functions?
  4. What is one proof that the left- and right-brained thinking theory is false based on the video? What are your thoughts on this?
  5. Are you left- or right-brained? What are your qualities that make you as such?

Eye Drops Could Replace Reading Glasses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is not a secret that as we grow older, our vision gets worse, and because of this, we typically wear glasses or contacts.

However, most people describe wearing these as uncomfortable, but continue to be necessary.

But recently, an eye drop called Vuity has been created to help improve short-range vision and make the person using it comfortable.

To find out more about Vuity, let’s watch this video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, will Vuity be helpful to many people? Explain.
  2. Compare and contrast this eye drop to glasses or contacts.
  3. Can this eventually replace glasses? Why or why not?
  4. Do you believe that Vuity’s side effects make it unusable or dangerous? Explain.
  5. If you had the opportunity, would you try Vuity? Why or why not?
  6. How do you take care of your eyes?

Smart Chopsticks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most people prefer flavorful dishes. In order for dishes to be savoury, we tend to add more seasonings or condiments. Most condiments are high in sodium such as soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and ketchup. High sodium consumption poses health risks.

Let’s watch this video and know more about this instrument that can make food taste more flavorful with no health worries.

https://news.yahoo.com/smart-chopsticks-enhance-taste-food-061753583.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on this Japanese invention?
  2. How do the smart chopsticks work?
  3. Do you like using chopsticks? Would you care to buy this?
  4. Do you know the health risks associated with high sodium consumption? What are they?
  5. Do you like salty food? If yes, how do you minimize your sodium intake?

WikiLeaks Founder’s Extradition Case

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Wikileaks published, among others, documents and materials that exposed misconduct by the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan. Several rights groups have been throwing their support to WikiLeaks’s founder Julian Assange and have been asking for his release. However, the United States stands firm on its decision to continue asking for the former’s extradition in order for him to face the charges against him.

Let’s watch the short video to know the updates on the extradition request for Julian Assange.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Julian Assange and what crimes is he facing in the US?
  2. What is your take on this extradition of Julian Assange?
  3. Should matters of national security trample on government transparency?
  4. Should there be a limit to freedom of the press?

Relieving Stress in Broom Room

C1 – Advanced

Stress is our body’s response to pressure from a certain situation or event. Small daily nuisances and major life changes can trigger stress. At times, it serves a useful purpose. It enables us to respond quickly when something potentially threatening happens and helps us avoid danger.

Let’s watch the video below about a unique way to release stress.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0b8fd4f/relieving-stress-in-shanghai-s-boom-room-

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your opinion about de-stressing with destruction?
  2. Would you try this kind of method to ease your stress? Why or why not?
  3. What causes you the most stress?
  4. Is modern technology stressful or does it help to unwind? Explain.
  5. Do you agree that a little bit of stress is good for us? In what ways?
  6. What are other healthy ways to reduce stress? What works best for you?

How Lucid Dreaming Works

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Blurring the line between waking and sleeping is something that takes time and practice. There are others who experience distressing visions while in a state of sleep paralysis: when you’re awake but can’t move or do anything about it. So you should work your way up to lucid dreaming instead of diving in headfirst.

Watch the video to explore the possible effects lucid dreams may have on people who experience them.

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever had lucid dreams? Do you find lucid dreaming to be more beneficial or harmful?
  2. What are the benefits and concerns about lucid dreaming?
  3. Have people always been able to experience lucid dreams?
  4. Do you agree that some lucid dreamers could become reluctant to face reality? Why?
  5. What is the importance of the results of studies about lucid dreaming?

Toddlers Running Errands

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s understandable that some parents view young children doing errands as risky. The world is so complex, unpredictable, and full of risks. Our children may be exposed to when they are outside for extended periods of time without parental supervision.

A show that has been on Japanese television for more than three decades is fresh to an American audience. Children ages 2 to 4 are tasked with performing chores for their parents on the show.

Watch this video about the Japanese reality show that makes toddlers/very small children run errands by themselves.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of letting small kids run errands alone?
  2. In your culture, do parents let their very young kids do things on their own?
  3. How do you think would introducing this in your country be received?
  4. What were some of the errands you used to run as a kid? At what age did you start doing them?
  5. What do you think is the proper age to let a small kid be on their own out on the streets?

Why Some People Are Always Late

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Punctuality matters. It benefits us in all aspects of life. When we are punctual, we show others that we are dependable and that we respect their time. But today, we fail to recognize its value. We have so many excuses for being late. The lack of punctuality has become the blatant hallmark of our culture.

Let’s watch the video to find out why some people struggle so much with their punctuality.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0br5sll/why-some-people-are-always-late

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you consider yourself a “timekeeper” or a “timebender”? Why is this?
  2. What might be a few reasons some people are always tardy?
  3. Is it considered rude in your country to be late? Explain your answer.
  4. Have you ever been late late for an important event? What happened?
  5. How do you feel when you are late for a class/appointment/date?
  6. To what events/situations is it important to arrive on time?

Ethical Fading

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have all have different ways to rationalize our behaviour. We tend to believe that the ethically-questionable decisions we make are fair and justified, which in fact is quite the opposite. Ethical fading is when we engage in unethical behaviour without perceiving it as such.

Watch the video to learn more about ethical fading and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on ethical fading and moral disengagement?
  2. Cite some examples in which these situations happen.
  3. Why do some people engage in ethical fading?
  4. What are some ways to prevent it?