School Lunches from Around the World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lunchtime at school is a very important part of a kid’s day. It provides them with enough energy to learn and be active.

Many schools provide students with access to meals. When choosing what to eat for lunch, making a healthy choice is really important.

Let’s watch the video to see what school lunches around the world are like.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do kids in your country usually eat for lunch at their schools?
  2. What was your school lunches like when you were a kid?
  3. Do you think school lunches should be provided by the government? Explain.
  4. What are things to consider for school kids’ lunches/snacks?
  5. In your opinion, which country has the best school lunch? Why do you think so?

Embryo a Year Younger than the Mother

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some couples are lucky to have children without needing any medical interventions but there are others whose dreams of having a child is a long shot. Luckily, with the help of science, their dreams could possibly come true.

Read the article and watch the video about the oldest frozen human embryo and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/19/health/snowbaby-oldest-embryo-bn/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on/reaction to this news?
  2. What do you think about embryo donation and adoption?
  3. Talk about other modern methods of conceiving that you know about.

What is the Metaverse?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recently, a brand new concept in technology has emerged known as the “Metaverse”. Many believe it to be the next big thing in technology and business.

But what exactly is the “Metaverse”?

To learn more about it, watch this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, will the “Metaverse” be the next big trend that a lot people would invest in? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think makes Metaverse interesting?
  3. What concerns could we have over it?
  4. Is Facebook making a good decision by switching from a social media platform to a “Metaverse”? Explain your stance.
  5. Do you believe that socializing with people in these “Metaverses” is better than socializing in real life? Share your thoughts on this.

Investors Buy Up Metaverse Real Estate

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The metaverse describes a vision of a connected 3D virtual world where real and digital worlds are integrated using technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality. It is now possible to buy and trade things in the metaverse like plots of land or even virtual houses.

Watch the video to know what owning a virtual land has to offer.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think investors are paying real money to buy virtual lands?
  2. Would you invest in the Metaverse real estate? Why/why not?
  3. Do you think investors are playing a risky game and winning in cryptocurrency? Elaborate.

When Is a Pandemic Over?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There’s no clear-cut definition for when a pandemic starts and ends, but according to Dr. Michael Ryan, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief, “It’s somewhat a subjective judgment because it’s not just about the number of cases. It’s about the severity and it’s about the impact”.

Watch the video to know how the world decides when the pandemic is over.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How have people and societies lived through this current pandemic?
  2. With so much misinformation out there, how can we know what to believe during a pandemic?
  3. When do you think the pandemic will be over?
  4. What are your thoughts on the big possibility of another pandemic?
  5. What are you most looking forward to when the pandemic ends?
  6. What is your unique experience during the pandemic?

Tips for Giving a Great Presentation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Business presentations are one of the most vital parts of closing in business deals. They’re conducted to present and express the idea of your products and/or services.

Usually, visual materials are being used to convey the important information to the prospective clients or buyers.

Here are some tips on how to have a great Business Presentation

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you experienced to do a Business Presentation? If yes, what’s the product/service you present?
  2. What are the tips to have a great Business Presentation according to the video?
  3. Can you give other tips?
  4. Why is it important to know you audience first?
  5. Can you explain the importance of visuals in business presentation?

Can Stereotypes Ever Be Good?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Stereotypes often have negative connotations attached to them for good reason. Because of stereotypes, certain people and groups are limited in their actions and opportunities and are pre-judged before they can even prove themselves or disprove others.

Nowadays, we are all challenged to let go of stereotypes. Even if some sound positive, stereotypes can still impact groups in a negative way.

Watch the video below on how stereotypes affect the lives of certain groups.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do stereotypes exist?
2. Who are the most stereotyped communities? Why?
3. What are some stereotypes that you have heard of or encountered?
4. Have you ever had any stereotypes against a certain group or have you experienced being stereotyped? Explain.
5. How can stereotypes be challenged and ended?

Making a Business Proposal

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Identifying your business’ goals and objectives is very important in order to properly present them to a prospective customer or client. It will help you persuade your prospects to have a solution to any business problems they might have.

Here is the video showing some tips on how to make a business proposal.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you tried presenting or doing a business proposal? How did it go?
  2. What products or services did you offer?
  3. What are the things that we have to keep in mind when drumming up business proposals?
  4. What are the usual problems/difficulties that can be encountered when making business proposals?
  5. Why is business proposal important? Explain your thoughts.

Pig-to-human Heart Transplant

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Studies show that pig hearts are close to the human heart. However, due to certain factors, the patient surviving after, would most likely not happen.

Thanks to genetically modified pigs, it has been made possible.

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

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heart-transplant-pig-human-patient/

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, is this a game changer for people who need organ transplants? Share your views on this medical breakthrough.
  2. Without science, do you think this would have been possible? Explain.
  3. If there were other animals this procedure could be possible with, which ones would it be and why?

Treating Covid Like an Endemic Illness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

After having lived for so many years of the pandemic life, I think it’s safe to say that most of us have had enough. As a result, more and more countries are calling for Covid to be treated like the flu which is an endemic illness.

Spain is one of the first countries to suggest that we all should just start living with it.

Read the article below and watch the video be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.euronews.com/2022/01/18/spain-to-move-from-treating-covid-19-as-a-pandemic-to-an-endemic

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this? Is it really time for us to start treating Covid much like the flu?
  2. What would be advantages and disadvantages of doing this now?
  3. How has your life changed because of the pandemic?
  4. What is the first thing you’d do once the world ‘goes back to normal’ again?