Why Do We Cringe?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Now more than ever, we feel the urge to cringe, especially about things we see online. It could be a verb, noun, and an adjective which means recoil of embarrassment or shrink. We cringe because we witness something funny or pleasurable or something disgusting or awkward.

Watch the video below about the cringe theory, empathetic embarrassment, why we cringe, etc.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What makes you cringe? Share a moment when you feel embarrassed or awkward or something hilarious that you cried your heart out due to fondness.
  2. Why do we cringe more recently?
  3. Do you tend to cringe more if someone close to you or someone you do not personally know did something embarrassing? Why do you think that is?
  4. Have you ever made someone cringe? Share your story.
  5. Is cringing bad or good or could be an insult? Explain.
  6. How do you deal with a cringey/cringe-worthy person or situation?

No More Pain in Your Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Pain and stress are the usual feelings that we encounter whenever we have problems. These are inevitable feelings that humans experience.

Stress is the garbage of the modern life. All of us will suffer from it, but if you don’t cope with it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life.

Stress and confusion come from being busy. Sometime the most productive thing to do is to let go and relax.

Watch this video on how to let go of our stress and pains.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you feel stressed or in (emotional) pain?
  2. What are the things that make you stressed? How do you deal with it?
  3. How does the speaker compare the glass of water to a person’s stress or pain? Do you agree with him?
  4. What are your stress relievers?

Three Laughing Monks Story

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Laughter has a lot of benefits not only to our health but also to people around us. There’s a saying that laughter is and will always be, the best therapy.

According to John Cleese, laughter connects us to people. It’s almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you’re just always howling with laughter.

In this video, you’ll know the story of the three laughing monks and how they connect and affect other people’s lives.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the summary of the story?
  2. Are you a serious person or a jolly one?
  3. What was the funniest moment that ever happened in your life? Can you tell the story?
  4. How often do you meet and laugh with your family and friends?
  5. What usually makes you laugh?

Get Rid of Anger Issues

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is in people’s nature to get angry if there’s something that others did that we don’t really like and didn’t pass our standards. However, each person has different attitudes and way to handle their anger. Some just keep silent and some are try to release their anger by shouting or sometimes even harming others physically.

This video showed a story that somehow will help us know how to handle and get rid our anger issues. Remember that anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what is the law of a garbage truck?
  2. How does the taxi driver compare people to garbage trucks?
  3. How can anger issues be managed?
  4. What are the things that make you angry?
  5. What can you say about the taxi driver’s attitude?

Teen Angst

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many, if not all, do have some issues dealing with teenagers. When we go through puberty, we have some sort of mixed and very complicated emotions or mood swings. It is very hard to figure out where it comes from. Most of the times, you could be so happy and in just a matter of second, you instantly get crabby.

Watch the video below and learn more about teen angst.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is teen angst?
  2. What are the causes of such complicated emotion?
  3. Did it happen to you? Share your experience.
  4. What was your teenage years like?
  5. If you are someone who deals with teens, how do you cope with teen angst?

A Two-Step Plan for Saving More Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The importance of saving money cannot be understated. In fact, with so many proven benefits, saving money is one of the best financial habits you should adopt. 

Saving money is like working out or eating right — it’s easier said than done. Managing your money can feel scary and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

Let’s watch the video about the steps that can help us achieve a more secure financial future.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this adage, “Pay yourself first.”?
  2. Do you agree with the 2-step plan for saving more money as mentioned in the video?
  3. Which do you enjoy more: earning money or spending money?
  4. Do you save enough money? What savings goals do you have?
  5. How often do you think about money? Is money a stressful part of life?

Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s hard to start doing what we really want because fear has the power to keep us from our purpose. Only a few people are willing to conquer their mountains and fall first.

Watch this amazing woman explain why it’s necessary to do things especially when they are difficult.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your purpose? What’s holding you from pursuing your purpose?
  2. What’s the scariest decision you’ve ever made?
  3. Who’s the person you admire the most? Why?
  4. How can you live your life differently?

How to Turn Moments into Momentum

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It only takes a single moment to make a change. When are you committed to making an impact, your actions will show your true intentions.

Watch the video to know more about why our voice need to be felt to create a change.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about racism? What can we do to end it?
  2. What’s your biggest leap of faith in life?
  3. What’s something you’re doing that you think is contributing to global change?

Pandemic Shows Importance of School Meals for Millions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly highlighted the importance of school meal programs in Canada. There are more than two million students who go to school without eating anything before leaving their homes.

There have been many programs that aim to assist students both when they’re at school and even when they are not.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the school lunches/meals in your country? How was it different before from now? How has it changed during the pandemic?
  2. How important are school meals for students?
  3. What has the pandemic taught us with regards to our health and well-being?
  4. Do you agree that adequate food and good nutrition lead to academic success? Explain your answer.

Bitcoin Explained and Made Simple

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cryptocurrency is becoming more and more popular. There are a few widely accepted cryptocurrencies and the number keeps growing. Just like stocks, they are even widely traded across trading platforms.

Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency. As of writing, it is valued at around $58 000. But what is Bitcoin?

Let’s watch the video and learn more about the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is “the double-spending problem” and what was the solution to it?
  2. What are your thoughts on Bitcoin?
  3. What are the good and bad things about such currency system?
  4. Do you agree that Bitcoin is the future of finance? Why or why not?