Tag: video

The Master and the Bow

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Each one of us has our own goals in different areas in life. It may be financials, family, career, or personal-related. Goals are the substantial reason why we keep on going and aspiring.

Watch the video below about setting your eyes straight on your target.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that goals are important in our lives? Why or why not?
  2. What is your main goal in life?
  3. How do you stay on track in achieving your goals?
  4. How do you set goals in life?
  5. Have you ever failed in achieving a goal you’ve set? How did you deal with failing?

Maya Angelou and Sally Ride Will Be Honored on Quarters

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Did the images featured on your paper money or coins ever get into you? Are they familiar? Ever wondered why they are imprinted on our money?

Writer and poet Maya Angelou and astronaut Sally Ride will be featured in the US Mint’s American quarter to honor their immeasurable contributions to the country.

Watch the video and read the write-up below to know more about these inspiring women and the act of honoring them.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maya-angelou-sally-ride-quarters/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who do you think should we honor on our money?
  2. Do you think the people featured in your money are representing your country well? Why or why not?
  3. Is this a sufficient way of honoring these people given their magnificent contributions?
  4. How should society determine who is worthy of being honored on money?
  5. Are there people you wish to see on money? Why and what did they do to deserve it?

What Makes a Good Life?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are constantly being pushed to have a better career or pursue bigger dreams thinking it could make us happy and fulfilled.

In this video, you will know more about true happiness and satisfaction as psychiatrist Robert Waldinger shares three important lessons learned from a 75-year-old study on adult development.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on what Robert Waldinger is talking about.
  2. What keeps us happy, healthy, and satisfied as we go through life?
  3. What can you say about the quality of relationships that you have in your life?
  4. Do you agree that loneliness can kill us? Elaborate.
  5. What is your most important life goal?
  6. Do you think money and fame are important to be happy in life?

How to Gain Control of Your Free Time

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Time is a gift. What you do with it is a choice. We have the power to do the things that we enjoy even if we are busy. It’s only a matter of priority.

Time management expert Laura Vanderkam offers a few practical strategies to help us find time to do our commitments. Watch this video to know why it’s necessary to choose what to prioritize.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you do in your free time? Why is this the activity you chose to spend your free time on?
  2. What are your priorities now? What makes them the most important things for you?
  3. How has the way you spend your free time changed over the years?
  4. How would you like to change the way you spend your free time?
  5. In general, do you think you manage your time well? If yes, how do you do it? If not, what can you do to change it?

21st Century Education

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“The children are our future.” This is a sentence we often hear from the generations ahead of us. With this vision in mind, society, through collaborative work, strive to value, respect, and train them for the future. The goal is to help them realize their full potential.

One aspect of such training is education. In the 21st century, we are experiencing a technological revolution. It dramatically changed the way children learn and interact with each other. For example, online learning is becoming the norm. Kids can stay at home and still be “present” at school. They can even take their exams in the comfort of their homes!

But how does 21st-century education benefit the children and in turn, society? Watch the video about 21st century education.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some ways technology is utilized in learning?
  2. What do you think of distance learning?
  3. How does the fast-developing technology affect the way children learn and communicate?
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in educating children?
  5. What are some examples of jobs that are recently invented?

Would You Opt for a Life with No Pain?

C1 – Advanced

The idea of happiness is too vague that it has always been a bone of contention. Can happiness always be equated with experiences that bring us pleasure? Do these experiences need to always be realistic?

Let’s watch the video and find out more about life’s pleasure and pain.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain Robert Nozick’s “experience machine”.
  2. Imagine a life without pain. How would it be like?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living a life of limitless pleasure?
  4. Do you agree that in life, there should be a balance between happiness and pain? Support your stand.
  5. Would you rather be left in the dark than to know a harsh truth? Explain your opinion.

Backyard Squirrel Maze

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever seen a squirrel before? And if so, have you ever thought that small creatures like them could have an advanced brain?

Probably not right? Well, think again. As of recent, squirrels have been proven to be incredibly smart. Want to know how that is?

Let’s watch this video to find out if squirrels are really smart.

Discussion Questions:

  1. After watching the video, do you partially understand the intelligence of squirrels? After watching this video, do you now think that some humans are possibly not as intelligent as squirrels? Explain your thoughts.
  2. Do you believe that squirrels can fall from any height and survive? Explain your stand.
  3. What animal do you know of that possesses such wits? What are they capable of doing?

The Crazy Starbucks Order

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You are a regular at this cafe. All you want is your customized drink from your favorite cafe. So you order it. 

You are a barista at this coffee shop. All you want is to come in to work and have a normal day.

Watch the video and see the story of the 13-ingredient order at Starbucks that got a barista fired from his job. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the barista posting something like that?
  2. What are your thoughts on getting fired for your social media posts about things related to work?
  3. What do you think about the customer’s order and stand that his order is okay as long as he tips generously?
  4. What are usual reasons people would want to quit their jobs?
  5. At restaurants or cafes, what kind of customer are you?

Lessons the Pandemic Taught Us about Work, Life, and Balance

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Everybody is just going forward so afraid to get stuck. While this pandemic opened our eyes to endless possible ideas, it has also made us realize how strong, resilient, and brave we can be in times of hardships. It has made us rethink our life decisions and ponder whether we have truly lived to our fullest potential. It has made us answer one big question: Are you genuinely happy with the kind of life that you’ve lived so far?

Watch the video on the four things this pandemic has taught all of us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What has this pandemic taught you?
  2. How has your work/life changed since the pandemic?
  3. What struggles have you experienced working from home?
  4. How can you be a better employee this year?
  5. What difference can you make?

The Strongest Predictor for Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Grit can make or break your future. Studies show that grittier kids have a higher chance of succeeding simply because they persevere even when they fail.

Watch this video and know about the strongest predictor of success.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain “Grit”? Do you agree or disagree with her that looks, physical health, IQ, etc. aren’t the greatest predictor of success?
  2. Who do you consider is successful and why?
  3. What’s the greatest failure you’ve ever had and what did you learn from it?
  4. Do you still persevere in difficult times? How do you do it? What’s the most difficult circumstance you’ve ever had to persevere with?
  5. How do you motivate yourself? Do you have a growth mindset?