Tag: video

Baby Girls Now More Popular Than Boys

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In recent years, conversations about gender preferences have begun to shift, raising the question of whether baby girls are now more popular than boys. Cultural trends, changing family values, and social media influence how people perceive and celebrate gender, potentially reshaping long-standing preferences. This topic invites a closer look at whether these changes reflect real societal shifts or simply evolving attitudes and expressions.

Watch the video and be able to answer questions below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to leave it up to (someone/something)” mean?
    “If you leave it up to nature, there are roughly 105 male births for every 100 female ones.    ” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  2. What does “a torrent of (something)” mean? “Meanwhile, the world has recently been exposed to a torrent of news about poor male behavior.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  3. What does “skewed” mean? “In China, which has a skewed sex ratio, there are so many men that they often end up unmarried and childless.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think society genuinely favors baby girls more than boys today, or is this just a trend driven by media and social networks?
  2. In your opinion, is having a preference for a baby’s gender harmless, or can it lead to long-term social consequences?
  3. What social or cultural factors might influence a growing preference for baby girls in some societies?
  4. Are preferences for a child’s gender changing globally, or do they vary significantly by culture and region?
  5. Share your thoughts on picking your child’s gender being illegal. What do you think about some parents and doctors quietly ignoring this law in some countries?

Nursing Degree Loses Professional Status

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The recent restrictions in President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that omit nursing from a list of professional degrees shocked many. The law will limit the amount of student loans available to nursing students. It means lowering reimbursement to their tuitions, which could only suggest that nurses don’t matter anymore despite the shortage of healthcare personnel and the nature of the profession.

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tucked into” mean? “A new set of regulations tucked into the Trump’ Administration’s Big Beautiful bill removes nursing from a list of professional degree.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “ socio-economic ladder” mean?  “You limit a lot of women and minorities women access to further climb the socio-economic ladder.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What is the “Title VIII funding”?  “Not only did they move into this rise committee, but they were moved title VIII funding.” Use this expression to make your own sentence and give a synonym

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the removal of nursing from the professional list in the US?
  2. How will this affect the current healthcare system?
  3. Who does this removal affect most?
  4. If you were the president of the US, would you remove nurses from the the list of professional degrees? And why?
  5. In what way would this decision be revoked from the “Big, Beautiful Bill”?

Economic Warning Signs Despite Record Holiday Shopping

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Despite record-breaking holiday shopping sales, new warning signs are emerging in the economy. Strong consumer spending may suggest confidence on the surface, but underlying issues such as rising debt, persistent inflation, and slowing job growth point to potential financial strain ahead. This contrast highlights growing concerns that robust retail activity may be masking deeper economic challenges.

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


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “K-shaped economy.” “Experts say they’re seeing consumers going in two directions; what they’re calling a K-shaped economy.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does the expression “take a hit” mean? “People are struggling with the economy so everyone has taken a hit.” Make one sentence using this idiom.
  3. What does the phrase “dig for deals” mean? “This holiday season, while some shoppers splurge, others are digging for deals.” Use the expression in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think strong holiday shopping is a reliable sign of economic strength, or can it be misleading? Why?
  2. In your opinion, should governments be concerned about warning signs even when consumer spending remains high?
  3. How can record holiday shopping coexist with economic warning signs such as rising debt or slowing job growth?
  4. What economic indicators should be examined beyond consumer spending to better understand the true health of the economy?

AI Model Challenges OpenAI

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This AI can be utilised by students, professionals, and everyday users to enhance productivity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Its versatility makes it a powerful tool for both learning and daily tasks.

OLMo 3 is an advanced AI language model that helps people with tasks like answering questions, generating text, and learning new things. It is faster and smarter than previous versions, providing more accurate and helpful responses.

You can watch the video to learn more about this new technology.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the adjective  “open‑source” mean? “It is the new open‑source model that is designed to compete at the highest level.” Use it in a sentence. 
  2. What does the phrase “put every card on the table” mean? “By putting every card on the table, its creators are betting that thousands of developers building in public can out-innovate any single secretive lab.” Use it in a sentence. 
  3. What does the word “out-innovate” mean? “By putting every card on the table, its creators are betting that thousands of developers building in public can out-innovate any single secretive lab.” Use it in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard of OLMo3? What do you know about it?
  2. What are your thoughts on radical transparency in AI?
  3. Why is radical transparency in AI important?
  4. Compare closed AI models (like ChatGPT) and open-source models (like OLMo 3). Which approach do you prefer and why?
  5. OLMo 3 is called a “glass‑box AI” instead of a “black-box AI.” What do you think this means?

Hierarchy or Flat Structure?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Workplaces can be organized with a traditional hierarchy, where everyone reports to a specific manager and communication flows up and down the chain, or with a flat structure, where teams work more collaboratively, make decisions together, and rely less on rigid reporting lines.

Many modern teams are leaning toward flat structures because they encourage teamwork, transparency, and flexibility while still keeping some leadership guidance at the top. After all, who really wants a boss constantly looking over their shoulder?

Watch the video to hear different perspectives on hierarchy and flat structures in modern workplaces.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “hierarchy” mean in the sentence, “If you have a hierarchy, then everybody in the organization knows exactly who they’re reporting to”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “flat structure” mean in the sentence, “My preference would be for a flat structure, where people work in partnership and enjoy a flexible working environment in today’s modern world.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “an even playing field” mean in the sentence, “It’s much more about team working and an even playing field where people are working remotely”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Which do you think works better, a hierarchy or a flat structure? Why?
  2. How can a company balance leadership and teamwork in its structure?
  3. Do you think remote work encourages flatter structures? Why or why not?
  4. What challenges can come from having too many levels in a company?
  5. What type of structure would you prefer to work in personally? Explain your answer.

The Problem with Job Titles

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people take pride in their job titles, but this video challenges that idea. The speaker explains that job titles don’t always reflect a person’s real skills or value. In smaller or growing companies, titles are often made up or mean something only within that team. What truly matters, he says, are your actual abilities, what you contribute, and how well you fit in with your company’s culture.

Watch the video about the problem with job titles and why they shouldn’t matter.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “boutique team” mean in the sentence, “Small kinds of boutique teams make up job titles that don’t make sense.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “make up” mean in the sentence, “They would make up job titles; things that didn’t even make sense.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the term “bucketing” mean in the sentence, “I think job titles have become a naming scheme for bucketing.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you think job titles are important when applying for a new job? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think matters more, a person’s title or their actual skills?
  3. Have you ever had a job where your title didn’t match what you really did?
  4. How do job titles affect the way people see themselves or others at work?
  5. If you could create your own job title, what would it be and why?

Even Harvard’s Smartest Graduates Can’t Get a Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s world, everyone should have ample opportunities to find good jobs, with strong technology, better infrastructure, and easy-to-access knowledge globally. But that ideal isn’t our current reality. Many youths among Gen Z struggle to find jobs; even those that have attended universities as prestigious as Harvard cannot find good jobs, let alone any jobs at all. But why?

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “vicious circle” mean? “This requirement contradicts the purpose of such positions and places young people in a vicious circle.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to string together” mean?  ”“More than 60% believe they will have to string together multiple temporary or gig economy jobs before accessing a stable position.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “hybrid job” mean?  “For many, that meant a remote or hybrid job. And for some, it meant throwing out the 9 to 5 altogether.” Use this expression to make your own sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should companies continue requiring prior job experience for entry-level positions? Elaborate on your answer.
  2. Do you believe that in the current economy Gen Z is facing, they will be able to earn good jobs after finishing college with good grades?
  3. If you recently graduated in the US, how would you handle the lack of job opportunities?
  4. In your opinion, what are the main factors contributing to the lack of job opportunities among Generation Z?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Generation Z youth believe they will not achieve financial independence until age 28 or 30.”
  6. Share your insights, “Companies, for their part, show a clear tendency to retain current employees instead of expanding their workforces.”

AI Influencers Compete on Social Media

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a rapidly evolving social media landscape, AI-generated influencers are carving out a powerful new niche. Virtual personalities like Imma and Aitana are no longer just digital experiments — they’re competing head-to-head with real-life creators for followers and big-brand sponsorships. According to ABC News, creators are even cloning themselves through AI to maintain constant engagement, turning the influencer business into a high-stakes experiment in identity and monetization.

Watch the video and read this article to learn more about AI influencing.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/ai-influencers-compete-followers-brand-deals-social-media/story?id=122377888

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “gobble up” mean? “But AI is successfully gobbling up corners of the social media influencer market, and making very real money.” Create a sentence with this.
  2. What’s the meaning of “spit out” in this context? “There were many times where I, on the back end, would be testing Caryn AI and I would be simulating certain conversations with her just to see what she would spit out.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. Define “off the clock“. “The Clueless actually offers these cloning services, giving influencers the chance to keep posting while off the clock.” Make a sentence with this.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI influencers could ever replace human influencers entirely? Why or why not?
  2. What ethical concerns arise when fans pay to interact with AI versions of real people, like Caryn Marjorie’s virtual chatbot?
  3. What’s your opinion on this: “She adheres to the mantra ‘adapt or die,’ ready to harness new technology to gain an influencing edge.”?
  4. Could relying on AI influencers change how brands connect with their audiences? How so?
  5. Would you follow or interact with an AI influencer? Why or why not?
  6. Do you think letting people pay to be able to chat with an AI version of someone is ethical? How would you feel in that situation?

How Trust Allowed Wikipedia to Become Reliable

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Wikipedia began as a risky experiment: an online encyclopedia that anyone could edit. Yet over time, it grew into one of the world’s most trusted information sources. This transformation was made possible by a unique culture of trust — trust in volunteers to contribute honestly, trust in the community to correct mistakes, and trust in transparent processes that ensure accuracy. Understanding how this trust was built helps explain why Wikipedia became surprisingly reliable despite its open-door design.

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


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “open source“. “It wasn’t long ago when people considered Wikipedia a joke. After all, how can you trust an open source?” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “guardrail” here, “
    Wikipedia’s greatest value to students is helping them get started. Wikipedia can be extremely useful in giving students some guardrails.”    ? Make your own sentence using the word.
  3. What does the word “dogged” mean in this sentence, “Launched in 2001 by founder Jimmy Wales, credibility and trust issues have dogged the website over the years.“? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think an open sources like Wikipedia can stay reliable in the long run, or will trust eventually break down as more people edit it?
  2. In your opinion, is community-driven fact-checking more effective than traditional expert-only editing? Why or why not?
  3. Do you believe Wikipedia’s transparency — such as edit histories and discussion pages — plays a bigger role in its reliability than the expertise of its contributors? Share your thoughts.
  4. Do you think other online platforms could become more trustworthy if they adopted Wikipedia’s model of shared responsibility and open collaboration? Share your insights.

A Space for Teen Boys to Speak Openly about Their Struggles

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At Oberlin High School in Ohio, educators have launched a groundbreaking program designed to help adolescent boys open up about their feelings. Recognizing that many teen boys struggle to express their emotions—reportedly only 38 % feel comfortable discussing mental health with friends—this initiative creates a safe space for discussion and reflection.

Watch the video and read the article to learn more about this school program called “Men’s Work”.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oberlin-ohio-high-school-unique-space-teen-boys-speak-openly-struggles

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is an “emotional roller coaster“? “I think boys, in particular, feel this emotional roller coaster, this push and pull, on the one hand, I’m hearing from media and news that I think men should be able to cry.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  2. Define “manosphere“. “The Men’s Work sessions are designed to discuss and challenge messaging from the “manosphere” that students like Santos Navarro, a senior at Oberlin High, are frequently exposed to online.” Make a sentence with this term.
  3. What does “to be drawn to someone/something” mean in this context?  “It’s one reason that some young men are drawn to social influencers collectively known as the “manosphere,”” Create a sentence using this idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your personal reaction to this initiative? Would you support a program like this in your school?
  2. According to the article/video, what are some of the benefits boys experience from participating?
  3. How can schools create a safe space for boys to share their feelings?
  4. How can emotional literacy help students in their academic and personal lives?
  5. What do you think young boys/men in your country struggle with?
  6. Share your insights on what you believe it means to be a modern man.
  7. What are your thoughts about “manosphere”?