Tag: video

3D Printing: Turn Your Head into Chocolate Lollipops

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Imagine your head as a chocolate. Now, you can actually have it done and enjoy watching your friends eating a candied version of your head.

Click on the link below and express your thoughts about this start-up company and their sweet idea.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35040661

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the process of making the 3D chocolate heads.
2. What do you think of this start-up company?
3. What is your opinion of 3D printing? Do you think it has its own limitations?
4. If you were throwing a party, would you give out chocolate heads as sweets or souvenirs?
5. Would you like a candy version of yourself on a stick?

FBI Paid Professional Hackers to Crack iPhone

C1 – Advanced

In December 2015, 14 people were killed and 22 were seriously injured in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.

To aid the investigation, the FBI turned to Apple so they can gain access to the iPhone used by a shooter. The tech giant “opposed this order” for reasons such as threats to Data Security – to name one.

The FBI cracked the phone not with the help of Apple but with the cooperation of hackers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/fbi-paid-professional-hackers-one-time-fee-to-crack-san-bernardino-iphone/2016/04/12/5397814a-00de-11e6-9d36-33d198ea26c5_story.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on this FBI–Apple encryption dispute?
2. What is your opinion about FBI seeking help of hackers to access the phone?
3. Should private companies willingly aid in crime investigations?
4. What are your thoughts on data security?

India Kolkata Flyover Collapse

C1 – Advanced

In March of 2016, a tragic construction accident happened in Calcutta, leaving a chaotic scene and many injured.

Watch the videos and read the article on the collapse of an Indian flyover.

India Kolkata flyover collapse: At least 20 dead

Discuss:

1. What do you think could have caused the collapse of the flyover?
2. Have you witnessed a similar accident before in your city?
3. What is your opinion on the rescue effort conducted in the article?
4. What can the Indian government do to prevent such accidents in the future?

 

Desktop Dining Etiquette

B1 – Intermediate

A working lunch. So many of us are guilty of being a “desktop diner”. Is it wrong? 

Click on the title below and be ready to talk about the etiquette of dining at your desk.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35717493

Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss the 5 rules when having lunch or eating at your desk.
  2. Have you experienced working during your break? Is this bad for us?
  3. Why should we follow certain rules when eating in our office or at our desk?

Future Work Space

B2 – Upper intermediate

The future is now. It seems that the gadgets we use today were just dreams of the past. How far would you go to have a futuristic work environment?

Click on the link below and be ready to discuss the video.

https://news.microsoft.com/life/the-workspace-of-the-future/

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe this future work space.
2. What are your opinions on the emerging technologies that some companies are using or would like to use? Do you agree with all of them?
3. How would you describe your office?
4. What other new technologies would you think are very useful for everyday work?

Is Coral Bleaching Getting Worse?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the most beautiful organisms ever found are corals. These are even one of the most productive resources in the world.  They are food producers and they support life on the planet. However, they are now in danger.

Watch the short video below then answer some questions.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/science-environment-35917760

Discussion Questions:

1. What is coral bleaching and what causes it?
2. How important are corals to marine life?
3. Are there any organizations in your country dedicated to help preserve aquatic life?
4. Have you experienced seeing coral in their natural habitat?

Cushy Norwegian Prisons

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C1 – Advanced

Nobody wants to go to prison. There is fear even in just saying the word. People have very specific images of what prison looks like. But, in Norway, things are just a little bit different than the usual.

This article includes a video. Please read the article first before watching the video to fully understand the video clip.

Anders Breivik: Just how cushy are Norwegian prisons?

Let’s Discuss!

1. Based on the article, explain what “normality principle” is.
2. Describe the prisons in Bastoey island and in Halden.
3. Explain the conditions of the prisoners in Norway and the rights they can still exercise.
4. What is the defense given by the Norwegian system when critics question their prison structure?
5. How would you describe prisons in your country?

Video: Women and Self-defence

B2 – Upper intermediate

Click on the title below and listen to the story of Rana Abdelhamid and how her movement is empowering Muslim women in her country.

Teaching self-defence to Muslim women

Discuss:

1. Describe how Rana Abdelhamid feels about martial arts?
2. What is WISE and how did it start? What is the story behind this initiative?
3. Have you noticed an increase in discrimination and violence in your country?
4. According to the video, what makes Muslim women more susceptible to facing violence?
5. How would you protect yourself if you are threatened?

Video: Kenya’s Woman Cartoonist

B2 – Upper intermediate

Cartoons have a very different way of showing crucial and weighty issues to the public. Click on the title below to watch about Celeste Wamiru and her cartoons.

Kenya’s first woman editorial cartoonist

Discuss:

1. What kind of cartoon does Celeste Wamiru create?
2. In the video, what does “pushing the envelope” mean?
3. What did Celeste Wamiru suggest when she said that “as cartoonists…it gives us the license to offend”?
4. What is your general opinion of freedom of the press? Is this a right that members of the press take advantage of in your country?
5. What are some of the values your country has that are still considered conservative?

Two-thirds of World Faces Water Shortage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The issue of water shortage is closer to home than you think. No country, whether powerful nor developing, is exempt from this imminent problem.

Watch the video below to get more facts on water shortage.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is there a threat of water shortage in your country?
  2. How badly could water shortage affect the public?
  3. What alternative solutions can you think of to address this issue?
  4. In your own ways, how do you conserve water?