Tag: video

What Is Fintech? 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the past few years, the blending of money matters with technology has created a new and exciting field called fintech.

Fintech is changing how we do banking and manage money by using new technologies to come up with fresh ideas and challenge old ways of doing things in banks and other financial institutions. It’s brought us things like banking apps on our phones, places to trade digital money, ways to lend money directly to others online, and automated investment advice. Fintech is making financial services easier to use and available to more people, both individuals and businesses, than ever before.

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

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “disrupt” mean in this context, “Here at a major fintech conference in Amsterdam, hundreds of companies are trying to disrupt the banking and finance industries by changing the way we pay and borrow money.” Make a sentence using the word.
  2. What does the expression, “to go big on something” mean? “Some of the world’s biggest companies from Apple to Alibaba are going big on it, too.” Use the expression in a sentence.
  3. What does ” to default on a loan” mean? “Compared to traditional banks, these services might not be required to set aside as much money in case customers default on their loans.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has fintech changed the way we interact with and manage our finances on a day-to-day basis?
  2. What do you think are the most significant benefits of fintech for consumers and businesses?
  3. Do you believe that traditional financial institutions will be able to keep up with the pace of innovation brought by fintech companies? Share some insights.
  4. In your opinion, what are the potential risks or drawbacks associated with relying heavily on fintech for managing personal or business finances?
  5. Do you think fintech has the potential to bridge the gap in financial inclusion and provide services to underserved populations? Why or why not?

Financial Literacy Education

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Financial literacy is defined by Investopedia as the ability to understand and use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing. This form of literacy is not highlighted in many societies around the globe, or maybe because of its diminished importance, many of us are not as concerned about it.

We frequently hear people lamenting the lack of financial education they receive, or more precisely, the lack of instruction or exposure to budgeting techniques, which they believe has contributed to the financial instability that the majority of Americans currently experience—or perhaps that of the global populace as a whole.

To find out more about why financial literacy instruction in the US is so bad, watch the video.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “driving force“? “And that lack of literacy is one driving force behind the financial instability a lot of American face.”Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘driving force’ in your own sentence.
  2. Do you know what “to take a crack at something” means? “Your history teacher might have taken a crack at teaching you about credit card debt.” Construct your own sentence using this phrase.
  3. What is the meaning of “trickle up”?“Financial education has a trickle up effect on students’ families and even the classes’ teachers.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is financial literacy and how important is it in the society?
  2. Should financial literacy be taught at schools? Share your thoughts.
  3. Do you believe that having financial literacy would make people’s lives better? Elaborate on your response.
  4. What is a suitable age to start learning financial management? And why?

How Crocs Became a Fashion Statement

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the last few years, a unique type of shoes called Crocs has become really popular in fashion. At first, Crocs were known for being really comfortable and practical. But now, they’re seen as a symbol of being stylish and expressing your own personality.

Watch the video to know more about how Crocs went from just being comfortable shoes to being a big fashion trend.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to make a name for (oneself)” mean? “How did Crocs make a name for itself during the pandemic?” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to make a name for oneself’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “on one’s feet” mean? “When Crocs was first released, they were intended for a consumer that was looking at them as a functional thing, so probably gardeners, people that were on boats, people that work all day on their feet, people that worked on a line at a kitchen.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘on one’s feet’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “simmer” mean in this sentence? “Though the initial craze had simmered, the brand still managed to hang on to a relatively large customer base.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘simmer’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Crocs?
  2. How has the marketing strategy of Crocs contributed to their transformation from practical shoes to a fashion statement?
  3. What do you think has been the biggest factor contributing to Crocs’ success?
  4. Do you believe that Crocs are a passing trend in fashion, or do you think they will remain popular for years to come? Share your insights.
  5. Do you think the comfort of Crocs outweighs their unconventional appearance when it comes to making a fashion statement? Share your opinion.

AI Boyfriend More Desirable than a Human

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s digitally interconnected world, the concept of romantic relationships is undergoing a profound transformation with the advent of AI technology.

A growing number of women in China have chosen to be in a relationship with so-called “Artificial Intelligence (AI) boyfriends”.

As society embraces artificial intelligence (AI) in various facets of life, including companionship, the question arises: Can an ‘AI boyfriend’ be more desirable than its human counterpart?

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

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to take something too far” mean? “The desire for companionship at the click of a button could be taken too far.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to take something too far’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to have everything one could ask for” mean? “She says her boyfriend has everything she could ask for in a romantic partner.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to have everything one could ask for’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to resort to something” mean? “A growing number or women in China are resorting to so-called AI boyfriends.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to resort to something’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you perceive ‘AI boyfriends’ in the context of modern relationships? Do you believe it could provide genuine companionship and emotional support comparable to human partners?
  2. In your view, what are the potential advantages and disadvantages of having an ‘AI boyfriend’ versus a human partner? Which factors would influence your preference?
  3. Do you believe an ‘AI boyfriend’ could potentially alleviate certain challenges or barriers to traditional romantic relationships, such as geographical distance or cultural differences? Or do you think it might create new challenges?
  4. In your opinion, do you foresee ‘AI boyfriends’ becoming more desirable than human partners in the future? What societal changes or technological advancements might influence this trend?

The Danger of Staying in Bed for Too Long

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The ideal length of time spent in bed differs for each individual and is influenced by factors like age, lifestyle, and overall health. Although sufficient sleep is vital for both physical and mental health, remaining in bed excessively can lead to adverse effects.

Watch the video and find out the danger of staying in bed for far too long.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to shift one’s weight” mean in the sentence, “You twitch, you change positions, and you shift your weight all in an effort to keep your tissue safe from developing pressure-ulcers.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What is “pressure ulcer”? “If the pressure ulcers reach Stage 4, the tissue damage can get all the way to the bone.” Use this term in your own sentence.
  3. What does “hindlimb-unloaded” mean in the sentence, “In a 2008 Journal of Applied Physiology study, rats who were hindlimb-unloaded, which is like bedrest for rats, showed signs of depression after only two weeks.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share a few points you found interesting from the video.
  2. What are your thoughts on the experiment Drew Iwanicki participated in?
  3. Do you suspect that you’re acquiring an excessive amount of sleep? If not, what strategies do you use to ensure you get enough sleep without oversleeping?
  4. How do you prioritize your sleep schedule alongside other daily responsibilities? Please share.
  5. Are there any lifestyle factors or habits that you think may affect your sleep duration? Please share.
  6. How else can bedrest studies be useful?

McDonald’s Respond to Backlash Over Rising Prices

B2 – Upper Intermediate

McDonald’s and other fast-food chains have recently become focal points of controversy as they wrestle with the consequences of raising prices on their menus. This backlash has ignited extensive discussions and examination regarding the affordability and availability of fast food, a sector traditionally linked with convenience and budget-friendly choices.

Watch the video to know more about it and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to leave a bad taste in the mouth of someone” mean? “Prices at the Golden Arches leave a bad taste in the mouth of consumers who just want value.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to leave a bad taste in the mouth of someone’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “foot traffic” mean? “At Chipotle, sales and foot traffic rose in the quarter despite that 3% hike in menu prices in October.” Make a sentence using this term.
  3. What does the word “leeway” mean, “That’s one store on the Connecticut turnpike. These franchisees have a lot of leeway.“? Use the word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What factors do you believe have contributed to McDonald’s decision to raise prices, and do you think these reasons justify the backlash from consumers?
  2. In your opinion, how might the rising prices at McDonald’s impact consumer behavior and their perception of the brand?
  3. Do you think McDonald’s has a responsibility to provide affordable options for consumers, or is it acceptable for them to adjust prices in response to economic factors?
  4. How could McDonald’s effectively regain consumer trust and loyalty following the negative reaction to its price adjustments?

Things Starbucks Won’t Tell You

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Starbucks is found everywhere in cities worldwide and they want you to feel happy with what they offer. But there’s more to know behind their friendly atmosphere and tasty menu. Even though Starbucks shares a lot about what they do, there are some things they don’t always tell their loyal customers.

Watch the video to know the five things that Starbucks might not openly talk about.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to take a hard look at something” mean? “A blogger called the Food Babe has taken a hard look at a pumpkin spice latte.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “hyped-up” mean? “There’s something called a fruity pebbles frappuccino, it’s a sort of a hyped-up version of strawberry frappuccino.” Make one sentence using the phrase.
  3. What does the word “by-product” mean? “She finds a lot of things she doesn’t like in it. Particularly, caramel coloring which is a known carcinogen, or at least one of the chemical by-products of caramel coloring is a known carcinogen.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the importance of transparency in the food and beverage industry, particularly for companies as large and influential as Starbucks?
  2. Do you think Starbucks has a responsibility to disclose all aspects of their products and practices to consumers, or are there valid reasons for them to keep certain information hidden? Share your thoughts.
  3. How much does transparency about ingredients and sourcing affect your decision to purchase from Starbucks? Would you be more or less likely to visit if they were more open about these aspects? Why or why not?
  4. How much do you trust Starbucks as a company to provide accurate and honest information about their products and business practices?

Jobs Safe from Artificial Intelligence

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As more and more industries use artificial intelligence (AI), people worry more about how it could affect their occupations. Because AI can learn and automate tasks, it might replace many traditional jobs. But even with all this technology and advancements in AI, some jobs seem to remain indispensable.

Watch the video and explore which jobs are likely to withstand the tide of automation and why.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “broad-based” mean? “If you’re sitting in front of a computer doing something relatively routine and predictable, whether it’s writing the same report again or doing the same kind of spreadsheet and analysis, all that is definitely going to be impacted, so it could be very broad-based.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘broad-based’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does a “white-collar job” mean? “There are going to be a great many white-collar jobs that will also be impacted by this.” Use the term in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “dexterity” mean? Ex. Skilled trade jobs like electricians, plumbers where you have a need to have lots of dexterity and mobility are the safest. Use the word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that some jobs are truly safe from being replaced by AI, or do you think all jobs are at risk to some extent? Share your thoughts.
  2. What factors do you think make certain jobs more resilient to automation compared to others?
  3. How do you think the society could prepare for the possibility of widespread job displacement due to AI?
  4. Can you think of any examples of jobs that are likely to remain safe from AI in the foreseeable future? What characteristics do these jobs have that make them less susceptible to automation?

Alcohol Causes Blackouts

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are distinct impacts of alcohol on the brain. Many drunk people would have finished other duties, such as recalling conversations or even finding their way home, but other people, particularly those who are going through blackouts, find it difficult to recall these difficult tasks or occurrences.

For additional information on how alcohol causes blackouts, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to draw a blank” mean? “When Donald asked them to recall the object a mere 30 minutes later, half the participants drew a blank, having “blacked out” the earlier moment entirely.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “moment-to-moment? “ The transfer of moment-to-moment understanding to something we can remember is thought to depend on a process called long-term potentiation or LTP.“Use it in your own sentence.
  3. How about the adjective “blunted“? “So, while moment-to-moment information is encoded and understood, the storage of that information is blunted.” Construct your own sentence using this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does alcohol make us blackout?
  2. What are some long-term impact of alcohol on a person’s brain?
  3. What are some of the effects of alcohol on people when they had too much? Can people have control over it? Explain.
  4. Share your insights on using alcohol-induced blackout as a criminal defense or mitigating factor.
  5. How probable is it for individuals in your country to become inebriated as a result of consuming alcohol? And what effect does alcohol have on their actions?
  6. Have you ever experienced a blackout from drinking alcohol? Kindly share your funny or perhaps embarrassing experiences.

McDonald’s Flopped In Vietnam

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the global landscape of fast-food giants, McDonald’s has managed to establish an iconic presence in numerous countries.

However, its venture into Vietnam, a nation renowned for its rich culinary traditions, presented a unique set of challenges leading to a less-than-successful outcome.

Watch the video to know more about it and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to get one’s hands on” mean? “The launch drew crowds of locals who waited hours to get their hands on a Big Mac.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “rock-bottom “mean? “For the Vietnamese, we have our banh mi sandwiches and those sandwiches are sold on the streets at rock-bottom prices compared to McDonald’s and Burger King.” Make one sentence.
  3. What does the idiom ” mend fences” mean? “It wasn’t until that the United States and Vietnam mended fences and opened the door for trade.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, how much of McDonald’s struggle in Vietnam can be attributed to cultural differences, and to what extent should multinational companies adapt their strategies to fit local cultures?
  2. Do you believe McDonald’s could have succeeded in Vietnam with a different menu tailored specifically to Vietnamese tastes, or was the issue more deeply rooted in other factors? Share your thoughts.
  3. How did changing consumer trends towards healthier eating impact McDonald’s in Vietnam, and what lessons can other international fast-food chains learn from this experience?