Tag: video

Alberta Curbs Immigration to Boost Youth Employment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Alberta government is exploring measures to curb immigration, with the hope that reducing the influx of new residents will create more job opportunities for young people in the province.

Officials say this strategy aims to address rising youth unemployment and provide Alberta’s next generation with a stronger foothold in the labor market.

Read this article and watch the video to learn more about the topic.

https://globalnews.ca/news/11433837/alberta-government-immigration-youth-employment

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to reach out to someone” mean? “Alberta’s government is helping to pay $10 of the hourly wage for young people up to 400 hours,” explained Smith. So if you’re looking for staff, do please reach out to them.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  2. Define “resume targeting“. “They’re free to access for anyone aged 15 – 24, and provide services that range from resume targeting, interview prep and connecting youth with potential employers.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “transferable skill” mean? “Communication, working within a team, those are things they’re actively doing at school, along with transferable skills they’ve learned at home.” Create a sentence with this term.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How might immigrants and newcomers feel about such a policy?
  2. Do you think youth unemployment is caused more by a lack of opportunities or by other factors, such as skills or education? Explain your stance.
  3. In your opinion, should governments prioritize local employment over the benefits brought by immigration? Why or why not?
  4. How do you think immigrants contribute to the job market, and how might limiting them affect different sectors?
  5. What’s your opinion on this line from the article “A lack of job experience doesn’t mean a lack of skills.“?

The Messy Truth about Free Speech

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people question whether articulating opinions today can occur without government retaliation and if this practice still aligns with its fundamental definition because it’s crucial to be able to express oneself freely without interference from institutions or groups that have the ability to restrict that freedom. It causes us to question if we truly have this right in the first place.

To learn more about the messy truth about free speech watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to score political points” mean? “This kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “dangerous precedent” mean? “The FCC’s action were out of line, and this could all set a dangerous precedent for the right to free speech.”  Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What is “widely deplored”? “It is widely deplored, but it is a permissible thing to say under American law. ” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In the video, what kinds of free expression are discussed?
  2. How has free speech changed over time?
  3. How can we determine whether free speech has crossed the threshold into incitement?
  4. Do you believe that the government or institutions have the authority to limit the freedom of expression on social media? Share your insights.
  5. How can we ensure that our free speech is respected?

Should You Work for a Big or Small Company?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When choosing a job, people often wonder whether it’s better to work for a small company or a large one.

In this video, a career coach explains that small companies usually give you more hands-on experience because you handle many tasks. However, your career growth may depend on how fast the company grows.

On the other hand, large companies offer more structure, stability, and clear paths for promotion, but progress may be slow.

The speaker suggests that switching between small and large companies can actually help you grow faster and gain more diverse experience.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “clear path forward” mean in the sentence, “You have the safety of a large organization that is going to have opportunities for you to grow and a clear path forward.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “bounce between the ladders” mean in the sentence, “You can move up the ladder by bouncing between the ladders.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “risk taker” mean in the sentence, “Or whether you’re a little bit more of a risk taker and like those smaller companies”? Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which do you prefer: a big job in a small company or a small job in a big company? Why?
  2. Have you ever worked for a small or large company? What were the advantages and disadvantages?
  3. Do you agree that switching between small and large companies helps your career grow faster? Why or why not?

Meaningless Jobs and Modern Slavery

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this talk, psychologist Jordan Peterson warns about how bureaucratic systems can slowly destroy your motivation and integrity.

He explains that when people are told to follow foolish or pointless rules, they often pretend to agree just to fit in.

Over time, this weakens both their character and their happiness. Peterson advises people to speak up early when asked to do something clearly unreasonable.

Watch the video to learn more about this topic.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “object” mean in the sentence, “You should object at the earliest possible point”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “resentful” mean in the sentence, “It’ll make you resentful and irritated, and that will also undermine your motivation”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “escape route” mean in the sentence, “You should always have an escape route planned, and it should be active”?
    Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think people sometimes follow rules they know are wrong or foolish?
  2. How can speaking up early prevent bigger problems later in the workplace?
  3. What are some healthy ways to deal with a toxic or overly controlling work environment?

The Most Toxic Person In The Workplace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Simon Sinek shares a valuable lesson he learned from working with the Navy SEALs. He explains that while performance is important, trust is what truly defines a strong team. The SEALs value those who are not only capable but also reliable and supportive, the ones others know they can depend on.

Want to know who the most toxic person in the workplace is? Watch the full video.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “lopsided” mean in the sentence, “The problem in business is we have lopsided metrics.”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “got one’s back” mean? “Who’s always got your back and will be there with you when the chips are down.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “when the chips are down” mean in the sentence, “Who’s always got your back and when the chips are down, they will always be there with you?”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you think companies should prioritize trust as much as performance when promoting employees? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever worked with someone who was high-performing but difficult to trust? How did it affect the team?
  3. What do you think makes a person trustworthy at work?

How to Work with an Insecure Boss

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Even in professional environments, not every boss leads with confidence. Some managers struggle with insecurity, which can show up as micromanaging, defensiveness, or taking credit for others’ work.

This video by Amy Gallo from Harvard Business Review explains how to recognize an insecure boss and offers practical ways to handle the situation without escalating conflict.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “to rile someone up” mean? “If your boss is riling you up, excuse yourself for a moment to take time to compose yourself and calm down.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to downplay” mean? “Don’t, in anyway downplay your efforts, but highlight the partnership.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to set the tone” mean? “It’s never too late to reset the tone of your relationship.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever worked or studied under someone who seemed insecure or controlling? How did it affect your performance?
  2. Why do you think some people become insecure after being promoted to leadership positions?
  3. Which of Amy Gallo’s tips (patience, teamwork, flattery, reassurance) do you think is most effective? Why?
  4. What are the possible effects of working for an insecure boss in the long term?
  5. If you were the manager, how would you prevent your own insecurities from affecting your team?

Disturbing Truth About Micromanaging People

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many managers struggle to lead effectively because they focus too much on controlling every detail of their employees’ work. This behavior, known as micromanagement, can hurt creativity, stop growth, and push good employees to leave. Leadership experts say that to build strong teams, managers need to trust their people and let them learn from experience.

To understand why micromanagement leads to failure and what great leaders do instead, watch the full video.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “stifle” mean? “When you micromanage somebody, you stifle their creativity.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “hover over” mean? “Every time you hover over them and manage every single thing they do, they stop expressing themselves.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “push beyond one’s limitations” mean? “All growth happens when we push beyond our limitations.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think some managers micromanage their employees?
  2. How can micromanagement affect a team’s creativity and motivation?
  3. What’s the best way for a manager to help employees grow without micromanaging?
  4. Have you ever worked with someone who micromanaged others? How did it feel?
  5. What can employees do if they feel their boss is micromanaging them?

Priceless Jewelry Stolen From Louvre

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A shocking heist place in Paris, where “priceless” jewelry was stolen from the world-famous Louvre Museum. The incident has raised serious questions about security in one of the most visited cultural landmarks on Earth. Authorities are investigating how the thieves managed to bypass tight security measures and escape with such valuable items. The theft has sparked global attention and concern over the protection of historical and artistic treasures.

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


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word ‘heist’ mean?“ The daring heist at the Louvre left authorities stunned, as thieves managed to escape with priceless jewelry from one of the world’s most secure museums. Make a sentence using the word.
  2. What does ‘in broad daylight’ mean? “The thieves stole the jewelry in broad daylight.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “never see the daylight again’ mean? “The stolen jewelry may never see the light of day again.” Make your own sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. How could such a high-profile theft happen in one of the most secure museums in the world like the Louvre?
  2. What do you think motivates people to steal priceless jewelry that can’t easily be sold or displayed publicly?
  3. How might this incident affect the public’s trust in museum security and the way historical treasures are protected?
  4. In your opinion, should punishment for stealing cultural treasures be harsher than for ordinary theft?

Office Etiquette Tips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many companies have asked employees to return to the office after years of remote work. But with open office spaces becoming more common, employees need to be mindful of how their behavior affects others. Small things like keeping your voice down, eating neutral-smelling food, and keeping your desk clean can make the workplace more pleasant for everyone.


To learn more tips from corporate etiquette expert Thomas Farley, watch the full video.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “to keep one’s volume down” mean in the sentence, “If you’re on the telephone, you really should keep your volume down.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to reflect on someone/something” mean in the sentence, “If you’ve got the desk that looks like Pig Pen works there, it really reflects on the company very poorly.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to be taken the wrong way” mean in the sentence, “You don’t want to have any calendars that might be taken the wrong way or might offend some other people in the workplace.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. How do you feel about open office setups? Do they make work easier or more stressful?
  2. What office habits do you find most distracting?
  3. Why is it important to keep your workspace clean and organized?
  4. How can workers politely remind others to be mindful of noise or smells?
  5. What are some examples of office behavior that could be “taken the wrong way”?

What Does Resilience Mean

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this short video, some people are asked what resilience means to them.

To see how people define resilience and why they consider it important, watch the full video.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “to push through something” mean in the sentence? “Resilience is about pushing through through life’s hardships even when you don’t want to or you feel like you can’t.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to keep one’s head up” mean in the sentence? “To me, resiliency is the ability to keep your head up when things aren’t looking great.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to work through something” mean in the sentence? “If we don’t talk about it, then we can never bond over things. We can never work through problems.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. For you, what does resilience mean?
  2. Can you think of a time when you had to “bounce back” from a problem?
  3. Why do you think it’s important to teach resilience to young children?
  4. How can adults demonstrate resilience?
  5. What other examples can you think of that show resilience in everyday life?