phone english blogB2 – Upper intermediate
Are apples like people that they fall from trees? Watch and listen carefully to the video to understand what this idiom means.
Discuss:
1. In your own words explain the idiom.
2. Would you say the same thing about you and your parent/s? How about you and your child?
3. Do you know someone (a friend or a relative) who doesn’t fall far from the family tree?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Can you really physically peel your eyes? Watch and listen carefully to the video to understand what this idiom means.
Discuss:
1. Talk about times when you had to keep your eyes peeled because you were looking for something.
2. At work, when do you have to keep your eyes peeled?
3. Are you very good at finding things?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Do you trust your police force? Watch as people from different parts of the globe express their opinions and share their experiences on their country’s protectors.
Discussion Questions:
1. How would you rate the performance of your country’s police force?
2. What changes would you like to be implemented when it comes to protecting the welfare of citizens?
3. Have you ever been treated unfairly by someone in authority?
C1 – Advanced
Everybody wants to live a full and long life. Watch the video below to get to know people who have discovered the art of aging.
Discuss:
1. What are the secrets of the people in California when it comes to living longer?
2. Do you like the idea of getting old up to hundred?
3. What are the physical signs of getting old?
4. What have you learned from the people who were interviewed from this short video clip?
C1 – Advanced
Food markets have been a buzz for some years now and Madrid’s Mercado San Miguel is one of them.
Read the article and watch the video then be ready to talk about the beauty of food markets.
Let’s Discuss!
1. According to the video, what are some of the “services” that the Mercado San Miguel offer as a food market?
2. What are some of the food markets that you’ve been to? Where do you usually shop for food?
3. Share some of your favourite traditional food or dishes.
B2 – Upper Intermediate
At one point in our lives, we’ve been guilty of liking a song that was just too mainstream pop. We’ve secretly danced to Britney Spears and sang along the Backstreet Boys.
Watch the video to find out how our guilty pleasure music benefits our well-being.
Discussion Questions:
C1 – Advanced
In the summer of 2014, one guy posted a video of himself pouring a bucket of ice water over his head to support ALS and other causes. Then his friends decided to do it as well. In total, more than 17M people took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge.
Ever wondered what happened to the money the supporters donated? Watch the video then read the article to get an update on the ALS research.
Discuss:
1. What do you know about ALS?
2. What did you think about the Ice Bucket Challenge?
3. If you could support a research or an organization, what would it be?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
A new security bill has been passed in Japan. It will allow military troops to fight abroad for the first time after the WWII. Some believe this is unconstitutional.
Opponents of this new legislation are taking their frustrations to the streets. But what exactly are they fighting for?
Watch the video and be ready to discuss the issue that Japan is facing.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33546379
Discussion Questions:
C1 – Advanced
America is the place where everything is big – from food portions to super skyscrapers and warehouse stores. “Small” is the last word one associates with the US. Surprisingly, however, it was in this very land of everything mega that the tiny house movement was born.
Watch the video and learn more about the minimalist lifestyle that has made some people move from big houses to whimsical dollhouse-type homes.
Discuss:
1. According to the video, why are there more and more people joining the tiny house movement?
2. In your country, what did people do to adjust when the economic crisis hit? Did people start selling their homes?
3. Is it usual for people to live in big houses in your country?
4. Describe your ideal house.
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Part of most people’s morning routine is getting their daily coffee fix. How would a 5 to 20-cent increase on your favorite coffee’s price sound?
Like any business, Starbucks has the power to raise its prices. Loyal customers are probably just going to brush this aside.
Read the article and watch the video to learn about Starbucks’ plans to hike their prices again and also know how they are doing in the market.
http://money.cnn.com/2015/07/06/news/companies/starbucks-price-hike/index.html?iid=surge-stack-intl
Discussion Questions:
1. Is Starbucks popular in your country? What are the other big coffee chains or coffee bars that are doing well in your country?
2. Why do people keep on coming back to Starbucks despite the high prices of their coffee and their constant price increase?
3. According to the article, where does Starbucks put its money?