Tag: video

Festival of the Sun

B1 – Intermediate

Every culture has a different way of celebrating certain events. Christmas in Spain might be celebrated differently from Christmas in South Korea.

Read the article and watch the video to learn how Peru celebrates the Festival of the Sun.

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Discussion Questiosn:

1. Describe how Peruvians commemorate or celebrate the Festival of the Sun.
2. Describe how traditional or religious festivals are observed in your country. Which ones do you participate in?
3. What other traditional festivities from other countries do you know of?

Shrine is Destroyed

73_Temple_of_Baal-Shamin,_Palmyra

B2 – Upper intermediate

How would you feel if important monuments and sites in your country were destroyed? Just before the mass exit of Syrians happened, trouble had been brewing in different parts of Syria and it involved some historical buildings being at risk.

Read the article and watch the short video clip to learn what is happening to some of the heritage sites in Syria.

Shrine is destroyed

Discuss:

1. Why do you think the militant groups are destroying important structures in Syria?
2. In your opinion, what do you think will happen to the country Syria in the next 5 to 10 years?
2. Describe and talk about some of the heritage sites in your country that you have seen. How are they being maintained?

Should You Have the Right to Die?

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B2 – Upper intermediate

The topics of euthanasia and assisted suicide get a lot of media attention. Only a few countries around the world permit assisted suicide and many other governments with laws against the practice prefer not to take the issue to court.

Read the article below to find out the stories of some people who are fighting for their right to die. Watch the short video of Brittany Maynard as well.

Should You Have the Right to Die?

Discuss:

1. What is your initial reaction to assisted suicide?
2. Should doctors help patients kill themselves?
3. Does your government have any laws related to this issue?

Homeless Shelter for LGBT Youth

B2 – Upper intermediate

A shelter in Washington, D.C. will be housing homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people. For many, this will be their road to rehabilitation and independence.

Watch the video then read the article to know more about Casa Ruby and how it is helping the LGBT youth.

Homeless Shelter for LGBT Youth Opens in Washington

Discuss:

1. Would you know if your country has the same provision for LGBT youth?
2. How widespread is LGBT in your country?
3. What is your viewpoint on this matter? Do you think people from LGBT communities in your country are well taken care of?

Women Jockeys in Horse Racing

B2 – Upper intermediate

In horse racing, it’s very common to see men as the riders and women as spectators. Not in Maryland. Pimlico racetrack now features female riders.

Watch this video and learn how women are coping in a predominantly male sport.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about gender equality when it comes to sport?
2. Do you think that gender matters when it comes to being good at a sport?
3. Have you ever been to a horse race before?

Public Loo Converted into Cafe

C1 – Advanced

Would you feel comfortable eating at an old toilet? Some business owners in London got really creative with their space.

Watch the video below and see the transformation of this old Victorian toilet.

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about the transformation of the old public toilet?
2. Would you consider dining in this cafe?
3. Describe some of the peculiar cafes or restaurants that you have visited or seen in the past.

The Job of a Food Stylist

B2 – Upper Intermediate

They say, “We eat with our eyes.” Have you ever wondered why food or dishes in magazines look so mouth-watering?

Watch the video below about the job of a food stylist and see what a dish goes through before it is advertised online or on print.

 Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe how Lisa Cherkasky became a food stylist.
  2. Share your thoughts on this kind of profession.
  3. How important is this kind of job?
  4. Do you get hungry when you look at appetizing food photos on books or on TV? Did you get hungry after watching the video?
  5. What are some food you usually crave for?

Video: Abandoned London Stations

B2 – Upper intermediate

Watch the video below and take a look at some of the old spaces that are worth rehabilitating.

Comprehension:

1. When was the said space decommissioned?
2. How do they propose to use the abandoned space?
3. During the 2nd World War how was the space used?

Discuss:

1. What are some of the similar projects that your government has when it comes to restoring old buildings and spaces?
2. Describe some of the interesting reconstructed spaces you’ve seen in the past.

Words to discuss:

Decommission
Bowels (of something)
Shortlist
Payback
Generate

 

 

Italian Prisoners Play Rugby

B2 – Upper intermediate

They say, sports helps the soul. This rugby team is nothing like any other. The team is consist of prisoners in an Italian jail. They compete but not outside of prison walls.

Watch this video and talk about how rugby is helping these prisoners lead a better life.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the mission of this sports project/initiative?
  2. Who leads the initiative?
  3. Describe how the players are able to have their matches within the facility.
  4. What are the positive effects of this project?
  5. What are some of the sports you enjoy practicing?
  6. What are the advantages of playing a sport?
  7. Are there other activities you would like to try?

 

He Made His Guitar Sing

B2 – Upper intermediate

B.B. King is one the music legends that has touched the lives of so many people.

Watch the video carefully and prepare to talk about music and musicians.

Comprehension:

1. Describe B.B. King’s lifestyle as a musician. Why did people like him?
2. What were some of his nicknames?
3. Why is his guitar named “Lucille”?

Discussion:

1. Are you familiar with the music of B.B. King?
2. Who are some of the musicians you listen to?
3. What are your preferences in music?

Words/phrases to discuss:

Vibrato
On the road
Finesse