phone english blogB2 – Upper Intermediate
How do you get big things done? Certainly, there are several different things you can do to accomplish them. Here’s one technique you can try:
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the technique called and how does it work?
2. How can people improve their productivity?
3. What technology helps you to be productive?
4. Do you think smart phones increase or decrease productivity?
5. Are you a very motivated person or do you wait until the last minute to do things?
C1 – Advanced
Ponder on how much time you dedicate to sitting down on a daily basis. You may sit down throughout the entire working day at a desk in front of a computer. You sit during your commute to and from work. And you sit when you’re watching TV in the evening, or surfing the web.
But is sitting really that risky?
Watch the video carefully and be able to answer the questions that follow.
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
Watch the video below to practice your listening skills and increase your vocabulary. Be ready to use the different vocabularies in sentences. You may also read the transcript below the video.
Discuss:
1. Explain the word “camaraderie” and use it in a sentence.
2. Why are there dogs in the office of Brooke, Reggie, Max and Peggy?
3. What is a tunnelling machine? What are they going to do in the river Thames?
4. What is the new spin that a group put in their yoga class?
5. Have you tried yoga? What do you think about it?
C1 – Advanced
This video is meant to practice both your listening skills and your vocabulary. Feel free to watch the video more than once and take note of words or expressions that are new. Be ready to answer comprehension questions.
Discuss:
1. According to the video, why is it a good idea to use very hot coals when grilling fish? How long should it take the fish to cook (per side)?
2. How should the fish look like once it’s cooked or done?
3. What are the different sauces that Melissa Clark paired her fish with? Why did she choose these sauces?
4. Are you fond of grilling? Have you tried grilling fish?
5. Have you tried hosting a barbecue party during the summer?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Since taking office, President Trump’s administration has been rocking boats and challenging society with new policies. School programs is one of them.
Watch the video below then express your thoughts.
Discuss:
1. What is an after school program and how does it help children?
2. What do you think will happen if budget for after school programs will cease?
3. In your country, are there similar programs to help specific children (or families) in certain communities?
4. What improvements would you like your government to make when it comes to children and their education?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Globalization has changed society in many ways. Some people believe this has been a positive change, while others argue that it has had many negative impacts.
In business, globalization has its advantages and disadvantages.
Find out by watching the video and be ready to answer the discussion questions.
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper intermediate
Singlehood is usually defined as the state of being unmarried. However, the term also applies to having no romantic partner. Some people may assume that to be single means to be unhappy. However, some people prefer to live a single life and find many advantages to it.
Singlehood is usually defined as the state of being unmarried. However, the term also applies to having no romantic partner. Some people may assume that to be single means to be unhappy. However, some people prefer to live a single life and find many advantages to it. Others choose to stay single after being divorced or widowed. On the other hand, some people are not single by choice and would like to find a partner with which to share their life.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think about Iyanla’s advice? Do you agree with all the advice she give?
2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of being single?
3. What are the main reasons some people live a single life?
4. Do you think most people that are single are happy or unhappy?
5. Describe the differences in lifestyle of a single person from a married person.
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Watch the video below about a doctor and how his heartbreak helped him become better at his profession. Share some of your experiences related to sympathizing and empathizing.
Discussion Questions:
1. At the beginning of the video, the doctor said that his heart had a “giant hole in it.” What did he mean by this? What happened to him?
2. How did the doctor describe his loneliness?
3. Why did the doctor say that the hospital is great place to be in when a person is in pain? What kind of pain was he talking about?
4. How did the doctor describe his experience working at a children’s hospital?
5. How do past experiences in life help us in the present?
B2 – Upper intermediate
Reading and literature brings about many benefits, especially in children. In Bologna, Italy, a book fair for children is featuring something different and very timely.
Take a look at the video below then express your thoughts.
Discuss:
1. What is the point of this unique book fair in Bologna?
2. What are other ways we can educate children about migrants and the Syrian war?
3. Are book fairs a popular idea in your country? Have you been to one?
4. What are your preferences in books? Reading materials?
5. What are the advantages of children being exposed to reading books at an early age?
C1 – Advanced
Work-life balance refers to the balance between a person’s career and his or her personal life. Many people work longer hours and have fewer holidays and days off, in part because of globalization, outsourcing, and a loss of job security. As a result, employees have less time for personal interests, friends and family. Such an imbalance can lead to reduced productivity, depression and high levels of stress. Although the employee makes the choice to work longer hours, the corporate culture is also responsible. Companies should educate their workers on the importance of a healthy work-life balance.
Watch the video carefully and be able to answer the discussion questions below:
http://www.englishwithjo.com/business-english-work-life-balance/#more-1994
Discussion Questions: