phone english blogB2 – Upper Intermediate
Organic food and organic products have increased its popularity in the last years.
Click the title below and watch the video. Be ready to share your thoughts and talk about health.
Discussion Questions:
1. What has farming taught Eduardo Rivera?
2. Why is he very interested in organic farming? What is his goal?
3. How does he promote his products?
4. How are organic products fairing in your country?
C1 – Advanced
Watch the video below and know more about Cris Cyborg and the things she has learned with her sport.
Discuss:
1. Who is Cris Cyborg and why was she banned from fighting for a year? What did she learn from this experience?
2. Based on the video, what are some of your limitations when you’re a professional fighter?
3. Are you fond of watching MMA or UFC?
4. What was Cyborg’s advice to girls who would like to try MMA or fighting as a sport?
5. How do you motivate yourself in life and at work, especially during difficult times?
6. What are some of the very important life values that you will learn in sports?
C1 – Advanced
This video shows an interesting part of the culture of Haiti. Click below to watch the video. Be ready to answer discussion questions.
Feel free to use the 360-degree feature in the video to fully appreciate the story.
Let’s Discuss!
1. What is your understand of Voodou (Voodoo)?
2. In the video, what are they preparing for? Why do they have to paint their faces white?
3. Using different adjectives, how would you describe the ceremony?
4. What did the narrator say at the end of the video about her traditions and customs?
5. What practices do you have in your culture that bring people together?
C1 – Advanced
Employees of Chobani learned that they are getting ownership stake that could make them millionaires. They are getting shares worth up to 10 percent of the company when it goes public or is sold. Hamdi Ulukaya, the CEO, believes it’s just right to give the wealth back to his workers who have helped him build this company that is already several billion dollars worth.
Watch the video below to find out more.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of Hamdi Ulukaya’s gesture? If you were him, would you do the same thing?
2. What are things that can transform business to a higher level?
3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of being your own boss?
4. Have you ever thought of starting a business?
B2 – Upper Intermediate
There is a commonly held view that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are considered serious illnesses that can affect a person’s eating behaviors. Some people, mostly young girls, go too far with their aspiration to become slim.
Watch the video and read the article on how Japan is tackling the issue of eating disorders.
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36095287
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
Imagine your head as a chocolate. Now, you can actually have it done and enjoy watching your friends eating a candied version of your head.
Click on the link below and express your thoughts about this start-up company and their sweet idea.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35040661
Discussion Questions:
1. Explain the process of making the 3D chocolate heads.
2. What do you think of this start-up company?
3. What is your opinion of 3D printing? Do you think it has its own limitations?
4. If you were throwing a party, would you give out chocolate heads as sweets or souvenirs?
5. Would you like a candy version of yourself on a stick?
C1 – Advanced
In December 2015, 14 people were killed and 22 were seriously injured in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.
To aid the investigation, the FBI turned to Apple so they can gain access to the iPhone used by a shooter. The tech giant “opposed this order” for reasons such as threats to Data Security – to name one.
The FBI cracked the phone not with the help of Apple but with the cooperation of hackers.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on this FBI–Apple encryption dispute?
2. What is your opinion about FBI seeking help of hackers to access the phone?
3. Should private companies willingly aid in crime investigations?
4. What are your thoughts on data security?
C1 – Advanced
In March of 2016, a tragic construction accident happened in Calcutta, leaving a chaotic scene and many injured.
Watch the videos and read the article on the collapse of an Indian flyover.
Discuss:
1. What do you think could have caused the collapse of the flyover?
2. Have you witnessed a similar accident before in your city?
3. What is your opinion on the rescue effort conducted in the article?
4. What can the Indian government do to prevent such accidents in the future?
B1 – Intermediate
A working lunch. So many of us are guilty of being a “desktop diner”. Is it wrong?
Click on the title below and be ready to talk about the etiquette of dining at your desk.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35717493
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper intermediate
The future is now. It seems that the gadgets we use today were just dreams of the past. How far would you go to have a futuristic work environment?
Click on the link below and be ready to discuss the video.
https://news.microsoft.com/life/the-workspace-of-the-future/
Discussion Questions:
1. Describe this future work space.
2. What are your opinions on the emerging technologies that some companies are using or would like to use? Do you agree with all of them?
3. How would you describe your office?
4. What other new technologies would you think are very useful for everyday work?