Tag: video

Drone Deliveries Coming to a Home Near You

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Drones are a fun way to capture a view from above. In the United States, however, governments have started on laws to regulate the use of drones.

Watch the video below and express your thoughts.

http://www.voanews.com/a/3084535.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you like online shopping? What are the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping?
2. What can you say about the new technology that Amazon is planning to use for deliveries?
3. How do you think this technology will affect the demand on human labor in the commercial industry?
4. Does your city have very strict rules when it comes to using drones?

Video: In Hong Kong, Neon’s Fading Glow

B2 – Upper intermediate

Technology has to evolve and we have to adapt. But what about those who are left behind?

Watch the video and talk about “fading” technology and express your thoughts about it.

In Hong Kong, Neon’s Fading Glow

Discuss:

1. What is your general reaction to the video?
2. Name some of the businesses that closed because of evolving technology.
3. Do you think there is a way of “re-using” or mixing old technology with new technology?

Video: Challenging Crossings

C1 – Advanced

This video shows a very colorful representation of traffic in Vietnam.

Click below and be ready to practice your speaking skills by answering discussion questions and by expressing your thoughts.

Challenging Crossings

Discuss:

1. Describe the traffic in Vietnam.
2. What were some of the interesting points that you found in the video?
3. Is this something that you have seen before in your past travels?
4. Describe some of the challenges that you encounter when you travel to a different country.

Smart Snoring Device

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Mayo Clinic says half of adults snore. Snoring is breathing when asleep with some harsh or snorting noises that is caused by vibration of the soft palate inside our mouths. It can cause serious health issues.

Watch the video below to find out about the high tech anti-snoring device.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “damper” mean? “Your snoring is putting a damper on things at home.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “on the go” mean here, “Nora comes in a beautiful portable bag, equipped with a rechargeable battery, making it easy to use on the go.”?

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does snoring affect one’s sleep?
  2. What do you do to avoid or minimize snoring?
  3. What do you think of Smart Nora?
  4. Would you consider yourself to be a person who generally sleeps well?

Water on Mars: What Does It Mean?

B2 – Upper intermediate

Humans have always been curious about things – almost everything.  Our curiosity has brought us beyond planet Earth, searching for the answers of unending questions about life.  Is there life somewhere outside our beautiful planet?

Watch the video then read the article to know more.

Water on Mars: What Does It Mean?

Discuss:

1. Is it really worth the enormous expense to search for any life outside planet Earth while poverty, crime, diseases and death are still left unsolved?
2. Do you think there is life existence in other planets?

Business Ethics on the Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Ethics is all about doing the the moral or right thing and making sure that you know how your decisions will affect others. It is a very important to uphold some ethics when doing business.

For this activity, you will be able to know words and phrases used when dealing with business ethics. Be ready to answer some discussion questions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion what is the purpose of business? Is it just to make money? Share your opinion.
  2. Why do you think some jobs are more ethical than others?
  3. What examples of companies do you know of that have been involved unethical business practices?
  4. What are some ethical issues in your industry/profession?
  5. What can employees do to change the behavior of their company that engages in unethical practices?
  6. Why do you think companies are becoming more interested in corporate social responsibility (CSR)?

Five Things Shoplifters Steal Most

B2 – Upper intermediate

Getting the five finger discount? It’s a tale as old as time. Shoplifting is nothing new. In the US, a study was conducted to survey which items are more susceptible to getting shoplifted.

Watch the video below and be ready to answer discussion questions.

Discuss:

1. According to the video, what are the 5 most common items that shoplifters steal? Why are they easy to steal?
2. Is shoplifting an issue in your country or city?
3. What are some of the issues that your city has when it comes to petty crimes?
4. Have you ever been a victim of stealing? How did you deal with it?
4. How can you protect yourself from pickpockets or shoplifters?

Revisiting the Gun Debate in America

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B2 – Upper intermediate

There is a strange correlation between the United States and school shootings. Debates on gun control have emerged since but people are still awaiting conclusions.

Read the article and watch the video, then share your thoughts about the topic.

Revisiting the Gun Debate in America

Discuss:

1. What is your reaction to the whole issue of gun control in the US?
2. Does your country have very good laws when it comes to owning and purchasing firearms?
3. In the US, what do you think is the root cause for their increased gun violence?

97-Year-Old ‘Sees Future’ at Google

B2 – Upper Intermediate

97-year old Olive Horrell had her wish of a lifetime to see the future when she got to visit Google in California.

Read the article and watch the video below to know more about Ms. Horell and her wish.

http://www.voanews.com/a/olive-horrell-gets-wish-and-visits-google-sergey-brin/3023295.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Olive Horell and what was her wish? What do you think of her wish?
  2. If you were 90+ years old and a wish of yours would be granted by an organization like Make a Wish, what would your wish be and why?
  3. If you were to ‘see the future’, what would you like to see and why?
  4. What socio-civic activities is your company involved in?
  5. What are some of the programs that your city or region has for senior citizens?

Video: Information the Gun Industry Won’t Tell

B2 – Upper intermediate

Gun control varies around the world.  Some countries impose stringent distribution and use of guns while others don’t. How about in your country?  What information do you know about the gun industry?

Watch the video and find out some interesting facts. Click CC on the video to watch with subtitles.

Five Things the Gun Industry Won’t Tell You

Discuss:

1. Explain the information given in the video.
2. What question/s do you have about the gun industry?
3. Is gun control a controversy in your country?
4. Would you like to own a gun? Have you tried firing one before?