Heads Up English

Doomsday Clock

The Doomsday Clock represents how close the end of the world and humanity's extinction lies. It's a symbolic clock, with scientists repositioning the hands closer to or further from midnight in accordance with the global threats at hand. The closer the hand is moved to midnight, the closer is catastrophic destruction. Conversely, as the minute hand is moved further from midnight, the safer do scientists deem the world to be. Nuclear tests and threats, climate changing technologies, and new developments in biological sciences can force scientists to reassess the hand's current position. The clock most closely approached midnight in 1953 when the US and USSR tested nuclear devices within three months of one another. At the time, the threat of nuclear Armageddon looked imminent on the horizon. At present, the clock reads 11:55 pm, following North Korea's nuclear test and Iran's nuclear ambitions. Preview the lesson material: Warm Up: Discuss the question with your partner for five minutes. 1. Do you think the world will end anytime soon? Why/not? Comprehension Questions: Answer the questions before/after your read the article. 1. The Doomsday Clock marks the precisely when humans will become extinct. T / F 2. The hand reached midnight when the US and USSR tested nuclear weapons. T / F Summarization: Summarize the article with a partner. Try to do so with only two or three sentences. Discuss: Discuss these questions with a partner. Remember to support your answers. 1. Do you think the clock has any importance or impact on world events? 2. When do you think the hand was furthest from midnight? Why? 3. What should companies, departments, and/or managers do to motivate employees? Download the lesson: Doomsday Clock Printable (minilessons/doomsday.pdf) You might also be interested in: Advanced Mini Lessons (index.php?option=com_content task=category sectionid=4 id=18 Itemid=119) Skill builders: Speaking: End of the World (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=466 Itemid=31) Articles: Four Skills: Do You Dictate? (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=522 Itemid=72)

Advanced News: Obesity and Cancer Linked

Obesity causes numerous ailments, from heart disease to diabetes to cancer. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that in excess of 100,000 cases of cancer occur yearly in the US because of obesity. This statement comes from evidence extrapolated from the annual number of cancer cases. It is the first evidence that demonstrates the link between cancer and obesity on such an immense scale. Furthermore, it has already been realized that obesity markedly shortens the survival rate of individuals afflicted with cancer. Leaner and healthier lifestyles are key to reducing cancer risks. It should come as no surprise that obesity oftentimes starts at a young age, with children observing and mimicking the eating habits of their parents. It mom and dad are frequenters of fast food joints, it sends a clear signal that hamburgers, fries, and jumbo-sized soft drinks are a reasonable diet choice. New evidence indicates that the origin of weight problems later in life can be subtler than cheeseburgers and the like. If kids drink two or more sweetened drinks daily as early as five years of age, then they tended to weigh more and have higher contents of body fat than kids who abstained from sweetened drinks. In addition, past studies irrefutably indicate that overweight teens have a greater likelihood of becoming obese as adults, leading to health problems like cancer. In short, obesity is more than a passing concern. It is reaching epidemic proportions, with the disease starting as young as childhood. Clearly something must be done. Preview some of the lesson material: Warm Up: Do you agree or disagree? Why? 1. Obesity is a serious problem. 2. Obesity should be labeled a disease like cancer or AIDS. 3. Cancer is a serious problem. 4. Obesity causes cancer. 5. I'm very concerned about my health. Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article. 1. Obesity causes numerous ailments, from... 2. Leaner and healthier lifestyles are... 3. It mom and dad are frequenters of fast food joints, it sends a clear signal that... 4. New evidence indicates that the origin of weight problems later... 5. It is reaching epidemic proportions, with the... post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers! 1. How serious of a problem is obesity? Please explain. 2. What additional health problems are caused by obesity? 3. Were you surprised that obesity can begin from something simple like sweetened drinks? 4. What should parents do in order to prevent obesity in their children? 5. Should the government or other organizations do anything to limit obesity? Google Search: Type beauty pageant into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings. Download the lesson: COMPLETE lesson (news/20091108obesity/obesityadvanced.pdf) lesson for LISTENING (news/20091108obesity/obesitylisteningadvanced.pdf) lesson for SPEAKING (news/20091108obesity/obesityspeakingadvanced.pdf) lesson for VOCABULARY (news/20091108obesity/obesityvocabularyadvanced.pdf) Listen Now! (audio/news/20091108obesityadvanced.mp3) You might also be interested in: Upper-Intermediate News: Obesity and Cancer Linked (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=554 Itemid=62) Advanced News: Soda Tax (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=523 Itemid=29) Advanced News: Job Promotions Unhealthy (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=462 Itemid=29) Skill Builders: Speaking: Are You a Health Nut? (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=5 Itemid=31) Articles: Four Skills: Some Basics About Vocabulary Acquisition (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=88 Itemid=72)

Upper-Intermediate News: Obesity and Cancer Linked

Obesity causes many ailments, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that more than 100,000 cases of cancer occur yearly in the US because of obesity. This statement comes from evidence supported by the annual number of cancer cases. It is the first evidence that demonstrates the link between cancer and obesity on such an immense scale. Furthermore, health experts already know that obesity shortens the survival rate of people afflicted with cancer. Learner and healthier lifestyles are essential to reducing the risks of cancer. It shouldn't be much of a surprise that obesity often starts in childhood. After all, children observe and mimic the eating habits of their parents. If mom and dad often eat fast food, it sends a clear signal that hamburgers, fries, and jumbo-sized soft drinks are an acceptable diet choice. New evidence indicates that the start of weight problems is caused by other factors, not just cheeseburgers and the like. In fact, the cause can be very subtle. For example, if very young kids drink two or more sweetened drinks daily, then they tended to weigh more and have higher contents of body fat than kids who didn't drink sweetened beverages. In addition, past studies show that overweight teens have a greater chance of becoming obese as adults, which then leads to health problems like cancer. In short, obesity is more than a minor concern. It is reaching epidemic proportions, with the disease starting as young as childhood. Clearly something must be done. Preview some of the lesson material: Warm Up: Do you agree or disagree? Why? 1. Obesity is a serious problem. 2. Obesity should be labeled a disease like cancer or AIDS. 3. Cancer is a serious problem. 4. Obesity causes cancer. 5. I'm very concerned about my health. Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article. 1. Obesity causes many ailments, such as... 2. Learner and healthier lifestyles are essential... 3. After all, children observe and mimic... 4. New evidence indicates that the start of weight problems is caused by other factors, not... 5. It is reaching epidemic proportions, with... post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers! 1. How serious of a problem is obesity? Please explain. 2. What additional health problems are caused by obesity? 3. Were you surprised that obesity can begin from something simple like sweetened drinks? 4. What should parents do in order to prevent obesity in their children? 5. Should the government or other organizations do anything to limit obesity? Google Search: Type beauty pageant into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings. Download the lesson: COMPLETE lesson (news/20091108obesity/obesityintermediate.pdf) lesson for LISTENING (news/20091108obesity/obesitylisteningintermediate.pdf) lesson for SPEAKING (news/20091108obesity/obesityspeakingintermediate.pdf) lesson for VOCABULARY (news/20091108obesity/obesityvocabularyintermediate.pdf) Listen Now! (audio/news/20091108obesityintermediate.mp3) You might also be interested in: Advanced News: Obesity and Cancer Linked (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=553 Itemid=29) Upper-Intermediate News: Soda Tax (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=524 Itemid=62) Upper-Intermediate News: Job Promotions Unhealthy (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=463 Itemid=62) Skill Builders: Speaking: Are You a Health Nut? (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=5 Itemid=31) Articles: Four Skills: Some Basics About Vocabulary Acquisition (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=88 Itemid=72)

Let's Eat

Do you cook? If yes, are you a good cook? Do you have a special dish or something you can cook very well? If yes, what is it? Does you country have a special dish? If yes, what is it? How often do you go out to restaurants? What kind of restaurants do you usually go to? Do you eat healthily? Why/not? What is your favorite food? Why do you like it so much? What food do you hate? Why do you dislike it so much? Which do you prefer, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert? Why? Which is the most important meal of the day, breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert? Why do you think so? How often do you eat dessert? What kind of desserts do you tend to eat? How often do you eat snacks? What kind of snacks do you often eat? What is the strangest food that you have ever eaten? Why was it so strange? What did it taste like? Please explain. What was the best meal you have ever eaten? How about the worst meal you have ever eaten? Please explain. Could you eat the same food every day forever and ever? Why/not? Do you like some cuisines more than others? If yes, which cuisines do you like? Which cuisines do you dislike? Do you often skip meals? If yes, why? Is this healthy? Do you often overeat? If yes, why? Is this healthy? Rank the following cuisines, from best to worst: 1) Mexican 2) Chinese 3) French 4) Russian 5) British If you could become a chef, what kind of food would you want to cook? Do you think you would be a good chef? Why/not? Finish this sentence: Everyone should learn to cook because... Download the lesson: Let's Eat Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/letseat.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Listening: Beer (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=515 Itemid=50) Skill Builders: Speaking: Food for Thought, Thoughts on Food (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=52 Itemid=35) Lower-Intermediate Mini Lessons: Themed Restaurants (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=534 Itemid=120)

Circle of Friends

Do you have more male friends or female friends? Do you rely on your friends? If yes, how do you rely on them? Do your friends rely on you? If yes, how do they rely on you? Have you ever had a friend who you later hated? If yes, what happened? Have you ever had an enemy or someone you disliked who later became your friend? If yes, what happened? Who is your best friend? Please describe him/her. How long have you know him/her? How did you meet your best friend? How often do you see your best friend? What do you usually do together? The people you usually hang out with is often called a circle of friends. Please describe your circle of friends. What do you usually do with them? How has your circle of friends changed over the years? Please explain. How often do you make new friends? What is the difference between a friend and an acquaintance? Please explain. What terrible thing would a friend have to do for you to end the friendship? Would you want to travel around the world with your three closest friends? Why/not? Would you want to live with your three closest friends? Why/not? Would you give any of your close friends $10,000 if they really needed it? Why/not? Would you die for a friend? Why/not? Do you agree or disagree?: Friends are more trouble than they are worth. Please explain your opinion. What do you think the following idiom means?: Birds of a feather flock together? Finish this sentence: Friendship means... It's never too late to be who you might have been. What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why? Download the lesson: Circle of Friends Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/friends.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Speaking: Like It, Love It (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=485 Itemid=108) Lower-Intermediate News Lessons (index.php?option=com_content task=blogcategory id=44 Itemid=110) Lower-Intermediate Mini Lessons: Online Forever (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=517 Itemid=118)

Companies and Motivation

Far too many companies get it backwards. As opposed to motivating and instilling their staff with a desire to strive towards success, they sap any motivation that exists. The company becomes rotten, unable to meet changes in the marketplace, filled with staff who does the minimum, and filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. Companies succeed when employees get what they need and want, namely opportunities to contribute, a sense of achievement, and the feeling of camaraderie. In addition, other important factors include managers who immediately provide both negative and positive feedback, continued training, equity in all decisions and company endeavors, and a sense that teamwork is beneficial and important. For any company moving in the wrong direction, it takes a monumental effort to once again motivate employees. However, it can be done. Preview the lesson material: Warm Up: Discuss the question with your partner for five minutes. 1. What is needed for a company to be successful? Comprehension Questions: Answer the questions before/after your read the article. 1. Companies with unmotivated staff can't succeed. T / F 2. Among other wants, employees want teamwork and the chance to help. T / F Summarization: Summarize the article with a partner. Try to do so with only two or three sentences. Discuss: Discuss these questions with a partner. Remember to support your answers. 1. Do you agree or disagree that many companies don't motivate their staff? Why? 2. Are staff really so necessary to a company's success? Why/not? 3. What should companies, departments, and/or managers do to motivate employees? Download the lesson: Companies and Motivation Printable (minilessons/motivation.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Listening: Bad Companies (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=452 Itemid=52) Skill builders: Speaking: Let's Talk About Success (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=122 Itemid=31) Upper-Intermediate Skill builders: Grammar (index.php?option=com_content task=category sectionid=7 id=37 Itemid=94)

Lower-Intermediate News: Are You Happy?

Are you happy? It may seem like a very easy question, but there are so many questions to think about. What does happiness really mean? How can you measure it? Why do some people struggle with difficulties, yet stay happy? Why do other people with easy lives seem miserable? It's difficult for experts to give clues to happiness. However, there seems to be some connection between happiness and married couples. In other words, married people are generally happier. Richer people also tend to be happier, although they then compare their wealth to their peers (and maybe don't feel so rich). And if you live in a richer country, you're likely happier too. But it's not easy to earn more money, move to a rich country, or find the perfect partner. Some things you can control include exercise, because healthy bodies and minds lead to happiness. You should also solve problems rather than put them off, because too many problems can overwhelm you. Spending time in nature also lowers stress, which then opens you up to the possibility of more and more happiness. Meditation is also very effective. Although you may not be able to measure your happiness levels, you can still take some advice to increase the positive emotions in your life. Preview some of the lesson material: Discuss: Answer these questions with a partner. 1. Are you happy? 2. What makes you feel happy? Please explain. 3. What makes you feel sad? 4. When were you the most happy? Why? 5. Do you think people in your country are usually happy? Why/not? True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) if the sentence is true or false. If false, correct the sentence. 1. According to the article, Are you happy? is an easy question. 2. Unmarried people aren't as happy as married people. 3. Poor people aren't as happy as rich people. 4. Ignoring problems can lead to unhappiness. 5. Nature can reduce stress, but not for everyone. post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers and ask more questions with your partner. 1. Are you a positive or a negative person? Why do you think so? 2. How happy are you? Rate your happiness, with one the lowest and ten the highest? 3. Why do you think some people so happy? Why are other people so miserable? 4. What advice would you give to someone for a happier life? Please explain. 5. Do you think people are happier now or thirty years ago? Why? Google Search: Type happiness into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings. Download the lesson: COMPLETE lesson (news/20091101happy/happylowerintermediate.pdf) lesson for LISTENING (news/20091101happy/happylisteninglowerintermediate.pdf) lesson for SPEAKING (news/20091101happy/happyspeakinglowerintermediate.pdf) lesson for VOCABULARY (news/20091101happy/happyvocabularylowerintermediate.pdf) Listen Now! (audio/news/20091101happylowerintermediate.mp3) You might also be interested in: Lower-Intermediate News: Unemployment on the Young (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=510 Itemid=111) Upper-Intermediate Mini Lessons: TGI Thursday! (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=520 Itemid=118) Skill Builders: Listening: Negativity at Work (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=457 Itemid=100) Skill Builders: Speaking: What's Better, What's Best? (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=367 Itemid=96) Articles: Four Skills: Some Basics About Vocabulary Acquisition (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=88 Itemid=72)

Some Basics about Vocabulary Acquisition

Vocabulary is an important need for students. Without vocabulary, they cannot speak at all. But what does it mean to know a word? This article explores some of the basics required for vocabulary acquisition among all levels of classes.

Who Wants to Be Famous?

Have you ever wanted to be famous? Why/not? Have you ever met a famous person? Who was it? Why were they famous? What happened? Please explain. Are famous people better than the average person? Why/not? If yes, in what ways might they be better? Do you think the majority of famous people today will be remembered in fifty years? How about in 100 years? Why/not? Assuming there are negative aspects, what difficulties and problems do famous people universally face? Why do you think so? If you could dine with one famous person in the world today, who would it be? With whom would you definitely not want to dine? Why? If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past, who would it be? Why? What is required to become famous? Which characteristic proves vital in order to become famous? Is it luck, talent, or hard work? Which of the three proves least important? Why do you think so? Andy Warhol once said, In the future, everyone will be world-famous for fifteen minutes. What might this oft-quoted idea mean? Do you agree? Do you agree or disagree? People who want to be famous have an inferiority complex. Do you agree or disagree? On the whole, famous people live better, more interesting lives. Why do you think so? Would you ever consider quitting work to pursue a dream of becoming famous? Do you believe famous people not just sacrifice, but actually lose their right to privacy due to their celebrity status? Why/not? Do famous people have the right to go on TV and make speeches to support the environment, human rights, or political candidates? Why/not? What would you do if you saw someone famous walking down the street? What famous people do you admire? Why do you admire them? Which is better, being famous or being infamous? Are they the same thing? If you had the chance to become a mega movie star, but in so doing you also needed to be away from your family for one year, what would you do? Please explain. How would your life be different if you had tried but failed to become a larger-than-life actor, writer, or musician? Would your outlook on life be different? Why? Download the lesson: Who Wants to Be Famous? Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/famous.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Speaking: Ambition (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=285 Itemid=31) Skill Builders: Speaking: Let's Talk About Success (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=122 Itemid=31) Articles: Lesson Structure (index.php?option=com_content task=blogcategory id=32 Itemid=80)

Heroes

Have you ever done anything heroic? If yes, please explain. Do you want to be a hero someday? Why/not? Would you want to be a hero if you might also die? Why/not? Are people made into heroes or are they born heroes? In other words, is there a characteristic which makes people act heroically? How would you define a hero? How does your definition compare with the opinions of your classmates? What is the difference between a hero and a legend? Please explain. Who were the heroes of your childhood? Who are your heroes now? What qualities does a person need to become a hero? Please explain. What do you think of the following phrase, war hero? Who are some national heroes from your country? What did they do? Think of a hero in the news. What three questions would you like to ask him/her? Should heroes receive money from the people that were helped? Why/not? Should heroes be able to sell their stories and make money? Why/not? Are heroes important? Why/not? Imagine there's a house on fire, and you hear a dog barking from inside. What do you do? Please explain. Imagine there's a house on fire, and you hear a baby crying from inside. What do you do? Please explain. Imagine you try to save a child from a burning building, but fail. Are you still a hero? How would your answer change if you died trying to help? Would you prefer to see a movie about a real life hero or a superhero? Why do you think so? When you think of a hero, what words come to mind? Download the lesson: Heroes Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/heroes.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Speaking: Who Wants to Be Famous? (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=8 Itemid=31) Skill Builders: Listening: Barack Obama (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=380 Itemid=100) Articles: Teacher Development (index.php?option=com_content task=blogcategory id=46 Itemid=117)