Is the Past Always Better?

When we were young, we had some pretty strange habits. Often times, we look back on our childhood with a happiness that we don't have today. But was the past really better?

Watch the following video and answer the questions below.
1. What were a few things that surprised you about what they ate as children?
2. What were a few strange things you used to like as a kid?
3. Are there any habits (good, bad, or strange) that you still have from your childhood?

Adults Get Love Advice From Kids

This week, one of our grammar points focuses on asking and giving advice. Who better to ask for advice than children? Watch the following video. Do the kids make any good points? If so, what do you agree with them about?







Write a few sentences discussing your opinions of the children: do they give good advice?

Your US City

Do you enjoy living in San Diego? Why or why not? Are there any other cities in the US that you think you would enjoy more?

Take this test to find out which US city you should really live in. Do you agree with the final results? Why or why not?

Look up some additional information about your true US city. What else do you like about it?

Your Motivation

Into the WIld (image credit)

in 2007, a movie called Into the Wild was made. It followed the story of Chris McCandless, a searching youth who yearned for something more from his life than a good job, steady money, and a path chosen for him. He decided to live in the Alaskan wilderness. His passion for beauty and the endless search for finding peace eventually drove him to a small bus in the middle of nowhere. As you watch the next scene, what are some of the things you believe motivate Chris in his quest?

Click on the picture to watch the scene

Think about some of the following questions. How would you answer them?
1. How do you motivate yourself? In what ways do you find passion?
2. What is your passion? If you don't know, how could you go about finding it?
3. What are some things you can only experience by doing alone? Are they bad, good, or a mixture of both?
4. What are some things that we can learn and use to help motivate others from the movie clip?

High Tech Wonders

What is the greatest piece of technology you can think of? What are ways to make that better?

Go to this link and watch the video by VSauce, a series of web videos on technology and science. Then, answer the questions below.

1. What is the most unique item?
2. What was the craziest idea?
3. What was the most helpful thing?
4. What was the highest technology you saw?
5. What was the stupidest thing you saw?
6. What were three things you wanted to have?
7. What were two ideas you would never want in your life?

What Would You Do?

This week, we're talking about the influence of money and happiness in life. Many people believe that money can buy a happy life, while others believe it is something more.

Can money bring true happiness?

What about you? What brings you happiness?

Recent psychological research has suggested that money isn't the key to happiness, but gratefulness. To learn more about this, you have the option (you don't have to...) to watch this video from Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast. Though money can bring happiness for a short time, gratefulness leads people to a prolonged sense of well-being, as if they are directly effecting the world and its overall goodness. This leads to a feeling of connection and empowers people to work harder, think more creatively, and increase their ability to live overall.

Take a look at this 2 minute exercise on gratefulness. 

What does it suggest that you do to practice gratefulness?
How often should you do the exercise?
Do you believe something like this is effective in changing your outlook on life? Why or why not?

Technology and Addiction

What do you think are the best parts of technology? What have you enjoyed most about being able to use the Internet, cellphone, or computer? When do these things become a negative thing in life?

"Just... one... more... minute..."

Recently, many people have enjoyed the latest and greatest technology so much that it has affected the way they live their lives. Read this story from Breaking News English to find out more about Internet addiction. Answer the questions when you finish.

1. How would you feel if you couldn't have Internet access for a month?
2. In what ways has your life changed since using the Internet, social media, or Skype?
3. What is "tech overload" and how do we prevent it?

One way to find out if you're addicted is to take this twenty question quiz. Check your answers at the end.
Do you agree or disagree with the results?
Do you believe Internet addiction is real? If so, is it negative? Why?