14 May
War and Military
Should military service be mandatory or voluntary?
Do you believe that war is sometimes necessary to protect a country?
What impact do you think war has on civilians, especially children?
What are the moral implications of using military force to solve disputes?
Do you think there will ever be a time when wars are completely avoided?
How does the media affect public opinion about wars and military actions?
Do you think modern warfare is too destructive for humanity to continue?
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Watch the video above and discuss what you learned from it during your Spoken Cafe session
Dogs Can Learn 165 Words: The Surprising Vocabulary of Our Furry Friends
It may seem unbelievable to some dog owners, but research shows that dogs are capable of recognising a vocabulary of about 165 words. This surprising ability suggests that our four-legged companions can understand much more than just basic commands like “sit” or “stay.”
Interestingly, dogs tend to respond best to short words, especially those with hard consonants, such as “t,” “r,” or “k.” This might explain why your dog can hear the word “treat” from across the house, even when you’re not looking!
If you’re looking to expand your dog’s vocabulary, consistency is key. For example, always call their mealtime “dinner,” rather than switching between terms like breakfast, lunch, or supper.
And don’t be fooled by the myth that older dogs can’t learn new words. Just like puppies, older dogs are capable of picking up new vocabulary if given the right training and patience.
So next time you talk to your dog, remember—they might be learning more than you think!
Watch the video above and discuss what you learned from it during your Spoken Cafe session
READ/SPEAK
What are the good and bad things about having a dog and a cat? Do you think dogs and cats should be kept in houses or should humans prepare a more natural environment for them?
If dogs could talk like humans, what do you think they would talk about the most?
If you had a conversation with your dog, what’s the first thing you’d want to discuss?
A person should be judged by their actions, not their appearance. An intelligent person who does stupid things is still stupid.
LEARN THE IDIOM AND SPEAK
Do you agree with Einstein’s statement, “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity”? Why do you agree and disagree? What were the most stupid things you have ever seen?