Professor de Espanhol e Inglês: Texto em inglês: consumismo

Consumerism and the Modern Economy

In recent decades, consumerism has become one of the most powerful forces shaping both individual lifestyles and global economies. The idea that personal happiness and social progress are closely tied to consumption has spread around the world. As people earn more money, they tend to spend more, creating a cycle in which consumer demand fuels economic growth. However, this cycle also raises serious questions about sustainability and social well-being.

One of the key aspects of consumerism is the influence of marketing. Through advertisements, celebrities, and now social media influencers, companies create a constant desire for new products. In many cases, consumers purchase items not out of necessity but because of emotional or social pressure. For instance, fast fashion brands encourage customers to buy cheap clothing that quickly goes out of style, leading to overconsumption and massive amounts of waste. While such practices stimulate economic activity, they also contribute to environmental degradation.

Another important factor is the role of credit and digital payments. In the past, people generally paid for goods with cash, which limited their spending to the money they physically possessed. Today, with credit cards, online shopping, and digital wallets, consumers can spend money they do not actually have. This has made shopping more convenient, but it has also increased personal debt in many countries. In fact, studies show that easy access to credit often leads people to buy more than they need, reinforcing a cycle of consumption and debt.

On the other hand, recent years have witnessed the growth of alternative consumption models. The sharing economy, represented by companies such as Uber and Airbnb, promotes access over ownership. Similarly, minimalism and sustainable consumption movements encourage individuals to focus on buying fewer but higher-quality goods, considering not only price but also environmental and ethical impacts. These trends reflect a growing awareness that unlimited consumption may not be compatible with long-term economic stability or ecological balance.

Ultimately, consumption remains a central element of modern economies. Governments often measure prosperity through indicators like consumer confidence and household spending. However, the real challenge lies in finding a balance: how can societies maintain economic growth while also promoting financial responsibility, social equity, and environmental sustainability? The answer may depend not only on political decisions but also on the daily choices of individual consumers.

🛍️ Hábitos de consumo

Consumer behavior – comportamento do consumidor
Spending habits – hábitos de consumo
Impulse buying – compra por impulso
Brand loyalty – fidelidade à marca
Shopping spree – maratona de compras
Second-hand market – mercado de segunda mão / usado
Fast fashion – moda descartável / rápida
Luxury goods – bens de luxo
Essential goods – bens essenciais
Disposable income – renda disponível

💳 Dinheiro e pagamento

Cashless society – sociedade sem dinheiro em espécie
Credit card debt – dívida de cartão de crédito
Overdraft – cheque especial / saldo negativo
Interest rate – taxa de juros
Installments – parcelas
Savings account – conta poupança
Cost of living – custo de vida
Purchasing power – poder de compra
Currency exchange – câmbio de moeda
Inflation rate – taxa de inflação

📈 Economia e mercado

Supply and demand – oferta e procura
Economic growth – crescimento econômico
Recession – recessão
Economic downturn – queda/retração econômica
Consumer confidence – confiança do consumidor
Globalization – globalização
Market share – participação de mercado
Trade balance – balança comercial
Unemployment rate – taxa de desemprego
Economic inequality – desigualdade econômica

📢 Publicidade e marketing

Target audience – público-alvo
Advertising campaign – campanha publicitária
Consumer awareness – consciência do consumidor
Marketing strategy – estratégia de marketing
Word of mouth – boca a boca
Product placement – colocação de produto (em filmes, séries etc.)
Subliminal advertising – propaganda subliminar
Influencer marketing – marketing de influenciadores
Customer retention – retenção de clientes
Loyalty program – programa de fidelidade

🌍 Consumo e sociedade

Overconsumption – consumo excessivo
Sustainable consumption – consumo sustentável
Ethical consumerism – consumo ético
Carbon footprint – pegada de carbono
Fair trade – comércio justo
Minimalism – minimalismo
Waste reduction – redução de desperdício
Planned obsolescence – obsolescência programada
Sharing economy – economia compartilhada
Circular economy – economia circular

Perguntas

🟢 Nível A2 (básico – intermediário baixo)

Do you usually save money or spend it quickly?
What do you usually buy when you go shopping?
Do you prefer shopping online or in a store? Why?
How often do you buy clothes?
Do you compare prices before buying something?
What is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Do you usually pay in cash or with a card?
Do you think you spend too much money on food?
What is something you never buy because it is too expensive?
Do you like discounts and sales? Why?

🟡 Nível B1 (intermediário)

Do you think young people spend more money than older people? Why?
How do advertisements influence what people buy?
Do you think it is better to buy cheap products or expensive ones that last longer?
What is a product you regret buying?
Do you prefer local products or international brands? Why?
How does shopping online change people’s habits?
Do you think people spend too much money on technology?
How can someone save money in daily life?
Do you think credit cards are dangerous or useful?
What do you usually spend most of your money on?

🔵 Nível B2/C1 (intermediário alto – avançado)

Do you believe consumerism is a problem in today’s world? Why or why not?
How do companies create the idea of “need” for products people don’t really need?
Do you think Black Friday and similar events encourage overconsumption?
How does fast fashion affect the economy and the environment?
Is it better for an economy if people save or if they spend?
What is the role of marketing in shaping consumer behavior?
Do you think young generations are more materialistic than older generations?
How has inflation affected people’s consumption habits in your country?
Do you think globalization is good or bad for local businesses? Why?
Should governments control the prices of basic products? Why or why not?

🌍 Extra: Discussões mais profundas (C1)

What is the relationship between consumption and happiness?
Do you think minimalism is just another trend or a real lifestyle change?
How can consumer choices influence environmental sustainability?
Do you think planned obsolescence is ethical? Why?
How do social media platforms encourage impulsive buying?
Should governments tax luxury goods more heavily?
What is the connection between consumer habits and social inequality?
How can education help people make better financial decisions?
Do you think the sharing economy (Uber, Airbnb, etc.) is changing traditional consumption?
How do cultural differences affect people’s spending habits?
Should advertising to children be banned? Why or why not?
How does consumer debt affect economic growth?
Do you think digital currencies will change consumer habits in the future?
What is the role of ethical consumption (fair trade, eco-friendly products) in today’s society?
How do economic crises change the way people consume?
Do you believe people today are more financially educated than in the past?
Should governments encourage people to save more money? How?
How do luxury brands maintain their value in the market?
Do you think consumer choices can really influence big corporations?
What will shopping look like in 20 years?

Professor de Espanhol e Inglês

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Texto em inglês: consumismo