Tag: Talking points

July 24, 2016

Consumerism

When was the last time you walked past a shop window and tempered the urge to splash out? It isn’t often for most of us to put off spending for another day, why have we become so attune to splurging out and running up debts? Language level: B1+ Aim: The cultural differences in adoption acceptance. Learner type: Young learners; Teens;...

Categories Advanced Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Communication

The foundation stone for all of us from birth is how we transmit our ideas to others. We constantly worry if others understand us the way we seek to be. In social situations we become especially anxious, and perhaps even nauseous, making sure we are connecting and reacting to people we care about in the best way. Over the years...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Colours

Would the Mona Lisa be more beautiful and intriguing if it was painted in black and white? Do colours change the way we understand reality? Can colours have meaning? This lesson is to encourage students to talk and think about colour in their everyday lives. Language level: B1+ Aim: The concept of colours. Learner type: Young learners; Teens; Adults Time:...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Cloning

Since 1997 when the first ever sequencing of the human genome took place in The United States, the advancement and ethical complexity of cloning has been a constant hum. What has become apparent is that science is pushing our frontiers of understanding, meanwhile society is still mulling over earlier accomplishments. How should society react to cloning? Can we ultimately trust...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Cities

According to the UN by 2050 almost 70% of the entire Earth’s population will be living in cities. How we live and where we get our food from will become an ever present need. Having cities that have residents of near 20 million and more will become the new norm, while this is a great development for people, it is...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Choices

Tea or coffee? How about some juice instead? Choices are an everyday part of life. The choices you make in life can affect you for decades. How do you know if you are making the right choices? Use this lesson to get your class talking. Language level: B1+ Aim: The cultural differences in adoption acceptance. Learner type: Young learners; Teens;...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Charity

Do you give money to people collecting money in the street? How much is actually sent to where it is actually needed? Discuss the issues with this lesson plan. Language level: B1+ Aim: The cultural differences and attitudes associated with charities. Learner type: Young learners; Teens; Adults Time: 45 – 60 minutes Activities included: Discussing quotes, conversation questions, presentation, image discussion Topic: Charity Language:...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Change

Change is the ever present motion in our lives. Some can handle a lot more than others, while a minority crumble in the face of the slightest change. Eastern cultures tend to prefer as little change as possible while in the West nations prefer perpetual change for improvement. Which are you and why? Language level: B1+ Aim: Describing change and...

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July 24, 2016

Censorship

Would you want your government to know exactly what you see your online browsing history? Is the answer no? Well, that’s exactly what many companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter may already have access to. Is it right that companies know so much of what you do online? Can they be regulated? Or has the horse already bolted? Language level:...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Cars

Who wouldn’t want to have four wheels and an open road? The car is the cornerstone to the American life, meanwhile in China it is the ultimate symbol of living the middle class life. Are you fed up with maintaining your car? Discuss the ins and outs here. Language level: B1+ Aim: The culture surrounding cars. Learner type: Young learners;...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Camping

Enjoying the great outdoors is something everyone should try now and again. Being close to nature and experiencing a life without the comforts of home gets you to decompress and appreciate the little things in life. This intermediate conversation lesson plan aims to get students to think about life without our modern amenities. Language level: B1+ Aim: Talking about lifestyles...

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July 24, 2016

Brains

The heart to any intellect is in the mind. For an object the size of a small melon it does contain many mysteries. How does it function? Can it be changed? The shape, size and other physical characteristics have not only been studied intensively, but fascination with the origin of the mind and the development of human knowledge has also...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 24, 2016

Books

Curling up on the sofa and gently opening a book can be one of life’s great pleasures. Although many now forgo books in favour of online content, the written word stills carries much interest and is never going to disappear into that dark night (hopefully). This lesson is aimed at intermediate students to encourage a discussion on how literature has...

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July 24, 2016

Biscuits

What would a cup of tea be like without a biscuit? It certainly wouldn’t be a pleasurable experience. If you are anything like the typical consumer in the UK, you are predicted to eat almost 800 biscuits each year. The Brits are so addicted to biscuits that there are Facebook groups and websites dedicated to discussing the various types on...

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July 24, 2016

Beauty

Shall I compare thee to a summers day? It’s always been a great draw for humankind, the lustre of a painting, the curve of a staircase and the youthfulness in faces all stimulate our perception of beauty. As with many aspects of life, is beauty real? Is it just a concept people have created? Why has beauty become important in...

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July 24, 2016

Banks

Coins, notes, credit cards or even Bitcoin. Money in all its forms needs to be kept somewhere, and somewhere very safe indeed. Do you trust the bank where you put your money? Do banks deserve the trust they have? These questions are ever more important in a society which is concerned with greater morality and ethics. This intermediate lesson aims...

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July 23, 2016

Art

Art is the means in which a culture expresses itself. The style and emotions of the time are deeply embedded within the oils on canvas, the shape of pottery and the texture of the stones used in various artworks. This intermediate lesson aims to have students think about types of art and if there is potentially a hierarchy of art?...

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July 23, 2016

Architecture

Where you live is unique. The shapes of the building, the feel and look of the streets were not made by accident. It arose from the geography and the people who live there. Why do we design buildings the way we do? Can they influence our moods? Has design made us unhealthy? This intermediate lesson plan seeks to explore elements of...

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July 23, 2016

Appearance

Let’s be honest, our appearance is important. How we look and what we wear is always being scrutinised and assessed by others. It doesn’t just stop with people, it also continues with adverts on TV and print media, wouldn’t it be great if ads just didn’t focus on body image so much? How could children and adults be affected by this?...

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July 23, 2016

Animals

With increasing pressure on the natural environment, animals are in constant battle with humans for space and survival. The decisions people make today will decide whether our natural world will be changed irreversibly. This intermediate lesson has a broad focus from evolution to animal exploitation. Do use the images to stimulate further conversation and brainstorm further vocabulary; like beak, fin,...

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July 23, 2016

Amazon.com

We are in the midst of an internet shopping revolution. We can order any product at any time using any device we have with us. To top it all off, we can have it sent to us within 90 minutes or less. How has this changed shopping? Why does it become necessary to have access to millions of products at...

Categories Intermediate Discussion Comments: 0

July 18, 2016

Aliens

The eternal question of “is there any life out there?” has been playing on the minds of people for centuries, and after all these years the question still intrigues us. What makes aliens and UFOs so interesting? Why has it captured our imaginations? Could it be that the thought of humanity being all alone in the universe scares us? This...

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July 18, 2016

Aging / Ageing

Aging or ageing is a central theme in many cultures. In China, the elderly are revered for their wisdom and experience, while in other countries they are often ignored and neglected. As we age our bodies and mind become weaker and our view of the world can change, why does this happen? There are some who don’t change at all,...

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July 18, 2016

Advice

There are times in our life when we cannot go it alone. We need the wisdom and perspective of another person or group to guide us to what we seek. Advice is plentiful these days, from online to our social group, however, is it always useful? How do you know if it should be followed? Can help from others be...

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