Conversation Club "Let's Talk!" » Learning English

Fears & Phobias

Elena — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 09:56:07 +0000

What’s the difference between a phobia and a fear?
What happens to you physically and emotionally when fear takes hold of you / overcomes you? What facial expressions accompany phobia/fear?
How often do you jump when something frightens you?
What do you think eremophobia (morbid dread of being alone) is like?
Can you guess what these phobias are – hydrophobia, zoophobia, sociophobia and numerophobia? What would life be like with these?
Anatidaephobia – the fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you. Can you understand this phobia? Do you know of any other crazy phobias?
Why do people have different phobias/fears?
Do you think hypnotherapy can cure phobias/fears?
Are there any parts of the city where you live which you are afraid to visit after dark? Where? Why?
Are there certain weather conditions that scare people? What are they? Why do people become scared?
Are you afraid of going to the dentist/flying/heights?
Are you afraid of speaking English/a foreign language/in front of many people/at official functions?
Are you afraid of getting old? Why?
Do you think young children should be allowed to watch horror movies?
What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?
Have you ever seen any reality TV shows where people face their fears for money? Would you ever do it?

Mind, Body and Health

Elena — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 16:34:18 +0000

Do you think life is more stressful today than fifty/one hundred years ago?
What do you do to relax after working hard or experiencing other challenging or stressful situations?
Can you give some examples of how mind and body are connected, from your own experience?
What causes stress?
When you are stressful, how do you feel physically/emotionally? Does stress make it hard for you to think or act?
In what situations can stress be a good thing? Does stress ever make you feel more alive?
Have you ever helped someone that you didn’t know?
If you are playing a sport and your team is losing, does it give you extra energy?
Do you enjoy having discussions about politics with other people who have different opinions?
If you have nothing to do, do you enjoy yourself or do you get bored?
Do you get nervous if you have to make a speech?
Is being single less stressful than married life?
Can you relax when you are sleeping away from home?
How many hours of sleep do you usually get?
Can alcohol cure stress temporarily?
Do you normally go one doctor in particular or any available doctor?
How often do you catch a cold?
Have you ever practiced alternative medicine?
Have you ever done meditation? What was your experience?

Martial Arts!

Elena — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 15:44:30 +0000

Have you ever studied a martial art?
Can you name any Japanese/Chinese/Korean martial arts?
Which martial art is best in your opinion? Why?
Have you ever been in a fight? Did you win?
Do you think it’s useful to study martial arts?
What is your favourite kung fu movie?
Do you know anything about martial arts history?
Do you think it’s important to preserve tradition in martial arts?
Do you know how to use any traditional weapons? Which traditional weapon do you think is the coolest?
How does kung fu/tae kwon do/aikido compare to western boxing?
Do you ever watch martial arts on TV? Do you know any good martial arts websites?
Are there any martial arts schools in your area?
What age is best to start training in martial arts?
How much should you train to become successful?
Which martial art uniform do you like best?
What’s the most important thing in a fight? What do you think “the art of fighting without fighting” (Bruce Lee) means?
Have you ever seen or heard of the Shoaling monks and their abilities?
What do you know about Jackie Chan?
Do you believe that martial arts masters of the past were actually able to fly?

Martian

Elena — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 13:22:18 +0000

You are a Martian and you are inhabiting a human body to study human ways. You then ask about virtually anything in the room, and ask follow up questions:

What is this?
It’s a pen.
What’s a “pen”?
You use it to write.
What is “write”?
You make words with it on paper.
What are “words”?

ETC…

You can make it as difficult as possible; at some point, though, you’ll need to say “OK, I understand”, and go to the next object.

Rory’s Story Cubes – Story Telling Dice Game

Elena — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 12:28:50 +0000

The multi award winning Rory’s Story Cubes is a pocket-sized creative story generator, providing hours of imaginative play for all ages. With Rory’s Story Cubes, anyone can become a great storyteller and there are no wrong answers. Simply roll the cubes and let the pictures spark your imagination! There are infinite ways to play with Rory’s Story Cubes. You can play solitaire or with others. Simply gather up the cubes, roll them and start ‘Once upon a time…’ then use the images to construct your story.

Alongside Rory’s Story Cubes Original are Rory’s Story Cubes: Actions and Rory’s Story Cubes: Voyages and the newly released Rory’s Story Cubes: Max.

Rory’s Story Cubes: Actions

Rory’s Story Cubes®: Actions is the first expansion set for the Rory’s Story Cubes® range. 54 unique icons (or picto-verbs™) that depict the most important verbs (action words) to be learned in second language development.

Rory’s Story Cubes: Voyages

Rory’s Story Cubes®: Voyages is the second expansion set for the Rory’s Story Cubes® range. Let every roll of Rory’s Story Cubes®: Voyages inspire tales of epic adventure from “far, far away…

Rory’s Story Cubes: Max

The 30mm version of Rory’s Story Cubes original, especially designed to help with reduced motor skills, reduced visual acuity and group training. Rory’s Story Cubes Max also avoid accidental choking hazards so are suitable for younger children.

3 Dice expansion for Story Cubes (Enchanted, Prehistoria & Clues).

YES/NO GAME

Elena — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:03:51 +0000

Everyone must have played the game in which one person must avoid saying yes or no when asked many questions by the others in the group. The winner is the person who can survive longest. Strangely it seems to be less difficult for a non-native speaker to avoid saying yes/no.

Game of Opposites

Elena — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:44:19 +0000

The game is similar with the Debates. At first we discuss a topic and find out who’s for and who’s against some idea we discussed, then we separate into two groups. The interesting thing is that the groups must protect the opposite of what they’ve chose before. For example the topic is: do you think that it’s necessary to colonize the Moon in the nearest future, building cities with McDonalds and Starbucks? One group thinks it’s not worth it, but others are saying that it’s a great idea. Suddenly both groups need to “change their minds” and represent the opposite side’s opinion.

One minute

Elena — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 11:13:26 +0000

You will have to talk on a topic that the leader gives you for one minute. It is designed to test your ability to speak for an extended period without hesitation or repetition. You will be given a card that asks you to ‘describe’ something. They are topics that you should have some experience of or know something about. You may, for example, be asked to describe a person you know, a place you’ve been to, or a possession you have. On the card there will also be three sub-points that you should cover when you are speaking.

Corruption

REMx — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 12:05:46 +0000

What kinds of corruption are there?
Has corruption affected your life?
Why do you think people are corrupt?
Can corruption be a good thing?
How do you reduce corruption?
Which countries have a lot of corruption?
What can you do about corruption in our country?
Is bribery a big problem in our country?
How do you remove corrupt workers from their jobs?
Can corruption be a good thing in some societies?
Would you accept a free ticket for a football match, a free drink by virtue of your position?
Do you think corrupt police officers are natural-born criminals?
Do you know a corruption case?
Is corruption within the police a result of low pay?
Do you think police unions play a good role in the prevention of corruption?
Is there a sum of money that might persuade you to “look the other way”?
Is corruption ever justifiable?
Do you know someone who has been bribed?

Transportation

REMx — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 11:34:02 +0000

What is your favorite way to “get around”?
Tell your group about a bad experience that you had on the bus or another type of public transportation. What happened? How did you feel?
Why do you think so many people like to drive cars?
What advice would you give to a first-time rider?
Have you ever taken a transfer? When do you need one?
Do you think you are “street smart” or do you know someone who is? Why?
What is the longest bus trip you have ever taken? Where did you go? Talk about it.
Do you have a driver’s license? If so, when did you get it?
Do you listen to music or eat something while you drive? Can this be distracting?
Have you ever received a speeding ticket or a parking ticket? How much was the fine?
What are some driving rules? What are some rules that you think are broken often?
What are some penalties (jail time or fines) for driving problems?
Do you think the penalties are too harsh, too lenient, or about right? Do you think the penalties encourage most people to be safer drivers?
Have you ever been upset by another driver? What happened? Did you think you would have an accident?
Have you ever driven in bad weather and lost control of the car? Tell how it happened.
Many people drive too fast or too slow. Do you think that you drive too fast, too slow, or do you go the speed limit?
Even though it’s not a law yet, talking on cell phones can make driving less safe. Do you think we should make cell phones illegal in the car? Why or why not?
What should you do if you get in an accident?
What do you think “poor visibility” means”? What can you do if you suddenly have poor visibility?
What do you think is the most important thing to do when driving on snow or ice? In the rain?
Is there more traffic or less in your city and/or country?
What are some advantages to riding the bus? What are some disadvantages?
What kinds of transportation are bad for the environment? Why?
Do you feel safe when you use public transportation? Why or why not?
Do you have a bicycle? How often do you ride it?
What will the transportation of the future be like? What kind of transportation would you like someone to invent?