Conversation Club "Let's Talk!" » Topics

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?

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?

Art and Creativity

Elena — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:28:49 +0000

What art form do you like best? What art form would you like to learn?
What is creativity? Do you consider yourself a creative person? Why?
What is something creative that you have done?
What would life be like without art? Why is art important?
Is art important in Latvia? Does Latvia value artists? Explain.
How is art in Latvia different than art in other countries?
Why do people become professional artists?
What do you think of abstract art? What do you think of Picasso’s work?
Do you enjoy going to the theater? What kind?
Were you interested in art when you were young?
What are some creative activities to do with children?
Did you have a strong imagination as a child? What did you imagine?
Do you enjoy making things with your hands? Explain.
Have you been to a museum in the last year? Why or why not?
What is your favorite musical instrument? What do you like about it?
Have you ever been to a concert? Tell us about your experience.
Do your friends or family sing or play musical instruments? Explain.
Do you like to doodle? What kinds of doodles do you make? Where and when do you doodle?
Do you think it is proper to call nude paintings art?
Do you agree or disagree? Which quote is your favorite?

Asking for Help

Elena — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:26:51 +0000

Who would you ask for help? Police officers, store employees, your family, strangers, or friends?
Is it common to ask for help from strangers in Latvia (or your native country)?
When do you need to ask for help?
How do you feel when you ask for help?
If you need help while you are shopping, what should you say to the store employees?

If you need help while riding the bus, what should you say to the bus driver?
If you need help when you are lost, what should you ask a stranger?
How can you stay safe when asking for help?
Can you trust all strangers? Who should you trust?
What are some different ways you can ask for help? (For example, by phone, by e-mail)
What information should you NOT tell someone when you are asking for help?
Where can you ask for help in an emergency?
How can you practice asking for help?
If you saw someone who needed help, what would you do?
Are you stubborn? Is it difficult for you to ask for help sometimes?
Why do some people not like asking for help?
Which do you prefer: getting help or giving help? Why?

Gestures & Body Language

Elena — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:24:09 +0000

What do you think the gesture means? Do you think it is impolite to use this gesture? Why?
Do you think it is more common among young people or adults to use this gesture? Why?
How do you greet people in your culture? Do you touch hands? Do you smile?
Do you greet people differently if they are your friends or family than you would greet a businessman?
Do you think people use a lot of gestures when speaking?
Is there any greeting that is considered rude in your culture?
Do people in your culture use body language when speaking? How often? Can you show us an example?
Are there positive and negative gestures? Which is more common in your culture?
Have you ever been offended by gesture? Why?
Has someone ever been surprised or offended by a gesture that you made? What did you say or do?
What are some things that are considered rude in your native country? Why is it considered rude?
How would people in Latvia react if someone did something rude, or made a rude gesture in public? Would you react the same way too?
In Latvia, what kinds of gestures or body language signal friendliness?

Traditions and Habits

REMx — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:36:06 +0000

What do you do during this tradition?
Does your family celebrate this tradition?
Are there any special foods associated with this tradition?
What are some traditions from your family? How long has your family been practicing these traditions?
Talk about different traditions from your country: dating traditions, wedding traditions, birth traditions, religious traditions, holiday traditions, and family traditions.
Are traditions an important part of Latvia (or your native culture)?
What are some common religious traditions?
How are traditions passed from generation to generation?
Traditionally, who is the head of the household in Latvia (or your native country)?
What are traditional foods and clothing in Latvia (or your native country)?
Have you watched any movies about traditions from another culture? What did you think?
Are there any cultural traditions you would like to learn more about?
Do you like to participate in events from different cultures?
Do traditions change over time? Why? How?
How are new traditions started? Is it difficult to start a new tradition?
Are there any traditions you don’t like? Why?
Do you have any family heirlooms? How long have they been in your family?
What’s your favorite family story? How many times have you heard this story?
In Latvia (or your native country), what traditionally happens when you visit someone’s house?
In Latvia (or your native country), do children observe traditions?

What type of pillow do you prefer?

REMx — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 15:35:14 +0000

How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
Do you prefer to go to bed early or late?
Do you prefer to wake up early or late?
Do you like taking naps?
Do you like to sleep-in on the weekends?
Do you dream? What do you dream about?
Have you ever had a nightmare? Did you wake up in the middle of the night?
If you wake up in the middle of the night, can you go back to sleep easily?
Do you use an alarm clock? Do you wake up to music, the radio, or a beeping noise?
Are you a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper?
Do you prefer a fluffy pillow or a thin pillow?
Do you have any strange sleeping habits?
Do you talk in your sleep? Do you snore?
Have you ever stayed awake all night long? How did you feel?
Do you ever experience insomnia?
Do you know anyone who sleepwalks? What happens when they sleepwalk?
Have you ever overslept? What happened?
What do you like to do before bed? Do you watch TV, read, or have a snack?
What do you do if you can’t go to sleep? Do you count sheep? Do you listen to music?
Have you ever slept in a sleeping bag? How did you feel?
Have you ever fallen asleep on accident? (For example, at work or during class) What happened?
Do you prefer to sleep on a soft mattress, on a hard mattress, or on the floor?
Do you drink caffeine to stay awake?
Have you ever felt tired while you were driving? What did you do?
Do people usually share rooms? Where do children usually sleep?
What kind of clothes do people usually sleep in?
Do you think you get enough sleep? Do you want to get more sleep than you currently do?
How has electricity changed sleeping patterns?
What is your favorite time of day? Why?