COMMON EXPRESSIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Word List on Comments 3. Outlining Facts

1. Stating your Opinion The fact is that
It seems to me that ... The (main) point is that ...
In my opinion, ...
This proves that ...
I am of the opinion that ... What it comes down to is that ...
/ I take the view that .. It is obvious that ...
My personal view is that ... It is certain that ...
In my experience ... One can say that ...
As far as I understand / can see, ... It is clear that ...
As I see it, ... / From my point of view ... There is no doubt that ..
As far as I know ... / From what I know ...
I might be wrong but ...
If I am not mistaken ...
I believe one can (safely) say ... 4. Agreement
It is claimed that ... There are many reasons for ...
I must admit that ... There is no doubt about it that ...
I cannot deny that ... I simply must agree with that.
I can imagine that ... I am of the same opinion.
I think/believe/suppose ... I am of the same opinion as the author.
Personally, I think ... I completely/absolutely agree with the author.
That is why I think ...
I am sure/certain/convinced that ...
I am not sure/certain, but ...
I am not sure, because…. 5. Disagreement
I am not convinced that ... There is more to it than that.
I have read that ... The problem is that ...
I am of mixed opinions (about / on) ... I (very much) doubt whether ...
I am of mixed opinions about / on this. This is in complete contradiction to ...
I have no opinion in this matter. What is even worse, ...
I am of a different opinion because ...
2. Linking Arguments I cannot share this / that / the view.
First of all, I think ... I cannot agree with this idea.
Not only that, but I also think that ... What I object to is ...
Not only are they ..., they are also ... Unlike the author I think ...
They are not ..., nor are they ...
There are various/several/many reasons for this.
First, ... / Firstly, ...
Second, ... / Secondly, ...
Moreover, ... / Furthermore, ... / In addition, ...
Another significant point is that ...
 Finally, ...
On the one hand, ... On the other hand, ...
In contrast to this is ...
Because of ... 6. Qualified Disagreement
That is why ... It is only partly true that...
After all, ... I can agree with that only with reservations.
That seems obvious, but ...
The reason is that ...
That is not necessarily so.
In that respect ...
It is not as simple as it seems.
The result of this is that ... Under certain circumstances ...
Another aspect/point is that ...
It is because ...
Although it is true that ... it would be wrong to claim that ...
That may sometimes be true, but ...
One could argue that ..., but ...

7. Additions and Conclusion

Most probably ... 8. Providing Examples
It appears to be ... Take for example (the case of) ...
It is important to mention that... Look at ...
As I already indicated ... For instance ... / For example ...
In other words, ... Let me give you an example.
I am most concerned about ...
I should like to repeat once again that ...
I should like to emphasize that ...
I would (just) like to add ...
So all in all I believe that...
(In) summing up it can be said that ...
Weighing the pros and cons, I come to the conclusion that ...

10 September 2018

M. RONI
 EDUCATION
(Topic for Classroom Discussion)

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

 Should education be free?
 Are women encouraged to pursue education? Why?
 Do you think teachers are paid enough in your country?
 Do you think it is easier to learn as a child or as an adult?
 Why English is hard to learn at university level?
 How long must you go to college to get a degree?
 How much is too much homework? How should the homework load be managed?
 Is it difficult for people without a college education to get good jobs where you
live?
 What are some important factors in determining which college to attend?
 What are the qualities of a good student?
 What are the qualities of a good teacher?
 Why do you think people become teachers?
 Would you consider studying abroad?
 Do you think that most parents influence what university their child will attend?
 Once you graduate from a university should you stop learning?
o What are some ways a person can continue to learn?
 Does education guarantee a good job?
 Which is more important, the essential skills in life you've learned to develop on
your own or the artificial structure in college about the "real" life?
 We should not just prepare for life, but live it. Do you agree?
 What kind of world do you think this would be if people never went to school?
 What skills separate good students from bad students?
 Should people go straight from school to university, or do something different?
 What is a "genius"?
 Do you think a person can become a genius, or are they just born that way?
 What do you consider to be a "smart" or "slow" person?
 What do you consider "hardworking" or 'lazy"?
 Beauty and Physical Attractiveness
 Does beauty affect one's success in life?
 Is it better to be physically attractive or intelligent?
 Is it better to be physically attractive or wealthy?
 Is beauty related to power?
o Can you think of anyone who is in a position of power that is not physically attractive?
 Do people spend too much time and money on beauty?
 How much time should be spent on making yourself look better each day?
 Who would you say is beautiful that others maybe wouldn't?
 Do you think people should have cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks?
o If so what is the minimum age when someone should have plastic surgery?
o How popular is plastic surgery in your country?
o What is the most popular feature for cosmetic alteration?
o Do you think self-esteem affects beauty?
o Do you think beauty affects self-esteem?
 How important is beauty in your daily life?
 Have you ever noticed anyone ever feeling pressured to be more beautiful?
 What do you think of the proverb, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder?"
o Do you have any proverbs or idioms from your country that relate to beauty?
 What do you think "beauty is skin deep" means?
 What are some beauty tips that you could share?
 Do you think people with many tattoos can be beautiful?
o How many tattoos is too many?
o Would you ever get a tattoo?
o Do you have a tattoo?
 Do you think people with many piercings can be beautiful?
o What kind of body piercing, if any, do you feel are acceptable?
o What kind of piercing, if any, do you feel are unacceptable?
 What personality trait is the most important for inner beauty?
 How do you define beauty, using your own words?
 Would you ever date someone who was not conventionally attractive?
 What makes one person more attractive than another?
 Do you think people from different countries than you see attractive the same way?
 Is there someone famous that is considered beautiful, that you think is not?
 Are beauty pageants good or bad?
 Should children be entered into beauty pageants?
 Do you think one gender or group worries more about beauty than another?
 Would you want your children to be beautiful or talented?
 What are some of the negatives about being beautiful?
 What are some examples of social pressures to improve on natural beauty?
o For example, lipstick, haircutting, shaving, ...
o What do you think about plastic surgery? Would you ever have plastic surgery?
o If so, what would you change?
 Culture
 What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, ...
 What do you think is interesting about your culture?
 Do you know much about your own culture?
 When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually think of?
 In your culture is it polite to be straightforward and direct when you talk to someone?
o To whom is it OK and to whom is it not OK?
 What has surprised you when you've met people from other countries?
 Have you looked at Internet pages from a different culture? If so, how were they different from
those of your own culture?
 What do you like about your culture? What don't you like about your culture?
 How do young people in your culture behave differently from older people?
 How do young people in your culture behave differently from people in this culture?
 Are there many people of different cultures in your country? Are you friends with any?
 Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture?
o If so, tell me about it.
 How are your language teachers who are not from your country different from your other teachers?
o How are they the same?
 Who in your culture do you admire most?
 What your culture are you most proud about?
 Why do you think culture is important?
 If you could change one thing about your culture, what would it be?
 Would you ever consider marrying or dating someone from another culture?
 Would you ever consider living permanently in a country other than your home country? Why or
why not?
 What does it mean to be polite in your culture?
 What is considered rude in your culture?
o Is there anything in this culture that is considered rude that may not be considered rude in other’s
culture?
 If a group of people just came to your country from overseas, what advice would you give them?
 What other cultures have you met people from?
 What do you think is important when visiting another culture?
 Do you think "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is always good advice? Why or why not?
 Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you had to "do as the Romans do"?
 What culture besides your own do you admire and why?
 If aliens visited your country, what might surprise them?
 How do you feel when you leave your home culture and enter into a completely new culture?
 What is the best/most important thing your culture has given to the world?
 What is the best/most important thing your culture/country has adopted from another culture?
 If you could choose three aspects of your culture to put in a "time box" for the future, what would
you put in it?
 Customs
o What customs do you practice? What are your favorite customs?
o What customs do you think should be revised? What customs do you think should no longer be
practice? What customs (from elsewhere) do you think should be included in our culture?
 Disaster
o What is a disaster?
o Have you ever been in a disaster?
o What are some different kinds of disasters?
o What kind of disasters are common in your country?
o What is the difference between a typhoon and a hurricane?
o What is the difference between a tornado and a hurricane?
o What is disaster insurance?
 Do most people have it?
o Are there ways we can prepare ourselves in advance to cope with disasters?
o How are businesses affected by disasters?
o How are families affected by disasters?
o How are the problems solved after a disaster?
o If you had the power to stop a natural disaster that has happened in the past, which would you
choose? Why?
o What is the difference between natural disasters and man-made disasters?
 Can you name a few of each type?
 Where do these usually often occur?
o Do some natural disasters occur repeatedly in the same area?
 Do many people live in these areas?
o What are examples of man-made disasters?
o What examples are there of natural disasters?
 What kind of damage can occur in each case?
 Have you ever been in a natural disaster?
 Do you know anyone who has been in a natural disaster?
 Can you find someone in the class who has been in a natural disaster?
 What natural disasters occur in your country?
o Do you know someone who has done any volunteer work?
 What was it? Did he or she enjoy it?
o How can you help after a natural disaster?
o If you could volunteer to help after a natural disaster, what could you do?
o Have you ever volunteered to help in a disaster?
 What did you do? Did you enjoy it?
o Do you think the Internet can be helpful in a disaster?
o Could the Internet be used for bad purposes in a disaster?
 Financial
o Have you ever given money to a charity?
o How do you decide what charity to give to?
o Are you willing to donate money to help victims of a natural disaster in your country? How
much?
o Are you willing to donate money to help victims of a natural disaster in other countries? How
much?
o How much money should your government give to help victims of natural disasters in your
country and how much to help people living in other countries?
 Personal
o Are you prepared for a disaster? What can you do to prepare for a disaster?
o Do you know someone who has been in a disaster?
o How do you think you would react in a disaster?
o How can we help children who are victims of disasters?
o Does your family have a plan for what to do in the event of an earthquake?
o Have you ever been injured? Have you ever had a broken leg?
o Can you find the story of anyone who lived through a disaster?
o What would you do if you knew there would soon be a serious natural disaster and this could be
your last day on earth?
 Education
 Are college tuitions reasonable?
 Are foreign languages parts of the curriculum? If so, which languages?
 Are there any subjects/classes you wanted to study but they weren't available at your
school/college?
 Are there good colleges in your country?
 Are women encouraged to pursue education?
 Do you have difficulty with school work?
 Do you know anyone who does not know how to read or write?
 Do you think teachers are paid enough?
 Do you think your school is a good one? Why/why not?
 Do you think your teachers give too much homework?
 Do you think it is easier to learn as a child or as an adult?
 Do you think public speaking can improve your English?
 How can we improve our classroom?
 Why English is hard to learn at university level?
 How do you travel to school?
 How long must you go to college to get a degree?
 How much is too much homework? How should the homework load be managed?
 If you have not attended college, do you plan on doing so?
 Is it difficult for people without a college education to get good jobs where you live?
 What are some good ways to learn English?
 What are some important factors in determining which college to attend?
 What are the qualities of a good student?
 What are the qualities of a good teacher?
 What classes would you take?
 What do you study? What's your major?
 What is the average age of a high school graduate?
 What is your favorite class?
 What was (or is) your favorite subject? Why do you like it?
 Who selects the college you will attend -- you or your parents?
 Why are you studying a foreign language?
 Why do you think people become teachers?
 Why is it helpful to learn a Second language ?
 Why is it sometimes very difficult to speak another language?
 Would you consider studying abroad?
 How much free time does a high school student in your country have?
 Do parents home-school their children in your country?
o What do you think of home-schooling?
o Do you know anyone who was home-schooled?
 Do you think that most parents influence what university their child will attend?
 Once you graduate from a university should you stop learning?
o What are some ways a person can continue to learn?
 Does education guarantee a good job?
 Which is more important, the essential skills in life you've learned to develop on your own or the
artificial structure in college about the "real" life?
 Which high schools and colleges are the best in your country?
 Which high schools and colleges are not so good in your country?
 We should not just prepare for life, but live it. Do you agree?
 What kind of world do you think this would be if people never went to school?
 Should education be free?
 Do the elite in your country attend only one or two universities?
 Do elite universities help or harm your country?
 Does your country provide a good public school system?
 Does your country have good public universities? If not, why do you think there is a lack of
funding for education in your country?
 What realistic changes would you make to your country's attitude toward education?
 What role do you think human capital plays in the development of countries?
 Why do students cheat during tests and exams?
 How do they cheat?
 What is your attitude towards cheating?
 What are the dangers of cheating?
 How should parents react?
 How should teachers react?
 What is the role of school and decision makers?
 Where do we learn the skills necessary to become a good student - in elementary, middle or high
school?
 What skills separate good students from bad students?
 What do you think about a gap year, is this something you would consider?
 Should people go straight from school to university, or do something different?
 What do you wish your teachers understood about you?
 What is a "genius"?
 Do you think a person can become a genius, or are they just born that way?
 What do you consider to be a "smart" or "slow" person?
 Are things that your school teaches you that you think are not important?
 Are there things your school does not teach that you think it should?
 Are school uniforms good to have? Why/why not?
 Do prefer school uniforms or casuals clothes better?
 Would you ever want to learn a third language? [To be "trilingual"]
 What do you consider "hardworking" or 'lazy"?
 Entertainment
 What is the most popular drama/comedy/game show in your country, and what is the story-line
(drama) or format (game show)?
 Do you like to watch cartoons?
 What did you watch on TV yesterday?
 What is one of your favorite TV shows?
o Why do you like it? When is it on? Does you father like it, too?
 Do you listen to classical music? Why or why not?
 Have you ever been to a play? If so, when was the last time?
 Have you ever been to the theater?
 Have you ever hosted a party?
 Have you ever tried water skiing?
 Have you ever used a slot machine?
 How far in advance do you begin planning a vacation?
 How often do you go to parties?
 How often do you read comic books?
 How often do you visit museums? When was the last time?
 Is gambling legal where you live?
 Should books be censored?
 Do you often go drinking? Where? Who with? How often?
 Should movies be rated? Explain.
 What are some forms of gambling people do in your country?
 What are some games that you don't like to play? Why?
 What are some good books that you have read?
o What is the best book you have ever read?
 What are some of the good movies you have seen?
 What are some of the most popular amusement parks in your country?
 What are some things you can do without spending a cent?
 What computer games have you played?
 Which are your favorites?
o Which do you think are not so interesting?
 What do you do in your spare time?
 What do you like to do on a night out?
 What do you think of soccer? (baseball, hang gliding, ...)
 What games are popular in your country? Why are they popular?
 What is your favorite game? Why?
 What is your favorite holiday? Why?
 What kind of music do you like?
 What kind of things do you like to read?
 What singer would you most like to meet?
 What was the last book you read?
 What's the most popular holiday in your country?
o When is it? How is it celebrated?
 What's your favorite magazine? (What are some of your favorite magazines?)
 When do you usually listen to the radio?
 Where do you usually read?
 Who are some of the famous actors and musicians in your country?
 Who are some of your favorite actors and actresses?
 Who do you think is the funniest comedian?
 Who is the most popular entertainer in your country?
 Who is your favorite author? Who is your favorite comedian?
o Who is your favorite musician? Who is your favorite female singer? Who is your favorite male
singer?
 Who is your favorite guitarist? Who is your favorite writer? (author)
 Why do some people gamble? What do you do for fun?
 Environment & Pollution
 Are there litter laws where you live? If so, what is the penalty for littering?
 Do you think cars should be banned from city centers?
 Do you think people should recycle newspapers? Why or why not?
 Do you think there are lessons to learn from nature?
 How has the world changed since you were a child? (technology, values, environment,
health)
 How often is garbage collected in your neighborhood?
 If humans are really intelligent and not simply manipulated by their genes like any other
animal, why can't they do anything about overpopulation?
 What are some things that can be recycled?
 What are some things which you recycle?
 What are some types of pollution?
 What are some ways that you can reduce pollution in this country?
 What can you do to help prevent pollution?
 What can you do to make this world a better place?
 What do you think of people who smoke cigarettes indoors?
 Which is more important, increasing people's standard of living, or protecting the
environment?
o Think of a situation in your area involving this issue.
o Which side would you choose?
 Who do you think is more responsible for pollution, individual people or the government?
Explain.
 What is the most important issue facing the environment today?
 Do you know about any anti-pollution programs in your community?
 Do you usually drink bottled water? Why or Why not?
 If you could choose one alternative energy source to develop which one would you
choose? Why?
 Are companies more or less environmentally responsible now than they were in the past?
Why do you think that is?
 Do you think recycling is an important community service?
o Do you recycle?
 Who should pay for the costs associated with renewable energy?
 Should we make the development of renewable energy sources an economic priority?
 What are some ways energy is wasted?
 What types of energy are popular in your native country?
 What is the main problem with renewable energy sources?
 What can large cities do to improve their air quality?
 How can we protect the environment and at the same time improve people's standard of
living?
 Do you think overpopulation is an important environmental issue? Why or why not?
 Should an environmental levy be imposed on SUVs not used in the farming community?
o How would this help the environment?
 Should gas for motorists be more expensive?
o What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this?
 Do think global warming is real?
o Do you think this is an effect of pollution?
 Are worried about global warming?
 If you live on an island or on the coast does this increase the danger from global warming?
Why?
 What's happening to forests in the world? What happens when we remove forests?
 What can we do to protect forests?
 Why should we recycle?
 Does your local government make it easy or hard for citizens to recycle?
 Are there people in your country who make their living from picking-up other people's
garbage?
o How is pollution effecting the environment of the universe? How about
Indonesia?
 Gender Roles
 Do you see yourself as a typical man/woman? Why or why not?
 In your country
o Are the responsibilities of a mother the same as the responsibilities of a father to their
families?
o What are the responsibilities of a father to his family?
o What are the responsibilities of a mother to her family?
o Are fathers capable of carrying out the duties of a mother and vice versa?
o Are there different expectations for sons and daughters?
o What habits are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
o What behaviors are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
o What jobs are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
o Are more doctors female or male in your country?
o Are more nurses female or male in your country?
o Are more professional musicians female or male in your country?
o Are more teachers female or male in your country?
o Are more truck drivers female or male in your country?
o Are men and women equal in ability and intelligence?
o What things can either men or women do that the other cannot do and why?
o What type of clothing do men wear?
o What type of clothing do women wear?
o Can men wear women's clothing or can women wear men's clothing? Why or why not?
o Can men wear pink clothes?
o Is it OK for men to cry? Is it OK for women to cry?
o What do people think of men or women crying?
o What would people think of a man who backs down from a fight?
o What would people think of two women involved in a fist fight?
o Is it OK for men to appear sad? Is it OK for women to appear angry?
o Is it OK for men to appear weak?
o Is it common for women and men to take part in sporting activities? Do they take part in
the same type of sporting activities?
o In you home, who does the cooking, cleaning and household chores?
o Is it possible for women to join the army in your country?
o Is it compulsory for men and women to join the army in your country?
o Do women swear a lot?
o Are there more male or female managers and executives? Why do you think this is?
o What jobs do men do and women not do in your country?
o Who is regarded as the head of the family?
o Should boys and girls be brought up differently?
o Should boys and girls be treated differently on the part of the parents?
o What would happen if your parents changed their place for one day?
o How would the world look like without men?
o How would the world look like without women?
o When a woman and a man are together, who does most of the talking? What makes you
think so?
o Can a man and a woman be only friends?
o Do men/men friendships differ from women/men or women/women friendships? How?
 Who do you think has life easier, girls or guys? Why? Are you a 'morning' or 'night'
person?
 When do you feel best? In the morning, afternoon, or evening?
 How many cities have you lived in?
 What jobs have you done?
 Which do you prefer, sunrises or sunsets?
 What could you do as a child that you can't do now?
 How many times did you move as a child?
 Are you a task oriented person or a people oriented person?
 What is the profile of the wife/husband you would meet?
 What kind of woman/man would you like to marry?
 Gossip and Rumors
 Do you like to gossip?
 Do your friends often gossip about you?
 Why do you think people like to listen to gossip ?
 Why do people like to gossip about the rich and famous?
 What are the most common themes for gossip?
 What are some of the things you like to gossip about?
 What are some ways which gossip can be harmful?
 Do you think gossip can be used for something good?
 Why is it considered that women gossip more then men?
 Where are some places where people like to gossip?
 Which newspapers can be called gossip newspapers?
o Do you like to read gossip newspapers?
o What is your attitude to gossip newspapers?
o Have you ever told a rumor that got someone in trouble?
o Has someone ever spread a rumor about you?
o Has spreading rumors ever got you in trouble?
o Do you think that a friend who gossips or starts rumours will ever gossip or start a rumour
about you?
o How would you try to resolve the problem, if you had got into trouble through
gossiping?
o Has answering these questions changed your attitude towards gossip?
o If you discovered that someone had been gossiping about you, would you confront them?
o If no-one at your high school had ever gossiped, how would it have been different?
o If you heard some harmful gossip about someone you knew, what would you do?

Important Vocabularies:
 Health
 Are you a member of a health spa/gym?
 Are you afraid of needles?
 Are you healthy?
 Are your parents healthy?
 Do think that you need to lose weight?
 Do you always eat healthy food?
o (Is your diet healthy?)
 Do you bruise easily?
 Do you catch a cold more than once a year?
 Do you consider alcohol a drug? Do you drink a lot?
 Do you eat a lot of vegetables?
 Do you eat lots of fruit? Do you eat vegetables every day?
 Do you ever get headaches? Do you know anyone who suffers from migraine headaches?
 Do you ever read magazines or news articles about health? If yes, what subject(s) do you
find the most interesting?
 Do you exercise?
o What kind of exercise do you do?
o How often do you exercise?
 Do you go for regular medical check-ups?
 Do you go to the dentist's twice a year?
 Do you have a lot of stress?
 Do you normally go one doctor in particular or any available doctor?
 Do you have any allergies? Do you have any scars?
 Do you know anyone who suffers from backaches?
 Do you know anyone with false teeth?
 Do you often eat fast food?
 Do you smoke?
o If so, do you smoke more than two cigarettes a day?
o Do you think smoking is not bad for your health?
 Do you take medicine when you are sick?
 Do you take vitamins or mineral supplements?
 Do you take vitamins?
 Do you think it is unhealthy to keep a cat in your home?
 Do you think nuclear power is safe?
 Do you think pets are good for a person's health
 Do you think that the tobacco companies should be held reasonably responsible for a
person's addiction to nicotine?
 Do you think you are overweight?
 Do you think you will live until a ripe old age? Why or why not?
 Do you think you would be a good surgeon? Why or why not?
 Do you use an alarm clock to wake up?
 Do you usually get enough sleep?
 Do you watch your weight? What foods do you think are healthy?
 Have you ever been hospitalized?
o (Have you ever been in the hospital?)
 Have you ever been to an acupuncturist? What do you think of acupuncture?
 Have you ever broken a bone?
 Have you ever burned yourself with hot water?
 Have you ever donated blood?
 Have you ever gotten a black eye?
 Have you ever had braces on your teeth?
 Have you ever had stitches?
 Have you ever sprained your ankle?
 Have you ever taken a sleeping pill to get to sleep?
 How can you reduce stress in your life?
 How have you been feeling lately?
 How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
 How many hours of sleep do you usually get?
o How often do you eat junk food? What kinds of junk food do you eat?
 How often do you exercise? How often do you get a cold?
 (How often do you catch a cold?)How often do you get sick in one year?
 How often do you go to the doctor's? How often is garbage collected in your
neighborhood?
 How would you recommend treating a cold?
 If a company sells the public a product they know to be harmful or addictive, should they
be held responsible for the use of that product even if the government approves it?
 If you smoke, how old were you when you started smoking?
 If you were President of Korea, what would you do to improve Indonesians' health?
 Should smoking in restaurants be banned?
 What are some things people can do to keep healthy?
 What are some things that cause stress? What are some ways to deal with stress?
 What are some ways you know that you can personally keep yourself healthy?
 What disease frightens you the most? Why?
o What do you do to stay healthy? (What are some things you do to keep healthy?)
 What do you do, if you can't get to sleep?
 What do you think about abortion? Why do some people support it and others are against
it?
 What do you think about getting old?
 What do you think is the most serious health problem in Indonesia?
 What do you think of cosmetic surgery? Do you know anyone who has had cosmetic
surgery? Would you ever consider having cosmetic surgery?
 What drinks to you think are healthy? What drinks do you think are unhealthy?
 What foods to you think are healthy? What foods do you think are unhealthy?
 What is the best way to find a doctor, if you're new in the area?
 What is the best way to stop smoking?
 What is the most horrible accident you have ever had?
 What is the average age of people in your country
 What kind of pollution is the most risky?
 What time did you go to bed when you were a child?
 What's the best way to stop smoking?
 What's the highest temperature you've ever had?
 What's your blood type?
 When did you last take a bath?
 When was the last time you went to a dentist?
 When was the last time you went to a doctor?
 When was the last time you went to a hospital?
 When was the last time you were sick?
 When you were in high school, how many days of school did you miss each year because
of sickness?
 Who do you think is responsible for the care of your health--you yourself, your parents, or
your doctor and medical people?
 Who is the healthiest person in your family? Who is the least healthy?
 Why do people smoke?
 Would you consider donating your organs after your death?
 What is the health service like in your country?
 What do you think of the health service in this country?
 How can the health service be improved?
 Have you been to hospital since you arrived here?
o What do you know about the SARS virus? What do you know about AIDS?
o What do you know about the common cold?
 What is alternative medicine?
o Have you ever practiced alternative medicine?
 What treatments or remedies do you follow when you have a cold?
 which kind of medicine do you prefer to take when you are sick?
 Honesty and Truthfulness
Honesty
 What is the definition of honesty?
 What do we mean when we say a person is honest?
 Why is honesty important? Why is honesty so difficult at times?
 When is honesty difficult?
 What is the opposite of honesty? Why is it good to be honest?
 Why is dishonesty not good?
 Is there a difference between honesty and truthfulness?
 Is there a different between dishonesty and lying?
 When have you been honest? When have you been dishonest?
 At what times do you appreciate people being honest with you?
 When have you had times when people have been dishonest with you?
 How do feel when you have been dishonest with someone?
 How do you feel when someone has been dishonest with you?
 Who have you been honest with?
 How can you be honest and not hurt someone?
 Is it ever all right to give only a partial truth?
 When might it be all right to give only a partial truth?
 When might it be kind more to be completely honest with someone?
 Are there people that you do not trust?
 How can you tell when people are being dishonest with you?
 How can people tell if you have been dishonest with them?
 What kind of problems does dishonesty cause?
 What are some common situations when people are sometimes dishonest?
 Is dishonesty every justifiable?

Truthfulness
 What is truthfulness?
 What do we mean when we say that a person if truthful?
 Why is it important to be truthful? Are you always truthful?
 What problems do you encounter when you are not truthful?
 How can you tell when people are being truthful with you?
 How do people act when they are untruthful?
 How do you feel when people have been untruthful with you?
 How do you feel when you have been untruthful to others?
 What is a half truth? When have you told a half truth?
 Is a half truth really being truthful? What is a misleading truth?
 When have you heard a misleading truth?
 What professions are sometimes accused of giving misleading or half-truths?
 How can you tell when someone is not telling you the whole truth?
 What are some situations when telling a partial truth might be OK?
 When are times when it might be kinder to tell a partial truth to someone?
 What is the different between telling a partial truth and lying?
 Internet
 Do you often use the Internet? When did you first use the Internet?
 About how many hours a day do you use the Internet?
 About how many hours a week do you use the Internet?
 Who uses the Internet the most in your family?
 What computer do you use to access the Internet?
 What are some security issues you must think about when you access the Internet?
 Have you ever bought something using the Internet?
 How can the internet help you learn English? Do you take advantage of this?
 How can the Internet be improved? How often do you use the internet?
 Do you think our lives have been improved by the Internet?
 Do you have any ideas or ambitions to start an Internet company?
 Do you think the Internet favors men or women?
 Do men and women use the internet for different purposes?
 Do you use the Internet for fun or education?
 What are some of the ways the Internet can be used for education?
 What are some of the ways the Internet can be used for entertainment?
 What are the sites you most commonly access?
 What is the best thing about the Internet?
 What problems does the Internet create? What problems does it solve?
 Which company is your Internet provider?
o Why did you choose this company? Are you satisfied with their service?
o How much does it cost you?
 Is it expensive to access the Internet by mobile phone in your country?
 Is there too much sex on the Internet?
 Does your family have wireless Internet access in your home?
 Do you access the Internet from your mobile phone?
 What type of pages do you access with your phone?
 Do you have more many e-mail addresses?
 Why do you need more than one e-mail address?
 Have you ever chatted on the Internet?
 Is it dangerous to meet people on the Internet?
 Would you like to go on a date with someone you meet on the Internet?
 Do you think governments have the right to censor the Internet?
 Do you think that the Internet safe for children? Why
 Do you think that it is important for schools to have Internet access? Why?
 Can you believe all the information that is published (available) on the Internet?
 Do you think that people should put photos of their friends onto the Internet?
 Why is it a good idea to have books and magazines published on the Internet?
 Do you think that it is a good or bad habit for young people to play computer games?
 Why should you be careful about giving out personal information to people that you meet in chat-
rooms?
 Give me a reason why you think that email is a good way for people to communicate.
 The Internet can help people work from home. Do you think that this is a good or bad?
 Many disreputable companies get personal information from your computer when you visit their
web site. Why is this bad?
 Many people download MP3 music without paying any money for it. Do you think that this is a
problem?
 Would you consider going out with someone that you met on the Internet?
 In your opinion, what is the most important feature of the Internet?
 Do you think that meeting people is easier than meeting people face to face?
 Are old people disadvantaged by today's usage of the Internet? How?
 When you buy something on the Internet, trust is very important. Why?
 Do you think that the Internet will replace Libraries?
 Do you think that online banking (being able to do most of your banking by the Internet and ATM
machines) will become popular in all countries? What is a disadvantage of this.
 In many big cities it is possible to buy your groceries online and have them delivered to your
home. Why has this become popular? Why is it illegal to download movies and music from the
Internet?
 What is a computer virus and how do we protect our computers from being infected?
 How does the Internet help people from different countries to communicate with each other?
 Information on the Internet is linked together; it is not just single documents. Why is this
important?
 How do we stop young children from looking at Internet sites that have inappropriate content?
 Do you think that some people spend too much time on the Internet and does this stop them from
seeing their friends? Why?
 Do you think that having Internet access is mainly for rich people? Will poor people be
disadvantaged?
 In some countries you can sell personal items on the Internet (E-Bay). Do you think this is a good
idea?
 Many Universities are now offering online courses. Give me some reasons why this is a good
thing.
 Many Universities are now offering online courses. Give me some reasons why this is a bad thing.
 If you want reliable and good information from the Internet, then you should look for sites
operated by which types of organizations?
 Do you think that the Internet usage is an anti-social activity?
 E-commerce (buying and selling things on the Internet) has become very popular. Give a reason
for this?
 Is it better to buy online or to go to a shop? Why?
 Why is it very important not to give out personal information on the Internet?
 Many sites require you to have ID's and passwords. Why do we need to keep these safe?
 Some web sites hold very dangerous information, for example how to make a bomb. How can we
control these Web sites?
 If you give personal information to a Website do you think that they will always keep this private?
Sometimes they sell this information. Is this a good or bad thing?
 Search engine are used to find information. Do you think that they always give you the best sites or
do they give you sites that pay money in order to be on the top of the list?
 What is copyright? How do we break copyright law on the Internet?
 Many students use the Internet to help them do their assignments and they just ¡°cut and paste¡±
information from the Internet. How do we stop this?
 We can use the Internet to find jobs overseas. Is this good or bad for both the employer and
employee?
 If you employ someone via the Internet, how do you check if the person is giving you truthful
information?
 To be current, that is to be up-to-date, is an important feature of the Internet. Why is this important
and what impact is this having on society?
 In Japan, many young men lock themselves in their bedrooms, sometimes for years, to escape the
pressures of study. They refuse to see people, but they still use the Internet and mobile phones. Do
you think that this will happen in other countries?
 Is the Internet making people more impatient? Are we becoming a society were we all want instant
satisfaction?
 Many people use the Internet for fun and entertainment at work. Do you think that this is right?
 How has the Internet changed society?

Important Vocabularies:



 Jobs & Occupations
 At what age do people usually begin to work in your country?
 At what age do people usually retire in your country?
o At what age would you like to retire? What do you think you will do after you retire?
 Describe a typical day at your current job?
 Describe some of the people that you work with?
 Describe your current job. Describe your first job.
 Do women usually work after they get married in your country?
 Do you ever work overtime?
o If so, do you get paid more for overtime work?
 Do you have a part-time job? If so, what do you do?
 Do you have to attend a lot of meetings for your job?
 Do you have to do a lot of paperwork?
o Do you have to work overtime? If so, how often?
o Do you have to work on Sundays?
 Do you know someone who has worked as an undertaker?
o What is the job of an undertaker?
o Can women do this job or is it better for a man to be an undertaker?
 Do you like your boss? Why or why not?
 Do you like your job? Why or why not?
 Do you think it is more important to make a lot of money or to enjoy your job?
 Do you think it's acceptable for women to be in the military? Why/why not?
 Do you think people over 65 should be made to retire?
 Do you think women and men should be paid the same for the same job?
 Do you think women are good bosses?
 Are there women bosses in your country? Do you think your company is well run?
o Do you think that the place where you work is well run?
o Do you work on weekends? Do you work on Sundays?
 Does your mother work?
o Does your mother work outside of the house?
 Have you ever been promoted?
 Have you ever taken any courses that specifically help you with the job you are doing now?
o Have you ever worked on a farm? Did you like it?
o Would you like to go back on this farm job? If not , why?
 How do you like your work?
 How have working conditions changed in recent years?
o Do you think that working conditions have improved? If so, in what ways?
 How long do you plan to continue working where you are?
 How long have you been working at your present job?
 How many days a week do you work? How many hours a week do you work?
o How many times have you been promoted? When was the last time you were promoted?
o Did you get a large pay raise at that time?
 How much do you think a doctor should be paid a month?
o How about a secretary? How about a truck driver?
 How much money do you make? (Maybe this is not a good question to ask.)
 How much money does a secretary get paid per week?
 How old were you when you got your first job? How well do you get along with your boss?
 If you could own your own business, what would it be?
 If you had to choose between a satisfying job and a well-paid one, which would you choose?
 Is it common for men and women to have the same jobs in your country?
 Is it easy to find a job in Canada? How about in your country?
 Name three occupations that you could do. (For example, be a mortician)
o Name three occupations that you could never do?
 What are some common occupations in your country?
o What are some common jobs for men in your country?
o What are some common jobs for women in your country?
o What are some jobs that children do?
 What are some jobs that you think would be boring?
 What are some jobs that you think would be fun?
 What are some questions that are frequently asked in a job interview?
 What are you responsible for?
 What are you trying to do in order to find a job that you really like?
o What do you do? What's your job?
 What do you like most about that job?
 What do you think is the best job? What do you think is the worst?
 What do you think would be the most interesting job? The most boring?
 What does your father do? (What does your father do for a living?)
 What does your mother do?
 What influenced your choice of job? (Why did you choose your job?)
 What job do you want to have in five years' time?
 What job would you most like to have, if social/cultural boundaries did not apply? (How different
are they?)
 What job(s) do you wish to have in the future?
 What jobs in your country are considered to be good jobs? Why?
 What kind of volunteer work have you done?
 What kind of work do you do?
o What kind of work do you want to do in the future?
 What plans have you made for your retirement?
 What three adjectives would describe yourself as a worker?
 What time do you get home from work?
 Is it the same time every day? What time do your start and finish work?
 What was your first job? What would be your dream job?
o Do you think it would be possible for you to get this job?
 What's one job you wouldn't like to do? Why not?
 What's your brother's occupation?
 When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
 When you were a child, what job did you want to have when you grew up?
 Where do you work and what is your current job?
 Where do you work? Which job are you best at?
 Which job would you never do? Which jobs do you think are the most prestigious?
 Who among the people you know has the most interesting job? What is it?
 Why did you leave your last job - did you resign or were you sacked?
 Would you be upset if your boss was a woman?
 Would you consider the military as a career choice? Why or why not?
 Would you consider yourself to be an ambitious person at work?
 Would you describe yourself as a workaholic?
 Would you like a job in which you traveled a lot?
 Would you like a job that required you to sit at a computer all day?
 Would you like to do the same job for the rest of your life?
 Would you like to work in an office? Why or why not?
 Would you rather be a doctor or a banker? Would you rather work inside or outside?
 What job would you most like to do?
 What are the names of some of the people with that job?
 Do you personally know any one with that job?
 How long do you plan to keep it for? When do plan to retire?
 What other fields or work will that job make you qualified for?
 What are the work details of that job; what will be your duties at that job?
 What steps are required from you to become a/an.......?
 So, how long before fore you become a/an......; at what ages will you both start and finish this/each
job/career?
 What do you hope to spiritually gain from that job?
 What do you wish to physically gain; what kind of things would you like to buy with your money?
 How much money do you need to make to fulfill you dreams and desires?
 If money weren't a problem for you, which job would you prefer to have?
 How does money affect your decisions?
 How do your wants and desires affect your career options and goals?
 How many years of schooling would you prefer to have?
 Can you improve on the way things are now being done in the field you choose?
 Which college courses are needed for you to be the very best in your field?
 Which college courses are required for you dream job?
 What other courses do you need to take so you can pursue your hobbies and personal interests?
 Which of the classes mentioned above are you giving the highest priority? Why?
 Who is the breadwinner (provider) in your family?
 Who makes the most money in your family? (This may not be a "polite" question to ask.)
 Is it common for people from your country to have one job for life?
 Do you see any unfair labour practices in your country's workforce?
 Do you have an after-school job?
 Would you like to have a management position? What are the pros and cons of being a manager?
 What are the qualities a good boss should have? What is a fair wage for the skills you have?
o Are there any jobs which can only be done by one gender? If so, what are they?
o What are some jobs that some people think only one gender can do, but can be done by either
gender?
 What should you not do during a job interview?
 Who would you hire a employee with a lot of experience or an employee with a lot of education?
 Have you ever worked?
o What is the difference between work and a job?
o Do you have a job? How did you get it?
o Did you have to go to university to get it? What is the name of your job?
o Is it a popular job? Is it a job mainly for men, or for women?
o Did you need any special training to get your job?
 What type of special training did you need? How long and where was the training?
o Is it an indoor, or outdoor job? Which do you think most people prefer, indoor or outdoor jobs?
o Does your job pay a good salary?
o What are the advantages and disadvantages to your job?
o Which do you think are some of the more demanding jobs?
o Which are the least demanding jobs? Which jobs are badly paid?
o Which jobs are over-paid? Which job are more popular than others, and why?
o Is your job competitive? What about promotions?
o Is it too competitive? How is your relationship with your co-workers?
o Why would I choose you instead of the 50 others wanting this position?
 These were submitted as possible job interview questions.
o What degrees do you have? How much experience do you have?
o Where have you worked? Why did you choose this employment?
o How much would you like to earn? Have you ever worked in this field?
o Where would you like to work? Why? Why do you find your job interesting?

Important Vocabularies:
 Love, Dating & Marriage
 At what age do most people in your country get married?
 At what age do you want to get married?
 At what age did you get married? Describe a perfect date.
 Describe the appearance of the person you would like to date?
 Describe the character of the person you would like to date?
 Do women usually work after getting married in your country?
 Do you "go Dutch" when dating?
 Do you know what it means to 'go Dutch'?
 Is it usual for people in your country to 'go Dutch' if you go out together?
 Do older girls/boys have a problem dating younger girls/boys?
o Do younger girls/boys have a problem dating older girls/boys?
 Do you believe in love at first sight?
o Do you think some people know that they will fall in love with someone the first time they meet?
 Do you know what a 'blind date' is? Have you ever been on a blind date?
 Did you ever arrange a blind date? Do you drive or take the train when dating?
 Do you get along with your in-laws? Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
o Where did you meet your him/her? What does he/she look like?
 Do you know anyone who has had an arranged marriage?
 Do you know someone who has gotten a divorce?
 Do you know the difference between love and like?
o Can you still love your partner and not like him/her?
 Do you think a boy should pay for everything on a date?
 Do you think arranged marriages are a good idea? Why or why not?
o What is your opinion of arranged marriages?
 Do you think fairy tales influence our choice of a partner?
 Do you think getting married means giving up freedom?
 Do you think if you get married that you will change?
 Do you think it is better to be single or to be married?
 Do you think it is good to get married?
 Do you think it is okay for a couple to live together before getting married? Why or Why not?
 Do you think it is okay to marry someone of a different race?
 Do you think it is okay to marry someone with a different religion?
 Do you think it's OK for a man to have two wives?
 Do you think it's OK for a wife to have two husbands?
 Do you think it's okay for a man to have a mistress?
 Do you think it's okay for a man to hit his wife?
 Do you think love is necessary to have a good marriage?
 Do you think marriage is necessary?
 Do you think marriages based on love are more successful than arranged marriages?
 Do you think marriage is very stressful for women? How about for men?
 Do you think people change after getting married?
 Do you think religion influences marriage? If so, in what ways?
 Do you think that all adults should be married?
 Do you think that you can you find eternal love through the Internet?
 Do you want a husband (or wife) who is older, younger or the same age as you?
o Do you want to have children? If so, how many?
 Have you ever been to a school dance? Have you ever had a crush on someone?
 Have you ever hated loving someone?
 Have your parents ever disapproved of any of your relationships?
 How long do you think couples should know each other before they get married?
 How many children would you like to have?
 How often would you like to go out on dates?
 How old were you when you had your first boyfriend or girlfriend?
 How old were you when you went on your first date?
o Where did you go? What did you do? Who did you go with?
 How old were your parents when they got married?
 If your husband or wife has an affair what would you do?
 If your parents did not approve of a person you loved and wanted to marry, would that be a
difficult situation for you? Why/Why not?
 Is going out on dates important for you?
 Is there a such thing as a perfect relationship for you?
 If you could go out with anyone, who would it be?
 If you are a man, and a woman asks you for a date, do you feel you should pay, or that the woman
should pay?
 If you had to marry either a poor man whom you really loved, or a rich man whom you did not
love, which would you choose?
 If you had to choose to live with someone who truly loves you but you don't love him back or to
live alone for a rest of your life loving someone that doesn't love you who would you choose?
 What advice would you give to someone whose partner hates their best friend?
 What age do you think is best for getting married?
 What are some dating and marriage customs in your country?
 What are some of the main reasons people get divorced?
 What are some popular places to go on a date?
 What are some qualities that you think are important in a spouse or partner?
 What characteristics do you look for in a girlfriend or boyfriend?
 What do you consider cheating in a dating relationship?
 What do you like to talk about when on a date?
 What do you look for in a girlfriend or a boyfriend?
 What do you think most people talk about when dating?
 What do you think of people who get divorced?
o Would you ever consider getting divorced?
 What do you think of same-sex marriages?
 What do you think of single mothers?
 What is a wedding ceremony like in your country?
 What is the best way to keep your spouse happy in the marriage?
 What kind of boy/girl do you like?
 What kind of clothes do you wear on a date?
 What kind of man do you want as a husband?
 What kind of person do you want to get married to?
 What kind of woman do you want as a wife?
 What makes a good husband/wife?
 What makes a happy marriage?
o What do you think are some things that contribute to a successful marriage?
 What qualities are important to you in a boyfriend or girlfriend?
 What qualities in a partner are important to you?
 What was the most boring date you've ever been on?
 What was the most interesting date you've ever been on?
 What would you consider "the perfect date" for you?
 What would you do if your soon to be mother-in-law seems to hate you?
 What would your parents think if you don't get married?
 When did your parents get married?
 Where do you want to go for your honeymoon?
o Where did you go for your honeymoon?
 Where do you want to go on your honeymoon?
 Where is a good pace to go on a date in this town?
 Where would you like to go on a date?
 Which is more important for you, your job or your marriage?
 Why do people break up with their partners?
 Will you continue working after you get married?
 Would you date someone you really liked if your parents did not like him or her?
 Would you ever marry someone who has been divorced twice?
 Would you introduce your date to your family?
 Would you live with your parents after you get married?
 Would you marry someone from another country?
 Would you marry someone ten years older than you? How about ten years younger than you?
 Would you marry someone that your parents didn't like?
 Would you marry someone who couldn't speak the same language as you speak?
 Would you mind if your boyfriend/girlfriend went out to party without you?
 Would you prefer to go out with a quiet or a talkative person?
 At what age do you think that dating should begin?
o Do you think there is any age when a person is too old to date?
 Do you know a happily married couple? Can you name a famous happily married couple?
 What do you think is the most important ingredient in a good marriage?
 How long is the marriage ceremony in your country? Who designed the marriage covenant?
 What do you think about dating a friend's ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend?
 Does your first love still hold a special place in your heart? Do you believe that he or she will
always have a special place in your heart?
 What qualities do you look in your partner?
 Do you think its possible to wait for the man or woman you love while he or she is in jail?
 What is your definition of love?
 Would you wait on a person you were dating for a long time if they joined the army?
 How about if they went to prison? What is the best season to get married?
 Do you know anybody who has two families at the same time and supports them both?
 How many families can you have in your country?
 Are there any superstitions on making someone fall in love with you?
o Have you heard of any successful "love potions?"
 Have you ever returned a gift to your boyfriend or girlfriend and later find out that he has given it
to his/her new mate?
 Do you know of any superstitions connected with weddings?
 Would it be important for you to have a "white wedding'?
 Can you control your partner by playing games?
 Why do you think the bride's maids wear white.
 When should you introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend to your parents?--when you begin dating,
after you have been together for a while, only when the relationship is serious? Why?
 Do you like to have boy friend or girl friend in your school or in your classes?
 Do you think it is right to continue seeing a person if he has not introduced you to his family yet?
 In your opinion is marriage for life?
o Do you think when people get married it is really until death?
 How long does it take for dating to become a relationship?
 Is it important to be punctual in your first date? Why?
 Would you dress up for a first date? What clothes would you wear?
 What kind of place do you think is the ideal for a first date? Why do you think so?
 What are your country's norms or laws on displays of public affection?
 Do you think it is okay for couples to kiss in public?
o Would you marry someone of another nationality?
o Are your parents of the same nationality?
o What are some advantages of an international marriage?
o What are some disadvantages?
o Do you want to have an international marriage?
o Do you know anyone who married someone from a different country? If yes, what is their
experience like?
o Do you think it is more difficult to marry someone from a different country?
o How would your parents feel if you married someone from a different country?
o Do you think that it is good for children to have parents from two different countries? Why? Why
not?
o How would you feel if your boyfriend liked to keep company with a female friend when you're not
there?
o How would you feel if your girlfriend liked to keep company with a male friend when you're not
there?
 The following question may be considered offensive or inappropriate in some situations.
o Do you think that gay people should be allowed to marry?
o Why do you think the bride's maids wear white.
o When should you introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend to your parents?--when you begin dating,
after you have been together for a while, only when the relationship is serious? Why?
Dating
 Describe a perfect date.
 Describe the appearance of the person you would like to date?
 Describe the character of the person you would like to date?
 Do you "go Dutch" when dating?
 Do you know what it means to 'go Dutch'?
 Is it usual for people in your country to 'go Dutch' if you go out together?
 Do older girls/boys have a problem dating younger girls/boys?
o Do younger girls/boys have a problem dating older girls/boys?
 Do you believe in love at first sight?
o Do you think some people know that they will fall in love with someone the
first time they meet?
 Do you know what a 'blind date' is?
 Have you ever been on a blind date?
 Did you ever arrange a blind date?
 Do you drive or take the train when dating?
 Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
o Where did you meet your him/her?
o What does he/she look like?
 Do you think fairy tales influence our choice of a partner?
 Have you ever had a crush on someone?
 Have you ever hated loving someone?
 Have your parents ever disapproved of any of your relationships?
 How often would you like to go out on dates?
 How old were you when you had your first boyfriend or girlfriend?
 How old were you when you went on your first date?
o Where did you go?
o What did you do?
o Who did you go with?
 Is going out on dates important for you?
 Is there a such thing as a perfect relationship for you?
 If you could go out with anyone, who would it be?
 If you are a man, and a woman asks you for a date, do you feel you should pay, or that the
woman should pay?
 What are some popular places to go on a date?
 What characteristics do you look for in a girlfriend or boyfriend?
 What do you consider cheating in a dating relationship?
 What do you like to talk about when on a date?
 What do you look for in a girlfriend or a boyfriend?
 What do you think most people talk about when dating?
 What kind of clothes do you wear on a date?
 What qualities are important to you in a boyfriend or girlfriend?
 What was the most boring date you've ever been on?
 What was the most interesting date you've ever been on?
 What would you consider "the perfect date" for you?
 Where is a good pace to go on a date in this town?
 Where would you like to go on a date?
 Would you mind if your boyfriend/girlfriend went out to party without you?
 Would you prefer to go out with a quiet or a talkative person?
 At what age do you think that dating should begin?
 o Do you think there is any age when a person is too old to date?
 Does your first love still hold a special place in your heart? Do you believe that he or she will
always have a special place in your heart?
 What is your definition of love?
 Would you wait on a person you were dating for a long time if they joined the army?
o How about if they went to prison?
 What do you think about dating a friend's ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend?
 Are there any superstitions on making someone fall in love with you?
o Have you heard of any successful "love potions?"
 Can you control your partner by playing games?
 When should you introduce your boyfriend/girlfriend to your parents? (when you begin dating,
after you have been together for a while, only when the relationship is serious) Why?
 Do you like to have boy friend or girl friend in your school or in your classes?
 Do you think it is right to continue seeing a person if he has not introduced you to his family yet?
 How long does it take for dating to become a relationship?
 Is it important to be punctual in your first date? Why?
 Would you dress up for a first date? What clothes would you wear?
 What kind of place do you think is the ideal for a first date? Why do you think so?
 Do you think that age difference is important when dating?
 Would you date someone much older or younger than you? Why or why not?
 Would your parents have a problem if you married someone much older or younger than you?
Would it make a difference if that person were rich?
 Do you like to flirt? If so, what do you usually do? Where? With whom? Why?
 Do you ever set your friends up on blind dates? If so, have you had much success?
 Do you think blind dates are a good way to meet someone special? Why or why not?
 What is an intimate relationship for you? How do you know you are in a relationship?
 Do you have any expectations for your partner?

Single Life

 Why do you think some people remain single? Would you like to be single all your life?
 Is it better to be single or married? Why? What are the advantages of being single?
 Do you think that single people are happier?
 Do you think it is easier for man or woman to be single?
 Why did you think some people prefer to be single?
 How do you think single people feel on Valentine's Day?
 Do you think that there is a soulmate somewhere for everyone?
 Do you think that single people like being single?
 In your country, what do people think about a woman in her 30s who is unmarried?
 In your country, what do people think about a man in his 30s who is unmarried?
 In your country, do single people of opposite sex ever live together as roommates, not as
boyfriend/girlfriend?
 Do you think it is fair that in some countries married people get tax benefits and single people
don't?

Important Vocabularies:


 Parenting
 Your Children
o How many children do you have?
 How old are they?
o Are your children involved in clubs such as Girl Guides or Boy Scouts?
o What kind of chores do you require your child (or children) to do?
o Tell us one special thing about each of your children. (What are their strong points?)
o Do you prefer to have a daughter or a son?
 Raising Children
o Do you think boys are more expensive than girls or vice versa? Why?
o Do you think boys are easier to take care of than girls or vice versa? Why?
o Do you help your children with their homework?
 How much help do you think is appropriate?
o Would you allow your son or daughter to pierce body parts?
 If so, what parts of the body would you allow to be pierced?
o Would you allow you child to get a tattoo?
o What are some things that you would not allow your children to do?
 What are some things that you would allow your children to do that you think
other parents may not allow their children to do? Why do you think it is okay
to allow this?
o Are there any sports that you consider too dangerous to allow your child to try? If so,
what sports?
o Do you spoil your child?
 In what ways do you spoil your child?
 What are some ways that you have seen others spoil their children?
o Are you careful about your child's diet?
 Are there any foods that you do not let your children eat?
 Is there any food that you force your children to eat even though they don't
like the food?
 Parenting Skills
o Do you think that you are a good parent? Why?
 Do you think your parents were good parents?
 Do you think your children will be good parents?
o What are some things that your parents did that you would never do?
o What are some things that you have seen other parents do that you would never do?
o What do you think are some of the most difficult problems faced by parents?
o Have you ever changed cloth diapers with safety pins and rubber pants before?
o How do you cope with sibling rivalry?
o How do you reward your children for the good things that they do?
o Are all couples who can have children qualified enough for being parents?
 Opinions
o Should a good mother give up her job to stay at home with her children?
 Do you think it is OK for a father to stay at home with the children and have
the mother work instead?
 Do you think a mother is a better "stay at home parent" than a father? Why or
why not? Does the age of the children matter?
 o Should women always get custody (keep the children) after a divorce? Why or why
not?
o Do you think it is okay for children to call their parents by their first names?
 Do you call your parents by name?
 Do your children call you by name?
 Do you know anyone who does?
o Do you think there should be a maximum age for parents to have a new child?
o Should children work? Do you agree or disagree?
o Do you think its OK to use drugs while pregnant?
o Should criminals and morally corrupt people be prevented from having children by
law?
o Does biological parenthood necessarily mean that the parents are also qualified
enough for bringing the child up?
 Activities
o Do you often read to your children? / Did you often read to your children?
 How often?
 For how long each time?
 What kinds of books?
o What kinds of things do you do with your children?
 What kinds of things would you like to do with your children?
 What kinds of things did you do with your children?
o About how many hours a week do you spend doing things with your children?
 Do you spend more time doing things with your children now than you did
last year?
 Punishment
o How do you usually punish your children?
o What would you do if you found out your child was shoplifting (stealing)?
o What would you do if your child lied to you?
o What would you do if you found out your child jigged (skipped) school for a day?
o How do you deal with your children when they fight with each other?
o Do you think spanking is an appropriate form of punishment? Why or why not?
o Have you ever rinsed your child's mouth out with soap as punishment for swearing?
 Some of the following should perhaps be avoided in some classes.
o Do you think it is OK to breast-feed in public?
 What do you think when you see a mother breast-feeding her child in public?
o Would you have your son circumcised? Why or why not?
o Do you think gay couples can be good parents to adopted children?
o What do you think about single mothers?
o Should pregnant women that are unwed consider abortion?
 Should any women consider abortion?
 In what cases do you think abortion is acceptable?
 When do you think abortion is unacceptable?
o If you were a mother or father, would you allow your son or daughter to listen heavy
metal music?
 Personality
 What are some characteristics of your personality?
 What makes you happy?
 What are some things that make you angry?
 Are you happy with your personality?
 Would you like to be different?
 Are you a determined person? Are you a stubborn person?
 Are you shy ? In which occasions are you shy?
 Do you consider yourself selfish ? Why?
 Is your personality suited to your job?
 In what way has your personality changed? Why has it changed??
 Are you more introverted (focused on your inner world) or more extraverted (focused on
other people and the outer world)?
 Do you think you can change a major characteristic of your personality if you try?
 Do you think you have an unusual personality? Why?
 If you could change any aspect of your personality, what would it be?
 What sort of things would you do to amuse yourself during a car journey?
 What personality
 traits do you consider important in a good friend / a boss / a partner?
 Do you consider yourself to be even-tempered?
 What is one thing that many people don't know about you?
 What expressions include colors when discussing illness? (ex., white or pale, pink eye,
black and blue for bruises, yellow fever)
 What expressions include colors and feelings? (ex. I feel blue, green with envy, red with
rage, turning red, black circles under the eyes, you are turning blue (with the cold))
 What do the colors in your home country's flag represent?
 Do you think birth order (oldest, youngest or middle) makes a difference in your
personality?

Important Vocabularies:
 Politics
 Did you vote in the last election?
 How old were you when you first voted?
 What is the minimum voting age in your country?
 What type of political system does your country have?
 What different types of governments are there?
 What does an ambassador do?
 Who appoints an ambassador?
 Why is it important to have reliable ambassadors?
 What characteristis should a good ambassador have?
 Who is your mayor?
 What are the main political parties in your country?
 How do you decide how you will vote?
 Who represents you in your local and national government?
 How long is the term of elected officials in your country?
 Which party is now in power in your country?
 When were they elected?
 Who is the leader of this party?
 How has your political views changed during your lifetime?
 How can we get more people to vote?
 Is voting a important responsibility of a citizen?
 Why do you think voting is important?
 How are elections financed?
 Do you think too much money is spent on campaigns?
 How can campaigns be better organized?
 How could elections be more representative?
 What is your opinion about actors or actresses who run for a position in politics?
 Would you vote for an actor or actress who runs for a government office? Why or why not?
 If you were going to vote for an actor or actress for a government office, who would it be
and why?

Important Vocabularies:
 Science and Technology
 What do you think are the three most important or interesting inventions since 1850? How about
since 1950?
 Do you think pets should be cloned? Why or why not?
 Do you think people should be allowed to clone people or organs of people? Why?
 What do you think about GMO (genetically modified organisms) vegetables? Is it better to use
natural food although it might not produce as much or should we use GMO crops?
 What do you think about GMO farm animals? Would you eat pork from a GMO pig?
 Do you think couples should be allowed to choose the sex or other characteristics of their baby
like eye color? Why or why not?
 Are you willing to pay more for food that is really organic? How much more?
 What do you think robots should be used for?
 Do you think robots will cause unemployment (loss of jobs) in the future or make more work?
Why?
 Do you think using cell phones too much is bad for our physical or mental health? Why?
 If you could copy your brain for future generations, would you?
 How do you think face to face communication differs from communication using computers?
 What changes have social changes have cell phones made?
 What are good and bad points of using computers?
 Do you think to stop global warming that the amount of car driving should be limited or
changed? For example, should there be some kind of encouragement to use public
transportation or to do car pooling?
 What are some local ways you have seen to reduce waste and pollution or conserve energy?
 In your life time what changes have you seen in your environment for better or worse?
 Do you think modern technology reduces or increases stress? Why?
 Do you think money should be spent to explore space or is it better spent helping people on
earth? Why?
 What is your opinion about children playing violent videogames or computer programs?
 Should anything be allowed to be posted on the Internet or should certain things be restricted like
child pornography, grossly violent real scenes and suicide or hate encouragements?
 What do you think should be done to people who spread viruses, start hoaxes or create SPAM on
the Internet?
 How often do you buy things via the Internet? Why do you buy this often or not buy online?
 Do you worry about identity theft or credit card number theft when buying things on the Internet
or do you avoid buying things online because of this concern?
 Have you used a chat site? Have you ever used voice chat? What do you think about it?
 Have you used the Internet to learn English or read or talk in English? What are the pros and
cons (good and bad points) about improving your English by Internet rather than with a
teacher?
 Social Problems and Poverty
 Are there food kitchens for the needy in your country? Are there homeless shelters in your
country?
 Are there many homeless people where you live?
 Are there many suicides in your country?
 Are there nursing homes in your country?
 Do you agree that teachers should use corporal punishment as a means of discipline?
 Do you know anyone who is homeless?
 Do you think in vitro fertilization should be available to parents so they can choose the sex of their
child?
 Do you think it's acceptable for parents to use corporal punishment as a means of discipline?
Why/why not?
 Do you think people should be allowed to smoke in public buildings?
 Do you think that minorities should be given job priority because of their race? Why/why not?
 Have you ever been a volunteer at a hospital?
 Have you ever experienced discrimination?
 Have you ever known someone with an addiction?
 In an overpopulated world, should people be free to have as many children as they want?
 Is there assistance available to people that are homeless?
 Is there public assistance in your country?
 What are some expectations parents have for their children?
 What are some reasons people use illegal drugs?
 What are some reasons that people become homeless?
 What are some things people can do to eliminate discrimination and prejudice?
 What are some ways we can help homeless people?
 What do you think is the most serious problem in the world?
o Why do you think so?
o What can we do as individuals to solve this problem?
 What do you think when you see a homeless person?
 What types of noise pollution do you hate the most?
 Who takes care of the elderly when they are no longer able to care for themselves?
 Does poverty cause crime?
 Have you ever experienced discrimination on a personal level?
 What is racism?
 Graffiti is considered a social problem. Here are some related questions.
o What is graffiti? Where do you see it? i.e. walls, trains
o What messages do you see? i.e. political, love messages, funny, personal, poetic?
o Should the government punish those who write graffiti?
o Should the government reserve places for those who want to write graffiti?
o Is graffiti a type of "art"?
o If you were allowed to write something, what would you say?
o What can we do about graffiti writers?
o What are some ways we can wear words and slogans? i.e. badges, clothes, hats etc.
o What should be done about football hooligans?
o Is it morally right to spend a lot of money on pets, rather than helping people in need?
Poverty
 What do you think about people receiving welfare?
 Should the government fund the welfare system?
 What do you think about people who work for cash and receive welfare as well?
 Do you feel sorry for people who live on the street?
 Are people who live on the street necessarily lazy?
 Have you ever talked to a homeless person? Are there homeless people in your country?
 Have you ever helped a homeless person? How?
 How does the government in your country support the homeless?
 What do you think of countries that do not have a welfare system?
 Why do people end up being homeless? Have you ever visited a homeless shelter?
 Have you ever donated to the food bank?
 Have you ever thought about going to the food bank?
 Do you know anyone who has gone to church for food?
 Do you believe that the rich are growing richer, and the poor are growing poorer?
 Should governments invest money in space missions or welfare?
 Would you eliminate the welfare system?
 Do you think it's okay for the government to keep decreasing the welfare amount?
 How long should someone receive welfare? Forever?
 What is a good reason for someone to receive welfare?
 What punishment would you give someone who is on welfare illegally, but has lots of money?
 Would you report welfare fraud to the police, even if it were a close friend?
 Should welfare recipients receive free housing?
 Shouldn't all people work for a living?
 Do you think the government should create jobs for the homeless, instead of just giving them
money?
 Would you pay more taxes, if this would eliminate poverty by creating jobs for everyone?
 What do you think of governments who put the homeless in jails or even torture or kill them?
 Will there always be poverty in the world?
 Should countries send troops to foreign countries to fight terrorism, or should governments fight
poverty around the world instead?
 Are there more important issues than poverty? If so, name them in order of importance.
 Why does every country in the world have poor people?
 Do you consider yourself to be poor, middle-class, or rich?
 What country do you think has the best record for helping its poor?
 What country do you think has the worst record for helping its poor?
 Stress
 Recognizing Stress
o What is stress?
o What causes stress?
o How do you recognize stress in your life?
o Have you been under stress recently?
o How does stress affect you?
o Do you have a kind of red warning flag that indicates too much stress?
o When you are stressful, how do you feel physically?
 Do you feel tired during the day?
 Can you sleep well at night?
 Does your stomach hurt?
o How do you feel emotionally?
 Do you feel nervous or worried about the stressful situation?
 Do you get angry easily?
 Helping Others
o Have you ever helped someone who was feeling stressful?
 What did you do?
 Did you give them advice?
 Did you listen to them?
 Did you do most of the talking?
 Did you take some action to help them?
o Have you ever helped someone that you didn't know?
o What are characteristics of a good counselor?
 Is it necessary to have shared the same experience?
 Is it important to be an expert?
 Is it important to be patient?
 Healthy Stress
o Do you think stress is ever good, useful, or necessary?
 Why or why not?
o Do you play games or sports that are sometimes stressful?
o When can stress be a good thing?
 If you are playing a sport and your team is losing, does it give you extra
energy?
o Does stress make you feel more alive?
o Is your home life stressful?
o Are you busy at home?
o Can you relax at home?
o Do you enjoy having discussions about politics with other people who have different
opinions?
o Do you like to argue about different ways to do things at work or at home?
 Personal
o Have you felt stress recently?
 Did the stressful feeling last a long time or a short time?
 Had the cause of the stress happened to you before or was this a new
situation?
 o How often do you think you feel too much stress?
o Do you feel too busy sometimes?
o In what way does a too full schedule lead to stress?
o Do you like being busy?
o If you are very busy at work or at school, do you have ways to balance your life?
o If you have nothing to do, do you enjoy yourself or do you get bored?
o Does stress make it hard for you to think or act?
o How can you judge what is the right amount of stress for you?
o Is your stress caused by relationships with other people?
 At work? At school? At home? With best friends? With partners?
 Can you think of some examples?
o Does stress come when you worry about your life?
o Do you keep your worries a secret from other people?
o Do you have anyone you can talk to when you are worried?
o When did we start talking about stress as a psychological condition?
o What do you do when you have stress?
 Stressful Situations
o Are there situations that you find stressful?
o Do you feel tense when you meet someone for the first time?
o Do you get nervous if you have to make a speech?
o Do you suffer from stress when you have too much work to do?
o Do you work or study for long hours under stressful conditions?
o Does the place you live have a low-stress environment?
o Can you be alone as much as you like?
o Can you be with friends as often as you like?
o Is it easy for you to make decisions about important things?
o Can you relax when you are sleeping away from home?
o In what kinds of situations do you observe other people feeling stressed?
o What are some situations that you enjoy?
o What are some situations that make you feel stressful?
o How can you eliminate stressful situations?
o Plan a low-stress, cheap, one-day holiday.
 Controlling Stress
o How do you relieve stress?
o What stresses you out?
o Do you have a stressful lifestyle?
o How can you eliminate stressful situations?
o How do you get control of a stressful situation that is getting too tough?
o What is the "fight or flight" response? How does it relate to stress?
o Do you enjoy the feeling of being stressed?
o If you are feeling stressed, what do you do?
o Do you like to relax or be active when stressful?
o Are you capable of relieving your stress or do you need help?
o Can alcohol cure stress temporarily?
 Living Stress Free
o How can you live a stress free life?
o Can you give five suggestions that would be inexpensive?
o Can you give five suggestions for children?
 o Can you give five suggestions for the wintertime?
o Give us suggestions for making school life less stressful.
o When stressful do you like to listen to a certain kind of music?
 Does it help to go shopping or take a long walk?
 Do you like to be alone or be with other people? Do you eat more or eat less?
o Do certain colors make you feel happier?
o Do you always follow the same pattern to relieve stress or do you try different things?
o What are some positive ways people deal with stress?
o What are some negative ways people deal with stress?
o How do you deal with stress?
o What is the most stressful experience you have ever had?
o When was the most stressful time of your life? Did you learn anything from that
experience?
o What do you think is the greatest cause of stress for most people?
o What is your greatest cause of stress?
o Do you deal with stress differently that your parents do/did? If so, how?
o Do you know of anyone who likes to break things or become violent when they are
stressed? What have they broken? What kind of violence do they do?
o What is the most stressful job you can think of? What is the least stressful job you can
think of?
o Which would you choose: A stressful job with very high pay or a relaxing job with
considerably low pay? Why?
o Is being single less stressful than married life? What are the advantages &
disadvantages of each? How do you reduce stress in your life? Do you think they
would be considered good or bad ways of dealing with stress?

Important Vocabularies:
 Supernatural, Ghosts & Superstitions
 Ghosts
o Do you believe in ghosts?
o Do you believe that dead people come back to life as ghosts?
o Would you talk to a ghost?
o Do you know anyone who has said that they have seen a ghost?
o Have you ever come in contact with a ghost? (Have you ever seen a ghost?)
o If one of your friends told you they had seen a ghost, would you believe him/her?
Why/Why not?
o What is the scariest ghost story you know?
o Is there an area where you live (park, house, etc.) that is known to be haunted? If so,
what is the story or legend that makes people believe this area is haunted? Have you
ever visited this place?
o Do you believe that houses can be haunted? Have you ever been to one?
o Do you believe that houses have ghosts in them sometimes?
o Were you ever touched or physically harmed by a ghost or "spirit"? If so, how?
o If you were a ghost who and where would you haunt?
o How do you know if a ghost is near you?
 If you don't believe in ghosts, then what have you heard other people say?
o If you don't believe in ghost, tell why?
o If you don't believe in ghost, and you actually have seen one, what were your
reactions?
o Have you ever felt that you knew a ghost that you saw?
o If you were a ghost, who or what would you haunt?
o Why do people say they see ghosts even though they sometimes do not?
o Do you put any faith in the modern day ghost hunters?
o Can you recall any strange or unexplained events in your life?
o Do you believe your ancestors are watching you?
o What do you about the image movies give us about aliens?
o Would you stay the night in a place where people say that there are ghosts? Like in a
very old uninhabited house, a church or a school?
o Have you seen a ghost? What kind of ghost? Did you get to talk with the ghost?
o Have you though about becoming a ghostbuster?
o Would you be scared if a ghost talked to you?
o Do you think we can feel if a ghost is near by us by the changes in the weather?
 Superstitions
o Do you think that there is truth behind superstitions?
o Do you walk under ladders?
o What are some superstitions in your country?
 What are some things that are considered unlucky?
 What are some things that are considered lucky?
o What numbers are considered to be lucky and unlucky in your country?
o A four-leaf clover is often considered lucky. What are some other things which are
considered lucky.
o Do you have a lucky number?
 Psychics, Fortunetellers and Knowing the Future
 o Have you ever gone to a psychic?
 If so, what were you told?
 Did you believe it?
o Why do some people consult psychics before doing important things?
o Do you know anyone that has ever been to a psychic?
o Why do some people need fortunetellers?
o How do people predict the future in your country?
o Do you believe in horoscopes?
o Do you read your horoscope? If so, do you believe it?
o Do you think that dreams come true?
o Do you think that dreams can help us solve our problems?
o Have you ever had a dream come true? / Have you ever had a dream that later came
true?
o Do you think that some people can predict the future?
o What is your blood type?
 Do you believe that you can tell a lot about a person from his/her blood type?
 Do you believe that blood types can tell what a person's personality is?
o Is the belief in UFOs, aliens, physic powers, etc, growing because belief in religion is
dying?
o What is your star sign?
o Do you believe the predictions contained within your horoscope?
o Are horoscopes important?
o Do you read your horoscope often? Does it come true?
o Does your star sign describe your personality traits well?
 The Unexplained
o Has anything ever happened to you that you cannot explain?
o Do you believe that there are many things in our universe that cannot be explained?
Give examples.
o Do you believe that you are from another planet?
 Do you believe you have supernatural powers there?
 Have you ever tried to contact another planet?
 Did you succeed?
 Unsorted
o Do you believe in reincarnation?
o Have you ever felt that you knew someone the first time you met them?
o Have you ever visited a foreign country or city for the first time and found that you
knew exactly where things were?
o Have you ever looked in the mirror and 'seen' a different face?
o What do you think a spirit would look like?
o Is the belief in UFOs, aliens, physic powers, etc, growing because the belief in
religion is dying?
 ESP
o Do you believe in ESP?
o How can a person know what kind of ESP abilities he/she has?
 What do you think are some ways of developing these abilities?
 UFOs
o Do you believe that UFOs exist? / Do you believe in UFOs?
o Do you know anyone who has said that they have seen a UFO?
 o Have you ever seen a UFO?
 Do you know anyone who says that they have?
o If you saw a UFO but were alone and had no proof would you tell anyone? Who?
o Do you think that UFOs from other planets visit Earth?
o What would you do if you were taken aboard a UFO?
o Do you believe there is life on other planets?
o Have you ever seen an E.T.?
 Do you know anyone who says that they have?
 Aliens
o (Perhaps you should also explain that alien sometimes means a person from another
country.)
o Do you believe in aliens?
o Do you think that you are an alien?
o Do you think aliens are monsters?
o If you saw an alien what do you would do?
o Have you ever seen an alien?
o Has anyone ever told you that he or she has seen an alien?
 Other Questions
o Are you afraid of spirits?
o Do you believe in angels?
o Do you believe in witches why or why not.
o Do you believe in astrology? What is your astrological sign?
o Do you believe in coincidences? Why or why not?
o Do you believe in God? Why or why not?
o Do you believe in life after death?
o Do you believe in vampires? / Do you believe that vampires exist?
o In many countries people believe in ghosts, spirits and dragons. Is this true in your
country, and why do you think these beliefs are so common?
o What is the most frightening things that has ever happened to you?
o What is the most frightening experience you have had?
o Have you ever been in a cementery at night? Why? Or why not? Would you go?
o Where do you think dead people go?
o Do you believe that people who were bad alive pay their bad behavior by staying
here?
o Do you think heaven exist?
o Do you think hell exist?
o Have you played quija? Why or why no? Would you play?
o Do you think that spirits who appear to people are good or bad?
o Do you believe in angels?
o Have you ever been contacted an angel? What did it tell you?
o Have you been involved in a miracle? What was it about?
o Do you get scared by horror stories?
 Teenagers and Juvenile Delinquency
 Do you think teenagers today should show more respect for adults? (teachers, parents etc)
 What do you think about teenagers who dye their hair blue, green, or other crazy colors?
 Do you think that wearing uniforms to school is a good idea?
 What type of punishment did your parents use when you were a teenager?
 At what age should teenagers leave home?
 At what age did you leave home?
 What would you do if your teenage son or daughter got a tattoo?
 What would you do if your teenage son or daughter shaved his or her head?
 How do you feel about swearing? Does it matter if teenagers sometimes use bad language?
 What do you think about rock videos today?
 What do you think parents can do to help teenagers avoid depression?
 Do you believe in anti-depression drugs?
 Do you think teenagers today have it 'too easy'?
 Did you have a good relationship with your parents? Why or why not?
 Do you think it's a good idea to give teenagers a lot of freedom? (example: come home when
you like)
 Do teenagers in your country have problems with drugs or alcohol?
 What can you do to keep your teenager away from drugs and alcohol?
 Is teenage suicide a problem?
 What is the most important thing a parent can do for a teenager?
 Why do you think some teenagers do good things and others (in the same family often) do
bad things?
 At what age should a teenage girl have her first serious boyfriend? boys?
 How old were you when you had your first serious relationship?
 What can society do to help teenagers who have problems at home?
 Are there many pregnant teenage girls in your country/city/town? Why?
 What is the best advice you could give to a teenager growing up in this culture?
 Do you think that advertising plays an important role in how teenagers think?
 Should teenagers work? why or why not?
 Did you work when you were a teenager?
 If you could be a teenager again, would you do anything differently?
 Do you think it is better to raise teenagers in the city, a small town, or the country?
 What is it like to be a teenager in your society?
 Would you rather be a child, teenager or an adult? Why?
 What are the advantages of being a child, a teenager and an adult? What are the
disadvantages?
 If you could meet any teenager in the world, who would it be?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to leave school?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to smoke?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to drink?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to drive?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to get married?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to vote?
 Do you know any good role models for teenagers? Do you know any teenagers who don't act
like other teens? Why do you think they act differently?
 What do teenagers think about?
 What do you/will you remember about being a teenager?
 Can teens change the world? If yes, how? If not, why not?
 What's the difference between teenage girls and teenage boys? What causes those
differences?
 Would you rather be stuck in a bus with children, teens, young adults, adults or elderly
adults? Why?
 When did you start to be a teen? How did you know that you were a teenager? Do you still
feel like a teen sometimes?
 What is the difference between the teenagers of 19th century and the teenagers of the 21st
century?
 As a teenager, how do you think fashion changed or affected your life?
 Among the fashion stuff that is prevalent in the world today, which do you think is the most
hideous one?
 How much freedom should parents give to their teenagers?
 If you were a parent and your teenage child did something wrong, how would you discipline
him/her?
 What do you think is the greatest problem facing the teenagers of today?
 How do you think can we eradicate or at least lessen juvenile delinquency?
 How does media affect the thinking patterns of the teenagers of today?
 If you could do something differently, which mistake in the past would you not do and why?
 As a teenager, what do you think you can contribute to society?

Important Vocabularies:
 Terrorism
 Why do people use terror?
 What do you know about terrorism?
 Is there any reason of terrorism in the world?
 Tell your opinion on terrorism in Indonesia.
 What terror actions do you remember?
 What should be done to prevent terror?
 Are you afraid of traveling because of terror?
 Why is terror more used in some countries than others?
 Do you know of any forms of terror other than bombs?
 Have you been a victim of terror?
 Do you think terror is justified?
 How has airline travel been affected by terrorism?
 Is violence ever okay?
 Where were you during the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center buildings in New York
City?
 Are terror tactics ever effective? When?
 What is the difference between a 'freedom fighter' and a 'terrorist'? Is there a difference?
 Is it possible for governments to cause terror? If so, give examples.

Important Vocabularies:
 Valentine's Day
 What is Valentine's Day?
 What is the origin of Valentine's Day? (Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?)
 Is Valentine's Day celebrated in your country?
 How is Valentine's Day celebrated in the United States? What about in Indonesia?
 How do children celebrate Valentine's Day in school?
 What do you usually do for Valentine's Day?
 What do you plan on doing this Valentine's Day?
 Do you make any special food for Valentine's Day?
 On Valentine's Day, is it more common for men to give gifts to women or for women to give
gifts to men?
 What are common gifts that people give on Valentne's Day?
 What is your favorite Valentine's Day memory?
 What is your Valentine's dream? If you could do anything or receive anything on Valentine's
Day, what would it be?
 Do you know anyone that has become engaged or married on Valentine's Day?
 Would you want to get engaged or married on a holiday? Why or why not?
 What is a "valentine"?
 Have you ever gotten a valentine or love letter on Valentine's Day?
 What is Valentine's Day like for singles? (What do single people do on Valentine's Day?)
 Do you think Valentine's Day makes single people feel lonely?
 Do you think Valentine's Day is too commercial or consumerist?
 What is your favorite kind of Valentine's Day chocolate?
o Do you prefer milk, dark, or white chocolate?
o Do you like nuts or caramels in your chocolates?

Important Vocabularies:
 Job Interview Questions
About You
 What is your greatest weakness?
 What is your greatest strength?
 Describe a typical work week.
 Do you take work home with you?
 How many hours do you normally work?
 How would you describe the pace at which you work?
 How do you handle stress and pressure?
 What motivates you?
 What are your salary expectations?
 What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
 Tell me about yourself.
 What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?
 What are you passionate about?
 What are your pet peeves?
 What do people most often criticize about you?
 When was the last time you were angry? What happened?
 If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently?
 If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say
 Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
 Give some examples of teamwork. –
 What type of work environment do you prefer?
 How do you evaluate success?
 If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it?
 Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.
 Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it.
 More job interview questions about your abilities.
 More job interview questions about you.

About the New Job and the Company

 What interests you about this job?
 Why do you want this job?
 What applicable attributes / experience do you have?
 Are you overqualified for this job?
 What can you do for this company?
 Why should we hire you?
 Why are you the best person for the job?
 What do you know about this company?
 Why do you want to work here?
 What challenges are you looking for in a position?
 What can you contribute to this company?
 Are you willing to travel?
 Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to know?
The Future
 What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?
 What are your goals for the next five years / ten years?
 How do you plan to achieve those goals?
 What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term?
 Questions about your career goals.
 What will you do if you don't get this position?

About Your Ability

 Tell me about a time that you worked conveying technical information to a nontechnical
audience.
 Tell me about a time that you worked with data, interpreting data, and presenting data.
 Why do you think you will be successful at this job?
 Tell me about a time that you participated in a team, what was your role?
 Tell me about a time when you were faced with conflicting priorities. How did you
determine the top priority?
 Tell me about a time when you failed.

About Yourself
 How do you balance life and work?
 What is your preferred way to communication - instant message, phone, or email?
 Do you check voicemail and email when on vacation?
 What is your favorite book? How about your favorite movie?
 What historical figure do you admire and why?
 If you could choose anyone (alive or deceased) to have lunch with, who would it be?
 What did you do during this six month gap in employment?
 What led you to this point in your life?
 Do you consider yourself successful?
 What inspires you in a job?

About Your Career Goals

Start with your graduation from college and explanation the rationale behind each of your
career moves.

 Also explain the thinking process that went into making each if those decisions.
 How many hours a day/week do you need to work to get the job done?
 If you stayed with your current company, what would be your next move?
 How do you measure success?
 Describe your dream job.
 Describe a job that would be your worst nightmare.

General Questions
 It's your dime.
 Convince me to hire you.
 Why shouldn't I hire you?
 What is your favorite game?
Public Speaking Tips
Do you feel terrified, or just plain sick, when you are asked to give a speech, for Joe’s
farewell, your daughter’s wedding, your son’s 21st?

You can’t think of what to say because the fear that dries your mouth and taken hold,
messes with your brain and even your legs turn to jelly.

And now do you feel angry with yourself because you cannot do that presentation,
get that promotion or speak clearly at that interview?

And worst of all, are the guilt feelings we get because we can’t give the extras to our
families, be a confident role model for our kids, or heroes in our partner’s eyes?

The solution is simple but not necessarily easy.

When you speak confidently in public:

 You hold the audience spellbound!

 You are a person of influence!
 You are noticed!
 You are famous!
 People want to come and talk to you!
 You are a celebrity!
 And your income catapults through the roof, no matter what job you do!


This is what happened to me.

My Story!
When I started my public speaking career I was so scared and terrified, that even the
thought of being in front of a group of people, made me feel physically sick, and would
make my heart race so much, I thought I was having a heart attack.

Clearly, I didn’t want to go through my life like that so I did some training and got ready
for my Maiden speech.

With this speech I was competing for a prestigious Silver Cup and I was excited
because I thought I was going to win it.

I walked out onto the stage in front of 200 people and arrived at the podium.

Suddenly my legs started to shake so much I thought I was going to fall down.
So I grabbed the lectern, which also began to shake, and then, at that moment, the
butterflies in my stomach turned into dive-bombers and I started to feel sick.

While shaking the lectern so much, I watched with horror, as my notes slid onto the
floor.

In total confusion now, I decide to start my speech without picking up the notes.

My voice quavered as I stated my name, and then my mind went completely blank.

After what seemed an eternity, I grabbed my notes from the floor and fled the stage.

All I achieved that day was to let people know who I was and that I was one pathetic
speaker!!!!!

Needless to say, I didn’t get the prize or even a polite or sympathetic applause from the
audience.

So where to from there?

It was such a horrifying experience that I had to make a decision to quit or do something
about it.

(I was unable to get into the witness protection program to lose my identity!)

My moment of triumph.
Well I studied, practised and used everything that I write about in my book and then
some 12 months later, I had to give a speech on behalf of my company.

Now this was a seriously major important speech for me and the company.

If I didn’t do a brilliant job, my career would finish, the company would suffer and I
reckon I would have been out of a job.

That would mean, a massive change in lifestyle for my family, changing schools,
changing houses and even putting my food supply at risk.

So as I walked to the Podium this time I could feel this huge pressure bearing down on
me.
What happened?
I was confident, created humour and had them laughing, created pathos so they could
feel sad, lifted them with excitement, spoke a very clear message, had them in the palm
of my hand and when I finished, they stood up to applaud.

Pretty good eh?

The result.
Oh yes, I got promoted and realised that day, that being a great public speaker helps
you make more money, no matter what your job is.

So what made the difference?

What transformed me from bumbling idiot to charismatic speaker?

And could anybody do the same?

Clearly, the answer is yes, if they went through all the stuff they I had, but what a
journey that was!

So how could I help others, and particularly, you?

The thought of anyone else going through the pain, the fear and the embarrassment,
was so intense that I decided to find a way to share my insights.

So I created my book, which takes you from Fear to Fame in Public Speaking, without
going through all the pain they I did.

How and Why do I have the nerve to tell you all this, and why
it will work for you?
Because it is based upon my learnings, my studies, my experiments, good and bad, and
most importantly, on my real life, in the fire, under the hammer, gut wrenching
experience.

As Chairman of the Public Speaking Group at the Australian Institute of Management I

have coached and helped many, many people who at the beginning of the year, could
not even say their name, and by the end of the year, had become articulate and
confident speakers.
The Dream:

Now I want you to imagine the scene.

The auditorium is full.

People are chatting way to each other, obviously excited, getting comfortable in their seats.

Suddenly, the lights dim and the MC walks onto the stage.

As he steps up to the microphone an expectant hush falls over the crowd, as they wait in
anticipation for what is going to happen next.

The MC stands in the spotlight and radiates confidence and enthusiasm and speaks in a
deep voice that triggers your heartstrings.

“I am pleased and excited to welcome one of the great speakers of our time who I know, is
going to entertain you and as well as inform you.

Our guest speaker will enthral you, inform you and most of all, will leave you with such a
sense of confidence within yourself that as you leave, you will bounce out of the room.

Our speaker rocketed to our attention, only two short years ago and is already is in such
high demand that we are privileged that this individual is with us tonight.

So please join with me and give an outstanding city welcome to…. (and he says-YOUR
...name!….)"

And out you stride from the wings of the stage and into the spotlight.

People jump to their feet, applauding and shouting as you take up your position at the
microphone.

Within seconds you have the crowd eating out of your hand.

They laugh at your clever humour and then listen with a quiet stillness as you reach into their
hearts with your stories of pathos.

Cleverly you raise them to a fever pitch and finally you leave the stage, leaving the audience
on their feet, shouting and crying for more
Interview Questions and Answers
Job Interview Questions and Best Answers
By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide

Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews.
The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the "standard"
interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical
interview questions.

Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with knowledgeable
answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing
with.

Interview Questions: Work History

 Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment. -

 What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? - Best Answers
 What were your starting and final levels of compensation? - Best Answers
 What were your responsibilities? - Best Answers
 What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them? - Best Answers
 What did you like or dislike about your previous job? - Best Answers
 Which was most / least rewarding? - Best Answers
 What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position? - Best Answers
 Questions about your supervisors and co-workers. - Best Answers
 What was it like working for your supervisor? - Best Answers
 What do you expect from a supervisor? - Best Answers
 Who was your best boss and who was the worst? - Best Answers
 Why are you leaving your job? - Best Answers
 What have you been doing since your last job? - Best Answers
 Why were you fired? - Best Answers

Job Interview Questions About You

 What is your greatest weakness? - Best Answers

 What is your greatest strength? - Best Answers
 Describe a typical work week. - Best Answers
 Do you take work home with you? - Best Answers
 How many hours do you normally work? - Best Answers
 How would you describe the pace at which you work? - Best Answers
 How do you handle stress and pressure? - Best Answers
 What motivates you? - Best Answers
 What are your salary expectations? - Best Answers
 What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? - Best Answers
 Tell me about yourself. - Best Answers
 What has been the greatest disappointment in your life? - Best Answers
 What are you passionate about? - Best Answers
 What are your pet peeves? - Best Answers
 What do people most often criticize about you? - Best Answers
 When was the last time you were angry? What happened? - Best Answers
 If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently? - Best Answers
 If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say? Best
Answers
 Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? - Best Answers
 Give some examples of teamwork. - Best Answers
 What type of work environment do you prefer? - Best Answers
 How do you evaluate success? - Best Answers
 If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it? - Best
Answers
 Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. - Best Answers
 Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it. - Best Answers
 More job interview questions about your abilities. - Best Answers
 More job interview questions about you. - Best Answers

Job Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company

 What interests you about this job? - Best Answers

 Why do you want this job? - Best Answers
 What applicable attributes / experience do you have? - Best Answers
 Are you overqualified for this job? - Best Answers
 What can you do for this company? - Best Answers
 Why should we hire you? - Best Answers
 Why are you the best person for the job? - Best Answers
 What do you know about this company? - Best Answers
 Why do you want to work here? - Best Answers
 What challenges are you looking for in a position? - Best Answers
 What can you contribute to this company? - Best Answers
 Are you willing to travel? - Best Answers
 Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to know? -
Best Answers

Interview Questions: The Future

 What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? - Best Answers
 What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? - Best Answers
 How do you plan to achieve those goals? - Best Answers
 What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term? - Best Answers
 Questions about your career goals. - Best Answers
 What will you do if you don't get this position? - Best Answers

Candidate Specific Job Interview Questions

Speaking Students Class A:
Ersi
Herlin
Siska
Etha
Adel
Grace
Felmi
Echa

Speaking Students Class B & C:

Speaking Topics for Discussion:

1. Beauty and Physical Attractiveness
2. Culture
3. Drugs and HIV/AIDS
4. Education
5. Entertainment
6. Environment and Pollution
7. Gender Roles
8. Health
9. Internet