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Teach English Overseas

Teaching overseas sounds more than exciting and challenging. Every day it's both. But before hopping on a plane, you need to begin with some questions. For example, what concerns should you have about working conditions? Or will there be any negative effect regarding my future career plans after I return home? Read on to find out more about which questions you should be asking.

Science and Technology

Everyone was far happier before such inventions as the computer and automobile. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Science has become the new religion. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Have you ever had an idea for an invention? Please explain. If you could invent something, what would it be? Please explain. Did you study science at school? How did you feel about your science class? How did you feel about your science teacher? Do you think science helps or harms humankind? Why do you think so? What, if any, scientific advances have had negative results? Why do you think so? Some people believe less money should be spent on science and technology and more should be spent on helping third world countries. What do you think? How has science improved your life? Think of three examples and explain. In your opinion, what has been the single greatest invention during your life thus far? How about in the last 100 years? Why do you think so? Some people say that scientists have begun to play God. What do you think this means? What are your thoughts on the subject? What interesting news about science and technology have you seen or heard recently? Tell your partner about an interesting sci-fi movie you have seen. Why was it interesting? Was it believable? Why? Do you believe science is more important than religion to many people? Why/not? Do you think there is still a lot to invent? Why/not? Do you trust scientists? Why/not? What great scientific advances do you imagine happening in the next 10 years? 25 years? 100 years? Please explain. What scientific or technological advance would make your life easier? Do you think any of these will be invented soon? Which field of science do you find the most interesting? Why? What is the most dangerous and deadly invention in the past 100 years? Do you think humankind will invent something worse in the next 100 years? Why/not? Download the lesson: Science and Technology Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/science.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Speaking: The Future (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=44 Itemid=35) Skill Builders: Listening: Home Meet Works, Work Meets Home (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=113 Itemid=50) Upper-Intermediate Mini Lessons: E-Learning (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=574 Itemid=118)

The Family

Do you think you'll be a good parent? (Or are you a good parent now?) What makes you think so? Do you think people should take a test, attend a class, or receive some sort of training before becoming parents? Why/not? Is it okay for same-sex couples to become parents? Why/not? In some countries, the nuclear family is breaking up. Is this happening in your country? Please explain. Do you think Mother's Day and Father's Day are good holidays? Are they important holidays? Why/not? What did you do for Mother's Day last year? How about Father's Day? How about your parents' birthdays? What skills and/or qualities does a person need to be a good parent? Why? What kind of childhood did you have? Please explain. How many children are just right for a family? Why do you think so? Finish the sentence: I wish my parents had... Why did you choose this answer? How have parents in general changed since you were a child? Why do you think so? How have children in general changed since you were a child? Why do you think so? Which is more important, where a child is raised or how a child is raised? Why? Are children better or worse these days? Consider their behavior, their access to healthcare and education, their opportunities for the future, etc. Please explain. Will children be better or worse in the next 20 years? Consider their behavior, their access to healthcare and education, their opportunities for the future, etc. Please explain. Are arranged marriages a good idea? Why/not? Do you agree or disagree? The main purpose of a marriage is to have children. Why/not? When is a person too old to raise children? Why? When is a person too young to raise children? Why? Spare the rod, spoil the child. What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why? Download the lesson: The Family Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/family.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Speaking: My Life (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=307 Itemid=96) Skill Builders: Speaking: A Few Questions for Father's Day (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=141 Itemid=31) Skill Builders: Listening (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=112 Itemid=50)

It's Time to Relax

Has the pace of the modern world become far too fast? Why do/don't you think so? Do you consider yourself overworked? Please explain. Do you consider yourself stressed out? Please explain. Would you ever consider quitting your job for six months or one year to take a vacation and relax? Why/not? If you didn't have to worry about money, what kind of vacation would you take? What's your idea of the perfect vacation? Why? What's your idea of the vacation from hell? Why? What was the best vacation you have ever taken? Why? What is the best meal that your have ever eaten? Why was it so good? What was the worst vacation you have ever taken? Why? Do you agree or disagree? It will simply be impossible to take vacations in fifty years because everyone will be too busy. Why do you think so? How has the balance between work and free time shifted in the past fifty years in your country? Please explain. Would you describe your life as easy, difficult, or just right? Please explain. Would you consider yourself a workaholic? Why/not? France has experimented with a four-day work week. Would this work in your country? Why/not? Do you think retirement is a real possibility when you turn 65 years old? Why/not? When you retire, will you definitely have the time to travel, relax, and do everything that you have always wanted to do? Why/not? How do you relax? How many hours do you sleep each night? Is this too much or too little? Why do you think so? What is the busiest country in the world? What country is likely the most relaxed? How does your country compare? Please explain. Do you agree or disagree? A six-day work week will be common in fifty years. Please explain. Download the lesson: It's Time to Relax Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/relax.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Listening: Bad Companies (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=452 Itemid=52) Skill Builders: Listening: Tomorrow Is Another Day (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=104 Itemid=52) Skill Builders: Speaking: On the Weekend (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=470 Itemid=108)

The Future

If you had a time machine, would you want to travel into the future? Why/not? Do you agree or disagree? In the future there will be a common language? If yes, which language do you think it will be? Do you believe that some people can see into the future? Why/not? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about your future? How about the world's future? If your life goes as planned, where will you be in 5 years? 10 years? 30 years? If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do tonight? If you could speak to a psychic, what questions would you ask about your future? Would you like to know when and how you are going to die? Why/not? If you could have seen your future as a child, what would you have done differently? Why? What are your hopes and dreams for the future? Please explain. Many people do things that they later regret. Have you ever done something, and regretted it at a later date? Before you die, what do you want to have accomplished? Please explain. Will humans live all over the universe in the future? Why/not? Will our generation be the pinnacle of human achievement, or are there greater advances in science and society ahead? Why do you think so? World peace will happen in our lifetime. Do you agree or disagree? Why/not? Are you the kind of person who tries to plan out your future (life, vacation, or schoolwork, for example) in great detail? Why/not? What major advancements will the human race achieve this century? Please explain. What do you think the future will be like 100 years from now? Please explain. Have you seen any movies that deal with time travel into the future? What happened? Were they believable? In the future, our children will look back at what we did to the world. What parts of our history do you think they will admire? What parts will they look down on? Why do you think so? Download the lesson: The Future Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/future.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Listening: New World Order (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=93 Itemid=52) Skill Builders: Speaking: Science and Technology (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=63 Itemid=35) Skill Builders: Listening: Studying the Future (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=405 Itemid=100)

School

Are tests important? Why/not? Is homework important? Why/not? Do you think that all students should learn a foreign language? Why/not? Is it important to study art or music or physical education? Why/not? What subject do/did you like the most at school? Why? What subject do/did you like the least at school? Why? How important is high school? Why do you think so? How important is university? Why do you think so? How important is continuing education for adults? Why do you think so? Of your teachers now, who do you like the most? Why? Of all your teachers ever, who did you like the most? Why? Of all your teachers ever, who did you like the least? Why? Are you a good student? Why/not? Is there a particular subject you find very easy? Why is it so easy? Is there a particular subject you find very difficult, even if you study hard? Why is it so difficult? Do you think that summer vacation is a waste of time? Why/not? What are schools like in your country? Please explain. How much do you study at home every day? Is this too much or too little? Do you agree or disagree? Math and science are the most important subjects in school. Do you agree or disagree? Being a student is a full-time job. Please explain. Download the lesson: School Printable (skillbuilders/speaking/school.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Speaking: Back to School (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=10 Itemid=31) Upper-Intermediate Mini Lessons: Degree and Diploma Mills (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=573 Itemid=118) Upper-Intermediate Mini Lessons: E-Learning (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=574 Itemid=118)

International English

English has become the lingua franca of the world. In other words, people with different mother tongues use English to communicate with one another. Most people believe that English is necessary, especially in today's modern, globalized world. But which English is better, American or British? Is Canadian English or Australian English any less correct or important? These are important questions because more and more people learn English in school and use English for work. English as an International Language (EIL) tries to answer the questions. Some people want to create an officially recognized international language based on English. It would have common rules, pronunciations, and so on. The result would be an accepted form of English that puts everyone in touch around the world. Preview the lesson material: Warm Up: Discuss the question with your partner for five minutes. 1. How long have you studied English? What do you want to do in the future with English? Comprehension Questions: Answer the questions before/after your read the article. 1. According to the article, what does lingua franca mean? 2. What is English as an International Language? Please explain. Summarization: Summarize the article with a partner. Try to do so with only two or three sentences. Discuss: Discuss these questions with a partner. Remember to support your answers. 1. Which do you prefer, American English, British English, or some other form of English? 2. Do you think there should be another form of English for international use? Why/not? 3. Do you think another language will become the lingua franca someday? Why/not? Download the lesson: International English Printable (minilessons/internationalenglish.pdf) You might also be interested in: Skill Builders: Speaking: It's a Small(er) World, After All (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=179 Itemid=31) Skill Builders: Listening: Identity through Language (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=121 Itemid=52) Articles: Lower-Intermediate English Lessons (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=289 Itemid=98)

Social Media

Social media refers to blogs, forums, networks, wikis, and many other online sites and services. The main idea behind social media is that people around the world can easily and instantly share information and ideas through social interaction. However, some people dislike social media. These opponents believe that the blogs and wikis, emails and text messages, etc. create information overload. In other words, there is too much information to read and understand. There is a constant fight for people's attention. In the world of today, social media has become an important part of society, mostly because of cheap Internet, cell phones that let users surf the Internet and send emails, and a wide range of other services to share information. Even with the negatives, it's not likely to disappear. Preview the lesson material: Warm Up: Discuss the question with your partner for five minutes. 1. How do you use the Internet? Please explain. Comprehension Questions: Answer the questions before/after your read the article. 1. Blogs, forums, and wikis are only some types of social media. T / F 2. Social media lets people share information anywhere in the world. T / F 3. Information overload is a problem only for people who dislike social media. T / F 4. According to the article, social media is an important part of people's lives. T / F Discuss: Discuss these questions with a partner. Remember to support your answers. 1. What are the positives of social media? What are the negatives of social media? 2. Are you a supporter or an opponent of social media? Please explain. 3. Could you live without social media, the Internet, and cell phones? Why/not? Download the lesson: Social Media Printable (minilessons/socialmedia.pdf) You might also be interested in: Lower-Intermediate Mini Lessons: Social Media (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=331 Itemid=120) Skill Builders: Speaking: The Internet (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=352 Itemid=96) Skill Builders: Listening: The History of the Internet (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=86 Itemid=52)

Lower-Intermediate News: Dishonest People

How honest are you? Although you may consider yourself an honest person, you're likely less trustworthy than you think! Recent research concluded that light levels can affect a person's honesty. If the light is dim, then people tend to be less honest. If the light is bright, people tend to be more honest. The researchers believe that people may become less honest when they believe others can't see dishonest behavior. Surprisingly, the test had similar results when people wore sunglasses. As part of the research, participants played a money game. The light levels decreased with the sunglasses, so people acted more selfishly during the game. They felt anonymous, so it didn't matter if they acted badly. The results of the test could have meaning on how people work and live. For example, people in an office may act less honestly if they think no one can see their behavior. The same is true in other situations, such as at school, at the store, and elsewhere. Preview some of the lesson material: Discuss: Answer these questions with a partner. 1. How honest are you? 2. Do you know any very honest people? Can you give reasons? 3. Do you know any very dishonest people? Can you give reasons? 4. Are people more or less honest these days? 5. What can make an honest person act dishonestly? True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) if the sentence is true or false. If false, correct the sentence. 1. According to the article, you're a dishonest person. 2. Dim light makes people less honest. 3. People who wear sunglasses are dishonest. 4. According to the article, dishonest people are anonymous. 5. People in an office may act dishonestly is no one watches them. post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers and ask more questions with your partner. 1. Do you believe the research? Why/not? 2. The article suggests that all people are dishonest. Do you agree? Why/not? 3. What other reasons make people act dishonestly? Please explain. 4. When was the last time you acted dishonestly? What happened? 5. Should businesses and schools change their rules because of the research? Google Search: Type honesty into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings. Download the lesson: COMPLETE lesson (news/20100307honesty/honestylowerintermediate.pdf) lesson for LISTENING (news/20100307honesty/honestylisteninglowerintermediate.pdf) lesson for SPEAKING (news/20100307honesty/honestyspeakinglowerintermediate.pdf) lesson for VOCABULARY (news/20100307honesty/honestyvocabularylowerintermediate.pdf) Listen Now! (audio/news/20100307honestylowerintermediate.mp3) You might also be interested in: Upper-Intermediate News: Lies a Part of Human Nature (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=230 Itemid=62) Skill Builders: Listening: False Advertising (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=540 Itemid=52) Skill Builders: Speaking: Lies and Ethics (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=51 Itemid=35) Skill Builders: Speaking: Regrets (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=461 Itemid=96) Skill Builders: Grammar: Irregular Verbs (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=286 Itemid=97)

Renewable Energy

The world cannot live without energy. However, coal, oil, and other forms of fossil fuels are limited. They also cause global warming, which could have terrible consequences on the future of life on Earth. Everyone knows that temperatures have begun to rise and glaciers have begun to melt because of pollution from fossil fuels. Renewable energy is another, safer option. Renewable energy refers to energy that isn't limited. For example, some day there won't be any more oil or coal, but there will always be sunlight, wind, and ocean tides to generate energy. These are forms of renewable energy, specifically solar power, wind power, and hydropower. More countries around the world want to limit fossil fuels and develop renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, countries like China and the US continue to heavily use fossil fuels. Something must be done. Preview the lesson material: Warm Up: Discuss the question with your partner for five minutes. 1. What do you know about global warming? Please explain. Comprehension Questions: Answer the questions before/after your read the article. 1. How does the article define fossil fuels? 2. How does the article define renewable energy? Summarization: Summarize the article with a partner. Try to do so with only two or three sentences. Discuss: Discuss these questions with a partner. Remember to support your answers. 1. How do you protect the environment? Please explain. 2. Do you use too much energy? Why do/don't you think so? 3. What can be done to limit how much energy people use? Download the lesson: Renewable Energy Printable (minilessons/renewableenergy.pdf) You might also be interested in: Upper-Intermediate Mini Lessons: Carbon Footprint (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=343 Itemid=118) Upper-Intermediate Mini Lessons: Ecological Tourism (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=519 Itemid=118) Skill Builders: Listening: Greenpeace Protects the Environment (index.php?option=com_content task=view id=72 Itemid=50)