Monday, November 25, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Korea
What is it?
What images come to mind when you think of Korea?
I see beautiful woman dancing Gangnam Style.
I see men passing women and saying "Hey! Sexy Lady!"
Where is it?
What do you know about it?
What do you know about its history?
Is Korea located on an island?
What countries does Korea border on? China and Russia
What is the DMZ?
What are its capitals?
What is its population? 74 million. 24 million in the North. 50 million in the South.
Famous Koreans?
What are Koreans famous for?
Why do many Chinese like Korean dramas?
What is so appealing about K-POP?
Have you meet any Koreans?
Do you want to meet a Korean? Do you want to meet a North Korean? Is there a famous Korean you want to meet?
Who is your favourite Korean?
If you meet someone from North Korea what would you ask them?
Do you think the North Koreans really love their leaders?
What stereotypes do you have of the Korean people?
What are the differences between Koreans and Chinese?
What are the similarities between Koreans and Chinese?
What are Koreans good at?
Have you eaten Korean food?
Can you understand the Korean language?
Can you recognize the Korean language?
Do you prefer North or South Korea? Why?
What is the future of Korea? Will it be good? Will there be a war? Will there ever be a reunification?
Is there a solution to the problem of Korean unification? Will it happen? If it does happen, can it happen peaceably?
What isn't Korea united?
Have you been to Korea?
Can you spot Koreans in Wuxi?
Are there many Koreans in Wuxi?
What are the differences between Koreans and Japanese?
Are the Koreans and Chinese rivals or allies?
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
English Names That The Students Have Given Themselves
My list of English names the students have given themselves has become an annual feature here at Teaching English in Wuxi, China.
Below is my 2013 list. It comprises 188 names.
Agnes
Alice
Alicia
Alvin
Amanda
Angel
Anita
Anna
Annabella
Anne
Anthony
Antia
Apple
April
Ares
Arthur
Axel
Bear
Betty
Billy
Black
Bob
Bonny
Brandon
Bruce [There is a Lee Glover below.]
Bunny
Cam
Camille
Candies
Candy
Carina
Chanley
Charles
Cheney
Cherry
Cheryl
Cici
Circle
Claire
CoCo
Cool
Corina
Cristal
Crystal
Cynthia [I put on a upper class accent for Sinntheeeeaaaaaa!]
Daisy
David
Davin
Della
Diana
Dick
Donald
Doreen
Dream
Dwight
Edda [Edda is a girl.]
Elaine [I never fail to remind this girl of the closing scene from the movie the Graduate.]
Elena
Elisha
Elly
Emidem [perhaps named after a famous video game character]
Emily
Ethan
Eudora
Ezio
Ezreal
Fancy
Fay
Felix
Frank
Franklin
Gianni [pronounced like Johnny]
Giles
Gillian
Grace
Happy
Harry
Heffy
Hellen
Heney
Henry
Hetty
Hope
Howard
HTO
Ice
Iris
Ivan
Jacy
Jams
Jane
Jason
Jeffrey
Jenny
Jerant
Jeremy
Jess
Jessie
Jewel
Jill
Jim
Jimmy
Johnson
Jolin
Joyce
Judy
Kevin
Kimiko
Kina
Kirk
Kitty
Kobe
Larry
Lee Glover
Leo
Levi
Lindy
Lokson
Lorna
Lotus
Louise
Lucy
Luma
Lywic
Madee
Maggie
Mars
Mercy
Meter
Miko
Miky
Mindy [I am Mork from Ork I tell her. She doesn't get it.]
Molly
Momsen
Moon
Nancy
Neil
Neil Trump
Nervo
Nick
Nina
Noria
Ondine
Paul
Penny
Qneenie
Queena
Rachel
Ray
Rebecca
Richard
Richelle
Ritz
Robin
Roy
Rudolf
Sam
Selina
Senior
Serena
Shay
Sherry
Shirley
Sky
Stanley
Stella [This Stella was not impressed by my Streetcar Named Desire routine.]
Stephanie
Sun
Sunny
Teemo
Terry
Thea
Tiffany
Tina
Tiny
Tommy
Tony
Tracy
Trillian
Trista
Vicky
Victor
View
Vivian
Wendy
Yolanda
You
Yuki
Zoe
Thursday, August 15, 2013
A Teaching Opportunity in Shanghai
Wonderful English in the West of Shanghai is looking for teachers!
Wonderful English requires two English teachers at their schools in the Song Jiang and Qing Pu Districts of Shanghai.
You must have a degree, a TEFL certificate or equivalent, and a passport from a native English speaking country.
Your students will be aged from five years old to adult.
Your workweek with comprise three weekday shifts (14:00 to 21:00) and two weekend shifts (10:00 to 18:00). You will have 25 teaching hours per week.
Your salary will be 12k to 13k depending on experience with a 4000 rmb bonus at the end of the contract.
Wonderful English will supply you your Visa and Foreign Expert Certificate.
If you are interested and would like more details, email me at andiskaulins@qq.com.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Energy
What is Energy? The capacity for vigorous activity; available power. Having the power to do something.
Do you have a lot of it? Do you have a lot of it now? Why? Why not?
Kinds of energy? Mental, physical, solar, food, fossil fuel, electric, nuclear, solar, wind.....
Is energy important?
What human needs does energy satisfy?
What does it mean to run out of energy?
For people? For cars?
What is man's biggest source of energy?
What did primitive man do for energy?
Have you ever gone a long time without energy?
What are other sources of energy?
How do bodies get energy?
Do you drink energy drinks?
What foods give us energy?
What do you do when you need energy right away?
We say a person is energetic. What do we mean by this?
Are you energetic? What do you do when you are energetic? How are your emotions?
What are signs that a person is energetic or isn't energetic?
Do you like energetic people? Or perhaps you resent them?
Who are the most energetic people you know?
When do you feel the most energetic? During the week? During the day? In the Heat? In the Cold?
How do cars get energy?
How does a phone get energy?
Your energy usage:
Do you use too much energy?
How do you use your electricity?
What saps you of energy? What tires you out? What activities are very tiring? What activities require no energy?
Efficient energy usage. What do you think this term means?
How can we save energy?
Expressions involving energy:
I don't have the energy.
This gives me all the energy I need.
Where do you get the energy?
I am full of energy. (How do you feel? How are you functioning?)
He is a bundle of energy.
He is suddenly re-energized. (Do you notice how boredom saps you of energy, but then....)
I don't feel up to it.
He has a lot of get up and go.
He's jacked up.
I'm out of gas.
I am running on empty.
Green energy.
I am feeling lethargic and sluggish.
It is a waste of energy.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Family
How important is family to you?
Very important?
Couldn't care less?
Finish these sentences:
______________ is more important than family.
Family is more important than ______________.
Who is the richest person in your family?
Who is the scariest person in your family?
Who is the oldest person in your family?
Who is the craziest person in your family?
Who is the most interesting person in your family?
Who is the head of your family?
Do you like your family?
Is your family better than all other families you know?
How big is your family?
How big were your parents families?
Do you wish you could have had more siblings than you do now?
What do you think is the ideal size for a family?
What do you think of people who have lots of children? (my cousin has nine!)
What famous person do you wish was your brother?
What famous person do you wish was your sister?
What would you think of David Beckham being your father? Angela Jolie being your mother?
Students! Do you think you will make a good parent in the future? Why? Why not?
Do you have what it takes to be a good parent?
Who has the best family in the world?
What are some interesting television or fictional families that you know of?
What is the best thing about your family? Your parents? Your uncles and aunts?
How often do all you relatives get together?
I have relatives in Canada, America, China, and Germany? What about you?
Can you tell me some interesting stories about your relatives?
Who has the most unusual job in your family? For example, my sister is a jail guard.
Which side of the family do you prefer? The mother's or the father's side? My father's side lived in America. They were boring. They didn't have a television. My mother's side seen to have more interesting people in it. They lived in Canada.
What activities can families do together? Can they be a basketball team? Can they play Mah Jong? Shopping? Eating? Watch television?
Does your family do much together or do you just live under the same roof?
Idioms and expressions
black sheep of the family (Who?)
like one of the family
runs in the family (What runs in the student's family?)
a family man (Do you want to be? Are you?)
the company is like a family (Is you class like a family?)
the family that bathes together, stays together.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Words that begin with the letters "Ex"
Thursday, June 6, 2013
“Wow!” and other exclamations and interjections.
What is an interjection?
An interjection is a word that we add into our speech. Examples Ah! Um! Eh!
What are some Chinese interjections? Do they vary by region of China?
Are there female Chinese interjections? Are there male Chinese interjections?
What is an exclamation?
An Exclamation is a sentence with an exclamation point behind it!
What is something you are exclaiming every day?
So not all exclamations are interjections.
Let's talk about Wow!
When would we say "wow?"
Did you say "wow" today? When? Why?
When was the last time you said "wow"?
What makes a woman say "wow"?
What makes a man say "wow"?
What makes a child go "wow"?
Who do you try to "wow"?
What is the difference between "wow" and "woh"?
Examples of Interjections. (What do they mean? When do we use them? Use them in a statement?)
ah, alas, oh dear, dear me, goodness gracious, jeepers, eh, er, hello, hey, hi, hmm, oh, ouch, uh,uh-huh, um, umm, well, bingo, ahem, aha, ahoy, aw schucks, boo, boo hoo, boy, oh boy, bravo, cheers, chop-chop, ditto, eureka, ow, yoo hoo, yeah, yallo, blah blah blah, attaboy, attagirl, alright, bada boom, bada bing, b.s., by God, cheerio, come on, damn, damn straight, duh, gadzooks, golly, golly gee, gosh, holy moley, holy cow, hell's bells, I say, indeed, kersplat, la-di-da, lord love a duck, mm, nice one, no pooh, oh-oh, nice one, okey dokey, pew, rats, say what, thank god, toodeloo, uh-oh
Interjections we use to make people keep quiet?
Interjections we use when we come upon a disgusting thing?
Interjections to show we want to leave?
Interjections we use when we hear bad news?
Interjections we use when we hear good news?
Interjections we use when our team has scored or won the game?
Interjections we use when we express disbelief?
Interjections we use when we want people to leave?
Interjection we use when we have stepped on something sharp?
Interjections we use when we want someone to hurry?
Interjections we use when we are joking?
Interjections we use when we are expressing sarcasm or irony?
If time remaining, ask what will make students say a certain interjection beside wow.
End class with "toodeloo."
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions and Idioms about the words "Great," "Greatness," "Greatest," & "Grate"
How does the word "great" compare with the word "good"?
What is great in your life?
Are you a great person? Why? Why not?
How can we decide if a person is great? Can everyone be great?
Are great people admired by everyone? Was Hitler great? Why? Why not?
To be great, you have to be one in ten, one in a hundred, one in a thousand, one in a million?
What determines history? Great men or historical forces?
Why be great?
How to make your organization great? How to make your country great?
Do you want your children to be great?
Do you want your friends to be great?
What does it take to be a great person?
Do great people always become famous?
Who is the greatest singer?
What is the greatest work you ever did?
What is the greatest country?
Who is the greatest American?
What is the greatest book ever written?
Who is the greatest leader in the past?
Who is the greatest country leader today?
Who is the greatest cook you know?
Who is the greatest basketball player?
Who is the greatest football player?
Who is the all-time greatest athlete in world?
Where is the greatest place to be in your city?
Where is the greatest place to be in the world?
What is the greatest all-time movie?
Who is the greatest actress?
Who is the greatest actor?
Who is the greatest kung fu master?
Who is the greatest businessman in the world?
Who is the greatest person of all time?
What was the greatest time you ever had?
Who/What is the greatest ___________? Have students ask the question.
Idioms and sayings using the word "great"
I am feeling great.
You are looking great.
Great minds think alike.
I am no great shakes.
Some are born great; some have greatness thrust upon them.
One of life's great mysteries.
Time is a great healer.
I set great store by what he says.
Great oaks from little acorns grow.
I am a member of the great unwashed.
He was going great guns.
It is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
We will make a great show of it.
Great Balls of Fire!
Great Scott!
Also grate
You are grating on my nerves!
You grate. G-r-a-t-e grate!
Friday, May 31, 2013
War: ESL Discussion Questions & Idioms
What is it? What is the opposite of the word war?
What are some words that can be thought of synonyms for war? Clash, conflict.
What are some words we use for the people who fight in Wars? Soldiers, troops, mercenaries, warriors,
What kinds of wars are there? Civil wars, wars of liberation.
What is the difference between a battle and a war?
What images come to mind when you hear the word war?
What wars are being fought now in the world?
What are same famous wars from history? Which wars do you think are the most interesting? If you could go back to time to witness a war, which war would you travel to?
What wars do you think may be fought in the future? Do you worry about China becoming involved in a war?
Everyone says War is a bad thing? Are they correct? Can we say anything good about War? Is there anything that can be worse than war?
Is War a time for glory?
Do you think attitudes to war have changed in history?
What do you think of this statement: Wars are about what the peace will be like.
Why are wars fought? Is there a good reason to fight a war? Is there a good reason to start a war?
What organizations fight wars? [Army, military, army, navy, marine, air force] Do you want to join one? You must join a branch of the military. Which would you join. Would you like to be an officer or in the ranks? Would you like wearing uniforms?
Why do soldiers march? Do you like watching military parades? Does anyone in the class have military training?
What are some tools of war?
If you want peace, you must prepare for War. Agree? Disagree?
Peace is the time of cheating between wars. Agree or Disagree?
Pacifists and Warmongers. What are they? Are you one of these?
Do you think Pacifists are naive? Will there always be wars? How to stop War?
What is the purpose of the white flag in War?
Do you like reading about wars, or watching war movies and documentaries? What is the best war movie ever made?
What is a war crime? Is all war a crime?
War idioms
All's fair in love and war
declare war
make war
make love not war
a war of words
a turf war
battle of nerves
drop a bombshell
loose cannon
set your sights on
shot down in flames
sabre rattling (Who has done some sabre-rattling recently)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Words that Start with "V": Discussion Questions
Words that start with V
What do you think of the letter V?
It is the sign for victory. It is five in roman numerals. The gesture also means peace.
Do you like the look of it?
Compare V and X. Which letter do you prefer?
Compare V and W. Which letter do you prefer?
Comare V and U. Which letter do yo prefer?
How to pronounce V?
Is there a V in Chinese?
Think of ten words that start with V. (Make conversation with them.)
What is your favourite word starting with V? What is your least favorite?
Ask the teacher a question about the words starting with V.
Can you think of names that start with V?
Ten nouns that start with V?
Can you think of adjectives that start with V?
What are the two most used adjectives starting with V? Very and Violent.
What countries' names start with V?
What cities' names start with V?
These "V" words make the list of the top five hundred most-used English words:
Very was #27
Vowel was #379
Voice was #400
Have students try to guess the words.
Have students make sentences using as many V words as possible.
Victoria Voodoo Very Violently Values Vainglorious Victories vividly vaunted.
Victor values Victoria's virtues and vaunting vividness.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about the Word "Two"
What is two?
Words that can also mean two? Deuce, Pair, both, bi-
What comes to mind when you hear the number two?
What do we have two of?
When is two too much? (Two wives, two noses,..)
What is your favourite way to use the number two?
How do you feel about the number two?
When is it good to be two?
Can you describe yourself in two words?
Have you ever been number two?
Who is number two in this world and in your world?
You have two wishes. What will you wish for?
Use two as a noun. Use two as an adjective. Use two as a pronoun
What are some things that we only have two of?
Tell me two problems you want to have.
You can be on a desert island with two people. Who would those people be?
You can live in two places in the World. Where would you live?
You can only eat two foods for the rest of your life. What would you eat?
What are the two books you would take with you to a desert island?
Tell me two thing you wish to belong to?
What two names do you go by?
What two things do you need everyday?
What are two things you did yesterday?
What were the last two things that made you happy?
Who are two people you want to avoid?
What are two things you want to avoid.
Who are two celebrities you want to meet?
Is there a body part that you wish you had more than two of?
Idioms and Expressions
a two-way street.
Be of two minds.
Two of a kind.
Cut both ways
two-faced
it takes two to tango
kill two birds with one stone
that makes two of us
two can play at that game
two heads are better than one
two strikes against him
two wrongs don't make a right.
Two's company, three's a crowd
stand on your own two feet
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions & Idioms about Legs (Revised)
Legs
What are they? Limbs? Why do we have them?
There are legs on people and animals. Where else can we see legs? (On tables and stools)
What can we do with our legs? Walk, move, run, kick, jog, amble, sprint, dance, traipse, limp, hop, skip, jump, march, step, make footprints, wear leggings, knee people, climb stairs, press foot pedals, apply the brake, move pedals on bicycle, lift.....
What is you favourite thing to do with your legs?
What tricks can you do with your legs?
How many do you have? Do you wish you had more legs? What would you do if you had extra legs.
What are some parts of the leg? Feet, knees, thighs, calves, shin, hips, ankles, toes, heel.
Are legs or arms more important?
Do you like your legs? How would you describe your legs?
Do you think you have good-looking legs?
She has shapely legs. What does this mean?
Who has better looking legs? Men or Women? Why?
Ladies! Do you want your husband to have nice looking legs? What do women want male legs to look like?
Guys! Do you want your wife to have nice looking legs? What do men want female legs to look like?
Who has the most beautiful legs?
Who has the most famous legs? Whose legs would be insured for lots of money?
In what occupations, are your legs important?
Finish this sentence: Good-looking legs are ________________.
What can we do to make our legs look better?
Should men shave their legs?
Do women's legs look better when they wear high heel shoes?
Do you cross your legs? Is it okay for men to cross their legs? Why do women cross their legs?
Have you ever hurt your legs? Have you broken your leg?
Do you get leg cramps? What do you do if you have leg cramps?
You must choose between having only legs or having only arms? Which would you choose? Why?
A famous song called "Legs" says the following: She has got legs. She knows how to use them. What do you think that means?
Idioms (What do you think they mean?)
He has a leg up on me. (advantage)
Break a leg! (good luck!)
The machine is on its last legs.
It is going to cost you an arm and a leg.
You are pulling my leg!
Shake a leg! (a command to move or move faster)
It is the first leg of our trip.
After we robbed the bank, we had to leg it.
He doesn't have a leg to stand on. (you have no case or no proof)
This idea has legs.
I need to get out of the car and stretch me legs.
The man walked away with his tail between his legs. (he was embarrassed or full of shame)
Nice Legs. Shame about her face.
He puts his pants on, one leg at a time. (Ask students if they put their legs on, one pant at a time)
Monday, March 25, 2013
A Week in the Life of an English Teacher in Wuxi, China: March 18 to March 24, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
A Wuxi HyLite English School Commercial: March 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Heroes (Revised)
Heroes (Revised on March 8, 2013)
What are they? Who are they?
They are the good guy, are extraordinary people, they are admired, they are brave, they are in danger, they are regarded as models or ideals,
What is the opposite of hero? Villain, heel, bad guy,
What do heroes do?
They beat the villain, they save the princess, they save the innocent, they overcome, they find the treasure, they inspire others, they wear disguises
Can anyone be a hero? Do you have to go to school or train to be a hero?
Who is your hero? Why?
Are heroes extraordinary or ordinary?
Do heroes do spectacular things or mundane things?
Can common people be heroes?
Can these people be heroes: teachers, bankers, businessman, farmers?
What occupations do we commonly think of as being heroic?
Do you think that we make heroes of the wrong people?
Who are your movie heroes?
Do you have a favorite super-hero?
Who are some famous Chinese heroes? Why are they thought of heroes?
Who are some famous heroes of the world?
Is one man's or country's hero the villain of another man or country? Can you think of some examples of these kind of people?
Are these people heroes: George Bush, Barack Obama, David Beckham, Jay Chou, Lady Gaga, PSY, Mother Teresa, Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Napoleon, Bruce Lee.
Do you want to be a hero? Why? Why not?
Have you performed any acts of heroism recently? (Have you done some heroic in your life?)
To whom do you want to be a hero?
How can a person become a hero?
To whom are you a hero? Why?
Ladies? Do you want to marry a hero?
Idioms and Expressions
Hero Worship
Unsung Hero
Super-hero
Sports hero
Guitar hero
No man is a hero to his valet.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Farming
What is it?
What are some synonyms for "farming?"
What are some synonyms for "farmers?"
What do farmers do? What task or duties do they perform?
Do you have farming experience? Are there farmers in your family?
Have you visited a farm? What did you think?
Would you like to own a farm or live on a farm?
If you had a farm, what would you grow or raise? Crops, livestock.
How is farming in China?
Can a farmer become wealthy in China?
Is farming a good career choice?
What do city people think of farmers? Do they think they are bumpkins or hayseeds?
What did Chairman Mao think of farmers?
If you were a farmer, what kind of woman would you marry?
If you were a woman, what kind of farmer would you marry?
A smaller percentage of the population works in the farming sector. Is this a good thing?
What things do you think farmers worry about?
What kind of problems does the modern Chinese farmer have?
What is it like to farm in the West?
What's a farmer's daily life like?
Are there farmers markets in Wuxi?
Do you think bio-fuels are a good idea?
What do these farming terms mean:
Rotate crops
Barn
Fence
Hoe
Shovel
Rake
Tractor
Combine Harvester
Hay
Haystack (needle in a haystack)
subsistence farming
dairy farming
arable land (Is there lots of arable land in China? Jiangsu? Wuxi?
Idioms
Buy the farm
sell the farm
Bet the farm
funny farm
Were you born in a barn?
He couldn't hit the side of a barn.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Elevators (Revised)
What is an elevator?
What are words that are related to elevator? Elevation, Elevating,
What verbs can we use with elevator? Use, ride, take,
When you do use the elevator? Can you recall the last time you used one?
Is there an elevator in Wuxi that you like taking?
Can you remember the first time you took an elevator?
What is the most interesting elevator you have ever been on? What is the highest floor you have ever been on? Do you like the elevators with the clear glass walls?
What are alternatives to using an elevator? Escalators, Stairs, Ladders, Ropes, Climbing, Jumping and Flying.
Do you sometimes take the stairs for exercise? Have you ever had to go up 20 flights of stairs because the elevator wasn't working?
What games can you play on elevators? What do you think of people who bet on elevators going up and down? What do you think of people who ride elevators for fun?
How do you use an elevator?
Are there still elevator operators in China? Would you like that job?
How does an elevator work?
Have you used a freight elevator?
How to behave on an elevator? Do you hold the door open for other people?
What are some rude actions that people do on the elevator?
What do you do if there are people leaving the elevator that you will get on?
How close can you stand against others on an elevator?
Have you ever gone on an elevator that was going in the wrong direction?
Have you ever been on an elevator with a strange person?
Is it okay to take you e-bike on the elevator?
What do you do if the elevator is crowded? How many people can be on an elevator at one time?
Have you ever walked on an elevator and all the floor buttons had been pressed?
Have you ever had an argument with a stranger on an elevator?
Have you ever not gotten on an elevator because there was a strange person on it?
Is it okay to take your pet on the elevator?
What do you think of people who throw litter on the elevator?
Do you read the advertising on the elevator?
What is the strangest thing that ever happened to you on an elevator? What is your best elevator memory?
Have you ever been stuck on an elevator? For how long? How was the situation resolved?
Have you ever kissed a girl on the elevator?
Have you ever met someone on an elevator? i.e. Made a friend? Fell in love?
How to behave on an escalator? What are some actions you hate seeing done on the escalator?
Should you move or stand still on an escalator? What should you do when you get off the escalator?
Should you leave room for people to pass you? Have you ever had an escalator accident?
Elevation. What is the highest elevation you have ever been at? Do you like high elevations? Do you like to go to elevated places and look down?
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Dancing
What is it?
Do you like it? Why not? Do you like to watch it?
Are you a good dancer? Do you want to show me?
Where do you dance?
What kind of dancing do you like to do? Fast dancing? Slow dancing? Group dancing? Belly dancing? Tap dancing? Dancing with a partner? (who do you want to dance with? Have you ever asked a stranger to dance? It is okay for boys to dance together? Girls? Dancing by yourself?)
What kind or style of dancing is popular now?
Where do you dance? Where can you go dancing?
The dancing in public areas – why is it so popular? Who is it popular with?
When do you dance? Do you dance to celebrate? Is the spring festival a time for dancing?
What about the dancing I see workers have to do?
Is dancing difficult? Why? Why not?
Is it hard to dance because people are shy to dance? Are you shy to dance?
Do they teach dancing in Chinese schools? Are there dancing schools or clubs in Wuxi?
Is dancing a good profession? Have you ever danced in a show?
Where can you watch people dance?
What kind of dancing do you like to watch? Ballet? Go-go dancing? Exotic dancing? Belly dancing?
Where do you like to watch dancing? Clubs? Theatres? On movies and in films?
Do you like to watch musicals? Do the Chinese make musicals? Why? Why not? Why don't they make musical movies in Hollywood anymore? Do you like Bollywood musicals?
Who do you like to dance with?
Who are some famous dancers?
Who are some famous Chinese dancers?
Why is Gangnam Style so popular?
Is Western dancing different from Chinese dancing? How?
What kind of music is good for dancing?
Dancing idioms and expressions
Out of step
Cut the rug
Would you care to dance?
Dance on air
Dance with death
The same old song and dance
I am putting on my dance shoes
Dance up a storm
Thursday, January 24, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Complaining (Revised)
What is it?
What is the noun that is made with complain?
So, we can make complaints.
Do you do it?
Do you take joy in complaining?
What is your biggest complaint in life?
What is your biggest complaint about today?
What is your biggest complaint about food, restaurants, school, men, women, parents, taking the bus, driving, marriage, babies, the Internet, Wuxi, Shanghai et cetra?
What do famous people complain about?
What do woman complain about?
When people get together to chat, do they spend most of the conversation time complaining about things?
Make a list of your top ten complaints.
Do animals complain?
What do animals complain about?
What would chairs, tables, floors, w.c.'s, and trash cans complaining about?
What do you call a person who complains too much? (A Whiner. Do you know anyone who is a whiner? Do you know someone who complains about everything? Ask the students if any of them can imitate such a person.)
Do you deal with customer complaints? How to deal with customer complaints?
Have you ever complained to a big company? Did you get satisfaction?
How to complain? When you complain you should be ______________.
Does it help to complain angrily? Does it help to complain politely?
Would having a weapon help?
Who has the most to complain about?
Expressions using complain.
How are you? I can't complain.
There's no point in complaining.
Monday, January 21, 2013
A Week in the Life of a Wuxi English Teacher: January 14 to January 20, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Books
Do you love books? Why? Do you hate books? How come?
Would you rather have a book or a car? A book or a diamond ring? A book or a television? A book or a basketball? A book or a Rolex watch? A paperback or a hardback?
Are you a bookish person?
Are you often reading a book? Do you try to always carry a book with you? Do you read a book to show off? Do you read books to get people to think you are interesting? Have you ever seen someone reading a book you like and so thought you would like to talk to them?
How many books do you have?
Have you read all the books you have?
You have more hard covers or paper backs? Do you prefer to have expensive editions of books?
Have you heard that the first edition of a famous book can be worth a lot of money? Why is this?
Do you collect certain kinds or series of books?
Do you keep books after you have read them or do you get rid of them? What books do you get rid of? Which ones do you keep?
Do you have any big picture books?
When you read a book, do you try to keep it in new condition or do you wear it out? Do you like to write in books, underline important passages, or make notes?
Are books dangerous things? Do you think it is a good idea to destroy dangerous books?
Do you have books that you hide from the view of others?
What do you use as a bookmark?
Do you think a shelf full of books is a good way to decorate your house?
Do you wish you had your own private library?
If I go to someone's home, I find I am most interested in the books they own. What about you?
What is your favourite book? That is, what is your favourite book that you have held in your hand or owned?
What is the one book you would always carry with you?
Have you had one book for a long time?
You can take only one book you now have to a desert island, which book would you take and why?
Do you like to go to book stores?
Do you like to go to second-hand book stores? Are there many such stores in Wuxi?
Some people say they would love in work in book stores or libraries. What about you?
Do you think owning a book store is a good idea these days?
What do you think of e-books? Have you read an e-book?
Do you have an e-book reader? Would you buy one?
Do you think e-books will replace paper books?
What are the advantages of e-books?
Where do you read your e-books?
How many e-books do you have? Have you bought an e-book?
Do you prefer to read your favourite piece of literature in book form or e-book form.
Expressions and idioms using the word "book"
You can read him like a open book.
So many books, so little time.
You can't judge a book by its cover. (Have you bought or picked up a book because of its cover?)
coffee table book
open book / closed book
have nose in a book
not in my book
by the book
the oldest trick in the book
throw the book at
that's one for the books
hit the books
cook the books
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Baldness
What does bald mean? An absence or a lack of hair.
What does the word baldness mean? A state of being bald.
What does balding mean? The process of becoming bald or losing hair.
Is baldness a bad thing? Why? Why not?
Women! What do you think of bald men?
Men! What do you think of bald men? Are you afraid of going bald?
Men! Are you going bald? Do you have a receding hairline?
When can baldness be attractive? When can it be unattractive?
What are some patterns of baldness? Which are attractive? Which are not?
What do you think of people with long hair and a bald spot?
What are some causes of baldness?
Are the following causes of baldness? Your mother's father was bald (i.e. You inherited from you family. Does baldness run in your family?); weight training and exercise; intellectual activity (are bald people smarter. Pointy-head intellectual) psychological problems; emotional stress; tight hats
What can we do about baldness?
Comb-overs, eat special food, rub potions in our bald spots, wear wigs, wear toupees, wear hats, shave our head, grow our hair really long, nothing
What are some advantages of being bald?
Are bald man smarter? More virile?
Do/did you have balding classmates or colleagues? How did/do you treat them?
Do you have nicknames for balding people?
Is your partner bald? What will you do if you partner is going bald? Tell him to wear a hat? Get a divorce?
What did the ancient Chinese think about balding and bald people? What do the modern Chinese think?
Who are some famous bald people? Gandhi and Chang Kai Shek.
What do the following expressions mean?
Bald as a baby's bum.
Bald as a cue ball.
He is completely bald.
That was a bald-faced lie!
Balding is a sign of ageing? What are some others? Wrinkles, grey hair, sagging skin, and deteriorating eyesight, sore bones, all sorts of body aches
Monday, January 7, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
ESL Discussion Questions about Anger
What is it? Synonyms? Rage. Ire. Indignation. Displease, vex, irritate, exasperate, infuriate, enrage, incense, madden. Antonyms? Happiness, Calm.
Adjective formed with anger? Angry. Can adjective be used as a verb. Lying angers me.
Is it a good thing?
What does anger look like?
What expressions do we make with our faces when we feel angry?
What gestures do we make when we feel angry?
It is okay to be angry? Is it okay to show your anger? Does it help to get angry? Is anger good for our health?
Should you complain when you are angry?
Does being angry help solve your problem or complaints?
Is there good anger & bad anger?
What is a good way to express your anger?
Do you get angry? How do you act? What makes you angry? Do you burst into anger?
Who do you get angry at? Neighbours? Your relatives? Your boss? Other drivers? Store clerks? Co-workers? Politicians? Teachers?
Can you control your anger? How do you feel after you have an angry outburst?
They say he is an angry person. What do they mean? Does that mean he has a bad temper?
Do you know any angry people?
Do you know people with bad tempers? Do you avoid these people?
Do you have a bad temper? Do people with bad tempers know they have bad tempers?
Better to be angry in private than to be angry in public?
Is it okay for managers and parents and teachers to be angry? Is anger a good way to get people to do what you want them to do?
Do some countries have more angry people than others? Professions?
Are we intimidated by angry people? How should we behave when someone is angry at us? What should we do if a friend or relative is angry at someone else?
Who worries you more? The people who is always angry? The person who is always quiet? Who is more likely to take a gun and go on a killing spree?
If we feel angry, what should we do? Go for a gun? Throw things? Make a fist? Take a deep breath? Walk away from the situation? Scream? Swear?
What is the most angry you have ever been?
At what age in life, are people the most angry? When they are young? Teenaged? New Adults? Middle-aged? Over-the-hill? About-to-die?
Do you get angry in traffic? When getting on the bus? When having to wait a long time at a restaurant? When someone is making too much noise?
In what places and situations are people most prone to anger? Where have you seen the most displays of anger?
If you see an angry customer in a restaurant or a shop, whose side do you take? The customer's or the service person or the management's?
Do we envy or admire people who express the anger that we are sometimes too shy to express?
Are these anger-management courses in China? Can such things teach people to control their anger?
Is anger the flip side of happiness? That is, the times we are very angry are equal to the times we feel very happy?
