Talking Point: Turning Points in Life

Talking point: Turning points in life

•  Talk about a time when your life took a turn for the better or for the worse.

•  What are the most important decisions you have made in your life?

•  Have you ever made a decision that turned your life around?

•  Have you ever regretted (not) doing something in your life?

Talking point is businesses.

1.  If you could set up a business, what kind of business would it be? Why?

2.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of running your own business?

3.  Would you be willing to ask a bank for a loan to set up your own business?

4.  Which of the following do you think are important if you want to succeed with a new business?

have an original idea - research the competition - have a lot of capital - think long-term - think short-term

Talking points: Secrets

·  When would it be important to keep a secret?

·  When might you have to reveal someone’s secret? Explain why.

·  What kind of secrets do you find it hard to keep? Why?

·  Which of these secrets would you find hardest/easiest to keep? Give your reasons.

You have won the first prize in the lottery

You see your best friend's partner with someone else

You have been diagnosed with a serious illness

You have been demoted at work for your poor performance

One of your children is on drugs.

Talking point: Faith

•  What does religion mean to you?

•  Is religion a good or bad thing?

•  Do religions help people be ethical?

•  Do you think that religious people are happier?

Do you think religion is incompatible with our modern-day world?

Talking point: Spaces

·  Describe your room in as much detail as possible: Is it airy and roomy? Is it spacious or small? Do you share it? Is there any piece of furniture that takes up too much space?

·  How important is it for you to have your own private space?

·  Describe a public space that you like or dislike

·  Describe a personal space that you like or dislike.

Talking point: Public services and complaints

•  Have you ever complained about services in public places, restaurants, hotels? If so, what happened?

•  When was the last time you were dissatisfied with a service but didn’t complain about it?

•  Why didn’t you complain?

•  Which advice on handling complaints positively would you give?

Talking point: Competition

·  Do you consider yourself to be a competitive person?

·  In what ways are you competitive (with family or friends, at work or school, in sport or games)?

·  Who is the most / least competitive person you know?

·  Which of these quotations do you agree most with?

“Winning isn't everything, it's the taking part”

“Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing”

·  'Challenges give meaning to life'. Do you agree?

Talking point: reading

•  What kind of fiction do you prefer (sci-fi, romance, crime, historical, horror)?

•  Are you interested in non-fiction or self-help books? Why? Give examples.

•  What are your favourite books or readings from childhood?

•  What is your favourite all-time book? Talk about the setting, the plot, main characters, film adaptations if any, main topics running the book.

•  Which is the last book you read: What did you choose to read that book? What is about? Would you recommend it?

Talking point: the gender gap.

•  What examples of sexist behaviour and language can you think of?

•  How do you feel or react in those situations?

•  What are the main differences between women and men's roles in today's society?

•  In what aspects of life have men and women achieved greater equality?

•  What areas still need improvement?