Miss Elise
Pronunciation Coach
Secrets to Leading a Successful Conversation Class
Tips to Keep Students Engaged and Talking
As an English instructor, leading dynamic conversation classes is key to creating an enjoyable learning environment and ensuring your students’ success. Discover twelve essential tips to make your conversation classes lively and interactive, leaving students eager to participate and learn.
Aging and Retirement
WARM-UP QUOTE: Discuss the following quote. What does it mean? Do you agree?
“Some people are old at 18 and some are young at 90. Time is a concept that humans created.” – Yoko Ono
WHAT:
What do you think of the expression, "You are only as old as you feel." Do you think this is true?
What programs or help does your country have to help the elderly?
What are some things your country could do to improve this?
What do you think about people who get cosmetic surgery to keep looking young? Do you agree or disagree with this?
What are the advantages of growing older?
What are the disadvantages of growing older?
What can the elderly teach us?
What does ageism mean?
What can be done to combat ageism in our society?
What are some examples of ageism that we see in society every day?
What can you start doing now to grow old with grace? At what age should you begin?
What changes would you be willing to enact to grow old well?
What are some mandatory age requirements you have in your country? For example, when can you drive a car? Drink alcohol? Get a mortgage? Retire?
What types of plans should you have in place for when you retire? Why would this be important?
What does retirement look like to you?
What is a bucket list?
What is on your bucket list?
What does "Youth is wasted on the young” mean?
What do you think it means to have a mid-life crisis? Does everyone go through this?
What are some examples of things that can happen during a midlife crisis?
WHO:
Have you gone through a midlife crisis, or do you know anyone who has?
Do you think everyone goes through this?
What can you do to minimize or avoid a midlife crisis?
Where can you get help during a midlife crisis?
What do you think your midlife crisis would be like?
Do you think a midlife crisis is different when you are married than when you are single?
Do you believe that couples get divorced during a midlife crisis?
Do you fear your midlife crisis?
Why do you think that some people don't have a midlife crisis?
Do you believe western societies value youth more than the elderly?
Do you think this is different in Asia or in other places?
Do you believe men age better than women, or does it depend?
Do you think it’s always important to help the elderly when you see they need it? For example, helping them load groceries in the parking lot if you see they need help?
At what age must people retire in your country?
What would be the best age to retire?
Should there be a one-size-fits-all approach to retirement age, or should it be flexible enough to consider various factors? What factors?
Do you think that men and women should retire at the same age? Why/why not?
Women tend to live longer than men; do you think they should retire later?
Should there be mandatory retirement so jobs open up for younger generations?
Retired people are living longer than ever, and in some western countries, governments are considering raising the retirement age to seventy or more. What do you think of this? What other solutions can you think of?
Where would you like to spend your retirement years? Why?
During retirement, where would you like to reside: in the city or in the country?
Do you intend to look for another job after you retire? Why?
Would you like to spend the rest of your life in another country?
In your culture, do children support their parents financially after they retire?
Would you like to live with your children even after they are married? Why?
Do you have a pension plan?
What are your goals before you retire?
Would you consider retiring early if it was financially feasible?
Do you plan on remaining with your current employer until you retire?
Where do you think you will be professionally five years from now?
Do you expect a promotion sometime soon?
Are you going to move to another company if you don't get the expected promotion?
Can you save enough for your retirement years?
What is one of your major goals before you retire?
If you can still work after your mandatory retirement, will you look for another job?
Some people only partially retire; do you think you will be one of these individuals? Why or why not?
How and where would you like to spend your retirement?
What hobbies would you like to take up when you retire?
In your country, do retired people care for themselves, or is that their children’s responsibility?
Some people in the U.S. live in retirement communities. Is this an option for you? Why or why not?
What do you think of the idea of living in a retirement home?
Some people say they would retire tomorrow if they had enough money. What is your opinion?
Should the government support retired people? If so, under what conditions?
Do you think sending your loved ones to nursing homes is a kind of abandonment?
Should we take care of our parents when they grow old? Is it a family duty?
Do you ever get tired of family duties?
Would you consider living in a retirement home when you're older?
What are the pros and cons of being in a nursing home? Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Are your parents in a nursing home now?
HOW:
How old is "old"?
How will you spend your daily life after retirement?
How do you look at the prospect of retiring? Do you dread it or look forward to it? Why?
How much do nursing homes cost?
WHERE:
Does your culture respect the elderly, or do they ignore them and house them elsewhere?
Does the government in your country care for people in their old age?
WHY:
Why do you think people send their elders to nursing homes?
WHEN:
When you compare different generations in your family or circle of friends, do you notice that people live longer and are in better health now? If so, in what ways is it noticeable?