Quotes - discussion

The relationship between literature and learning English can fulfill the learners communicative needs. Literature can be very motivating in language learning, especially when it comes to speaking.
The authors of Global (an English course for adult learners from Macmillan Education) published Classic Literature Cards with quotes from a classic English work of literature, and also with a set of discussion questions.

You can also prepare your own set of cards for the students of different age and level.

Here is one example:

• “Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.” (Louisa May Alcott, Little Women)

Discussion questions:

1.  What do you think the author means when she says 'when we go'?
2. Do you agree with this quote?
3. What else could make 'end so easy'?
4. How do people priorities change as they grow older? Can you think of examples?
5. Are there any famous sayings about love in your language? What are they in English?
   

 

The Missing Piece Meets the Big O

Very interesting video about becoming the whole self.
You can use it with Sts of different age and hold discussion about different issues depending on how mature your Sts are.
You can first read it to your Sts, and later show them the video.
You can ask your Sts to translate the texts or to create their own similar stories (they can draw).
You can ask them the following questions:
1) who is the missing point?
2) who is the Big O?
3) how did the Big O help the missing point?
4) what does it meat to feel whole?
Ask if your Sts found any additional meaning in the story. They can relate it to their own experience.

or here in a manual way
click it

Chandelier Made from 3,000 Gummy Bears

Kevin Chempeny, the artist, made a chandelier from 3,000 gummy bears.
You can show it to your Sts and ask questions:
1) How long does it take to make such a piece?
2) What other materials could be used to make it?

Encourage your Sts to make up their own designs.
Tell them they can use whichever material they like.

 


For more, visit here: click it
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You can also show them more of the artist's works, such as e.g. the USA flag made of toy soldiers.

For more, visit here click it

Solve if you are genius!

Give your Sts a challenge :-)

How to spot a lie? (TED)

Here is a very interesting speech by Pamela Meyer about lying.
You can use it to generate discussion about the following quotes from the video:
1) Do you agree that we live in a "post-truth" society? What does it mean?
2) "Everybody is willing to give you something. They're ready to give you something for whatever it is, they're hungry for" and "if you don't want to be deceived, know what you're hungry for". 
Ask your Sts: "What are YOU hungry for?"
3) Why do people need "white lies"?

You can also concentrate on different issues from the video. 

Test Your Awareness: Do The Test

20 Optical Illusions That Might Break Your Mind

from the blog: The Idealist

Cover the middle of the corridor and the animation speeds up; cover the sides and it slows down

Which way is the wheel turning?