Intermediate English Discussion Topics

Book excerpt: The lessons that follow can be adapted to run from 30 to 90 minutes. They often start with about 5-10 minutes of free talking. This can cover how the students are, what they have been doing or plan to do, as well as contributions from the teacher.The structure of the lessons is modular, with clear and obvious steps to take. Everything starts with the teacher's preparation work. Depending on the students' ability, topics might need a quick worksheet or short classroom activity at the start of the lesson, and you will need to set aside time to devise this.The purpose of each lesson is for students to gain confidence and increase their vocabulary by talking about different topics. If they are unsure about what to do, this might mean introductory work is needed first.I have taught classes with anything up to twenty students using these materials. The lessons are easy to adapt depending on your classroom size and level. For example, with a large class you can encourage smaller groups to discuss topics together and then ask students to share their ideas with the whole class.Be aware of students' sensitivities. Some students may be a little nervous about expressing their opinions and emotions in front of the class. However, over time, they will come to realize that everyone else feels the same and their confidence will improve.