Speaking and listening – Pre-intermediate to Upper-intermediate

Let’s talk about ENGLISH

Conversation cards

Why are you learning What do you find difficult Where in the world is
English? when learning English? English spoken as a first
Give reasons and explain. Give some examples. language?

How often do you speak Do you think it is more Do you ever read in English?
English? important to speak fluently If so, what do you read?
Who do you talk to? or without mistakes? Why? If not, why not?

Who is the best speaker of When did you last speak Have you ever visited an
English in your family? English? (outside the classroom) English-speaking country?
Where did they learn it? What did you talk about? Talk about it.

How many words are there What’s a good way to Native speakers are hard to
in English? How many do you increase your vocabulary? understand. Do you agree?
need to know? Do research. Discuss in group. How to improve listening skills?

What’s the best way to How many native speakers of How many words do you need to
improve your English? English are there worldwide? communicate effectively in
Discuss in group. Guess. Then do research. most situations? Guess.

Speaking, listening, reading or Which is more important: How many words does the
writing? Which skill is most grammar or vocabulary? average native speaker
important to you? Why? Discuss in group. know?

English spoken*: y/n? Useful language Numbers

Australia    Could you repeat that, please?  1,500 – 2,000
 12,000 – 20,000
Canada    Could you speak more slowly, please?
 1,000,000
England    How do you say (…) in English?  375,000,000
India    How do you spell that? Read the numbers
 I’m sorry, I don’t understand. aloud.
Ireland  
 What exactly do you mean?
Kenya   Can you guess which
 Pardon?
Mexico   questions they
 What does (…) mean? answer?
New Zealand  
Scotland  
South Africa  
Food for thought
Wales   We have really everything in common with America
Zimbabwe   nowadays except, of course, language.
*(as an official language)
— Oscar Wilde (English writer)