Discussion Topics

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Activities & Questions

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For Teacher: Lesson Plan Idea

As intermediate-level English learners, expanding your vocabulary and enhancing your conversation skills is essential. One way to practice this is by discussing various topics, such as beauty. This blog post will guide you through some learning points inspired by a discussion on beauty, providing you with new vocabulary, phrases, and insights to improve your English language skills.

https://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk

1. Describing physical appearance: When talking about beauty, you might want to describe someone’s physical appearance. Here are some adjectives and phrases to help you express your thoughts:

  • Attractive
  • Stunning
  • Gorgeous
  • Striking
  • Charming

Example sentence: “I find her stunning because of her striking eyes and charming smile.”

2. Discussing inner beauty: Beauty isn’t limited to physical appearance; it also encompasses a person’s character and personality. Here are some words and phrases to help you describe someone’s inner beauty:

  • Kind-hearted
  • Empathetic
  • Genuine
  • Compassionate
  • Warm

Example sentence: “He has a warm personality, which makes him genuinely beautiful inside and out.”

3. Expressing personal opinions: When discussing beauty, it’s essential to express your opinions respectfully. Here are some phrases to help you articulate your thoughts:

  • In my opinion…
  • From my perspective…
  • I believe that…
  • As far as I’m concerned…

Example sentence: “In my opinion, beauty is not only about physical appearance but also about a person’s character and values.”

4. Agreeing and disagreeing: During a discussion, you might want to agree or disagree with someone’s point of view. Here are some expressions to help you do so:

  • I completely agree with you.
  • You have a point, but…
  • I see where you’re coming from, however…
  • I respectfully disagree.

Example sentence: “I completely agree with you that kindness and empathy contribute to a person’s overall beauty.”

5. Exploring idiomatic expressions: Using idiomatic expressions can make your English sound more natural. Here are a couple of idioms related to beauty:

  • Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: Beauty is subjective, and people have different preferences.
  • Don’t judge a book by its cover: Don’t judge someone or something based on their appearance alone.

Example sentence: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so we should not judge a book by its cover.”

Conclusion: Discussing topics like beauty can help you practice and improve your English skills. By focusing on expanding your vocabulary, expressing personal opinions, and using idiomatic expressions, you can enhance your conversation abilities and engage in more meaningful discussions. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep participating in conversations and exploring new topics to boost your English language skills.

Discussion Topics

Put your new knowledge into action by discussing these topics with friends in English or join the Gallery Teachers Speaking Club for even more practice. Part of the Open Learning membership, Speaking Club offers a great opportunity to improve your speaking skills, connect with language enthusiasts, and get feedback from experienced native-level teachers.

Exploring the concept of beauty

  1. What do you consider beautiful?
  2. Do you believe that beauty is subjective or objective?
  3. What makes a person beautiful?
  4. Do you think that beautiful people are usually more successful? If so, in what way?
  5. Do you think that beauty can ever be a disadvantage? When, and in what way?

Beauty and perception

  1. Is there more pressure on women to be beautiful than there is on men? Why should this be?
  2. Cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more commonplace. What do you think about it?
  3. How important is image and marketing (as opposed to talent) in the pop industry?
  4. What is your opinion of beauty competitions like Miss World and Miss Universe?
  5. What is your opinion of tattoos?

Activities & Questions

Now it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Write your response to the AI EFL Expert Gale below.

Question 1: What does the word “striking” mean?
a) Attractive in a strong or impressive way b) Causing physical harm c) To hit or impact something

Question 2: What does the idiom “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” mean?
a) Beauty can only be seen with good eyesight b) Beauty is subjective, and people have different preferences c) Beauty is a rare and valuable quality

Question 3: What does the word “empathetic” mean?
a) Having the ability to understand and share the feelings of others b) A person who likes to debate c) A type of medical treatment

Question 4: Which phrase can be used to express agreement during a discussion?
a) I completely agree with you b) I respectfully disagree c) You have a point, but…

Question 5: What does the idiom “don’t judge a book by its cover” mean?
a) Don’t judge someone or something based on their appearance alone b) Books should be chosen based on their content c) Physical appearance is the most important aspect of a person

For Teachers: Classroom Activities

Beginner:

  1. Vocabulary Match-Up: Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a list of adjectives related to physical and inner beauty. Ask them to match each adjective to its correct definition. For example, “attractive” would match with “pleasing to the eye,” while “kind-hearted” would match with “having a kind and caring personality.” You can use this activity to introduce new vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and foster collaboration between students.
  2. Conversation Starters: Create a list of questions related to beauty, such as “What is beauty to you?” or “Do you think beauty is important?” Divide the class into small groups and ask them to discuss the questions together. This activity can help students practice expressing opinions, using idiomatic expressions, and engaging in dialogue with others.
  3. Describing a Friend: Ask each student to choose a friend or family member and describe their physical appearance and inner qualities using the adjectives and phrases provided in the article. You can then ask students to share their descriptions with the class and encourage them to use the vocabulary and expressions in their descriptions.

Intermediate:

  1. Role-Play Discussions: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a topic related to beauty, such as “The Importance of Physical Appearance” or “The Role of Inner Beauty in Relationships.” Ask each group to prepare a short dialogue in which they express their opinions and respond to their classmates’ points of view. This activity can help students practice expressing opinions, using phrases to agree or disagree, and engaging in respectful debate.
  2. Debate Game: Create a game where students take turns arguing a topic related to beauty, such as “Is Physical Beauty More Important Than Inner Beauty?” or “Should Beauty Contests Be Banned?” Students can choose to support or oppose the topic and must use persuasive language and logical arguments to win the debate. This activity can help students practice critical thinking, research, and public speaking.
  3. Idiomatic Expressions Quiz: Create a quiz where students match idiomatic expressions related to beauty, such as “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” or “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” with their correct definitions. You can then ask students to use the expressions in their own sentences to demonstrate understanding.

Advanced:

  1. Beauty and Culture Research Project: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a different culture to research. Ask them to explore the cultural standards of beauty and how they have evolved over time. Students can then present their findings to the class and engage in a discussion on the similarities and differences between cultural perceptions of beauty.
  2. Film Analysis: Choose a movie or TV show that explores the theme of beauty, such as “Black Mirror: Nosedive” or “The Devil Wears Prada.” Ask students to analyze the characters and their motivations related to beauty, as well as the social commentary on the topic. Students can then write a critical analysis or lead a class discussion on their findings.
  3. Beauty and Society Debate: Divide the class into two teams and assign each team a position on a controversial topic related to beauty, such as “Should Cosmetic Surgery Be Regulated More Strictly?” or “Is Beauty Privilege Real?” Teams can then engage in a formal debate using persuasive language and logical arguments. This activity can help students practice critical thinking, research, and public speaking.

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