Conversation Cards - Let's talk - 4 Real - part 1

LET’S TALK 4 REAL  

... and then lead a lively discussion.” Easier said than done, isn’t it? Make it happen with Part 1 and Part 2 of our “Let’s talk 4 Real” set!

-          12 discussion topics in each set for a group of up to 4 students

-          Topical photos to help generate ideas

-          Roles assigned for each student plus a list of phrases for each role

-          Vocabulary to cover different aspects of the issue at hand

-          Phrases for turn taking so that your students can have real conversations about things     
           that matter

The cards are for B1 students and above / one-to-one lessons / pairwork or group work.

Topics:

Part 1

Having siblings is better than being an only child.

You cannot have a hobby and be a good student.

Working from home is better than going to the office.

Owning a house is better than renting a flat.

Children and parents should be equal partners.

Online shopping is the best option.

Living a healthy lifestyle is easy.

Having a study buddy is better than learning on your own.

Everyone should receive a universal basic income regardless of their life situation.

Mental health is more important than academic or professional achievements.

It is better to go to university in your hometown.

Streaming platforms are better than the cinema.

Part 2

Travelling off the beaten track is overrated.

Cooking is an unnecessary skill in the modern world.

Students should be able to decide what, how and when they want to learn.

Students should be required to complete some voluntary work.

Spreading fake news should be punished.

Prisons should be a thing of the past.

It is always best to tell the truth.

Everyone should have a pet.

Student councils should have more say about what goes on at school.

Women are better parents.

Living in a multi-generational family is the best.

Being beautiful gives you better opportunities in life.

How to use “Let’s talk 4 Real”?

Part 1 and Part 2 of the “Let’s talk 4 Real” set can be used independently of each other as each part consists of 48 different cards.

Each part comprises 12 discussion/debate topics that can be used with up to 4 students at a time, so together there are 24 topics, each of which is dealt with on four separate cards (marked A, B, C and D).

Part 1 covers topics 1-12 and Part 2 topics 13-24.

The cards are double sided. On one side, there is a photo and a topic. Each card on the same topic has a different photo that shows its different aspect.

The other side of each card contains the topic at the top and three more sections underneath. The first section spells out a separate role in the discussion for each student in a group of 4. There are four roles: a rational thinker, an emotional seeker, a persistent questioner and a skilled moderator. Each role is accompanied by a short description and a list of four phrases or sentences that fit the nature of the role. The section with roles is the same on all the cards in both parts of the set.

The next section contains a list of vocabulary to use when discussing the topic. Each card within a topic has different vocabulary for each of the roles.

The final section is called “Turn taking” and contains a list of phrases/expressions or sentences that help the students take part in a discussion in a more natural and authentic way. The phrases here can be used to interrupt others politely, apologise for interrupting or avoid being interrupted, get others to speak, signal that we have finished or have nothing to add, etc. Some of the expressions can be found on multiple cards but the four cards within each topic have different ones for each student.

In the box you will find a detailed description of how to work with the cards.

Author: Ewa Torebko