Topics for English conversation classes

TOPICS OF ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASSES

Na této stránce máte podtémata k jednotlivým maturitním tématům, abyste věděli, o čem mluvit

Hobbies and free time activities.

a)    characteristics and amount of free time

b)    the way people spend their free time (weekdays, weekends, holidays), balance

c)     tendencies of spending free time (groups by sex, age, education, place of living, season)

d)    negative ways of spending free time

e)     workaholics x the importance of relaxation 

f)     opportunities in Hlinsko

g)     my hobby no. 1 in details

                    

 

Sports and games. Keeping fit.

a)       division of sports and some examples (outdoor / indoor, summer / winter, individual / collective, aquatic, with animals,

               extreme sports, …)

b)       sports equipment

c)       sports events (championships, the Olympic Games) and their ideals

d)       popular / national sports and games – UK, USA, CR

e)       famous sportsmen and their achievements

f)        basic rules of a game

g)       ways of keeping fit

h)       negatives (injuries, money, fans (rowdies), drugs, …)

i)    sports facilities in Hlinsko

j)        my sports experience, PE lessons at our school and our gym

 

 

Young people and their lifestyle. Friendship.

a)       position of a young person in society

b)       daily routine of a young person (comparison with adults)

c)       spending free time  (healthy lifestyle vs. addictions, digital technologies as an important part of their life, …)

d)       values and attitudes (idols – why to have or not to have one, positive and negative influence, my idol)

e)       time of problems – arguments with parents – fashion, pocket money, school results, friends, free time, duties, … -

                                               generation gap, absence of communication)

                                   - other family (grandparents, siblings, step parents)

                                   - peers (finding a partner, relationships in the class)

                                   - school (stress, teachers)

                                   - change of lifestyle (smoking, drinking, drugs, responsibility, religious groups, street gangs,

                                               evenings out of a family, ...)

                                   - future (studies, carrier, getting a job, …)

f)        importance of friendship (where to look for friends, close friends and acquaintances), qualities of a real friend

g)       my best friend (appearance, qualities, how to keep in touch)

 

 

People and society.           

a)       relationship between people, social contacts (respect people of round us – parents, grandparents and friends)

b)       the structure of society (poor x rich, racism, discrimination, …)

c)       social organizations, charities

 

 

Family matters.

a)       partnership – falling in love, qualities of a good partner

b)       getting married – reasons, my own opinions

c)       having children – joys and problems

d)       reasons of getting divorced

e)       family contacts (close family / relatives)

f)        my family, family roots

g)       course of life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education, schools and studies.

a)       education in the Czech Republic (compulsory school attendance, types of schools, universities,…)

b)       pros & cons of our schools in comparison with the British or American system (main differences)

c)       exams

d)       education and its value in present society

e)       our school (location, history, type, subjects – compulsory and optional, layout and types of rooms and their equipment,

                students/staff – relations), our class, afterschool activities

f)        my attitude to school, school rules

g)       studying abroad, international contacts

h)       why do we study (business, travelling, reading, communication, watching TV, the Internet, …)

 

Foreign languages. Communication

a)       what is a language, its forms, English as a world language (reasons why)

b)       basic features of English (British vs. American English)

c)       foreign languages in our country – now / past,  languages at our school

d)       learning English and other world languages (textbooks, activities, materials, equipment and my comment on it)

-      why is it difficult / easy to learn

h)       what is communication

i)         how people communicate (nowadays, in the past)

j)        what devices are used for communication

 

                        

Housing. Life in the town vs. in the country.

a)       types of houses in the CR and in GB (various societies – Indians, Eskimos, …)

b)       describing a flat / house – rooms, furniture

c)       differences between life in a house and a flat (house chores,…)

d)       advantages and disadvantages of living in a city (centre / suburb / housing estate) or a village

-       education / jobs

-       services (shops, institutions, health facilities, public transport)

-       people (age, family contacts, interests)

-       life-style (daily programme, place of living, entertainment, finding a partner / friends, keeping traditions)

-       environment / nature

-       crime

e)   today’s trends vs. the past

f)   ideal living, living in the future

g)   housing problems, homelessness

 

 

Nature. Natural disasters .Weather conditions.

a)       animals (different kinds + examples, typical features, way of life)

b)       describe an animal in detail

c)       endangered animals – why, what to do to help them

d)       zoos

e)       plants (division – trees, flowers, … + examples)

f)        gardening, taking care of plants

g)       natural disasters – floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, volcano, storms, … - describe them, what to do, how to

 avoid them – any possibilities?

h)       weather – various seasons (describe the changes in the nature, weather conditions)

i)         weather in the CR and other parts of the world

 

                    

Literature. Books and reading.

a)       what is literature, types of books (fiction and non-fiction and their characteristic)

b)       popular genres with different age groups

c)       Is reading popular and why? Why do/should people read?

d)       literature in films and other arts

e)       How is literature taught at schools? (our literature lessons)

f)        buying books vs. borrowing books  (public libraries)

g)       outstanding British and American writers, their work (4 GB, 4 US, 2 classical, 2 own choice)

h)       my favourite writers / books

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The world of art (theatre, cinema, music, fine art).

a)       you and art

b)       theatre - types of performances (plays – tragedy, comedy, opera, musical, operetta, ballet, concerts, …)

c)       a summary of a famous performance

d)       my last visit at a theatre, description of a theatre

e)       famous playwrights (Shakespeare, G. B. Shaw…)

f)        National Theatre, other famous theatres in the world

g)       types of movies (dubbed films or with subtitles, black-and-white, …) / What makes a film hit?

h)       favourite character / film star / recent box-office success

i)         difference between going to the theatre and cinema (atmosphere, story, money, occasion, …)

j)        sorts of music, musical instruments

k)       Do you play a musical instrument / do you like singing or have a good ear for music?

l)         a famous / favourite musician, composer (life and work)

m)     my favourite music style

n)       sorts of fine art (types of paintings, other works, painting materials)

o)       local painters / exhibitions, a recent exhibition I have seen / art at school

                    

 

Shopping. Services.

a)       your attitude to shopping

b)       today’s trends in shopping – shopping under one roof (hypermarkets and their services)

c)       kinds of shops and goods

d)       small shops and their future / hypermarkets

e)       men and women’s attitude to shopping

f)        street markets, second-hand shops

g)       teenagers and expenditures

h)       describe a procedure of buying something

i)         other services (hairdresser, garage, locksmith, travel agency, …)

 

 

The world of adverts.

a)       what is an advert

b)       what makes a good/successful advert

c)       types of adverts, where can we see them (commercials, classifieds, …)

d)       how do they influence us

e)       describe a favourite advert

 

 

Money matters

a)       what is money, why do we need it

b)       how can we get money

c)       what can people do with it

d)       how to handle financial affairs (bank accounts, cash machines, investments – shares, dividends, stock exchange, …)

e)       currency

f)        earnings (parts of income, taxes – what for, social benefits)

g)       banking (accounts, payment cards, cash machine, cashpoints, cash dispenser, PIN, loans, mortgage, …)

h)       money makes the world go round, is money the most important

 

 

Clothing and fashion.

a)       today’s trends in clothing

b)       clothing in different groups – young people vs. older people, men vs. women, children, …

c)       fashion in the past and the future

d)       clothes for various events (uniforms, dress code, …)

e)       materials, parts of clothes

f)        fashion shows (positive vs. negative effects, models, …)

g)       your favourite kind of clothes

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food and drink. Cooking.

a)       the way you eat (favourite meals, drinks, fruits, vegetables)

b)       the Czech cuisine and its traditions

c)       today’s trends in nutrition (vegetarians, vegans, anorexia, bulimia and other diets)

d)       eating habits in GB, USA, CR

e)       eating out (differences between Czech and British pubs, restaurants)

f)        good eating manners

g)       menu (starters, soups, main courses, desserts)

h)       cooking (a recipe)

 

                    

Health and illness. Healthy life style vs. addictions.

a)       the importance of health

b)       human body

c)       medical care, health facilities and types of doctors

d)       my experience with hospitals/doctors

e)       diseases (symptoms and treatments)

f)        injuries and first aid

g)       civilization diseases/incurable illnesses - prevention

h)       alternative medicine

i)         keeping fit (sports, environment, nutrition, relaxation, job, sufficient sleep, …)

j)        smoking, alcohol, drugs, gambling, TV and computer addictions, …

k)       addictions – why they start, their effect on body and mind, how they limit our lives, how to get rid of them

l)         drug legalization

 

 

Travelling and transport. Holiday.

a)       reasons to travel in the past/now

b)       means of transport – advantages and disadvantages of each

c)       different destinations and equipment (sea, mountains, camp, cities, active/passive)

d)       travelling with an agency

e)       types of accommodation

f)        travel formalities before/during a stay abroad

g)       some famous explorers

h)       my memorable/ideal trip (What can spoil a holiday?)

 

 

Media.

a)       definition - media vs. mass media

b)       the role of media in our life and in today’s world (their influence on our lives)

c)       the press (definition, where do people buy periodicals, people who make the press)

d)       newspapers – popular papers, broadsheets vs. tabloids - differences in the layout

e)       magazines – for different groups

f)        television – channels and programmes in CR, GB, USA, TV commercials

g)       time spent in front of TV, pros x cons of watching TV

h)       violence on TV and its effect on people’s life

i)         radio  (listening to the radio, radio stations,…)

j)        the Internet (what is internet, how can people use it, pros x cons of using the Internet)

 

                    

Ambitions. Future life.

a)       future way of life - education, jobs, housing, holidays, transport, cooking, medical care, pollution, relationships among people, …)

b)       my plans for future – how have they changed since childhood

                             i.      school, future career, partner, family, place of living,

                            ii.      who influences the plans

c)   my interest/talents/my future job

d)   what to do with my weaknesses

e)   what to do to fulfill my dreams

f)   What will I look like in twenty-five years?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jobs and professions.       

a)       different jobs and professions and their position in our society (well-paid jobs, the most respected jobs,…)

b)       why do people work

c)       unemployment

d)       the qualities necessary for particular jobs

e)       my dream job – detailed description

 

 

Environmental problems.

a)       explain: ecology, environment

b)       what are environmental problems

c)       pollution (air, water, …), global changes – rainforest, deserts, … (deforestation)

d)       problems - green-house effect, acid rains, ozone hole, (nuclear) waste, ...

e)       solution - alternative sources of energy, recycling, …

f)        endangered animals (species), sea life, treating and experimenting on animals

g)       natural sources (renewable, non-renewable, energy – alternative sources, recycling)

h)       situation in the world / our country / region

i)         environmental groups – would you be a member?

j)        What can an individual / society do? (solution?)

k)       ecology (at school?)

 

                    

Crime.

a)       various crimes in the street and work of police (the most dangerous crimes – organized groups)

b)       situation in our country – now/past

c)       types of punishments (death punishment – yes/no, different ways of killing people)

d)       famous detectives and criminals in literature

e)       prevention of crime

 

 

Global problems.

a)       what is globalization

b)       general causes of global problems

c)       growing population on the planet (causes and effects)

d)       rich vs. developing countries (hunger / starving, problems of the third world)

e)       wars / terrorism, violence in society

f)        Are all men equal? – discrimination (racism, homosexuals, different minorities, women in society, sexual harassment, religious discr., handicapped, children, xenophobia, …)

g)       civilization and incurable diseases

h)       migration, globalization

 

                    

Progress and technology vs. mysteries.

a)       the new developments in science, medicine, technology, society, …

b)       their influence on our lives

c)       negative aftereffects of technology

d)       space explorations (history, present future) – famous cosmonauts, …

e)       victims of progress

f)        computers

g)       mobiles

h)       the mysteries we can’t explain (UFO, reincarnation, telepathy, …),  beliefs

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country where I live. Prague

a)       brief introduction (type of state, historical parts, political division-regions, capital city, …)

b)       geographical info (location, borders, area, mountains, highlands, lowlands, rivers, lakes, dams, climate)

c)       political system (executive/legislative power, representatives and their duties, pol. parties, elections, state symbols,

                currency, current political situation in the CR,…)

d)       history – most important periods, people, turning points, crucial dates (2^nd World War, Velvet Revolution, …)

e)       economy (natural sources,  industry-typical products, agriculture,  tourism, …)

f)        people (population, nationalities, languages)

g)       places of interests (towns, spas, historical monuments, places of natural beauty, natural parks, other popular tourist

destinations, Czech places on the UNESCO list)

h)       Prague – location, population, administrative division, traditions, sports events, industry and its influence on the

environment, transport, famous people, culture possibilities, current problems,…)

i)      Prague – places of interest (Prague Castle, the Lesser Town, Charles Bridge, the Old Town, St. Vitus Cathedral, …)

 

 

Region where I live. Hlinsko

a)       geographical info (location, mountains, rivers, ponds, …)

b)       Pardubice region (centre, head, location)

c)       industry, agriculture

d)       places of interests (Veselý Kopec, Kameničky, Ležáky, Slatiňany, Chrudim, …)

e)       cultural events (folk customs - Shrovetide Carnival, …)

f)        Hlinsko – location, history – first records, historical part Betlém, other sights, traditions, sports events, industry

and its influence on the environment, municipal facilities, culture possibilities, famous people, problems –

housing, parking, unemployment, …)

 

 

Great Britain. What makes Britain different the Czech Republic and vice versa?

a)       brief introduction (type of state, capital city, division, state symbols, language, currency, …)

b)       geographical facts (location, mountains, rivers, continental vs. oceanic climate, …)

c)       royalty and political system and their representatives

d)       economy, natural sources, industry – products

e)       history (most important historical events, people, crucial dates, …)

f)        places of interests (Stonehenge, Lake District, Stratford upon Avon, Brighton, Oxford, Hadrian’s Wall, …)

g)       famous people (politicians, kings, writers, actors, singers, sportsmen, …)

h)       stereotypes – images of the British (British lifestyles, What do other people think about the British?)

i)         What are foreigners usually surprised by? What makes us different from other the British

 

 

London.

a)       brief introduction (location, river, population, division, transport, …)

b)       places of interests (the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of

                Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Greenwich, …)

c)       squares, museums, galleries, monuments, shopping, theatres, cinemas, …

d)       history (first settlement, Great Fire, …)

 

 

The United States. American cities. What makes the USA different the Czech Republic and vice versa?

a)       brief introduction (type of state, capital city, division – most important states, state symbols, language, currency, …)

b)       geographical facts (states, mountains, rivers, continental vs. oceanic climate, …)

c)       political system and their representatives

d)       economy, natural sources, industry – products

e)       history (most important historical events, people, crucial dates, ….)

f)        famous people (politicians, kings, writers, actors, singers, sportsmen, …)

g)       places of interest (Yellowstone, Death Valley, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon, …)

h)       American cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, …)

i)         stereotypes – images of the Americans (American lifestyles, What do people think about the Americans?)

j)        Washington D.C – the capital city (location, population, history, places of interest)

k)       why are people attracted by the USA, what are foreigners usually surprised by when they arrive there?, what makes the US different from other countries

 

                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English speaking countries. (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland)

a)       what are English speaking countries (what have they in common, British Commonwealth, English)

b)       geographical facts (location, mountains, rivers, continental vs. oceanic climate,…)

c)       political system and their representatives

d)       places of interests

e)       main cities

f)        typical features (customs, holidays, lifestyle, symbols, typical animals, products, )

 

                    

Different holidays and customs.

a)       the British year – typical holidays and celebrations in GB (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, Pancake Day, Halloween, Guy Fawkes’ Night, St. Patrick’s Day,…)

b)       the American year - typical holidays and celebrations in the USA (X-mas, Halloween, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Veteran’s Day,…)

c)       Czech festivals and celebrations (Christmas, Easter, January 1, May 1, May 8, November 17, …)

d)       comparison with the Czech traditions and festivals

e)       typical customs and habits (culture, eating habits, lifestyle, housing,…)

 

 

Lifestyles in the UK, the USA, the CR

a)       British lifestyles (average family, free time activities, sports, typical/popular meals, eating habits, typical houses, traffic,

                typical products, …)

b)       typical features of character (GB – reserved, polite, black humour, superstitious, …)

c)       images of British: tea, black taxi, double decker, red phone box, Mr. Been, …

d)       What do other people think/say about the British? (their reputation abroad)

e)       American lifestyles (average family, free time activities, sports, typical/popular meals, eating habits, typical houses,

                typical products, …)

f)        images: McDonalds, cowboy, fat people, …

g)       What do other people think/say about the Americans? (their reputation abroad)

h)       What are the Czech people like? (typical features of character)

i)         Czech lifestyle (average family, free time activities, hobbies, sports, typical/popular meals, eating habits, typical houses,

                way of living, typical products, …)

j)        Czech cultural customs, traditions

k)       cultural differences (changing the shoes, wearing socks in sandals, …)

 

 

International organizations

a)       Why/when were they established?

b)       basic information – members, laws/rules, …

c)       advantages and disadvantages of being a member

d)       their importance nowadays

e)       EU, NATO, UNESCO, …

f)        British Commonwealth – what is it, some member states, …

g)       charities

Naši uživatelé

pro studenty GKVR