Santa Brigida: Intermediate 2 Speaking Topics Studied

Monologue Sample Questions: Practice speaking for 3 minutes on the following: What specific vocabulary and grammar from the book would you use?

Names
Do you like your first name? why/why not? Nicknames? Importance of a name? stereotypes? Effect life? Change your name?

Stereotypes
Opinion? Reason? Examples? Danger? Strengths/weaknesses of your nationality? Are you typical of your nationality, why/why not?

TV and Radio
Give your opinion TV and Radio as a means of communication. Think of favourite programmes, types of programmes, channel-hopping, advertisements,  national versus independent TV etc

Humour
Do people in general in Spain have a good sense of humour? Yourself? Favourite comedy series? Telling jokes? Comedians?

Music
What kind of music/singers did you like when you were younger? Has your taste changed much? Do you sing or play a musical instrument? Describe your opinion on music, in general.

Fame
Do you think there are more 'famous' people nowadays than in the past? Do people suffer from being famous? Do you think it is right that the media intrude in the private lives of the 'famous'?    

Health
Talk about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. What do you do to keep fit/to stay healthy?

Health Advice
Think about some some advice to give related to keeping well in general e.g. If you have problems with insomnia,......

Alternative medicine
What is your opinion on alternative medicine? Have you ever tried any form of alternative medicine or do you know of anyone else who has experience of alternative medicine , if so, was it successful? Why/why not?

Age
What do you think might be our best age/worst age? Why? What are the main advantages and disadvantages of being your present age?

The Future
Talk about what you might be doing in 10 years' time. What might you have done by the year 2023? Give reasons and examples.

Predictions: In 20 Years' Time
Give your opinion on one of the following statements, remember to give reasons and examples to support your opinion.

People will be using more alternative medicines.
People will be marrying less.
Scientists will be cloning people

Childhood/Teenage Years
Speak about things you used to do as a child/teenager. Is there any one particular thing that you used to do as a child/teenager that your family still talk about? Do you have any anecdotes that you would like to share on your childhood or teenage years?

Story/Anecdote
Tell a story or anecdote that can be true or invented (amusing, terrifying, entertaining,  surprising...etc). Tell it in a convincing way using the appropriate grammar, linking words, adverbs etc to make it sound interesting and convincing.

Addictions
Are you addicted to any of the following or do you know anyone who is...:  Internet chat rooms, texting, listening to music, doing a hobby,  computer games, TV, shopping....others? Describe how long is spent on this activity in general, how it effects your/their life. Have you/they ever tried to give up this activity?

Driving
Do you drive? If so, do you enjoy it? Why/why not?. If you don't drive at present, would you like to learn to drive, why/why not? Do you have any 'driving stories' e.g. about learning to drive, about a time when the car broke down, about being lost, about running out of petrol etc

History
What is your favourite historical film or novel? Is there a period of history you would have liked to have lived in? Why? What do you think about how you were taught history at school?

Interaction Sample Questions: Practice speaking for 5 minutes together on the following: What specific vocabulary and grammar from the book would you use?

Agree/Disagree Statements
State if you agree or disagree with one or two of the following statements, give reasons and examples for your opinion:
More TV channels means more variety and better programmes
TV Companies shouldn't interrupt films with commercials
Violence on TV can influence negatively on childrens' behaviour

Interview
Imagine you are interviewing each other for Time magazine. The magazine wants you to ask general questions along with unusual/different/ interesting questions.  Take turns asking and answering questions.

Humour
Discuss together the importance of having a good sense of humour? Is being able to laugh at yourselves beneficial, if so, how? How do you feel about English jokes and sense of humour? Ask and answer each others' questions.

Fame
Discuss together the right or not that the media have to intrude in the private lives of the 'famous.' Develop your opinions, give reasons and examples.

Health
Discuss the health system in your country? What are the differences between private and public health care? Do you have any personal experience of one or both of these systems? Develop your opinions, give reasons and examples.

Eternal Youth
Debate with a partner the idea of using cosmetic surgery to try to keep looking young? Discuss the benefits, dangers, cost, meaning, pressure to do it etc

Vision of the Future
Discuss together your 'Vision of the Future',  think about shopping, technology, health, sport, travel. Debate together, reasoning, giving examples.

Addictions
Debate the following topic with your partner:
'Internet Addiction is Increasing '
State the possible reasons why, the effects, the dangers and speak of any case(s) in particular that you know of.

Dangerous Activities
Talk together about what you consider to be dangerous activities. Discuss the dangers and/or benefits of doing these activities. Have you got any personal experience of doing any of these activities or would you do some of these activities in the future?

Politics
Debate the following:
Young people today are not interested in Politics
How true is the above statement? Reasons? Examples?