“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 1: Family and Relationships
Story 01: Family
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- tight-knit
- catching up
- role models
- passionate
- construction
- daredevil
- scraped knees
- successful
- pursue
- have each other’s backs
Read or Listen to the following passage:
My name is Henry, and I come from a loving and tight-knit family. I was born and raised in a small town, and I have two siblings: a younger brother and an older sister. Growing up, we spent a lot of time together as a family, whether it was playing board games, going on hikes, or just sitting around the dinner table and catching up on our day.
My parents have been married for over 30 years, and they have always been great role models for me and my siblings. They are hardworking, honest, and always put their family first. My mom is a teacher, and she has always been passionate about education and helping others. My dad works in construction and is incredibly skilled at building things with his hands.
My younger brother is a high school student, and he loves playing sports and spending time with his friends. He’s always been a bit of a daredevil, which has led to a few scraped knees and broken bones over the years! My older sister is married and has two children, and she’s an amazing mom. She’s also a successful businesswoman and has inspired me to pursue my own goals and dreams.
Overall, I feel incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful family. We may not always agree on everything, but we always support each other and have each other’s backs no matter what.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the name of the person speaking in the passage?
- How many siblings does Henry have?
- What is Henry’s mother’s profession?
- What does Henry’s father do for a living?
- How would you describe Henry’s relationship with his family?
Conversations Starters:
- How would you describe your family?
- How often do you spend time with your family?
- What are some of your favorite activities to do with your family?
- Who is the most influential person in your family and why?
- How have family roles and structures changed over the years in your country?
- How important is it to have a close relationship with your siblings?
- How has technology impacted the way families communicate with each other?
- How often do you have family reunions or meet relatives?
- Do you think it’s better to have a big family or a small family?
- What are some cultural differences in the way families are structured and function in your country compared to others?
