“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 8: Money and Finance
Story 04: Retirement
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Drastic
- Laid-back
- Chaos
- Diversity
- Array
- Socializing
- Pursue
- Grateful
- Opportunities
- Adjust
Read or Listen to the following passage:
I retired a few years ago and moved to a small beach town after spending my whole life in a big city. The change in my lifestyle has been drastic, but overall, I’m very happy with my decision.
Living in a small town has its pros and cons. On the one hand, everything is much more relaxed and laid-back. I no longer have to deal with the stress and chaos of big city life. I can take my time with things, whether it’s walking on the beach, gardening in my backyard, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee on my front porch.
On the other hand, there are times when I miss the energy and excitement of city life. I miss the diversity of people and cultures, and the endless array of things to do and see. It can also be challenging at times to adjust to small-town life, especially when it comes to socializing and making new friends.
Despite these challenges, I’m grateful for my retirement and the opportunities it has brought me. I’ve been able to travel more, spend more time with family and friends, and pursue hobbies and interests that I never had time for before. Overall, I wouldn’t trade my new lifestyle for anything.
Comprehension Questions:
- Where did the narrator move after retiring?
- How has the narrator’s lifestyle changed since retiring?
- What are some of the pros of living in a small beach town?
- What are some of the cons of living in a small beach town?
- How has retirement affected the narrator’s ability to pursue hobbies and interests?
Conversations Starters:
- When do you hope to retire? How did you arrive at that decision?
- What are some of the biggest challenges that retirees face in terms of financial planning?
- What is your ideal retirement lifestyle? What would you do if you had unlimited time and resources?
- How important is it to have a retirement plan in place? What should be included in a retirement plan?
- How do you plan to stay active and engaged during retirement?
- Have you thought about where you would like to live during retirement? What factors are important to you when choosing a retirement location?
- How important is it to you to have a sense of purpose during retirement? What are some ways to maintain a sense of purpose after leaving the workforce?
- What are some common misconceptions about retirement? How can they be addressed?
- Have you ever considered retiring abroad? What are some pros and cons of retiring in another country?
- What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to think about their retirement plans?
