“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 9: Travel and Culture
Story 03: International Cuisine
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- International food festival
- Ingredients
- Spices
- Thai chicken curry
- Indian samosa
- Korean barbecue
- Fermented bean dish
- Tres leches cake
- Socialize
- Love of food
Read or Listen to the following passage:
I recently had the opportunity to attend an international food festival at a local park. It was a great experience to try new foods from different cultures and learn about the different ingredients and spices used in each dish.
One of my favorite dishes was a spicy Thai chicken curry. The combination of the creamy coconut milk and the spicy chili peppers made for a delicious and complex flavor. I also tried a savory Indian samosa, filled with spiced potatoes and peas, and served with a tangy tamarind sauce. Another standout dish was a sweet and sticky Korean barbecue, with tender strips of beef that were marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar.
There were a few dishes that I wasn’t as fond of, such as a fermented bean dish from China that had a strong, pungent odor and a sour taste. I also tried a dessert from Mexico called tres leches cake, which was too sweet and rich for my taste.
Overall, the food festival was a great experience, and I enjoyed learning about different cultures and trying new foods. It was also a fun opportunity to socialize and meet new people who shared a love of food.
Comprehension Questions:
- What was the narrator’s favorite dish at the food festival?
- What were some other dishes that the narrator tried and enjoyed?
- Was there any food that the narrator did not like? Why?
- How did the narrator feel about the overall experience at the food festival?
- What was one thing the narrator learned about different cultures through the food festival?
Conversations Starters:
- What is your favorite type of international cuisine, and why?
- Have you ever tried a food from another culture that you couldn’t eat? What was it, and why couldn’t you eat it?
- How important is it to try new foods and explore different cuisines?
- What are some common ingredients or spices used in international cuisine that you enjoy?
- Have you ever traveled specifically to experience a certain type of food or cuisine? Where did you go, and what did you try?
- What is your favorite dish to cook at home, and what are the ingredients and spices used in it?
- What are some foods from your own culture that you think people should try?
- How do food and culture intersect, and what role does food play in different cultures?
- Do you think there are health benefits to eating a diverse range of foods from different cultures?
- How has your relationship with food changed over time, and what have been some influential experiences or factors?
