“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 2: Home and Neighborhood
Story 04: Parks
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Unwind
- Benches
- Surroundings
- Nieces
- Nephews
- Expending
- Picnic
- Serene
- Tranquility
- Hustle and bustle
Read or Listen to the following passage:
I live near a park that has become one of my favorite places to go to unwind and relax. It’s a beautiful park with lots of trees, benches, and a small lake in the middle. When I go there, I like to take a walk around the lake and enjoy the peacefulness of the surroundings.
There’s also a playground in the park, which is great for when I bring my young nieces and nephews to play. They love the swings and slides, and I enjoy watching them have fun and expending their energy.
Another thing I like to do at the park is have a picnic with friends. We bring blankets and baskets of food and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air while catching up and enjoying each other’s company.
One of my favorite memories at the park was when I saw a group of people practicing tai chi by the lake. It was such a serene and beautiful sight to see, and it inspired me to try it out for myself.
Overall, this park near my home has become a special place for me, where I can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and find a bit of peace and tranquility.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the park near the narrator’s home like?
- What does the narrator like to do at the park with his young nieces and nephews?
- What does the narrator like to do at the park with his friends?
- What inspired the narrator to try tai chi?
- What does the park near the narrator’s home mean to him?
Conversations Starters:
- What is your favorite park in your neighborhood or city? Why?
- What is your favorite activity to do at a park?
- What are some common activities people do at parks in your country?
- Have you ever visited a park in another country? What was it like?
- How important do you think parks are for a community?
- Do you think parks should be free to the public or should there be an admission fee? Why?
- Have you ever had a memorable experience at a park? What happened?
- What are some things that can be done to make parks more accessible and enjoyable for everyone?
- What is your opinion on parks that allow dogs? Should they be allowed or not? Why?
- Do you think parks are important for mental and physical health? Why or why not?
