Foreign-Language
Clubs – Advanced Level Discussion Topics by Savvy Mom Ruth Paget
Once
you have secured a place for your foreign-language discussion club, I think the
following topics are good ones to discuss at the intermediate level:
All
these topics must be discussed in the target language:
1-Self-introduction. Tell why you want to improve your language
skills. How much of the target language
have you studied already and where did you study. Do you have any tips that would be helpful to
you.
2-Do
a sales presentation for your business or school in the target language.
3-Give
a summary and evaluation of a film you have seen. Answer questions.
4-Give
a summary and evaluation of a book you
have read. Answer questions.
5-Talk
about a recipe you have made. Go through
it step by step. Give tips to make it
successfully.
6-Talk
about a trip you have taken and give tips.
Answer questions.
7-Talk
about a museum, aquarium, or historical site you have visited. Give some tips for visiting it. Answer questions.
8-Talk
about a play or documentary you have seen and evaluate it. Answer questions.
9-Talk
about a specific region in the country whose language you are studying. Answer questions.
10-Talk
about and analyze a biography of a famous person, who spoke the language you
are studying.
11-Talk
about the major industries of the country whose language you are studying. Answer questions.
12-Talk
about agriculture in the country whose language you are studying. Analyze the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats affecting industry in these countries. Answer questions.
13-Talk
about the political parties in the country whose language you are
studying. Analyze their political
standpoints and talk about the current balance of power in these countries.
You
can find information about foreign political parties in the CIA Factbook. It is available online.
14-Discuss
what American products could be sold in the country whose language you are
studying. Answer questions. The foreign-language clubs sponsored by foreign
governments tend to focus on bringing their products and services into the US only
and not bringing American business into their countries.
15-Discuss
the products that the country whose language you are studying is famous
for. Examine packaging on products from
the country you are studying. Study
meanings associated with the color.
Color associations are not the same in every culture.
16-Tell
someone how to set up a computer over the telephone in the language you are
studying.
17-Troubleshoot
what could be wrong with wi-fi that is not working over the telephone. Try to find solutions.
18-Tell
a nurse symptoms of illness you have in the language you are studying. Answer questions.
19-Arrange
to have a tow truck come for your stalled vehicle in the foreign language you
are studying.
20-Ask
a hotel concierge for information on eco-tourism outings in your area.
These
questions will get you to a pretty good level in the language. You can form a club with your university
alumni group, National Guard group, religious organizations, or athletic
clubs.
Private
rooms in ethnic restaurants and pizzarias might let you rent a room, if you
purchase food and drink.
You
only need 5 or 6 people in a club to have a good 1-hour discussion group.
Once
you have reached a good level, you might consider watching foreign news
broadcasts
By
Ruth Paget, author of Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France
Click here for: Ruth Paget's Amazon Books
Click here for: Ruth Paget's Amazon Books
