Karin's ESL PartyLand/©1999 by Karl Graham & Karin M. Cintron
Reproducible for Classroom Use

WWW Activity: Discussion Forums

Today, we are going to visit some Internet discussion forums. There are a lot of different topics to choose from. With your partner, choose five of the topics below. Then--before we go to the computer lab--discuss the questions for the topics you’ve chosen.

Dating and Relationships

  1. How are men and women different? How are men and women in the United States different from men and women in your country?
  2. How old were you when you went on your first date? Tell about the date.
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

Fashion, Fads, and Shopping

  1. Do you think that people in your country dress better than people in the United States? Why or why not?
  2. Do people in your country buy used clothing? If not, why not?
  3. What’s your favorite article of clothing that you now own?
  4. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

International Cooking and Cuisine

  1. What’s your favorite food from your country? Describe it to your partner.
  2. What’s the last meal that you cooked? How did you make it?
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

Movies

  1. What’s the best movie made in your country that you’ve seen? Tell your partner about it.
  2. Has the worldwide popularity of American movies had an effect on your country’s culture? If so, how?
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

Music

  1. Is there any type of music that only comes from your country? Do you like it? If so, tell your partner about it.
  2. Did you take music lessons when you were a child? Do you still play that instrument?
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

Extreme Sports

  1. What do you think the most dangerous sport is? Why? Can you give any specific examples of accidents people have had?
  2. Are there any sports that have recently become popular in your country?
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

Travel Tips

  1. What is your favorite city or place in the world? Why?
  2. Tell your partner about the most expensive trip you’ve ever taken. Do you regret spending the money?
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

Worldwide Nightlife

  1. Is there a place that you usually go to at night? Describe it.
  2. When do people in your country usually go out at night? When do they usually go home?
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

The News and Current Events

  1. The United States is very powerful militarily. To what extent should it be "the world’s policeman?"
  2. What is the biggest news story in your country right now? Talk about it.
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

Learning Languages

  1. What do you think the best way to learn vocabulary is? Tell your partner about it.
  2. Do you make a lot of mistakes when you speak English? Are there any mistakes you make often? Tell your partner about it.
  3. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here:

 

That Wild World Wide Web

  1. Do you use e-mail a lot? If so, do you send more e-mails, or do you receive more?
  2. Are there any web-sites that you go to on a regular basis? Describe them to your partner.
  3. Do you think that the Internet can be addictive? Are you or anyone else you know spending too much time on the web?
  4. Now, think of your own question for this topic. Write it here: