Private English Class with Giamo

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

ESL Conversation Questions: Dreams



1. What are dreams? 

2. Are dreams important? 

3. How can people avoid having bad dreams or nightmares? 

4. What are some differences between dreams and goals? 

5. "Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it you can make it so." What do you think about this quote? 

6. What are some of your future dreams or goals? 

Monday, October 25, 2021

ESL Expressions: Fruits



1. Cherry pick - to select the best or most desirable items, ignoring others 

2. Apples and Oranges - of two different classes, not comparable 

3. To Be A Peach - someone or something that's extremely good, impressive or attractive 

4. To Be In A Pickle - to be in a difficult situation 

5. Bear Fruit - produce results 

6. Bad Apple - to be a bad person 

ESL Vocabulary: Emotional Intelligence




ESL Vocabulary (Emotional Intelligence) 

1. Harness - verb - to control and make use of something 

2. Explanatory - adjective - serving to explain something 

3. Hasty - adjective - done with excessive speed or urgency; hurried 

4. Cultivate - verb - try to acquire or develop a quality or skill 

5. Intuitive - adjective- using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning 

6. Read The Room -  phrase - to be or become aware of the opinions and attitudes of a group of people that you are talking to

ESL Conversation Questions: Emotional Intelligence




1. What is emotional intelligence? 

2. What are signs that someone may possess strong emotional intelligence skills? 

3. How can people improve their emotional intelligence skills? 

4. In relation to starting a new business is emotional intelligence more important than cognitive intelligence? 

5. "IQ gets you hired. EQ gets you promoted." Would you agree with this quote? Why or Why not? 

6. Is it possible to be too self aware?  

Friday, October 22, 2021

ESL Conversation Questions: Studying Abroad




1. Why is studying abroad an attractive option for many people? 

2. A  recent study found that Canada was the most searched country for studying abroad. Do you find this information surprising? 

3. What could be some of the challenges of studying abroad? 

4. What do you imagine makes people want to study in your country? 

5. 'Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do." Do you agree with this quote? 

6. Explain one positive and negative aspect of a foreign country you would be interested in studying in?

ESL Vocabulary: Cheating



1. Essay - noun - a piece of writing about a particular subject 

2. Mill - noun - a building that contains machinery for making a particular product 

3. Unethical -adjective - not considered morally right

4. Undermine - verb - to reduce the power, effectiveness, etc. of someone or something 

5. Take advantage of - to use someone or something, especially in an unfair or dishonest way; to make good use of something 

6. Cheat - verb - to break a rule in order to win or get something 

Thursday, October 21, 2021

ESL Conversation Questions: Cheating



1. What is cheating? 

2. Why should students not cheat? 

3. Should it be illegal for individuals or companies to sell essay papers to students? 

4. Is memorization still important today? 

5. "If you are not cheating then you are not trying."  Eddie Guerrero. What are your thoughts on this quote? 

6. Do you think students who cheat will turn into employees who cut corners at work? 

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

ESL Conversation Questions: Tax Evasion



1. What is tax evasion? 

2. How can tax evasion hurt a country's growth? 

3. Do you think higher earners should pay more taxes than lower earners? 

4. Despite tax evasion being exposed by journalists do you think governments around the world will become more vigilant against tax evaders? 

5. Which is more helpful to a country's economy? A rich CEO donating a billion dollars to charity or that same CEO properly paying his taxes. 

6. "The bourgeoisie are today evading taxation by bribery and through their connections; we must close all loopholes." - Vladimir Lenin. Should all loopholes be closed? 

ESL Phrasal Verbs: Hold



1. Hold someone back - prevent from doing/going 

2. Hold something back - hide an emotion 

3. Hold on - to wait a short time 

4. Hold onto - hold firmly using your hands or arms 

5. Hold up - to rob 

6. Holdout - refusing to accept what is offered 



Phrasal Verb Conversation Questions 

1.Do you hear a lot of news stories about banks being held up in your city? 

2. What business principles do you hold onto? 

3. Is it better to hold back your emotions during a business meeting or to just let it all out? 

4. Have you ever felt like someone was holding you back? 

5. Do you believe strikes and holdouts are an effective way for employees to get what they want from owners? 

6. How do you feel when people tell you to hold on? 





Saturday, October 9, 2021

Giamo's Thoughts: Identity


 


What is identity? 

Identity is the characteristics that determine who or what a person or thing is. It is a word that encompasses many different aspects of people's lives. 

Also there are several different types of identities such as cultural identity, professional identity, disability  identity and many others. 

What are some common ways people define their identity? 

I usually associate my identity to others as being a relatively young African American man who works as an online English teacher and who loves creating digital content. 

However there are other people who define their identity in terms of religion such as being a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc. Also there are people who do not define their identity in terms of ethnicity, but rather nationality. 



What does the "expression midlife" crisis mean? 

A midlife crisis is a transition of identity and self confidence that can occur in middle aged individuals, typically 45 to 65 years old. 

Physically as people age they are not able to do the things such as sports, exercise and other activities that they were once able to do which can cause a change in identity. 

Also mentally and emotionally people usually begin to change their perspectives and desires when  they are in the last half of their life. 

It is important to be able to  define your identity to others? 

In general it is not important to be able to define your identity to others. It is not necessary for strangers to know who you are or what you stand for. 

However, there are some situations such as an interview or a first date where being able to define yourself and explain who you are could be advantageous. 



What can destroy a person's identity? 

Failure can definitely destroy a person's identity. For example someone who thought she was a very good mathematician may not consider herself a mathematician if she fails many math tests. 

Also trauma can destroy a person's identity on a physical and emotional level. For example if a man gets into a motorcycle crash he may become physically disabled and he may not decided to identify himself as someone who loves motorcycles. 

 

 

Thursday, October 7, 2021

ESL Conversation Questions: Trees



1. What do trees symbolize to you? 

2. Why are trees important for people? 

3. "When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind." What does this quote mean to you? 

4. Is it a good idea to go out on a limb if you strongly believe in something? 

5. How can we prevent deforestation? 

6. What do you think is the root cause of most crimes? 

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

ESL Expressions: Movies



1. Run The Show - dominate or be in charge of an area of activity 

2. To Be In The Limelight - at the center of public attention or notoriety 

3. Break A Leg - to have good luck 

4. Kick Off - to start an event or activity 

5. Get The Show On The Road - to begin an activity or journey 

6. Sell Out - to completely abandon your principles in favor of something such as money

ESL Vocabulary: Retirement



ESL Vocabulary ( Retirement

1. Cognitive - adjective - relating to the process of thinking and understanding 

2. Decline - noun - a continuous decrease in amount, quality, etc. 

3. Model - noun - a mathematical description of a system, process, etc. that is used to help make calculations 

4. Regardless - adverb - despite or without consideration of 

5. Protective - adjective - intended to keep someone or something safe; having or showing a desire to keep someone or something safe 

6. Stimulation - noun - the action of causing someone to feel interested, enthusiastic or excited 

Monday, October 4, 2021

ESL Conversation Questions: Retirement



1. What is retirement? 

2. If given the choice, would you rather retire now or work your dream job until retirement age? 

3.What do you imagine you'll miss about working when you retire? 

4. Don't simple retire from something; have something to retire to. -- Harry Emerson Fosdick. What are your thoughts on this quote 

5. Do you think postponing retirement could slow down cognitive decline? 

6. Where would you like to retire?