Thorp and Sailor's Grave Board

Looking for Thorpers Opinions

CR83 - 8-31-2006 at 04:58 PM

I have a friend who teaches English in Hungary to grades 9-12. He is looking for some topics or ideas on how to get the kids talking.

This is one creative ass bunch on this board. I would like to get your opinions on how to get these kids to talk.

Here are some of the topics he has used in the past:

Describing things/places

USA

Great Britain

Traffic, cars, public transport, driving a car

Travelling, organizing and planning a journey

Entrtainment, Arts, theater cinema, concerts

reading, books, magazines....

radio, computers, internet

plants and animals

The Universe

Health and Illness, common diseases, injuries

Schools and education

Reacting to events

Attitudes, beliefs, morals

Meals and eating out

Sports and games

Holidays

Housing

Anything you think of will help a lot. Thanks everyone!

defstarsteve - 8-31-2006 at 06:35 PM

sex

Discipline - 8-31-2006 at 07:06 PM

Hardcore

The history of GG Allin

Why rap music sucks

SlobDylan - 8-31-2006 at 08:07 PM

I do things like this with my kids in class and i use current events a lot. I also use "kid centered" topics like skating, BMX, girlfriends, boyfriends, and stuff like that...if that doesn't work sex or GG will probably get them talking!

clevohardcore - 8-31-2006 at 08:25 PM

Discuss what gets Americans talking. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. O and "FLAVA FLAV"

Discipline - 8-31-2006 at 08:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by clevohardcore
Discuss what gets Americans talking. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. O and "FLAVA FLAV"


Actually, that could be a good topic. The complete idiocy of celebrity in this day and age, and how little a person has to do to become "famous."

joemaconmovies - 9-1-2006 at 12:02 AM

talk about scientology and how fucked up tom cruise is mentally!

Six66Mike - 9-1-2006 at 12:23 AM

hahahaaha best replis in this thread, and nobody with a serious answer. i don't have one either.

barc0debaby - 9-1-2006 at 02:15 AM

Music, Underground vs mainstream.

CR83 - 9-1-2006 at 09:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by barc0debaby
Music, Underground vs mainstream.


Good idea here. I also like the mention of "what it takes to be a celebrity".

Flava Flav one is great. That show just makes my skin crawl. Seriously what is that dude's deal?

Voodoobillyman - 9-1-2006 at 11:09 AM

Quote:

Why rap music sucks

joemaconmovies - 9-1-2006 at 11:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Six66Mike
hahahaaha best replis in this thread, and nobody with a serious answer. i don't have one either.


Chris' friend seems to have covered almost every topic.

In all honesty, find out what they like to do or what they are passionate about and talk like that. I helped teach a group of freshman college kids who didn't wanna be there and wouldn't talk until we got talking about shit they wanted to talk about. Then they opened up. That's how you start and then once they get comfortable with you, you can expand.

CR83 - 9-1-2006 at 12:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by joemaconmovies
Quote:
Originally posted by Six66Mike
hahahaaha best replis in this thread, and nobody with a serious answer. i don't have one either.


Chris' friend seems to have covered almost every topic.

In all honesty, find out what they like to do or what they are passionate about and talk like that. I helped teach a group of freshman college kids who didn't wanna be there and wouldn't talk until we got talking about shit they wanted to talk about. Then they opened up. That's how you start and then once they get comfortable with you, you can expand.


That's a great point. One thing working against him is that it is a former communist country and there is still that "veil" of "watch what you say". My Buddy is also just trying to be a great teacher.

These are all good answers though.

DaveMoral - 9-2-2006 at 10:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ChrisReed83


Flava Flav one is great. That show just makes my skin crawl. Seriously what is that dude's deal?


He's an ex(?) crackhead, and the original hype-man... before Busta and Old Dirty... what's not to love??

I'd rather see him have a show on VH1, the home of pity for washed up celebrities from 20 years ago, than Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton any day. Being the child of a disgustingly rich person does NOT make you not worthy in any way... especially if you're rail thing and look like I could break you with a sneeze.

DaveMoral - 9-2-2006 at 10:08 AM

There you go... talk about communism. Seriously. That ought to get 'em going... unless that's still so taboo it scares them to criticize.

Though it could be an interesting lesson... maybe they'll divide into a group that extols the virtue of communism and another that reviles it... or perhaps they'd have some sort of more moderate critque. THAT could be very interesting.

BDx13 - 9-2-2006 at 10:17 AM

like SlobDylan said, you gotta get on topics that these kids care about.
it's hard enough making kids come out of their shells, all the more so i would imagine when you're trying to get them to speak in a foreign language.
want them to open up, it's gotta be something they're passionate about.