Perspective 4

Media Topics

Discussing controversial topics taken from the media and using them to generate and maintain a conversation is something that we do in every language. The following topics are designed to form conversation structure, develop confidence,  increase grammatical awareness and  improve pronunciation while you talk.

Statements & Questions

HOUSEWORK
1. Housework is the biggest waste of time.
a. Are there any chores that you secretly enjoy? Why?
​b. Are tasks such as washing clothes shared or do you do everything?
​c. Do you think that housework is treated differently in different countries?
​d. Is this a controversial topic in your country? Why?
e. Do people think less of you if your house is not clean?
​f. Should children help out at home with chores?
​g. Do you think that housework should be done in one go at the weekend or throughout the week?
​h. Is it common to employ a cleaner?
​I. Can a cleaner live up to your expectations?

THE LAW
​2. There are too many laws that are stupid and a waste of time.
a. Are laws very old and not relevant in your country?
​b. Is the legal process fast or slow in your country? Why?
​c. Should laws be reformed so that they are more in line with the needs of the current generation.
​d. Do people respect the law in your country?  (Speeding for example)
​e. The law is designed to protect the rich?
​f. The law is written by a much older generation.

STARTER OR FINISHER?
​3. Most people start too many things and so are never ever able to complete them. (House reform, gardening, fixing broken items)
​a. Is time the biggest enemy?
​b. Is modern society simply too changeable to be able to plan?
​c. Are you someone who plans all the time?
​d. Spontaneous people achieve more, or is this simply not true?
​e. It's very difficult to find a balance between work, rest and play, or this simply isn't true and it's actually very easy.

PURPOSE
4. People always find their purpose in life eventually.
​a. Do people have too much choice to be able to find their own purpose.
​b. Do you think people are afraid to say that they have never found what they are looking for in life.
​c. Are some people content and never searching for something more than they have?
d. Being ambitious is only for the young, or is this concept outdated and wrong?

​FACEBOOK
​5. There is such a concept as life after social media, eventually we will give it up and move on.
​a. Social media is not an effective use of someone's time or is it?
b. Self gratification is exactly why social media exists, or this simply isn't true?
​c. People only get jealous of others on social media or this isn't the case?
​d. Can social media platforms take over someone's life?
​e. Different social media platforms attract different age groups or do people maintain every type so that they look fashionable?
​f. They concept of social media is different in every country, or is it exactly the same? Why?
​g. There is no such thing as a true photo, they have all been customised using software to make them better than they actually are.
​
MORNING RITUALS
​6. Everyone has a fixed routine in the morning, it's a concept we all have in common.
a. People try to change routines so that everyday feels different.
b. What are your rituals?
​c. Do you think you are unique or different from others?
​d. People who are older have more rigid routines, or is this a myth?

​PHOTOGRAPHY
​7. We all exist to take the perfect photograph.
​a. Photography has changed, it is no longer about just taking a photograph, it's about sharing it or is this simply not true?
​b. There are people who like to just look at photos but not take them, or this concept doesn't exist?
​c. We never post a phot without being enhanced in some way, or this concept is not true?
​d. Younger people value better quality photo's compared to older people, or this is not true at all?
​e. Traditional cameras will not exist in the future as mobile devices get more advanced, do you agree or disagree with this concept? Why?
​f. Is it very rare to see someone carrying a camera around with them in a traditional form?
​g. Is it true that traditional camera technology is still more advanced compared to mobile phone technology?

OWNING A BUSINESS
8. We all dream of owning our own business one day, it's a very common concept.
​a. Have you ever thought of owning your own business? Why?
​b. Is it easy to own your own business in your country?
​c. People who own their own business are less likely to take a holiday, or this isn't true?
d. Do you have more money if you own your own business?
​e. You have to work longer hours if you own your own business, it's a fact?
​f. Does the concept of working for yourself live up to expectation in your opinion?
​g. If you own your own business you earn more respect from others (Status) or this simply isn't true?
​h. Can you be rich and successful working for others?

LIFE
​9. We should all live each day as if it's our last.
a. Do you make the most of each day?
​b. Have you found a balance between your life at work and your life outside work?
c. Can people live without making each day mean something?
​e. Why do you think that achieving something each day is important to some people?
​f. Do we all have to plan in order to be successful?

​AWARDS
​10. Being recognised by way of an award is an important milestone.
a. Do you think a piece of paper like a certificate or a piece of metal such as a medal is important? Why?
​b. Should there be a reward system at your place of work?
​c. You are only awarded something when you have sacrificed your own time for more working hours.
​d. In your opinion, do awards only separate people and cause problems in a work environment?
​e. Is it true that the older you get, the more value you place on awards.
​f. Modern work ethics do not give much time for praise, do you think that there should be more recognition for hard work?

THE ECONOMY
​11. In Europe we have one common approach to the economy, this can never work as a concept as there are too many traditions and cultural differences.
​a. If you were in charge of your economy, what would be the first thing that you fix?
b. Are politicians acting in the interests of people or themselves? Why?
​c. Do you think your economy promotes spending or saving?
​d. Has the concept of spending money changed with advances in technology?
​e. Is there a country with a perfectly balanced economy? How do you define perfect?
​f. A bad economy is better for people who want to start their own business.
​g. Can an economy work alongside aggressive immigration policies?
​h. It's always the poor who get the worst deal, do you agree or disagree?

TIME TRAVEL
​12. If we could turn back time, we would all make the same mistakes.
​a. The location you are born in plays a part in your success or this is simply a myth?
​b. If you could meet yourself from the past, what age would you choose? Why?
c. If you could give a younger version of yourself any advice what would it be?
d. Do you believe that mistakes are supposed to be made?
​e. Do you think that people learn from their mistakes?
​f. Have you ever made the same mistake twice? Why?
​g. The older you get, the less mistakes you make or it's the opposite?
​h. Do you have any regrets? What are they if you do?

EXPERT
​13. We are all an expert on something.
​a. What is your area of expertise?
​b. Why are you an expert at what you do?
​c. Is it possible for a person to be bored of their chosen profession and want change?
d. As an expert you are continually learning new things, or do you stop learning?
e. All experts don't like change in a work environment?
​f. Are there people who don't like being an expert? Why?
​g. You need age to be an expert at something?

MONEY
​14. People can never be content with how much they earn, it's human nature to always want more.
​a. Is there such a thing as harmony with how much people earn, should we all earn the same amount of money?
​b. High and low salaries motivate people.
​c. Do different salaries help to promote competition?
d. High salaries are not designed for a family life.
​e. Is there a limit as to how much you can earn for a particular profession in your country?
​f. Salaries are very unbalanced, a builder can earn more than a lawyer, or this simply is not true.
g. You can measure success by the car you drive or the phone you use, or this is a myth?
​h. Is it important to compare yourself to others? Why?