Chou Hung Yu

Do you like to gossip?

你喜歡八卦嗎？

Do your friends often gossip about you?

你的朋友會講你的八卦嗎?

Why do you think people like to listen to gossip ?

為什麼人們喜歡聽八卦？

Why do people like to gossip about the rich and famous?

為什麼人們會喜歡聽有錢人跟名人的八卦？

What are the most common themes for gossip?

最常見的八卦主題是什麼？

What are some of the things you like to gossip about?

你喜歡看哪一類的八卦？

What are some ways which gossip can be harmful?

為什麼八卦會傷害人？

Do you think gossip can be used for something good?

八卦有好處嗎？

Why is it considered that women gossip more then men?

Where are some places where people like to gossip?

Which newspapers can be called gossip newspapers?

Do you like to read gossip newspapers?

What is your attitude to gossip newspapers?

Have you ever told a rumor that got someone in trouble?

Has someone ever spread a rumor about you?

Has spreading rumors ever got you in trouble?

Do you think that a friend who gossips or starts rumors will ever gossip or start a rumor about you?

How would you try to resolve the problem, if you had got into trouble through gossiping?

Has answering these questions changed your attitude towards gossip?

If you discovered that someone had been gossiping about you, would you confront them?

If no-one at your high school had ever gossiped, how would it have been different?

If you heard some harmful gossip about someone you knew, what would you do?

Who gossips more men or women?

Would you say that people who like gossiping do it because their lives are empty or because it is just a way of entertainment?

Have you ever had problems because of gossip?

What would you do if someone gossips about you?

Have you ever told a rumor that got someone into trouble?

Has someone ever spread a rumor about you?

Has discussing gossip and changed your attitude towards gossip?

If no one at your high school had ever gossiped, how would your school be different?

• When do you go to a party?
• What do you like to do at parties?
• Where do you like to have a party/
• Who do you invite to your parties?
• Do you let people smoke at your party?
• Do you let people drink at your party?
• What can people do at a party that will annoy you/
• Do you serve food at your parties?
• What kind of food do you serve?
• Would you rather go to someone else’s house for a party or have it at yours? Why?
• Describe the best party that you have been to. Why was it the best?
• Do you get drunk at your parties?
• Would you mind if others get drunk at your party in your house?
• Do you play games at your party? If so, what games?
• Do you eat birthday cake at your birthday party?
  • Do you buy a birthday cake or do you make it at home?
• What is there to do at a party?
• What would you do if someone broke something at your party in your house?
• If you are invited to a party but you don’t want to go, what do you tell the person inviting you?
• What is RSVP?
  • Do you go to many parties that required RSVP?
  • Why do some parties require RSVP?
• What are some polite and impolite excuses to give for not going to a party?
• Did you ever have dance parties in your middle/high school?

• Where would you like to have the party?
• Who is the party for?
• Why are you throwing this party?
• What kind of people go to parties? Obligatory guests? Guests of honor?
• What are some ways of describing guests at a party?
• What are some parties that you are expected to bring gifts?
• Who will you invite?
• Will you send out invitations?
• What do you need to think about if you are having a BBQ party outside?
• What time do you like for parties to start or to end?
• Do you like going to parties with a date or by yourself?
• What kind of decisions do you need to make when you plan a party?
• Do you enjoy hosting parties at your house?
• What are the characteristics of a good host?

• What is your biggest goal in life?
• How do you plan to achieve that goal?
• What are your “short term” goals?
• What are your “long term” goals?
• Should parents help their children set goals?
• What are your educational goals?
• What are your career goals?
• What are your financial goals?
• Why are goals important?
• Is having a goal in life effective in becoming successful?
• Is having a goal helpful in motivating a person?
• Do you think people have fewer goals as they get older?
• Do you have any goals that you feel are unrealistic?
• How do people’s goals change from country to country?
• What are your goals in your current job?
• What are the main differences between male and female goals?
• Which of your goals have you already achieved?
• How would you feel if you failed to achieve any of your goals?
• Do you think it’s a good idea to write your goals down and tick them off as you achieve them?
• How important are goals to you?
• What do you hope to have achieved by the time you’re sixty?
• What is a goal?
• Can goals help to change your life? How?
• What goals do you have in your life?
• Is it important to set goals?
• Do you have a five year plan for your life?
• If you can’t make your goal, how do you feel?
• What are your families goals?
• Are goals necessary to achieve success?
• How are plans and goals related?
• Are you ambitious enough to achieve the goals you set?
• Do you have spiritual/religious goals?
• Is one of your goals to be able to talk to your children’s English teacher?
• Do you think people have less goals as they get older?
• How will you feel,if you fail to achieve any of your goals?
• What is something you never learned to do but wish you had?
• Who is successful in your family? Why?
• Tell me about a goal that you achieved for yourself.
• What success have you had in this English class? What can you do to be more successful?
• Do you believe that people must work hard to become successful? Why or why not?
• Can you think of a successful person from your own county? What do they do? How do you think they did it?
• What kind of success do you want in the future in your life?
• What can you do now to be successful in the future?
• Do you think that money and fame means success?

What kinds of gifts do you like to give?

Have you ever re-gifted something?

If you don’t like a gift, how long should you keep it?

What gift will you give your home-stay family when you leave?

What was your last gift?

What gift will you give your boyfriend/girlfriend for their birthday?

Is there a special gift you like to get?

What kinds of gifts do you like to get?

Do you ever give or get a knick-knack as a gift?

How did you like your last gift?

Did you ever get a gift you didn’t like?

What gift do you recommend someone give in your culture?

For children?

For parents?

For spouses?

For boyfriend?

For Girlfriend?

What gift would you most like to get?

What was the best gift you ever received?

How do you thank someone who gave you a gift?

What kinds of gifts do you think the other people in the class need?

Who was the last person you gave a gift to?

Is it enough for a husband/boyfriend to give flowers to his wife/girlfriend on her birthday?

What are the times of the year that you give gifts?

What are some of the things that you do not give as gifts in your country?

What do you think of people who give gifts?

Do you have any pets?

你有寵物嗎？

What was the last book you read?

你最後讀的書是什麼?

Do you like to cook?

你喜歡煮飯嗎?

What’s your favorite food?

你最喜歡的食物是什麼？

Are you good at cooking/swimming/etc?

你很擅長煮飯、游泳嗎?

Are you married or single?

你結婚還是單身呢？

Do you have brothers and sisters?

你有兄弟姊妹嗎?

Do you like baseball?

你喜歡棒球嗎?

Do you live alone?

你自己住還是跟爸媽住？

Do you live in a house or an apartment?

你住在獨棟房子還是公寓呢？

Have you ever lived in another country?

你曾經在其他國家住嗎?

Have you ever met a famous person?

你認識什麼名人？

How do you spend your free time?

你有什麼休閒愛好？

How long have you been studying Chinese?

你學中文多久了?

Tell me about a favorite event of your adulthood.

當大人的時候，你最喜歡做什麼活動？

Tell me about a favorite event of your childhood.

小時候，你喜歡做什麼活動？

What are your hobbies?

你的愛好是什麼？

What countries have you visited?

你去過哪些國家呢？

What country are you from?
你來自哪個國家？

What do you do? What’s your job?
你做什麼工作？你的工作是什麼？

What do you like to do in your free time?
你放假的時候喜歡做什麼？

What is your motto?

你有座右銘嗎?

What is your religion? (Perhaps not a good question in some situations.)

你相信任何宗教嗎?

What kind of food do you like?

你喜歡什麼樣的食物？

What kind of people do you like?

你喜歡什麼類型的人？

What kind of people do you not like?
你不喜歡什麼樣個性的人呢？

What languages do you speak?

你會說哪些語言?

What two things could you not do when you were a child, but you can do now?
你小時候不能做什麼樣的事情，但是你長大就能做了?

What’s something you do well?

你擅長做什麼事情?

What’s your father like?
你的爸爸是一個怎麼樣的人呢?

What’s your mother like?

你媽媽是一個怎麼樣的人呢?

What’s your name?

你的名字是什麼?

Where do you live? How long have you lived there?
你住在哪裡?你住在那裡多久了?

Which sports do you like?
你喜歡做什麼樣的運動?

Who do you live with?

你跟誰一起住呢?

Who do you respect the most?
你很尊敬誰?

Who has had the most influence in your life?
誰對你的人生有很大的影響?

Why did you decide to take this course?

你學習中文課有什麼目的嗎?

Would you like to be famous?

你想變成名人嗎？

What do you think you will be doing five years from now?

你覺得你五年後會做什麼?

Where do you think you’ll be living five years from now?

你覺得你五年後會住在哪裡?

What is your goal in life?

你人生的目標是什麼?

Are you a ‘morning’ or ‘night’ person?

你是晨型人還是夜貓子?

When do you feel best? In the morning, afternoon, or evening?

你什麼時候精神最好?

How many cities have you lived in?
你住過哪幾個城市?

What jobs have you done?

你曾經做過什麼樣的工作呢?

Which do you prefer, sunrises or sunsets?

你喜歡日出還是日落?

What could you do as a child that you can’t do now?

如果你變回小孩，你想要做什麼樣的事情呢？

Who is your next door neighbor in your home country?

你的鄰居怎麼樣?

What is he or she like?

他的個性怎麼樣呢?

Did you get along with each other?
你與人相處得怎麼樣?

What is the best memory of our country that you will take back home with you?

你來我們國家玩的時候，最有趣的回憶是什麼?

What is the worst memory of our country?
你來我們國家玩的時候，發生過什麼不好事情嗎?

How many times did you move as a child?

你小時候搬過幾次家?

Are you a task oriented person or a people oriented person?

oriented 導向

你處理事情的時候，你會對事還是對人?

What is the profile of the wife/husband you would meet?

你希望你的另一半是一個怎麼樣的人呢?

What kind of woman/man would you like to marry?

你想跟什麼樣的人結婚呢?

What’s the meaning of “homosexual”? And “heterosexual”?

Are there many words in your language to refer to homosexuals?

About how many of them would you say are not offensive?

How is it being gay in your country?

Do you know anyone who is gay?

How about any celebrities?

Or any historical figure?

Are there any gay characters on a current TV series?

Could you tell us about them?

Do you think gay people have enough role models in our society to identify themselves with?

Do you think those references portrait a positive image of the gays?

Do they help the gay community to enhance their self-esteem?

What’s the meaning of “homophobia”?

In your view, is there homophobia in our society? If not, why?

Do you believe that the gay community is being discriminated against in any way?

If so, why do you think there is such discrimination?

What problems do you think someone goes through when they find out they are gay?

Do you think they should try to change?

In your opinion, should they say they are gay?

What do you think your parents’ reaction would be if you told them you are gay?

Do you think one of them would take it better / worse?

Do you think their first reaction would persist or would it change?

How about your best friend’s reaction?

How would you react if one of your children told you they’re gay?

What are the main problems gays have to face at college?

Is it easier for a gay to live in a village or in a city?

Is being gay more difficult in some countries than others?

In your opinion, can a gay be a religious person?

What main problems do gays have in the military?

In what ways does the gay community try to tackle homophobia? Are they being successful?

What main achievements have they had in the last 25 years?

How important are gay associations or organizations?

Do you think being lesbian is viewed as being worse, the same or better than being gay in our society?

Are they simply ignored?

Could you name any famous lesbian through history?

Do you believe gays and heterosexuals have the same rights? Do they have equal duties?

What’s your opinion on gay marriage?

What do you think of adoption by gay couples?

Do you think homosexual families can bring up children as well as straight families? If not, why?

Is AIDS a major problem for the homosexuals only?

What do you know about this disease?

How do you think it is transmitted?

Could you define the word “stereotype”?

What stereotypes do you know about gays?

What kind of gardening do you like?

How much time do you spend in the garden?

Do you think gardening is good for your health?

What are the names of some famous gardens in your city?

What are some vegetables which you grow in your garden?

Do you think trees need pruning every year?

What are the names of some famous gardens in your country?

What are names of common flowers in your country?

Does your house have a garden?

Is there a flower store near your house?

What are some things that need to be done in the garden in the spring?

What are the some names of gardening tools?

Would you prefer to have a flower garden or a vegetable garden? Why?

What do you like best, a landscaped garden or the formal garden?

How does your family help you when you are gardening?

Which do you prefer for your garden organic or chemical fertilizers?

What is your national flower and do you have it in your garden?

Do you have a film industry in your country?

What is your general impression of it?

If you do not have a film industry in your country, where are most of the movies that you watch made?

Do any other countries make films in your language? If so, name them.

Which country is the main producer of movies in your language?

Are you aware of the location of any major film festivals for films in your language?

Is there an independent film industry producing movies in your language? If you know about it, please describe it.

What are the names of some of the most famous directors of movies in your language?

What films have they made?

Who are some of the most famous male actors in movies in your language?

Can you name at least three?

Do you like them?

What are they famous for?

What kinds of people like them?

Does anyone not care for them?

Who are some of the most famous female actors, or actresses, in films in your language?

Can you name at least three?

Do you like them?

What are they famous for?

What kinds of people like them? Does anyone dislike them?

Please name some of the best films made in your language. Describe their plots and tell why you liked them.

Has the film industry that makes films in your language produced films that became popular around the world? If so, name some.

Are animated films being originally produced in your language?

Do you like them?

Describe some of them.

Have they become popular outside your country or culture?

Are romantic films produced in your language?

How do they differ from romantic movies made in Hollywood?

Describe some comedy films made in your language.

How are they different from Hollywood comedies?

Are horror films produced in your language?

How do they differ from scary movies made in Hollywood?

What about action films?

Are they different in some ways from Hollywood films?

Do films made in your language have the same kinds of special effects as Hollywood films?

Are there good documentaries made in your language? If so, describe some topics they deal with.

What positive effects do foreign films have on the people and culture of your country?

What possible negative effects do foreign films have on the people and culture of your country?

For example, do you feel that what is shown in foreign films conflicts with or distorts the values of your own culture?

For example, do people in your country get the wrong kind of information from foreign films?

In an ideal world, what would you like to see the future be of the film industry in your language?

What kinds of films would you like your children to watch when they are young?

When they are teenagers?

When they become adults?

Are movies originally produced in your language the most popular films in your country, or are films with subtitles or dubbing from studios in other countries, for example, from Hollywood in the United States, more popular in your country than those made in your language?

Douglas Beall

• Why do you think the center of the movie industry in the United States began in Hollywood, southern California, next to Los Angeles?
• Have you seen many Hollywood movies?
  • Give some examples of Hollywood movies you have seen and your opinion of them.
• Do you like Hollywood movies? Why or why not?
• What kind of information about the United States have you learned by watching Hollywood movies?
• Do you think that movies from different countries can teach us about other cultures?
  • Give some examples to support your answer.
• What kinds of movies are popular in your country?
• What do the popular movies in your country show about your culture?
• Do you think it is right for Hollywood movies to be the movies that are seen most around the world?
  • What change would you like to see, if any?
• Did you see “Harry Potter”?
  • How many Harry Potter sequels did you see?
• Why do you think that Harry Potter books and movies have been so popular all around the world?
• Some Christian groups think that Harry Potter movies can be harmful to children because they show witches and wizards in a positive light.
  • Do you agree that Harry Potter films can distort children’s minds? Why or why not?
• Sometimes film studios in Hollywood complain that their movies are being illegally copied and sold for lower prices in different parts of the world.
  • Do you agree with them that this is a bad thing?
  • Do you think it could be a good thing? Support your opinion.
• Is the movie industry in your country strong? Why or why not?
• Does the film industry in your country make good movies? Give some examples.
• Do you think that the movies from your country can be popular in other parts of the world if they have subtitles or are dubbed in different languages? Why or why not?
• What improvements in special effects have you noticed since you began watching movies?
• How do you think that movies will change in the future?
• Do you think that there are any topics that there should be more movies about?
• If you could take part in a movie project, what role would you like to play?
  • Would you like to be an actor, the director, the producer, the camera operator, make-up person, musician, film editor, support crew?
• If you were a film director, what kind of movie would you like to make?
• How would your movie be different than others?

Are there any parts of the city where you live which you are afraid to visit after dark? Where? Why?

Are there certain weather conditions that scare people? What are they? Why do people become scared?

Are you afraid of flying?

Are you afraid of ghosts?

Are you afraid of giving a speech in public?

Are you afraid of going to the dentist?

Are you afraid of heights?

Are you afraid of scary movies?

Are you afraid of the dark?

Are you afraid to die? Why?

Are you afraid of getting old? Why?

Are there any numbers that people are afraid of in your culture?

Do you fear certain insects or animals? Why?

Do you know anyone with a phobia?

Do you like horror movies?

Do you think young children should be allowed to watch horror movies?

How do you react when you see something frightening?

Is there any person you are afraid of?

Were you afraid of the dark as a child?

Were you afraid on your first day of school here in the United States? How do you feel now?

What animal do you think is the most scary?

What are some things which many people are afraid of? Why are they afraid of them?

What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?

What is your biggest fear in life? Are you afraid that it might come true?

What kinds of things make you nervous?

What was the most frightening experience you’ve had?

When you were a child, what things were you afraid of?

Do you ever have nightmares (bad dreams)?

What are they about?

How often do you have nightmares?

Have you ever seen any reality TV shows where people face their fears for money?

Would you ever face one of your fears for money?

Do you find this kind of show interesting to watch?

What is your biggest fear?

Have you overcome any of your fears?

Are you afraid of being ill? What disease are you most afraid of? Why?

Do you believe people can be cured of phobias by hypnosis?

Are you afraid to fly?

-Are you afraid to ride a motorcycle?

-Are you afraid of death, of dying?

How do you cope with your fears?

Are you afraid of being ill? What disease are you most afraid of? Why?

What is your biggest fear for yourself?

What is your biggest fear for the world?

How often do you feel afraid?

How would you help someone to get over their fear?

Do you have any form of phobia or paranoia?

What were you afraid of as a child?

What facial expressions accompany fear?

If you ‘put the fear of God into someone,’ how do you think that person feels?

Are you afraid you might get sick?

Are you afraid of speaking English?

A foreign language?

In front of many people?

At official functions?

Are you afraid of germs?

• Are you annoyed when your partner, husband, or wife flirts with someone else ?
• Do bad mannered people upset you?
• Do you get angry when politicians make promises they can’t keep?
• Do you get angry when you watch the news on TV and see all the terrible things happening in the world?
• Does it annoy you when shop assistants try to sell you things you don’t need?
• Does it annoy you when someone interrupts you when you are speaking?
• Does it annoy you when someone knows everything better than you and says so?
• Does it annoy you when you are waiting in a long queue and someone pushes in front of you?
• Does it annoy you when your teacher speaks too quickly?
• Does it drive you crazy to always see the same faces and read about the same celebrities in the gossip columns?
• Does it drive you crazy when waiters ignore you?
• Does it drive you crazy when you have invited people to dinner and they come late and the meal is spoiled?
• Does it make you angry when motorists drive too closely behind you?
• Does it make you angry when people make nasty comments about you ?
• Does it make you angry when you have made an appointment to see the doctor at a certain time and he/she keeps you waiting for ages ?
• Does it upset or annoy you when a beggar asks you for money?
• Does it upset you when have to say “No” when someone asks you for help?
• Does it upset you when you see homeless people?
• Does it upset you when you see people hitting children or animals?
• Does it upset you when you see pictures of famines in India, Africa or other countries?

• What is faith?
  • What it faithfulness?
  • Is there a difference?
• What do you have faith in? (i.e., religion, money, government)
• How does faith affect your life?
• How do you live faithfully or with faithfulness?
• Do you think that celebrities/the media displays good faithfulness?
• If you didn’t have faith, where would you be?
• Do you think society needs faith? Is it beneficial or harmful?
• Is faithfulness harder to have than faith?
• If you already believe something, is it possible to grow in faith?
• In what area do you feel the most faithful?
• Can you have faithfulness without faith?

• What are some religions of the world?
• Is religion important to you?
• What is the main religion in your country?
• Why do you think religion is important in our lives
• Do you have a religion?
• What countries do you think have religious freedom?
• Have you changed your religion?
• What are some religions of the world?
• How do you practice your religion?
• Can you tell us about your religion?
• Have you ever been persecuted because of your religion?
• Do you know someone who has gone to war for their religion?

Do you make eye contact while you are speaking English?

Why is making eye contact important?

Is making eye contact important in your culture?

What can you learn about a person by making eye contact?

Can you think of some situations where eye contact should not be made?

What is the difference between staring and making eye contact?

Why is making eye contact important in a job interview?

The eyes have been called “the window to the soul”. What do you think that means?

In USA culture we have many ‘rules’ about eye contact. These are unspoken and most North Americans are not aware that we have rules.

What is appropriate in your culture?

What is appropriate in this culture?

When you are telling some one something that you feel is important, what should your eye contact be.

Is it OK if they look at something else while you are talking?

Are there different rules for eye contact when you are addressing a person of higher status? Like the President or an elder?

If you do not make eye contact what does that mean?

If you make too much eye contact what does that mean?

If you were in love what kind of eye contact would you make?

If you were ashamed, what kind of eye contact would you make?

If you were lying, or not telling the whole truth, what would your eye contact be like?

If you were giving a speech or talking with a crowd what would your eye contact be like?

If you are talking with a child and you think they are lying, do you think you could tell by looking at their eyes?

How about an adult that you think is not telling the truth, could you tell by their eyes?

What are the rules for males and females talking to each other?

If a woman looks directly at a man is she being too forward or sexually aggressive?

How many English authors can you name?

How many of Shakespeare’s plays can you name?

Have you read a translation of any English books in your language?

Have you ever read an English translation of a book originally written in your language?

What sort of books do you enjoy reading?

Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?

What is your favorite book?

Who is your favorite writer?

Have you ever read a book and then seen a film of that book?

Did you read books when you were a child?

Do you like science-fiction books?

Do you like love stories?

Do you like historical stories?

Has seeing a film ever made you read the book it was based on?

Do you know any American writers?

How many books by Charles Dickens can you name?

Who are the most famous writers in your country?

How many books do you read per year?

What makes a ‘classic’ book?

How do you believe literature can help you to get familiar with a culture?

Do you think that books are a thing of the past?

What are some of the main differences between a novel and a short story?

How many books do you read per week?

About how many books do you have in your house?

Do you have a library card?

Are you a member of any public library?

Do you prefer reading books or short stories?

Who is your favorite character from literature?

Do you like to write your own short stories?

Do you keep a journal?

What sort of books do you enjoy reading?

Which book have you read recently?

Do you give books to your friends as a present?

If so, what was the last book you gave?

Why did you choose that book?

Some people say that “books are best friends”. Is that true for you?

Do you have your own library? If so, does that mean you like books?

Some people don’t read books or read very rarely, Why?

Are book prices too high to buy in your hometown?

What about authors? Are you selective about authors?

Who is your favorite author?

What is your favorite “quote”?

What literature course did you like best in college?

Why is literature important in our lives?

What kinds of literature do you enjoy?

Do you like literature from other countries as well? If so, what kind?

Do you like authors from other countries as well? If so, who?

Do you like titles from other countries as well? If so, which ones?

What kinds of books or which authors don’t you like?

Tell us a little about a book you have read recently?

Did you enjoy it?

How long did it take to read?

Briefly, what was the story about?

What do you do to encourage yourself when going through hard times? Does it work?

Who do you talk to for encouragement and inspiration?

What books offer encouragement and inspiration?

Which of your family members encourage you most? How?

How can discouragement help us to grow?

What do you do when you feel depressed?

What could someone do to encourage you when you feel depressed?

What are some saying in your country that bring encouragement?

What’s the most encouraging book you’ve ever read?

Which is better a word of encouragement or a letter of encouragement? Why?

Is time a weapon to fight discouragement with? Why? How?

How can you motivate others our yourself to have hope when there seems like there’s no hope?

Should people just accept whatever comes there way?

What are some ways you feel you can make a difference in this world.

How can you make this world a better place?

How would you encourage a homeless bun who had no friends or relatives?

If you suddenly became handicapped, how would you encourage yourself and others?

What song encourages you most?

Who’s music encourages you most?

What television show encourages you most?

What person has inspired you the most? How?

What celebrity has inspired you most? How

What’s your favorite encouraging saying?

Do you encourage others when you see them crying? How?

What would you want someone to do for you if you were crying publicly because you were deeply hurt inside?

How can you fight discouraging thoughts about yourself?

When should you see a counselor or psychologist?

Can church, temples, mosque or other religious places help bring someone encouragement or inspiration?

What religious books do people turn to for encouragement and inspiration.

How can you make yourself believe more in yourself.

Where did you go to kindergarten?

Where did you go to elementary school?

Where did you go to junior high school?

Where did you go to high school?

Did you go to college or university?

Where did you go?

What did you study?

How many years did you go?

Did you work while you went there?

Did you enjoy going to elementary school?

Does your country have middle schools?

What is the age that children begin school?

How old are students they when they graduate?

Did you go to a good high school?

What do you remember about your teachers?

Who was your favorite teacher?

What teacher impressed you the most?

Do you still stay in touch with your teachers?

Did you have any teachers you didn’t like?

How many students were in your high school?

Describe the students who attended your high school.

Did they have a good influence on you?

Did they make your childhood and teenage years harder or easier?

Were there cliques in your high school? Were there gangs?

Did you make friends in high school that you still keep in touch with?

What subjects were you good at?

What subjects were you bad at?

Did you study a foreign language in school? Was it taught well?

Do you know anyone who attended a private school? Do private schools offer higher quality education or are they just prestigious?

Did you attend college?

If you did, what made you decide to go to the college you did?

Was it a good school?

How many students attended it?

How many students were in your biggest class? How many in your smallest class? Did you prefer small classes or big classes?

Was it harder to study in college than in high school? How does college compare to high school? What advice would you give a high school student who is about to go to college?

What did you major in? Why did you choose the major you did?

Did you live in a dormitory while you went to college? Who were your roommates?

Does your country provide a good public school system?

Does your country have good public universities? If not, why do you think there is a lack of funding for education in your country?

What realistic changes would you make to your country’s attitude toward education?

What role do you think human capital plays in the development of countries?

How many years did you attend college?

Did you study abroad?

Do the elite in your country attend one or two universities?

Do elite universities help or harm your country?

Where do we learn the skills necessary to become a good student – in elementary, middle or high school?

What are the skills that separate good students from bad students?

Were good grades important to you?

Did teachers grade students fairly? Did you ever feel like you should have gotten a better grade then you did in a class?

Did you procrastinate studying? Did you ever pull an all nighter?

Did you study with other students?

Did classmates talk to each other much before or after class?

Did you skip class very often?

Do college professors give students syllabuses at the beginning of term? Were you clear on what professors expected of you?

Are college tuitions reasonable in your country? Is it easy to get scholarships or government grants?

Are there good colleges in your country?

Do many people in your country study abroad?

Are there any subjects you wanted to study but they weren’t available at your school?

Are women encouraged to pursue education?

Are straight-A students smarter than others or just better at memorizing things? Did you really learn in school or did you just memorize information and pass tests?

Do you know anyone who does not know how to read or write?

Do you think teachers are paid enough? Do you think teachers are well educated?

Do you think your teachers gave too much homework? How much homework should teachers assign students?

Did you ride a bus or walk to school?

Was school ever canceled for a day when you were a child?

Do you think it is easier to learn as a child or as an adult?

Is it difficult for people without a college education to get good jobs where you live?

Does education guarantee a good job?

What are the qualities of a good student?

What are the qualities of a good teacher?

Why do you think people become teachers?

How much free time does a high school student in your country have?

Do parents home-school their children in your country?

What do you think of home schooling?

Do you know anyone who was home schooled?

Do you wish you had been home schooled?

Are teachers the only ones qualified to teach children? What makes someone qualified to teach children?

Can parents influence their children’s schools? What can a parent do if he or she disapproves of a teacher’s decision?

Do children have a right to an education? Should education be free?

Does your country provide a good public school system?

What improvements does the school system need?

Do you think your country should spend more money on schools?

If a school gets more money, will the quality of education always improve?

What would happen if public schools were abolished? Could children still get an education?

Once you graduate from a university should you stop learning?

What are some ways a person can continue to learn?

Are college graduates smarter than people who did not go to college?

Would you ever vote for a politician who did not attend college?

Do the elite in your country attend only one or two universities? Do elite universities help or harm your country?

What realistic changes would you make to your country’s attitude toward education?

Why do students cheat during tests and exams? How do they cheat?

What is your attitude towards cheating? How should parents react? How should teachers react?

Where do we learn the skills necessary to become a good student – in elementary, middle or high school?

Should people go straight from school to a university, or do something different?

What is a “genius”?

Do teachers sometimes teach things that are not important?

Are there things your school does not teach that you think it should?

Are school uniforms good to have? Why or why not?

Would you ever want to learn a third language?

How important is curiosity in a student?

Can you teach someone who has no desire to learn?

What do you think about a gap year, is this something you would consider?

Should people go straight from school to University, or do something different?

Do you think it is necessary that there are windows in the classroom to provide for a proper learning atmosphere?

What do you wish your teachers understood about you?

Do you think a person can become a genius, or are they just born that way?

What do you consider to be a “smart” or “slow” person?

Are things your school teaches that you think are not important?

Are school uniforms good to have? Why/why not?

Do prefer school uniforms or casuals better?

Would you ever want to learn a third language? [To be “trilingual”]

What do you consider “hardworking” or ‘lazy”?

What is the role of schools in society?

Do you enjoy going to school? If so, why if not why?

What does your education mean to you?

What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of state and private schools are?

What would you do if you saw someone with a gun at school?

Are college tuitions reasonable?

Are foreign languages part of the curriculum? If so, which languages?

Are most schools coeducational in your country?

Are there any subjects/classes you wanted to study but they weren’t available at your school/college?

Do you have difficulty with school work?

Do you think teachers are paid enough?

Do you think your school is a good one? Why/why not?

Do you think your teachers give too much homework?

Do you think public speaking can improve your english?

How can we improve our classroom?

Why English is hard to learn at university level?

How do you travel to school?

How long must you go to college to get a degree?

How much is too much homework? How should the homework load be managed?

If you have not attended college, do you plan on doing so?

What are some good ways to learn English?

What are some important factors in determining which college to attend?

What classes would you take?

What do you study? What’s your major?

What is the average age of a high school graduate?

What is your favorite class?

What was (or is) your favorite subject? Why do you like it?

Who selects the college you will attend — you or your parents?

Why are you studying a foreign language?

Why is it helpful to learn a Second language ?

Why is it sometimes very difficult to speak another language?

Would you consider studying abroad?

Do parents home-school their children in your country?

What do you think of home-schooling?

Do you know anyone who was home-schooled?

Do you think that most parents influence what university their child will attend?

Once you graduate from a university should you stop learning?

What are some ways a person can continue to learn?

Which is more important, the essential skills in life you’ve learned to develop on your own or the artificial structure in college about the “real” life?

Which high schools and colleges are the best in your country?

Which high schools and colleges are not so good in your country?

We should not just prepare for life, but live it. Do you agree?

What kind of world do you think this would be if people never went to school?

Should education be free?

Do the elite in your country attend only one or two universities?

Do your children attend US schools? If so, how do their schools differ from those your children attended back home?

Does your country have good public universities? If not, why do you think there is a lack of funding for education in your country?

Why do students cheat during tests and exams?

How do they cheat?

What is your attitude towards cheating?

What are the dangers of cheating?

How should parents react?

How should teachers react?

What is the role of school and decision makers?

What skills separate good students from bad students?

Should people go straight from school to university, or do something different?

Do you think a person can become a genius, or are they just born that way?

Are things that your school teaches you that you think are not important?

Do prefer school uniforms or casuals clothes better?

Why do we celebrate Easter?

Do you celebrate Easter in your country?

How do you celebrate Easter in your country?

Do you have any special family traditions?

Did the original meaning of Easter get lost?

Do you know the meaning of Easter?

Do you celebrate Easter?

What do you do to celebrate it?

Do you consider it an important holiday? Why or why not?

Do you think it used to be more important than it is today? Why or why not?

What are the 40 days before Easter called?

What special activities or events happen in those 40 days?

Do you observe these 40 days?

What is the Sunday before Easter called?

What is it remembering?

What is the Friday before Easter called?

What is it remembering?

Do you think most people consider Easter time a religious celebration? Why or why not?

How do you think the Easter bunny and hiding colored eggs came to be part of the celebration of Easter?

Do you think it is wrong to associate religious holidays with other types of things, like Easter and the bunny?

Christmas and Santa Claus?

Do you think alcohol is a drug?

What is alcoholism?

Do you know of any alcoholics?

How do you stop being an alcoholic?

Do you know how much alcohol is in beer?

Do you know how much alcohol is in whiskey?

What are some of the characteristics of drunk people?

Is alcohol addictive? What about tea, coffee, and chocolate?

Should marijuana be illegal?

Do you think marijuana should be legal or illegal? Support your opinion with facts.

Why do you think marijuana is illegal?

Is marijuana grown in your country?

What are some ways drug users use marijuana?

Do you think tobacco companies would like to sell marijuana?

Why do you think that tobacco is a legal drug?

Are any of your friends addicted to tobacco?

What are the different ways to use tobacco?

Do you know anyone who smokes a pipe?

What is the difference between pipe tobacco and cigarette tobacco?

What do you think about chewing tobacco?

Is there any difference between “soft” drugs such as marijuana and “hard” drugs like crack, heroin, cocaine etc?

Is ecstasy a soft or a hard drug?

Should there be punishments for dealing drugs?

Should there be punishments for using drugs?

Should drug dealers get the death penalty?

If heroin were legal, would there be less crime? For example, burglary and robbery.

Are some people more easily addicted to drugs than others?

Do some people have addictive personalities?

If you are addicted to drugs, what should you do?

What else can people become addicted to?

Why are some drugs more addicting than others?

Why do some people get addicted when others do not?

What happens in the brain of a person that causes addiction?

Do you know how much illegal drugs cost?

Do you think it is easy to buy illegal drugs where you live?

Which is worse, a peaceful drug addict or a violent non-addict?

Should pregnant women be arrested for child abuse if they use drugs when they are pregnant which may affect the baby?

Should women be prevented legally from drinking any alcohol or smoking when pregnant?

Do you think it is a good idea to have safe, legal injecting rooms for intravenous drug users, where they can use clean equipment and sterile water?

Cancer patients find that marijuana stops their pain. Should it be legal for them?

Do you think experimenting with alcohol and cigarettes leads to experimenting with harder drugs?

Do you think ecstasy is dangerous?

At what age should it be legal to drink and smoke?

Do we use too many prescription drugs?

What are natural remedies?

Are natural remedies like homeopathy and herbal medicine drugs too?

Do we give too many prescribed drugs to children?

Why is the cost of prescription drugs so high?

Have you ever used a prescription drug without a prescription?

What do you think society ought to do about people who spend most of their time and money getting high on illegal drugs? Why?

Should employers be allowed to “drug test” their employees?

Why do you think people start using drugs?

What should happen to babies who are born addicted to drugs?

What would you do if someone in your family were addicted to drugs?

What do you know about drugs?

What are some dangerous drugs?

What drugs do you think are useful?

What drugs are addicting?

Do you think that marijuana should be legal for medical uses with a prescription from a doctor?

What does crack cocaine do to your body?

What does it do to your mind?

What will happen if you keep on using?

How do you stop yourself from using it? / How does an addict quit using it?

What kind of drugs are the most popular in your country?

What kind of “legal” drugs are the most popular?

Are we as a society addicted to legal drugs?

In your culture, what are some home remedies for:

stomachaches

Why do people take drugs if there know it is bad for them?

Who do you think pressure people to do drugs?

Why do people buy drugs?

Can you legally use drugs in your country?

What happens to an addict who goes into a rehab center?

What is the influence of drugs in your community?

How can you help a drug addict?

Do you think that soft drugs lead to hard drug use?

How can drugs help a person?

Do you agree that”once an addict,always an addict”?

• Do you play the lottery?
• What kind of lottery do you play?
• Do you play football pools?
• Do you play slot machines?
• How many forms of gambling as you can think of?
• What percentage of people do you think gamble?
• What do you think is the most amount of money that different people loose? E.g. An average person or a big gambler?
• Do you bet? How often? What’s the biggest bet you ever placed?
• Apart from the obvious financial problem what other consequences can occur as a result of excessive gambling?
• Who suffers the most from a gambling problem?
• Apart from the obvious reason of winning money, why do people gamble?
• Why is gambling addictive?
• Do you think it could be genetic?
• What kinds of people do you think are more prone to developing a gambling problem?
• Do you think there is gender difference?
• At what age do people generally start gambling?
• What’s the usual age limit for gambling games?
• Do you regard putting money in machines for prizes, at an amusement arcade, as gambling?
• Is there such a thing as good and bad luck? If so, what is it?
• Does luck have anything to do with winning?
• Do you think it’s possible for a gambling addict to kick the habit?
• What help is available for addicts?
• What techniques can you think of that may help an addicted gambler quit?
• Should some forms of gambling be banned?
• Do you think that those who own and run casinos are criminals or conmen?
• Does the national lottery encourage gambling?

Do you have a handicap?

Do you know anyone with a handicap?

What are some handicaps that people have?

Have you ever parked in the handicapped parking area?

How are handicapped people treated in your country?

What do you feel when you see a handicapped person?

What can you do to help handicapped people?

Does your country have special training facilities for handicapped people?

What are some types of disabilities?

Did you ever know someone with a disability?

What was it like to work/talk/play with them?

Were they smarter or less smart than yourself?

How would you feel to find out your best friend was _______? (going blind, going deaf, losing their legs, etc)

How would you feel to find out you were _______? (going blind, going deaf, losing their legs, etc)

Do disabled people have anything of value to add to society?

If you see or meet a disabled person, what actions should you take?

What are ways that disabled people can compensate for their weakness?After a blindfolded walk, relying on a partner…

How did you feel starting the walk?

Did you trust your partner?

How do you feel now? How do you feel about your partner? (closer/more trusting…fearful)

What did you learn about disabled people?

What are things you had to do because you were blind?

Have you ever been on a diet?

你曾經節食過嗎？

How do you know if you are fat?

你怎麼知道你很胖？

What is the best way to diet?

最好的節食方法是什麼？

Do you think dieting can be dangerous?

你認為節食很危險嗎？

Do you think fiber is important in your diet?

你認為你節食的時候，纖維很重要嗎？

What kind of fiber is the best when you are trying to lose weight?

哪一種纖維最適合減肥？

Do you think protein is important in a balanced diet?

你覺得蛋白質很重要嗎？

What is a good source of protein?

什麼是好的蛋白質？

Do you think people who are fat can be happy?

你覺得很胖的人很快樂嗎？

Do you think people are in general are gaining weight or losing weight?

What kind of diet would you recommend to your friend?

What kind of diet would recommended for an older person(40’s) and a younger person(teens)?

What is the difference between diet and a healthy diet?

Is there a difference between being thin and being healthy? Which one is better?

Do you think being slim equals beautiful?

Do you think there is more pressure now for teens to look slimmer?

In what way can diet influence our appearance and personality?

What causes death?

Are “Living Wills” available where you live?

Are there special rites or ceremonies performed when a person dies?

Are you afraid of death?

Do you believe in life after death?

Do you often think of death?

Do you think that there is anything worth dying for?

Do you want to know the date of your death? Why or why not?

How do you cope with the death of someone special?

Is organ donation or transplants an option where you live?

Is physician assisted suicide an option in your country?

Would you consider physician assisted suicide if you were suffering a painful dying experience?

Is the death of a loved one considered a joyful or a sorrowful occasion?

Is there any person you would die for in order to save? Who is it?

What are some ways which you can help a family which has just experienced the death of a family member.

What should you say to someone who has lost a loved one?

What are your beliefs pertaining to a person’s soul once they have died?

What do you think of suicide?

What do you think would happen if there were no death for human beings?

What do you think would happen if people never died?

What happens to a person’s remains after death? Cremation? Burial? Etc.

What is the mourning process?

What is the mourning process?

Where do we go when we die?

Would you want your cremated remains to be part of a fireworks show?

Who do you think would mourn for you after your death?

If you were on death row, what would you request for your last meal?

Who would you want to watch you be executed?

If you could choose how you were going to die, what would you choose your death to be?

What do you think of cryogenics?

Would you like to have your body frozen, so that you could be thawed out and brought back to life sometime in the future?

Do you think it will ever be possible?

If you had the option of freezing your body in hopes that science would some day be able to bring you back to life, would you do it?

Why are so many people afraid of death, when it is unavoidable?

What would happen if you died?

On account of your beliefs or some other reason, do you look forward to dying?

Have you ever had to put a pet to sleep?

Do you believe that you will be born again?

Why is facing death a difficult experience?

How does a person cope with death of a friend or loved one?

What are some reactions to death of a friend?

How do your national customs surrounding death reflect the values of your country?

What should you say or not say to a friend who is facing death?

What should you say or not say to a friend who has lost a friend?

What are funerals like in your country?

What are some funeral customs in your country?

What is the suicide hotline in your community?

Is there a suicide hotline in the area where you live?

Do you know someone who has died from a traffic accident?

Do you know someone who has died from a from disease?

What was your reaction?

How did you feel?

When have you visited a hospital?Who did you visit?

What sights, smells, sounds did you notice when you visited the hospital?

• How did you feel about your visit?

How can you help someone who is dying?How do you tell someone that someone they know has died?What are some useful euphemisms for telling someone that someone they know has died?

• What are some other words for death? An example is “passed away”.

Do you believe in God?Do you think people should be cremated or buried?Has anyone close to you ever passed away?What is grief?Do you think the grieving process is different for different ages?Have you known someone who had an extended sickness before death?Have you ever lost someone close to you?Have known anyone who has committed suicide?

• What would be your reaction?
• What would you say to that person’s friends?

What is hospice?

• Do you have hospice services in your country?
• How quickly is someone buried or cremated after death?
• What expenses are involved in burying or cremating someone?
• What measures are taken in your country to ensure that no stigma is associated with the burial of poor people?

Are coffins displayed on the street entrance to funeral parlors in your country?Is it appropriate for funeral directors to advertise their services?

• How can this be done?

If you were given the chance to have someone die with you, who would that person be?

• How would you want to die?

Have you ever thought you’d like to die?How does it feel when your loved one dies and you were unable to see them for the last time?Have you ever been to a funeral where a family member of the deceased sung a song, read a letter or read a poem?

• Have you ever done something like that at someone’s funeral?

Would you want to know if you were dying and if so, would you want to know how long you had to live?

• Would you want to know the exact day of your death?

If there were five of your friends drowning, which one would you save first?If you are married or have a life partner would you expect them to move on after you die.

• If so how long should they wait?

Do you have hospice services in your country?Do you know anyone who died for a few seconds or minutes but came to life again?

• What do you think about the stories these people tell?

Who has died that you know?Have you had a pet die?What is the worst way of dying?What is the ideal way to die?Do you believe in out-of-body experiences?Are you afraid of losing one of your relatives all of a sudden?Would you like it if someone sung you a song or read a poem about you, or a letter to you, at your funeral?What kind of funeral arrangements would you make for yourself if you knew you were dying?How long do you expect you spouse or life partner to wait before they move on after your death?Do you have a bucket list?What happens when is embalmed?

Perhaps not a useful question, but it was submitted.Would you like to die?