The China Teaching Web

Have something to add? Join the discussion! Click here to leave a comment. No registration required!

Click Here to Subsribe to the 'ESL Conversation Topics' Feed

ESL Conversation Topic — Mother Nature

Level — Beginner - Advanced

Talking about the weather is a topic that should spark some interest in your Chinese students. After all, it seems that at any given time, some sort of natural disaster relating  is taking place in China.

Warmup: Print off an article about a natural phenemenon such as a tornado, hurricane or flood. If you have the technological capability, show students some pictures or videos of these events. Ask your students if they have experienced any of these phenemenons.

Discussion:

• List all of the natural disasters that you can think of
• What type of natural disaster are you most afraid of?
• What are some recent natural disasters in China?
• What are some of the most famous natural disasters that have ever occured in China?
• What causes natural disasters? Do humans have anything to do with mother nature’s ugly side?
• When natural disasters cause damage whose responsibility is it to help the country? Is it the government’s responsibility? How can the private sector help?
• What can people do to prepare for natural disasters? Is there a warning system in place in China?

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Don't miss...

• Why Preparing for your ESL Class is Important
• Beijing Orders Higher Construction Standards in Sichuan
• Why the Olympic Torch is Good for North Korea
• Are There Any Gays in China?
• The American and Tibetan Terrorists in China
• The 2008 Olympic Games and Michael Phelps Dominate the Weekly China Roundup
• Cheating in China — It’s an Epidemic