The China Teaching Web

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

This ESL Lesson/Conversation Topic will interest your students because they will need to put their ‘thinking caps’ on and solve some problems. Have fun…

Warmup: Talk about solving problems and introduce the concept of morality and ethics. Hand out sheets with the following questions and ask your students to discuss these questions amongst themselves (groups of 2 or 3). Later, you can bring the group back together and discuss these items.

Discussion:

1. My boss is asking me to do something illegal. He wants me to lie to the government so that our company can save money. I don’t want to lie but I know that if I disobey my boss, I will lose my job. What should I do…?

2. My best friend is coming to town next week to stay with me and my family. There is just one problem. He likes to smoke; my mother hates smoking. I know that he will not be able to control himself inside the house and I know that my mother will get angry if he smokes. What should I do…?

3. I hate myself these days; I recently failed my entrance college exam. I have gained weight; nothing is going right. I want to kill myself…really. Life is not worth living…can you help me?

4. I am having marital problems. Recently, my husband received a 100,000 RMB bonus from work. He wants to invest all of it in the stock market. I think this is too risky. I want him to save some of it and we can use some of it to take a vacation. He will not listen to me. I am very angry…what should I do?

5. I have a serious addiction; the internet. I cannot stop playing games. I have tried to take a break but it seems that the computer is calling my name. I know that it is bad for my health but I don’t know how to stop! Please help me…

6. Two of my good friend just purchased cars. They say that I need to get a car too in order to be “cool.” I don’t want a car right now; I really can’t afford one. However, I am afraid that they will ‘tease’ me if I don’t buy a car. They keep pressuring me to do it. Should I buy a car or not?

7. There is a beautiful/handsome boy/girl who I really like. I think he/she is single. I really want to ask he/she out but there is just one problem; I am very shy. I am afraid that I will say something embarassing and make a HUGE mistake. How can I let this person know that I like them?…

8. MAKE UP YOUR OWN SCENARIO!