All posts by weblio PH

Expert Conversation: History and Culture

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Sam and you will be Alice. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
Have you heard of the band ‘Logos’?
I have. The band that incorporates history into their songs! I love them.
I read in a magazine that they’re releasing a song about Japanese history, particularly, the warring states era. How cool is that?
Really? How I wish they were already a band when I was in high school. It would‘ve been easier to study history.
True that. My friend Ron, a history teacher, plays their songs occasionally during his lectures. He says his students love them.
That sounds cool. I hope they make a song about the fall of the Romanovs.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. What do you think are man’s greatest achievements and worst failures?
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2. What are the most important events in your country’s history?
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3. Some people say that history repeats itself. Do you agree or disagree?
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4. What historical event would you like to turn into a movie? Do you think it’s important for the movie to be historically accurate?
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5. If you have the power to turn back time, what part of history would you like to change? Why?
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6. Which aspect your culture are you most proud of?
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7. Is there anything about your culture that you would like to change? Why?
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8. What is considered rude in your culture?
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9. What culture besides your own do you admire and why?
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10. Which aspects of your culture were highly influence by foreign ones?
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Expert Conversation: Literature and Art

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Sam and you will be Alice. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
Do you know the novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald?
I do. Why?
Well, I have a project on literature about that book. Will you help me?
Sure. I think I have a copy of that in my room. It’s one of the greatest American novels.
I see. I’m planning on watching the movie adaption of the novel. I’m not sure if it’s going to be helpful on my project. As you know, most movie adaptations deviate from the source material.
I agree. How about we watch the movie first? I’ll point out anything that’s different from the original. Then, we can discuss and go over the requirements of your project.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. Which art form do you like most?
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2. What is the most prominent art form in your country?
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3. Who is your favorite artist?
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4. What kind of art do you do? What kind of art would you like to do?
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5. Do you think art is important in the modern world? How?
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6. What do you think will happen without art and literature?
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7. What is the weirdest literature you have read?
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8. What kinds of literature do you like and dislike?
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9. If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
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10. Who is your favorite literary character? Why?
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Expert Conversation: Community and Social Work

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Sam and you will be Alice. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
Hey, sister. Do you have anything important to do this weekend?
I’m free for the whole weekend. Why?
My friends and I will participate in the fundraising and adoption projects of our local rabbit shelter.
I see. Count me in. I would love to help. Let me guess. This has something to do with the abandoned rabbits last Easter, no?
Exactly. Some parents gift their children rabbits on Easter—real living rabbits! Most of these rabbits end up being abandoned at shelters or worse—maltreated. Most people don’t know a thing about having rabbits as pets, and some couldn’t even care less. It’s sad. I hope people should be more compassionate about other living creatures.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. Have you ever done a volunteer work? How was it?
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2. Have you ever benefitted from someone’s volunteer work?
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3. What kinds of community service would you like to try?
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4. What kinds of community service would be unpleasant for you?
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5. What kinds of charity organizations do you like most?
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6. In your opinion, to whom should social workers focus in your country?
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7. If you were to run your own charity, what would be its mission?
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8. Do you think some people do volunteer work to make them feel good about themselves? Why?
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9. What kinds of social movements should be prioritized in your country?
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10. What do you consider an “act of good faith”?
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Expert Conversation: Music

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Sam and you will be Emma. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
Have you heard? The band, Red Earl, will have a concert here in January! Do you want to go?
Of course! I want to watch them live, too. I became a fan after you made me listen to their single “Welcome Reputation”.
Aren’t their songs fantastic? “Welcome Reputation” is my personal favorite so far. The lyrics are nothing short of poetry and the lead guitarist, Harry Summers, played their song in perfect harmony.
Indeed, considering how today’s music values entertainment over creativity. I hate those popular electronic dance songs with nonsensical lyrics. Who listens to them, anyway?
My sister does. I really don’t understand her taste in music.
Well, you can’t always please everyone. Anyway, you can come over at my place if you want to see all of my Red Earl albums.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. What are your most and least favorite kinds of music?
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2. What is your favorite song?
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3. Who is your favorite singer?
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4. Do you like classical music?
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5. If you could play a musical instrument with a famous singer/musician, who would that be and what instrument would you two play?
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6. Do you like to listen to Broadway musicals?
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7. Can you concentrate on other things when you are listening to music?
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8. When was the last time you watched a concert?
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9. What kind of music do you listen to when you’re sad?
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10. Is entertainment value more important than creative value when it comes to music?
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Expert Conversation: Economy and Livelihood

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Sam and you will be Alice. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
I’m worried about the economy. There isn’t anything but bad news lately.
The inflation rate is 5.1%. The highest from the past 30 years. I heard that the government is planning on removing tariffs on basic commodities to lower their prices.
I don’t think that’s a good idea. What about locally produced products? They wouldn’t be able to compete with the imported ones.
True that. The inflation is brought by many different factors, but I think the major cause is the tax reform.
Not to mention, the increase in oil prices in the international market. I just hope that these problems will be solved soon.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. What do you think are the economic concerns your country should prioritize? Why?
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2. What do you think about globalization?
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3. Can you cite advantages and disadvantages of globalization?
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4. Do you think ruining the environment is a necessary sacrifice for industrialization?
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5. What kinds of businesses are mostly successful in your country?
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6. Do you think an average person in your country cares about the state of the economy? How so?
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7. What kinds of economic programs from other countries would you like to see in your country?
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8. In your country, is it easy for mothers to get employed?
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9. How are the working conditions in your country?
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10. How do you think we can solve unemployment and poverty?
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Expert Conversation: Education and Languages

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Alice and you will be Ron. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
Can I borrow your car, brother? I’m taking French Language proficiency exams this Saturday.
No problem. I didn’t know you’re learning French. When did you start?
I started four months ago. I’m planning to take my master’s degree in France, so I figured learning French will be a great help.
That’s true. French is a beautiful language. I would love to learn another language, too. However, I don’t think I have the time and patience for it.
You can, if you will, brother. I remember you took Japanese language classes in high school.
Sure, I did. I might start relearning Japanese when I decide to work there.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. What subjects were you good and bad at when you were a student?
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2. What do you like best about the education in your country?
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3. Is it easy to get a job for those who didn’t go to college?
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4. Is college education expensive in your country?
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5. What do you think are the things that should be improved in the education in your country?
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6. How many languages do you speak?
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7. How did you learn your second language?
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8. What’s the best way to learn a foreign language?
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9. Which do you think is the most difficult language to learn?
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10. What languages would you like to learn in the future?
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Expert Conversation: Environment and Natural Disasters

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Sam and you will be Alice. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
It has been raining nonstop. I don’t think it’s safe to drive to work in this weather.
I’m not going to work, either. My route was reported to be flooded last night. I can’t believe that we’ve had three storms this month already. Another storm is predicted to hit our country in two days.
I hate this weather. We can’t do anything about it but be prepared for the worst. We are still lucky that this area is not flood-prone. I hope that everyone’s safe, especially those who are living in low-lying areas.
I hope so, too. Anyway, my friends and I are volunteering to help those were affected by the flood. Do you want to come with us? We will go this weekend.
Count me in. I would be glad to help.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. How often is garbage collected in your neighborhood?
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2. What is the most important environmental issue we are facing today?
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3. Do you think most people in your country care about the environment? Why? Why not?
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4. Some people say that we can live without the use of plastic. Do you agree or disagree?
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5. Can you imagine what would happen when fossil fuel (coal and natural gas) runs out?
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6. Do you think newly discovered diseases are caused by environmental problems?
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7. Do you think nuclear power is a safe source of electricity? Why or why not?
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8. What roles can the government and businesses play in solving environmental problems?
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9. What is the best alternative source of energy? Is it solar energy, thermal, wind, etc.?
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10. How can we protect the environment and at the same time improve our standard of living?
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Expert Conversation: Sports

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Sam and you will be Ron. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
I bought us tickets to Leonardo and Gaspar’s championship fight on December 20.
Really? I’m so excited. Leonardo injured his right fist on his last bout with Elseman, right? This fight with Gaspar is going to be his first title defense since his recovery.
True. He’s one of my most favorite boxers of all time. Out of his 32 fights, 27 were knockouts and he only had two loses. Although, Gaspar is not one to be underestimated.
I know. I just think it’s a waste that he had to relinquish his super middleweight belts for this one fight. If I were him, I would do no such thing. What a big gamble! What if he loses? He’ll be back to square one.
He has made his name and is already regarded as one of the greatest boxers of our generation. So technically, he wouldn’t have to start from the beginning if he loses. Anyway, I’m rooting for Leonardo.
Want to bet? I’m for Gaspar.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. Why do you think many people like sports?
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2. What is the most common sport in your country?
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3. Do you prefer playing or watching sports?
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4. What do you think is the most popular sport in the world?
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5. What do you think is the most dangerous sport?
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6. What do you think is the most boring sport?
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7. What do you think is the most expensive sport?
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8. Do you think hosting the Olympics in one’s country is worth it despite its costs?
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9. If you were to be a professional athlete, which sport would you play?
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10. Does it bother you that people gamble on sporting events?
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Expert Conversation: Movies and Television

WARM UP
Let’s read the dialogue. I will be Sam and you will be Alice. After reading it once, we’ll switch roles.
READ
I can’t believe you made me see that horrible movie. I should’ve watched “The Stallions”, instead.
It’s not that bad. The story just happened to be predictable. Still, the fight scenes were good. Also, Alexander Zala played a supporting role.
As expected, he was amazing. He was the only reason why I was able to finish the movie we watched. The only sad part is I think his acting skills were underestimated this time.
True. He is my favorite actor, you know. I’ve been a big fan of his movies ever since and he has received lots of awards from his acting skills. He also met his wife Emilia Turner on one of his movies.
Emilia Turner is his wife? Wow! I didn’t know that. They were always such a great pair in their movies. Anyway, do you want to watch their movies with my friends after our family dinner?
Sure. I’ll buy snacks for our movie night later.
CONVERSATION
Let’s talk. Please answer my questions. You may ask me questions, too.
ANSWER
1. What local and Hollywood movies are popular in your country?
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2. Who is your favorite actor/actress?
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3. Which movie and tv series genre do you like and dislike most? Why?
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4. What are the best and worst movies and/or tv series you have ever seen?
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5. Do you often watch movies at cinemas, on services like Netflix and Hulu, or on DVDs?
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6. Have you watched movies or TV series adaptations of popular books and comics? What do you think about them?
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7. What kinds of plots/stories do you hate seeing in movies and tv series?
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8. Some people say that it’s alright for historical movies to be historically inaccurate to look more creative. Do you agree or disagree?
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9. If you were a film director, what kind of movie would you like to make?
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10. If you were to portray a movie or tv character, who would it be?
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