C1-Level General English Speaking Activities

Lesson #1: Sleep and Dreams

Outcome: I can give advice on ways to sleep better.

Instructions: Read the following texts and give suggestions on at least two ways these people could improve their sleep habits. Make a two-minute recording.

Lesson #2: Subculture

Outcome: I can create short monologues pretending to be people of different subcultures.

Instructions: Research different subcultures. Then, prepare and present a short script (like the one below) where you pretend to be a people from two different subcultures. Your monologues should be one minute each.

You may need to research terminology used by members of different subcultures.

Example of a skater:

Hey there, fellow riders and rad souls! I'm Jayden, but most folks just call me J. Skateboarding runs through my veins, you know? Ever since I was a knee-high grom, I've been glued to my board, feeling the pavement under my wheels and the wind in my hair. From bombing hills to perfecting those sick flip tricks, there's nothing quite like the rush of landing a clean line or conquering a gnarly obstacle.

I'm all about that street skating life, hitting up every ledge, stair set, and rail I can find. But it's not just about the tricks for me—it's about the culture, the community, and the vibe of the skate scene. There's something special about rolling with your crew, pushing each other to new heights, and sharing the stoke for this awesome sport.

When I'm not shredding the streets or hitting up the local skate park, you can catch me checking out the latest skate videos, hunting for sweet spots to session, or just chilling with my homies, soaking up the good vibes and swapping stories from our latest sessions.

So if you're down to kick it, swap tricks, or just talk shop about all things skateboarding, hit me up! I'm always stoked to connect with fellow shredders and spread the love for this epic lifestyle. Peace, love, and shred on! 🤙🛹

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Lesson #3: Nostalgia

Outcome: I can make movie references in a conversation.

Instructions: Brainstorm and respond to three common questions. In each response, make at least one reference to a movie that you like. Here are a few examples below.

1. What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?

   • You know, I'm all about those lazy weekends where I can just kick back and binge-watch my favorite movies. It's like that scene in "The Big Lebowski" when The Dude just hangs out at home, sipping White Russians and bowling with his buddies. Sometimes you just gotta take it easy and enjoy the simple things in life.

2. How do you handle stress at work or school?

   • When things start getting stressful, I try to channel my inner Harry Potter and remember what Dumbledore said: "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light." It's all about staying positive and finding that silver lining, just like Harry did when facing down Voldemort and the Death Eaters.

3. What's your favorite memory from childhood?

   • Oh man, there are so many good memories to choose from! But one that really stands out is when my friends and I recreated that iconic "ET phone home" scene from "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." We rigged up a makeshift bike with a basket and everything, just like Elliott did, and rode around the neighborhood pretending we were being chased by government agents. It was pure childhood magic, just like in the movies.

4. How do you stay motivated to achieve your goals?

   • Whenever I need a dose of motivation, I think back to that iconic training montage from "Rocky." You know the one I'm talking about—Rocky Balboa running up those steps in Philadelphia, with "Eye of the Tiger" blaring in the background. It's all about that never-give-up attitude and pushing yourself to be the best you can be, just like Rocky did in the ring.

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Lesson #4: Concentration 

Outcome: I can motivate team members to focus on a task.

Instructions: Choose two of the following scenarios. For each one, prepare a short monologue in which you motivate the team to focus on and complete the task. Make each monologue at least one minute in length.

1. Poor Communication from Leadership: In this scenario, employees feel disconnected and demotivated due to a lack of clear communication from upper management. There's a sense of uncertainty about the company's direction, goals, and expectations. Employees may feel undervalued and unappreciated, leading to low morale and decreased productivity.

2. Heavy Workload and Burnout: In this scenario, employees are overwhelmed by an excessive workload and unrealistic deadlines. They feel constantly stressed and pressured to meet unreasonable expectations, which leads to burnout and exhaustion. As a result, morale plummets, and employees may become disengaged and unmotivated to perform their best.

3. Lack of Recognition and Reward: In this scenario, employees feel unappreciated and undervalued due to a lack of recognition and reward for their hard work and contributions. Despite their efforts, they receive little to no acknowledgment or praise from management, which leaves them feeling demotivated and disheartened. Without proper recognition, morale suffers, and employees may become disengaged and apathetic towards their work.

4. Toxic Work Environment: In this scenario, employees are subjected to a toxic work environment characterized by negativity, conflict, and dysfunction. There's a lack of trust and respect among colleagues, and interpersonal relationships are strained. Gossip, micromanagement, and office politics run rampant, creating a hostile and unhealthy atmosphere. As a result, morale hits rock bottom, and employees may feel anxious, stressed, and demoralized.

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Lesson #5: Consumerism

Outcome: I can negotiate a discount with a shop manager.

Instructions: Choose two of the following reasons why people request discounts on products. Then, prepare and record yourself pretending to plead a shop manager or clerk for a discount. Each recording should be one minute in length.

1. Financial Constraints: One of the most common reasons people ask for discounts is because they are facing financial constraints. They may genuinely love the product but cannot afford it at its original price, so they seek a discount to make the purchase more affordable within their budget.

2. Perceived Value: Some customers may believe that the product is not worth its listed price and may request a discount based on their perception of its value. They may feel that the product does not meet their expectations in terms of quality, features, or benefits, and therefore, they seek a lower price to justify the purchase.

3. Comparison Shopping: Customers often compare prices across different retailers or brands to find the best deal. If they come across a similar product offered at a lower price elsewhere, they may ask for a discount to match or beat the competitor's price, leveraging the concept of price matching to secure a better deal.

4. Loyalty or Repeat Business: Some customers may ask for discounts as a form of loyalty reward or incentive for repeat business. They may have been loyal customers for a long time or have made multiple purchases from the same seller and expect to receive preferential treatment or special pricing as a token of appreciation for their continued support.

5. Negotiation Strategy: Bargaining and negotiating for a lower price is a common practice in many cultures and markets. Some customers may ask for discounts simply as a negotiation tactic to see if they can get a better deal. They may not necessarily need the discount but are willing to try their luck to see if the seller is open to negotiation.

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Lesson #6: Internet Virality

Outcome: I can convince someone not to follow an internet trend.

Instructions: Look through these dumb internet trends. Imagine a loved one wishes to participate in one of them. Make a two-minute voice recording dissuading them from participating. 

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Lesson #7: The Future and Technology

Outcome: I can explain a process involving technology.

Instructions: Choose two of the following processes involving technology. For each one, make a recording explaining how the process works. 

1. How a Light Bulb Works: Explaining the basic principles of electricity and how a light bulb converts electrical energy into light and heat.

2. How a Bicycle Works: Describing the mechanics of a bicycle, including the roles of the wheels, pedals, chain, gears, and brakes in propelling and stopping the bike.

3. How a Zipper Works: Illustrating the interlocking teeth mechanism of a zipper and how it functions to open and close fabric fastenings.

4. How a Thermometer Works: Explaining the concept of thermal expansion and how a thermometer measures temperature based on the expansion and contraction of a fluid or metal.

5. How a Simple Circuit Works: Introducing the basic components of an electrical circuit, such as a power source, wires, switches, and light bulbs, and how they interact to create a complete circuit.

6. How a Faucet Works: Describing the internal mechanisms of a faucet, including the valve, handle, and spout, and how they control the flow of water.

7. How a Calculator Works: Explaining the functions of a calculator's buttons, display, and internal circuitry in performing arithmetic calculations.

8. How a Door Lock Works: Illustrating the components of a door lock, such as the bolt, latch, and keyhole, and how they secure and release the door.

9. How a Windmill Works: Describing the aerodynamic principles of wind energy conversion and how a windmill harnesses the wind to generate mechanical or electrical power.

10. How a Basic Website Works: Introducing the structure of a website, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and how web browsers render and display content.

11. How a Battery Works: Explaining the chemical reactions inside a battery that generate electrical energy and how it powers electronic devices.

12. How a Camera Works: Describing the functions of a camera's lens, aperture, shutter, and sensor in capturing and recording images.

13. How a Speaker Works: Illustrating the components of a speaker, including the diaphragm, magnet, and coil, and how they convert electrical signals into sound waves.

14. How a Remote Control Works: Explaining the transmission of infrared signals from a remote control to a device and how it triggers specific actions or commands.

15. How a Microwave Oven Works: Describing the process of electromagnetic radiation and how a microwave oven uses it to heat food by agitating water molecules.

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Lesson #8: Environment

Outcome: I can look at a picture and recite a weather forecast based on it.

Instructions: Choose two of the pictures you find on this page. For each one, prepare and present a made-up weather forecast based on the picture. Each forecast should be given a one-minute recording.

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Lesson #9: Eating Habits

Outcome: I can roleplay making a toast at a dinner party.

Instructions: Pretend that you are making a toast at an important occasion. Prepare a one-minute recording of you making the toast. You may choose to base the toast on one of the following occasions. 

 Upload your response as a recording to your voice or video repository.

Lesson #10: Greed and Generosity 

Outcome: I can roleplay making a press release after winning the lottery.

Instructions: Imagine you have won the lottery. Respond to the following questions asked by the media in a hypothetical press conference. Respond to these in a two-minute (at least) recording.

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Lesson #11: Games

Outcome: I can explain how to play a game popular in one's country.

Instructions: Explain a popular game in your country. This could be a board game, a card game, a video game, etc. Your recording should be at least three minutes in length.

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Lesson #12: Memory

Outcome: I can role play being a memory specialist and give advice to improve memory.

Instructions: Imagine that you have a friend who struggles with memorizing things. Research and give a series of five or more tips for improving memory. 

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Lesson #13: Extinction

Outcome: I can use a range of hyperbolic phrases.

Instructions: Respond to the following ten questions. For each response, use at least one hyperbolic phrase. Here is a guide you may use to help you.

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?
2. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
3. What book has had the biggest impact on your life?
4. What's your favorite thing to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon?
5. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
6. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
7. If you could possess one superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
8. What's your biggest pet peeve?
9. If you could time travel, which era would you visit and what would you do?
10. What's something on your bucket list that you haven't done yet?

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Lesson #14: Medication

Outcome: I can give suggestions based on medical advice from the internet.

Instructions: Choose three of the following potentially minor health issues. For each one, explain possible reasons for this issue and how a person can avoid it.

1. Headaches
2. Common cold
3. Sore throat
4. Minor cuts and bruises
5. Allergies
6. Upset stomach or indigestion
7. Mild fever
8. Muscle aches and pains
9. Sunburn
10. Minor burns or scalds
11. Skin rashes or irritations
12. Toothaches
13. Minor sprains or strains
14. Earaches
15. Seasonal flu
16. Blisters
17. Minor insect bites or stings
18. Fatigue or tiredness
19. Nausea or vomiting
20. Minor eye irritation or redness

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Lesson #15: Crime

Outcome: I can roleplay reporting a crime to the police.

Instructions:  Imagine that you have witnessed a crime. Make a two-minute recording in which you recite what happened to the police.

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Lesson #16: Protests

Outcome: I can give opinions on controversial issues.

Instructions: Choose one of the following controversial issues. For this issue, explain three reasons why certain people support it and three reasons why certain people oppose it. In other words, you will need to provide three arguments on one side and three counter arguments on the other.

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Lesson #17: Pet Peeves

Outcome: I can talk about common pet peeves.

Instructions: Identify four or more pet peeves that you have. Explain them in a voice recording. You may choose from the following list or think of others. 

1. People chewing loudly or with their mouth open
2. Drivers who don't use turn signals
3. People talking loudly on their phones in public places
4. Being interrupted while speaking
5. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink
6. People who are consistently late
7. Loud music or noise from neighbors
8. Slow internet or technology malfunctions
9. People who don't clean up after their pets
10. Being stuck in traffic
11. People who don't hold the door open for others
12. Slow walkers in crowded areas
13. People who talk during movies or performances
14. Incorrect grammar or spelling errors
15. People who don't respect personal space
16. People who are constantly negative or complain excessively
17. Being on hold for a long time during phone calls
18. People who don't follow basic hygiene practices
19. Misplacing items and then searching for them
20. When someone borrows something and doesn't return it

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Lesson #18: Manners and Taboos

Outcome: I can talk about the origins of cultural taboos.

Instructions: Research the origin of one of the following cultural taboos. Explain the origin and present your findings in a short presentation.

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Lesson #19: Risk

Outcome: I can consider the pros and cons of different decisions based on ethical dilemmas.

Instructions: Choose two of the following ethical dilemmas. Explain the pros and cons associated with the different possible decisions to make for these dilemmas.

1. The Trolley Problem: A runaway trolley is heading towards five people tied to the tracks. You have the option to divert the trolley onto another track, where only one person is tied. Do you take action to save five lives at the expense of one?

2. Medical Ethics: A doctor has to decide whether to prioritize the treatment of one patient over another, based on factors like age, severity of illness, and likelihood of survival. How should they allocate limited medical resources fairly?

3. Environmental Ethics: A company is considering whether to continue production using environmentally harmful practices that generate profits or switch to sustainable methods that may be more expensive. What ethical considerations should guide their decision?

4. Animal Testing: A pharmaceutical company needs to test a new drug for safety and efficacy, but it requires animal testing, which raises ethical concerns about animal welfare. Is it justified to use animals in research to potentially save human lives?

5. End-of-Life Care: A family must decide whether to continue life support for a terminally ill loved one or withdraw treatment to allow them to pass away peacefully. How do they balance respecting the patient's wishes with ethical considerations about prolonging suffering?

6. Privacy vs. Security: A government wants to implement surveillance measures to prevent terrorism, but it raises ethical questions about violating citizens' privacy rights. How can security concerns be balanced with individual freedoms?

7. Business Ethics: A corporation discovers that one of its suppliers uses child labor to produce its products. They must decide whether to continue the relationship for the sake of profitability or terminate it to uphold ethical standards. What should be their priority?

8. AI and Autonomous Vehicles: Engineers must program self-driving cars to make split-second decisions in dangerous situations, such as choosing between hitting a pedestrian or swerving into oncoming traffic. How do they ensure the ethical behavior of autonomous vehicles in such scenarios?

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Lesson #20: Job Interviews

Outcome: I can roleplay having a job interview. 

Instructions: This will be a longer speaking task than usual as interview skills could be very useful for many English learners. Respond to ten of the following twenty questions in a ten-minute recording.

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Lesson #21: Workplace Issues

Outcome: I can roleplay resolving workplace conflicts.

Instructions: Choose two of the following ten scenarios. For each scenario, explain what you would do to resolve that situation. 

1. Personality Clashes: Sarah, the marketing manager, is outgoing and thrives on collaboration, while John, the graphic designer, is introverted and prefers to work independently. When working on a new campaign, Sarah's constant need for brainstorming sessions and feedback clashes with John's desire for uninterrupted focus. This leads to tension and conflicts as Sarah feels frustrated by John's perceived lack of engagement, while John feels overwhelmed by Sarah's constant interruptions.

2. Competing Goals: In a manufacturing company, the production department aims to increase output and minimize downtime, while the quality assurance department focuses on ensuring product quality and safety. This creates conflicts when the production team pushes for faster production speeds, leading to compromises on quality and safety standards that the QA team opposes. The resulting clashes between the two departments impact efficiency and product integrity.

3. Micromanagement: Emily, the project manager, closely monitors every aspect of her team's work, constantly requesting status updates and making last-minute changes to project plans. This micromanagement style stifles creativity and autonomy among team members, leading to frustration and conflicts as they feel disempowered and undervalued. Despite their expertise and experience, Emily's team members are unable to fully utilize their skills and contribute effectively to the project.

4. Communication Breakdown: In a software development company, the development team fails to communicate changes to project timelines and requirements with the testing team. As a result, the testing team continues to work based on outdated information, leading to delays and rework. When the development team blames the testing team for missed deadlines, conflicts arise as both teams point fingers at each other, exacerbating the situation and hindering progress.

5. Performance Issues: Alex, a sales representative, consistently fails to meet sales targets and lacks initiative in following up with leads. This puts additional pressure on his colleagues, who have to pick up the slack and cover for his underperformance. Conflicts arise as Alex's colleagues feel resentful towards him for not pulling his weight, while Alex feels unfairly targeted and unsupported by his team.

6. Workload Imbalance: In a marketing agency, Sophie consistently takes on more client projects and responsibilities than her colleagues, resulting in an uneven distribution of workload within the team. While Sophie excels at managing multiple projects simultaneously, her teammates struggle to keep up with their own assignments. This creates tensions and conflicts within the team as Sophie's colleagues feel overwhelmed and undervalued, leading to resentment and decreased morale.

7. Ethical Dilemmas: In a pharmaceutical company, the research and development team discovers potential side effects of a new drug during clinical trials but chooses to downplay the findings to meet aggressive deadlines set by upper management. This ethical dilemma causes conflicts within the team as some members advocate for transparency and patient safety, while others prioritize meeting financial targets and advancing their careers. The resulting tensions highlight the competing interests between ethical integrity and corporate interests.

8. Interpersonal Conflicts: In a law firm, Rachel and Emma, two junior associates, have a history of personal conflicts stemming from a disagreement over a high-profile case. Despite being assigned to work together on a new project, their animosity towards each other spills over into the workplace, leading to tension and conflicts as they struggle to collaborate effectively. Their inability to set aside personal differences and work towards common goals affects team dynamics and productivity.

9. Lack of Recognition: In a technology company, James consistently goes above and beyond in his role, taking on extra responsibilities and delivering exceptional results. However, his contributions often go unnoticed by upper management, who fail to recognize his efforts and achievements. This lack of recognition leaves James feeling demotivated and undervalued, leading to conflicts as he becomes disillusioned with his job and questions his commitment to the organization.

10. Change Management: In a retail company, management announces plans to implement a new performance-based incentive system to increase sales and productivity. However, frontline employees express concerns about the fairness and transparency of the new system, fearing that it will breed competition and favoritism among colleagues. This resistance to change creates conflicts between management and employees as they struggle to find common ground and navigate the transition process.

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Lesson #22: Postsecondary Education

Outcome: I can roleplay being a teacher and explain different grammar concepts.

Instructions: Choose one of the following grammar concepts. Pretend to explain the concept to a learner using examples.

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Lesson #23: Retirement

Outcome: I can give a speech congratulating someone on their retirement.

Instructions: Imagine an elder in your family has recently retired. Prepare and present a short speech congratulating them on their retirement. 

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Lesson #24: Scandals

Outcome: I can summarize scandals as read about in articles.

Instructions: Research news articles based on political scandals in one of the following categories. Choose one article based on a scandal and summarize the scandal in a five-minute recording.

1. Corruption: Involves misuse of public office for personal gain, such as accepting bribes, kickbacks, or embezzling public funds.

2. Sexual Misconduct: Includes allegations of harassment, assault, or inappropriate behavior by politicians towards staff, colleagues, or constituents.

3. Election Fraud: Involves tampering with election processes, such as voter suppression, ballot manipulation, or illegal campaign contributions.

4. Nepotism and Cronyism: Refers to favoritism shown by politicians towards family members, friends, or associates in the form of appointments, contracts, or special treatment.

5. Abuse of Power: Involves using political authority to intimidate, manipulate, or control others for personal or political gain.

6. Campaign Finance Violations: Includes breaking laws or regulations related to campaign fundraising, spending, or disclosure requirements.

7. Espionage and Leaks: Involves unauthorized disclosure of classified information or collaboration with foreign entities to obtain sensitive information.

8. Perjury and Obstruction of Justice: Refers to lying under oath or obstructing investigations, such as tampering with evidence or intimidating witnesses.

9. Conflict of Interest: Involves situations where politicians have personal, financial, or professional interests that may conflict with their duties to the public.

10. Ethical Violations: Encompasses a wide range of unethical behavior, such as lying, cheating, or breaking codes of conduct or ethics regulations.

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Lesson #25: Polyglots

Outcome: I can explain the differences between intermediate and advanced level language learners.

Instructions: Conduct research and then explain the difference between intermediate and advanced English levels in a five-to-ten-minute presentation. You may choose to orally cite the sources where you found the information.

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