SPEAKING TOPIC FOR NOVEMBER 2019

- Luxury and necessity (Unit 1): 

Think of one luxury (or more) in your life - Something you could do without, but would miss - and one necessity. Share it with the group. Explain how each came into your life, and the role they play in your life now (try to use perfect constructions). 

- A tropical dessert island (Unit 1):

You are planning a two-week stay on a tropical dessert island. There's fresh water and plenty of fruit to eat and there are trees for shade but nothing more. Talk about what you'd need to take with you and what would you do there. Try to use heading expressions like: I think it is reasonable to assume that..., It seems to me that..., I don't know about you but..., I'm guessing/I guess..., I'm no expert but I don't think that..., Personally, I feel that..., I wonder if..., It might not be a bad idea to... etc. 

- Watch this video about consumerism and discuss it with your peers and online tutor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnPmg0R1M04&t=285s (The Century of the Self. Part 1- Happiness Machines) [este vídeo da para varias sesiones]. 

SOME RELATED QUESTIONS

• What's your most valued possession?
• Can you remember the last gift you were given? Did you like it?
• Do you ever buy 'gifts' for yourself?
• What's the most expensive thing you've ever bought?
• What do you think of this saying, "Possessions rot, rust, and decay but compassion lasts forever"?
• Have you ever given away something by accident? What was it? How did you give it away by accident?
• Have you ever met an 'indian giver' (someone who gives something to another person, but later demands it back)?
• What is the meaning of "give and take"? What does this mean to you?
• Do you spend more money on temporary things (services/food/drink/a good night out) or on physical objects (a car, a cellphone, some good books)?