Topic 2. Holidays & Festivals- Travelling PART 1: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS * Let’s talk about festivals. 1) What The most important festival in Vietnam is Tet holiday because it is a festival is the traditional holyday, it has many interesting activities and it is an occasion most for people to get together with their family. important in Vietnam? 2) What are There are some activities of Tet holiday such as giving lucky money, some visiting relatives and watching lion dance. People also clean and decorate activities of house. Besides, people make traditional dishes such as Chung cakes, Tet that holiday? cakes and local foods. 3) Is it good to Yes, it is because it helps us have fun, relax and reduce stress after working celebrate hard. many festivlas a year? * Let’s talk about holidays. 1) What are There are some popular holidays in Vietnam such as Hung King festival, some Labor Day and Tet holiday. popular holidays in Vietnam? 2) What do On holidays, people often travel to famous places with their friends or family people to relax and reduce stress after working hard. often do on holidays? 3) Do you I prefer to go out on holidays because of some reasons prefer to + Firstly, I can join many interesting activities. It makes me feel happy and stay at comfortable. home or to + Secondly, It helps me be near the nature. As a result, my social life will be go out on wonderful. holidays? + Finally, it helps me have fun, relax and reduce stress after working hard. Why? PART 2: SITUATION DISCUSSION Situation: Consider the three following occasions to invite your foreign friend to come to Vietnam to learn about Vietnammese culture: Tet holidays, Independent Day or MidAutumn festival. Which one do you think is the best choice? Discussion There are several options to invite my foreign friend to come to Vietnam to learn about Vietnammese culture such as Tet holidays, Independent Day or Mid-Autumn festival. I think Tet holidays is the best choice because of some reasons + Firstly, Tet holidays is longer than Independent Day or Mid-Autumn festival. For examlpe, Tet holidays lasts for 2 weeks while Independent Day just lasts for 1 day. 12 Follow-up questions 1)Why do social Social networks become so popular these days because of some reasons networks become so popular these days? +Firstly, they are free to use. For example, most of the highly popular social networksing sites like Facebook and google are free. +Seconly, social networking gives people an opportunity to meet new people around the world. Users of these sites have access to millions of profiles from around the world. The introduction of profiles on social networking sites allowed people to know more information about a person before they interact with them. +Finally, most of the popular social networks allow users to create groups. These groups allow likeminded people to share their interests and hobbies. 2)What are some There are some measures people can do to prevent negative effects of measures people social networks. can do to prevent negative effects of +Firstly, people can reduce their use of social networks such as the time which they spend browsing social media, the number of platforms that social networks? they use, the situations in which they use social media, and the type of information that they share. + Secondly, People can focus on using social media in a positive way For example, instead of using social-media sites in order to passively consume information, you can try to use them in a more active manner, which involves communicating with people that you care about or discussing hobbies that interest you. 3) What are some There are some psychological problems related to excessive uses of social psychological networks such as an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, selfproblems related to harm, and even suicidal thoughts. excessive uses of social networks? In fact, A study found that high usage of Facebook and Instagram increases feelings of loneliness. Conversely, the study found that reducing social media usage can make you feel less lonely and isolated and improve your overall wellbeing. (Một nghiên cứu cho thấy việc sử dụng nhiều Facebook và Instagram làm tăng cảm giác cô đơn. Ngược lại, nghiên cứu cho thấy việc giảm sử dụng mạng xã hội thực sự có thể khiến bạn bớt cảm thấy cô đơn và bị cô lập, đồng thời cải thiện sức khỏe tổng thể của bạn.) 4) Do you like Yes, I do. I enjoy travelling a lot because I love exploring beautiful places travelling? Bạn có and meeting new people. Besides, I can taste local food and have a chance thích đi du lịch ko? to refresh my mind. - Yes, I do. I and my husband sometimes go travelling to many places. 5) Do you like to - I prefer/like travelling with my friends because it is more fun and more travel alone or with interesting to go with friends. We can try new food and meet new people your friends? Bạn together. We can take photos for each other. 14 3. What do you often do when you are there? - There are many activities we can do when we are on the beach such as swimming, enjoying seafood, taking photos, walking along the beach, seeing the sunrise and sunset. It’s a great time to reduce stress after working hard. Let’s talk about favourite place 1. When you are sad, where do you often go? - When I am sad, I often stay at home listening to music or watching TV, going for a walk with my friends in the park. 2. Do you prefer there alone or with someone else? - I prefer there with my friends because we have the same hobby and it’s a good chance for me to make friends and open the relationship. 3. Which places do you recommend your friends to go? - There are many places to go but I think beach is the best choice because it’s a fantastic place to reduce stress and enjoy a lot of activities such as swimming, enjoying seafood; …… Let’s talk about traveling (đi du lịch) 1. Do you like travelling? Yes, I like travelling because it helps me relax and feel comfortable, I can explore new places, broadens my mind. 2. What kind of places have you visited in your life? I have visited many places in VietNam such as : Nha Trang, Da Nang, HCM. They are beautiful and exciting. 3. Do you prefer to travel alone or with someone else? = 4. Who do you like to go travelling with? thích đi du lịch 1 mình hay với ai? I prefer/like to travel with my friends because we have the same hobby. It’s a good chance for me to make friends and open/expand the relationship. 16 Topic 3: COMMUNICATION PART 1: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS * Let’s talk about letters and emails. 1) Do you Yes, I do. often write Because letters? + I usually write letters to my friends or my family. And + My letters shows my care to my friends or my family. HOẶC No, I don’t. Because + It is not convenient. + I usually write emails because it is cheap and faster. 2) Do you I prefer writing emails to my friends and my family because It is fast and prefer writing convenient. letters or However, I like receiving letters because letters show care from other emails? people to me. 3) What do Complaint letter is very difficult to write you think is Because the most + It is very formal. difficult kind + It is not popular. of letter to write? * Let’s talk about Facebook. 1) How often I use Facebook everyday. do you use Because Facebook? + I want to get news(/to get updated with news). + I want to communicate with my friends. 2) Why is Facebook is popular among young people because Facebook so + It is very convenient. popular + It is easy to use. among young peolpe? 3) What are There are some benefits of usesing Facebook. some benefits Facebook hepls peolpe of usesing + to communicate with their friends on family. Facebook? + to get updated with news. And + to entertain after working hard. 18 Follow-up questions Friends 1. Do you have many friends? Are they casual acquaintances or close friends? Bạn có nhiều bạn ko? Họ là người quen hay bạn thân? I have many friends but only some of them are close friends because I think we should have only several close friends to spend time and share everything with. For example: we study and relax together. 2. Do you prefer to stay with your family or with your friends? Bạn thích ở nhà với gia đình hay với bạn? - I prefer/like to stay with my family because I want to spend time with them. I can cook good food and watch TV with them. I feel really happy when being with them. 3. Do you prefer one or two close friends or many friends? Bạn thích có 1 hoặc 2 người bạn thân hay nhiều bạn? I prefer to have just one or 2 close friends because If I had many close friends, I wouldn’t have enough time to spend with them all. Having only one or 2 close friends I can easily share with them my secrets and happiness. Besides, we can get together and have interesting conversations more often. The more, the merrier: càng đông càng vui 4. Are your friends mostly your age or different ages? Bạn của bạn là cùng tuổi hay các độ tuổi khác nhau? Most of my friends are about my age because we met at school or university. I have got several friends who are older or younger than me as we met at work. 5. Do you usually see your friends during the week or at weekends? Bạn thường gặp bạn bè trong tuần hay cuối tuần? - I meet my friends at weekends because we are busy on weekdays. 6. The last time you saw your friends, what did you do together? Lần trước bạn gặp bạn của bạn vào lúc nào? I met my friends last weekend. We went shopping for some clothes together. After that, we went to a café and chatted about work and family. 7. What do you like doing with your friends? 20 2. Do you prefer sending text messages or talking on the phone? I prefer talking the phone because it is very fast and easy, convenient / I prefer sending text message because I can take more time to think about what I am going to say. 3. What is the benefit of face-to face communication with others? - We can see our partner’s face and guess their feelings/ emotions. - We can feel the close atmosphere with our friends, so the communication is more successful. - Have immediate response - Face to face talk with others is very good because it helps me to get more information and know each other better Let’s talk about mobile phone service 1. How often do you use a mobile phone? Why? I use a mobile phone every day because it is fast and convenient/ it’s useful for my job and helps me relax, 2. Are you satisfied with your mobile phone service? Hài lòng I am satisfied with my mobile phone service because it helps me to talk with friends around the world and keep in touch with other people. 3. What makes a good mobile phone service? To make a good mobile service, it’s necessary to have a good signal, A good design, long battery life (pin lâu), big storage = large amount of memory; high resolution (cấu hình cao); many functions (nhiều chức năng) … Let’s Talk about mobile phones 1. How often do you use mobile phone? I use mobile phone everyday to work , to study, communicate and relax. 2. What do you use mobile phone for? I update the latest news on the Internet and study English online. Moreover, I can contact with other people by mobile phone. 3. What are disadvantages of mobile phones? There are some disadvantages of mobile phones. Firstly, it’s not good for children because it makes them addicted with some games on mobile phone. Secondly, it’s not good for eyes when we look at the screen too long. 22 I don’t choose the orther choices because they are not suitable. To sum up, there are some ways to check weather forecast for next week such as reading newspaper, listening to radio news or watching T.V. For the reasons above, I think watching T.V is the best choice. PART 3: TOPIC DEVELOPMENT There are several ways to get news. Watching T.V Reading newspaper Ways to get news Your own ideas Surfing the internet There are some ways to get news. + Firstly, one way to get news is watching T.V. Some people like watching T.V because it is cheap. + Secondly, another way to get news is reading book. Some people enjoy reading book because it helps people to improve memory, it helps people to relax and widen knowledge. + Finally, one way to get news is surfing the internet. Some people prefer surfing the internet because it in very convenient, it is easy to use and it it more updated. To sum up, there are some ways to get news such as watching T.V, reading book or surfing the internet . Follow-up questions 24 + Finally, a traditinal restaurant is more suitable than other options. Forexample the atmospheer and the food in this restaurant are more suitable with my father and his friends. I don’t choose the orther choices because they are not suitable. To sum up, there are some for me to choose a place to celerate your father’s birthday party such as a traditinal restaurant, a fast food restaurant or a vegetarain restaurant. For the reasons above, I think a traditinal restaurant is the best choice. PART 3: TOPIC DEVELOPMENT There are several ways to get news. A heavy workload Personal relationships Causes of stress Your own ideas Health problems There are several causes of stress. + Firstly, one cause of stress is a heavy workload. In fact working for along time or too much responsibility at work can also lead to pressure. + Secondly, another cause of stress is personal relationships. For example, having problems with your relationships or feeling a lack of friendship can alo lead to seious stress. + Finally, one cause of stress is health problems. For example, if you have a serious illness such as heart disease or diabetes. It will make you feel depressed. To sum up, there are several causes of stress such as a heavy workload, personal relationships or Health problems. Follow-up questions 26 traveling in spring or traveling in autumn. For the reasons above, I think a traditinal restaurant is the best choice. PART 3: TOPIC DEVELOPMENT People travel for different reasons. Meet new people Relax and refresh their mind Reasons for traveling Your own ideas Learn new things There are several reasons for traveling . + Firstly, one reason for traveling is meeting new people. In fact, when people travel to new places, they can meet new people and make a lot of new friends. As a result, their social life will be wonderful. + Secondly, another reason for traveling is relax abd refresh their mind. For example,when they travel, they can get away from boring daily routines and reduce stress. + Finally, one reason for traveling is learning new things because when people travel to a new place they can learn new cultures and customs of that place. To sum up, there are several reason for traveling such as meeting new people, relax abd refresh their mind or lern new things. Follow-up questions 28 PART 3: TOPIC DEVELOPMENT Shopping in a supermarket has a lot of benefits. Fixed prices Quality products Benefits of shopping in a supermarket Your own ideas Various choices There are some benefits of shopping in a supermarket. + Firstly, one benefit of shopping in a supermarket is fixed prices. So we don’t need to bargain. + Secondly, another advantages of shopping in a supermarket is quality products. So we can buy good product for our family. + Finally, one positive effect of shopping in a supermarket is various choices. we can buy many kinds of things in one place. To sum up, there are some benefits of shopping in a supermarket such as fixed prices, quality products or various choices. Follow-up questions 30 PART 2: SITUATION DISCUSSION Situation: Your family is going to visit a big city. Three options for getting around the city are: by motorbike, by taxi or by bus. Which one do you think is the best choices. Discussion There are several options for my family to get around the city such as by motorbike, by taxi or by bus. I think going by taxi is the best choice because of some reasons. + Firstly, going by taxi is faster than the other choices because we can book a taxi easily in a big city. + Secondly, going by taxi is more comfortable than the others. Because We don’t need to ride motobikes or travel with other people on the bus and we can enjoy the beauty of the city. +Finally, going by taxi is more convenient than going by motorbike or by bus.Because we can ask the driver about the best places to visit in the city. Besides we don’t need to find the roads and we don’t need to wait for the buses. I don’t choose the other options because they are not suitable. To sum up, There are some options for my family to get around the city such as by motorbike, by taxi or by bus. For the reasons above, I think going by taxi is the best choice. PART 3: TOPIC DEVELOPMENT Public transport should be encouraged because of its advantages. Saving money Being enviromentally friendly Advantages of public transport Your own ideas Reducing traffic tram There are several advantages of public transport. + Firstly, one advantage of public transport is saving money because the government makes the ticket cost lower (or reduces the ticket cost). + Secondly, another benefit of public transport is being enviromentally friendly. Forexample, the subway (tram) helps reduces air pollution (dirty smoke) in big cities. + Finally, one more advantage of public transport is reducing traffic jam. In fact, many people share a vehicle so the streets are less busy. To sum up, public transport should be encouraged because of its advantages such as saving money, being enviromentally friendly and reducing traffic jam. Follow-up questions 1) Which type of I prefer private transport because It is fast and convenient. transport do you prefer: public or private transport? 32 Topic 9: WORK AND JOBS PART 1: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS * Let’s talk work 1) Where do I want to work at a school in near my house in the future. Because it is easy you want to for me to move from my house to the school and reduce traffic jam. work in the future? 2) Describe I want to work for a company with high salary, good working conditions an and nice co-workers. organization/ a company do you want to work for? 3) What do I should have enough qualifications, experience and soft skills. you need to prepare to work there? * Let’s talk about jobs 1) What is My favorite job is teaching because It is my dream job. Besides I love your favorite children and I want to teach good lessons for them. job? 2) Why do I like teaching because I love children and it is my dream job? you like to do that kind of job? 3) Is that Yes, It is very important to me. Because it helps me earn money to support kind of job my family. very important to you? PART 2: SITUATION DISCUSSION Situation: Your are coming to work in a big city for several years. There are three options of accommdation: renting a house, renting a small room or staying in a cheap hotel. Which one would be your choice. Discussion There are several options for me when I am coming to work in a big city for several years such as renting a house, renting a small room or staying in a cheap hotel. I think renting a small room is the best choice because of some reasons Firstly, renting a small room is cheaper than renting a house or staying in a cheap hotel. Because I don’t have much money. Moreover, I can save money when I live there several years. Seconly, renting a small room is more convenient than the other choices. Because It is easier to find a small room in a big city. 34
