Home | Elementary ESL English Discussion Topics
Here's one of the three reusable chapters in this book. There is an extensive resource section (show below) to help in reusing this lesson model many times.
1. Explaining with Keywords
This lesson seeks to improve speaking by using targeted keywords. To describe a topic, students will participate in a brainstorming exercise where they produce adjectives and other vocabulary.
Objectives
1. Increase vocabulary and learn more about a topic.
2. Discuss further and elaborate on fresh subjects.
Things to Do
1. Select a subject from the Resources section.
2. Draw six oval shapes on an A4 sheet or whiteboard by turning it horizontally. Fill in one word in each oval.
3. Create a quick activity for adjectives if students need help.
Lesson
Warm-up and Objective
Introduce the lesson's primary theme, which was selected during the planning phase.
Introduce any adjectives activities you may see fit.
Inform them that they will get the ability to use a variety of unfamiliar words to explain a subject.
Exploration and Comprehension
Ask the students to explain the topic.
Make a copy of the template and paste it on the board so that everyone can see the six keywords.
Review each word with them one at a time to assess their comprehension of connected words.
Any terms or words offered by students that would be useful later should be written on the board's far right side. This is a great tool for lesson expansion in any class.
Introduce any comparable terms that students previously provided.
Guided Student Practical
The class should be divided into pairs or teams based on the number of students for discussions.
Distribute the paper that was created during the preparation.
For each of the six items, students list any additional words that might be connected.
For comprehension and clarity, ask questions regarding the words. The use of adjectives will aid in clarification.
Asking them to use the words in spoken sentences can demonstrate their comprehension.
Student Presentation and Evaluation
Continue discussing, but with less teacher focus.
Their word comprehension is being continuously evaluated.
The subject can be expanded into new topics if they can maintain their conversation. Provide guidance when needed.
Review and Assess
For a class discussion, note on the board some of the topics discussed in each group and compare.
Use a combination of terms to evaluate with negative questioning for error checking and proofreading.
Activity - The Word Competition
Set up a word league with other classes.
For the competition, introduce a brand-new topic that has not yet been explored in class.
A brainstorming activity for related words for each group.
Inform each team that their words will be converted into points.
Keep track of how many words each team or class creates and provide awards to those who produce the most.
Proofreading is crucial since some people may use errors.
Beginner Keyword Resources
Below is a list of words associated with the topic that will be the focus of conversation and brainstorming.
Animals (Birds)
Partridge, Crow, Chick, Duck, Duckling, Seagull
Sparrow, Swallow, Gosling, Quail, Puffin, Albatross
Hawk, Heron, Goose, Pelican, Pheasant, Eagle
Peacock, Ostrich, Swan, Turkey, Vulture, Magpie
Animals (Pets, Fish, and Sea Creatures)
Bird, Cat, Chicken, Dog, Goldfish, Hamster
Horse, Gerbil, Pigeon, Rabbit, Snake, Turtle
Cod, Crab, Octopus, Lobster, Oyster, Salmon
Sardine, Shark, Shrimp, Trout, Tuna, Squid
Animals (Farm and Insects)
Calf, Cat, Chicken, Cow, Duck, Goat
Hen, Horse, Lamb, Pig, Rooster, Sheep
Ant, Bee, Beetle, Butterfly, Cockroach, Cricket
Dragonfly, Ladybug, Mosquito, Moth, Bug, Spider
Animals (General)
Badger, Beaver, Anteater, Hyena, Lion, Monkey
Ostrich, Jaguar, Leopard, Snake, Tiger, Wolf
Alligator, Zebra, Bear, Kangaroo, Camel, Cheetah
Crocodile, Elephant, Giraffe, Gorilla, Panda, Rhinoceros
Body (Face and Upper Body)
Tongue, Tooth, Nose, Eye, Face, Lip
Mouth, Brain, Cheek, Chin, Ear, Hair
Throat, Neck, Head, Heart, Shoulder, Lungs
Wrist, Finger, Hand, Arm, Nail, Elbow
Body (Lower Body and Body Injuries)
Chest, Toe, Feet, Ankle, Foot, Hip
Knee, Leg, Muscle, Skin, Stomach, Back
Black Eye, Blister, Broken Bones, Bruise, Burn, Cut
Fracture, Lump, Scratch, Sprain, Sunburn, Swelling
Clothes
Cap, Coat, Dress, Blouse, Gloves, Hat
Jacket, Scarf, Shirt, Sweater, Tie, Vest
Shoes, Shorts, Skirt, Slippers, Socks, Belt
Boots, Jeans, Pyjamas/Pajamas, Trousers/Pants, Suit, Handkerchief
Countries
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada
China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece
India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Iraq
Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States
House (General)
Bathroom, Bedroom, Ceiling, Dining Room, Door, Floor
Ground, Hall, Kitchen, Living Room, Wall, Bathtub
Bed, Chair, Furniture, Lamp, Picture, Shelf
Sink, Sofa, Table, Toilet, Window, Garden
House (Bathroom)
Bath, Shower, Sink, Mat, Tap/Faucet, Hand Towel
Laundry Basket, Mirror, Waste Basket, Toilet, Scale, Disinfectant
Brush, Scissors, Shampoo, Bubble Bath, Comb, Soap
Sponge, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Towel, Razor, Flannel
Foods (Fruit)
Cherry, Blackberry, Blueberry, Plum, Grapes, Tangerine
Nectarine, Persimmon, Clementine, Pomegranate, Pear, Apple
Melon, Orange, Peach, Apricot, Raspberry, Strawberry
Banana, Kiwi, Lemon, Lime, Pineapple, Watermelon
Foods (Desserts and Drinks)
Apple Pie, Birthday Cake, Cupcake, Candy, Chocolate, Cookies
Doughnuts/Donuts, Ice Cream, Muffin, Pie, Cheesecake, Pudding
Cocoa, Coffee, Green Tea, Ice Coffee, Iced Tea, Juice
Lemonade, Milk, Milkshake, Orange Juice, Soda, Tomato Juice
Foods (General)
Bacon, Beef, Chicken, Ham, Liver, Kidney
Lamb, Mutton, Pork, Steak, Turkey, Veal
Bread, Cheese, Egg, Fish, Noodles, Pancakes
Pasta, Peanuts, Rice, Cream, Milk, Yoghurt/Yogurt
Foods (Vegetables)
Beans, Carrot, Corn, Peas, Courgette/Zucchini, Bell Pepper
Onions, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Olives, Mushrooms, Beetroot
Lettuce, Broccoli, Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery
Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Turnip
Jobs
Dentist, Actor, Athlete, Doctor, Farmer, Fire Fighters
Fisherman, Musician, Nurse, Pilot, Soldier, Teacher
Engineer, Banker, Barber, Chef, Coach, Lawyer
Mechanic, Police Officer, Priest, Professor, Vet, Waiter
Nature
Cave, Desert, Mountain, Earth, Forest, Hill
Seed, Nest, Swamp, Valley, Tree, Waterfall
Bay, Beach, Pond, Creek, Island, Lake
River, Riverbed, Sea, Stream, Ocean, Sand
People (Family)
Aunt, Brother, Cousin, Daughter, Father, Mother
Nephew, Niece, Parents, Sister, Son, Uncle
Brother-in-Law, Father-in-Law, Grandson, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Grandparents
Sister-in-Law, Mother-in-Law, Granddaughter, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Grandchildren
People (General)
Husband, Wife, Boy, Girl, Woman, Man
Baby, Toddler, Children, Teenager, Adult, Sibling
Classmate, Clerk, Customer, Enemy, Family, Friend
Roommate, Best Friend, Stranger, Relative, Neighbour/Neighbor, Ancestor
School (Subjects)
Geography, Art, History, Maths/Math, Music, Cooking
Craft, Drama, Drawing, English, Games, Social
Biology, Chemistry, Health, Chinese, Korean, Performing Arts
Computer Science, Physics, Science, Sewing, Social Studies
School (Classroom)
Blackboard, Notebooks, Desk, Chair, Calendar, Clock
Computer, Plants, Drawings, Dictionary, Students, Teacher
Chalk, Paper, Pens, Pencils, Pencil Case, Sharpener
Textbook, Colour/Color Pens, Eraser, Reading Books, Bag, Homework
School (Books and Shapes)
Book, Booklet, Brochure, Comic Book, Dictionary, Encyclopaedia/Encyclopedia
Hardcover, Magazine, Novel, Paperback, Leaflet, Picture Book
Circle, Cone, Cylinder, Hexagon, Oval, Pentagon
Pyramid, Rectangle, Sphere, Square, Star, Triangle
Transportation and Vehicles
Bicycle, Canoe, Kayak, Motorboat, Motorcycle, Horse
Scooter, Police Car, Car, Glider, Taxi, Yacht
Bus, Plane, Ambulance, Jet, Subway, Fighter Jet
Fire Engine, Train, Truck, Helicopter, Submarine, Hovercraft
Town or City Buildings
Airport, Bakery, Bank, Barber Shop, Book Store, Church
Coffee Shop, Department Store, Petrol/Gas Station, Hospital, School, Shopping Mall
Library, Theatre/Theater, Museum, Post Office, Restaurant, Supermarket
Train Station, Fire Station, Police Station, Hotel, Fast Food Restaurant, Medical Clinic
Weather and Seasons
Sun, Rain, Snow, Cloud, Part Sun and Cloud, Wind
Thunder, Lightning, Fog and Mist, Hail, Shower, Rainbow
Humid, Dry, Frost, Ice, Typhoon, Tornado
Spring, Summer, Autumn/Fall, Winter, Temperature, Thermometer
