Useful Vocabulary
Instructions: Go through the vocabulary below with your students. Next, ask them to use this vocabulary in the conversation section below.
- Suburbs
- Urban
- Rural
- Community
- Cul-de-sac
- Gated Community
- Greenbelt
- Commute
Useful Phrasal Verbs
To Run Into – To meet or encounter someone or something unexpectedly.
Example Sentence: “I ran into my old friend John at the supermarket yesterday. We hadn’t seen each other in years!”
To Break Into – to enter a place without permission, often with the intent of stealing
Example Sentence: “Last night, someone broke into our house while we were away and stole some valuable items.”
To Jump At Something – To eagerly accept or seize an opportunity or offer without hesitation.
Example Sentence: “When they offered her a chance to study abroad, she jumped at the opportunity to experience a new culture and learn a new language.”
To Answer For – to be held responsible.
Example Sentence: “As the team leader, you will have to answer for the mistakes made during the project.”
To Bring Around – To persuade or convince someone to change their opinion, viewpoint, or stance on a particular matter.
Example Sentence: “After a long discussion, I was able to bring my friend around to the idea of taking a trip together.”
ESL Conversation Questions
1. How well do you know your neighbors? Do you have a friendly relationship with them?
2. Have you ever had any conflicts or issues with your neighbors? How did you handle them?
3. What would you change about your neighborhood?
4. How has the concept of being neighborly changed over time?
5. Are there any specific rules or regulations in your neighborhood that residents are expected to follow?
6. Have you ever run into someone famous or well-known in your area? How did you react?
7. How do you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for potentially running into someone you’d rather not see?
8. Tell me about a time you ran into a situation where you had to make a quick decision without much time to think?
9. Have you ever heard of someone breaking into a house or apartment in your neighborhood? How did the community respond to it?
10. What measures can a person take to secure their home and prevent break-ins?
11. Have you ever jumped at an opportunity that turned out to be a life-changing experience? What was it?
12. What kinds of opportunities do you usually jump at without hesitation?
13. Can you share a time when you regretted not jumping at a chance that came your way?
14. What factors do you consider before jumping at a new job or career opportunity?
15. Have you ever had to answer for someone else’s actions or behavior? How did you approach it?
16. In your opinion, should parents answer for their children’s actions? Why or why not?
17. Do you think it’s fair for people to answer for actions they committed in the distant past?
18. How important is it for leaders to answer for their decisions and actions to the people they serve?
19. How do you approach discussions with someone who has different beliefs or opinions to try and bring them around to your point of view?
20. Have you ever had to bring around a coworker or team member to support a new strategy or project at work? How did you approach it?
21. What techniques or communication skills do you think are most effective in bringing people around to see things from a different perspective?
22. Have you ever had to bring around family members or close friends to support a decision you made? How did you approach it?
23. Can you think of any historical or significant events that have happened in your neighborhood?
24. Do you think living in a tight-knit neighborhood has advantages over living in a more isolated area? Why or why not?
25. Are there any local businesses or restaurants in your neighborhood that you frequent? Which ones are your favorites?
