My school

Starter questions

What's your favorite subject at school and why do you like it?
Can you describe a typical day at your school?
What extracurricular activities does your school offer?
How do you get to school each day, and how long does it take?
What's the most interesting thing you've learned at school recently?
Do you have a favorite teacher? What makes them special?
If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?

Keywords and phrases

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School Buildings and Facilities: classroom, library, gymnasium, cafeteria, science lab, computer room, playground, sports field, auditorium, lockers
People at School: classmate, teacher, principal, school counselor, librarian, janitor, coach, best friend, study group, classmates
Subjects and Learning: mathematics, science, literature, history, physical education, art class, foreign language, homework, exam, project, presentation, grade, report card
School Activities: field trip, school play, science fair, sports day, talent show, club meeting, volunteer work, school newspaper, debate team, choir practice
Daily Routine: arrive at school, attend class, take notes, raise hand, ask questions, have lunch, study hall, dismissal time
School Rules and Policies: dress code, attendance policy, no cell phones, be on time, respect others, follow instructions
Emotions and Opinions: enjoy, dislike, find interesting, challenging, exciting, boring, stressful, rewarding
Time-related Words: semester, school year, summer break, winter vacation, class schedule, timetable

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School Life: Learning and Growing Together

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Going to school is an important part of life. It's where we learn new things, make friends, and prepare for the future. Let's talk about different aspects of school life and why they are important.

Location and Building

The location of your school can affect your daily routine. If your school is near your home, it's easy to get there. If it's far, you might need to take a bus or train. The school building is also important. A good school building has bright classrooms and useful facilities.

Classrooms and Facilities

Classrooms are where we learn. They should be comfortable and have everything we need, like desks, chairs, and a board. Facilities like the library, gym, and computer lab help us learn and have fun. It's important to take care of our classrooms and facilities.

Teachers and Staff

Teachers are very important. They help us learn and understand new things. A good teacher is kind, patient, and good at explaining things. The school staff, like the principal and secretary, also help us. They keep the school organized and safe.

Subjects and Lessons

At school, we learn many different subjects, like math, science, English, and history. Some subjects are easy, and some are challenging. It's important to try our best in all subjects. Lessons should be interesting and help us learn new skills and knowledge.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are activities we do outside of class, like sports, clubs, and music. These activities are fun and help us make friends. They also teach us important skills, like teamwork and leadership.

School Rules and Uniform

School rules are important for keeping the school safe and organized. We need to follow the rules and respect others. Some schools have uniforms. Uniforms can make us feel like we are part of a team.

Friends and Classmates

Friends and classmates are a big part of school life. We spend a lot of time with them, so it's important to get along. We can help each other with homework and have fun together. If we have disagreements, we should talk about them and find a solution.

School Events and Trips

School events and trips are exciting and memorable. We can participate in sports day, school plays, and concerts. School trips help us learn about new places and cultures. These events and trips make school life more fun and interesting.

Study Habits and Homework

Good study habits are important for success in school. We should organize our study time and do our homework on time. If we have trouble with a subject, we can ask our teacher for help. Preparing for tests is also important.

Future Goals and Aspirations

School helps us prepare for the future. We learn skills and knowledge that we will need for our careers. It's important to think about our future goals and work hard to achieve them. Our teachers and school can help us reach our aspirations.

Conclusion

School life is a time for learning, growing, and making friends. By participating in different activities and following the rules, we can have a positive and rewarding experience. Remember to work hard, be kind to others, and enjoy your time at school!

Questions on the text:

Where is it easier to go to school: near your home or far from your home?
What should classrooms have to help students learn?
Name two types of school staff mentioned in the text besides teachers.
What are extracurricular activities? Give one example.
Why are school rules important?
What should you do if you have trouble with a subject?
How does school help us with our future?

Answers

It is easier to go to school if it is near your home.
Classrooms should have desks, chairs, and a board.
The principal and the secretary are two types of school staff mentioned.
Extracurricular activities are activities outside of class, for example, sports.
School rules are important for keeping the school safe and organized.
If you have trouble with a subject, you should ask your teacher for help.
School helps us prepare for the future by teaching skills and knowledge for our careers.

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Speaking outline

1. Location and Building

Where is your school located, and how does it affect your daily routine?
What do you think about the design and structure of your school building?
How does the school's location influence your learning experience?

to be located in → "My school is located in the city center."
to get to school → "I get to school by bus."
to think about → "I think about the building's design."
to depend on → "My routine depends on where my school is."
to look around → "I look around the school in the morning."

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2. Classrooms and Facilities

What are the classrooms like at your school, and how do they support your learning?
Which facilities do you use the most, and why?
What improvements would you like to see in your school's facilities?

to have access to → "We have access to computers in the lab."
to use something for → "I use the library for studying."
to wish for → "I wish for a bigger sports field."
to get better at → "I want to get better at using the computers."
to look after → "We have to look after our classrooms."

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3. Teachers and Staff

Who is your favorite teacher, and what makes them special?
How do you feel about the support you receive from the school staff?
What qualities do you think are important in a good teacher?

to get along with → "I get along with my teachers."
to help with → "They help with my homework."
to be good at → "My teacher is good at explaining things."
to look up to → "I look up to my favorite teacher."
to rely on → "I rely on the staff for help."

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4. Subjects and Lessons

What is your favorite subject, and why do you enjoy it?
Which subject do you find most challenging, and how do you cope with it?
How do your lessons usually go, and what do you like about them?

to be good at → "I am good at math."
to have trouble with → "I have trouble with science."
to look forward to → "I look forward to English class."
to get through → "I get through difficult subjects by studying with friends."
to keep up with → "I try to keep up with the lessons."

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5. Extracurricular Activities

What extracurricular activities do you participate in, and why?
How do these activities benefit you outside of school?
What new activity would you like your school to offer?

to take part in → "I take part in the football club."
to help out with → "I help out with the school play."
to get better at → "I want to get better at playing the guitar."
to look forward to → "I look forward to the sports day."
to join in → "I join in the school choir."

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6. School Rules and Uniform

What are the school rules regarding uniforms, and how do you feel about them?
Which school rule do you find most challenging to follow?
If you could change one school rule, what would it be and why?

to have to → "We have to wear a uniform."
to be allowed to → "We are not allowed to use our phones in class."
to get in trouble for → "I don't want to get in trouble for breaking the rules."
to agree with → "I agree with the school rules."
to look up to → "I try to look up to the school regulations."

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7. Friends and Classmates

Who is your best friend at school, and how did you become friends?
How do you usually spend time with your classmates?
What do you do when you have disagreements with your classmates?

to get along with → "I get along with my classmates."
to hang out with → "I hang out with my friends after school."
to talk about → "We talk about our homework."
to make up after → "We make up after an argument."
to look after → "I look after my friends when they are sad."

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8. School Events and Trips

What annual school event do you look forward to the most, and why?
Can you describe a memorable school trip you went on?
How do school events and trips enhance your learning experience?

to look forward to → "I look forward to the school fair."
to take part in → "I take part in the school play."
to have fun at → "We had fun at the museum."
to learn about → "We learned about history on the trip."
to remember → "I remember the trip to the park."

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9. Study Habits and Homework

How do you usually organize your study time and homework?
Which subject gives you the most homework, and how do you manage it?
What strategies do you use to prepare for tests?

to do homework → "I do my homework after school."
to get help with → "I get help with math from my teacher."
to prepare for → "I prepare for tests by studying."
to look up → "I look up words I don't understand."
to keep up with → "I try to keep up with my studies."

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10. Future Goals and Aspirations

What are your future goals after graduating, and how are you working towards them?
How is your school helping you achieve your aspirations?
What skills do you hope to improve for your future career?

to want to be → "I want to be a teacher."
to work towards → "I am working towards my goals."
to get better at → "I want to get better at English."
to look forward to → "I look forward to my future."
to help out with → "My school helps out with my career planning."

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Debate topics

1. Should students wear school uniforms?

For:

Uniforms make everyone look the same
They are cheaper for families
Students focus more on studying
It's easier to get ready in the morning
Uniforms create a sense of belonging

Against:

Uniforms limit personal expression
They can be uncomfortable
Some uniforms are expensive
Students should learn to dress appropriately
Uniforms don't prepare students for real life

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2. Is homework necessary?

For:

Homework helps students practice
It teaches time management
Parents can see what their children are learning
It prepares students for tests
Homework develops independent learning skills

Against:

Students need time to relax after school
Some students don't have a good place to study at home
It can cause stress for students and families
Not all students have help at home
School time should be enough for learning

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3. Should mobile phones be allowed in school?

For:

Phones can be used for research
Students can contact parents in emergencies
Some educational apps are helpful
It teaches responsible phone use
Phones can be used to take notes

Against:

Phones can distract students during lessons
They may be used for cheating on tests
Cyberbullying can happen more easily
Students might not talk to each other during breaks
Expensive phones can get lost or stolen at school

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