TOPIC 1: HUMAN REACTIONS TO EXTREME CONDITIONS + EXTREME SPORTS PROS& CONS

DISCUSSION

1. Why do the media try to bring extreme physical performance onto TV?

2. Should people test and obtain information about their physical limitations?

3. Would you ever test your physical limitations like trying bungee jumping,
white-water rafting or sky-diving? Why or why not?

4. What do you think about people trying to test human’s physical limitations?

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 1
 TOPIC 2: INSTANT GRATIFICATION + TEMTATION RESISTANCE

DISCUSSION

1. Can you name a temptation that you find it hard to resist when it is presented in front of you?

2. What incentives motivated you to study at high school? How about now?

3. What type of person are you: want to have instant gratification or wait for long-term incentives? Are you sure?

4. Patience is a virtue, but Do you think there are so few patient people? Why?

5. Tiny twists make big changes. According to you, why is it hard for people to start making small changes?

6. Personally, how do you keep yourself motivated when the society and the life out there always want to crush
your will?

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 2
 TOPIC 3: FILM IMPACTS ON PEOPLE’S LIFE + FILM MAKING PROCESS

DISCUSSION:

1. People say most films are unrealistic and misleading because it fabricates an imaginary and too idealized world
which is deceptive and useless. Do you agree?

2. Can you name different film genres? (e.g. sci-fi, horror, chick flick, bromance etc). Can you name some positive and
negative impacts movies can have on viewers?
3. Which qualities should a movie have to be appealing to you? How about a blockbuster or a must-see?
4. Challenge: in 2 minutes, tell your friend about a film that made a strong impression on you. (Type? Actors? Plot?
Why it’s worth watching?)
5. In film making, what job interests you most? Please explain.

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 3
TOPIC 4: MUSICAL PRODIGIES ” OR “ MUSICAL TALENTS CONTESTS AND ITS COMMODITIZATION”

DISCUSSION:
1. Do you think musical talent is a natural, innate skill or can be learned through practice and hard work? (Nature
or Nurture)?
2. According to you: Which of the elements below is important to have perfect pitch? (music-learning starting age,
gender, family genes, first language, training? Why?
3. Older generations often say younger generations have bad tastes of music. Do you agree? Reasons and
examples please!
4. Do you think people’s gouté of music will change in the course of time? Give examples and explain.
5. Some people prefer songs with meaningful or profound lyrics. Others prefer the music. According to you, what
makes a good song?

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 4
TOPIC 5: HOW BRAINS OR HABITS CAN CHANGE+ INTELLIGENCE MEASUREMENT AND APPLICATIONS

DISCUSSION:

1. What is one bad habit that you have? Have you ever felt the cravings when not allowed to practice that habit?

2. Do you think people will give up eating excessively or smoking if they are well-informed about their detrimental
effects ?Why do you think people often have a hard time to change their brain or their habit?

3. Can old people’s brain change after they’ve repeated habits or ways of thinking for many years?

4. Do you think the brain can repair actual damage e.g. a car accident or a stroke?

5. How would you define intelligence?

6. What is the best measure of someone’s intelligence?

7. Does intelligence equal success in life?

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 5
TOPIC 6: “IMPACT OF MICRO LENDING” OR “ CHALLENGES OF SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS”

Sorry! You don’t have creditworthiness.

DISCUSSION:

1. How much do you need to know about a person before you feel comfortable making a loan to them ($50 e.g)?
2. On what conditions do banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions make loans to borrowers?
3. How can a person borrow some money if he or she has no bank accounts, no salary records, no credit histories?
Are loan-sharks a good option?
4. what’s the difference between a microcredit bank and a traditional bank?
5. What impacts may microcredit have in poor countries?

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 6
TOPIC 7: LANGUAGE ACQUISITION ” OR “ CENTENARIANS IN BLUE ZONES”

DISCUSSION:

1. Do you think that developing a language as a means of communication is hard-wired (inherent and natural) in
babies’ brain or it is an acquisition process that has to be taught and learned? Explain please.

2. Do you think that without being taught, a child can acquire a language automatically if exposed to the target-
language environment?

3. Do you think that people of different languages will think differently because of the influence of their mother
tongue? Can you give examples?

4. Between Linguistic Relativism (each language conceives the world differently) and Linguistic Universalism (all
languages conceive the world in the same way). Which theory do you support?

5. What social behaviors or practices can promote good health and a happy, long life?

6. Do you think being a centenarian leads to happiness?

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 7
 TOPIC 8: REALIZING YOUR IDEAS + GOVERNMENTAL HELP FOR ENTREPRENEURS / AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES”

DISCUSSION:

1. What are the pluses and minuses of being an entrepreneur? Can you suggest some sources of assistance for them?

2. Let’s talk about entrepreneurialism in agriculture.

a) Why is it important in a nation’s economy?

b) Why should governments give subsidies to farmers?

3. Which option below would you choose to help you create or build that product? Pros and cons of each?
a. Skillful tradespeople (the second meaning, check it out!)
b. Industrial design company
c. Industrial design departments in some tech uni.
d. Do-it-yourself workshops.
4. Explain the role of reasonable organization and planning in doing business.

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 8
TOPIC 9: ELECTRIC CARS + SURGICAL ROBOTS

DISCUSSION:
1. Can you list some pros and cons of electric cars?
2. Is it a wise idea to incorporate robots into a wide range of medical practices such as operating, examining,
giving prescriptions, taking care, or recovery monitoring?
Pluses Minuses
1. Green 1. Expenses
2. Renewable energy (not oil) 2. Long charging time
3. Energy saving 3. Short life-span
4. Efficient (faster) 4. Short-distance
5. Less maintenance cost (durable) 5. Limited charge points
6. Noise pollution reduction (quiet) 6. Not eye-pleasing
7. Safer (auto pilot) 7. Electricity shortage in some countries
8. Battery disposal

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 9
 TOPIC 10: “ETHNIC CULTURE/ ETHNOGRAPHY STUDY” AND “ THE INUIT PEOPLE IN NUNAVUT”

DISCUSSION:
1. How important is it for a culture to preserve its customs and traditions?
2. To the best of your knowledge, how do you tell the difference between cultural assimilation and cultural
pluralism? How important is it for us to be aware of it in global integration?
3. Do you think that globalization will threaten the unique identity of a culture or it will help retain and
improve it? Please elaborate on your reasons

COURSE: ADVANCED LISTENING AND SPEAKING- INSTRUCTOR: TRAN QUOC THINH M.A. 10