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Topic: Movies

★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Movies. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

sappy melodramatic
e.g. I found the romantic movie very touching, but my boyfriend said it was very sappy.
sequel a movie that continues the story/theme of a previous film
e.g. The first movie was a hit, but the sequel bombed.
bombed failed
e.g. The first movie was a hit, but the sequel bombed.
twist unexpected turn of events
e.g. The completely implausible twist at the end ruined it.
left something to be desired not very good; you wish it was better
e.g. The special effects were breathtaking, but the acting left something to be desired.
trailer a 2-3 minute video summary of the movie
e.g. Have you seen the trailer for the final part of the trilogy?
trilogy a series of 3 movies (like Lord of the Rings)
e.g. Have you seen the trailer for the final part of the trilogy?
subtitle the written words on the bottom of the screen
e.g. I have a hard time understanding the dialogue without subtitles.
remake a new version of an old movie
e.g. To be honest, I liked the remake better than the original – the cast was much stronger
hard to follow difficult to understand or confusing as you were watching the movie
e.g. Although the premise was intriguing, the plot was complex and hard to follow.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Do you enjoy watching movies?
  2. What’s your favorite film?
  3. Who are your favorite actors?
  4. How often do you watch films?
  5. When was the last time you went to a movie theater?
  6. Do you like horror movies? Why or why not?
  7. What’s the worst movie you have seen recently?
  8. If you had to pick any character in a book, movie or TV show who is most similar to you, who would you choose? Why?
  9. What’s your favorite genre of movie?
  10. Steven Spielberg said, “Every time I go to a movie, it’s magic, no matter what the movie’s about.” Do you agree? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Travel

★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Travel. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

backseat driver 1) A passenger in a car who insists on giving the driver directions. 2) Anybody offering unsolicited or unwelcome advice.
e.g. My brother is such a backseat driver. He’s always telling me how to drive.
my way or the highway This expression is used to say that people have to do what you say; otherwise, they will have to leave or quit.
e.g. When it comes to playing board games it’s my way or the highway.
put the cart before the horse To put things in the wrong order
e.g. Traveling without research is like putting the cart before the horses.
sail through problems To pass or progress quickly and easily.
e.g. You just cannot expect to sail through problems when you are not familiar with the place.
get/have itchy feet Feeling of a need to travel.
e.g. I always have itchy feet. Hitting the road is the best feeling in the world.
hit the road To begin traveling; to leave a place; to go away.
e.g. I always have itchy feet. Hitting the road is the best feeling in the world.
globetrotter a habitual worldwide traveler, esp a tourist or businessperson
e.g. So many globetrotters use Cambly!
road rage Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other drivers is called road rage.
e.g. A number of accidents today are a direct result of road rage.
homesickness Acutely longing for one’s family or home.
e.g. I am so homesick that I can get on a plane right now.
jet lag the feeling of being very tired and sometimes confused because you have traveled quickly on an airplane across parts of the world where the time is different
e.g. I had bad jet lag after that last trip overseas.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. What kind of places have you visited in your life?
  2. Have you traveled to different countries? Which ones?
  3. Which place would you really like to visit? Why?
  4. What’s the best place you’ve ever visited?
  5. Talk about some of the interesting people you have met while traveling.
  6. When was the last time you traveled somewhere new?
  7. Is it easy to travel around your country?
  8. Do you prefer to travel alone or in a group? Why?
  9. Where would you like to travel next?
  10. Lao Tzu says, ““A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” Do you agree or disagree?

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: New Year

★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: New Year. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

get together gather or assemble socially or to cooperate
e.g. Every year, we all get together at my parents’ home to celebrate the new year starting at midnight!
someone’s place someone’s home
e.g. The entire family goes over to grandpa’s place to have a huge meal together, it’s usually a lot of fun.
pay respect to honor someone after their death, usually, by going to the person’s funeral
e.g. We have the traditional ceremony to pay respect to our ancestors in the morning of the New Year’s Day.
family-style designating a style of preparation or serving of food in which diners help themselves from plates of food that have been put on the table
e.g. We always share a large meal family-style, then sit in the living-room and have a good time together.
someone’s signature dish a recipe that identifies an individual chef
e.g. ‘New Year’s’  wouldn’t be complete without grandma’s signature dumplings with gravy!
glutinous rice sticky rice
e.g. We usually eat traditional Korean glutinous rice cakes, I think they’re absolutely delicious!
all-time-favorite favorite of all choices, at all times
e.g. Traditional Korean rice cake are one of my all-time-favorite holiday dishes, I really love ‘New Year’s’!
holiday dish special dish prepared for holidays such as turkey and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving in the US and Yule log for Christmas
e.g. I’m a foodie – a lover of food – and the holiday season is my favorite time of year, mainly due to the holiday dishes.
freshly minted money newly printed money
e.g. Instead of the Chinese red envelopes, Koreans get freshly minted money from their parents.
pep talks a talk intended to make someone feel more courageous or enthusiastic
e.g. Koreans also get pep talks from their grandparents to wish them a good year.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. What did you do on New Year’s Day?
  2. How do you normally celebrate New Year’s Day in your country?
  3. Do you (or your family) have a unique way of celebrating it?
  4. What are you looking forward to this year? If you aren’t looking forward to this year, why aren’t you?
  5. What are you and your family planning to do this year?
  6. Did you celebrate New Year’s Eve? What did you do?
  7. Did you have a special meal during the holidays? What did you eat?
  8. Was last year a good year for you? In what way or why not?
  9. What’s your new year’s resolution?
  10. Someone said, “He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; he who makes one is a fool.” What do you think? Happy New year everyone!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Planning

★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Planning. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

follow through to complete an action or process; to fulfill a promise or commitment
e.g. I do my best to follow through on plans.
flexible willing to change or to try different things
e.g. I’m fairly flexible with my plans.
to catch up to acquire the latest information
e.g. Tomorrow, I’m planning to learn more about my new job so that I can catch up on the knowledge I am missing.
from now [time] after this moment e.g. Three weeks from now = In three weeks.
e.g. I can move into a new place three weeks from now.
do someone’s best to do something as well, skillfully, or accurately as one can
e.g. I do my best to follow through on plans.
to overcommit to agree to do too many things
e.g. I think it is better to avoid overcommitting, or saying “yes” to too many things!
up to a point used to indicate that a statement is partly but not completely true
e.g. I am flexible about making plans, up to a point.
heads up a warning that something may or may not happen
e.g. I prefer to get a heads up as soon as possible when things change.
develop (thought/plan) to create something over a period of time
e.g. If I didn’t develop a smart plan to research and view my options, I would never actually find a new place
put in some effort to seriously attempt to do something
e.g. I have to put in some effort to make that dream a reality

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. What are you planning to do tomorrow? What about next week?
  2. Do you usually follow through on your plans?
  3. Are you flexible about making plans?
  4. Name your biggest life goal. What’s your plan to achieve it?
  5. Do you have a 5-year plan? 10-year? 20-year?
  6. Is family planning important?
  7. Should parents help their children plan their time?
  8. Name one or more positive sides to planning.
  9. Name one or more negative sides to planning.
  10. Antoine de Saint-Exupery expressed this idea: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Do you agree? What are the differences between goals, plans, and wishes?

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Coffee

★★, Conversation Topics

 

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over the topic “Coffee”. Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor first. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice making a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

caffeine a chemical found naturally in coffee or tea that is a stimulant
decaffeinated coffee (decaf) coffee that has had a certain amount of caffeine removed (decaffeinated coffee  is not caffeine-free)
coffee beans seeds of a coffee tree
coffee grounds coffee beans that have been ground or crushed, then brewed to make coffee
brew to add hot water to coffee grounds, making a cup of coffee
instant coffee

 

2 in 1 coffee

3 in 1 coffee

 dehydrated coffee (powdered coffee) that can be made into a drink quickly by adding hot water

instant coffee with powdered cream

instant coffee with powdered cream and sugar
java another word for “coffee”
black coffee without milk or sugar; just coffee and nothing else
American coffee/ Americano espresso coffee diluted with extra hot water
a coffee addict a person who is dependent on coffee and drinks more than the average person

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge if anything interesting comes up.

  1. At what age do people start drinking coffee in your country?
  2. Do you prefer brewed coffee or instant?  Why?
  3. Do you think that coffee smells better than it tastes?
  4. Is decaffeinated coffee available in your country?
  5. Do you make coffee at home?
  6. What is your favorite time of the day to drink coffee?
  7. Are you or someone you know a coffee addict?  How many cups of coffee do you drink a day?
  8. What is your favorite coffee flavor?
  9. Does your country grow coffee beans?
  10. Once heard on David Letterman–“Decaffeinated coffee. It’s useless warm brown water.”  Do you agree or disagree?

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Celebrities

★★, Conversation Topics

Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Celebrities. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

15 minutes of fame A brief period of celebrity or notoriety. The term was coined by artist Andy Warhol. Jane had her 15 minutes of fame when she appeared on the nightly news broadcast.
e.g. I had my 15 minutes of fame when I took that interview.
infamous well-known for being bad: known for evil acts or crimes
e.g. an infamous traitor
e.g. a city infamous for poverty and crime
limelight public attention or notice thought of as a bright light that shines on someone
e.g. She is a very private woman who never sought the limelight. [=who has never sought to be famous]
shoot for the stars To set one’s goals or ambitions very high; to try to attain or achieve something particularly difficult.
e.g. My parents always taught me to shoot for the stars when I was growing up—that I could be anything I set my mind to!
star in something to be a featured actor in a play, movie, opera, etc. Roger starred in an off-Broadway play last season.
e.g. Mary always wanted to star in her own movie, but it was not to be.
class act To say that someone like an athlete or entertainer is a class act, means that they are very good at what they do.
e.g. Her career is just beginning but she’s already a class act.
down to earth Someone who is down to earth is not a dreamer but a realistic and practical person who has sensible reactions and expectations.
e.g. Don’t ask Suzy for help. She’s fun, but not very down to earth.
going places To say that someone is going places means that they show talent and ability that will no doubt lead to a successful future.
e.g. Even in college, it was obvious that Paul was going places.
high and mighty Someone who is high and mighty behaves in a haughty manner as though they were superior to others.
e.g. “Don’t get all high and mighty!” said my grandmother to my cousin. “Everyone helps with the housework in this house.”
larger than life A person who is larger than life attracts special attention because they are very impressive or unusually remarkable in their appearance, behavior or personality.
e.g. He was a larger-than-life character, both onstage and behind the scene.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Who is your favorite celebrity?
  2. Would you like to be famous? Why or why not?
  3. Which celebrity do you most admire and why?
  4. Have you ever met a famous person?
  5. Why are so many people obsessed with celebrities?
  6. What do you think of the paparazzi?
  7. Do you think the society needs to protect the private lives of famous people?
  8. Do you think anyone can become a celebrity?
  9. Do you think fame makes people happy?
  10. “Fame always brings loneliness. Success is as ice cold and lonely as the North Pole.” Do you agree? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Childhood

★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Childhood. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

a trip down memory lane to remember some of the happy things that you did in the past
e.g. My grandmother spends more time taking trips down memory lane these days than talking about the present.
mummy’s boy A man who is still very dependent on his mother is a mummy’s boy.
e.g. He’s such a mummy’s boy, always talking about how his mom would think.
poster child (for something) Someone who is a classic example of a state or type of person.
e.g. She is a poster child for soccer moms.
new kid on the block A new kid on the block is a person who has recently joined a company, organization, team, etc, and does not know how things work yet.
e.g. The new kid on the block turned out to be a really good baseball player.
cliques a small group of people who spend time together and who are not friendly to other people
e.g. high school cliques
hide-and-seek a children’s game in which everyone hides from one player who tries to find them. The game is played by one player that is chosen (designated as being “it”) to close their eyes and count to a predetermined number while the other players hide. After reaching this number, the player who is “it” calls, “Ready or not, here I come!’ and then to locate all concealed players.
tag Tag is a playground game that involves one or more players chasing other players in an attempt to “tag” or touch them, usually with their hands. There are many variations; most forms have no teams, scores, or equipment. Usually, when a person is tagged, the tagger says, “Tag, you’re it”.
teacher’s pet a student in a class who is liked by the teacher and who is treated better than other students
e.g. Sally is the teacher’s pet. She always gets special treatment.
eager beaver Someone who works hard and is very enthusiastic.
e.g. Mary is such an eager beaver, she is always the first one to do whatever the boss asks. I think she’s hoping for a promotion!
bookworm This is used to describe someone who reads a lot, all the time.
e.g. You won’t be able to convince her to come out with us; she’s a real bookworm and will probably stay in to read!

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. What do you remember the most when you think about your childhood?
  2. What were you like as a kid?
  3. What did you like to do?
  4. What was your favorite game?
  5. Did you learn how to ride a bike? Describe your first ride.
  6. Were you close with your parents?
  7. How were you at school? Did you like going to school?
  8. Did you have many friends back then? How did your definition of friendship change over time?
  9. Would you say you were a happy kid?
  10. John Betjeman said, “Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.” What do you think John means? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Stress

★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Stress. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

Nervous breakdown a period of mental illness resulting from severe depression, stress, or anxiety.
e.g. The student had a nervous breakdown during her big exam.
Panic attack a sudden feeling of acute and disabling anxiety.
Stress management Stress management refers to the wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at controlling a person’s levels of stress, especially chronic stress, usually for the purpose of improving everyday functioning.
Cope with~ to struggle or deal, especially on fairly even terms or with some degree of success (usually followed by with):
e.g. I will try to cope with his rudeness.
Wound up stressed out; tense
e.g. The actress is so wound up, and she is not giving her 100%.
Under a lot of pressure/Under the gun facing or enduring something such as pressure or a deadline.
e.g. I am under a lot of pressure lately. The management is under the gun for the mistakes made last year.
De-stress/wind down to release bodily or mental tension
e.g. You need to take some time off to de-stress/wind down.
Drown in paperwork have so much work to do; imagine your boss asked you to review boxes of reports and write a brief summary for each by tomorrow morning. That’s drowning in paperwork.
got too much on my plate to be too busy
e.g. I’m sorry, I just have too much on my plate right now. / If you have too much on your plate, can I help?
Blow off steam (of a person) get rid of stress or from being really angry
e.g. I need to go for a quick walk to blow off some steam.

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Do you get stressed out easily?
  2. What do you do when you feel stressed out?
  3. What stressed you out the most?
  4. What are some physical effects that stress has caused you in the past?
  5. Is speaking in English stressful?
  6. Is it normal for people to feel stressed at work?
  7. Is it stressful talking to someone you find attractive?
  8. Do you think life is stressful?
  9. Is stress always bad?
  10. Andrew Bernstein said, “Remember that stress doesn’t come from what’s going on in your life. It comes from your thoughts about what’s going on in your life.”  Do you agree? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Beach

★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Beach. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

Wear sunscreen to put a lotion on your skin that prevents sunburn by blocking out some of the sun’s rays

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen on the beach.
Sunbathe when you sit or lie in the sunlight, especially to make your skin darker
Their family always goes to the beach to relax and sunbathe on the sand.
Ebb and flow This phrase is used to describe something that changes in a regular and repeated way.

I love watching the ebb and flow of the ocean waves as they hit the beach and then retreat.
Lifeguard on duty an expert swimmer employed to rescue people who get into trouble in a swimming pool or at the beach
Skinny dipping to swim naked

The teenagers snuck away to go skinny dipping in the moonlight.
Chill out When people chill out, often after a period of heavy work or nervous tension, they do something that helps them to calm down and relax for a while.
After a week of exams, the students needed to go and chill out.
Go for a dip to go for a quick swim in the sea or any body of water

Let’s go for a dip in the pool.
Backstroke A swimming technique by which you float on your back and swing one arm at a time up over your head, then pull it down toward your body again through the water
Crystal clear If you can see through the water in an ocean, river, or lake, you can describe it as “clear” or “crystal clear.”
Murky Water that you can’t see through is “murky.”

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Do you like the beach?
  2. Which is your favorite beach?
  3. When was the last time you went to a beach? Where did you go and who did you go with?
  4. What do you usually do when you go to a beach?
  5. Can you swim? When did you learn how to swim?
  6. Do you like to tan?
  7. Do you dive?
  8. Do you prefer a calm sea or do you prefer big waves?
  9. What do you think about nude beaches?

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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Topic: Luxury Bags

★★, Conversation Topics

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Warm-up

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Luxury Bags. First, go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

Briefcase a flat case that is used for carrying papers or books, especially used in offices
Luggage the bags and suitcases that a person carries when traveling
Tote bag a large bag used for carrying things
Avant-garde a group of people who develop new and often very surprising ideas in art, literature, etc.
e.g. The book discusses the role of the avant-garde in the film industry.
Haute couture the people and companies that create clothes that are very expensive and fashionable
e.g. Many celebrities wear haute couture on the red carpet.
Pickpocket a thief who steals money and other things from people’s pockets and purses
Counterfeit something made to look like an exact copy of something else in order to trick people
e.g. Police are investigating the criminals who used counterfeit money.
Secondhand something that had a previous owner
e.g. They saved a lot of money by buying secondhand furniture.
Department store a large store that has separate areas in which different kinds of products are sold
Consignment store a store to which people bring items that they no longer want (such as old clothes, shoes, and equipment) to have them sold
e.g. When my old sweater sold at the consignment store, I received a portion of the profit!

Conversation

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

  1. Describe the most expensive bag you have.
  2. What kind of bag is it? Describe its style.
  3. Why did you choose this particular bag? Brand? Material? Explain your thought process.
  4. Do you have a favorite luxury brand?
  5. Do you think a bag or purse you carry somewhat represents your social status? Why or why not?
  6. What do you think about counterfeit products? Have you ever bought one?
  7. How important do you think a bag is as a fashion accessory?
  8. What do you have in your bag or purse?
  9. What do you think a president would carry in his/her bag or purse?
  10. Alain Wertheimer, co-owner of Chanel, said, “We’re in the business of selling pleasure. We don’t sell handbags or haute couture. We sell dreams.” Do you agree? Share your thoughts with your Cambly tutor!

Wrap-up

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

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