This week the Thinking in English Community is talking about philosophy and language learning, inspired by my recent episode exploring how ideas from Stoicism, Existentialism, Buddhism, and Nietzsche can help us learn English!
Philosophers have spent centuries contemplating how we live, think, and face challenges. In language learning, philosophical ideas can help us stay motivated, overcome frustration, and find our own personal meaning in the process.
This week’s conversation club will give us the chance to reflect on our own English-learning journeys while also discussing some philosophical ideas. We’ll talk about how to deal with difficulties, how to focus on what really matters, and how our personal beliefs shape the way we study.
Here are 10 conversation questions to get you thinking… and talking… about philosophy and English learning!
The Thinking in English Conversation Club takes place every TUESDAY and THURSDAY at 12pm, 6pm, and midnight UK time!
You can find more details on how to participate here – Patreon!
Conversation Questions:
- How do you usually feel about your English learning progress?
- Have you ever felt “stuck” or frustrated while learning? What happened?
- Stoics say we should focus only on what we can control. In language learning, what things are in your control?
- Which is more important for learning: consistency or natural talent?
- Existentialists believe we should create our own meaning. What is the main reason you personally are learning English?
- In Buddhism, they say “everything changes.” How has your English level changed over the years?
- How do you stay focused when studying or speaking English?
- Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.” Can you think of a difficult English experience that made you stronger?
- Which philosophy from the episode (Stoicism, Existentialism, Buddhism, or Nietzsche’s ideas) fit your learning style best? Why?
- Make your own questions!
Vocabulary
- Progress (n): Movement towards a goal or improvement in a skill or situation.
- Frustrated (adj): Feeling annoyed or discouraged because something is difficult or not going well.
- Control (n): The power to influence or decide the outcome of something.
- Consistency (n): The quality of doing something regularly and in the same way over time.
- Talent (n): A natural ability or skill in a particular area.
- Meaning (n): The purpose, value, or importance of something.
- Change (v): To become different or to make something different.
- Focus (v): To give attention and concentration to something specific.
- Experience (n): Knowledge or skill gained from doing or living through something.
- Style (n): A particular way of doing or approaching something.
Resources
Conversation Club Times
12pm Conversation Club Around The World
- London, United Kingdom Tue/Thur at 12:00 BST
- Mexico City, Mexico Tue/Thur at 05:00 CST
- Bogota, Colombia Tue/Thur at 06:00 COT
- Santiago, Chile Tue/Thur at 08:00 CLST
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Tue/Thur at 08:00 BRT
- Rome, Italy Tue/Thur at 13:00 CEST
- Warsaw, Poland Tue/Thur at 13:00 CEST
- Istanbul, Turkey Tue/Thur at 14:00 EEST
- Taipei, Taiwan Tue/Thur at 19:00 CST
- Tokyo, Japan Tue/Thur at 20:00 JST
18pm Conversation Club Around The World
- London, United Kingdom Tue/Thur at 18:00 BST
- Mexico City, Mexico Tue/Thur at 11:00 CST
- Bogota, Colombia Tue/Thur at 12:00 COT
- Santiago, Chile Tue/Thur at 14:00 CLST
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Tue/Thur at 14:00 BRT
- Rome, Italy Tue/Thur at 19:00 CEST
- Warsaw, Poland Tue/Thur at 19:00 CEST
- Istanbul, Turkey Tue/Thur at 20:00 EEST
- Taipei, Taiwan Wed/Fri at 01:00 CST
- Tokyo, Japan Wed/Fri at 02:00 JST
00:00am Conversation Club Around The World
- London, United Kingdom Wed/Fri at 00:00 BST
- Mexico City, Mexico Tue/Thur at 17:00 CST
- Bogota, Colombia Tue/Thur at 18:00 COT
- Santiago, Chile Tue/Thur at 20:00 CLST
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Tue/Thur at 20:00 BRT
- Rome, Italy Wed/Fri at 01:00 CEST
- Warsaw, Poland Wed, Wed/Fri at 01:00 CEST
- Istanbul, Turkey Wed/Fri at 02:00 EEST
- Taipei, Taiwan Wed/Fri at 07:00 CST
- Tokyo, Japan Wed/Fri at 08:00 JST
Model Answers & Vocabulary
To help you prepare for the Thinking in English conversation club this week, I have created vocabulary lists and some model answers.
The model answers are split into intermediate, upper-intermediate, and advanced level responses. Hopefully this will give you an idea on the differences in quality between intermediate and advanced responses, and perhaps inspire your own answers to these questions!
B1 (Intermediate)
Model Answers
Vocabulary
B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Model Answers
Vocabulary
C1 (Advanced Level)
Model Answers
Vocabulary
See you all at this week’s conversation club!
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Further Questions?
