May 15

International Day of Families

A UN-observed day highlighting the importance of families as the basic unit of society, and acknowledging how the definition of family has changed in the modern world.

Family gathering visually representing the topic

Speaking Discussion

How do you think families are different now compared to when your grandparents were kids?
Do you think it's better for kids to grow up in a huge, noisy family or a small, quiet one?
Do you think it's still possible to have a traditional family life today, or are we all just too busy?
Does family always mean blood relatives, or can you choose your own family?
What’s the best piece of advice you ever got from your parents?

Activity 1: The Great Debate

Motion: "In the modern world, your chosen friends are more important than your biological family."

Split the class into two sides. Team A must defend the importance of biological family; Team B must defend the importance of chosen friends. Students must during their argument.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

The teacher reads the start of the sentence; the student must finish it instantly and speak for 20 seconds to justify it.

"The hardest part about raising a child in today's society is..."
"When I think of my childhood, the very first thing I remember is..."
"A house only truly becomes a home when..."

Key Vocabulary

Extended Family A family that extends beyond just parents and children, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Upbringing The treatment and instruction received by a child from its parents throughout its childhood.
Kinship A blood relationship, or a sharing of common characteristics and origins.
Nuclear Family A couple and their dependent children, regarded as a basic social unit.
Quality Time Time spent giving all of one's attention to someone who is close, to strengthen the relationship.

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Pro-Speaker Secret

The "Filler" Swap: Instead of saying "Ummm" when you are thinking, train yourself to use native hesitation phrases like "Well, let me think about that..." or "That's an interesting point...". It buys you time and sounds completely natural.

Teacher's Note: Remind students that Fluency > Accuracy. It is better to speak with a few mistakes than to stay silent while thinking of the perfect grammar!