Speaking calendar/World Vegetarian Day
October 1st · Health & Ethics

World Vegetarian Day

World Vegetarian Day is an annual celebration of the benefits of vegetarianism. It highlights the positive impact that a meat-free diet can have on health, animals, and the planet. Today, we debate the middle ground of meat consumption, the rise of flexitarianism, and whether a world without meat is a realistic or desirable goal. Is vegetarianism the most accessible way to improve our global food system?

SPEAKING LESSONB1 / B2Discussion · Vocabulary · Activities
01 / LET’S TALK

Speaking Discussion

  1. Do you think that a vegetarian diet is significantly healthier than one that includes meat? Why or why not?
  2. In your opinion, what is the middle ground when it comes to meat consumption? Is being a flexitarian (eating meat occasionally) the best approach?
  3. How much of a role should ethics and animal welfare play in our dietary choices? Does it feel different when the meat is locally sourced?
  4. What are the most common misconceptions about vegetarians that you have heard? How can we address these?
  5. Do you think that the rise of plant-based meat alternatives is a good thing, or are they just ultra-processed foods that we should avoid?
  6. If you had to live without one specific type of food for the rest of your life, what would be the hardest to give up? Why?
02 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Activity 1: The veggie challenge Pitch

The Task: You are a Health Coach. You need to persuade a group of meat-lovers to try a 30-day vegetarian challenge.

What are your top three selling points, and what kind of support will you offer them?

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The biggest benefit of a meat-free meal is..."
  • "I think dietary choices are..."
  • "In my opinion, the future of food is..."