TOPICS
For purposes of maintaining a user-friendly database,
please select from the following FIFTEEN
TOPIC DESIGNATIONS for your lesson plan. You may also
include a subtopic if you wish. These topics and subtopics are from
the New York State syllabus for foreign languages: Modern
Languages for Communication.
-
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
-
Biographical Information
-
age
-
nationality
-
address and telephone number
-
family
-
occupation
-
place and date of birth
-
Physical Characteristics
-
Height
-
Weight
-
Complexion
-
facial features
-
body shape
-
color of hair/eyes
-
disabilities
-
Psychological Characteristics
-
Character
-
Personality
-
likes and dislikes
-
tastes and interests
-
HOUSE AND HOME
-
Types of Lodging
-
House
-
Apartment
-
rental/ownership
-
Rooms and Other Lodging Components
-
Identification
-
size/function
-
furnishings
-
garden/terrace/balcony
-
appliances
-
SERVICES
-
repairs
-
public utilities
-
deliveries
-
FAMILY LIFE
-
family members
-
activities
-
roles and responsibilities
-
rapport among family members
-
COMMUNITY/NEIGHBORHOOD
-
common activities
-
local stores/facilities
-
recreational opportunities
-
responsibilities/expectations
-
rapport among members of the community
-
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
-
Physical Features
-
big city
-
small town
-
village
-
suburb
-
country
-
geography of area
-
Climate and Weather
-
seasons
-
temperature/precipitation/wind
-
natural catastrophes
-
flora and fauna
-
impact on human life
-
Quality of Environment
-
opportunities for recreation and entertainment
-
ecology
-
economy
-
aesthetics
-
MEAL TAKING/FOOD/DRINK
-
Types of Food and Drink
-
everyday family fare
-
regional and national specialties
-
fast food
-
food and drink preparation
-
special occasion menus
-
Mealtime Interaction
-
regular family meals
-
eating with friends/relatives
-
eating out
-
socializing in public establishments
-
HEALTH AND WELFARE
-
Parts of the Body
-
Illness and Accidents
-
symptoms of illness
-
medical services/treatment
-
insurance/social services
-
EDUCATION
-
Secondary School Organization
-
types of schools
-
subjects
-
schedule/school year
-
programs
-
content
-
examinations/grading
-
diploma
-
students' organizations
-
School Life
-
extracurricular activities
-
relationships among students
-
relationships between staff and students
-
discipline
-
roles/responsibilities/expectations
-
Educational System
-
Structure
-
personnel
-
society's needs/expectations
-
EARNING A LIVING
-
Types of Employment
-
commonly known occupations
-
summer/part-time employment
-
volunteer work
-
Work Conditions
-
preparation/training
-
work roles/responsibilities
-
remunerations/benefits
-
relations with colleagues and employer
-
Major Issues in Employment
-
job market situation
-
new trends in employment
-
labor/management relations
-
LEISURE
-
Available Leisure Time
-
after school
-
weekends
-
holidays
-
vacations
-
Activities
-
hobbies/sports/other interests
-
use of media
-
organizations and facilities
-
cultural resources
-
Special Occasions
-
religious events
-
traditions and customs
-
family occasions
-
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SERVICES
-
Communications
-
Government Agencies
-
post office
-
customs
-
police
-
embassies and consulates
-
Finances
-
Banks
-
currency exchange offices
-
SHOPPING
-
Shopping Facilities and Products
-
shopping centers
-
specialty shops
-
neighborhood merchants
-
department stores
-
markets
-
mail-order companies
-
Shopping Patterns
-
time (opening hours...)
-
currency
-
interaction with sales staff
-
staples and everyday purchases
-
modes of payment
-
weights/measurements/sizes
-
Shoppers' Information
-
prices
-
advertisements
-
consumer publications
-
labels/information brochures/directions
-
TRAVEL
-
Transportation
-
means of transportation
-
maps
-
timetables and fares
-
signs and instructions
-
interaction at ticket counters
-
advertisements/promotional information
-
itinerary
-
interaction at travel agencies
-
travel information agencies
-
Lodging
-
youth hostels
-
camping/caravanning
-
hotels and pensions
-
private guest arrangements
-
Holiday Travel Patterns
-
CURRENT EVENTS
-
Political, Social, and Economic Aspects
-
miscellaneous news
-
political parties
-
present governments
-
current political issues
-
current economic issues
-
general description of society
-
executive, legislative, and judicial
-
status of the economy
-
trends in the economy
-
social classes and their relations
-
social programs
-
current social issues
-
Cultural Aspects
-
arts (theater/cinema/music)
-
people in the arts
-
special events
-
institutions/facilities
-
historical and artistic sites
-
folklore
-
trends
-
Relations between United States and Target Language Countries
-
opportunities for exchange
-
influence of one country on another
-
cultural links
-
economic relations
-
governmental relations
-
individual perceptions