12 May
Good and Bad Times
When did you last have a good time? Why did you enjoy it so much?
When did you last have a terrible time? Why was it so bad?
Tell us about the best times in your life.
What do you think makes a good time unforgettable?
What is the happiest moment you remember from your childhood?
Have you ever had a bad experience that turned into something positive?
What do you do to make yourself feel better after a bad day?
Have you ever gone through a challenging situation and learned something valuable from it?
Have you ever had a memorable trip that brought you great joy?
Do you think good times and bad times are both necessary for a balanced life?
Related Words: experiences, memorable, unforgettable, joyful, difficult, challenging, rewarding, meaningful, emotional, positive, negative, resilience, growth, reflection, perspective, balance, satisfaction, disappointment, achievement, struggle, success, failure, gratitude, learning, development, turning point, life lessons, wellbeing, mindset, progress
Watch the video above and discuss what you learned from it during your Spoken Cafe session
Swedish Meatballs: A Turkish Connection
If you’ve ever visited an Ikea store and indulged in their famous meatballs, you might have felt a touch of European charm. But here’s a fun fact: those Swedish meatballs have a surprising connection to Turkey. According to Sweden’s official Twitter account, Swedish meatballs trace their origins to a recipe that King Charles XII brought back from Turkey in the early 18th century.
The king, who spent years in exile in the Ottoman Empire, introduced several Turkish culinary influences to Sweden upon his return. In addition to the meatballs, he reportedly brought coffee beans and stuffed cabbage to Sweden, helping to shape the nation’s food culture.
While Swedish meatballs are now a staple of Swedish cuisine, it turns out they are more Turkish than many people realise. So next time you’re enjoying those Ikea meatballs, you can remember that you’re savouring a piece of Turkish history with every bite!
READ/SPEAK
Do you know any dishes from different countries? What does it taste like? Do you think our dishes or the dishes of other countries taste better?
What other foods do you think might have unexpected international influences?
What’s a food from your childhood that brings back good memories?
Do you think food history is important in understanding a country’s culture? Why or why not?
What’s the most unusual or unexpected food combination you’ve ever tried?
Ignore a problem because trying to deal with it could cause an even more difficult situation.
LEARN THE IDIOM AND SPEAK
What are the problems that you know but prefer to ignore? Why do you do it that way? What are the consequences if you ignore or try to solve them?