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Learn the language you need to discuss families, parental relationships and how what we think about the responsibilities of our children.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. In English, there is a common phrase, “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.” All cultures have very different attitudes towards family, for example some cultures are matriarchal (for example the Musuo in china) and some are patriarchal, and some are a blend of the two depending on the circumstances. Approaches to parenting are also very different – for example the Asian phenomenon of Tiger Mothers and Eagle Dads, and the British experiences of ‘latchkey kids’ and American ‘helicopter parents’. If you’re interested in discussing the values of families around the world, then make sure you come to this class!
What? In this class, we’ll start off by looking at the value of families, and how we think they differ across different cultures. Next, we’ll watch a video of an Eagle Dad and use it as a springboard for discussion on whether parents have a responsibility to toughen up their kids. Finally, we’ll look at ‘Kippers’, and our attitudes to when we think children should fly the coup and leave home. Book Now»
Learn how to obtain consensus and make difficult decisions by showing different degrees of agreement and disagreement.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. Making decisions is easy – getting people to buy-in to them is the hard part! How many times have you had a great idea, but had a hard time convincing other people to accept them, or implement them and follow-through on their action points? In this class we’ll look at creating shared objectives, which are vital if unpopular decisions are going to be accepted. If you need help getting people to buy-in to your ideas, then make sure you come to this class!
What? In this class we’ll start off by looking at what we need to do or see to know that people have bought-in to an idea. Next, we’ll watch two videos of a chairman trying to obtain consensus on a decision which has divided the meeting – with varying degrees of success. Finally, we’ll put these ideas into practice by trying to obtain the consensus of the group on a divisive issue. Book Now»
Learn the basic language of negotiation and reaching agreement.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. We all negotiate every day of our lives. From who does the washing up and how much we pay for our vegetables, to the terms and conditions of a contract and the salary we receive when we start a new job. Are you a tough negotiator? Or a pushover? If you want to practice your negotiating skills (in English!) then this is the class for you!
What? We’ll start off by looking at the simple day-to-day negotiations we go through and how best we can deal with them. Next, we’ll take a look at the impact of being direct and how being careful with our language can make us sound much more persuasive, and learn some of the specific language for negotiations by completing a puzzle. Finally, we’ll put this into practice and work through some negotiations to see who can drive a hard bargain. Book Now»
Learn the language of online dating, cheating and flirting!
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. Online dating has become a hugely popular activity amongst lots of different groups of people – including those who probably shouldn’t be doing it in the first place! Married men (and sometimes women) frequently have fantasies about cheating on their spouses, and the internet has become their playground – but does it really count as cheating? If you’re interested in this most modern of issues, then this is the class for you!
What? In this class we’ll try and establish the exact boundaries when fantasy steps over the line into full-blown cheating. Next, we’ll investigate the case of a woman who started to suspect that her husband was being economical with the truth when he said he was just catching up on his paperwork while sitting at his computer until late at night. Finally, we’ll find out what happens when a spurned partner confronts their partner about their online indiscretions! Book Now»
Arguing The Toss
In this class we practice arguing the positive and negative aspects of certain issues. We will practice intelligently discussing issues from opposite perspectives.
Who? This class is for Upper-Intermediate members. In both social situations and in business, intelligent conversation often means exploring opposite perspectives. If we can look an issue from different angles, we can show our ability to analyse and come to certain conclusions. If you want to learn some useful language for doing this, and get some practice analyzing commonly discussed issues, this class is for you.
What? In this class we will explore different opinions on the impact of corporations on our lives, and on society. We will extend this into a discussion of consumer habits, and social responsibility. All this serves as a vehicle for practicing discussing two different sides of an issue, and showing off our ability for intelligent conversation. Book Now»
Learn the language of online dating, cheating and flirting!
Who? This class is for Intermediate members. Online dating has become a hugely popular activity amongst lots of different groups of people – including those who probably shouldn’t be doing it in the first place! Married men (and sometimes women) frequently have fantasies about cheating on their spouses, and the internet has become their playground – but does it really count as cheating? If you’re interested in this most modern of issues, then this is the class for you!
What? In this class we’ll try and establish the exact boundaries when fantasy steps over the line into full-blown cheating. Next, we’ll investigate the case of a woman who started to suspect that her husband was being economical with the truth when he said he was just catching up on his paperwork while sitting at his computer until late at night. Finally, we’ll find out what happens when a spurned partner confronts their partner about their online indiscretions! Book Now»
Better City, Better Life
Learn to describe your environment, development and the difference between cities and the countryside. Practise talking about your opinion.
Who? This class is for upper-intermediate members. Shanghai is constantly changing and, most people agree, constantly being improved. Roads, buildings and trains are always being upgraded, but soft things, things like culture and manners, are changing too. If you’d like to learn how describe your always changing environment in the year of Shanghai’s World Expo, this class is for you.
What? People all over the world are leaving the countryside and moving to big cities, exchanging rural life for a nine-to-five job and urban living. While there are advantages to living in the city, it is also stressful, unhealthy and sometimes very lonely. This class is about describing how you experience where you live – what you like, dislike, miss and want, as well as describing the trend that is transforming China and the world. Book Now»
This Just Doesn’t Sit Right With Me
Build your fluency and boost your vocabulary while discussing ethical dilemmas and difficult situations.
Who? This class is for intermediate members. Do you live in an “ivory tower”? Or do you often find yourself “caught between a rock and a hard place”? If you want to learn some useful vocabulary for discussing ethical dilemmas (questions where the lines between right and wrong may be a little blurred) and build your fluency skills at the same time, this is the class for you! Just remember that “people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”…
What? We’ll look at some of the common idioms that native-speakers often use when trying to “toss-up” what’s right and what’s wrong and when they need to take a decision that might make them feel bad whatever they choose. As part of this, we’ll focus on some specific situations where people often put their own needs before those of others, and situations where the needs of individuals “rub up” against the requirements of society. You think you know right from wrong? Well come to this class and prove it! Book Now»
The Global Office
Learn to describe how modern business is done and improve your ability to discuss ideas and opinions.
Who? This class is for upper-intermediate members. Modern technology has made it possible to do business across borders and timezones, making today’s world more connected than ever before. This process, which we call globalisation in English, affects everything – in fact, it is the reason you are visiting englishcollective.org right now. This class will look at the positive and negative effects of globalisation – its pros and cons – as well as the future of a process that seems to only get faster.
What? Globalisation is complicated: it’s shaped by economics, politics and technology for a start. This means that high-level vocabulary, the vocabulary you find in good English newspapers, is an important part of the class. But not everybody thinks globalisation is a good thing, so you’ll also learn to use this vocabulary to express your opinions and win arguments. Book Now»
The Medium is the Message
Learn to describe the influence of news and the media on society.
Who?This class is for upper-intermediate members. The media is a central part of our lives. Almost everyday, we all spend time reading a newspaper, watching television, listening to the radio or browsing the internet and, though our media consumption habits might differ, we all rely on the information transmitted by these different mediums in one way or another. This is a class for people who understand the growing importance of media in modern society and would like to speak about across national boundaries.
What? During this class we’ll look at different ways of categorising the media. Is it news or entertainment, for example, and is it old or new, liberal or conservative? We’ll also look at the areas where politics and the media connect, and how different societies view these connections differently. This are areas of hot debate, so we’ll also work on your ability to argue and convince people of you opinion in English during the class. Book Now»
This Just Doesn’t Sit Right With Me
Build your fluency and boost your vocabulary while discussing ethical dilemmas and difficult situations.
Who? This class is for upper-intermediate members. Do you live in an “ivory tower”? Or do you often find yourself “caught between a rock and a hard place”? If you want to learn some useful vocabulary for discussing ethical dilemmas (questions where the lines between right and wrong may be a little blurred) and build your fluency skills at the same time, this is the class for you! Just remember that “people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”…
What? We’ll look at some of the common idioms that native-speakers often use when trying to “toss-up” what’s right and what’s wrong and when they need to take a decision that might make them feel bad whatever they choose. As part of this, we’ll focus on some specific situations where people often put their own needs before those of others, and situations where the needs of individuals “rub up” against the requirements of society. You think you know right from wrong? Well come to this class and prove it! Book Now»
Who Got the Last Word?
If you’re having an argument, make sure you win it! Learn to argue effectively.
Who? This class is for intermediate members. This class will help you to make your point come across more strongly in an argument or discussion. If someone else always has the last word when they argue with you, you need to take this class!
What? You will learn vocabulary for polite arguments and heated arguments. You will gain an understanding of how to organize your thoughts better when you need to think on your feet. Finally, you will practice expressing your ideas powerfully enough to win an argument! Book Now»