Bucket List: Conversation Topic

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This is a conversation topic, based around the idea of a bucket list, written with higher levels in mind (C1+). However, I have included a version for lower levels.

Download the lesson plan and student’s handout here:

Bucket List Conversation Class

Bucket List Student’s handout Advanced

Bucket List handout intermediate

Bucket List Conversation Class

Write on the board: My grandfather kicked the bucket last week.

Show the first part of the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8k79w-nJD4#t=13

to kick the bucket – to die How else can we say this?

1. Pass ________
2. Bite the _______
3. Give up the ________
4. ________ one’s last.

To pass away, bite the dust, perish (usually in an accident), give up the ghost, breathe one’s last.

1. What is a bucket list?

A list of activities that people want to do before they die.

2. What do you think of this idea?
3. Have you seen the film?
4. Who do you think invented this idea?
5. Why has it become so widely-know?
6. What is FOMO?

Fear of missing out – a modern phenomenon linked to social media. People tend to think theat they are missing an amazing experience.

Daily Mail Survey Guessing Game.

 

The Daily Mail newspaper conducted a survey to see what the British public most commonly put on their bucket lists.

Can you guess some activities people chose?

Give students a few minutes to jot down some ideas in pairs. Make it into a game, pairs read out their suggestions one at a time and you award them points depending on where it is in the top 40: 4 points for the top 10, 3 for top 20, 2 for top 30, 1 for top 40.

Language for talking about plans/hopes/dreams

Go over the language in the boxes below:

Positive	Negative
I’ve always fancied… I’m dying/itching to try… … is a burning ambition of mine. … would be right up my street. … is one for the bucket list. A pipe dream (an unrealistic/improbable dream) I would jump at the chance to… If you offered me the chance to…, I would bite your hand off. I’d give it a go.	I have no desire to… … doesn’t appeal to me (at all) Whatever floats your boat. To each their own The idea of … doesn’t do anything for me. You wouldn’t catch me …ing … is not my thing. … is not for me.

Daily Mail Top 10

1. Have a holiday home abroad
2. Learn a new language
3. Go on holiday to the Maldives .
4. Buy a house
5. Swim with dolphins
6. Drive Route 66
7. Ride a hot air balloon
8. See the Egyptian Pyramids
9. Go to a casino in Las Vegas
10. Visit Venice

Have students discuss the top ten and decide if they would be on their bucket list. You can then either show them the rest of the top 40 or go to http://bucketlist.org/featured/ for more ideas for students to create their own bucket lists. Daily Mail Top 40:

1. Have a holiday home abroad
2. Learn a new language
3. Go on holiday to the Maldives
4. Buy a house
5. Swim with dolphins
6. Drive Route 66
7. Ride a hot air balloon
8. See the Egyptian Pyramids
9. Go to a casino in Las Vegas
10. Visit Venice
11. Go up the Empire State Building
12. Go on a cruise
13. Go whale watching
14. Climb a mountain
15. Go up the Eiffel tower
16. Learn an instrument
17. Work in a different country
18. Float in the Dead Sea
19. Write a novel
20. Drive a racing car
21. Change career
22. Trek the Inca Trail
23. Be a volunteer for a good cause
24. Be an extra in a film
25. Go scuba diving
26. Try out surfing
27. Hold a Koala
28. Feed a penguin
29. Get a tattoo
30. Backpack Europe
31. Own a designer watch
32. Ride a gondola
33. Run a big race
34. Bungee jump
35. Reach the top of my career ladder
36. Own a Mulberry handbag
37. Ride a camel
38. Ride on a horse and cart
39. Write a film
40. Change hair colour

Daily Mail article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2695728/Buying-holiday-home-driving-Route-66-trip-Maldives-British-bucket-list-40-things-die.html