What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

When I asked: “Has anyone ever tried Saino?”; Having tasted this species of wild pig called a peccary in English and native to many of the jungles of South America, I regained some respect for my “adventurous” way of eating. But what brought the house down was my story of Southern American breakfasts of fried pig brains scrambled with eggs along with fried slices of pig testicles, known as “mountain oysters” in states like South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. The mouths fell open and the glassy eyes seemed to double in size. So they started talking.

One of the linguistic aspects of greatest interest to your English students will be conversation practice. As a native speaker, you represent the best that English has to offer in pronunciation, grammar usage, idioms and expressions, vocabulary, fluency, and communication skills. You are the best example of the use of English. But how can you regularly encourage your English learners to speak spontaneously without being shy or afraid of making mistakes?

Using controversial questions and topics can help. In class, ask something like, “What’s the most unusual/weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?” Below you can give the answer by yourself first as an example. When I said that the weirdest thing I’d ever eaten was toasted or fried ants (called Hormigas Culonas here in Colombia), the students weren’t impressed. In areas of Mexico, insects such as agave worms (used in tequila), bright and iridescent Humile beetles, and leafcutter ants and their eggs are commonly eaten. “I ate flowers once,” I said trying to make up some ground. It’s still not good. Flor de Calabaza, the bright orange flowers of a pumpkin plant, passed through the area around Tepoztlán, south of Mexico City. In fact, they are delicious stir-fried and wrapped in a warm blue corn tortilla. Did I mention I frequently dine on the deadly, fear-inspiring, razor-toothed piranha? But that’s not a big deal here.

It was the students’ turn and each one had stories to tell. And tell them they did. “My aunt likes iguanas,” blurted out a student. “Have you tried iguana eggs?” asked another. “Yes, I have,” I smiled. The stories began to flow. Slowly at first, then faster as memories and emotions built. Iguana stories, turtles, caimans (a species of alligator), donkey meat, reptile eggs, armadillo, a relative of the guinea pig called “Cuy” and daggerfish all came out with enthusiasm, brimming with anecdotes, humor and sometimes a bit of humor. disgust. Not only did it make them fluent, but it was also very informative.” You can always tell a dagger fisherman,” explained a Mexican student, “by the strange scars the fish leaves them.” I wanted to know more and they agreed. They talked not only about things they had tried, but also about meats and foods. that they had heard from others eating. Opinions of what, where and why added richness, depth and flow to the conversation. In the end, I had to stop the session, which went on for quite some extra time with no indication that it would end anytime soon.

Other thematic questions may address places visited or dreamed of, an imaginary conversation or date with a famous person, or what students imagine it is like to do or be any number of occupations, people, or things. “If the Latin pop singer Alejandro Sanz or the actor Brad Pitt called you on the phone, what would you say?” I asked. Giggles erupted from the girls around the room, then the responses began to flow. For the boys’ question, the Mexican singer Thalía, the American actresses Pamela Anderson or Julia Roberts. Role plays, interviews, chain stories, social issues, drugs, crime, even proverbs and superstitions all have their place to stimulate students as oral activities. Ideas for questions and topics abound. Conversation references can also be helpful. One I use, “ESL Conversation Inspirations” by Nancy Ellen Zellerman (published by Pro Lingua Associates) has been around for years. Try one or two controversial conversation questions in your classes, your students will almost certainly talk and you’ll keep them.

Oh yeah, I haven’t tried the “sopa de ojo de vaca” in Colombia or the steaming and doused with animal blood “Yaguarlocro” from Ecuador yet. But the chicken feet often found in “Sancocho,” Colombia’s national dish, don’t wake me up one bit anymore. And earlier this year, I tried a hearty three-fingered sloth stew. They are cute. They are cute. They’re delicious. By the way, what is the weirdest and most unique food YOU have ever eaten?