5 Spooky English Movies to Recommend to Students This Halloween [Updated]
To help set the mood for the Halloween season, we've picked five English-language horror films you can recommend to or...


Daily News Lesson Roundup: Travel


Conversation Topic: Spring, Allergies and Cherry Blossoms


Free-Talk Idea: Movie Vocabulary (with Quiz + Discussion Questions)


TV Shows to Recommend to Students for English Study


New Year's Resolutions – Free-Talk Activity of the Month
A brand new year means it's time to set New Year's resolutions! So during free-talk lessons this month, why not...


Two Beautiful Festivals to Ask Students About This Week
There are a few festivals happening this week in Japan and Thailand, home to many of our students. Japanese families...


"Korea was Founded by a Bear?!" And Other Free-Talk Topics This Week
This past week was a whirlwind of holidays. Sunday, October 3rd was National Foundation Day in Korea, which celebrates the...


Japan, Taiwan, and Korea Holidays Coming Up This Week 🌓
Did you know that Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan – where many of our students are from – are observing...


Help Students Learn the Art of Conversation – Not Interrogation
Have you ever had a lesson that made you feel like you were being interrogated? OK, that’s an exaggeration, but...


Take Your Students' Backchannels to the Next Level – Or At Least Beyond “Uh-Huh”
You’ve probably met a student like Alejandro before. Or perhaps you’ve met a student who says “Oh really,” “I see,”...


Upcoming Spirit Festivals in Japan and Taiwan
The spirits of the dead are back in the world of the living, or so it’s believed in many parts...


Conversation Topic: East Asian Rainy Season ☔️
By June, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (where around 98% of our students are) will have entered the “East Asian...


Upcoming Holiday: Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan 🐉
Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest traditional holidays in Taiwan (besides Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival) and...


Upcoming Holiday: Memorial Day in South Korea 🇰🇷
On June 25th, 1950, one of the bloodiest conflicts in modern history erupted on the Korean peninsula. The Korean War,...


What's in a Name? 6 Questions for Your Next Free-Talk Lesson
If you ever need a conversation topic that's suitable for all levels, there's an easy one right before your eyes:...


7 Thought-Provoking Free-Talk Topics for Ghost Season
In Japan and Taiwan, the "Ghost Season" has begun. This is the time of the year when the spirits of...


Free-Talk Ideas for the May Holiday Season
Did you know we're in the midst of a holiday season? In most of our students' countries, some big holidays...
![Free Conversation Ideas for Valentine's Day [Updated] Free Conversation Ideas for Valentine's Day [Updated]](https://assets.blog.engoo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/02/12024539/valentine_free_talk_cover-300x200.jpg)
![Free Conversation Ideas for Valentine's Day [Updated] Free Conversation Ideas for Valentine's Day [Updated]](https://assets.blog.engoo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/02/12024539/valentine_free_talk_cover-300x200.jpg)
Free Conversation Ideas for Valentine's Day [Updated]
Originating in the UK, Valentine's Day as we know it now has spread around the world. Your students probably know...


Use Free-Talk Lessons to Share These Funny English Word Pairs
Some English word pairs sound funny — but they are still very useful to know.


TV Shows to Recommend to Students for English Study
One question that many students tend to ask is which English-language TV shows they should watch to help them improve...


Questions and Vocabulary for Earth Day Free-Talk Lessons
Unlike other special days that are connected to a specific place or culture, Earth Day is for everyone everywhere. And...


How to Conquer Free-Talk Lessons with Absolute Beginners
Sometimes beginner students request “free-talk” lessons even though they aren’t able to … talk freely. 😭😭😭 How should we handle...


Ask Students About the Tanabata Festival This Week
Tanabata is a popular holiday in Japan that's right around the corner: Thursday, July 7. This will be a handy...


Free Conversation Topics for the Holiday Season
Upcoming holidays make great free-conversation topics. And celebrations like Christmas and other year-end holidays will probably be common topics of...