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 the dead are back in the world of the living.

• Japan is currently in the middle of the Obon festival (August 13-15), which traditionally honors the return of ancestral spirits to our world. By extension, summer is considered "ghost season."
• Taiwan is in the middle of Ghost Month (July 28 - August 26), which your Thai students of Chinese descent may also observe.

So if you've ever wanted to ask your students about their beliefs in the supernatural, now is the time! Below are seven questions we recommend asking along with a sneak peek of the answers you might get.

1. Do you believe in ghosts and spirits? Why? Why not?

In East Asian countries, spirits are a part of people's everyday lives. For example, many families in Japan and Taiwan dedicate a corner of their house to the spirits of their ancestors.

There are also many traditional practices related to spirits. For example, before beginning construction work on a piece of land, people in both countries perform rituals to ask the spirits dwelling on the premises for their permission, blessings, and protection.

So a large proportion of your students will probably tell you they believe in ghosts and spirits. If you want to know some more, here are some relevant follow-up questions:

• Would you feel scared to walk through a graveyard at night? Why? Why not?
• Have you (or anyone you know) ever seen a ghost? If you haven't seen a ghost, would you like to see one?
• If you don't believe in ghosts, why do you think so many people believe in them?

2. What do ghosts and spirits look like in your culture?

In Japan and Taiwan, ghosts are traditionally depicted with long hair covering their faces. They are also usually dressed in white robes — the standard clothing for the dead at funerals.

However, there are different types of ghosts and spirits, so you can ask about these too. For example, in traditional Japanese folklore, there are raccoon and fox spirits. And in Taiwanese folklore, there are mischievous spirits in the mountains who lead children and the elderly astray.

3. Would you ever live in a haunted home?

In the field of real estate, there are properties known as "stigmatized properties" in Japan and "unlucky houses" in Taiwan. These refer to properties with troubled pasts. Usually they were once the site of a suicide or murder.

Influenced by traditional beliefs that those who die in unnatural ways are more likely to come back as spirits, most people avoid renting or buying these potentially haunted homes.

On the other hand, there are also people who seek out these places for their affordability. You can get an idea from the following interview with a Japanese realtor who specializes in this type of property. (Note: It may not be for the faint of heart.)

4. What would you do if you saw a ghost?

Some students may tell you that they would simply ignore ghosts and spirits. After all, if they don't know you can see them, they are less likely to bother you, and you can just peacefully coexist with them.

If the ghosts seem dangerous, some people recite short Buddhist mantras, which they believe will protect them from harm. (Even people who are not practicing Buddhists do this.)

And in Japan, it is believed that salt can be used to get rid of bad spirits, so some people will place a bowl of salt in front of their house or in certain rooms.

5. What are some well-known ghost stories in your country?

In Japan, many people have heard stories about ghosts who board taxis. They usually go like this: a taxi driver picks up a passenger, thinking they are a living person, but by the time they approach the destination, the passenger has vanished.

Your Taiwanese students may tell you about a family that went hiking together. Upon reviewing a home video they made of the hiking trip, they saw a creepy girl in red clothing following them on the trail. This story spread after it was featured on a TV show focused on paranormal incidents, becoming one of the most well-known ghost stories in recent decades.

6. Is it OK to tell ghost stories during ghost season?

Ghost season should be a good time to tell ghost stories, right? Your Japanese students may think so. In Japan, it is believed that telling ghost stories during ghost season is a good way to cool off in the summer.

However, some of your Taiwanese students may disagree. They may think it is taboo to tell ghost stories during the ghost season, as some spirits may take offense.

Regardless of any taboos, ghost season is a popular time for ghost-related movies and art exhibits in both places.

7. Why do some people become ghosts after they die?

People in East Asian cultures think of ghosts as spirits that have some final desire or unfinished business keeping them in the world of the living. Here's how one folklore expert explains it:

The key part of that desire is that it must be what you feel with your last breath. ... When you die, what did you regret? Did you wish to know love? Did you feel rage at the person killing you? Did you forget to feed the cat?

"Dreaded and Revered: The Ghosts of Japan" | The Washington Post

So if a ghost knows you can see it, they may come and ask you to help them with their unfinished business.

If your student doesn't believe in ghosts, you can ask this instead: "What are some common explanations you have heard about why people become ghosts after they die?"

👋 That’s it for now

We hope this gives you an idea of what topics you might want to bring up with your students this ghostly season. Happy tutoring!