Emotions

woman in black jacket sitting on green grass field near body of water at dusk
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on October 10, 2022 and last updated on February 4, 2023

Emotions are what make us human. They’re the driving force behind our actions and our decisions, and they give meaning to our lives. But why do we have them? What purpose do they serve?

Emotions are important because they allow us to react quickly in times of danger (like fear), but also to know when it’s time to celebrate (like joy). They help us find love, they help us bond with others, and they help us decide what kind of life we want to lead. Emotions are a fundamental part of who we are as humans.

Emotions help us maintain relationships with other people, and they help us understand ourselves better. They also help us express our feelings more clearly and communicate with others in a way that isn’t just words—it’s a whole experience!

However, while it’s important to express our emotions, it’s also important not to let them control us. We need to learn how to manage our emotions and not let them dictate all of our behaviour.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • express (verb)
  • emotional (adjective)
  • bottle up (phrasal verb)
  • beneficial (adjective)
  • manage (verb)
  • essentially (adverb)
  • take into account (phrase)
  • overall (adverb)

Conversation Questions

  • Would you describe yourself as an emotional person?
  • Do you think that it is good to be an emotional person?
  • How important is it to manage our emotions?
  • What could be the consequences if we fail to manage our emotions?
  • Do you think women are better than men at expressing their emotions? Why?
  • Do you know someone who is really emotions?
  • Do you think you would benefit from expressing your emotions more?
  • Is it beneficial to express your emotions when you're in a relationship?
  • How do you think society as a whole can help people express their emotions who would usually keep them bottled up?
  • Would you say people are more emotional now than 50 years ago?
  • What are the benefits of not expressing your emotions?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.