Famous People’s Privacy

Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on June 27, 2019 and last updated on June 1, 2023

The topic of famous people’s privacy serves as an engaging conversation topic for English learners, offering them a valuable opportunity to enhance their language skills. Exploring this subject allows learners to practice various aspects of English, including vocabulary expansion, expressing opinions, discussing ethical dilemmas, and developing critical thinking skills.

By analyzing the delicate balance between the public’s curiosity and the right to privacy, learners can foster their speaking and writing abilities while gaining insights into cultural values, media influence, and the responsibilities that accompany fame.

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.

About Famous People’s Privacy

Famous people are in the spotlight all the time. Many very famous celebrities are often followed constantly by journalists or photographers who seemingly have no respect for their privacy or personal space.

It is easy to think that some of these journalists and photographers go too far with the pursuit of celebrities, but given that these famous people make a living out of being in the public eye maybe the lack of privacy should be something that is expected, and if you want privacy you should pursue a different career out of the public eye.

Useful Vocabulary

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

  • harassment (noun)
  • press (noun)
  • famous (adjective)
  • journalist (noun)
  • public eye (idiom)
  • privacy (noun)
  • lack (noun)

Conversation Questions

My Image
  • Do you think famous people suffer from a lack of privacy?
  • Do you think they deserve the same privacy as the everyday person?
  • Why do you think the public is so interested in the personal lives of famous people?
  • When does invading someone’s privacy turn into harassment?
  • If you were famous how do you think you would feel about the attention you would receive from the press?
  • What, if anything, could be done to allow famous people more privacy?
  • Is it ethical for fans to stalk or invade the personal lives of their favorite celebrities?
  • How do you think fame and privacy intersect in the age of social media?
  • Should the media be more responsible in reporting on the personal lives of famous people? Why or why not?
  • Are there any circumstances where it is acceptable for the public to know intimate details about a famous person's life?
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.