Interviews

High-intermediate

Brainstorming and Discussion (10-15 minutes)

Objective: Activate students’ prior knowledge and encourage them to consider the qualities they value in a friend.

Instructions:

1. Begin the class by asking students what qualities they consider important in an ideal friend. Write their responses on the board.
2. Divide the class into small groups and have them discuss their top three qualities for an ideal friend.
3. After the discussion, each group can share their ideas with the whole class, and the teacher can facilitate a short discussion about the most common qualities mentioned and why they are significant in a friendship.

Here are some words and expressions that appear in the video:

vibe (noun): A feeling or atmosphere that is sensed or experienced between individuals, often related to their compatibility or emotional connection
– They both had a great vibe when they met, and they soon became inseparable friends.

constructive (adjective): serving a useful or positive purpose; contributing to improvement, growth, or understanding
– During their discussion, they provided constructive feedback to each other, helping to refine their ideas.

ideologies (noun): systems of beliefs, values, or ideas that form the basis of an individual’s or group’s social, political, or religious perspectives
– Their differing ideologies on social issues led to engaging debates and an opportunity for mutual understanding.

disagreeable (adjective): unpleasant or causing annoyance; having an argumentative attitude.
– Even though they had different opinions, they managed to discuss their views in a civil manner without becoming disagreeable.

Now, watch the interview and answer the comprehension questions. You can also turn on the automatically-generated captions for the video once you start it.

Intermediate Level: Comprehension and Recall

1. What qualities did Aubrey mention as important in an ideal friend?
2. According to Randall, how should friends handle disagreements while maintaining a healthy relationship?
3. What did Aubrey and Randall both emphasize regarding differing political and religious ideologies in a friendship?
4. How did Aubrey describe the significance of “comfortable silences” in a friendship?
5. Can you recall any specific examples from the interview that highlight the importance of mutual respect in a friendship?

Advanced Level: Critical Thinking

1. In your opinion, which quality mentioned in the interview do you consider the most important in an ideal friend? Explain your reasoning and personal experiences that support your choice.
2. Reflecting on the interview, do you agree with the idea that friends can have differing political and religious ideologies and still maintain a strong bond? How can such differences contribute to personal growth and understanding?
3. The interview mentions the importance of having respectful disagreements. Why is it essential to engage in constructive debates with friends? How can this positively impact both individuals involved in the discussion?
4. Aubrey mentions that friends should be able to have comfortable silences together. Why is this aspect of friendship important, and how can it contribute to the depth of the connection between friends?
5. Discuss the significance of empathy in maintaining a strong and lasting friendship. How can understanding and supporting each other’s feelings enhance the overall quality of a friendship?

The following activities deal with related topics to give you additional language practice.

• The Ideal Friend – With Emily