How to Use Three Potatoes, a Suitcase and a Stuffed Dummy for Bringing in the New Year

Three potatoes, a suitcase and a stuffed dummy?

Want to know hot to use three potatoes and a stuffed dummy for bringing in the New Year?

Well here’s the scoop.

During the latter part of December in Colombia and Ecuador, an effigy of the old year is stuffed with sawdust, wood chips, shredded paper and other flammables. The body is seeded with a few well-placed firecrackers as well. The head is often a papier-mâché mask not infrequently resembling a famous person, character or politician. Someone you’d just as soon be rid of is a runaway favorite, although witches, politicians, presidents, generals and mother-in-laws have the followings.

The life-sized effigy is placed in a prominent place like a doorway, window or even on a chair out in front of the house to await its fate. The practice even extends to stores, shops and businesses with many having effigies made up and placed outside in front – away from the merchandise of course. On the evening of December 31st, often sooner, the effigy is set ablaze amid much fanfare, shouting and wishes for the New Year. It burns rapidly taking the old year and its troubles with it. As the crackling flames, fueled by gasoline poured on the effigy, reach the firecrackers, the dummy is blown into flaming bits. There are so many burning on some streets in Quito and other towns in Ecuador it looks like a war zone. The stage is now set for a fresh, New Year.

Now Take Three Potatoes

This one’s easy, but odd. You take three potatoes; some people use five, peel one and then toss them all under the bed. Don’t look now – no peeking! Reach under the bed and feel around for them. Got ‘em? Okay pick one, still no peeking now! Take it out. If it’s the peeled one, then goodness and bounty will be yours for the New Year. If it’s not, well, better luck next year. Don’t laugh, my Mother-in-law does this! (but for goodness sakes, don’t tell her I told you!)

Happy New Year! … and get that suitcase out!

WHAT Suitcase?

Want to know what suitcase? Be sure to read “Happy New Year Latin Style: Unusual South American Customs for bringing in the New Year”.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Happy New Year Latin Style: Unusual South American Customs for bringing in the New Year

Teach English as a Foreign Language Abroad

When you teach English abroad you have a continual stream of opportunities to delve into and involve yourself into the local culture. It's one of the many payoffs of living and teaching English as a foreign language in another country. Take this case in point:

Question: What do a suitcase, 12 grapes, a sheaf of wheat, the color yellow, three potatoes and a stuffed dummy all have in common? Right! They each represent a custom for bringing in the New Year. But do you know these customs and how they’re celebrated?

Get That Suitcase Out

Many South Americans believe that if you carry an empty suitcase around the block on New Year’s Day you will be fortunate to travel during the course of the year. When my elderly neighbor sauntered out of her front gate in Cali, Colombia with a beat-up valise she’d dusted off for the occasion, she brushed off my queries brusquely.

“Don’t bother me now! I’m leaving!”

Minutes later, her “tour” complete, she confided her desires to “see the states” this year. According to her, a voyage this year was now, “in the bag”.

Around the middle of December you begin to notice a disproportionately large number of fruit and vegetable street vendors starting to sell grapes. Grapes are everywhere by Christmas. Green grapes, purple grapes, mixed grapes – they roll down the street and squish beneath your careless feet as you stroll market areas and shopping districts. Eating 12 grapes at or near midnight of New Year’s Eve will bring you good luck throughout the New Year. Green grapes are preferred by the majority, but any will suffice I was told by Anna Lucia who walked into the room with a bag of mixed grapes ample enough to produce a case of “vino”.

“You’re not planning to eat all those, are you?” I chided.

“No, they’re not just for me. They’re for my family too.”

I remembered that she and her husband have five children. Add in the extended family and well, enough said. Haven’t had your twelve yet? Hurry up, there’s still time.

A Bundled Sheaf of Wheat

A black youth stood on a downtown Pasto, Colombia corner hovering over a five-gallon bucket full of bundled sheaves of wheat. Each was wrapped with a brightly colored ribbon or two. Some were enhanced even further with a flower or small bouquet. People up and down the streets walked with a similar-looking sheaf held upright out in front of them like a siren in front of a fire engine. Crossing the Zocalo, or main square downtown, a young girl sitting on a park bench waved her sheaf at us like a magic wand. (pictured above)

“That’s a new one on me”, I said to my companion when she explained.

“If you hang a bundled sheaf of wheat in your home it’s very good luck.”

She continued, “It has twelve stalks of wheat in each bundle”.

“How much for one?” I asked the youth.

We quickly bargained to a lower price.

“Are you sure there’re twelve in here?” I questioned, not wanting to get short-changed.

“Oh yeah. Go ahead and count them.”

When my partner responded, “No there’re only eleven.”

He quickly snapped back, “No way! Count them again.”

We did and there were twelve. This New Year’s luck thing is serious business. The flowered sheaf stands guard now on the bookcase over my desk. Wish me luck, okay?

The Color Yellow

Not all mind you, but quite a few Latinos in Colombia and Ecuador use the color yellow for the New Year. There are a number of ways to do it. You can paint a room yellow. Place something yellow in the room. Wear a yellow item of clothing and you’ll shower yourself with fortune for the New Year. For reasons which as yet elude me, a favorite is to wear yellow underwear. (The preferred color in Mexico is red.) Both men and women have a pair or two on hand for the occasion – or so I’ve been repeatedly told. Okay, okay, I’ll fess up; I have a couple of pairs of yellow underwear myself. So call me fickle. I have red ones too. Do I wear a pair for New Year’s? I’ll never tell!

Be sure to read “How to Use Three Potatoes and a Stuffed Dummy for Bringing in the New Year” for more unusual Latin American New Year’s customs.

So again, “Happy New Year!” … now get that suitcase out!

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

A Countdown of the Top Ten Countries Where This EFL Teaching and Learning Blog is Read

Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico

While this English Language teaching and learning blog has actually been online for more than three years now, its popularity has dramatically risen within the past year or so. Although I originally intended to have a possible readership of a few hundred EFL teachers, mostly in Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, the readership has now expanded to more than 120 countries and more than 2000 readers per month according to Google Analytics and data tracking software installations. It all started with articles posted online at www.ezinearticles.com when a reader e-mailed me with an article-based question. Then another came, then another and another until it became prudent for me to answer questions via detailed posts which led to the creation of this blog. And so it continues …

Here is a Countdown of the Top Ten Countries by Number of Readers

10. Mexico
As a former contributing writer for the “Teach English in Mexico” newsletter, I traveled the length and breadth of Mexico from Mexico City, Taxco, Tlaxcala and Acapulco to Hermosillo and Monterrey to Cancun, Merida, and San Cristobal de las Casas to Oaxaca, among many others. No I haven’t seen all of the country by far, but enough over several years to be well familiar with its language, culture and customs. In much of the country, English is held in very high regard. Indeed, there are English as a foreign language and/or computer technology “schools” on practically every corner in some towns. Readers come from 26 cities and towns in Mexico.

9. Indonesia
I simply had no idea of the contingent of readers from Indonesia. Principal cities of Indonesian readers include Jakarta, Malang, Surabaya, Tegal, Palembang, Yogyakarta, Gresik, Bogor, Cikarang, Pekanbaru, Bandung and seven others. Comments, opinions and input from readers in Indonesia are sincerely requested.

8. India
With English having “official language” status, it did come as a bit of a surprise that there is a contingent of readers from there. The more, the merrier, I say. Principal cities of readers from the 27 cities reported from India include New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Ghaziabad, Mahape, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Erode, Ahmedabad and 14 others. China is recruiting EFL teachers from India in increasing numbers.

7. Canada
From “North of the border” come a large cache of readers. Canada has long encouraged immigration of young professionals from around the globe, so the presence of ESL programs comes as no surprise. A whopping 34 cities reported in from RCMP country with Vancouver and Calgary leading the way.

* RCMP = Royal Canadian Mounted Police (I knew you’d ask!)

Questions and Comments from Readers Always Welcome

Your questions and comments are always welcome, so please feel free to post comment or e-mil me with a question or topic of interest. The blog is now moderated to block spam, malicious and obscene content, but all constructive comments which reflect reader viewpoints and opinions are posted and made available for all. Suggestions for relevant websites, blogs and ELT products are also welcomed from all readers.

In the next post we'll continue the countdown to include a country which may soon boast its first ever black President. See you then.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Yellow Fever: English Teachers Abroad, Know About and Protect Yourself from This Deadly Disease

If you’re teaching English as a foreign language abroad and you live in, travel to, vacation in or work in a foreign location where Yellow Fever occurs, you absolutely must protect yourself from this deadly disease.

The Symptoms
Scarlet, canary yellow and shimmering blue feathered birds flecked with iridescent green, chirp songs to greet the sunrise as you awake. But you do not notice. Thor’s hammer pounds your head in fury. Your eyes close from the pain. The smell of your breakfast sends waves of queasiness through your rumbling mid-section. The nausea increases as you rise. Your back is a slab of concrete. Again you try getting up and your muscles scream so loudly you move in the slow motion of a special effects film. Your palm burns from the 102 plus degrees F radiating from your forehead as you brush your hair back trying to stimulate yourself to alertness. A trip hammer thunders inside you at 100 to 110 beats per minute where your heart should be.
Good morning. You have Yellow Fever.

You Get Worse
A few days after the sudden onset of symptoms, as you worsen, you’ll become jaundiced and watch as your skin yellows to the point you more resemble a Halloween caricature than a dying person. The destruction of your liver cells results in the accumulation of yellow bile pigments in your skin, giving the disease its name. Your heart will slow to around 50 beats per minute. The rumbling in your stomach is your gastrointestinal tract bleeding. You vomit the characteristic black blood of Yellow Fever. It will become much worse. You don’t have long to suffer though. Death usually occurs between the fourth and eighth day after the onset of the disease.

The Mosquito
As little as three days, but more than likely around two weeks ago you were bitten by a species of an Aëdes aegypti mosquito while you were fishing in a tropical location or vacation spot where the disease occurs. That mosquito was itself infected by sucking the blood of an infected monkey or other infected primate or a sick person. If you are one of the rare cases who recovers, the disease will never recur, one attack providing immunity for life.

Yellow Fever is an untreatable, mosquito-borne disease which is endemic in Central America, some parts of South America and much of sub-Sahara Africa. Along both the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific coasts from Mexico to Panama, Colombia and Ecuador an alert caused by outbreaks of Yellow Fever is currently raging. From November until mid-January nearly a score of deaths from Yellow Fever are usually recorded. Immunization is of extreme importance. There is a good vaccine available which protects you for up to ten years. Many countries require an international vaccination certificate if you are traveling to or from an infected or endemic area because “many parts of the world are inhabited by mosquitoes capable of carrying this devastating disease and no one wants to see it spread beyond its present range”, according to Dr. Jane Wilson Howarth in “Bugs, Bites & Bowels”.

Resources
There is no specific medical treatment for Yellow Fever once it is contracted. Care consists of treating the symptoms of the disease by preventing dehydration and reducing fever. Bed rest is also important states Dirk G. Schroeder, ScD., MPH, in “Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa and Latin America”. In 1939 the South African physician Max Theiler developed a vaccine that confers immunity to the disease. The vaccine is not recommended for people with a severe allergy to eggs, children under 9 months of age, during pregnancy or in people who are immuno-supressed (e.g. cancer and AIDS sufferers, or people on high dose steroids).

Before traveling, you should discuss your options with a doctor or immunization center. If you are considering fishing or outdoor travel to Southeast Asia, Mexico, Panama, Colombia (or other countries in Central and South America), get vaccinated and carry the yellow health/vaccination records card you will be issued to avoid future problems. Take care. Don’t be a victim.

NOTE: You cannot enter a Yellow Fever area (i.e. Panama, Colombia, Brazil, etc.) without being vaccinated and you MUST show proof of vaccination within the past ten years.


Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on the lucrative, fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign Language, get your copy of his no-cost, full multi-media, hypertext-linked pdf ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know” by sending an e-mail to lynchlarrym@gmail.com with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. Need professional, original content for your blog, newsletter, e-zine or website? Want more information, have a comment or special request? Contact the author for a prompt response.

They Eat What! Latin America's Most Exotic Foods - Part 2

They Eat WHAT!

If you’re teaching English as a foreign language abroad, you can expect changes in foods ranging from the simple to the outrageous as we noted in yesterday's part 1 of this series.

So you’re back for more, huh? Well if I didn’t get to you in part one with “treats” from Colombia, Brazil and Mexico you’re gonna just love what you’ll get here in part two of this three-part series. We’re going to travel into the jungles of Colombia and up into the high Andes mountain range in Ecuador to introduce you to some “Eye-opening”, high-flying specialties that’ll make partly-cooked greasy pork liver seem like “Haute Cuisine”. Hungry yet? Tighten up your belts then and let’s continue our culinary tour.

Three-Toed Sloth

Called “Oso Perezoso” (lazy bear) in Spanish, these dense-haired, slow moving creatures live off of jungle foliage and leaves. You would think they’d be easy to catch, but in fact, they can live high up in the trees and be extremely difficult to spot. Cleaning and preparing to cook one takes several hours. Most of time being spent just to remove the coarse, dense hair which is done by dipping the carcass in boiling water and painstakingly scraping or pulling the hair off. The result is worth it though as it has the most delicious meat I’ve ever tasted when cooked in a thick, rich stew. Sloths are kept as pets since they’re actually quite harmless despite having up to four-inch long claws.

In the Cartagena photo above, English as a foreign language teacher Geny Vidal, from the southern Colombia city of Popayan, cuddles someone else’s pet sloth.

Bofe

Pronounced “bow-fay”, the dried, roasted lungs of a cow are this snack food. Often available at airport restaurants and street food vendors in Colombia, it’s a somewhat acquired taste, but not one that’s unpleasant by any means. Most people simply have to get past the thought of what it is (believe me; you DON’T want to see it before it’s cooked). It’s difficult and time-consuming to prepare. Ready to eat, it’s a dark, unappetizing looking concoction cut into bite-sized cubes for easy munching.

Vulture

Yup, you read right – Buzzard, is eaten in some towns in the Central Highlands of Ecuador. It’s caught, plucked and thoroughly cleaned (I wouldn’t want THAT job!). The high Andes mountain range runs from Colombia south through to Chile and is home to vast flocks of Condors. Condors are carrion-eating birds. I don’t have to tell you what “carrion” is, do I? The cleaned, prepared bird is normally prepared in soup with seasonings, broth and vegetables like yucca, potato, plantain, celery and carrots.

Cow’s Eye

Ever wonder what happens to the “unwanted” parts of food animals like the reproductive organs? Well in Latin countries, these parts are eaten same as the rest of the animal. Consisting mostly of liquid, cow’s eye is sold fresh, of course. It’s most frequently cooked by being stirred into a hot pot of chocolate and served as a drink or a thick “soup” of sorts. Although it’s relatively common and popular in Colombia, I haven’t taken the plunge yet. Several of my acquaintances say the concoction’s quite tasty.

How would YOU like to try it?

In part one of this three-part series, we traveled through Brazil, Colombia and Mexico to sample ants, piranha and green iguana. In part two you were introduced to sloth, vulture and cow’s eye and lungs. In the final part of this series you’ll meet more exotic foods. From the Pacific coast to the mountain highlands of the Peruvian Andes we’re going to rock you with even more “treats” of Latin America you’ll never forget. Brace yourself for this one. It’s definitely NOT for pansies.

If you’d like to get part three of this series “They Eat What! Latin America’s Most Exotic Foods”, please e-mail me at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com . I’ll be waiting.

Bon Appetit!

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on entering or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

They Eat What! Colombia’s Most Exotic Foods Part 1

They eat WHAT!

They’re horrid, ghastly, gross, unthinkable, gut-wrenching, wonderful, savory and delicious. These are but a few of the adjectives used to describe commonly eaten fare “south of the border” from Mexico to Peru. The expression, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison” has never seen more fruition than evidenced in these “exotic” foods found throughout Latin America. Just feast your eyes on these typical taste-tempting treats from Colombia.

Iguana

Starting off our list is a common delicacy from the Pacific Coast of Colombia and Caribbean. Although protected in many countries, these green lizards, which can grow to more than 3 feet in length, are a prized stable in Aruba, Bonaire, Panama and Colombia. The eggs are also cooked and eaten even though they’re often taken illegally. A sizeable black market for them exists in Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. They’re not cheap, but they are good.

And yes, little Kenya Lopez' family ATE the Green Iguana she's holding in the above photo!

Armadillo

From Texas to Ecuador, these nine-banded creatures have been coveted for decades. Their numbers are now greatly diminished due to years of heavy hunting; they’re still considered a delightful treat when they can be found. Usually cooked in stews to help tenderize their thick, dense meat, almost everyone who has eaten Armadillo really likes them. You’ve got to be fast to catch them though. They can burrow into the soil at alarming speeds.

Ants

Technically known as “Hormigas Culonas”, these swollen abdomen ant species are a highly-prized food commodity in Colombia and Mexico. They’re gathered from seemingly innocuous places like cemeteries, parks and untended pastures, then roasted or fried until crisp. Only the enlarged abdomen is consumed, often with cheese or honey as an “aperitif”. Sold and exported by the pound, they’ve quickly become an international favorite among the insect-eating crowd.

To b honest, I like them myself.

Piranha

Despite numerous movies to the contrary, they don’t always attack without mercy. Children in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana and Peru swim in Piranha-infested waters all the time without injury. Women are also known to do the family laundry in streams and pools teeming with razor-toothed schools of them. Many of the 35 known varies of Piranha, including the Cachama family, are not only edible, but delicious. Piranha head soup is used as a form of “jungle Viagra”. Tales abound of elderly Indian men with more than a dozen children and multiple wives.

Well if I didn’t get to you here in part one with “treats” from Colombia, Brazil and Mexico you’re gonna just love what you’ll get in part two of this three-part series. We’re going to travel into the jungles of Colombia and up into the high Andes mountain range in Ecuador to introduce you to some “Eye-opening”, high-flying specialties that’ll make partly-cooked greasy pork liver seem like “Haute Cuisine”.

See you in part two of “They Eat What! Colombia’s Most Exotic Foods”.

Bon Appetit!


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on entering or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

How to Use Three Potatoes and a Stuffed Dummy for Bringing in the New Year

Three potatoes and a stuffed dummy?

Want to know hot to use three potatoes and a stuffed dummy for bringing in the New Year? Well here’s the scoop.

During the latter part of December in Colombia and Ecuador, an effigy of the old year is stuffed with sawdust, wood chips, shredded paper and other flammables. The body is seeded with a few well-placed firecrackers as well. The head is often a papier-mâché mask not infrequently resembling a famous person, character or politician. Someone you’d just as soon be rid of is a runaway favorite, although witches, politicians, presidents, generals and mother-in-laws have the followings.

The life-sized effigy is placed in a prominent place like a doorway, window or even on a chair out in front of the house to await its fate. The practice even extends to stores, shops and businesses with many having effigies made up and placed outside in front – away from the merchandise of course. On the evening of December 31st, often sooner, the effigy is set ablaze amid much fanfare, shouting and wishes for the New Year. It burns rapidly taking the old year and its troubles with it. As the crackling flames, fueled by gasoline poured on the effigy, reach the firecrackers, the dummy is blown into flaming bits. There are so many burning on some streets in Quito and other towns in Ecuador it looks like a war zone. The stage is now set for a fresh, New Year.

Now Take Three Potatoes

This one’s easy, but odd. You take three potatoes; some people use five, peel one and then toss them all under the bed. Don’t look now – no peeking! Reach under the bed and feel around for them. Got ‘em? Okay pick one, still no peeking now! Take it out. If it’s the peeled one, then goodness and bounty will be yours for the New Year. If it’s not, well, better luck next year. Don’t laugh, my Mother-in-law does this! (but for goodness sakes, don’t tell her I told you!)

Happy New Year! … and get that suitcase out!

Want to know what suitcase? Be sure to read “Happy New Year Latin Style: Unusual South American Customs for bringing in the New Year”.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is a bi-lingual copywriter, expert author and photographer specializing in business, travel, food and education-related writing in South America. His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News and Brazil magazines. He now lives in Colombia and teaches at a university in Cali. Want lots more free tips, help and information on language learning, public speaking, writing and mental skills development? E-mail Prof. Larry M. Lynch at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com for professional consulting, EFL Teacher Training or ELT multi-media presentations at your conference or facility.

Has Anyone Ever Eaten ...These?

Has Anyone Ever Tried ...

When I asked, “Has anyone ever tried Saino?”; having tasted this species of wild pig called Peccary in English and native to many of the jungles of South America, I did regain a little respect for my “adventuresome” eating. But what brought the house down was my tale of breakfasts in America’s south with fried pork brains scrambled with eggs along with fried slices of pig testicles, known as “mountain oysters” in states like South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. Mouths dropped open and glazed-over eyes seemed to double in size. Then they started talking.

Conversation Practice
One of the language aspects of most interest to your students will be conversation practice. As a native speaker, you represent the best that English has to offer in pronunciation, grammar usage, idioms and expressions, vocabulary, fluency and communicative ability. You are the ultimate example of English in use. But how can you regularly stimulate your students to speak spontaneously without timidity or fear of making mistakes?

The use of controversial questions and topics can help. In class ask something like: “What’s the most unusual or strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?” You can then give the answer for yourself first as an example. When I said the strangest thing I’d ever eaten was toasted or fried ants (called Hormigas Culonas here in Colombia) the students weren’t impressed. In areas of Mexico, insects like Agave worms (used in tequila), shiny, iridescent Humiles beetles, and leaf cutter ants and their eggs, are eaten as a matter of course. “I ate flowers once”, I piped up trying to regain some ground. Still no good. Flor de Calabaza, the bright orange flowers of a pumpkin plant, is passé in the areas around Tepoztlan, south of Mexico City. As a matter of fact, they’re delicious sautéed and wrapped in a hot, blue corn tortilla. Did I mention that I frequently dine on the deadly, fear-inspiring, razor-toothed Piranha? But that’s no big deal here.

The Students' Turn
It was the students’ turn and each had stories to tell. And tell them they did. “My aunt likes iguana”, one student blurted out. “Have you tried iguana eggs?, another asked. “Yes, I have”, I smirked. Stories began to flow. Slowly at first, then faster as memories and emotions mounted. Tales of iguana, turtles, caimans (a species of alligator), donkey meat, reptile eggs, armadillo, a Guinea Pig relative called “Cuy” and Dagger fish emerged enthusiastically - bursting with anecdotes, humor and sometimes a bit of disgust. It not only got them speaking fluently, but was quite informative too.

“You can always tell a dagger fisherman”, one Mexican student explained, “because of the strange scars they get from the fish.”

I wanted to know more and they obliged. They spoke not only of things they’d tried, but of meats and meals they’d heard of others eating. Opinions of what, where and why added richness, depth and flow to the conversation. In the end I had to halt the session which ran well overtime with no indication of ending anytime soon.

Other Conversation Topics
Other topic questions might address places visited or dreamed of, an imagined conversation or date with a famous person, or what students imagine it’s like to do or be any number of occupations, people or things.

“If Latin pop singer Alejandro Sanz or actor Brad Pitt called you on the phone, what would you say?”, I asked.

Giggles erupted from girls around the room, then responses began to trickle out. For the boys’ question it was Mexican singer Thalia, American actresses Pamela Anderson or Julia Roberts. Role plays, interviews, chain stories, social issues, drugs, crime, even proverbs and superstitions all have their place in stimulating the students as speaking activities. Ideas for questions and topics abound. Conversation references can be helpful too. One I use, “Conversation Inspirations for ESL” by Nancy Ellen Zellerman (published by Pro Lingua Associates) has been around for years. Try a controversial conversation question or two in your classes, it’s almost guaranteed to get and keep your students talking.

They're Cute, Cuddly and Delicious
Oh yeah, I still haven’t tried the “Cow’s Eye soup” in Colombia or the steamy, animal-blood-sprinkled “Yaguarlocro” of Ecuador. But the chicken feet often found in “Sancocho”, Colombia’s national dish, don’t get even the smaller rise out of me anymore. And earlier this year, I sampled a hearty stew of Three-toed Sloth. They’re cute. They’re cuddly. They’re delicious.

By the way, what’s the strangest, most unique food that YOU have ever eaten?

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-books, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" or "7 Techniques to Motivate Your English Language Learners and Make Your Classes More Dynamic" by requesting the title you want at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com