Discussing Personal Philosophy

Activity Overview:

In this activity, you will practice discussing your personal philosophy, your beliefs, and how they guide your decisions and actions. You will explain how your philosophy has shaped your life and the importance of having a personal philosophy.

Step 1: Prepare for the Speaking Task (5-10 minutes)

Before you start speaking, take a few minutes to think about the topic and the questions.

Tips for Talking About Personal Philosophy:

• Define personal philosophy: Start by explaining what personal philosophy is. It’s a set of beliefs or values that guide your decisions, behavior, and life choices.
  • Example: “My personal philosophy is about living with honesty and kindness. I believe that being honest and helping others makes the world a better place.”
• Talk about your guiding beliefs: Discuss the main principles or values that you live by.
  • Example: “I value hard work and perseverance. I believe that if you put in the effort, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
• Explain how your philosophy influences your actions: Describe how your philosophy affects your day-to-day life.
  • Example: “Because I believe in kindness, I always try to help people when I can. Whether it’s helping a friend or volunteering, I try to live by my values every day.”
• Discuss the importance of having a personal philosophy: Talk about how having a personal philosophy helps guide you during difficult situations or decision-making.
  • Example: “Having a personal philosophy helps me make tough decisions. When I’m unsure about what to do, I ask myself if it aligns with my values.”

Step 2: Speaking Task

Prompt:
What is your personal philosophy? How does it guide your decisions, and why do you think having a personal philosophy is important?

Time:

• You will speak for 2 minutes. Organize your thoughts and speak clearly.

Step 3: Sample Answer

Listen to the following example. This is how you can organize your thoughts for this topic.

“My personal philosophy is based on the idea of living a simple, honest life. I believe that if you are kind to others and stay true to yourself, you will find happiness. I always try to be honest, even when it’s difficult, because I think honesty builds trust. Another value I live by is helping others. I feel good when I can help someone, whether it’s something small like holding the door open or something bigger like volunteering.

My personal philosophy guides my decisions every day. For example, when I have to choose between two options, I think about which one aligns with my values. If one choice seems dishonest or unfair, I avoid it, even if it’s easier. I think having a personal philosophy is very important because it helps you stay grounded and make decisions that are in line with your true beliefs. Without a personal philosophy, it might be easy to get lost or confused when making decisions.”

Step 4: Important Vocabulary

Here are some important words from the sample. Read their meanings and practice using them in your own sentences.

1. Philosophy (noun)
   • Meaning: A set of beliefs or principles that guide someone’s life and decisions.
   • Usage: “My personal philosophy is to always treat others with respect.”
2. Honesty (noun)
   • Meaning: The quality of being truthful and open.
   • Usage: “Honesty is very important to me because I believe it builds trust in relationships.”
3. Perseverance (noun)
   • Meaning: The quality of continuing to try despite difficulties or challenges.
   • Usage: “Perseverance helps me keep going when things get tough.”
4. Kindness (noun)
   • Meaning: The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
   • Usage: “I believe that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day.”
5. Grounded (adjective)
   • Meaning: Having a sensible and realistic outlook on life.
   • Usage: “I try to stay grounded and remember what is truly important in life.”

Step 5: Practice

1. Speak for 2 minutes:
   Answer the question: What is your personal philosophy? How does it guide your decisions, and why do you think having a personal philosophy is important?Remember to:
   • Explain your personal philosophy and beliefs.
   • Discuss how your philosophy influences your actions and decisions.
   • Share why having a personal philosophy is important.
2. After speaking, review:
   Listen to your recording. Did you:
   • Speak clearly and confidently?
   • Share your personal philosophy in a logical way?
   • Stay within the time limit?

Step 6: Follow-up Activity

• Explore someone else’s philosophy:
  • Think about a person you admire and try to learn about their personal philosophy. How do they live their life? What values do they hold? How can you apply some of their ideas to your own life?