topics in ESL Cafe

[Craig Rusbult]

Greetings,

    Last week I sent a message to this group because (oops) I didn't notice that my reply to Shere-Ling, after I opened her email about the cafe schedule so I could check it, was actually a reply to the whole group.  Sorry.   :<(

    This is my first intentional message, and I'm wondering what others think about having a "topic" in the Cafe for some Sundays.  Here are some questions:

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a topic? (and should we have one always, usually, occasionally, seldom, or never?)

    If there are two hosts, they could agree on a topic they both want, or agree to have no topic. (would it work OK to have one "topic" and one "open"?)

    What topics might be interesting for guests? and hosts?  Two weeks ago, Caryn (thru Carol) shared a link to a page with LOTS of ideas!  http://iteslj.org/questions/

    How much should the cafe focus on helping our guests learn language and/or culture, and how much on conversations just getting to know each other?  

What do you think?

Craig