Apologies to everyone who joined the World Conversation Club on time on Wednesday - an electrical storm caused me to lose my Internet connection and I arrived late, calling in from an Internet cafe.

Despite the problems (and unfortunately the show was not recorded), we were joined by a lively group of students, teachers and those simply curious. There were participants from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, the USA and Vietnam (Sorry! I'm sure I've forgotten some countries!)

Our subject was animals (Please see the discussion questions below)but(as usual),we chatted about all sorts of topics.

chat room transcript

Discussion Questions: - Do you have any pets? Have you ever had any?
- Do you know of anyone who has (or has had) a strange pet?
- Do you think that some animals should not be kept as pets? If so, which ones?
- What is your favourite animal?
- What is your opinion about zoos and circuses?
- Should animals have rights?
- How do you feel about experiments on animals? (vivisection)
- Have you ever hunted an animal? How do you feel about hunting?
- Could you live without eating animals? Do you know any vegetarians?
- What is your opinion about traditions and sports that mistreat animals (fox hunting, bullfighting, etc.)?
- Is it possible to communicate with animals? Have you had experience of this?