Would You Live Next Door to Your Best Friend?
Learn topic-related expressions and join the speaking club to practice them!
Marhaban everyone! my name is Bilel and I'm from Tunisia . I have a bachelor's degree in English (International Relations). I have worked as a translator, International Business Developer and a director in a teaching center. After COVID, I started my carrier as a part-time English teacher in Tunis, the capital city of Tunisia. I'm an ambitious person, and never give up my dream of working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, and why not be an ambassador someday!?
I'm thrilled to see you all in the Langclub sessions.
Topic guide Optional
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1-minute overview
Living next door to your best friend sounds like an ideal arrangement. You would have easy company, practical help with small emergencies, and a shared routine that makes friendship feel effortless. Research on loneliness supports the value of close ties. A 2025 review by the psychologist Robin Dunbar links loneliness and weaker friendships to worse health outcomes. The same review notes that living in close proximity can create stress, because constant closeness has costs as well as comforts.
That tension is the heart of this topic. Friendship usually depends on choice: we meet when we want to, and we can step back when we need space. Shared walls, shared noise and shared routines can turn that freedom into expectation. A casual drop-in may feel warm to one person and intrusive to another. Small irritations, such as music or a messy hallway, may also be harder to raise with someone you love.
The question is not only whether closeness helps friendship, but what kinds of agreements protect it, and whether other friends, partners or family might feel left out.
That tension is the heart of this topic. Friendship usually depends on choice: we meet when we want to, and we can step back when we need space. Shared walls, shared noise and shared routines can turn that freedom into expectation. A casual drop-in may feel warm to one person and intrusive to another. Small irritations, such as music or a messy hallway, may also be harder to raise with someone you love.
The question is not only whether closeness helps friendship, but what kinds of agreements protect it, and whether other friends, partners or family might feel left out.
Useful vocabulary
Approx. CEFR · Topic relevance
boundary
A limit you set on what behavior or access you accept from others.
Our boundary was simple: no unannounced visits on weeknights.
intrusive
/ɪnˈtruːsɪv/Entering someone's private space or life in an unwelcome way.
Her daily check-ins began to feel intrusive, even though she meant well.
proximity
/prɑkˈsɪməti/Nearness in space or distance.
Proximity makes friendship easier, but it can also reduce privacy.
drop-in
An unplanned, short visit made without prior arrangement.
I love a drop-in on Saturday, but not during my workday.
resentment
/rɪˈzɛntmənt/Lasting bitterness caused by something that feels unfair.
Unspoken resentment about noise can quietly damage a close friendship.
reciprocity
/ˌrɛsɪˈprɑsəti/A fair, mutual exchange of help, effort or favors.
Sharing chores only works if there is genuine reciprocity.
Useful expressions
The upside is clear, but the trade-off is...
Acknowledging a benefit before raising its cost.
The upside is clear, but the trade-off is losing some privacy.
That depends on whether...
Qualifying a general claim with a key condition.
That depends on whether both friends define closeness the same way.
It's one thing to..., but quite another to...
Contrasting an easy idea with a harder reality.
It's one thing to enjoy visits, but quite another to host them daily.
I'd push back on that, because...
Politely challenging a point and giving a reason.
I'd push back on that, because honesty is harder with someone you live beside.
In practice, this might mean...
Moving from an abstract idea to a realistic consequence.
In practice, this might mean agreeing on quiet hours and visiting signals.
Question list
- Ice breaking
- Main topic
- Free talk
| Q1. | Where do you keep reminders of who you want to become? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | What food do you dislike? |
| Q3. | What’s your favorite drink? |
| Q4. | . What activity makes you lose track of time? |
| Q5. | Think about a piece of advice you’ve carried with you longer than expected. |
| Q6. | What do you admire in others? |
| Q7. | What motivates you to keep going during tough times? |
| Q8. | What present would you like for your next birthday? |
| Q1. | What would you enjoy about having your best friend next door? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | How often would you want to see them at home? |
| Q3. | Would visits without warning bother you? |
| Q4. | What could happen if one friend wants more privacy? |
| Q5. | How would you handle noise from your friend’s home? |
| Q6. | Could sharing chores make the friendship stronger? |
| Q7. | Would living nearby change your other friendships? |
| Q8. | What boundary would you agree on before moving? |
| Q1. | What’s one piece of advice about resilience that you wish more people knew? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | Do you live with your family? |
| Q3. | Talk about a company that offers good customer service. |
| Q4. | What have you always wanted to learn? |
| Q5. | If you could teleport to any place in the world right now, where would you go and why? |
| Q6. | What makes some fictional characters feel more 'real' or relatable than others? |
| Q7. | What is your definition of 'independence'? |
| Q8. | How do you think we can promote greater access to affordable housing? |
Rules
Please be kind and respectful.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
No flirting! Don't ask for other people's social network, number etc. if he/she refuses to give them.
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Give others an equal opportunity to speak.
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Avoid Smoking / Drinking while you are talking.
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Turning your camera on is mandatory.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
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