I read the post about the Chinese Zodiacs and it reminded me of one reading-speaking activity. It can be used starting with the Intermediate Level up to the Advanced. I normally ask my Ss to find the passage from Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu which is interesting and understandable for them. Then they interpret it in their own way and how they understood it, they may use words from the poem or theirs.

Here's the link: http://www.terebess.hu/english/tao/clatfelter.html

Which one did you like best?