Conversation Questions

Prejudices
 What is prejudice?
 Why does prejudice exists?
 Are women highly regarded in your society? Why?
 Are men highly regarded in the community?
 Are there gender role biased issues in your country? What are they?
 Are women workers often promoted at their workplace?
o If yes, what qualities do they possess over the other gender?
o If not, what make them not excel at their work?
 Do gender issues affect the development of a country?
 Why do you think we need to discuss issues about gender?
 What are some prejudices you have?
 What prejudices have you acquired?
 What, if any, measures has your national government implemented to combat
gender-based discrimination or prejudice?

Conversation Questions
Advertising
 What is the most shocking advertisement you have seen?
 What is the funniest advertisement you have seen? Describe it.
 What makes an ad memorable?
 What are the different types of advertising? (Eg. TV)
 What types of companies choose each type?
 Do you buy products because of advertising?
 Do you find advertising persuasive?
 Why do you buy one product over another?
 Should advertisers be allowed to advertise to children?
 Should alcohol or tobacco companies be allowed to advertise? Why or why not?
 What do you think of celebrity endorsements?
 Which celebrities advertise which products?
 Do favorite or annoying celebrities make you want or not want to buy a product?
 Should there be advertisement-free zones?
 Is there truth in advertising?
 What kind of advertisements attract your attention?
 Why is it necessary to advertise?
 Do you think advertising should be allowed to interrupt TV or radio programs?
What are the alternatives?
 What is the best way to advertise to children? Adults? Seniors? etc..
 Do you think advertising is too expensive?
 What are some effective adverts you have seen lately (on TV, newspaper, etc)?
 What are some ineffective adverts you have seen lately?
 Can you remember an advertising campaign that caught your attention?
 What are the different methods of advertising?

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 What is the most popular way of advertising?
 Do you think that the Internet and cable/satellite TV have become more
important than national TV for advertising products?
 What do you think is the best way of discovering the tastes and interests of
teenage consumers?
 Can TV advertising be a force for good?
 How easy do you think it is to influence children with advertising?
 Do you agree with anti-consumerism organizations that the child will have
watched 350,000 commercials by the time she graduates from high school?
 Do you think the government has he right to ban advertising for junk food and
soda during children's TV programs. What do you think about this? Why do you
think they made this decision?
 Do political parties in (country) use TV advertising? If so, should they?
 When out walking or shopping in the city, do you accept advertising fliers or
free samples that are offered to you?
 What forms of advertising are there?
 What would make an advertisement more interesting?
 Can you buy something and get something for free in your country?
 Do people use coupons where you live?
 What is the most advertised product in your country?
 What is the best form of advertising?
 What gets you interested in an advertisement?
 Describe an advertisement that you have seen or heard on the TV or radio. What
was it about? How long did the commercial last? Did it make you want to buy
the product?
 What is the funniest commercial that you have seen? Describe it.
 What differences can you notice between commercials from 10 or 15 years ago
and commercials today?
 Do you think ads influence the choices you make when you buy clothes?
 Do you often buy a particular brand when you buy clothes?
 Why do you buy this brand?
 Does it give status to wear particular brands like Nike or Lacoste?
 Do you sometimes want very expensive things which you or your parents can't
afford?
 Do you think ads influence the choices you make when you or your parents buy
food?
 What brand is the ketchup you or your parents buy?
 Is it always the same brand? Why do you prefer this brand?
 What brand is the toothpaste you or your parents buy?
 Can you name three different ways of advertising? (For example, different
media)
 Do you think there are too many ads in television? Why/why not?
 Do you know why some channels have ads and others not? If you do know
explain.
 Do you think there are too many ads in magazines? Why/why not?
 Do you think there are too many ads in newspapers? Why/why not?
 Think of an ad you think is good or funny and tell about it.
 What kinds of ads do you like and why? What makes a good ad?
 Do you think children or young people are easier to influence through ads
compared to adults?

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 Do you think it's ok to show ads aimed at children on television? Why/ why not?
 When you watch TV, how much attention do you pay to the advertisements?
 Which advertisements do you like most and which least? Why?
 How would you advertise something you wanted to sell?
 What are the harmful and the beneficial effects of advertising?
 Do you think that ads create a desire for more and more material possessions?
 Do you think that commercials on TV are annoying because they interrupt
programs or do you think that many ads are more amusing that the programs on
TV?
 Do you think advertising is too expensive? What are the different methods of
advertising?

Conversation Questions
Age: Youth & Old Age
 Are young people generally more selfish than their parents and grandparents?
o Does age make you more aware of and caring for others?
 Should adults try to teach young people lessons, such as the dangers of drinking
too much, taking drugs or catch the AIDS virus, or should they leave them alone
to find out about these things themselves?
o What are the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches?
 What do you think is the best age to be?
o Explain your opinion.
 Most countries give young people rights as they reach a certain age. For
example, British people can legally make love or fight for their country at the
age of 16; they can drink, vote and drive a car when they are 18.
o Do you think that any of the age limits need changing?
 Some people think you should give something to society before you have the
right to join it.
o Should young people have to do some form of military or community
service by law?
 Should people of between 50 and 55 be forced to retire from their jobs in order
to make way for younger workers?
 If people are still able to (and want to) work, should they have to retire when the
reach a certain age?
o Explain your opinion.
 In most countries the legal retirement age for men is five years older than for
women, even though women live longer than men on average.
o Why do you think this is?
o Is this fair, or should it be changed?
 Are there many things that the old can teach the young or are they hopelessly out
of touch by the time they reach a certain age?
o What things were you taught by your older family members?
o How have they been useful to you in your life?
 In most countries, compulsory education is targeted at five to sixteen year olds.
o Would it be better to offer it to pensioners who want to learn rather than
young people who prefer not to be in school? Explain your opinion.

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 In Russia, China and many other countries, there is a tradition of choosing
leaders who are quite advanced in years.
o Do you think that older people make better leaders? Explain your
opinion.
 One of Britain's best-ever leaders was William Pitt, who became Prime Minister
when he was 24 and remained in power for 18 years.
o Could this ever happen in your country? Why/why not?
 Many elderly people have disabilities which limit their mobility.
o Do buses, shops and public buildings in your country provide easy
access for the disabled or are your towns and cities designed mainly for
the young and able-bodied? Why is this?
 Should the elderly be expected to pay for residential care out of their own
savings or should appropriate accommodation and nursing be provided by the
tax payer? Explain your opinion.
 Some people say that men age better than women, and remain attractive longer.
Do you agree? Explain your opinion.
 Some people say that men never grow up, they just get bigger. Do you agree?
Explain your opinion.
 Some people say that young women are usually two to three years more mature
than young men. Do you agree? Explain your opinion.
 In most countries women live an average of five to six years longer than men.
Why do you think this is?
 In some countries having children is considered a way of "investing in the
future", and young people are expected to give money to their parents when they
get a job, and then to care for them when they retire.
o What are the good points and what are the bad points about this system?
 Many countries are facing the problem of an "aging population", i.e. there will
soon be more old people than young people.
o What problems will this cause?
o What can be done to prepare for them?
 What do you think is the ideal age for each of these stages of your life: (Explain
your opinion.)
 What age do you want to live to?
 How do you feel about your parents growing older?
 If your parents could no longer care for themselves, would you let them live
with you or put them in a nursing home?
 Are you afraid of getting old?
 What is your ideal old age to live to?
 Do you prefer to live in the retirement home or live with young people?
 Should parents continue to finance their children after the children are 18?
 Where do you wish to live when you are old?
 Where do you see yourself when you are 70 years old?
 Should older people spend their money on themselves, or save it for their
children to have after they die?
 Where do you wish to live when you are old?
 What advice would you give to an older person who wants to feel young?
 Some people say that youth is a state of mind, do you agree?

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 Conversation Questions
Art
 Are you a good painter?
 Can you draw pictures well?
 Do you believe what art critics say?
 Do you consider yourself a good artist?
 Do you enjoy your art class at school?
 Do you like modern art?
 Do you like paintings?
 Do you like sketching?
 Do you like to visit art museums?
 Do you like wood carving?
 Do you prefer using water colors or oil paint?
 Do you think it is proper to call nude paintings art?
 Do you think music and dancing are forms of art?
 Do you think of cartoons and comics as art?
 Do you visit museums when you go to another city?
 Have you ever been to any famous art museums?
 Have you ever visited an art museum?
 What art form do you like best?
 What art museums have you visited?
o Which did you like the best? Why?
o Which did you like the least? Why?
 What famous painters do you know? What are they famous for?
 What is art?
 What is the longest time that you have spend on a painting?
 What is your favorite art web site?
 What would life be like without art?
 When was the last time you went to an art museum?
 Who are some famous artists in your country?
 Who is a famous potter in your country?
 Who is the most famous artist in your country? What kind of art does he do?
 Who is your favorite painter?
 Do you enjoy taking photographs?
 What things do you like to photograph?
 Do you consider photography an art form?
 Why do artist like to draw women's figures?
 Why do you enjoy art?
 Why is art important?
 Why do people become professional artists?
 Have you ever participated in any art competitions?
 Have you ever been jealous of someone else's artwork?
 Do you find Picasso's work astonishing or weird?
 Do you have a favorite painting?
o If so, what is it?
o Why do you like it?
 Do other people ever compliment your artwork?

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 Do you have a sketchbook?
o If so, how often do you use it?
o What kind of sketches do you make?
 Do you feel proud after finishing a work of art?
 Do you think graffiti is art?

Do you agree with this statement? Graffiti is a form of art; a form of

expressing one's mind.

 Do you like to doodle?

o What kinds of doodles do you make?
o Where and when do you doodle?
 Have you ever gone to an exhibition?
 Do you know any art galleries? Are there any in the place where you live?
 Were you interested in art when you were young?
 In your opinion, is design an important part of culture?
 Can you tell me the name of a fashion designer you know?
 Is design a great importance in your daily life?
 The famous artist and designer William Morris said that you should not have
nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be
beautiful'. Discuss.
 Do you know any art gallery? Is there any in the place where you live?
 Were you interested in art some years ago? and now?
 Have you studied any pictorial movement?
 Has design a great importance in your daily life
 Is your work figurative or abstract?
 What is your medium of choice?
 What influences your work?
 If you could buy a great work of art, what would it be? (style, title, artist's
name...)
 Do you think performance art should be considered art?
 What do you think of shock art?
 Have you ever seen performance art?
 Have you ever seen shock art?
 Does art imitate life?
 Are movies a form of art?

Conversation Questions
Gender Roles
.

 Do you see yourself as a typical man or woman? Why or why not?

 In your country are the responsibilities of a mother the same as the
responsibilities of a father to their families?
 What are the responsibilities of a father to his family?
 What are the responsibilities of a mother to her family?
 Are fathers capable of carrying out the duties of a mother and vice versa?

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  Are there different expectations for sons and daughters?
 What habits are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
 What behaviors are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for
women?
 What jobs are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
 Are more doctors female or male in your country?
 Are more nurses female or male in your country?
 Are more professional musicians female or male in your country?
 Are more teachers female or male in your country?
 Are more truck drivers female or male in your country?
 Are men and women equal in ability and intelligence?
 What things can either men or women do that the other cannot do and why?
 What type of clothing do men wear?
 What type of clothing do women wear?
 Can men wear women's clothing or can women wear men's clothing? Why or
why not?
 Can men wear pink clothes?
 Is it OK for men to cry?
 Is it OK for women to cry?
 What do people think of men or women crying?
 What would people think of a man who backs down from a fight?
 What would people think of two women involved in a fist fight?
 Is it OK for men to appear sad?
 Is it OK for women to appear angry?
 Is it OK for men to appear weak?

 Is it common for women and men to take part in sporting activities? Do they take
part in the same type of sporting activities?
 In you home, who does the cooking, cleaning and household chores?
 Is it possible for women to join the army in your country?
 Is it compulsory for men and women to join the army in your country?
 Do women swear a lot?
 Are there more male or female managers and executives? Why do you think this is?
 What jobs do men do and women not do in your country?
 Who is regarded as the head of the family?
 Should boys and girls be brought up differently?
 Should boys and girls be treated differently on the part of the parents?
 What would happen if your parents changed their place for one day?
 How would the world look like without men?
 How would the world look like without women?
 When a woman and a man are together, who does most of the talking? What makes
you think so?
 Can a man and a woman be only friends?
 Do men/men friendships differ from women/men or women/women friendships?
How?
 Who do you think has life easier, girls or guys? Why?
 Do you see yourself as a typical man/woman? Why or why not?
 What things can men or women do that the other cannot do and why?
 In your country
 What are the responsibilities of a father to his family?

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 What are the responsibilities of a mother to her family?
 Are fathers capable of carrying out the duties of a mother and vice versa?
 Who is regarded as the head of the family?
 Who do the children go to for emotional support? For financial support?
 Are there different expectations for sons and daughters?
 Should boys and girls be brought up differently?
 What habits are deemed as appropriate for women but not for men?
 What behaviors are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
 What jobs are deemed as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?
 Are more doctors female or male in your country?
 Are more nurses female or male in your country?
 Are more professional musicians female or male in your country?
 Are more teachers female or male in your country?
 Are there more male or female managers and executives? Why do you think this is?
 What type of clothing do men wear?
 What type of clothing do women wear?
 Can men wear women's clothing or can women wear men's clothing?
 Can men wear pink clothes?
 Is it OK for men to cry?
 Is it OK for women to cry?
 Is it OK for men to appear sad?
 s it OK for women to appear angry?
 Is it OK for men to appear weak?
 What would people think of a man who backs down from a fight?
 What would people think of two women involved in a fist fight?
 Is it OK for women to swear (to cuss)?
 Is it common for women and men to take part in sporting activities? Do they take
part in the same sports? Are there famous women athletes?
 Do you think it's permissible for a woman to show her face to a stranger?

Conversation Questions
Generation Gap
 What is a generation gap?
 Have you ever felt a generation gap with your friends?
 How do you over come the generation gap?
 When do you feel the generation gap the most?
 Is it possible to overcome a generation gap?
 At what point in life does the generation gap seem to be the largest?
 Do you think you can be a better parent than your own parents in future?
 Do you think it is OK to date or marry someone of a different generation to
yourself, either older or younger?
 Some people think it is OK to marry a much older man but not a much older
woman? Do you agree?
 How would you feel if your father was a generation older than your mother? Do
you know a family where this is the case?

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 What could be some problems with a partnership or marriage of different
generations?
 Do you think your generation's fight is similar to your parents generation's fight.
 What do you think are some of the advantages or disadvantages of another
generation?
 When did you first become an adult in your mind?
 What roll does music play in generation gaps?
 When is an age gap beneficial, and when is it a hindrance?
 How can you overcome a generation gap?
 Can you talk to your parents about everything?
 Do you ever disagree with your parents/grandparents about topics such as music,
style and values?
 How many years difference causes a generation gap?
 Is it possible for parents and children to be friends?
 What influences the styles, values and interests of a generation?
 Are people from the "older" generation always more wise and correct in their
ways of thinking and choices? Why or why not?
 Do you ever disagree with your friends/ parents/relatives/grandparents about
topics such as music, style and values?
 Is it possible for parents and children to be friends? Or for people of different
generations to be friends?
 What influences the styles, values and interests of a generation? How long is a
generation?
 What is an example of a time you and your
friends/parents/relatives/grandparents had an argument or disagreement? Do you
think it was related to generation gap?
 Do you think generation gaps allow the older generations to have more
"authority" in their relationships with younger people?
 What are some topics that people of different generations disagree on? Is it
possible for people of different generations to agree on things as well?
 They say that each generation is about 10 years. Is it possible to "categorize" or
"label"every generation (such as Generation X, the Baby Boomers, etc)?
 Should teachers be aware of the generation gap between them and their
students? What can be done about it? Can that gap be narrowed being adaptable,
or should students adapt to their teachers?
 Do you feel you have more of a generation gap with your mother, father,
grandmother or grandfather? Why do you think this is the case?
 If you don't have generation gaps with your
friends/parents/relatives/grandparents, what are some reasons why they don't
exist in your relationships with them?
 Do you think that your life is easier/harder than your parents?
 What role does technology change play in creating a
 generation gap?
 Could people's leisure habits be labelled under "radio, television, computer"
generations?
 Which changes in traditional values could contribute to a generation gap?
 Have you found useful information in systems like astrology or the Enneagram?
[personality]
 What do you think when you see an old person?
 Do you think older people are boring?

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 Would you ever date someone much older or younger than yourself?
 What was the most popular music when you were 12 years old? Now? how has
the music and you changed?
 There are some older woman / younger man relationships in Hollywood now.
Do you think this is changing people's views?
 Some people think it is OK to marry a much older man but not a woman? Do
you agree?
 Do you know a family where this is the case?
 Do you think your generation's fight is similar to your parents generations fight?
 Why do new generations frequently blame the last generation for many
problems they are facing?
 If you could give one important message to the next generation, what would it
be?
 Do you think you will experience a generation gap with your children?What are
some differences in music, fashion, personality, mannerisms that are apparent
when encountering a generation gap?
 How does a generation gap affect interaction between two people?
 What are some key signs that a generation gap is present?
 How can a generation gap cause problems in the workplace?
o School
o Relationships
o Holidays/Festivals
 What are some differences in your culture's generation gaps when compared to
that of another culture's own generation gaps?
 What causes generation gaps to form?
 How might todays generation gaps be different from those of your parents' or
even your grandparents'?
 How do generation gaps change/evolve for individuals over time?
 Can you see a generation gap between yourself and the younger generation?
What is it concerning?
 Do you feel your parents don't understand you because of a generation gap?

Conversation Questions
Goals
 What is your biggest goal in life?
 How do you plan to achieve that goal?
 What are your "short term" goals?
 What are your "long term" goals?
 Should parents help their children set goals?
 What are your educational goals?
 What are your career goals?
 What are your financial goals?
 Why are goals important?
 Is having a goal in life effective in becoming successful?
 Is having a goal helpful in motivating a person?
 Do you think people have fewer goals as they get older?
 Do you have any goals that you feel are unrealistic?

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 How do people's goals change from country to country?
 What are your goals in your current job?
 What are the main differences between male and female goals?
 Which of your goals have you already achieved?
 How would you feel if you failed to achieve any of your goals?
 Do you think it's a good idea to write your goals down and tick them off as you
achieve them?
 How important are goals to you?
 What do you hope to have achieved by the time you're sixty?
 What is a goal?
 Can goals help to change your life? How?
 What goals do you have in your life?
 Is it important to set goals?
 Do you have a five year plan for your life?
 If you can't make your goal, how do you feel?
 What are your families goals?
 Are goals necessary to achieve success?
 How are plans and goals related?
 Are you ambitious enough to achieve the goals you set?
 Do you have spiritual/religious goals?
 Is one of your goals to be able to talk to your children's English teacher?
 Do you think people have less goals as they get older?
 How will you feel,if you fail to achieve any of your goals?
 What is something you never learned to do but wish you had?
 Who is successful in your family? Why?
 Tell me about a goal that you achieved for yourself.
 What success have you had in this English class? What can you do to be more
successful?
 Do you believe that people must work hard to become successful? Why or why
not?
 Can you think of a successful person from your own county? What do they do?
How do you think they did it?
 What kind of success do you want in the future in your life?
 What can you do now to be successful in the future?
 Do you think that money and fame means success?

Conversation Questions
Healthy Lifestyle
 Do you think you have a healthy life style?
o Is it possible to have a healthy life style in modern world?
o Why do many people try to have a healthy life style?
o What is the main purpose of it?
 What is healthy food?
o Do you pay much attention to what you eat?
o Do you think it is more important for you to eat healthy or tasty food?
 Do you try to eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner at a certain time every day?

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 Do you have a snack every time you are hungry or do you wait for the lunch or
dinner?

What is better for health?

 Do you agree with the saying: "Eat your breakfast, share your lunch with a
friend and give your dinner to your enemy"? Why do people say so?
 What is healthy about not eating after 6 p.m?

Do you try to follow this rule?

o Are you a success?

 Is obesity a great problem in where you live?

Why are there so many obese people in the US?

o What are the most efficient ways to loose weight?

 Do you think diets are useful or not?
o Have you ever tried to go on a diet?
o What kind of diet was it?
o Did it work?
 Is physical activity (jogging, going to a gym, swimming pool) an important part
of a healthy life style?
 Can you tell a physically inactive person from someone who takes care of his\
her physical condition?

What are the main differences?

 What is your attitude to smoking?

What is the influence of smoking on health?

o What about passive smoking?

 Is it hard to give up smoking?

Do you know someone who gave up smoking?

o What is the best way to give up smoking?

 What is a healthy dose of alcohol?

How mush beer, wine or vodka you can drink daily without any damage
to your health?

o What is the damage of alcohol abuse to health?

 How many hours of sleep do you need daily?

If you don't sleep enough, how do you feel and look?

 Do you try to go to bed and get up at certain hours every day?

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 What is good about it?

 Do you often find yourself under stress?

 What are the areas of your life where stress situations take place more often?
o Work?
o Family?
o Relationships with friends?
o While commuting to work?
 How do you usually cope with stress?
 Is there any connection between the person's style of life and the duration of his
life?
 What do you prefer, to eat everything you like, drink a lot, smoke, have no
physical exercise and die at the age of 60 or lead a healthy life and live until
100?

Conversation Questions
Leaders and Leadership
 What is a leader?
 Who are the first leaders who come to your mind?
 What makes those people great leaders?
 What are the qualities or characteristics that every leader should have?
 Are some people natural leaders and other people natural followers? Why?
 What are some of the biggest challenges of leading a country like China?
 Would you like to be a leader in China? Why or why not?
 Why do some people think it's a bad thing to always follow other people?
 What characteristics does a bad leader have?
 If you were the leader of your school, what changes would you make?

Conversation Questions
Midlife Crisis
 What is the definition of midlife crisis?
 When was your midlife crisis?
 Do you think everyone has a midlife crisis?
 What can you do to minimize midlife crisis?
 How can you avoid midlife crisis?
 Where can you get help during a midlife crisis?
 What was your father's midlife crisis like?
 What do you think your midlife crisis will be like?
 How is midlife crisis different when you are married than if you are single?
 Do you think that couples get divorced during midlife crisis?
 Do you fear your midlife crisis?
 Why do you think that some people don't have a midlife crisis?

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 Conversation Questions
News
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

 What is the role of newspapers in society?

 What sells newspaper?
 Why do we buy newspapers?
 Do you think that news is censored in some countries?
 Is the news censored in your country?
 Will newspapers disappear in the future?
 How does American news differ from your country's news?
 What is your favorite section of the newspaper to read?
 How often do you watch the news?
o Do you make a point of watching the news?
o Do you feel bad if you miss the news?
 Which kind of news is the best for you? Why?
o Newspaper?
o Radio?
o Televison?
o Internet?
 Do you think that the news is necessary? Why or why not?
 What would the world be like without news?
 Do you think the news tells us just information without giving its opinion?
 Should the news give an opinion?
 Do you think the news influences people too much?
 Do you think the news is shocking now?
 How has it changed over the years?
 Do you think people need to know all of the news?
 What do people not need to know?
 What do you think is the most important thing the news should report?
 What was the most memorable news you ever watched?
 If the news reported your week, what would be the headline?
 Think of a news headline for the following countries: America, Britain, France,
China, Australia, Indonesia, Russia, Germany.
 Do you read the newspaper everyday?
 How often do you read the newspaper?
 What newspaper do you read?
 How much does the newspaper cost?
 What kind of magazines do you like to read?
 What is your favorite newspaper?
 What is your favorite magazine?
 Are magazines expensive in your country?
 Do you enjoy reading a newspaper?
 What sections of a newspaper do you like to read?
 What are the different sections in a newspaper?
 Do you think that reading a newspaper is a good way to improve your English?
 What kinds of information can you get from the newspaper?

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  Where do you get most of your news?
 Do you like to keep up with current events?
 If you are someone who usually follows the news, has there been a time when
you decided to stop? Why and for how long?
 Do you think it's important to read the newspaper and know what is going on in
the world? Why or why not?
 Do you trust the information you get from the news?
 you are someone who usually follows the news, has there been a time when you
decided to stop? Why and for how long?
 What different types of newspapers do you read?
 Do you read newspapers in other languages?
 Is your hometown newspaper on the internet?

Conversation Questions
New Media
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

 Would you ever consider being a journalist? Why or why not?

 Would you ever consider being a newscaster?
 If someone asked you to be a journalist, what kind of stories would you write
about?
 Would you prefer being a newscaster or a journalist?
 When you watch the news, are you interested in the story or the newscaster who
presents it?
 Do you think journalists tell the truth when they write?
 Do you think journalists add more information to make the story interesting?
 Do you believe journalists exaggerate what they write about?
 Do you believe that journalists write stories so they can be important and noticed
on television/magazines/newspapers etc?
 Do you trust the information you get from the news?
 If you are someone who usually follows the news, has there been a time when
you decided to stop? Why and for how long?

Conversation Questions
Social Networking
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

Related: Facebook, Privacy

 What social networking sites do you use?

 What are some good points about social networking?
 What are some bad points about social networking?
 Do you have a Facebook page?
 Do you use Twitter?

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  What information do you have on your webpage?
 What kind of information are you comfortable releasing to the public?
 Do your parents use social networking sites?
 What type of information should you put on social networking sites?

Conversation Questions
Social Problems
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

Related: Poverty, Homeless

 Are there food kitchens for the needy in your country?

 Are there homeless shelters in your country?
 Are there many homeless people where you live?
 Are there many suicides in your country?
 Are there nursing homes in your country?
 Do you agree that teachers should use corporal punishment as a means of discipline?
 Do you know anyone who is homeless?
 Do you think it's acceptable for parents to use corporal punishment as a means of
discipline? Why/why not?
 Do you think people should be allowed to smoke in public buildings?
 Do you think that minorities should be given job priority because of their race?
Why/why not?
 Have you ever been a volunteer at a hospital?
 Have you ever experienced discrimination?
 Have you ever known someone with an addiction?
 In an overpopulated world, should people be free to have as many children as they
want?
 Is there assistance available to people that are homeless?
 Is there public assistance in your country?
 What are some expectations parents have for their children?
 What are some reasons people use illegal drugs?
 What are some reasons that people become homeless?
 What are some things people can do to eliminate discrimination and prejudice?
 What are some ways we can help homeless people?
 What do you think is the most serious problem in the world?
o Why do you think so?
o What can we do as individuals to solve this problem?
 Do you think in vitro fertilization should be available to parents so they can choose the
sex of their child?
 What do you think when you see a homeless person?
 What types of noise pollution do you hate the most?
 Who takes care of the elderly when they are no longer able to care for themselves?
 Have you ever experienced discrimination on a personal level?
 What is racism?
 What are some ways we can wear words and slogans? i.e. badges, clothes, hats etc.
 What should be done about football hooligans?
 Should drinking be allowed outdoors ( parks, squares, streets) as it is in Spain?s

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  Is it morally right to spend a lot of money on pets, rather than helping people in need?
 Are you pro-life, or pro-choice? Why, and how do you see the opposing viewpoint?
 Do you believe in the individuals right to own firearms?
o How do feel about the right to carry firearms?
o Have you ever had to carry a firearm?
 How would you prevent someone from committing suicide?
 How would you describe "positive discrimination"?
 Which countries are poor?
o Why are some countries poor?
o How can the rich countries help the poor countries?
 What does G8 mean?
 Where will the G8 summit be held?
 Who will attend the G8 summit?
 What kind of people are members of the G8?
 Why do some people think graffiti is a problem for society?

Graffiti
 What is graffiti? Where do you see it? i.e. walls, trains

 What messages do you see? i.e. political, love messages, funny, personal, poetic?

 Should the government punish those who write graffiti?

 Should the government reserve places for those who want to write graffiti?

 Is graffiti a type of "art"?

 If you were allowed to write something, what would you say?

 What can we do about graffiti writers?

Conversation Questions
Stereotypes
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

Related: Immigration, Discrimination

 What are some stereotypes?

 How is your country stereotyped?
 Do you stereotype people?
 Does stereotyping help you in some way?
 Why do you think people stereotype?
 How can stereotypes be damaging?
 Do you think that it is a good idea to stereotype people?
 How are various nationalities stereotyped?
 How can being stereotyped hurt your job opportunities?
 What is the difference between stereotypes and prejudices?
 Are stereotypes offensive?

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 o Funny?
o Realistic?

Conversation Questions
Teenagers
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

 As a teenager, what do you think you can contribute to society?

 At what age should teenagers leave home?
 What type of punishment did your parents use when you were a teenager?
 Do you think teenagers today have it "too easy'?
 Did you have a good relationship with your parents? Why or why not?
 What do you think are some important things parents can do for teenagers?
 Do you think teenagers today show respect for adults? Teachers? Parents?
Brothers and sisters?
 What do you think about teenagers who dye their hair blue, green, or another
crazy color?
 Do you think that wearing uniforms to school is a good idea?
 At what age did you leave home?
 What would you do if your teenage son or daughter got a tattoo?
 What would you do if your teenage son or daughter shaved his or her head?
 How do you feel about swearing?
o Does it matter if teenagers sometimes use bad language?
 What do you think about rock videos today?
 What do you think parents can do to help teenagers avoid depression?
 Do you believe in anti depression drugs?
 Do you think it's a good idea to give teenagers a lot of freedom? (For example,
come home when you like)
 Do teenagers in your former country have problems with drugs or alcohol?
 What can you do to keep your teenager away from drugs and alcohol?
 Is teenage suicide a problem?
 Why do you think some teenagers do good things and others (in the same family
often) do bad things?
 At what age should a teenage girl have her first serious boyfriend?
 At what age should a teenage boy have his first serious girlfriend?
 How old were you when you had your first serious relationship?
 What can society do to help teenagers who have problems at home?
 Are there more pregnant teenage girls in this country than in your country?
Why?
 What is the best advice you could give to a teenager growing up in this culture?
 Do you think that advertising plays an important role in how teenagers think?
 Should teenagers work? Why or why not?
 Did you work when you were a teenager?
 If you could be a teenager again, would you do anything differently?
 Were you teenage years enjoyable?
 Do you think it is better to raise teenagers in the city, a small town, or the
country?

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 What is it like to be a teenager in your society?
 Would you rather be a child, teenager or an adult? Why?
 What are the advantages of being a child?
o A teenager?
o An adult?
 What are the disadvantages of being a child?
o A teenager?
o An adult?
 If you could meet any teenager in the world, who would it be?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to leave school?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to smoke?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to drink?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to drive?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to get married?
 At what age should teenagers be allowed to vote?
 Do you know any good role models for teenagers?
 Do you know any teenagers who don't act like other teens?
o Why do you think they act differently?
 What do teenagers think about?
 What do you/will you remember about being a teenager?
 Can teens change the world?
o If yes, how?
o If not, why not?
 What's the difference between teenage girls and teenage boys?
o What causes those differences?
 Would you rather be stuck in a bus with children, teens, young adults, adults or
elderly adults? Why?
 When did you start to be a teen?
o How did you know that you were a teenager?
o Do you still feel like a teen sometimes?
 What is the difference between the teenagers of 19th century and the teenagers
of the 21st century?
 As a teenager, how do you think fashion changed or affected your life?
 Among teenage fashion that is prevalent in the world today, which do you think
is the the best? The most hideous? The strangest?
 How much freedom should parents give to their teenagers?
o Should boys and girls be given the same amount of freedom? Why or
Why not?
 If you were a parent and your teenage child did something wrong, how would
you discipline him/her?
 What do you think are some of the greatest problems facing teenagers today?
o How are different from the ones you faced as a teenager?
 How do you think can we eradicate or at least lessen juvenile delinquency?
 How does media affect the thinking patterns of the teenagers of today?
 If you could do something differently, which mistake in the past would you not
make and why?
 Do you think teenagers today should show more respect for adults?
o Teachers?
o Parents?
o Brothers

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 o Sisters?

Conversation Questions
Television
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

Some related questions can be found on the Entertainment page.

 What is one of your favorite TV shows?

o Why do you like it?
o When is it on?
o Does you father like it, too?
 Are you going to watch TV tonight?
o If so, what will you watch?
 What did you watch on TV yesterday?
 What is one of your favorite TV shows?
o Why do you like it?
o When is it on?
o Does you father like it, too?
 Do you like ___? (Insert the name of a TV show.)
 Do you prefer listening to the radio or watching TV?
 Do you think it is good for children to watch TV?
 Do you think TV is educational?
 Do you think there is too much violence on TV?
 Do you think that TV is a good thing?
 If you could design a new television show to boost ratings, what kind of show
would it be?
 How often do you watch TV.
 What are the advantages of watching TV?
 What are the disadvantages of watching TV?
 What do you usually watch on TV?
 What kind of TV programs do you usually watch?
 What kind of TV shows do you not like? Why?
 What is your favorite program on cable TV.
 What channel is your favorite channel? Why?
 What TV commercials do you like?
o Why do you like it?
o Which ones do you hate?
 What's your favorite commercial?
 What is the purpose of advertising a product?
 Do you think there are subliminal messages?
 When you drive or walk, do you get distracted by advertisements on buses or
billboards?
 When you go food shopping, do you buy foods you've seen in TV commercials?
 Do you like the _____ advertisements? If not, why? (You can substitute any
company's name.)

20
  Do you think it's right to see naked women in TV commercials selling beauty
products?
 What types of TV program are there?
o Which type do you like best?
 When do you usually watch TV?
 Do you think that TV makes people lazy?
 Do you think too much time is spent watching TV?
 Does TV make a person passive? Does TV take away a person's ability to think
for himself or herself?
 Do you think that TV prevents people from communicating?
 What do you think of TV shows that are designed to "discover new talent?"
 If you couldn't watch TV at home but had to stay there, what would you do?
 Could you live without TV for a week?
 What do you think about reality shows?
 Would you participate in one if you were invited?
 Which channel do you like the best?
 Do you like watching TV alone or with your family?
 Who decides what to watch: the parent or the child?
 What do you think about Reality Shows?
 Is television one of the best inventions of all times?
 Why do you think television industry is so successful?
 What do you think of the "rubbish" programs on TV which are only dedicate to
gossip about famous or pseudo famous people?
 There is a famous English saying that goes "you are what you eat." Does this
apply to television? Can the programs you watch affect your behavior?
 What kind of entertainment do children like?
 Do you think children watch too much TV these days?
 What are the benefits of being an EU member?
 What are the drawbacks of being an EU member?
 Do you think that every future politician should be vetted for security reasons?
 Who is the most controversial politician in your country?
 Do you think there are any possible dangers to society from the material
broadcast on TV channels?
 How do you feel when watching explicit scenes on TV with your parents? How
do your parents usually react?
 Does violence on TV influence some young people to engage in violent
behavior?
 What do you think should happen if a cell phone rings in class?
o In a restaurant?
o In a movie theater?
o During a concert or speech?

Conversation Questions
Texting
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

Related: Telephones

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  How many texts do you send a month?
 What are the positive and negative effects of texting?
 What is texting similar to?
 Do you text when you drive?
o Why do you do it if you know it's dangerous?
o Do you prefer to text ortalk on the phone? Why?
o How do you text on a phone? (Teach me how to text.)
o How many texts are included in your phone plan?
o Should there be a limit to how many texts a child or adult should send?
Why?
o What "textese" do you use, for example, u2, b4, g2do?
o How is texting similar to chatting and how is it different?
 1)What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘competition’?

2) Are you a competitive person. Why/why not?

3) Why are some people very competitive?
4) Is competition good for us?
5) Do you like competitive people?
6) In what way is education a competition in your country?
7) Do you think life is a competition?
8) Do we learn to be competitive or are we born competitive?
9) David Sarnoff said: "Competition brings out the best in products and the worst
in people." What does this mean? Do you agree?
10) Dr T.P.Chia said: "A competitive person is always a winner. An
uncompetitive person is always a loser." What do you think?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student A)

1) What’s your favourite competition?

2) Are you competing with other students in your English class?
3) Do you compete with yourself?
4) How did competition begin?
5) Which country is in "competition" with your country?
6) What would the world be like without competition?
7) Are men more competitive than women?
8) How can you learn to be more competitive?
9) Do drivers in your country drive as if they are in a competition?
10) Do you care if you lose when you are in a competition?

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student B)

1) What is economics?
2) Are you interested in economics?
3) How important is economics?

22
4) Do you think economics is a good subject to study?
5) How is the economy in your country?
6) What are the biggest economic problems in your country?
7) Do you think economics is a science?
8) How is economics different under socialist and capitalist systems?
9) What was the last thing you read or heard about economics?
10) Do you think economics is the most important thing people think about in an election?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student A)

1) Do you read or watch economics news in newspapers and on the TV?

2) Do you worry about the world economy?
3) What are the biggest economic problems in the world?
4) Do you know what the difference is between macroeconomics and microeconomics?
5) What do you know about economic growth?
6) What do you understand by the term ‘environmental economics’?
7) What is the effect of economics on society?
8) Do you think economic aid and economic sanctions work?
9) Which people in this world care most about economics?
10) What do you think ‘happiness economics’ is?

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student B)

1) What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘youth’?
2) What are the good things and bad things about today’s youth?
3) Are today’s youth different from the youth of yesteryear?
4) How would you describe an average member of today’s youth?
5) Do today’s youth respect authority?
6) What is the fountain of youth?
7) Do you think youths understand how lucky they are?
8) How are the youth of different continents different to the young people in your country?
9) Pablo Picasso said: "Youth has no age." What did he mean? Do you agree?
10) Someone once said: "Don't waste your youth growing up." What did they mean? Do you agree?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student A)

1) What three adjectives would you use to describe today’s youth?

2) What’s the biggest problem with today’s youth?
3) What aspects of today’s youth make you hopeful about the future?
4) Do you have any wild and crazy stories from your youth?
5) What’s the thing you hated most about your youth?

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6) Do old people understand today’s youth?
7) What kind of youth were you?
8) What things about the world do you think youths are angry about?
9) Herbert Asquith said: "Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life." What did he me
agree?
10) George Bernard Shaw said: "Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children." Wh
Do you agree?

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