Konusma Sorulari

Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom
A Project of The Internet TESL Journal Teacher's Guide to Using These Pages
After a Vacation Animals & Pets Art Charity Christmas Clothes & Fashion Colors (Also spelled "colours") Comics Computers Crime Culture Death & Dying Drugs Education English Literature Entertainment (TV, Radio, Games, Gambling, ...) Environment & Pollution Family Favorites (Also spelled "favourites") Fears Food & Eating
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Conversation Questions Would you ever...?
A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Note: You can follow up most of these questions with a why or why not or with the question "In what situation(s) would you consider doing so?"
Would you ever adopt a child? o Would you ever give your child up for adoption? Would you ever cheat on your husband/wife? Would you ever consider being a criminal? Would you ever consider being a farmer? Would you ever consider moving to Africa? Would you ever consider getting plastic surgery? Would you ever defy your boss if he/she asked you to do something you didn't agree with? Would you ever donate a kidney or another vital organ? Would you ever donate blood? Would you ever drive a car if you had forgotten your license at home? Would you ever drive at night with only one headlight? Would you ever drive your car with a flat tire? Would you ever eat rat meat? Would you ever eat rice with sugar? Would you ever feed the animals at the zoo? Would you ever get hair implants? Would you ever give money to a charity? Would you ever give money to a panhandler? (a beggar) Would you ever go skinny dipping? (swim naked) Would you ever lie to your children? o ... to your husband/wife? o ... your boyfriend/girlfriend? Would you ever marry someone your parents didn't approve of? Would you ever paint your living room black? Would you ever pick up a hitchhiker? Would you ever slap someone for something they said? Would you ever smoke in a no smoking area? Would you ever spank your child? Would you ever steal from your family or friends? Would you ever "take a bullet" for someone else? Would you ever walk downtown without any shoes on your feet? Would you ever walk home alone at night? o ... in this country? o ... in your own country? Would you eat a live cricket for $500? If not, how much would it take? Would you ever consider killing yourself? Would you divorce your husband/wife if your favorite celebrity wanted to marry you? Would you ever say yes to someone even if you meant no? Would you ever donate an organ in order to save other person's life? Would you ever consider plastic surgery if a friend suggested it to you? Would you ever pretend to be someone (like a policeman, or a teacher, or a survey taker) just to get something that you wanted?
Thanks to Rhett Merz who suggested this topic and contributed the first 20 questions in October 2002. Copyright (C) 2002 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions After a Vacation

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.
Did you encounter any problems during your vacation? How did you resolve them? Did you have a part-time job during the holidays?
Did you have any bad experiences? Did you meet any interesting people? Tell me about them. Did you notice any cross-cultural differences during your vacation? Did you study during the vacation? If so, what did you study? How do you feel after a long vacation? How many days was your vacation? How much money did you spend on your last vacation? How was your trip? o Why did you visit the place(s) you went to? o How did you get there? o Why did you choose the means of transportation that you chose? o How much luggage did you take? o Would you take the same or different equipment next time? How was your vacation? In what ways did you obtain real satisfaction when you were on vacation? Was the place you went to very different from where you live? o What were the women like? o What were the men like? o Were people friendly? o Did you stay in a hotel? o What was the daily rate? What historical sites did you visit and what did you learn? What interesting people did you meet? Tell me about them. What souvenior did you buy? What was the best food you ate during your vacation? What was the most interesting thing that you did during the vacation? What was the most interesting thing you did during the holiday? Where did you go for your last vacation? o Did people speak English there? o Did you have any problems? o Did you use a lot of English? o How did you get there? o How long did it take to get there? o How long were you there? o How much money did you spend? o What did you do there? o What did you see in each place? o What kind of food did you eat? o What souvenirs did you buy? o What was the activity you enjoyed the most, and why? o What was the weather/food/scenery like? o What were the people/restaurants/scenic spots like? o Where did you stay? o Where did you visit? o Where would you like to go next? o Who did you travel with? o Would you recommend your friends visit there, why or why not? Where did you go? How long did you stay? How did you get there? Where is your favorite place to go on vacation? How do you get to sleep when you are traveling on a plane?
Not a Question, But Usable for Conversation

Please summarize your vacation in one elaborative sentence. http://iteslj.org/questions/
Many of these questions come from textbooks Copyright (C) 1982-2001 by Charles Kelly & Lawrence Kelly (Used by Permission) Copyright (C) 1997-2001 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Animals & Pets
Are there animal rights groups where you live? Are you afraid of snakes? Are you frightened of spiders? Are your pet(s) healthy? Can you name some endangered species? Can you ride a horse? Do you consider yourself an animal lover? Do you ever go bird watching? Do you ever talk to your pet? If so, what do you say? Do you have a cat? Do you have a dog? If so, what's your dog's name? Do you have any pets? o If not, would you like to have a pet? o Have you ever had a pet? Do you know anyone who has a horse? do you know anyone who keeps their dog in their house? Do you know someone who owns an unusual pet? Do you love your pet? Do you prefer dogs or cats? Do you talk to your pet sometimes? Do you think it is acceptable to test cosmetics on animals? o How do you feel about the use of animals for medical research? Do you think it is okay to eat meat? o Is there any kind of meat you would not eat? Do you think it is right to keep wild animals in a zoo? Do you think it's okay to free animals that have been in captivity all their lives? Why or why not? Do you think people should buy and wear fur coats? Do you think that animals dream? Do your pets have special behaviour problems? o How do you deal with those problems? Have you ever been bitten by a dog? Have you ever been bitten by a dog? (... by a snake) Have you ever been to a farm? Have you ever been to a farm? What animals did you see there? Have you ever been to a horse race? Have you ever been to a zoo? What animals did you see there? Have you ever eaten rabbit meat? Have you ever gambled on a horse race? Have you ever given your pet a bath? Have you ever had a pet? / Have you ever had any pets? Have you ever ridden a horse? How about a camel? Have you ever seen a bullfight? Have you ever seen a dog race? Have you ever seen a dog that helps people, such as one to help a blind person? o If so, what did you notice about the dog? o How do you think that dog was trained? o Have you ever seen a "therapy dog?" How long do you think a dog can live without food? How many birds do you know that can't fly? How many legs does a spider have? How about a squid? How many national animal preserves do you have in your country? o Are there any animal preserves around here? How many pets have you had? How many pets have you raised and what are they? How many zoos have you been to? How much does it cost to keep your pet? If you could be an animal, what would you (choose to) be? Why?
If you don't keep pets, please explain why? Is is right to keep animals in a zoo? Is it harmful for a dog to travel in cabin on a airline under the seat where your carry-on bags go? Pets are considered to be a burden to most of the city dwellers. To what extent do you agree? Some people think that people shouldn't wear animal furs. Do you agree? Why or why not? Think of some people you know. Which animals do they resemble? What animal do you think is the funniest? What animal do you think is the strangest-looking? What animal do you think makes the best pet? Why? What animal would you like to be? (Which animal....?) What animals are symbols of your country? What animals are you afraid of? (...scared of?) What animals do you think are cute? o What animal do you think is the cutest? What animals do you think are scary? What animals do you think are ugly? What animals do you think is the most dangerous? What are some popular pets? What are the most popular pets in your country? What are the pros and cons of keeping a pet? o (Why are there so many people who are willing to sacrifice their time and money to raise a pet?) What can children learn by having a pet? What are some things a child can learn by having a pet?
What do you think of animals being raised in captivity? What is one of your favorite animals? o Why do you like it? o Do you have one for a pet? What is the difference between a pet and a wild animal? What is the largest animal you have ever seen? What is the most unusual pet you have ever seen? What is your favorite animal? What is your favorite animal? o Why is it your favorite animal? o Would you like keep it as your pet, why or why not? What joy does your pet bring you? o Are you the one who takes care of it every day? o How do you take care of it? If you don't take care of it, who does? What kind of animal would you like to be? What kind of dog do you have? What kind of master would you like to have if you were a pet? What kind of meats have you eaten? What kind of pet would you like to have in the future? What particular animals have become famous in your country for some special skill or accomplishment? What wild animals can you see around here? When was the last time you went to a zoo? Where is the nearest zoo to your house? o How often do you visit that zoo? o When was the last time you went there? o How much does it cost to get in? Why do people have pets? / Why do people keep pets? Why do some people not like pets? Would you recommend that others keep pets similar to yours? What is a safari? o Would you go on a safari? Have you ever hurt an animal? o Was it intentional or unintentional? Do you know of any websites for people that want to keep animals as pets? o How about websites for people who are against animal rights?
Do you think keeping an animal as a pet is a violation of that animal's rights? http://iteslj.org/questions/
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 favourite painter? 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 pPicasso'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? 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? Graffitti 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? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Charity

Do you give money to registered charities? (e.g. Red Cross, World Wildlife Fund, Green Peace) o Can you name some other registered charities? Do you think having large charity organizations is a good idea? Why or why not? o What are some of the good points? o What are some of the bad points? Do you think that locally run charity organisations are more effective? Are there any Charities in (your town/city)? o How about in (your country)? o What are they? Do you give money to beggars or homeless people? Why or why not? o If you give money to beggars or homeless people, about how much do you give? How do you know if a beggar is a real beggar? Do you think beggars should work in gangs or on their own? Would you rather give money to beggars or buskers? (Buskers are people who entertain you on the street for money, e.g. musicians) Would you rather give money to beggars who have a disability, older beggars, beggars with babies or child beggars? Why? Do you think it's acceptable for children to work late at night selling flowers and singing? o Do you think these children need to be out doing this, or are they just earning extra money? o What do you think will happen to these children in the future? Do they have a future? Do you think there should be more help for beggars, homless and poor people in (your town/city)? How about in (your country)? Do you think (your town/city) should make a place for beggars and homeless people to go, like a homeless shelter? o Do you think it would reduce the amount of beggars and homeless people on the street? o Do you think it would encourage people to be lazy? o What are some reasons that these people would not want to use such a shelter? If (your town/city) was to have a homeless shelter, who should run this place? o Who should pay for this place? o Should anybody be allowed to go to this place? Do you think the government should give money to homeless people? o How about jobless people? o If you think the government should give money, about how much money do you think should be given?
Thanks to Kiri Wood who suggested this topic and contributed the first 18 questions in January 2003. Copyright (C) 2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Christmas

Did it snow last year at Christmas? Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child? Did you enjoy last Christmas? Do people behave differently during Christmas? o Do they try to be better?
Do you donate something (money, clothes...) to charities? Do you give something to homeless people? Do you attend any special religious ceremonies during the Christmas season? Do you celebrate Chrismas in your country? Do you celebrate Christmas in a special way? Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional way? o Do you have a traditional Christmas? Do you decorate the outside of your house for Christmas? Do you eat a turkey dinner for your Christmas dinner? Do you enjoy Christmas time? Do you enjoy singing Christmas songs? Do you exchange presents with your friends at school? Do you go to church on Christmas day? Do you hang up a stocking? Do you have a Christmas party at school? Do you have a Christmas Tree? o If so, how do you decorate it? o When do you put it up? o When do you take it down? o Is it real or artificial? Do you have a part-time job during Christmas vacation? Do you have any plans to go to a Christmas party? Do you know why Christmas is celebrated around the world? Do you remember when you found out that Santa Claus wasn't real/ or when your children found out? What was your/their reaction like? Do you see your relatives at Christmas time? Do you think Christmas is depressing? (There is a high suicide rate at this time of year.) Do you think we will have a white Christmas this year? Do you usually put up Christmas decorations in your house? (Do you usually decorate your home?) o How about at your school of the place where you work?< your decorate you do> o Does you school have a Christmas play? o Does your family have any special Christmas traditions? o Does your town get decorated at Christmas? What kind of decorations? o Have you already finished your Christmas shopping? o Have you ever celebrated Christmas in a foreign country? o Have you ever made your own Christmas cards? If so, how did you make them? o How do you usually spend New Year's Eve? How about New Year's Day? o How long do you keep your Christmas tree up after Christmas? o How long is your Christmas vacation? o How many Christmas cards did you receive last year? o How many Christmas cards do you send? o How many presents do you usually give? o If you are not a Christian, does the intense focus on Christmas in the U.S. make you feel bad in any way (e.g., ignored, dismissed, angry, etc.)? o If you could go anywhere during Christmas vacation, where would you go? o In how many languages did you write Christmas cards? o Is there a holiday similar to Christmas in your home country? o Is your Christmas tree a real tree or an artificial tree? o What are some popular foods for the Christmas season? o What are you going to buy your boyfriend/girlfriend for their Christmas present? o What did you do last year on Christmas Day? o What do you eat on Chrismas Day? o What do you usually do for Christmas? o What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas? o What does your family eat for Christmas dinner? o What is Christmas like in your hometown? What is Christmas like in your country? o What is the best Christmas present you have ever gotten? o What is the most expensive Christmas present you plan to buy? o What is the typical menu for a Christmas meal in your family? (... in your country?)
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What is the weather like in your country around Christmas time? What is your attitude toward the commercialization of the Christmas season? Is Christmas becoming too commercialized? What is your favourite Christmas carol? What is your favourite Christmas song? Are there any special songs in your country that you don't hear here? What kind of intersting things do you do for Christmas in your home country? What kind of presents do you expect to get this Christmas? What time do you wake up on Christmas day? What time does your family open the presents? What traditions do you have during the Christmas season? What was the best present your received last Christmas? What will you buy your parents? What will you do on Christmas day? What will you eat on Christmass Day? What would you like to get for your Christmas present? What's your favorite Christmas song? When do you do your Christmas shopping? What kind of presents do you buy? Who do you buy them for? About how much do you spend per person? When do you give Christmas presents? (On what day? At what time?) When do you open Christmas presents? (On what day? At what time?) When do you put up a Christmas tree? If you don't put up a Christmas tree, do you put up other decorations? When does your family decorate the Christmas tree? Where are you going for Christmas vacation? Where do you think Santa Claus is from? Where will you go on Christmas Day? Who do you expect to receive presents from? Who is Santa Claus? Do you know the history of Santa Claus? At what age did you begin not believing in Santa Claus? Who was at your house last Christmas? Who will you give presents to this year? Who would you like to be with on Christmas? Will you go skiing during the Christmas vacation? Will you have a Christmas party at your home? Will you spend Christmas vacation with your family or your friends? Will you travel abroad during the Christmas vacation? Would you like to go skating during Christmas vacation? Trivia: In what 1942 movie was the song 'White Christmas" first sung? Do you ever think about the real meaning of Christmas? Do you go skiing at Christmas time? Whose birthday is celebrated on Christmas? Which comes first, Christmas or New Year's Day?
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End of the Year

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How was this year? Was this year better or worse than last year? How come? What was the happiest thing for you this year? What was the saddest thing for you this year? What was the toughest thing for you this year? What was the best movie for you this year? What was the best music for you this year? What was the best TV show for you this year? What was the best place you visited this year? What was the best food you had this year? What was the best restaurant you went to this year?
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What was the most useful thing you bought this year? What was the most expensive thing you bought this year? What was the best item of clothing you bought this year? What was the biggest waste of money this year? What was something you lost this year? Do you have any regrets about this year?
http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Clothes & Fashion

About how much money do you spend on clothes a year? Do you like shopping for new clothes? Do you often buy new clothes? Do you read fashion magazines? Do you sometimes wear a hat? Do you think it is important to wear fashionable clothes? o (Do you think it is imporatant to be in fashion?) Do you wear jewelry? o If so, what kind of jewelry do you wear? o How often do you wear jewelry? Do you wear the same color clothes now that you wore ten years ago? Do you wear the same size clothes this year as you wore last year? Do you think people feel different when they wear different clothes? Have you ever made your own clothes? o If so, what did you make? o Do you often make your own clothes? How many pairs of gloves do you have? What are some of the strangest fashions you have seen? What colors do you think look good on you? What colors do you think look good on your mother? What did you wear yesterday? What do you think of body piercing? o Do you have pierced ears? o Do you know anyone with a pierced nose? o Would you ever pierce your tongue? What do you think of people who dye their hair green? What do you think of women who wear high heel shoes? o Do you think high heel shoes are bad for a person's health? What fashions that you see today do you think will be out of fashion within two years? What is your shoe size? What kind of clothes are in fashion now? What kind of clothes do you usually wear? What's the most expensive piece of clothing you have ever bought? What's your favorite color for shoes? When was the last time you got dressed up? o Why? o How often do you get dressed up? o Do you like to get dressed up? Where are some good stores to buy clothes in this area? Where do you usually buy clothes? Would you like to be a fashion model?
Questions on Styles, Clothing and Fashion-based Stereotypes o What would you think of a women who cut off all her hair and went around bald as a fashion statement? o What do you think of a man who is bald for fashion's sake? o What do you think of women who wear short mini-skirts? o What do you think of people who always and only wear black? o What do you think of people with tattoos? Do you have a tattoo? Do you know someone with a tattoo? o What do you think of people with body piercings? Do you have pierced ears? Would you pierce other parts of your body? o What would you think of a high school student who always wore very conservative clothes? o What type of clothing do you wear when you are angry and you want to express yourself? o What colors do you choose to wear when you are happy? o Would you dress the same as you do in your country if you went to America for a visit? o Do you dress the same when you are depressed as you do when you are very happy? In what ways do you dress differently? o If you went out with a group of high school friends, would you dress differently then if you went out with your grandmother and her friends? o In what ways does your Grandmother dress differently then you? o When you get old do you think you will dress like your grandmother or grandfather? o Would you ever wear dreadlocks? What do you think of the people who wear them? o Have you ever worn your hair braided in small braids. Did anyone look at you differently because of it? o Would you ever wear contacts to change your eye color? o What is the difference in the people who choose to wear contacts and the people who choose to were glasses? o What do you think about women who don't wear earings? o What do you think about men who wear earings? What do you think of women who do? o Is it possible for women to wear too much make-up? When is a person wearing to much make-up? What do you think of men who wear make-up? o Is it possible to be beautiful without wearing any make-up, earings or other accessories? o Do fashionable clothes really change the way a person looks? o What differences have you noticed in the fashions here and in your country? o What do you think about secondhand clothes? Why do you think people buy secondhand clothes? Have you ever been to a store that sells secondhand clothes? Have you ever bought secondhand clothers? Would you buy secondhand clothes? o What would you think if the mother of the groom wore black at a wedding? What would you think if a bride wore red? Should a bride's dress be long or do you think it could be the length of a regular skirt?
Many of these questions come from textbooks Copyright (C) 1982-2000 by Charles Kelly & Lawrence Kelly (Used by Permission) Copyright (C) 1995-2003 by The Internet TESL Journal http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Colors

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Note that "colors" is also correctly spelled "colours."
What's your favorite color? o Has your favorite color changed as you've grown older? Do you have a color that you hate? o If so, what is it? o Why do you hate it? Do you think colors affect your mood? o How does red make you feel?
How does green make you feel? How does blue make you feel? How does purple make you feel? How does black make you feel? How does white make you feel? How does yellow make you feel? How does brown make you feel? How does grey make you feel? What do you think of orange? Do you think different cultures have different meanings for colors? o What do the different colors mean in your culture? Do you associate any colors with specific items, numbers, or letters not usually associated with color? Can you think of different idioms or expressions involving color? o What's a "black and white" matter. o What does it mean to "see red"? o What does it mean to "feel blue"? o What does it mean to "be yellow"? o What's a "black tie affair"? o What does it mean to be "blacklisted"? o What does it mean to be "the black sheep in the family"? How many colors are in the rainbow? Whay are they? What colors are on your national flag? What's the best color for a car? o What's the best color for a house? o What do you think is the best color for lens in sunglasses? What's the color for passion? o What's the color for hatred? o What's the color for happiness? o What's the color for sadness? o What's the color for anger? o What's the color for death? o What's the color for jealousy? o What's the color for cowardice? What color is money in your country? Do you know anyone who is color blind? o What colors do most color blind people not see? Do you think animals can see color? Do you dream in color? How would you compare the feeling you get watching a movie in black and white to watching it in color? What color clothes do you like to wear? o What colors do you think look good on you? o What color shoes do you like to wear? What do you think is the strangest color for a car? o How about a house? o How about clothing? o How about hair color? Do you know anyone who has dyed their hair a strange color? (... an unnatural hair color such as blue or multiple shades?) Have you ever seen a pet dog or cat with dyed fur? Do you think different colors have different meanings? If so, what do different colors mean? Do the colour blind dream in colour? o Do you think people who are color blind can dream in color? What color ink do you like using the most? o What is the meaning of writing with black ink? o What is the meaning of writing with green ink? o What is the meaning of writing with red ink? o What is the meaning of writing with blue ink? What color of paper you like most if you want to write a letter to your friends or loved ones? What is the color of the bedspread on your bed? What color toothbrush do you have? o Does everyone in your family use a different color toothbrush? What color towels do you use? What color are the curtains in your bedroom?
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Thanks to Rhett Merz who suggested this topic and contributed the first 38 questions in December 2002. Copyright (C) 2002-2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Comic Books

Do you like comics? o Do you like American comic books? o Do you like comics from other countries? o Do you like fantasy comics? o Do you like funny comics? o Do you like realistic comics? o What do you like about comics? o What comics do you like? o What comics do you love? o What comics do you hate? Do you play any video games based on comic books? Have you read any anime? o Have you read any Japanese manga? Have you read any comics in English? How are comics different from one country to another? o How are comic books different in this country from those in your country? How have comics changed over time? How many comics do you read a week? o How much time do you spend reading comics? How often do you read comics? o How often do you read comics in English? Should comics have a rating system like the movies (G, PG, R)? What comics have you read in English? What can you learn from comics? What is more important to you, the story or the pictures? What is the best comic book you've ever read? What type of comic appeals to girls? o What types appeal to boys? o What types appeal to adults? What was the last comic book you read? Can you remember the first comic book you read? Where do you usually read comic books? Who do you think reads comic books? Do you think boys read more comic books than girls? o Why do you think more ___ (boys) read comics than ___ (girls)? Do you think people in this country read more comic books than in your country? Who has better comics DC or Marvel? (Or ask about two other comic book publishers.) Why are comics so popular? Why do people like to read comics? Why do you think Hollywood makes so many movies from comic books? Why don't more people read comic books? Are comic books better than (regular) books? At what age is a person too old to read comics? Do violent comics make people think more about violence? Cost o About how much do you spend on comics in a month? o How much do you spend on comic books? o How much should a comic book cost? o Is collecting comics a good investment? Who is the worst comic book character? When you read comics, who is more interesting the hero or the villain? Who is your favourite villain?
Who would your arch enemy be? Superheroes o Who would win a fight Batman or Superman? o Which superhero is most like you? o What qualities do you need to be a superhero? o Who is the the most popular superhero in your country? o What superhero should have a movie made about him/her? o Who is the most popular comic book hero in your country? o What real life person could be a superhero? o If you could make your own superhero what would his or her name be? What would his superpower be? o Do we need more superheroes? If you could have one superpower what would it be? What is the best superpower to have? What are some complaints that some parents have about comic books?
Thanks to Jim Papple who suggested this topic and contributed the first 54 questions in August 2002. Copyright (C) 2002 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Computers

Are you computer literate? Are you connected to the Internet? o Do you access the Internet with your computer? o Can you access the Internet from your home? o What is your favorite "news" site? o What Internet sites do you visit regularly? Can your mother and father use a computer? Do you have a computer? o Do you have a computer at work and at home? o Do you have a laptop or a desktop computer? Do you have both? o Do you use your computer when you do homework for school? o Have you ever studied English using your computer? o How many times have you upgraded your computer? o How powerful is your computer? o What company made your computer? o What kind of comptuer do you have? o What size is your computer screen? What do you think is the best size to have? o Where do you use your computer? o Where in your room is your computer? o Why did you buy your computer? Do you have a digital camera? o Do you send photos by e-mail? o What kind of pictures do you take with your digital camera? Do you have a scanner? o What kind of scanner do you have? Do you have a web page? o What's the URL? o When did you start it? o How much time did it take to make? o How much time do you spend keeping it updated? Do you know any computer programming languages? o How many computer programming languages do you know? o Which languages do you know? o Which language do you use the most often? Do you read computer magazines? o Which computer magazines do you read?
Do you use a computer? o Are you good at using a computer? o Are you still using your first computer? o Did you learn to use a computer in high school? o Do you know how to type well? o How often do you use a computer? o What are some of your favorite computer games? o What do you use a computer for? o What operating system do you use? o What software do you use the most often? o When did you first start using a computer? o Who taught you to use a computer? Do you use chatrooms? If so, what chatrooms do you use and who do you talk to? Do you use e-mail? o Do you use e-mail every day? o Do you write e-mail in English? o Have you ever sent an e-mail to your teacher? o How many e-mails do you get a day? o How many e-mails do you send a day? o How many times a day do you access your e-mail? o What's your e-mail address? o How many e-mail addresses do you have? Do you want a more powerful computer? If so, what computer do you want? Does your family have a computer? Have you ever taken a course at school where you used a computer? Have you tried MacOS, Windows and Linux? How do you study English with your computer? How does e-mail work? How many people in your family can use a computer? How much did your first computer cost? How much did you last computer cost? How much does it cost by buy a computer? o What's the least expensive? o What's the most expensive? How much does your Internet service provider cost? o Which ISP do you use? If you could buy a new computer, what would you like to buy? If you had lots of money, what kind of computer system would you like to buy? What is the difference between software and hardware? Which do you like better, a laptop computer or a desktop computer? What is your favourite website? Do you ever visit English websites while websurfing? What is multimedia? o What are the components and the element of multimedia? When did you first get a computer? o What kind of computer was it? o About how much did it cost? o Do you still have it? o Do you still use it? Do you remember the first time you used a computer or the Internet? o What did you think about it? How long have there been personal computers in your country? o When did the average person start using a computer? Can your parents operate a computer? / Can you children use a computer? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Thanks to Nancy Noble who suggested this topic and submitted the first 7 questions. Copyright (C) 1997-2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Crime
Are some parts of this city considered more dangerous than others? Which parts? Are there any places you are afraid to visit because of the high crime rate? If so, where? Are there problems with drugs where you live? Are you apprehensive about walking outside after dark? Do you always lock your house? How about your car? Do you believe that public executions would deter crime? If so, how? Do you drink and drive? Do you know anyone who has been mugged? Do you know someone who has been a victim of a violent crime? Do you think abortion is a crime? Do you think gun control is a good idea? Explain. Do you think people who use illegal drugs should be put in jail? Do you think police TV dramas are realistic? Do you think policeman should be allowed to carry guns? Do you think that capital punishment is a good idea? Why or why not? Do you think that punishment for violent crimes should be the same for juveniles and adults? Why/why not? Do you think that the death penalty would prevent crime in your country? Why (not)? Do you think that the legalization of narcotics would decrease the crime rate? Do you think there are any legal drugs that should be illegal? Do you think there is a link between drugs and crime? Do you think there will be more or less crime in the future? Do you think your country is a safe place to live? Why or why not? Does prison help rehabilitate criminals? (Should it?) Have you ever been the victim of a crime? How about others in your family? Have you ever done anything illegal? If so, what did you do? Have you ever had anything stolen? Have you ever had something stolen from you? Have you ever seen a crime? o Have you ever witnessed a crime? Have you ever stolen anything? How can you prevent things from being stolen? o How can you avoid having things stolen from you? If a person steals a loaf of bread because he needs to feed his starving family, should he be punished? Is child abuse a problem in your country? Is drunk driving a crime where you live? If so, what is the punishment? Is it ever O.K. to break the law? If so, when? Is prison an effective puishment? (Why? or Why not?) Is there a problem with organized crime and/or gangs where you live? Is your hometown considered safe? Under what situations would you think of committing a crime? What are some things people can do to protect themselves from crime? What are some things that are legal that you personally think should be illegal? What crimes do you think will decrease in the future? What crimes do you think will increase in the future? What crimes have you heard about recently in the news? What do you think is the worst cime a person could commit? Why? What do you think of the death penalty? What is a gang? o What gangs exist in this country and in your home country? o What are the characteristics of these gangs? What is the punishment for murder in your country? What is the punishment for stealing in your country? What kinds of crime are most common in your country? What are the penalties for these crimes? What kinds of crimes are increasing? What kinds of crimes do you think can be prevented? How? What makes some people become criminals? Is it poverty, upbringing, lack of education, unemployment or something else?
What weapons do police carry in this country? How about your home country? What would you do if you heard a burglar in your house? What's your opinion about the death penalty? Why do you think crime is more prevalent in some societies than in others? o (Why is there more crime in some countries?) Why do you think people steal things? Do you think corporal punishment is necessary? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Culture

What are some things that define a culture? For example, music, language, ... What do you think is interesting about your culture? Do you know much about your own culture? When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually think of? In your culture is it polite to be straigthforward and direct when you talk to someone? o To whom is it OK and to whom is it not OK? What has surprised you when you've met people from other countries? Have you looked at Internet pages from a different culture? If so, how were they different from those of your own culture? What do you like about your culture? What don't you like about your culture? How do young people in your culture behave differently from older people? How do young people in your culture behave differently from people in this culture? Are there many people of different cultures in your country? Are you friends with any? Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture? o If so, tell me about it. How are your language teachers who are not from your country different from your other teachers? o How are they the same? Who in your culture do you admire most? What your culture are you most proud about? If you could change one thing about your culture, what would it be? Would you ever consider marrying or dating someone from another culture? Would you ever consider living permanently in a country other than your home country? Why or why not? What does it mean to be polite in your culture? What is considered rude in your culture? o Is there anything in this culture that is considered rude that may not be considered rude in your culture? If a group of people just came to your country from overseas, what advice would you give them? What other cultures have you met people from? What do you think is important when visiting another culture? Do you think "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is always good advice? Why or why not? What culture besides your own do you admire and why? If aliens visited your country, what might surprise them? Do you pray before each meal? Custons o What customs do you practice? o What are your favorite customs? o What customs do you think should be revised? o What customs do you think should no longer be practice? o What customs (from elsewhere) do you think should be included in our culture?
Thanks to Scott Bronner who suggested this topic and contributed the first 25 questions in January 2003. Copyright (C) 2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Death & Dying

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Maybe too sensitive for some groups, but many are extremely interested in how differnt cultures deal with death.
Are "Living Wills" available where you live? Are there special rites or ceremonies performed when a person dies? Are you afraid of death? Do you believe in life after death? Do you often think of death? Do you think that there is anything worth dying for? Do you want to know the date of your death? Why or why not? How do you cope with the death of someone special? Is organ donation/transplants an option where you live? Is physician-assisted suicide an option in your country? Is the death of a loved one considered a joyful or a sorrowful occasion? Is there any person you would die for in order to save? Who is it? What are some ways which you can help a family which has just experienced the death of a family member. What are your beliefs pertaining to a person's soul once they have died? What do you think of suicide? What do you think would happen if there were no death for human beings? o What do you think would happen if people never died? What happens to a person's remains after death? (cremation, burial, etc.) What is the mourning process? Where do we go when we die? Would you consider physician-assisted suicide if you were suffering a painful dying experience? Would you want your cremated remains to be part of a fireworks show? It's possible - a San Francisco area company will do it for you. Who do you think would mourn for you after your death? If you were on death row, what would you request for your last meal? If you could choose how you were going to die, what would you choose your death to be? What do you think of cryogenics? o Would you like to have your body frozen, so that you could be thawed out and brought back to life sometime in the future? o Do you think it will ever be possible? On account of your beliefs or some other reason, do you look forward to dying?
Perhaps not a useful question, but it was submitted.
Would you like to die? http://iteslj.org/questions/

Conversation Questions Drugs

Do you think alcohol is a drug? What is alcoholism? Do you know of any alcoholics? How do you stop being an alcoholic? Do you know how much alcohol is in beer? Do you know how much alcohol is in whiskey? What are some of the characteristics of drunk people?
Is alcohol addictive? What about tea, coffee, chocolate and paracetamol? Should marijuana be illegal? Do you think marijuana should be legal or illegal? Support your opinion with facts. Why do you think marijuana is illegal? Is marijuana grown in your country? What are some ways drug users use marijuana? Do you think tobacco companies would like to sell marijuana? Why do you think that tobacco is a legal drug? Are any of your friends addicted to tobacco? What are the different ways to use tobacco? Do you know anyone who smokes a pipe? What is the difference between pipe tobacco and cigarette tobacco? What do you think about chewing tobacco? Is there any difference between "soft" drugs such as marijuana and "hard" drugs like crack, heroin, cocaine etc? Is ecstasy a soft or a hard drug? Should there be punishments for dealing drugs? Should there be punishments for using drugs? Should drug dealers get the death penalty? If heroin were legal, would there be less crime? For example, burglary and robbery. Are some people more easily addicted to drugs than others? Do some people have addictive personalities? If you are addicted to drugs, what should you do? What else can people become addicted to? Do you know how much illegal drugs cost? Do you think it is easy to buy illegal drugs where you live? Which is worse, a peaceful drug addict or a violent non-addict? Should pregnant women be arrested for child abuse if they use drugs when they are pregnant which may affect the baby? Should women be prevented legally from drinking any alcohol or smoking when pregnant? Do you think it is a good idea to have safe, legal injecting rooms for intravenous drug users, where they can use clean equipment and sterile water? Cancer patients find that marijuana stops their pain. Should it be legal for them? Do you think experimenting with alcohol and cigarettes leads to experimenting with harder drugs? Do you think ecstasy is dangerous? At what age should it be legal to drink and smoke? Do we use too many prescription drugs? What are natural remedies? Are natural remedies like homeopathy and herbal medicine drugs too? Do we give too many prescribed drugs to children? Why is the cost of prescription drugs so high? Have you ever used a prescription drugn without a prescription? What do you think society ought to do about people who spend most of their time and money getting high on illegal drugs? Why? Should employers be allowed to "drug test" their employees? Why do you think people start using drugs? What should happen to babies who are born addicted to drugs? What would you do if someone in your family were addicted to drugs? What do you know about drugs? o What are some dangerous drugs? o What drugs do you think are useful? o What drugs are addicting? Do you think that marijuana should be legal for medical uses with a prescription from a doctor? What does crack cocanie do to your body? o What does it do to your mind? o What will happen if you keep on using? o How do you stop yourself from using it? / How does an addict quit using it? What kind of drugs are the most popular in your country? o What kind of "legal" drugs are the most popular? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Thanks to Caroline Deane-Caleffi who suggested this topic and contributed the first 25 questions in August 2001. Copyright (C) 2001-2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Education

Are college tuitions reasonable? Are foreign languages part of the curriculum? If so, which languages? Are most schools coeducational in your country? Are there any subjects/classes you wanted to study but they weren't available at your school/college? Are there good colleges in your country? Are women encouraged to pursue education? Do you have difficulty with school work? Do you know anyone who does not know how to read or write? Do you think teachers are paid enough? Do you think your school is a good one? Why/why not? Do you think your teachers give too much homework? How can we improve our classroom? How do you travel to school? How long must you go to college to get a degree? How much is too much homework? How should the homework load be managed? If you have not attended college, do you plan on doing so? Is it difficult for people without a college education to get good jobs where you live? What are some good ways to learn English? What are some important factors in determining which college to attend? What are the qualities of a good student? What are the qualities of a good teacher? What classes would you take? What do you study? What's your major? What is the average age of a high school graduate? What is your favorite class? What was (or is) your favorite subject? Why do you like it? Who selects the college you will attend -- you or your parents? Why are you studying a foreign language? Why do you think people become teachers? Why is it helpful to learn a Second language ? Why is it sometimes very difficult to speak another language? Would you consider studying abroad? How much free time does a high school student in your country have? Do parents home-school their children in your country? o What do you think of home-schooling? o Do you know anyone who was home-schooled? Do you think that most parents influence what university their child will attend? Once you graduate from a university should you stop learning? o What are some ways a person can continue to learn? Does education guarantee a good job? Which is more important,the essential skills in life you've learned to develop on your own or the artificial structure in college about the "real" life? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions English Literature

How many English authors can you name? How many of Shakespeare's plays can you name? Have you read a translation of any English books in your language? Have you ever read an English translation of a book originally written in your language? What sort of books do you enjoy reading? Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction? What is your favourite book? Who is your favourite writer? Have you ever read a book and then seen a film of that book? Did you read books when you were a child? Do you like science-fiction books? Do you like love stories? Do you like historical stories? Has seeing a film ever made you read the book it was based on? Do you know any American writers? How many books by Charles Dickens can you name? Who are the most famous writers in your country? How many books do you read per year? What makes a 'classic' book? How do you believe literture can help you to get familiar with a culture? Do you think that books are a thing of the past? What are some of the main differences between a novel and a short story? How many books do you read per week? About how many books do you have in your house? Do you have a library card? o Are you a member of any public library? Do you prefer reading books or short stories? Who is your favorite character from literature?
Thanks to Paul Harrison who suggested this topic and contributed the first 18 questions in August 2002. Copyright (C) 2002-2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Entertainment

Are there any kinds of movies you dislike? o If so, what kinds? o Why do you dislike them? Are you going to watch TV tonight? o If so, what will you watch? Do you like to gamble? Do you like to watch cartoons? Do you like to watch horror movies? Do you like ___? (Insert the name of a TV show.) Do you listen to classical music? Why or why not? Do you often go drinking? Where? Who with? How often? Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction books? How about movies? 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? LI>Do you think that there is too much violence on TV? Do you think that TV is a good thing? Do you usually watch movies at home or at a movie theater? Have you ever been to a play? If so, when was the last time? Have you ever been to Disneyland? Have you ever been to the theater? Have you ever hosted a party? Have you ever seen the same movie more than once?
o If yes, name it (or them). Have you ever seen ___? (Insert the name of a movie.) Have you ever tried water skiing? Have you ever used a slot machine? How far in advance do you begin planning a vacation? How often do you go to movies? How often do you go to parties? How often do you read comic books? How often do you rent videos? How often do you visit museums? When was the last time? How often do you watch TV? If a book has been made into a movie, which do you prefer to do first, see the movie or read the book? Why? Is gambling legal where you live? Should books be censored? Should movies be rated? Explain. What are some forms of gambling people do in your country? What are some games that you don't like to play? Why? What are some good books that you have read? o What is the best book you have ever read? What are some of the good movies you have seen? What are some of the most popular amusement parks in your country? What are some things you can do without spending a cent? What are the advantages of watching TV? What are the disadvantages of watching TV? What computer games have you played?
Which are your favorites?
o Which do you think are not so interesting? What did you watch on TV yesterday? What do you do in your spare time? What do you like to do on a night out? What do you think of soccer? (baseball, hang gliding, ...) What do you think of people who talk during movies at a movie theater? What do you usually watch on TV? What games are popular in your country? Why are they popular? 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? What is the best movie you have ever seen? o Who was in it? o Why did you like it? o Who was the director? What is the most popular drama/comedy/game show in your country, and what is the storyline (drama) or format (game show)? What is the scariest movies you have ever seen? o What's the funniest? o What's the most romantic? What is the worst movie you've ever seen? What is your all-time favorite movie? What is your favorite game? Why? What is your favorite holiday? Why? What is your favorite movie? What kind of movies do you dislike? Why? What kind of movies do you like? What kind of music do you like? What kind of things do you like to read? What kind of TV programs do you usually watch? What kind of TV shows do you not like? Why?
What movie star would you most like to meet? What singer would you most like to meet? What TV commercials do you like? Which ones do you hate? What TV commercials do you like? Why? o What's your favorite commercial? o What is the purpose of advertising a product? o Do you think there are subliminal messages? o When you drive or walk, do you get distracted by advertisements on buses or billboards? o When you go food shopping, do you buy foods you've seen in TV commercials? o Do you like the Bennetton's advertisements? If not, why? (You can substitute any company's name.) o 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? What was the last book you read? What was the last movie you saw? o Was it good? o Who did you see it with? What's the best movie you've ever seen? What's the most popular holiday in your country? o When is it? o How is it celebrated? What's your favorite magazine? (What are some of your favorite magazines?) When do you usually listen to the radio? When do you usually watch TV? Where do you usually read? Which do you like better, action movies or comedy movies? Who are some of the famous actors and musicians in your country? Who are some of your favorite actors and actresses? Who do you think is the funniest comedian? Who is the most popular entertainer in your country? Who is your favorite actor or actress? Who is your favorite author? Who is your favorite comedian? Who is your favorite musician? o Who is your favorite female singer? o Who is your favorite male singer? o Who is your favorite guitarist? Who is your favorite writer? (author) Why do some people gamble? Would you rather go to a bar or a nightclub? Do you think that films can be educational? 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? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Environment & Pollution

Are there litter laws where you live? If so, what is the penalty for littering? Do you think cars should be banned from city centers? Do you think people should recycle newspapers? Why or why not? Do you think there are lessons to learn from nature? How has the world changed since you were a child? (technology, values, environment, health)
How often is garbage collected in your neighborhood? If humans are really intelligent and not simply manipulated by their genes like any other animal, why can't they do anything about overpopulation? What are some things that can be recycled? What are some things that your community is doing to help the envirnoment? What are some things which you recycle? What are some types of pollution? What are some ways that you can reduce pollution in this country? What can you do to help prevent pollution? What can you do to make this world a better place? What do you think of people who smoke cigarettes indoors? Which is more important, increasing people's standard of living, or protecting the environment? o Think of a situation in your area involving this issue. o Which side would you choose? Who do you think is more responsible for pollution, individual people or the government? Explain. What is the most important issue facing the environment today? Do you know about any anti-pollution programs in your community? o What about programs in your native country? Do you usually drink bottled water? Why or Why not? If you could choose one alternative energy source to develop which one would you choose? Why? Are companies more or less environmentally responsible now than they were in the past? Why do you think that is? Do you think recycling is an important community service? o Do you recycle? Who should pay for the costs associated with renewable energy? Should we make the development of renewable energy sources an economic priority? What are some ways energy is wasted? What types of energy are popular in your native country? What is the main problem with renewable energy sources? What can large cities do to improve their air quality? How can we protect the environment and at the same time improve people's standard of living? Do you think overpopulation is an important environmental issue? Why or why not? Should an environmental levy be imposed on SUVs not used in the farming community? o How would this help the environment? Should gas for motorists be more expensive? o What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this? What's happening to forests in the world? What happens when we remove forests? What can we do to protect forests? How is pollution effecting the environment of the United States today? o How about your own country? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Family

Are friends more important than family? What do you think? Are chores assigned to children in your family? Are you married? Are you pressured by your family to act in a certain way? Are you the oldest among your brothers and sisters? Are your parents strict? Did you ever meet any of your great grandparents? Do you get along well with your family? o Do you get along well with your brothers and sisters? o Do you get along well with your in-laws?
Do you have any brothers or sisters? If so, how old are they? Do you have any children? If yes, what are their names and ages? Do you have to clean your own room? o Does your mother make you clean your room? Do you like your family? Why or why not? Do you live with any of your grandparents? Do you live with your parents? Do you look more like your mother or your father? Do you often argue with your mother or father? What about? Do you often visit your grandparents? Do you think people should adopt children from other countries? Do you usually have any influence on family matters? Do your parents let you stay out late? o What time do you have to be home? o Do you have a curfew? How did you get your name? o For whom are you named? o Who are you named after? How many (first) cousins do you have? How many aunts and uncles do you have? How many brothers and sisters do you have? How many children do you have? How many members do you have in your family altogher? How many people are in your (immediate) family? How many people are in your family? How often do you see your cousins? How often do you see your grandparents? How often is your entire family together? How old are your brothers and sisters? How old are your children? How old are your grandparents? How old are your parents? Is spanking a good way to discipline children? Should people follow the religion of their parents, or should they have the liberty to choose another? What are some of your fondest memories of childhood? What are your parents like? What do you and your family like to do together? What do your mother and father look like? How about your grandparents? What do your parents do in their free time? What does your father do? What's his job? What does your mother do? What is the best memory you have of your family doing something together? What kind of things do you do with your family? What would you change about your childhood? Where do your grandparents live? Where does your father's father live? Where does your mother's mother live? Who do you get along better with, your mother or your father? Who is the black sheep (odd ball) in your family? Would you get involved in your in-laws' family problems? Would you live with your parents after you get married? Should children help with the housework? o How much or how often should they help? o What kinds of housework is not appropriate for children to do? Do you live in a nuclear family or an extended family? o What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of family? What impact has divorce and/or modern day living had on the family? Is the nanny and/or the day-care centre the third parent? Where is the best place to raise a family?
Where do you think the best place to raise a family is? Why? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Favorites

What is your favorite animal? What is your favorite color? What is your favorite country? And why? What is your favorite day of the week? Why? What is your favorite drink in the summer? What is your favorite food? o What is your favorite kind of food? What is your favorite holiday? Why? What is your favorite kind of book? What is your favorite kind of ethnic food? What is your favorite kind of movie? What is your favorite kind of music? What is your favorite magazine? What is your favorite memory of childhood? What is your favorite movie? What is your favorite radio station? What is your favorite season? Why? What is your favorite sport? What is your favorite time of day? What is your favorite TV program? What is your favorite Web site? What is your favourite vegetable? What's your favorite smell? What's your favorite word in English? Why do you like it? Who is your favorite actor? Who is your favorite actress? Who is your favorite athlete? o Who is your favorite baseball player? o Who is your favorite soccer player? Who is your favorite character from literature? Who is your favorite musician? Who is your favorite singer? Who is your favorite superhero? Explain why. Who was your favorite teacher? Why? o ....in high school? o ...in junior high school? o ...in elementary school? Whaat was your favorite subject in school? o ....in high school? o ...in junior high school? o ...in elementary school? Who was your favorite singer when you were younger? How about now? o In place of singer: actor, actress, baseball player, athlete, ... Note: Many of the above questions can be changed from "What is" to "What was." http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Fears

Are there any parts of the city where you live which you are afraid to visit after dark? Where? Why? Are there certain weather conditions that scare people? What are they? Why do people become scared? Are you afraid of flying? o (Are you afraid to fly in an airplane?) Are you afraid of ghosts? Are you afraid of giving a speech in public? o (Does it scare you to speak in public?) Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Are you afraid of heights? Are you afraid of scary movies? Are you afraid to die? Why? Do you fear certain insects/animals? Why? Do you know anyone with a phobia? Do you like horror movies? Do you think young children should be allowed to watch horror movies? How do you react when you see something frightening? Is there any person you are afraid of? Were you afraid of the dark as a child? Were you afraid on your first day of school here in the United States? How do you feel now? What animal do you think is the most scary? o (What animal scares you the most?) What are some things which many people are afraid of? Why are they afraid of them? What is the scariest movie you have ever seen? What is your biggest fear in life? Are you afraid that it might come true? What kinds of things make you nervous? What was the most frightening experience you've had? When you were a child, what things were you afraid of? Do you ever have nightmares (bad dreams)? o What are they about? o How often do you have nightmares? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Food & Eating

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. There is a related set of questions at http://iteslj.org/questions/restaurants.html
About how many different color foods did you eat for dinner last night? o Do you think about color when you are preparing a meal? Are there any foods that you wouldn't eat as a child that you eat now? Are you a good cook? Are you a vegetarian? Are you concerned about your daily calorie intake when choosing something to eat? At what times do you usually eat your meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)? Can you cook well? Did you drink coffee this morning? Did you eat lunch today? Do you always eat dinner with your family? Do you always eat vegetables?
Do you cook? If yes, what food do you cook the most often? Do you drink milk every day? Do you drink tea every day? Do you eat beef? Do you eat bread every day? Do you eat breakfast every day? Do you eat fruit every day? Do you eat lunch at school every day? o How much does lunch usually cost at school? Do you eat rice every day? Do you ever skip breakfast? If so, how often and why? Do you have a favorite bar or cafe? If so, where is it? Why do you like it? Do you have coffee for breakfast? Do you know someone who struggles with an eating disorder? Do you like British food? Do you like Chinese food? Why or why not? Do you like deep-fried food? Do you like food from other countries? If yes, which do you like the most? Do you like Japanese food? o What kind of Japanese food do you like? Do you like peas and carrots? How about spinach? Do you like to cook? Why or why not? Do you like to eat a lot of food every day? Do you like to eat American foods? Do you like to eat at fast food restaurants? Do you like to eat cakes? Do you like to eat junk food? Do you like to eat some desserts after dinner? Do you like to eat? Why or why not? Do you like to have breakfast each morning? Why or why not? Do you often eat out? Do you prefer fish or meat? Do you prefer to eat at a restaurant or at home? Do you prefer your own country's food or other kinds of food? Do you read the nutritional information on the foods you buy? Do you take vitamin pills? Do you think a vegetaian diet is better than a diet that includes meat? Do you usually want to eat dessert after dinner? Have you ever been a diet? If so, how long did you stayed on it? Have you ever eaten dog meat? Have you ever eaten Mozambican food? o ...French food? o ...Chinese food? o ...Italian food? How long do you take to eat lunch? How many calories do most people need every day? How many meals do you usually eat every day? How much do you eat when you are sad or happy? How much does it cost to eat dinner at a hotel in your country? How much rice do you eat? How often do you eat at a fast-food restaurant? How often do you eat bread? How often do you eat fresh fruit? How often do you eat in a restaurant? (How often do you eat out?) o Where do you usually go? o Who do you usually go with? o About how much do you spend? o Do you ever go to an Indian restaurant? How often do you eat steak?
How often do you go drinking? What's your favorite drink? How often do you go shopping for food? If you are living abroad, what is the food that you miss most from home? Is there any food that you really dislike to eat? What are some foods that are considered unhealthy? What are some foods that you know are healthy for your body? What country's food do you like? What did you eat for lunch yesterday? What did you eat the last time you ate at a restaurant? What did you have for breakfast this morning? What did you have for supper last night? What do you eat for breakfast every day? What do you eat when you feel sad? What do you like to drink? What do you like to eat for your dinner? What do you think of Thai food? Chinese food? English food? What do you usually eat for lunch? What do you usually like to drink when you go out? What food can you cook the best? What food do you hate? Why do you hate it? What foods do you hate? What foods do you love? What foods have you tasted which you will never forget for the rest of your life? What fruit do you eat the most often? What have you eaten so far today? What is a typical meal from your country? What is one of your favorite foods? What is the cheapest place to eat that you know? o About how much is a meal? o Where is it? o How often do you go there? What is the food you like about your country. What is the last meal you cooked for someone else? What is the most expensive meal you have ever eaten? What is the most expensive restaurant that you have ever been to? o What did you eat there? o When did you go? o Who did you go with? What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten. Did it taste good or bad? What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten? What is your favorite food? o Please describe your favorite food. What is your favorite Chinese food? o ... French food? o etc. What is your favorite dessert? What is your favorite fast food restaurant? What is your opinion of Chinese food? American food? British food? What kind of beverages do you usually drink? What kind of desserts do you like to eat? What kind of food do like to eat when you are angry? What kind of food do you eat between meals? What kind of food do you like the most? What kind of food do you like to eat? o What kind of food do you like? What kind of food does your mother make? What kind of food that you think is the least healthy? What kind of food that you think is the most healthy? What kind of food you usually eat?
What kind of fruit do you like the best? What kind of restaurants you like? What kind of vegetables do you like? What kinds of food do you usually eat for lunch? What restaurant in this city do you recommend? o Why is it a good place? o About how much does a meal cost? What special foods do you eat on holidays? (Christmas, New Year's Day, etc.) What time do you usually eat breakfast? How about lunch and supper? What vegetable do you like best? What's the best restaurant you've ever been to? What's the best restaurant you've ever been to? Why did you like it? What's the strangest food you've ever eaten? What's your favorite dessert? What's your favorite drink in the summer? What's your favorite fish? What's your favorite food? What's your favorite fruit? What's your favorite junk food? What's your favorite kind of ethnic food? What's your favorite kind of food? What's your favorite kind of meat? What's your favorite restaurant? Why do you like it? What's your favorite snack? When was the last time you ate at a restaurant? When was the last time you ate dinner with your mother? Where do you usually eat dinner? (...lunch, ...breakfast) Which country's food do you like the most? Which do you eat more often, rice or bread? Which fast food restaurants do like? Which fast food restaurants do you eat at the most often? Who do you usually eat dinner with? Why are diets usually short? Why can't people stop eating? Do you know the nutritional value of the things you eat every day? Do you believe that "we are what we eat?" How many meals a day do you think should be eaten? Do you usually eat at home oreat at a restaurant? If you were on death row, what would you request for your last meal? Do you pray before each meal? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Friends

Are there any famous stories of friendship in your culture? (Eg. David and Jonathon) Describe one of your closest friends. Do you have any childhood friendships that are still strong today? Tell us about them. Do you have any long distance friends? o How do you keep in touch with your long-distance friends? o How often do you see your long-distance friends? Do you think it is a good idea to borrow money from a friend? Why or why not? Do you make friends easily? Have you made any friends over the Internet?
How often do you write to them? Have you ever met them in person? How are your friendships different now than they were when you were a child? How do you maintain a good friendship? How do you make new friends? How many people do you consider your "best friends?" Is it common to have friendships across generations? o What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of friendships. o Do you have any friends from a different generation than you? There is a saying "To have a good friend, you need to be a good friend." o How can you be a good friend? What do you usually do with your friends? What factors may result in the breakdown of a good friendship? What is a best friend? What is the longest friendship that you have had? What makes friends different from family? What qualities do you think are important in a friend? o What is a friend? What things should friends never do? Why do you like your best friend? o What are some things you like about your best friend? Where is a good place to meet new friends? o Where is a good place to meet a new boyfriend/girlfriend? There is a proverb that says, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." Do you agree? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Thanks to Suzanne Rowe for suggesting this topic and submitting the intial set of questions. Copyright (C) 1997-2002 by The Internet TESL Journal
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Conversation Questions Getting to Know Each Other

Are you good at cooking/swimming/etc? Are you married or single? Do you have brothers and sisters? o Are they older or younger than you? Do you like baseball? Do you live alone? Do you live in a house or an apartment? Have you ever lived in another country? Have you ever met a famous person? How do you spend your free time? How long have you been studying English? How old are you? How tall are you? Tell me about a favorite event of your adulthood. Tell me about a favorite event of your childhood. What are your hobbies? What countries have you visited? What country are you from? What do you do on Sundays? What do you do? What's your job? What do you like to do in your free time? What hobbies do you have? What is the nearest bus stop or train station to your house?
What is your motto? What is your religion? (Perhaps not a good question in some situations.) What kind of food do you like? What kind of people do you like? What kind of people do you not like? What languages do you speak? What two things could you not do when you were a child, but you can do now? What's something you do well? What's your address? What's your father like? What's your mother like? What's your name? What's your phone number? What's your telephone number? When did you start to study English? Where are you from? Where do you live? Where do you live? How long have you lived there? Where were you born? Which sports do you like? Who do you live with? Who do you respect the most? Who has had the most influence in your life? Why did you decide to take this course? Why do you want to learn English? Would you like to be famous? What do you think you will be doing five years from now? o Where do you think you'll be living five years from now? Who is your next door neighbor in your home country? o What is he or she like? o Did you get along with each other? What is the best memory of our country that you will take back home with you? What is the worst memory of our country? How many times did you move as a child? Are you a task oriented person or a people oriented person? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Have You Ever ...

Have you ever appreciated a sunset? o Were you alone or with someone special? Have you ever been a guest at a surprise party? o Has anyone ever thrown a surprise party for you? Have you ever been in a fist fight? Have you ever been on TV? Have you ever been to a theatre? (Also spelling "theater.") Have you ever broken a bone? Have you ever called your boyfriend or girlfriend by the wrong name? Have you ever called your girlfriend/boyfriend "Honey?" Have you ever changed your appearance a lot in a short time? (For example, hair style, hair color or weight) Have you ever cheated on an exam? Have you ever cried in public and embarrased yourself? o Have you ever cried for no reason and felt good because of it?
Have you ever dated someone from another race, culture or religion? o Have you ever dated someone who didn't like you? Have you ever dated a relative by accident? Have you ever done something silly that you wish you had not done? Have you ever driven a sports car? o Have you ever driven a truck? Have you ever eaten in a restaurant and realized you have no money with you? Have you ever eatern frog legs? o Have you ever eaten horse meat? o Have you ever eaten French food? (Substitute other countries' food, too.) Have you ever eaten something that you thought you wouldn't like, but found out that you actually liked it? Have you ever fallen asleep and forgotten where you were? Have you ever fallen asleep while taking a bath? Have you ever fallen down the stairs? Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others. Have you ever forgotten your mother's birthday? o ... father's o ... girlfriend's o ... boyfriend's o ... husband's o ... wife's Have you ever given a false excuse to get out of something you didn't want to do? If so, tell us about it. Have you ever given a ring (or other jewelry) to your girlfriend/boyfriend? Have you ever gone skiing? Have you ever gone surfing? Have you ever gone mountain climbing? Have you ever gone to greet a friend or family member then noticed it was someone else? Have you ever gotten sunburnt at the tanning saloon and gone back the next day? Have you ever made cheesecake? o Have you ever made Chinese food? o Have you ever baked bread? Have you ever played a joke on one of your teachers? o How about one of your classmates? Have you ever raised your hand to answer a question, then forgot what you were going to say? Have you ever recieved a present that you really hated? o What was it? o Why did you hate it? o Who gave it to you? Have you ever regretted saying I love you? Have you ever ridden a horse? Have you ever ridden a motorcycle? Have you ever said yes when you meant no? If so, tell us about it.
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Have you ever slept in a cave? Have you ever slept in a tent? Have you ever talked to a famous person? o Who was the person? o How long did you talk? o What did you talk about? Have you ever thought of something funny and started laughing out loud in the presence of others? Have you ever told a big lie to someone you love? Have you ever tried in-line skating? Have you ever tried riding a skateboard? Have you ever written an article for a newspaper? o If so, when was it and what was the article about? Have you ever walked into a lampost?
Have you ever wondered why some people want to be alone but never seem to be lonely? Why do you think this is so? Have you ever tried to eat food without first spitting out your chewing gum? Have you ever saved a piece of chewed chewing gum and started chewing it again later? Have you ever called a 'he' she or a 'she' a 'he?' What was the response? Have you ever called a women sir or a Man "ma'am?" Have you ever asked a woman when she was "due" and she wasn't even pregnant?
Thanks to Erica Box who suggested this topic and contributed the first 17 questions in February 2002. Copyright (C) 2002-2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Health

Are you a member of a health spa/gym? Are you afraid of needles? Are you healthy? Are your parents healthy? Do think that you need to lose weight? Do you always eat healthy food? o (Is your diet healthy?) Do you bruise easily? Do you catch a cold more than once a year? Do you consider alcohol a drug? Do you drink a lot? Do you eat a lot of vegetables? Do you eat lots of fruit? Do you eat vegetables every day? Do you ever get headaches? Do you know anyone who suffers from migraine headaches? Do you ever read magazines or news articles about health? If yes, what subject(s) do you find the most interesting? Do you exercise? o What kind of exercise do you do? o How often do you exercise? Do you go for regular medical check-ups? Do you go to the dentist's twice a year? Do you have a lot of stress? Do you have any allergies? Do you have any scars? Do you know anyone who suffers from backaches? Do you know anyone with false teeth? Do you often eat fast food? Do you smoke? o If so, do you smoke more than two cigarettes a day? o Do you think smoking is not bad for your health? Do you take medicine when you are sick? Do you take vitamins or mineral supplements? Do you take vitamins? Do you think it is unhealthy to keep a cat in your home? Do you think nuclear power is safe? Do you think pets are good for a person's health Do you think that the tobacco companies should be held reasonably responsible for a person's addiction to nicotine? Do you think you are overweight? Do you think you will live until a ripe old age? Why or why not? Do you think you would be a good surgeon? Why or why not? Do you use an alarm clock to wake up?
Do you usually get enough sleep? Do you watch your weight? What foods do you think are healthy? Have you ever been hospitalized? o (Have you ever been in the hospital?) Have you ever been to an acupuncturist? What do you think of acupuncture? Have you ever broken a bone? Have you ever burned yourself with hot water? Have you ever donated blood? Have you ever gotten a black eye? Have you ever had braces on your teeth? Have you ever had stitches? Have you ever sprained your ankle? Have you ever taken a sleeping pill to get to sleep? How can you reduce stress in your life? How have you been feeling lately? How many hours of sleep do you get a night? How many hours of sleep do you usually get? How often do you eat junk food? o What kinds of junk food do you eat? How often do you exercise? How often do you get a cold? o (How often do you catch a cold?) How often do you get sick in one year? How often do you go to the doctor's? How often is garbage collected in your neighborhood? How would you recommend treating a cold? If a company sells the public a product they know to be harmful or addictive, should they be held responsible for the use of that product even if the government approves it? If you smoke, how old were you when you started smoking? If you were President of Korea, what would you do to improve Koreans' health? Should smoking in restaurants be banned? What are some things people can do to keep healthy? What are some things that cause stress? What are some ways to deal with stress? What are some ways you know that you can personally keep yourself healthy? What disease frightens you the most? Why? What do you do to stay healthy? o (What are some things you do to keep healthy?) What do you do, if you can't get to sleep? What do you think about abortion? Why do some people support it and others are against it? What do you think about getting old? What do you think is the most serious health problem in Korea? What do you think of cosmetic surgery? Do you know anyone who has had cosmetic surgery? Would you ever consider having cosmetic surgery? What drinks to you think are healthy? What drinks do you think are unhealthy? What foods to you think are healthy? What foods do you think are unhealthy? What is the best way to find a doctor, if you're new in the area? What is the best way to stop smoking? What is the most horrible accident you have ever had? What kind of pollution is the most risky? What time did you go to bed when you were a child? What's the best way to stop smoking? What's the highest temperature you've ever had? What's your blood type? When did you last take a bath? When was the last time you went to a dentist? When was the last time you went to a doctor? When was the last time you went to a hospital? When was the last time you were sick?
When you were in high school, how many days of school did you miss each year because of sickness? Who do you think is responsible for the care of your health--you yourself, your parents, or your doctor and medical people? Who is the healthiest person in your family? Who is the least healthy? Why do people smoke? Would you consider donating your organs after your death? What is the health service like in your country? What do you think of the health service in this country? How can the health service be improved? Have you been to hospital since you arrived here? What do you know about the SARS virus? o What do you know about AIDS? o What do you know about the common cold? What is alternative medicine? o Have you ever practiced alternative medicine? What treatments or remedies do you follow when you have a cold?
Some of these questions were donated by Derrick Nault.
Conversation Questions Home

Are there any parks near your home? Describe each room of your home. Do you like the place where you are living? Why or why not? How are homes different in your home country and in this country? How have you changed your home since you've started living there? How long have you lived where you are living now? How many different homes have you lived in? o Which one did you like the best? Why? o Which one did you like the least? Why? How many rooms are there in your house? How much is your rent? (Some people may not consider this to be a polite question.) If you could change anything about your present home, what would it be? Is your home in a convenient location? What changes would you like to make to your home? What do you like about your home? What don't you like? What do you think is the worst color for a living room? What is in your bedroom? What things in your home couldn't you live without? What things in your house could you easily live without? What's your favorite room? Why? Where would your dream home be? o What would it be like inside and out? Which room do you spend the least time in? Which room do you spend the most time in? Who are your neighbors? o Do you get along well with your neighbors? o How well do you know them? o What have you done with your neighbors? Who lives with you? / Who do you live with? Would you prefer to live in a house or an apartment? Why? Is every house a home? What makes 'a house' into 'a home'? Have you ever been homesick?
Thanks to Janice Weiss (Chicago, USA) for suggesting this topic and submitting the intial set of questions. Copyright (C) 1997-2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Hometowns

After you graduate do you want to live in your hometown? Why or why not? Can I visit your hometown on the Internet? Do you like your hometown? Why or why not? What is the population of your hometown? What is the population of your country? How many TV channels do you get at home? Do you miss your home country? o What do you miss the most? Does anyone famous come from your hometown? Does your hometown have any festivals? What happens at that festival? How long does it take to get from your hometown to here? Is your hometown famous for anything? What are some things in your hometown that are part of history? What does your hometown produce? What does it grow? What is the best season in your hometown? What is the best thing about your hometown? What is the population of your hometown? What is the worst thing about your hometown? What's there to do in your hometown? What's your hometown like? When is the best time to come to your hometown? Where are you from? What is the geography of your hometown? (ie beach, mountains, etc.) http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Jobs & Occupations

At what age do people usually begin to work in your country? At what age do people usually retire in your country? At what age would you like to retire? o What do you think you will do after you retire? Describe a typical day at your current job? Describe some of the people that you work with? Describe your current job. Describe your first job. Do women usually work after they get married in your country? Do you ever work overtime? o If so, do you get paid more for overtime work? Do you have a part-time job? If so, what do you do? Do you have to attend a lot of meetings for your job? Do you have to do a lot of paperwork? Do you have to work overtime?
If so, how often? Do you have to work on Sundays? Do you know someone who has worked as an undertaker? o What is the job of a an undertaker? o Can women do this job or is it better for a man to be an undertaker? Do you like your boss? Why or why not? Do you like your job? Do you like your job? Why or why not? Do you think it is more important to make a lot of money or to enjoy your job? Do you think it's acceptable for women to be in the military? Why/why not? Do you think people over 65 should be made to retire? Do you think women and men should be paid the same for the same job? Do you think women are good bosses? o Are there women bosses in your country? Do you think your company is well run? o Do you think that the place where you work is well run? Do you work on weekends? o Do you work on Sundays? Does your mother work? o Does your mother work outside of the house? Have you ever been promoted? Have you ever taken any courses that specifically help you with the job you are doing now? Have you ever worked on a farm? o Did you like it? o Would you like to go back on this farm job? o If not , why? How do you like your work? How have working conditions changed in recent years? o Do you think that working conditions have improved? If so, in what ways? How long do you plan to continue working where you are? How long have you been working at your present job? How many days a week do you work? How many days a week do you work? How many hours a week do you work? How many times have you been promoted? o When was the last time you were promoted? o Did you get a large pay raise at that time? How much do you think a doctor should be paid a month? o How about a secretary? o How about a truck driver? How much money do you make? (Maybe this is not a good question to ask.) How old were you when you got your first job? How well do you get along with your boss? If you could own your own business, what would it be? If you had to choose between a satisfying job and a well-paid one, which would you choose? Is it common for men and women to have the same jobs in your counrty? Is it easy to find a job in Canada? How about in your country? Name three occupations that you could do. (For example, be a mortician) o Name three occupations that you could never do? What are some common occupations in your country? o What are some common jobs for men in your country? o What are some common jobs for women in your country? o What are some jobs that children do? What are some jobs that you think would be boring? What are some jobs that you think would be fun? What are some questions that are frequently asked in a job interview? What are you responsible for? What are you trying to do in order to find a job that you really like? What do you do? o What's your job?
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What do you like most about that job? What do you think is the best job? What do you think is the worst? What do you think would be the most interesting job? The most boring? What does your father do? (What does your father do for a living?) What does your mother do? What influenced your choice of job? (Why did you choose your job?) What job do you want to have in five years' time? What job would you most like to have, if social/cultural boundries did not apply? (How different are they?) What job(s) do you wish to have in the future? What jobs in your country are considered to be good jobs? Why? What kind of volunteer work have you done? What kind of work do you do? o What kind of work do you want to do in the future? What plans have you made for your retirement? What three adjectives would describe yourself as a worker? What time do you get home from work? o Is it the same time every day? What time do your start and finish work? What was your first job? What would be your dream job? o Do you think it would be possible for you to get this job? What's one job you wouldn't like to do? Why not? What's your brother's occcupation? When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? When you were a child, what job did you want to have when you grew up? Where do you work and what is your current job? Where do you work? Which job are you best at? Which job would you never do? Which jobs do you think are the most prestigious? Who among the people you know has the most interesting job? What is it? Why did you leave your last job - did you resign or were you sacked? Would you be upset if your boss was a woman? Would you consider the military as a career choice? Why or why not? Would you consider yourself to be an ambitious person at work? Would you describe yourself as a workaholic? Would you like a job in which you traveled a lot? Would you like a job that required you to sit at a computer all day? Would you like to do the same job for the rest of your life? Would you like to work in an office? Why or why not? Would you rather be a doctor or a banker? Would you rather work inside or outside?
What job would you most like to do? What are the names of some of the people with that job? Do you personally know any one with that job? How long do you plan to keep it for? When do plan to retire? What other fields or work will that job make you qualified for? What are the work details of that job; what will be your duties at that job? What steps are required from you to become a/an.......? So, how long before fore you become a/an......; at what ages will you both start and finish this/each job/career? What do you hope to spritually gain from that job? What do you wish to physically gain; what kind of things would you like to buy with your money? How much money do you need to make to fulfill you dreams and desires? If money weren't a problem for you, which job would you prefer to have? How does money affect your decisions? How do your wants and desires affect your career options and goals?
How many years of schooling would you prefer to have? Can you improve on the way things are now being done in the field you choose? Which college courses are needed for you to be the very best in your field? Which college courses are required for you dream job? What other courses do you need to take so you can pursue your hobbies and personal interests? Which of the classes mentioned above are you giving the highest priority? Why? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Love, Dating & Marriage

About how many guests attended your wedding? o How many guests would you invite to your wedding? At what age do most people in your country get married? At what age do you want to get married? o At what age did you get married? Describe a perfect date. Describe the appearance of the person you would like to date? Describe the character of the person you would like to date? Do women usually work after getting married in your country? Do you "go Dutch" when dating? Do older girls/boys have a problem dating younger girls/boys? o Do younger girls/boys have a problem dating older girls/boys? Do you believe in love at first sight? o Do you think some people know that they will fall in love with someone the first time they meet? Do you date very often? Do you drive or take the train when dating? Do you get along with your in-laws? Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? o Where did you meet your him/her? o What does he/she look like? Do you know anyone who has had an arranged marriage? Do you know someone who has gotten a divorce? Do you know the difference between love and like? o Can you still love your partner and not like him/her? Do you think a boy should pay for everything on a date? Do you think arranged marriages are a good idea? Why or why not? o What is your opinion of arranged marriages? Do you think fairy tales influence our choice of a partner? Do you think getting married means giving up freedom? Do you think if you get married that you will change? Do you think it is better to be single or to be married? Do you think it is good to get married? Do you think it is okay for a couple to live together before getting married? Why or Why not? Do you think it is okay to marry someone of a different race? Do you think it is okay to marry someone with a different religion? Do you think it's OK for a man to have two wives? Do you think it's OK for a wife to have two husbands? Do you think it's okay for a man to have a mistress? Do you think it's okay for a man to hit his wife? Do you think love is necessary to have a good marriage? Do you think marriage is necessary? Do you think marriages based on love are more successful than arranged marriages? Do you think marrige is very stressful for women? How about for men?
Do you think people change after getting married? Do you think religion influences marriage? If so, in what ways? Do you think that all adults should be married? Do you think that you can you find eternal love through the Internet? Do you want a husband (or wife) who is older, younger or the same age as you? Do you want to have children? o If so, how many? Have you ever been to a school dance? Have you ever had a crush on someone? Have your parents ever disapporved of any of your relationships? How long do you think couples should know each other before they get married? How many children would you like to have? How often would you like to go out on dates? How old were you when you had your first boyfriend or girlfriend? How old were you when you went on your first date? o Where did you go? o What did you do? o Who did you go with? How old were your parents when they got married? If your husband or wife has an affair what would you do? If your parents did not approve of a person you loved and wanted to marry, would that be a difficult situation for you? Why/Why not? Is going out on dates important for you? Is there a such thing as a perfect relationship for you? If you could go out with anyone, who would it be? If you are a man, and a woman asks you for a date, do you feel you should pay, or that the woman should pay? What advice would you give to someone whose partner hates their best friend? What age do you think is best for getting married? What are some dating and marriage customs in your country? What are some of the main reasons people get divorced? What are some popular places to go on a date? What are some qualities that you think are important in a spouse or partner? What characteristics do you look for in a girlfriend or boyfriend? What do you consider cheating in a dating relatonship? What do you like to talk about when on a date? What do you look for in a girlfriend or a boyfriend? What do you think most people talk about when dating? What do you think of people who get divorced? o Would you ever consider getting divorced? What do you think of same-sex marriages? What do you think of single mothers? What is a wedding ceremony like in your country? What is the best way to keep your spouse happy in the marriage? What kind of boy/girl do you like? What kind of clothes do you wear on a date? What kind of man do you want as a husband? What kind of person do you want to get married to? What kind of woman do you want as a wife? What makes a good husband/wife? What makes a happy marriage? o What do you think are some things that contribute to a successful marriage? What qualities are important to you in a boyfriend or girlfriend? What qualities in a partner are important to you? What was the most boring date you've ever been on? What was the most interesting date you've ever been on? What would you consider "the perfect date" for you? What would you do if your soon to be mother-in-law seems to hate you? What would your parents think if you don't get married? When did your parents get married?
Where do you want to go for your honeymoon? o Where did you go for your honeymoon? Where do you want to go on your honeymoon? Where is a good pace to go on a date in this town? Where would you like to go on a date? Which is more important for you, your job or your marriage? Why do people break up with their partners? Will you continue working after you get married? Would you date someone you really liked if your parents did not like him or her? Would you ever marry someone who has been divorced twice? Would you introduce your date to your family? Would you live with your parents after you get married? Would you marry someone from another country? Would you marry someone ten years older than you? How about ten years younger than you? Would you marry someone that your parents didn't like? Would you marry someone who couldn't speak the same language as you speak? Would you mind if your boyfriend/girlfriend went out to party without you? Would you prefer to go out with a quiet or a talkative person? At what age do you think that dating should begin? o Do you think there is any age when a person is too old to date? Do you know a happily married couple? Can you name a famous happily married couple? What do you think is the most important ingredient in a good marriage? How long is the marriage ceremony in your country? Who designed the marriage covenant? What do you think about dating a friend's ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend? Do you think its possible to wait for the man or woman you love while he or she is in jail? What is your definition of love? Would you wait on a person you were dating for a long time if they joined the army? o How about if they went to prison? What is the best season to get married? Are there any superstitions on making someone fall in love with you? o Have you heard of any successful "love potions?" Have you ever returned a gift to your boyfriend or girlfriend and later find out that he has given it to his/her new mate? Do you know of any superstitions connected with weddings? Would it be important for you to have a "white wedding'? In your opinion is marriage for life? o Do you think when people get married it is really until death? The following question may be considered offensive or inappropriate in some situations. o Do you think that gay people should be allowed to marry? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Money & Shopping

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Please remember that some questions about money may be considered too personal to ask anyone who is not a very close friend or a family member.
About how much did you spend on presents last year? About how much do you usually spend each day? Are you a price conscious shopper? Are you good at saving money? Are you saving money to buy something? o If so, what are you planning to buy?
How much will it cost? How much longer will you need to save before you can buy it? Do banks pay a higher percent of interest here or in your country? Do you compare prices at different stores when you shop? Do you enjoy shopping? Do you ever buy second-hand things? ("used things") Do you ever give money to charity? o How often do you give to charity? o How much do you give? Do you gamble? Do you give tips at a restaurant in your country? How about to taxi drivers? Do you have a credit card? Do you have a credit card? If so, do you have more than one? Do you have more than one bank account? Do you have to pay a sales tax in your country? Do you invest in the stock market? Do you often put money in the bank? Do you sometimes buy things that you don't need? o If so, give some examples. Do you sometimes give money to charities? Do you think that money can buy love? Do your parents give you an allowance? (Did your parents give....?) o How much? (Maybe not a good question to ask.) o What do you use it for? o How often do they give it to you? Have you ever been in debt? (Have you ever owed money to people?) Have you ever bought a lottery ticket? Have you ever found any money? If so, what did you do with it? Have you ever given money to a beggar? Have you ever given money to a homeless person? Have you ever had any money stolen from you? How important is money to you? o If you had no money, do you think you could be happy? How many different kinds of coins are there in your country? What are they? How much did you spend last week? How much did you spend yesterday? How much do you have to spend to eat a good meal at a restaurant in your country? How much do you spend on food each week? How much do you think it costs to fly to Guam? How much do you think it costs to stay at a hotel in London? How much do you usually spend each month on entertainment? How much do you usually spend each month on food? How much do you usually spend each month on transportation? How much does it cost to get a haircut in your country? How much does it cost to ride a bus in your country? How much is a liter of gasoline in your country? How much money did you make on your first job? o (How much money do you think you will make on your first job?) How much money did you spend yesterday? o Where did you spend it? o What did you spend it on? o Do you often spend that amount in one day? How much money did your parents give you for an allowance when you were ten years old? How much money do you have on you now? (Maybe not a polite question to ask.) How much money do you have with you now? (Maybe not a good question to ask.) How much time did you spend the last time you went shopping? How often do you go shopping? If someone gave you a lot of money, what would you do with it? o If someone gave you a million dollars, what would you do with it? Some people say that "money makes the world go around." Do you agree? Why or why not?
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What bank do you use? What do you need to buy next? What do you spend most of your money on? What do you spend the most money on each month? What do you want to buy next? What is something that you have bought recently that cost a lot of money? What is something that you have bought recently that was a good bargain? What is something that you have bought recently? What is something that you want to buy, but don't have enough money to buy. What is something that you want to buy, but think you never will. What is the average salary in your country? What is the most expensive thing you've ever bought? o How much did it cost? What is your opinion of discount stores? What kind of things do you often shop for? What kinds of things are you saving your money for? What store did you like best and what store did you like least? What was the last thing you bought for someone else? What was the last thing you bought for yourself? o Where did you buy it? o why did you buy it? What was the last thing you spent money on? What's the most expensive thing you have ever bought? What's the most expensive thing you've ever bought? What's the most money you have spend on one thing? What's the most money you have spent on something to eat? What's the most money you have spent on something to wear? o What did you buy? What's your favorite place to shop? What's your favorite shopping area or store? Where did you buy ___? (your shoes / your watch / etc.) o How much did you pay? o When did you buy it/them? Where do you keep your money? Where do you usually buy food? Where is your favorite shopping area? Which costs more, a hamburger in America or a hamburger in your country? Which costs more, your telephone bill or your electric bill? Which do you prefer, large stores or small stores? Which do you think is more important, love or money? Which store do you go to the most often? o Where is it? o Why do you like to go there? Who do you often go shopping with? Who do you spend money on? How do you think money helps make us happy? Do you think money is more important than love? How much money do you want to earn each month? What qualities must a person have to make BIG money? Should children get an allowance (pocket money) from their parents? When do you get your allowance? o How long does it last? o Is it enough money? How do you usually spend your money? What do you usually buy? How much should you give to your children? How much do you give to your children? Do you ever give money to beggars on the street? Why or why not? Do you ever give money to charity? Why or why not? If you found 100,000 won (or local currency) in a bag on the street, what would you do? Keep it?
What are you saving your money for? o Do you want to buy something special? Who takes care of the money in your house? When you buy something, do you "shop around" and go to many stores to compare prices? When you buy something, what is most important to you: price, quality, fashion trend, status/image? Explain these proverbs: What do they mean? Say them in other English words. o The best things in life are free. o Time is money. o Save your pennies for a rainy day. o Money talks. o You can't take it with you when you go. o Money doesn't grow on trees Your rich uncle just died and gave you 50,000,000 won. (or local currency) o How would you spend it? o What would you buy? o Would you spend it on yourself, put it in the bank or buy something for your family? o Would you spend it all? What is the most you have ever spent on a gift? o What was it? o Who did you give it to? o What was the occasion? If you had to save money, what can you do without? o I would stop spending money on ___. If you needed to earn some extra money, how would you do that? What do you do if you can't get the clerk's attention at the store? Is it easier to return items in the U.S. or in your country? If you can't find an item at the store, do you find a clerk and ask for help, or do you leave and go somewhere else? If you don't want help when the clerk asks if you need help, what do you say? Is it OK to bring children to the market or the department store? Is it bad if one person or company controls the market that it specializes in? o For example, is it wrong for Microsoft to control most of the operating system software in the world? o Do you consider companies like Microsoft and people like Bill Gates smart and shrewd? Some questions about Taxation. In New Zealand at the moment the government is thinking of imposing a "flatulence tax" on farmers for the livestock they own, as the flatulence contributes to Ozone depletion (supposedly). o What is the most ridiculous tax in your country, past, or present? o Do you think taxes in your country are too high/low? What about New Zealand Taxes? / What about taxes here? o What is the effect on the economy of high taxation? o What is the effect on the economy of low taxation? o What are some of the different kinds of taxes your country has? o If you were the ruler of your country, what would you do to change the taxation system? What is the funniest tax you can think of to introduce? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Music

About how many CDs do you have? How about MDs and tapes? Are you a good dancer? Are you a good singer? Can you concentrate on other things when you are listening to music? Can you play a musical instrument? o If so, what do you play? o How long have you been playing? o Are you good at it?
Can you play any musical instruments? Can you play the drums? Can you play the guitar? Can you read music? Do you enjoy music videos? Do you ever listen to MP3 files on your computer? Do you have an expensive stereo system? (... a MD player, ... an old record player) Do you know the band named Metallica? If so, do you like them? Do you like all kinds of music? Do you like American rock bands? Do you like country music? Do you like heavy metal bands like Megadeth, Marilyn Manson, and so on? Do you like jazz? Do you like to listen classical music? Do you like to listen country music? o Who is your favorite country singer? Do you like to listen to Broadway musicals? o What is your favorite Broadway musical show? Do you like punk music? Do you like singing karaoke? How often do you sing karaoke? Do you like to dance? Do you like to sing karaoke? Do you listen to music while doing your homework? Do you sing while taking a bath? Do you think there is a relationship between drugs and music? How about violence and music? Do you think your favorite music twenty years from now will be the same as it is today? Do you watch music shows on TV? If so, what do you watch? Does you mother play the piano? Have you ever been to a concert? o Have you ever been to a rock concert? o Have you ever been to an orchestra concert? How does music make you feel? How many CD's do you have? How much time do you spend listening to music? How often do you listen to music? (...to classical music, ... to jazz, ...) How often do you listen to the radio? If you could play any musical instrument, what would it be? If you could start a band, what type of music would you play? Why? If you were a song, what song would you be and why? Is live music popular in your country? Is there any kind of music that you hate? Should music lyrics be rated similiar to the way movies are rated? What are some concerts you have been to? What are some special or traditional musical instruments in your country? What do you think the world would be like without music? What is one of your favorite songs? o Why do you like it? o When did you first hear it? o Who sings it? What is your favorite karaoke song to sing? What is your favorite kind of music? What kind of music do you like? What kind of music do you listen to to cheer you up? What kind of music do you usually listen to? What kind of music do your parents listen to? What kind of music you like the most? What kind of songs do you like to sing? What kinds of music do people listen to in your country? What kinds of music do you dislike?
What musicians did you like when you were in junior high school? How about high school? What radio station do you usually listen to? What was the last CD you bought? What was the last concert you went to? What was your favourite music 5 years ago? 10 years ago? How have your musical tastes changed? When was the last time you went dancing? When was the last time you went to a concert? Where do you usually listen to music? Which do you prefer, songs in English or songs in your own language? Who is your favorite singer or group? Who is your favorite singer? Why do you think music is important and how does it affect diffrent people? Why is music so important to people and culture? Is the image of the group or singer more important than the music? Can you think of examples of music calming people or increasing their efficiency? Do you mind singing to other people? (Another wording: ...singing in front of people?) o If you don't mind then how large an audience would be too many? Why do you think some people believe opera singers should be fat? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Names

What's the most beautiful girl's name you've heard? What's the best boy's name you've heard? How did your parents choose your name? Are you happy with your name? o If not, why not? What are some of the most common names for boys and girls in your country? What are some really unusual names you've heard? Are there any names you absolutely hate? o If so, what are they? o Why do you hate them? Do you think names shape our personality? To what degree? Does your name have a meaning? o If so, what does it mean? Do you have a middle name? o What is it? o If you have multiple middle names, what are they? In your culture, when you introduce yourself, does the last name come first or the first name? o Other wordings: ... does the surname come first? / ... does your family name come first? Do you have a nickname? o If so, what is it? o How did you get it? o Do you like it? o What are some interesting nicknames that you have heard? How many letters are in your name? o How many syllables are in your name? o Does your first name have the same number of syllables as your last name? o How many duplicate letters are in your name? What do you think of people who name their children after months, seasons or days of the week? o What do you think of parents who make up unique names for their children? o Some parents give their children names in alphabetical order. Do you think this is a good idea? o What was the name of your first girlfriend or boyfriend? Have you ever dated two different people with the same first name?
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What are some titles you can think of? (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Professor, Duke etc.) Do you think it is okay to give pets human names? What is the most popular name for a dog in your country? How about cats? Do you know the names of some famous race horses? If so, please name a few. Can you name some famous world leaders? Can you name some famous composers? Can yuo name some famous artists? Can you name some Western foods? Can you name some Eastern foods? Can yuo name some Middle-Eastern foods? Can you name some cars? What are some names of famous companies you know? What's the name of your favorite singer? What's the name of your favorite character from a story you've read What's the name of your favorite writer? What's the name of your favorite novel? What's the name of your favorite restaurant? What's the name of your favorite television show? What's the name of your favorite movie? What's your name? Do you know the meaning of your name? If yes, what does it mean? What does your name mean? Is it ever appropriate to "call someone names"? When? Can you name the seven continents? How many U.S. state names do you know? How many Canadian province names do you know? Do you believe some names or words have magical qualities?
Thanks to Rhett Merz who suggested this topic and contributed the first 36 questions in December 2002. Copyright (C) 2002 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Parenting

Your Children o How many children do you have? How old are they? o Are your children involved in clubs such as Girl Guides or Boy Scouts? o What kind of chores do you require your child (or children) to do? o Tell us one special thing about each of your children. (What are their strong points?) Raising Children o Do you think boys are more expensive than girls or vice versa? Why? o Do you think boys are easier to take care of than girls or vice versa? Why? o Do you help your children with their homework? How much help do you think is appropriate? o Would you allow your son or daughter to pierce body parts? If so, what parts of the body would you allow to be pierced? o Would you allow you child to get a tattoo? o What are some things that you would not allow your children to do? What are some things that you would allow your children to do that you think other parents may not allow their children to do? Why do you think it is okay to allow this? o Are there any sports that you consider too dangerous to allow your child to try? If so, what sports? o Do you spoil your child? In what ways do you spoil your child? What are some ways that you have seen others spoil their children?
Are you careful about your child's diet? Are there any foods that you do not let your children eat? Is there any food that you force your children to eat even though they don't like the food? Parenting Skills o Do you think that you are a good parent? Why? Do you think your parents were good parents? Do you think your children will be good parents? o What are some things that your parents did that you would never do? o What are some things that you have seen other parents do that you would never do? o What do you think are some of the most difficult problems faced by parents? o How do you cope with sibling rivalry? Opinions o Should a good mother give up her job to stay at home with her children? Do you think it is OK for a father to stay at home with the children and have the mother work instead? Do you think a mother is a better "stay at home parent" than a father? Why or why not? Does the age of the children matter? o Should women always get custody (keep the children) after a divorce? Why or why not? o Do you think it is okay for children to call their parents by their first names? Do you call your parents by name? Do your children call you by name? Do you know anyone who does? Activities o Do you often read to your children? / Did you often read to your children? How often? For how long each time? What kinds of books? o What kinds of things do you do with your children? What kinds of things would you like to do with your children? What kinds of things did you do with your children? o About how many hours a week do you spend doing things with your children? Do you spend more time doing things with your children now than you did last year? Punishment o How do you usually punish your children? o What would you do if you found out your child was shoplifting (stealing)? o What would you do if your child lied to you? o What would you do if you found out your child jigged (skipped) school for a day? o How do you deal with your children when they fight with each other? o Do you think spanking is an appropriate form of punishment? Why or why not? o Have you ever rinsed your child's mouth out with soap as punishment for swearing? Some of the following should perhaps be avoided in some classes. o Do you think it is OK to breast-feed in public? What do you think when you see a mother breast-feeding her child in public? o Would you have your son circumcised? Why or why not? o Do you think gay couples can be good parents to adopted children? o What do you think about single mothers? o Should pregnant women that are unwed consider abortion? Should any women consider abortion? In what cases do you think abortion is acceptable? When do you think abortion is unacceptable? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Thanks to Sean Scully who suggested this topic and contributed the first 15 questions in May 2003. Copyright (C) 2003 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Restaurants & Eating Out

There is a related set of questions at http://iteslj.org/questions/food.html
How often do you eat out? Where do you usually go when you eat out? How much do you usually pay when you eat out? Who do you usually go with when you eat out? Do you like western food? Japanese? Thai? Italian? Can you name restaurants in this area that serve food from other countries? o What kinds of foods do these restaurants serve? o Have you ever eaten at any of them? Do you ever eat greasy food? Salty? Sweet? Spicy? Do you know how to order food in English? o Have you ever done so? o If so, was it easy to do so? Do you ever eat at McDonalds? KFC? Other fast food restaurants? What is your favorite appetizer? Main Course? Dessert? Do you ever drink alcoholic beverages when you eat out? o If so, what do you drink? Do you know what a Caesar salad is? Buffalo wings? Nachos? Chicken fried steak? Did you enjoy eating out in other countries you have visited? o Which country had the best food? o Which foods did you enjoy the most? o Did you think the cost was high or low? Do you know anyone who has owned a restaurant? Have you ever worked in a restaurant? o If so, what kind of restaurant? o How long did you work there? o Did you enjoy your job? How many different types of salad dressing can you name? o What salad dressings can you name? Do you worry about calories and fat content when you eat out? o How about cholesterol ? o How about insecticides and other chemicals? Would you send a dish back if it did not taste good or you received the wrong food? Do you ever leave a tip at a restaurant? How much? Do you think western food is too expensive? Why or why not? Have you ever had a restaurant cater a party at your house? o If not, would you consider it? o If so, were you happy with the service? o Would you do it again? o What kind of food did they serve? Who pays when you go out for dinner? Do you like eating at buffets? Why or why not? o Where was the best buffet you've ever eaten at? o What kinds of foods were there? Have you ever eaten at an all-you-can-eat restaurant? o Did you eat too much? o Do you think it was a good value? o Was the taste as good as a regular restaurant? Why do you think westerners are usually heavier than Asians? Do you ever order out from a restaurant? o What kind of foods? Do you think this area has a good variety of foreign restaurants? o What other kinds of restaurants would you like to see opened? Can kids eat free at any of the restaurants you go to? o Do senior citizens get a discount? o Are there times of the day when anyone can get a discount? Have you ever been to a restaurant with valet service? Do you like to try new restaurants, or do you prefer to go to those you have already been to? Why? Do you care what a restaurant looks like, or is the food the only thing you care about? What do you think about children crying in a restaurant when you are trying to eat?
What do you think about people smoking in a restaurant when you are trying to eat? o What would you think if you saw the cook at the restaurant smoking while he is cooking your food? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Copyright (C) 1997-2002 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions Would you ever...?

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Note: You can follow up most of these questions with a why or why not or with the question "In what situation(s) would you consider doing so?" Would you ever adopt a child? o Would you ever give your child up for adoption? Would you ever cheat on your husband/wife? Would you ever consider being a criminal? Would you ever consider being a farmer? Would you ever consider moving to Africa? Would you ever consider getting plastic surgery? Would you ever defy your boss if he/she asked you to do something you didn't agree with? Would you ever donate a kidney or another vital organ? Would you ever donate blood? Would you ever drive a car if you had forgotten your license at home? Would you ever drive at night with only one headlight? Would you ever drive your car with a flat tire? Would you ever eat rat meat? Would you ever eat rice with sugar? Would you ever feed the animals at the zoo? Would you ever get hair implants? Would you ever give money to a charity? Would you ever give money to a panhandler? (a beggar) Would you ever go skinny dipping? (swim naked) Would you ever lie to your children? o ... to your husband/wife? o ... your boyfriend/girlfriend? Would you ever marry someone your parents didn't approve of? Would you ever paint your living room black? Would you ever pick up a hitchhiker? Would you ever slap someone for something they said? Would you ever smoke in a no smoking area? Would you ever spank your child? Would you ever steal from your family or friends? Would you ever "take a bullet" for someone else? Would you ever walk downtown without any shoes on your feet? Would you ever walk home alone at night? o ... in this country? o ... in your own country? Would you eat a live cricket for $500? If not, how much would it take? Would you ever consider killing yourself? Would you divorce your husband/wife if your favorite celebrity wanted to marry you? Would you ever say yes to someone even if you meant no? Would you ever donate an organ in order to save other person's life? Would you ever consider plastic surgery if a friend suggested it to you? Would you ever pretend to be someone (like a policeman, or a teacher, or a survey taker) just to get something that you wanted?
Thanks to Rhett Merz who suggested this topic and contributed the first 20 questions in October 2002. Copyright (C) 2002 by The Internet TESL Journal
Conversation Questions School

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Are you allowed to eat in the classrooms? Are you allowed to smoke in the classrooms? Did you belong to any clubs in high school? Did you go to a public high school or a private one? Did you have to wear a uniform in high school? How about elementary school? Did you study art in high school? Did your high school have a band? If so, did you play in it? Do most of your teachers take attendance? Do some of your teachers let class out early? Do you carry a dictionary to your English classes? How about your other classes? Do you enjoy studying English? (...math, science, ...) Do you ever skip class? Do you have any evening classes? Do you play on any of the school's sports teams? Do you still keep in touch with your best friend in elementary school? Have you ever been absent? Have you ever been late for a class? Have you ever been late for class? o If so, why? o When was the last time? o Did the teacher get angry? Have you ever failed a class? (Maybe this is not polite to ask.) Have you ever slept in class? How do you usually come here? (How do you get to school?) How long does it take you to get to school? How many times have you been absent from school this year? How much homework do you do every day? Was your high school strict? Were you on any sports teams in high school? What classes do you not like? Why don't you like them? What did you like best about high school? What do you like best about your school? What do you like the least about your school? What do you think about your English class? Your gym class? What do you think of our cafeteria? What do you think of this campus? What do you want to do after you graduate? What is your best memory from junior high school? o How about high school? o What's your worst memory? What school did you graduate from? What high school? What junior high school? What time does your first class begin on Tuesday? What was the name of your junior high school? What were some of the rules you had to follow at your high school? o Which rules did you think were unfair? o Did you ever get caught breaking any school rules? o Were you allowed to smoke on campus? o Were you allowed to eat food in the classroom? What's your favorite subject? o Why do you like it?
o Who is the teacher? o How many times a week does the class meet? Which subjects are you good at? o (What are your strong subjects?) Which subjects are you poor at? o (Which subjects are difficult for you?) Who is your favorite teacher? o What course does he or she teach? o Why do you like him or her? What did you find the most surprising thing about the USA school system? What are the major characteristics you think a teacher should have? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Social Problems

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. 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 in vitro fertilisation should be available to parents so they can choose the sex of their child? 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? 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? Why do you think discrimination exists? Have you ever experienced discrimination on a personal level? What is racism? Graffiti is considered a social problem. Here are some related questions. o What is graffiti? Where do you see it? i.e. walls, trains o What messages do you see? i.e. political, love messages, funny, personal, poetic? o Should the government punish those who write graffiti? o Should the government reserve places for those who want to write graffiti? o Is graffiti a type of "art"?
o o o
If you were allowed to write something, what would you say? What can we do about graffiti writers? What are some ways we can wear words and slogans? i.e. badges, clothes, hats etc. http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Sports

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Are you a good skier? o If so, when did you start? o How often do you ski? o Who taught you to ski? Are you a good ___? (tennis player, basketball player, swimmer, ...) Are you a member of any sports team? If not, have you ever been? Are you good at basketball? Are you good at sports? o What sports are you good at? o Do you often play sports? Did your high school have a good baseball team? Do you ever listen to baseball games on the radio? Do you jog more than once a week? Do you know how to play golf? Do you like to exercise? Do you like to ski? Do you like playing tennis? Do you like to snowboard? Do you like to watch sports on TV? Do you like watching car races? Do you like wrestling? Do you like ___? (insert a name of a baseball player, tennis player, etc.) Do you play any sports? Do you think atheletes earn enough money, not enough money or too much money? Do you think everybody should practice sports? Do you think playing sports helps people work better as a team at work? Do you think that parents are too involved in their children's sports activities? Have you ever been skiing? Have you ever been to a soccer game? (...a football match) Have you ever played golf? Have you ever played tennis with your mother? Have you ever tried snowboardiing? How often do you exercise? How often do you go swimming? o Where do you go? o Who do you go with? How often do you ___? (play tennis, swim, go surfing, ...) Is it good that professional sport is so commercial nowadays? Were you on a sports team in high school? Were you on any sports teams in high school? o How about junior high school? o How about now? What do you think is the most popular sport in the world? What do you think of pro wrestling? Thai kick boxing? Japanese sumo? What do you think of women playing hockey professionally?
What is the most dangerous sport? What is the most expensive sport? What is the most popular sport in your country? What is your favorite summer sport? What is your favorite team sport? What is your favorite winter sport? What new sports would you like to try? What sport do you think is the most dangerous? What sport do you think is the most expensive? What sports did you do in junior high school? o How about high school? o How about now? What sports do you follow? o What sports do you watch? What sports do you hate to watch? What sports do you like to play? What sports do you like to watch live? What sports do you like to watch on TV? What sports do you like to watch? What sports do you think are the best? What's a sport that you don't like? Why don't you like it? What's your favorite baseball team? What's your favorite sport? o Why do you like it? o How often do you play it? o How often do you watch it? When did you start ___? (playing tennis, swimming, learning to snowboard, ...) When was the last time you went to a baseball game? Where do you usually ___? (play tennis, swim, ...) Where is the nearest stadium to your house? Which do you prefer, baseball or volleyball? (..., tennis or golf) Which sport would you not let your child play? Why? Who do you think is the best athlete in the world? In your country? Who is your favorite professional athlete? Why? Who swims better, your mother or your father? Would you like to become a champion at Wimbledon? Would you rather go swimming or skiing? How do you feel about extreme sports? Would you like to try any of these? Does it bother you that people gamble on sporting events? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Supernatural, Ghosts & Superstitions

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Ghosts o o o o o o o
Do you believe in ghosts? Would you talk to a ghost? Do you know anyone who has said that they have seen a ghost? Have you ever come in contact with a ghost? (Have you ever seen a ghost?) If one of your friends told you they had seen a ghost, would you believe him/her? Why/Why not? What is the scariest ghost story you know? Is there an area where you live (park, house, etc.) that is known to be haunted? If so, what is the story or legend that makes people believe this area is haunted? Have you ever visited this place?
o Do you believe that houses can be haunted? Have you ever been to one? o Were you ever touched or physically harmed by a ghost or "spirit"? If so, how? Superstitions o Do you think that there is truth behind superstitions? o Do you walk under ladders? o What are some superstitions in your country? What are some things that are considered unlucky? What are some things that are considered lucky? o What numbers are considered to be lucky and unlucky in your country? o A four-leaf clover is often considered lucky. What are some other things which are considered lucky. o Do you have a lucky number? Psychics, Fortunetellers and Knowing the Future o Have you ever gone to a psychic? If so, what were you told? Did you believe it? o Why do some people consult psychics before doing important things? o Do you know anyone that has ever been to a psychic? o Why do some people need fortunetellers? o How do people predict the future in your country? o Do you believe in horoscopes? o Do you read your horoscope? If so, do you believe it? o Do you think that dreams come true? o Do you think that dreams can help us solve our problems? o Have you ever had a dream come true? / Have you ever had a dream that later came true? o Do you think that some people can predict the future? o What is your blood type? Do you believe that you can tell a lot about a person from his/her blood type? Do you believe that blood types can tell what a person's personality is? The Unexplained o Has anything ever happened to you that you cannot explain? o Do you believe that there are many things in our universe that cannot be explained? Give examples. ESP o Do you believe in ESP? o How can a person know what kind of ESP abilities he/she has? What do you think are some ways of developing these abilities? UFOs o Do you believe that UFOs exist? / Do you believe in UFOs? o Do you know anyone who has said that they have seen a UFO? o Have you ever seen a UFO? Do you know anyone who says that they have? o If you saw a UFO but were alone and had no proof would you tell anyone? Who? o Do you think that UFOs from other planets visit Earth? o What would you do if you were taken aboard a UFO? o Do you believe there is life on other planets? o Have you ever seen an E.T.? Do you know anyone who says that they have? Other Questions o Are you afraid of spirits? o Do you believe in angels? o Do you believe in astrology? What is your astrological sign? o Do you believe in coincidences? Why or why not? o Do you believe in God? Why or why not? o Do you believe in life after death? o Do you believe in vampires? / Do you believe that vampires exist? o In many countries people believe in ghosts, spirits and dragons. Is this true in your country, and why do you think these beliefs are so common? o What is the most frightening things that has ever happened to you? QUESTIONS IN ALL CAPITAL LETTER (This is how they were submitted.)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o
WHAT IS THE MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A CEMENTERY AT NIGHT? WHY? OR WHY NOT? WOULD YOU GO? WHERE DO YOU THINK DEAD PEOPLE GO? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WHO WERE BAD ALIVE PAY THEIR BAD BEHAVIOR BY STAYING HERE? DO YOU THINK HEAVEN EXIST? DO YOU THINK HELL EXIST? HAVE YOU PLAYED QUIJA? WHY OR WHY NO? WOULD YOU PLAY? DO YOU THINK THAT SPIRITS WHO APPEAR TO PEOPLE ARE GOOD OR BAD? DO YOU BELIEVE IN ANGELS? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONTACTED AN ANGEL? WHAT DID IT TELL YOU? HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN A MIRACLE? WHAT WAS IT ABOUT? DO YOU GET SCARED BY HORROR STORIES? DO YOU THINK YOU CAN CALL DEAD'S PEOPLE SPIRIT BY MAKINS A SESSION WITH A WITCH? Ghosts WOULD YOU STAY THE NIGHT IN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE SAY THAT THERE ARE GHOSTS? LIKE IN A VERY OLD UNINHABITED HOUSE, A CHURCH OR A SCHOOL? HAVE YOU SEEN A GHOST? WHAT KIND OF GHOST? DID YOU GET TO TALK WITH IT? HAVE YOU THOUGH ABOUT BECOMING A GHOSTBUSTER? WOULD YOU BE SCARED IF A GHOST TALKED TO YOU? DO YOU THINK WE CAN FEEL IF A GHOST IS NEAR OF US BY THE CHANGES IN THE WEATHER? LIKE IN THE MOVIE, THE SIXTH SENSE WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU SAW A GHOST? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Transportation

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Are there speed limits in your country? If so, what is the average speed limit? At what age does the average person obtain a driver's license? Can you ride a motorcycle? Do you drive a car often? Do you have a bicycle? o If so, when did you get it? o How much did it cost? o How often do you ride it? o What color is it? Do you have a car? If not, does your family have a car? Do you have a driver's license? If so, when did you get it? Do you often ride public transportation during rush hour? Do you often use public transportation? Do you ride a bicycle more than once a week? Do you always wear a seat belt? o Even if you are riding in the rear seat? o How about on a bus? Does your mother have a driver's license? Have you ever been in a traffic accident? Have you ever been stopped for speeding? o (Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?)
Have you ever gotten a parking ticket? Have you ever missed your last train or bus home? If so, how did you get home that night? Have you ever ridden a horse? How about a motorcycle? Have you every carpooled? How do you get to school? o How long does it take? o How much is the bus fare or the train fare? How do you think countries can reduce congestion on the roads? How many times have you traveled by airplane? How much does gasoline cost is your country? Is parking a problem in your country? (shopping malls, etc) Is there any environmentally-friendly transportation in your area? What are the most annoying bad driving habits of other drivers in your country (/or this country /or compared to this country)? What do you have to do to get a driver's license in your country? Do you think it's a good test? What do you need to do in your country to get a driver's license? What do you think is the most dangerous form of transportation? Why? What do you think is the safest form of transportation? Why? What do you usually do when riding a train or bus? o Do you read? o Do you sleep? What is the penalty for speeding in your country? What is your favorite kind of car? Why? What is your favourite make of car? Why? What kind of car do you have? What kind of things annoy you about other people's driving? What kind of transportation do you use most often? What's the most readily available form of public transportation where you live? What's your favorite color for a car? What's your favorite form of transportation? When was the last time you rode a bus? Where is a good place to go for a drive? Would you like to go on a cruise? Why or why not? Do you sometimes take a taxi (cab)? How do you "call" a taxi in your country from the side of the road? (ex. raise your hand in the air, etc.) o Is it expensive to take a taxi in your country? o Are there seatbelts in the taxis? o Is it common to give the cab driver a tip? If so, about how much do you give? o Does the cab driver open the door for you, or do you open it yourself? o Is it more appropriate to sit in the front or back of the taxi? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions Travel

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Have you ever been abroad? Where have you been? Are you planning on going anywhere for your next vacation? o If so, where? o Who with? o How long will you stay? Could you live in another country for the rest of your life? Describe the most interesting person you met on one of your travels.
Describe your best trip. Describe your worst trip. Did your class in high school go on a trip together? o If so, where did you go? o How long did you stay? o How did you get there? Do you have a driver's license? Do you like to travel with children? Why or why not? Do you like to travel with your mother? Why or why not? Do you prefer summer vacations or winter vacations? Do you prefer to travel alone or in a group? Why? Do you prefer to travel by train, bus, plane or ship? Do you prefer traveling by car or by plane? Have you ever been in a difficult situation while traveling? Have you ever been on an airplane? o How many times? o What airlines have you flown with? Have you ever been to a foreign country? Have you ever gotten lost while traveling? If so, tell about it. Have you ever hitchhiked? If so, how many times? Have you ever taken a package tour? How do you spend your time when you are on holiday and the weather is bad? How many countries have you been to? How many states? How many times have you traveled abroad? How much luggage do you usually carrry? If you traveled to South America, what countries would like to visit? If you went to ___(Insert a country name)__, what kind of souvenirs would you buy? If you were going on a camping trip for a week, what 10 things would you bring? Explain why. What are some countries that you would never visit? Why would you not visit them? What are some things that you always take with you on a trip? What countries would you like to visit? Why? What countries would you most like to visit? What countries would you not like to visit? Why? What country do you most want to visit? o Why? o Do you think you will ever go there? What do you need before you can travel to another country? What is the most interesting city to visit in your country? What is the most interesting souvenir that you have ever bought on one of your holidays? What languages can you speak? What place do you want to visit someday? What was the most interesting place you have ever visited? What's the most beautiful place you've ever been to? When was the last time your traveled? When you are on a long car journey do you play games or sing songs to occupy your time? o What kind of games? o What songs? Where are you going to go the next time you travel? o When are you going to go? o Who are you going to go with? o How long are you going to go for? o What are you going to do there? o What kind of things do you think you will buy? Where did you go on your last vacation? o How did you go? o Who did you go with? Where did you spend your last vacation? Your summer vacation? Your Christmas vacation? Where will you go on your next vacation?
Would you like to take a cruise? Where to? With who? Would you prefer to stay at a hotel/motel or camp while on vacation? Would you rather visit another country or travel within your own country? Do you find more fulfillment from your leisure activities including vacations than from your job? Do you think the type of vacation one takes reflects one's social status? What are popular tourist destinations in your country? o Have you been to any of them? o Which would you recommend if you could only recommend one? Why? Do you prefer active or relaxing holidays? Why? Which is better, package tour or a tour you organize and book yourself? Why do you travel? o Why do people travel? Would you like to go back to that same place? Did you find anythng of particular interest? / Did you get attracted to anything special? What are some benefits of travel? o Why do people travel? What is your favourite mode of travel? http://iteslj.org/questions/
Conversation Questions What if...?

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. If you had only 24 hours to live, what would you do? If a classmate asked you for the answer to a question during an exam while the teacher was not looking, what would you do? If someone's underwear was showing, would you tell them? If the whole world were listening, what would you say? If you bumped your car into another car, but nobody saw you do it, would you leave your name and address? If you could ask God any one question, what would it be? If you could be a bird, what would you choose to be? If you could be a plant, what would you choose to be? If you could be a superhero, which one would you be? If you could be an animal, any animal, what animal would you be and why? If you could be an animal, what would you be? If you could be an animal, what would you choose to be? If you could be another man or woman for a day, who would you choose? If you could be another person for a day, who would you be? If you could be invisible for a day what would you do and why? If you could change one thing about your spouse or significant other, what would it be? If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? If you could choose how you were going to die, what would you choose your death to be? If you could choose to live on a different planet, which one would you choose? If you could commit any crime and get away with it, what would you do? If you could date a celebrity, who would you choose? If you could have only one food for the rest of your life (assuming that this strange situation would not affect your health), which food would you choose? If you could hear what someone is thinking for a day, who would you choose? If you could live anywhere, where would you live? If you could meet any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? If you could speak any other language (besides English) which language would you like to speak? If you could spend a day with any celebrity, who would it be and what questions would you ask that person?
If you could take a vacation anywhere in the world for any length of time, where would you go? o if you could go anywhere in the world for a holiday, where would you go? If you could travel back in time, where would you go? If you discovered a new island, what would you name it and why? If you found a suitcase full of $1,000,000, what would you do? If you found a wallet with 1,000 in it, what would you do? If you had 25-hour days (while everyone else continued to have 24-hour days), what would you do with the extra time? If you had one wish, what would it be? If you had the opportunity to be different, what would you change? If you had time machine, where would you go and why? If you had to choose between a wonderful romantic relationship that would end after only a year, or a so-so relationship that would last your entire life, which one would you choose? If you had to choose between love and no money or money and no love for the rest of your life, which would you choose? If you had to choose, would you give up your sight or your hearing? If you received lottery tickets as a gift at the office party, and you won $30,000.00, would you share the winnings with the person that gave you the gift? If you saw a robbery, would you report it? If you saw your zipper was down and people had noticed, what would you do? If you speak two languages and your spouse (husband or wife) speaks only one, will you raise your children to be bilingual? If you were a candy, what candy would you be? If you were a monster, what monster would you be? If you were a toy, what toy would you be? If you were abducted by aliens, would you tell anybody? Why or why not? If you were American/Chinese/Mexican, how would your life be different? If you were asked to choose which time you would like to live in, which century would you choose? If you were asked to speak to a graduating class, what would you say? If you were given a chance to go to the moon, would you go? Why or why not? If you were given a choice between being given great wisdom or great wealth, which would you choose? If you were given an opportunity to be born again, in which country would you like to be born? If you were given an opportunity to be born again, what kind of person would you choose to be? If you were given one million dollars, what would you buy? If you were given the opportunity to be born again, how would you change how you lived? If you were given the opportunity to mold your partner the way you wanted, how would you mold your partner? If you were given three wishes, what would you wish for? If you were God, how would you transmit or let people know your message? If you were going to a deserted island and could only take three things with you, what would you take? Why? If you were invited to have tea with the Queen of England, what would say? if you were the leader of your country, what would you change? If you were the President, what problem or concern would you work on first? If you were to be stranded on an island, which 3 things would you bring with you? If you were told that you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today? If you were walking through the forest and you suddenly saw a tiger, what would you do? If you woke up suddenly because your house was on fire, which three things would you save as you ran outside? If you worked for a store and you saw another employee steal something, would you tell the manager? If your friend could not have a child, would you carry her child for her? If you saw someone in public with toilet paper stuck to their shoe, would you tell them? What kinds of problems would you have if you had to always tell the truth? You were told you had a terminal illness and had six months to live. What three things would be most important for you to do? Your doctor has just told you that you have a month to live, what would you do in that stretch of time? o If your doctor told you that you had only one month to live, how would you use the time left? What if your cell phone fell in the toilet, what would you do? NOTE THAT CAME WITH THE SUBMITTED QUESTIONS: This happened to one of my students.... we had fun with this question

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Conversation Questions for the ESL/EFL Classroom

Would you like to help?

Conversation Questions Would you ever...?

Conversation Questions After a Vacation

Not a Question, But Usable for Conversation

Conversation Questions Animals & Pets

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

Conversation Questions Art

Conversation Questions Charity

Conversation Questions Christmas

End of the Year

Conversation Questions Clothes & Fashion

Conversation Questions Colors

Conversation Questions Comic Books

Conversation Questions Computers

Conversation Questions Crime

A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom.

Conversation Questions Culture

Conversation Questions Death & Dying

Perhaps not a useful question, but it was submitted.

Would you like to die? http://iteslj.org/questions/

Conversation Questions Drugs

Conversation Questions Education

Conversation Questions English Literature

Conversation Questions Entertainment

Conversation Questions Environment & Pollution

Conversation Questions Family

Conversation Questions Favorites

Conversation Questions Fears

Conversation Questions Food & Eating

Conversation Questions Friends

Conversation Questions Getting to Know Each Other

Conversation Questions Have You Ever ...

Conversation Questions Health

Some of these questions were donated by Derrick Nault.

Conversation Questions Home

Conversation Questions Hometowns

Conversation Questions Jobs & Occupations

Conversation Questions Love, Dating & Marriage

Conversation Questions Money & Shopping

Conversation Questions Music

Conversation Questions Names

Conversation Questions Parenting

Conversation Questions Restaurants & Eating Out

There is a related set of questions at http://iteslj.org/questions/food.html

Conversation Questions Would you ever...?

Conversation Questions School

Conversation Questions Social Problems

Conversation Questions Sports

Conversation Questions Supernatural, Ghosts & Superstitions

Conversation Questions Transportation

Conversation Questions Travel

Conversation Questions What if...?

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