Introduction

This blog contains a preview of sample conversation topics

for use in ESL adult conversation classes.

Conversation Topics

 




It's that time. You meet someone from another country. It's your first opportunity to have a conversation with someone in the foreign language you've been practicing for months. The question is, what do you talk about?

Here are some questions to get you quickly started.

1. Where are you from?
2. Are you here on business or pleasure?
3. What places have you visited?
4. Have you tried any of the local foods? (Watch out, they can be spicy!)
5. Have you done any shopping?
6. What's your best experience so far?
7. Have you been able to pick up the language?

Note: These questions provide opportunities to offer additional information and assistance. The other person's body language can tell you if they are interested in having a conversation and when to close the conversation. Becareful to avoid interrupting people to practice conversation, example, when someone is having dinner or reading a book on a subway.

Here are some additional questions you might work into a conversation.

Daily Life

What foods are popular in your country? What's your favorite food? What do people do for entertainment? What's work like? What's your hometown like? 

Education

What courses are you taking in school? What's your career goal?

Sports and Recreation

What sports are most popular in your country? What sports are you a fan of? What sports do you play? Do you have any hobbies? Do you like to travel? Have you visited other countries?

Music 
What kind of music do you listen to? Do you play an instrument? Do you listen to music from other countries? Who are your favorite singers? Bands?

Movies

Do like going to the movies? What kind of films do you like to see? Do you like cinema from other countries? Who are your favorite actors?

Special Note: "taboo questions"

Be careful to avoid questions that could make your conversation partner uncomfortable, example, age, marital status, religion or politics.

lesson notes: students learn quick conversation starters / questions to avoid (taboo)

web site: http://conversationstarters.com/

New Dictionary Words

Social networking, the internet and mobile messages have changed the way language is used by the younger generation and has added some interesting words to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Tweetup - v. tweet and meet up - is used to describe a meeting arranged through Twitter.

De-friend -v. removing someone from your friend’s list

Chillax - v. telling someone to chill and relax at the same time

Conversation Practice

1. What new words have you learned this year?
2. What are you doing to improve your vocabulary?
3. What words give you the most difficulty?
4. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
5. What are some essential travel words?
6. What words would you use to describe music?
7. What words would you use to describe movies?
8. What words would you use to describe food?
9. What words would you use to describe people?
10. What words would you use to describe having a good day?

Restaurant - Customer Service Practice

Situation: Customer Enters Restaurant

Waitress/Waiter: Hello, welcome to XYZ Restaurant. Would you like a menu?
Customer: Yes, thank you.
Waitress/Waiter: Here you are. Please have a seat and I'll be back in a few minutes to take your order.
Customer: Thank you.
Waitress/Waiter (returns): Hi, are you ready to order?
Customer: Yes, I'd like the stir fried vegetables and some miso soup.
Waitress/Waiter: Will there be anything else?
Customer: No thank you. That will be all.
Waitress/Waiter:  ...and will that be for here or to go?
Customer: Actually, I'd like to order take out if it's not a problem.
Waitress/Waiter: No problem at all. Your order will be ready in a few minutes.

Note

takeaway - While "takeaway" is a popular expression in Thailand (and easily understood) Western customers are probably more familiar with the expression "takeout." You may also ask the customer when she/he is ready to order, "Will that be for here or to go?"

sit down - While this is a popular expression in Thailand,  "please have a seat" is more polite. "Sit down" actually sounds like an order not a request.

Movie Theater - Customer Service Practice

Situation: A customer from Canada wants to see a movie at a Thailand movie theater but needs help choosing a film and purchasing a ticket.

Customer: Excuse me, do you speak English?
Employee: Yes, I do. How may I help?
Customer: I'd like to see a film. Do you have a schedule?
Employee: Yes, here's our marquee with today's schedule.
Customer: I'm sorry, I don't read Thai. I'd like to see The Bourne Legacy. Is it in English?
Employee: Yes, it is. I'm sorry our schedule here is only listed in Thai. It is available, however, in English online and you can see our current listing of shows at our web site www....
Customer: Thanks. I see people buying tickets from an automated ticket machine over there instead of waiting in line. Can I buy a ticket there, also?
Employee: Sorry, you have to fill out an application and pay a membership fee to be able to access that service. For now, I'd recommend waiting in line, but don't worry, the line moves along quickly. At the counter, the clerk will show you a chart and ask you to choose a seat. If this is your first time at a movie theater in Thailand, don't be surprised when after you're shown a preview of coming attractions that everyone stands for a short while to pay respects to the royal family. It's a Thai custom.
Customer: Thanks, I didn't know that.
Employee: Ticket prices are also cheaper today. Wednesdays our theater tickets are discounted. We call it "Movie Day."
Customer: Woah, I came on the right day!
Employee: I hope you enjoy your film and come again.
Customer: Thanks. You've been very helpful.

Discussion

1. Do you work in customer service and interact with foreign customers?
2. What gives you the most difficulty, language or customs?
3. What do you do if you didn't understand a customer?

Cabin Steward - Customer Service Practice

Situation:  Welcoming a customer boarding a flight.

Flight Attendant: Welcome aboard Flight 2012!

Mr. Kim: Thank you.Can you tell us where Row 10 is (Mr. Kim holds up a boarding pass).

Flight Attendant: Yes, it's the exit row, the second row past the first-class cabin. You're in seats A and B which are on the right side of the plane just behind the lavatory.

Mr. Kim: They told us when we checked in that we were in an exit row. What do we need to do?

Flight Attendant: If you're physically capable and willing, you'll have to open the emergency door if necessary. Read the safety card in the pocket of the seat in front of you for directions.

Mr. Kim: Where can we put our carry-on bags?

Flight Attendant: It looks like you have two. One can go underneath the seat in front of you. The other will have to be stowed in the overhead compartment.

Mr. Kim: Will I be able to get it later?

Flight Attendant: Sure. After take-off the captain will turn off the seatbelt sign and you'll be able to get up and move about the cabin.

Conversation Practice

1. Are you generally satisfied with cabin service when you fly?
2. Do you listen to cabin stewards when they review safety procedures or
   do you tune them out?
3. Where do you prefer to sit on the plane, aisle or window seat?

Do you order a special meal or eat what's on the daily menu?

Are you that passenger that tries to squash an over-sized bag in the overhead luggage bin?

Where's the safest place to sit on a plane?

Have you every had to report a suspicious or bothersome passenger to a cabin steward?

Vocabulary

tune them out - to ignore someone, not listen to someone

Over the Moon

Adele, currently the world's biggest-selling pop star, announced that she is pregnant.

The singer broke the news to her fans on her web site, saying she was excited to be expecting and was over the moon with her pregnancy.

In an earlier interview with People Magazine, Adele talked about motherhood and wanting to have three sons by age 30

Vocabulary

broke the news - revealed new information (sometimes good, sometimes bad)
expecting - pregnant

over the moon - very happy

Conversation Practice

1. Have you ever been over the moon?
2. How is motherhood changing? (women postponing family for careers, difficulty in juggling motherhood and career, etc.)
3. Can you name any of Adele's songs?