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?