One of the best ways to help ESL students improve their speaking skills is through meaningful and engaging conversation topics. Adults learn best when they can relate to the discussion, express their own experiences, and practice English in a way that feels natural.
Using themed conversation topics makes speaking practice more structured and enjoyable, helping students build confidence while improving grammar and vocabulary. Here’s a collection of 50+ conversation topics to use in your ESL lessons.
Daily Life and Routines
- What’s your morning routine like?
- How do you usually spend your weekends?
- What’s one habit you’d like to change?
- What’s a typical day at work or school for you?
- Do you prefer planning your day or going with the flow?
Food and Cooking
- What’s your favorite meal, and how do you make it?
- Do you prefer cooking at home or eating out?
- What’s a dish from your country that everyone should try?
- Do you enjoy trying new foods, or do you stick to what you know?
- What’s the best restaurant you’ve ever been to?
Travel and Adventure
- Where is the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- What do you always pack when you go on a trip?
- Do you prefer traveling alone or with others?
- What’s the most exciting or unusual experience you’ve had while traveling?
Hobbies and Free Time
- What’s your favorite hobby, and why do you enjoy it?
- If you had more free time, what hobby would you start?
- Do you prefer spending your free time indoors or outdoors?
- What’s a hobby that you think everyone should try?
- How do you usually relax after a long day?
Work and Careers
- What’s your dream job, and why?
- How do you balance work and personal life?
- What skills do you think are most important for success?
- Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
- How do you prepare for a job interview?
Technology and Social Media
- How has technology changed the way people communicate?
- Do you think people spend too much time on social media?
- What’s your favorite app, and why?
- Do you prefer texting, calling, or video chatting?
- What do you think the future of technology will look like?
Health and Fitness
- What’s your favorite way to stay active?
- Do you think it’s easier to stay healthy now than in the past?
- What’s one health habit you try to follow?
- How do you deal with stress?
- What advice would you give to someone trying to live a healthier lifestyle?
Shopping and Money
- Do you prefer shopping online or in stores?
- How do you decide what to spend your money on?
- What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?
- If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
- What’s one tip you follow for saving money?
Relationships and Friendship
- What makes a good friend?
- How do you usually meet new people?
- Do you prefer a few close friends or a big social circle?
- How do you keep in touch with old friends?
- What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about relationships?
Entertainment and Media
- What’s your favorite TV show or movie, and why?
- Do you prefer books, movies, or music in your free time?
- What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
- Who is your favorite actor, singer, or writer?
- How do you discover new entertainment (movies, music, books, etc.)?
Holidays and Traditions
- What’s your favorite holiday, and how do you celebrate it?
- Are there any traditional festivals in your country?
- How do people celebrate birthdays in your culture?
- Do you prefer small family celebrations or big parties?
- What’s one unique holiday tradition you know about?
Society and Culture
- What’s something unique about your culture?
- How do you think cultural differences affect communication?
- What’s a tradition or custom in your country that you love?
- Do you think globalization is making cultures more similar?
- What’s something about another culture that interests you?
Fun and Random Questions
- If you could have dinner with any famous person, who would it be?
- What’s the most interesting thing you’ve ever learned?
- If you could live in any time period, which one would you choose?
- What’s one small thing that makes you happy every day?
- If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Grammar Structure Matters Too!
While conversation prompts help students speak fluently, understanding grammar structure ensures they communicate clearly. My book, “Parts of Speech,” provides a simple and structured approach to teaching grammar, making it easier for ESL students to form correct sentences and express their ideas confidently.
👉 Order your copy on Amazon today!
By combining engaging conversation topics with strong grammar foundations, your ESL students will develop both fluency and accuracy. Try these prompts in your next lesson and see the difference!
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