Conversations / Coffee
Coffee Conversation Questions for Adult ESL Classes
Use these 20 discussion questions about Coffee to run a full speaking lesson with adult learners (A1–A2). Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up, every question is labelled with the thinking skill it practises, and each part fills roughly thirty minutes of class time on its own.
Reviewed by Brando Oxley · 16 Aug 2026
Part 1
Coffee Habits and Favorite Drinks
Focus: talking about coffee routines, preferences, flavors, places, simple experiences, and reasons for choices
In one minute, think of two coffee drinks, two things used to make coffee, two places people drink coffee, and one word for coffee taste.
ROUTINE
When do you usually drink coffee during the day? Sentence starter: I usually drink coffee ...
PREFERENCE
What kind of coffee do you enjoy most, and why? Sentence starter: I enjoy ... because ...
EXPERIENCE
Tell me about the first coffee drink you remember liking. Sentence starter: I remember liking ...
COMPARE
Do you prefer hot coffee or iced coffee? Sentence starter: I prefer ... because ...
FOOD
What food do you think goes well with coffee? Sentence starter: ... goes well with coffee.
PLACE
Where do you most enjoy drinking coffee? Sentence starter: I enjoy drinking coffee at ...
PEOPLE
Do you prefer drinking coffee alone or with other people? Sentence starter: I prefer ... because ...
COST
What makes a cup of coffee worth paying more for? Sentence starter: I would pay more for ...
PROBLEM
What do you choose when you want coffee but do not want something strong? Sentence starter: I choose ...
PLAN
What kind of coffee would you like to try next? Sentence starter: I would like to try ...
Part 2
Coffee Shops, Ordering, and Coffee Culture
Focus: talking about cafes, ordering, service, simple comparisons, coffee at work, and social coffee habits
Think of one coffee-shop item, one action people do in a cafe, and one feeling or situation connected to drinking coffee.
Describe each word without saying it directly. Your teacher or partner must guess the word.
EXPERIENCE
What is a coffee shop you enjoy visiting like? Sentence starter: It is ...
PREFERENCE
What makes a cafe comfortable for you? Sentence starter: I like cafes with ...
COMPARE
Do you prefer making coffee at home or buying it from a cafe? Sentence starter: I prefer ... because ...
SHOPPING
How do you usually order your coffee? Sentence starter: I usually order ...
ROUTINE
When do people around you usually drink coffee? Sentence starter: People usually drink coffee ...
PEOPLE
Why do people often meet friends or coworkers for coffee? Sentence starter: People meet for coffee to ...
PROBLEM
What can you do if the coffee shop makes the wrong drink? Sentence starter: I can ...
ADVISE
What would you recommend to someone ordering coffee for the first time? Sentence starter: I would recommend ...
PLACE
What would your ideal coffee shop look or feel like? Sentence starter: My ideal coffee shop would ...
PLAN
Who would you like to have coffee with soon, and where? Sentence starter: I would like to have coffee with ...