Discussions / Libraries
Libraries Conversation Questions for Adult ESL Classes
Use these 20 discussion questions about Libraries 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 · 22 Aug 2026
Part 1
Books and My Library
Focus: talking about libraries, books, reading, people, places, and simple library habits
Think of one kind of book, one thing you see in a library, and one action people do in a library.
Describe each word without saying it directly. Your teacher or partner must guess the word.
EXPERIENCE
Do you go to libraries? Sentence starter: I ... go to libraries.
PLACE
Where is a library near you? Sentence starter: There is a library ...
PREFERENCE
What books do you like to read? Sentence starter: I like to read ...
ROUTINE
When do you usually read books? Sentence starter: I usually read ...
PEOPLE
Who do you sometimes go to the library with? Sentence starter: I go with ...
ITEM
What things can you find in a library? Sentence starter: In a library, I can find ...
ACTIVITY
What can you do at a library? Sentence starter: At a library, I can ...
PREFERENCE
Do you like quiet places for reading? Sentence starter: I ... quiet places.
PROBLEM
What can you do if you cannot find a book? Sentence starter: I can ...
PLAN
What book do you want to read next? Sentence starter: I want to read ...
Part 2
Reading and Visiting the Library
Focus: talking about borrowing books, reading places, favorite stories, simple library problems, and future reading plans
Choose one word from each group: Person: student, child, librarian, parent; Action: read, borrow, study, look; Item: book, computer, chair, magazine; Feeling: quiet, happy, tired, interested. Use the words to make one or two simple sentences.
ROUTINE
How often do you read books? Sentence starter: I read books ...
PREFERENCE
Where do you like to read? Sentence starter: I like to read ...
ITEM
What kind of book would you borrow from a library? Sentence starter: I would borrow ...
PEOPLE
Who can help you find a book in a library? Sentence starter: ... can help me.
ACTIVITY
What do people do quietly in a library? Sentence starter: People ...
PREFERENCE
Do you like paper books or books on a screen? Sentence starter: I like ...
PROBLEM
What can you do if someone is very noisy in the library? Sentence starter: I can ...
PROBLEM
What can you do if you forget to return a book? Sentence starter: I can ...
ADVISE
What is one good book for a new English reader? Sentence starter: A good book is ...
PLAN
When do you want to visit a library again? Sentence starter: I want to visit ...