ESL Conversation Topics
Ready-to-teach discussion question banks for adult ESL classes. Every topic opens with a vocabulary warm-up, labels each question with the thinking skill it practises, and comes with a full-screen class mode for projecting one question at a time.
Fashion
Use these 20 discussion questions about Fashion to run a full speaking lesson with adult learners (B1–B2). 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.
Technology & Everyday Life
Twenty ESL conversation questions about technology in everyday life for adult learners (A2–C1). Part 1 grounds the topic in daily habits — phones, apps, payments, and screen time. Part 2 debates digital government, privacy, and who technology leaves behind. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and fills about thirty minutes.
Festivals & Celebrations
Twenty ESL conversation questions about festivals and celebrations for adult classes (A2–C1). Part 1 draws on personal memories — national days, parades, food, and family gatherings. Part 2 debates what festivals cost, who they include, and how traditions should change. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and runs about thirty minutes.
Education
Twenty ESL conversation questions about education for adult learners (A2–C1). Part 1 stays personal — school memories, favourite teachers, and learning as an adult. Part 2 debates the system: universities, vocational paths, cost, and what education is for. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and fills about thirty minutes.
Travel
Twenty ESL conversation questions about travel for adult learners (A2–C1). Part 1 is grounded in real trips — how people travel, plan, and cope with problems on the road. Part 2 zooms out to trains and planes, holiday crowds, and what travel does to places and families. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and fills about thirty minutes.
Food & Eating
Twenty ESL conversation questions about food and eating for adult classes (A2–C1). Part 1 covers personal food life — favourite dishes, markets, cooking, and eating out. Part 2 turns to food and society: seasonal eating, food access, and how communities share meals. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and runs about thirty minutes.
Video Games
Twenty ESL conversation questions about video games for adult classes (A2–C1). Part 1 covers playing itself — favourite games, habits, and gaming with others. Part 2 debates the bigger picture: esports, careers, game culture, and screen-time worries. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and runs about thirty minutes.
Sports
Twenty ESL conversation questions about sports for adult classes (A2–C1). Part 1 stays close to personal experience — playing, watching, and choosing a sport. Part 2 opens the bigger debates: fairness, money, young athletes, and what sport does for a community. Each part starts with a vocabulary warm-up and runs for about thirty minutes.
Exercise & Fitness
Twenty ESL conversation questions about exercise and fitness for adult learners (A2–C1). Part 1 explores daily movement and personal habits — walking, routines, and staying motivated. Part 2 looks at exercise as a public issue: aging, city design, and health policy. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and fills about thirty minutes of class time.
Money & Personal Finance
Twenty ESL conversation questions about money for adult learners (A2–C1). Part 1 keeps it personal — spending, saving, cash versus apps, and everyday choices. Part 2 opens up trust, credit, community savings, and fairness. Each part starts with a vocabulary warm-up and fills about thirty minutes of speaking practice.
Shopping
Twenty ESL conversation questions about shopping for adult classes (A2–C1). Part 1 covers habits — where people buy, small shops versus supermarkets, and online carts. Part 2 looks at second-hand culture, trust, and the future of the high street. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and runs about thirty minutes.
Running
Twenty teacher-reviewed ESL conversation questions about running, organised as a complete discussion lesson for adult learners (A2–C1). Part 1 builds a first routine — experience, places, equipment, and realistic plans. Part 2 moves into mindset, training data, cost, and community. Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up and fills about thirty minutes of speaking practice on its own.