With discussion prompts for adult ESL classes, silence will never reign over your students as they practice their language skills in real conversations and gain confidence and fluency. Scroll to scan through the various topics I’ve covered so far, or click here to go directly to the discussion prompts category in my TpT store.
Clicking on a “LEARN MORE” button will take you to that resource’s page on TpT where you can see thumbnails, a preview, and read a more detailed description.
Body Language & Gestures
Is body language truly universal? Are some gestures culturally specific? If you teach international students, you may have already learned some new gestures or observed different body language, but how aware are your students of the differences and similarities?
Books & Reading
Inspire engaging conversations and enhance language fluency with this diverse collection of conversation prompts. You don’t need a book club to explore the joys of reading, literary preferences, and cultural perspectives on books, thanks to these stimulating discussion questions on books and reading tailored for adult language learners.
Cultural Differences
Stimulate deep conversations and strengthen language fluency with this diverse set of conversation prompts on cultural differences. Explore the rich tapestry of cultural variations, traditions, and perspectives through these engaging discussion questions tailored for adult ESL.
Emotions
Enhance your advanced adult ESL discussions with this set of 130 discussion prompt cards. Covering a wide range of topics, from the role of emotions in decision-making to the effects of technology on emotional expression, these cards prompt students to examine their thoughts and opinions on the intricacies of emotions.
Environment
Cultivate enriching conversations and build language mastery with this dedicated compilation of Earth-friendly prompts. Explore the multifaceted aspects of the environment, sustainability, and our role in preserving it through these engaging materials tailored for adult ESL. Protecting the environment should always be a priority, so talk about it.
Etiquette & Manners
Etiquette and manners discussion topics for adult ESL: Cultivate engaging conversations and build language fluency with this tailored assortment of prompts. Explore cultural norms, social etiquette, and the nuances of polite behavior through engaging materials crafted for adult ESL.
Fake News
Fake news and misinformation discussion topics for adult ESL: Dive into critical conversations and enhance language proficiency with this pertinent set of fake news conversation prompts. Explore the impact of fake news, media literacy, and strategies to identify misinformation through engaging discussion questions tailored for adult ESL.
Fear
Fear. What do you think is lurking under your bed? We’re all terrified of something. Fight or flight? How do you react? These fear-themed discussion topics will lead to compelling conversations and increase language proficiency. This specialized collection of prompts gets adult ESL students talking about the complexities of fear, its manifestations, and ways to overcome it.
First Impressions
Trigger lively conversations and improve language fluency with this thoughtfully crafted set of conversation prompts. Explore the significance of initial encounters, effective strategies for creating lasting first impressions, and more with these engaging discussion prompts tailored for adult ESL.
Goals
Perfect for adult ESL teachers looking to engage their adult students in conversations about setting goals, this comprehensive set of 84 thought-provoking discussion questions is aimed at helping students develop their language skills in a practical, relevant, and engaging way.
Health
Foster insightful conversations and improve language proficiency with this holistic set of conversation prompts. Explore various facets of health, wellness practices, and cultural perspectives on well-being through these engaging health-themed discussion questions crafted for adult ESL.
Holidays
Ignite festive conversations and improve language fluency with this diverse array of holiday-themed conversation prompts. Explore cultural celebrations, traditions, and the significance of holidays worldwide through engaging holiday discussion questions crafted for adult ESL.
Hygiene & Grooming
These 186 thought-provoking questions dig into important topics such as handwashing, oral hygiene, grooming hair, skincare, nail care, personal grooming and aging, body odor, the psychology of grooming and hygiene, cultural differences in grooming and hygiene practices, the influence of media and advertising, and societal expectations and norms.
Ice Breakers
Speaking in English in front of others can strike terror in the hearts of ESL students, but the best way to conquer a fear of speaking in front of people is to just do it, right? Coming up with lots of different topics off the top of your head is difficult, so keep them going with these impromptu speech topics. Use them as ice breakers for the first days of class!
Jobs & Careers
Stimulate dynamic conversations and build language fluency with this diverse set of jobs and career conversation prompts. Explore career paths, workplace dynamics, and cultural perspectives on professions with engaging discussion questions crafted for adult ESL.
Love
Spark heartfelt conversations and boost language fluency with this emotive set of prompts. You don’t need Valentine’s Day to let your students explore the nuances of love, cultural perspectives, and expressions of affection through engaging love-themed discussion questions tailored for adult ESL.
Money & Budgets
Money and budget-themed discussion questions–the perfect tool for ESL teachers looking to engage their adult students in money and budget-themed conversations! Designed specifically for adult learners, this comprehensive set of 144 thought-provoking discussion questions is aimed at helping students develop their language skills in a practical, relevant, and engaging way.
Movies
These challenging movie-related discussion questions are the perfect tool for adult English language learners to improve their speaking and listening skills in a fun and engaging way. This set of 84 cards features thought-provoking questions and prompts related to movies and their cultural significance, providing a wealth of material for meaningful conversations and debates.
Music
These cards feature thought-provoking questions and prompts related to music and its cultural significance, providing a wealth of material for meaningful conversations and debates. These cards are a great way to practice English, and they allow learners to explore their own musical tastes and preferences, as well as learn about the music of other cultures. With 80 unique cards, there is plenty of material to keep your discussions going for hours.
Natural Disasters
Few have yet to live through and be affected by a natural disaster, so this highly relatable topic is often top of mind. Try to name a place on this planet not affected by a natural disaster. Whether far or near, you’ll find that with international students in your classroom, someone is likely to have friends and family in the middle of it all. Explore the impacts, preparedness, and global perspectives on natural disasters.
Peace
Inspire meaningful conversations and strengthen language proficiency with this thought-provoking set of peace-themed conversation prompts. Explore the concept of peace, its cultural significance, and pathways to fostering harmony through engaging peace-themed discussion questions tailored for adult ESL.
Personality
What shapes our personality? Media? Culture? Family? Or is our personality something we are born with? Explore the intricacies of personalities, cultural perceptions, and individual traits through engaging materials designed for adult language ESL.
Pets
In some cultures, a dog is a beloved companion. In others, dogs are food. In still others, they are dirty untouchables. With these questions, your students will discover how their classmates agree and disagree with how they view pets. Explore the joys of pet ownership, cultural attitudes toward animals, and the responsibilities of caring for pets through engaging questions tailored for adult ESL.
Shopping
Engage them in lively conversations and enhance their language proficiency with this practical set of prompts. Explore shopping habits, cultural perspectives on consumerism, and the art of bargaining.
Stress
Spark engaging conversations and strengthen language fluency with this tailored set of conversation prompts. Explore the nuances of stress, its impacts, coping strategies, and more through these thought-provoking stress-themed discussion questions designed for adult ESL students.
Texting
These texting-themed discussion topics for adult ESL will get them to put their phones down. Ignite (possibly heated) conversations and enhance language proficiency with this specialized set of prompts. The dynamics of texting, its impact on communication, and more will engage your adult ESL students.
Time
Take control of time with this set of 92 advanced adult ESL discussion questions about time! This thought-provoking collection delves into the concept of time and its manipulation, time travel and feasibility, the role of time in culture and society, time in relation to other concepts, effective time management and utilization, and personal perception and experience of time.
Voting
Stimulate insightful conversations and increase language fluency with this timely set of prompts. Explore the importance of voting, democratic processes, and cultural attitudes toward election participation through engaging discussion questions about voting crafted for adult ESL.
