Real-life conversations starters for English as a second language students

This post includes some basic, real-life conversation starters. It is written for both students and teachers. Remember, always consider the language level of the person you’re speaking with.

For beginners

Beginners often need short, simple phrases they can memorize and use confidently. These focus on basic vocabulary and structure.

• General questions
  • “Hi, how are you?” – Universal, easy to say, and invites a response. Beginners can practice answering, too.
  • “What’s your name?” – Perfect for meeting someone new; builds name-sharing confidence.
  • “Where are you from?” – Encourages sharing personal info simply; great for classroom or travel.
  • “Do you like this weather?” – Weather is a safe, universal topic; beginners can answer “Yes” or “No” easily.
  • “What’s your favorite hobby?” – Encourages sharing about what they like to do.
  • “What do you do?” – Introduces jobs or roles; short and repeatable.
• More questions
  • Animals: “What is your favorite animal? Why?”
  • Daily life: “What do you like to do after school or work?”
  • Family and friends: “Do you have brothers or sisters? What are they like?”
  • Food: “What is your favorite food? Why do you like it?”
  • Hobbies: “Do you play a sport or a game? What is it?”
  • Travel: “Do you like to travel? Where do you want to go?”
  • Weather: “Do you like sunny days or rainy days? Why?”
• Tips for beginner-level conversations
  • Use visuals: Pictures, flashcards, and real objects can greatly aid comprehension.
  • Keep it short and simple: Use short sentences and basic vocabulary. Remember, the phrase, “Short, sweet, and to the point.” This is often important for communication in the ESL world, as you may never know the level of English another person has.
  • Repeat and rephrase: Don’t be afraid to repeat questions or rephrase them in simpler terms.
  • Encourage one-word answers: At the very beginning, one-word answers are perfectly acceptable. However, work on building those sentences — just keep them simple. For example, instead of “Yes”, say, “Yes, I do”.
  • Use gestures: Body language can help convey meaning.
  • Create a relaxed atmosphere: Make students feel comfortable and encourage them to participate, even if they make mistakes.
  • Focus on the present: Beginner students will more easily grasp concepts relating to the present tense.

Intermediate level

When working with intermediate ESL students, conversation starters should encourage more detailed responses and the use of a wider range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. These are categorized for better understanding and following.

• Culture and society
  • How do you think cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings?
  • How has your city or town changed in recent years
  • What are some of the most important traditions in your culture?
• Food
  • What’s the most unusual food you’ve ever tried? Describe the taste.
  • What’s your favorite food from your country? Can you describe it?
  • How has the food in your country changed over the last few decades?
  • Do you like cooking? What’s one thing you can make well?
  • Do you think that people should try to eat more local food, why or why not?
• Hobbies and free time
  • Do you have a favorite hobby? How did you start doing it?
  • Do you enjoy doing your hobbies alone or with friends?
  • Do you prefer indoor activities like reading or outdoor activities like hiking? Why?”
  • Do you watch videos or read books to learn more about your hobbies?
  • Have you ever made something interesting with your hobby, like a drawing or a craft?
  • How much time do you spend on your hobbies each week?
  • If you had more free time, what would you do with it?
  • What do you usually do in your free time to relax or have fun?
  • What’s a new hobby you’d like to try someday?
  • What’s the most difficult thing about your favorite hobby?
• Hypothetical and problem-solving scenarios
  • If you could change one thing about your city, what would it be, and why?
  • If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?
  • Imagine you won the lottery. How would you spend the money?
  • What would you do if you found a lost wallet with a large sum of money inside?
• Personal interests
  • What’s a hobby you’re passionate about, and how did you get started?
  • What kind of books, movies, or music do you enjoy, and why?
  • What are your goals for the next year, and how do you plan to achieve them?
• Technology
  • How has technology changed the way we communicate with each other?
  • What are some of the positive and negative effects of social media?
  • Do you think artificial intelligence will have a positive or negative impact on the future?
• Travel
  • Have you ever visited another country? What was it like?
  • If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go, and what would you do there?
  • What are the pros and cons of traveling alone versus traveling with a group?
  • What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever traveled to, and why?
• Tips for intermediate-level conversations
  • Correct errors constructively: Focus on common errors and provide gentle correction.
  • Create a comfortable and supportive environment: Encourage students to take risks and express themselves freely.
  • Encourage follow-up questions: Teach students how to ask clarifying questions and extend the conversation.
  • Introduce new vocabulary: Provide students with relevant vocabulary before or during the conversation.
  • Promote active listening: Emphasize the importance of paying attention to what others are saying.

Advanced level

These are open-ended, thought-provoking, and adaptable to different interests. They also invite advanced students to use nuanced vocabulary and reasoning, which can push their conversational skills further.

• Ethics and philosophy: Do you think artificial intelligence should have the same rights as humans if it becomes sentient?
• Science and technology: What do you see as the next breakthrough in space exploration, and how might it change life on Earth?
• Society and culture: How do you think globalization has shaped the way younger generations view identity?
• Politics and history: If you could rewrite one decision from the past century, what would it be and why?
• Environment: Is it realistic to expect humanity to reverse climate change, or should we focus on adaptation instead?
• Psychology: Do you believe people are more driven by fear or by hope in their daily decisions?
• Future Trends: What skill do you think will be most valuable in 20 years that isn’t widely taught today?
• Hobbies
  • How do you think your hobbies reflect your personality or values?
  • What’s a hobby you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet, and what’s holding you back?
  • How do you balance your free time between pursuing hobbies and fulfilling other responsibilities?
  • In what ways have your hobbies evolved over time, and what prompted those changes?
  • Do you think society undervalues certain hobbies? If so, which ones and why?
  • How do you decide whether a hobby is worth investing your time and resources into?
  • What role does technology play in the hobbies you enjoy, and do you see that as a positive or negative influence?
  • Have you ever turned a hobby into a source of income or a career? If not, would you consider it?
  • How do you think cultural differences shape the way people spend their free time?
  • What’s the most unusual or niche hobby you’ve encountered, and what fascinated you about it?
• Tips for advanced-level students
  • Promote active listening: Emphasize the importance of paying attention to what others are saying.
  • Introduce new vocabulary: Provide students with relevant vocabulary before or during the conversation.
  • Encourage follow-up questions: Teach students how to ask clarifying questions and extend the conversation.
  • Correct errors constructively: Focus on common errors and provide gentle correction.
  • Create a comfortable and supportive environment: Encourage students to take risks and express themselves freely.