49 English Conversation Topics: Lessons with Discussion Questions, Writing Prompts, Idioms & Vocabulary

​About the Author: Jackie Bolen

I taught English in South Korea for a decade to every level and type of student and I've taught every age from kindergarten kids to adults. Most of my time centered around teaching at two universities: five years at a science and engineering school out in the rice paddies of Chungcheongnam-Do, and four years at a major university in Busan where I taught high-level classes for students majoring in English. These days, I live in Vancouver, Canada where I teach privately as well as in English language academies. In my spare time, you can usually find me outside surfing, biking, hiking, or on the hunt for the most delicious kimchi I can find.

In case you were wondering what my academic qualifications are, I hold a Master of Arts in Psychology. During my time in Korea, I've successfully completed both the Cambridge CELTA and DELTA certification programs. With the combination of almost 15 years teaching ESL/EFL learners of all ages and levels, and the more formal teaching qualifications I've obtained, I have a solid foundation on which to offer teaching advice. I truly hope that you find this book useful and would love it if you sent me an email with any questions or feedback that you might have—I'll always take the time to personally respond.

Jackie Bolen around the Internet

ESL Speaking (www.eslspeaking.org)

Pinterest (www.pinterest.ca/eslspeaking)

YouTube (www.youtube.com/c/jackiebolen)

Email: [email protected]

***This book contains all new topics and questions! There are even more complete English conversation lesson plans in these other books of mine.***

67 ESL Conversation Topics (Intermediate-Advanced)

47 ESL Conversation Topics (Beginner-Intermediate)

If you can't get enough ESL conversation questions in this book, you can get even more goodness delivered straight to your inbox every week. I promise to respect your privacy—your name and email address will never be shared with anyone for any reason. Sign-up here.

​How to Use this Book

These conversation lessons are designed for teenagers, university students, or adults. They do assume a basic knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary so are best suited for intermediate or advanced students.

The main purpose of these lessons is to get students talking about a certain topic and can be used for classes of 30 minutes to two hours. There are 49 different topics in total and each lesson includes the following:

−  warm-up question

−  vocabulary challenge (5 scrambled words from the conversation questions)

−  idioms and phrases related to the topic (5)

−  15 conversation questions

−  3 writing prompts suitable for class time or homework

For smaller classes of less than three students, it's possible to work through each lesson together as a class. It's also possible to use these conversation lessons for 1-1 or private tutoring. However, for larger classes of four or more, I recommend putting students into pairs and letting them work through the lesson together to make classes more student-centered.

​Advertising

Warm-Up

Do you think that you're influenced by advertising? Why or why not?

Vocabulary Challenge

n b a r d = A type of product from a certain company with a certain name.

e i c o m c m l r a = What you see on TV during breaks.

c i u n e f e l n r = Someone with a lot of social media followers.

c m u e s t r o = Someone who buys something or uses a service.

t g a t r e = To go after, or aim for something.

Idioms and Phrases

go viral, across the board, sold on (something), deliver the goods, price yourself out of the market

If you don't _____, you'll be out of a job.

Have you seen the latest video. It will _____ I think.

I'm not _____ this colour. What do you think?

Be careful. You might _____ if you go too high.

It's rare that we agree on a decision _____ at our company.

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Answers

Vocabulary challenge: brand, commercial, influencer, customer, target

Idioms and phrases: deliver the goods, go viral, sold on, price yourself out of the market, across the board

Let's Talk

Name as many different advertising methods as you can (at least 5).

What are some of your favourite brands?

If you need a new pair of shoes, what influences your decision to buy one pair over another one?

Have you seen any shocking or memorable commercials or advertisements?

What makes an ad memorable and another one not?

Do celebrity or influencer advertisements make you want to buy the product?

Are you easily influenced by advertising?

What do you think about companies (fast food restaurants, for example) that target children in their advertising?

What influences you to buy one product, or another?

Do you consider customer reviews before buying something?

Should political parties be allowed to advertise before an election?

Should pharmaceutical companies be allowed to advertise their drugs?

Would you rather pay for a TV/movie subscription (Netflix, for example) than see ads like on cable TV?

What are some of the negative effects of advertising?

When you go to the grocery store, do you ever buy store brand items?

Writing Prompts

Is there enough protection against false advertising in your country?

Which products depend the most on advertising? Which products have a strong brand loyalty?

Do you think advertising is a form of art?

​Advice

Warm-Up

Do you like to give advice to people? Why or why not?

Vocabulary Challenge

u i n s t o l e i d c = Something that isn't asked for.

i h a t b = Something you do many times.

e e x r p t = Someone who knows a lot about a certain thing.

f a i c n i a l n = Related to money.

p s a n r t e = The people who raise a child.

Idioms and Phrases

the pot calling the kettle black, actions speak louder than words, unsolicited advice, Rome wasn't built in a day, don't count your chickens before they hatch

I know you didn't ask, but I have some _____ for you about this decision.

Didn't you get arrested for drunk driving too? Aren't you just _____?

Don't give