Technology ESL Conversation Questions

What technology couldn't you live without?

How has technology changed education methods?
Can technology fix global warming?
Is there a difference between a machine, like a microwave, and a robot? How would you
define “robot”?
How do we currently use robots?
Is it possible to give Artificial Intelligence (AI) to robots?
Will robots cause rising unemployment in the future?
Could a robot do your job?
How are people different from computers?
Are you scared of how much information Internet companies such as Google have about
you?
Do you think humans will one day inhabit other planets?
Do you support investing large amounts of money into space exploration?
Has a computer virus ever caused problems for you? What steps do you take to protect
your data and privacy?
What are some of the greatest achievements and inventions of mankind? Make a list
with your classmates.

Travel ESL Conversation Questions

Where would you like to go on your next holiday?

What's the best way to find deals on travel?
If you had to immigrate to another country, where would you go? Why?
What is the stereotype of your nation's citizens?
Do you prefer active or relaxing holidays?
If you had more money, where would you go?
Do you like packaged holiday tours?
What was your best holiday?
What was your worst holiday?
Do you have any horrible or funny travel stories?
"When in Rome, do as the Romans" -- do you agree with this idea?
Does your country have many tourists? What do you think of them?
What are the best places to visit in your city or town?
If you could only pack five things for a trip to an unknown place, what would you take?
Is there a place that you'd never visit again?
Who are the worst tourists?
What has been your worst experience at a hotel?
What are some common travel scams? Have you been the victim of a travel scam?
What are the differences between a 2-star and 5-star hotel?
How do you plan your holidays?
“Eco-friendly”: is this just a way for companies to be cheap?
Would you ever try couchsurfing?“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”: Do you
believe in this expression?
In your experience, is making strong friendships with people from other cultures difficult?

Work ESL Conversation Questions

What was your first job?

What is the worst job you have ever had?
When you were a child, what did you want to be?
What is your dream job?
How long should women get for maternity leave?
Do you think human beings need to work to be happy?
What are the minimum things you need to do your work effectively? Do you have them?
What do you believe are the top predictors of job performance?
Do people commonly work from home in your company? What do you think of this?
Do you think 40 hours a week is too much for humans?
When do you plan to retire?
What do you see yourself doing in your retirement?
Do you have a pension or adequate savings for retirement?
What would make you quit your job?
What motivates you to work hard?
How do you balance work and your personal life?
Other than increasing salaries, what can employers do to make their workers happy?
Do women often face discrimination in the workplace in your country?
Are you a supporter of labour unions?
Have you experienced sexual harassment in the workplace?
What industries are strong in your country?
What is your best achievement?
How would you define success?
Do you get any perks (or fringe benefits) from your employer?
Do you and your boss get along?
What is the retirement age in your country?
What is the worst job in the world?
Is it true that 'no job is perfect'?
Have you ever had a manager or coworker that you couldn't get along with?
What are some inappropriate questions to ask in job interviews?
What are some tough job interview questions? How would you answer them?
How do you prepare for a job interview?
What would you do if you were fired from your job?
How is the economic recession affecting your field?
If you could go back in time, would you study something different?
Would you ever date a coworker? boss?
Work Hours: Can countries that have a shorter workweek stay competitive?
Stereotyping: Do national stereotypes hold any truth? If so, how much?
Retirement: Should women who've had children be allowed to retire earlier?
Are jobs in the public sector sought after in your country? Why or why not?
Do you have any interesting job interview stories?
Should interviewers be prohibited from asking about age, marital status, residency, etc?
What companies/brands do you like? Why?
Do you know companies that have bad reputations? What for?
What CSR programs does your company have, if any?
What companies do you feel overcharge or abuse their customers?
What are the values of the company you work for?
If you had your own company, what type of policies, dress code, workspace, etc would
you have?
How can a person make a good first impression?
What are some things you should and should not do if you are organizing a business
dinner?
What are some important factors to consider for starting a small business?
If you had your own business, what kind of business would it be and how would you run
it?
Unionization: Would unionization reduce Amazon’s ability to be as efficient and
affordable?
Which should be a bigger priority for a business: customer or employee satisfaction?
Looking back, has your education produced much value for your career?
What would you do with your life if you had complete financial freedom? Can the answer
to this question help you find the ideal career?
Does automation present a threat to your chosen career path?
How would you rate your soft skills? Are they greater assets to you than your hard
skills?
Is it harder for introverts to succeed in the workplace?
What are people more likely to find: their dream job or true love?
Are external considerations, e.g. debt, privilege, greater factors in career choice than
values, interests, and personality?
What have been the most satisfying and dissatisfying jobs you’ve ever done?
Does improving labor standards negatively impact a company or country’s ability to
compete?
“My Mental Health”: Is the idea of protecting one’s mental health sometimes abused by
people who want to avoid working hard?
Do you believe that work today is more difficult than it was in your parents’ generation?