Conversation Topics and Questions – For English Learners
English conversation topics and questions help you start talking without fear. Pick a topic, read the questions, and practice out loud. You can use them with friends, classmates, coworkers or a language partner.
Knowing grammar and words is not enough. Confidence comes from real talking. Start with easy topics, then move to harder ones. Practice makes progress!
New to speaking? First learn some common daily English phrases. Need sample answers and exercises? Try our English speaking topics for A1, A2 and B1.
How to Start an English Conversation
- Breathe and go slowly. You don’t need perfect English.
- Begin with a greeting. Say your name, where you are from and what you do.
- Ask an open question. Use What, Why or How, not only yes/no questions.
- Avoid sensitive topics at first. Politics, religion and money can wait until you know the person.
Conversation Starters for Real Situations
Meeting someone new
- How do you know the host?
- What brings you here today?
- Have you been to this place before?
With coworkers
- How was your weekend?
- What are you working on this week?
- Any good lunch places near the office?
With a new online friend
- What’s the time like where you live?
- What do you do to relax after a long day?
- What’s one thing people should know about your country?
Basic Level Conversation Topics
- Your job or studies
- Foods you love
- Your hometown
- Your skills
- Free time and fun
- Your daily routine
- Childhood memories
- Family members
- Sports and teams
- Music, movies and books
Basic Level Conversation Questions
- What small thing makes your day better?
- What did you want to be as a child?
- Which place in your city do you show to visitors? Why?
- Who makes you laugh the most?
- What can you cook well?
- What is the best gift you ever got?
- What do you do on a rainy day?
- Are you a morning or an evening person? Why?
- What are you learning right now?
- What was the best moment of your life so far?
Intermediate Level Conversation Topics
- Social events
- Your dream job
- Problems of modern life
- Human and animal rights
- Hobbies and interests
- Your ideal life
- Friendship and love
- The importance of family
- Goals and expectations in life
- Online shopping
Intermediate Level Conversation Questions
- Are we too dependent on technology?
- What are you grateful for in your life?
- If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?
- What do you expect from life in the next five years?
- Do you think life exists outside our planet?
- What would you do if you had one million dollars?
- Who was the best teacher you ever had? Why?
- If you could live in another decade or century, which would you choose?
- Does age really matter in a relationship?
- Which is better for relaxing: reading or watching something? Why?
Topic Changers: How to Move to a New Subject
Don’t stop when a topic ends. Use one of these phrases to keep the conversation going:
- By the way, …
- That reminds me, …
- Speaking of (food), …
- Can I ask you something different?
- Anyway, what about you?
Advanced Level Conversation Topics
- A recipe you can explain step by step
- Developing your career
- Sports fanaticism
- Problems of social media
- Work-life balance
- Big questions: free will, global justice, the meaning of life
- Raising children
- Family dynamics
- Global warming, nuclear weapons and capitalism
- Consumerism
Advanced Level Conversation Questions
- Is happiness only chemicals in the brain, or something more?
- Do we really have free will?
- Is it more important to be liked or respected?
- What worries you most about the future?
- If you ruled the world for a week, what would you change first?
- Which is more powerful: beauty or power?
- How harmful is social media, and who is responsible?
- Why can’t every person be a genius?
- Would you rather live in a big city or a small town? Why?
- Would you want to live forever? Why or why not?
How to Keep the Conversation Going
- React: Really? / That sounds great! / Oh, I see.
- Ask for more: Can you tell me more? / What happened next?
- Share a little: I’m the same. I also … / I’m different. I …
- Give your opinion: I think … / I agree because … / I see it differently because …
Practice one level at a time. When the questions feel easy, move up to the next level.
Free English Conversation Topics and Questions PDF
Download our free English conversation workbook with 30 topics, 45 practice questions, useful phrases and sample answers. It includes beginner, intermediate and advanced discussions, three visual guides and a printable speaking worksheet.
Download the Free English Conversation Workbook (PDF)
Can I take part to this journey