Conversation Topics for Intermediate English Students

Cultural and Media Topics

Books and Popular Media

Books and popular media are excellent conversation starters. You can talk about your favorite authors or recent bestsellers you’ve read. Discuss plot elements, characters, and themes that resonated with you.

Share your thoughts on movies you’ve watched lately. Compare book-to-film adaptations and debate which version you prefer. Explore different genres like science fiction, romance, or historical fiction.

Consider creating a book club with fellow English learners. This can motivate you to read regularly and improve your language skills through discussions.

Cultures and Traditions

Cultural discussions help broaden your understanding of the world. Talk about holidays and festivals celebrated in various countries. Compare traditions, customs, and etiquette across different cultures.

Discuss traditional foods from around the globe. Share recipes or experiences trying new cuisines. You can also explore traditional clothing, music, and art forms from different cultures.

Consider virtual or in-person cultural exchange events to practice your English while learning about diverse traditions.

Television and Social Networks

Television shows and social media platforms offer current, relatable topics for conversation. Discuss popular TV series, analyzing plot twists and character development. Share your favorite sitcoms or documentaries.

Talk about your experiences with different social networks. Compare features of platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Discuss the impact of social media on communication and society.

Consider creating a viewing club where you watch English-language shows together and discuss them afterward. This can improve your listening skills and vocabulary.

Practical Conversation Prompts

Travel and Life Experiences

Have you visited any interesting places recently? Share details about your favorite trip, including where you went and what you enjoyed most. Describe a cultural difference you encountered while traveling abroad. What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in a foreign country?

Talk about a life-changing event that shaped who you are today. Discuss a valuable lesson you learned from a past mistake. Share an accomplishment you’re proud of and explain why it matters to you.

Consider your bucket list – what’s the top item you’d like to cross off? Explain your reasons for wanting to experience it.

Work and Education

What do you do for a living? Describe your typical workday and the aspects of your job you find most rewarding. Have you ever had an unusual or challenging work experience? Share it with your conversation partner.

Discuss your educational background. What was your favorite subject in school and why? Talk about a teacher who had a significant impact on your life.

If you could change careers, what field would you choose? Explain your reasons and the skills you’d need to develop for this new path.

Food and Cooking

What’s your favorite dish to cook at home? Share the recipe and explain why you enjoy making it. Discuss a new cuisine you’ve tried recently and your thoughts on the flavors and ingredients.

Have you ever attempted to make a dish from another culture? How did it turn out? Talk about any cooking disasters you’ve experienced and what you learned from them.

Share your thoughts on organic food. Do you prefer to buy organic products? Why or why not? Discuss your go-to comfort foods and the memories associated with them.

Hobbies and Spare Time Activities

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Describe your favorite hobby and how you got started with it. Have you picked up any new interests recently?

Talk about a skill you’d like to learn or improve. What steps are you taking to achieve this goal? Discuss how your hobbies help you relax or stay motivated.

Share a book you’ve read lately or a movie you’ve watched. What did you like or dislike about it? Recommend an entertaining activity to your conversation partner and explain why you think they’d enjoy it.

Social and Environmental Discussions

Social and environmental issues offer engaging topics for intermediate English learners. These subjects encourage critical thinking and vocabulary expansion while exploring important global concerns.

Environmental Problems

Climate change poses significant challenges worldwide. You can discuss its causes, such as greenhouse gas emissions from industries and transportation. Consider the impacts on ecosystems, like rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Pollution affects air, water, and soil quality. You might explore ways to reduce plastic waste or improve recycling efforts in your community. Brainstorm solutions like using renewable energy sources or adopting eco-friendly transportation options.

Conservation efforts are crucial for protecting endangered species. You can discuss the importance of preserving biodiversity and natural habitats. Consider how deforestation and urban development impact wildlife populations.

Society and Government

Governments play a key role in shaping society. You can explore different political systems and their impact on citizens’ lives. Discuss the importance of voting and civic participation in democratic societies.

Social policies affect education, healthcare, and welfare. You might compare these systems across different countries. Consider how government decisions influence job opportunities and economic stability.

Civil rights and equality are important societal issues. You can discuss progress in areas like gender equality and racial justice. Explore ongoing challenges and ways to promote inclusivity in your community.

Social media impacts modern society significantly. You might discuss its role in shaping public opinion and connecting people globally. Consider both the benefits and potential drawbacks of online social networks.

Navigating Complex Conversations

Advanced English learners can tackle more nuanced topics that require deeper thinking and expression. These conversations help you practice sophisticated language while exploring meaningful subjects.

Money, Values, and Ethics

Discussing financial matters and ethical dilemmas can sharpen your critical thinking skills. You might explore questions like: “Should wealth be redistributed?” or “Is it ethical to invest in certain industries?”

Consider role-playing scenarios involving workplace ethics. Practice phrases for expressing agreement or disagreement politely. “I see your point, but I respectfully disagree because…”

Try debating topics like universal basic income or corporate social responsibility. Use conditional statements to explore hypothetical situations: “If companies were required to donate a percentage of profits, how might that impact the economy?”

Love, Relationships, and Family

Relationships offer rich ground for nuanced discussions. You can explore cultural differences in dating, marriage, or family structures. Practice describing your ideal partner or discussing relationship deal-breakers.

Use hypothetical situations to practice giving advice: “What would you do if your partner wanted to move abroad for work?” This helps you practice modal verbs and complex sentence structures.

Discuss changing family dynamics in modern society. You might compare traditional and non-traditional family structures or debate work-life balance issues for parents.

Debating and Arguing in English

Mastering the art of debate enhances your persuasive speaking skills. Start by learning phrases for introducing arguments: “In my opinion…” or “Research shows that…”

Practice countering arguments: “While that may be true, we must also consider…” Use transition words to link ideas: “furthermore”, “on the other hand”, “nevertheless”.

Choose controversial topics like social media’s impact on society or climate change solutions. Focus on backing up your points with evidence and responding to counterarguments respectfully.

Hold mock debates with a partner. Take turns presenting opening statements, rebuttals, and closing arguments. This helps you think on your feet and respond quickly in English.