A set of 60 conversation prompts based on common idioms, for use with your English students to encourage spoken language use. In this set, the idioms are drawn from 3 categories: animals, sports, and body.
Animal idioms: Workhorse, Horse around, Early bird, Night owl, Bullheaded, Cats and dogs, Chicken, Dinosaur, Black sheep, Fish out of water, Get your goat, Hurt a fly
Sports idioms: Big hit, Kick off, Own goal, Slam dunk, Throw in the towel, Hurdle, Rookie, Curveball, Team player, No sweat
Body idioms: Big head, Cool head, Big mouth, Broken heart, Heartbreaker,
Cold feet, Golden tongue, Heart of gold, Hairy, Hot head
There are 2 questions given using the English idiom, designed to draw on learner’s own experiences and feelings and to elicit usage of the idiom. Each card provides a definition of the idiom besides the question, so that once folded the card can be turned over for easy reference.
These prompts are designed to draw language from learners communicatively that stimulates their interest and motivation to use English, and can be used in a variety of ways. Encourage your students to elaborate and build on from the question prompts.
A set of 40 conversation prompts based on common idioms, for use with your English students to encourage spoken language use. In this set, the idioms are drawn from 2 categories: animals, sports, and body.
Weather idioms: Breath of fresh air, Bright, Dawn on, Gloomy, Stormy, Storm out, Rain check, Windfall, Rain or shine, Right as rain
Disaster idioms: Erupt, On fire, Flood, Open the floodgates, Tremors, Drought, Wildfire, Landslide, Political earthquake, Eye of the hurricane
There are 2 questions given using each English idiom, designed to draw on learner’s own experiences and knowledge and to elicit usage of the idiom. Each card provides a definition of the idiom besides the question, so that once folded the card can be turned over for easy reference.
These prompts are designed to draw language from learners communicatively that stimulates their interest and motivation to use English, and can be used in a variety of ways. Encourage your students to elaborate and build on from the question prompts.
30 conversations prompts categorised for the teaching and elicitation of phrases to discuss gossip and rumours, including:
I’ve heard…
(some) people say…
It’s been said that…
Many people believe that…
These cards allow learners to practise talking about rumours and gossip in a natural way while avoiding directly endorsing what they are saying. The prompts encourage the free production of language, while at the same time encouraging the noticing and acquisition of grammar patterns whether pre-taught or not, and enable teachers to easily set up communicative discussions between pairs or small groups of learners.
Made for a variety of levels, it is encouraged that teachers of lower-level students first select the cards they feel are most appropriate for the abilities and interests of their students.
A set of 40 conversation prompts based on common phrasal verbs, for use with your English students to encourage spoken language use. In this set, the phrasal verbs are:
*come up with
cool off
cut down on
do without
go about
hear of
run out of
work out *
Each phrasal verb comes with 5 question prompts on topics related to business, social issues, or personal life, designed to draw language from learners communicatively. These questions will stimulate their interest and motivation to use English, and can be used in a variety of ways. The prompts also encourage free production and the noticing and acquisition of grammar patterns. Encourage your students to elaborate and build on the question prompts.
Made for a variety of levels, it is encouraged that teachers of lower-level students first select from these cards the prompts they feel are most appropriate for the abilities and interests of their students.
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards all about technology!
With this set of 50 conversation prompts, help your students practise language patterns commonly used to form and answer questions.
This set demonstrates 10 key patterns of question formation:
What do you use … for?
e.g. What do you use a computer for?
Do you use … at … ?
e.g. Do you use technology at home?
What kind of technology do you use when you … ?
e.g. What kind of technology do you use when you drive?
What piece of technology do you use … ?
e.g. What piece of technology do you use only at night?
*When do you use … ? *
e.g. When do you use artificial light?
*When do you use … to … ? *
e.g. When do you use technology to study?
Which is more important, … or … ?
e.g. Which is more important, the internet or planes?
Second and third conditionals
e.g. If you could buy a self-driving car, would you buy one?
The Present Perfect
e.g. Has email made work easier or more difficult?
Various forms of how:
e.g. How often do you use your smartphone?
How important is technology to you?
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common patterns in English grammar in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
Each set comes with prompts colour coded, to clearly demonstrate the forms in isolation. Later, they can be mixed to elicit natural conversation that flows from point to point.
These cards are suitable for intermediate learners and above.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards all about love! With this set of 60 conversation prompts, help your students practise language patterns commonly used to form and answer questions, while discussing the ups and downs of love.
What is the perfect date? Why do some relationships fail? Discuss it all with your students!
This set is colour-coded to demonstrate common patterns and collocations, with phrases specifically related to love delineated in italics.
Key phrases:
The qualities of a partner.
To share interests.
To have an argument.
Long-lasting relationship.
To be in a relationship.
Marriage/Honeymoon/Divorce…
To write your own vows.
Famous proverbs and idioms – “love at first sight,” “opposites attract…”
…and many more!
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English collocations and patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
These cards are suitable for intermediate learners and above. However, please note: some issues may be inappropriate for your learners. Topics such as divorce and infidelity are touched on, and colour-coded red – please judge for yourself whether they are appropriate for your class!
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards all about food!
With this set of 70 conversation prompts, help your students practise language patterns commonly used to form and answer questions, while discussing their relationship with food, cooking, and healthy eating.
What is your favourite healthy food? What time do you usually eat breakfast? You are a vegetarian, aren’t you?
Each colour-coded set of questions is designed to demonstrate common patterns taught to pre-intermediate learners of English, with special phrases specifically related to food and dining delineated in italics.
Key language demonstrated:
Adverbs of frequency – Usually. (e.g. What time do you usually eat at the weekend?)
“Will” & “going to” (e.g. Will you eat out this week? Are you going to cook tonight?)
Simple past (e.g. Did you skip breakfast yesterday?)
Expressing preferences (e.g. which do you prefer, Italian or Mexican food?)
Superordinals in the present perfect (e.g. What is the most delicious meal you have eaten?)
Question tags – do/is/are/can (e.g. you’re a good cook, aren’t you? You like ice cream, don’t you?)
…and many more!
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English collocations and patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
These cards are suitable for pre-intermediate learners, but are also suitable for those above. Discussion-based, they can be used to start a class or activity, before having students develop from there.
Identify common errors and language needs while your students talk, and enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards designed to elicit discussion about all things related to music. With this set of 100 conversation prompts, help your students encounter, notice, and practise language patterns and collocations commonly used to form and answer questions in English.
Questions are colour-coded and grouped into common language patterns, with repetition of question forms designed to encourage language uptake as students share their answers.
Example questions and patterns:
What is the most played instrument in the world?
Who is the greatest singer ever?
Which do you like better, jazz or classical music?
Which is more difficult, playing guitar or playing piano?
Who was John Lennon?
What is your favourite album?
What genre of music don’t you like?
Can you play any instruments?
Have you ever played a live concert?
How much do you know about hip-hop?
Do you listen to music while driving?
Do you listen to music when you are sad?
…. and more!
These cards are designed for intermediate levels and above, but are suitable for most levels depending on language goals and careful selection of questions. They are appropriate for all ages of learners from early teens to adults, regardless of if they are currently at school or graduated some time ago.
These cards ensure your students learn naturally, increasing the fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary while discussing their own knowledge and feelings about music.
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their ideas.
Check out more of our products on Foreign Language Teachers to find materials for all levels and ages of learner.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards designed to elicit discussion about all things related to family and family life.
With this set of 60 conversation prompts, help your students encounter, notice, and practise language patterns and collocations commonly used to form and answer questions in English.
Each card has key vocabulary highlighted, with repetition of question forms designed to encourage language uptake as students share their answers.
This set uses colour-coded guides to separate and demonstrate common patterns and collocations, though there are multiple variations of how the cards can be used.
Example language patterns:
How manycousins do you have?
Does your family get together for New Year?
Do you have abig family or small family?
Who is the youngest in your family?
Do you want to have children?
What do you know about your family history?
These cards are designed for intermediate levels and above, but are suitable for pre-intermediate learners depending on language goals and careful selection of language by patterns/sets.
They are appropriate for all ages of learners from early teens onwards, regardless of if they are currently at school or graduated some time ago. *However, we recommend selecting as appropriate with reference to both language ability and family history.
*
These cards ensure your students learn naturally, increasing the fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary while discussing their own experiences, preferences, and feelings about their families.
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
Check out more of our products on Foreign Language Teachers to find materials for all levels and ages of learner.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards designed to elicit discussion about all things related to history and historical events and figures. With this set of 90 conversation prompts, help your students encounter, notice, and practise language patterns and collocations commonly used to form and answer questions in English.
Questions are colour-coded and grouped into common grammar patterns, with repetition of question forms designed to encourage language uptake as students share their answers.
Example questions and grammar patterns:
What was the most important invention** in history? **
Who was the most powerful woman** in history?**
Which was more important, the invention of the camera or the mobile phone?
Who was Nelson Mandela?
What was the Industrial Revolution?
Which historical event would you like to see?
Do you wish you could visit the Roman Empire?
What do you know about Genghis Khan?
How much do you know about John F. Kennedy?
When did humans first come to Australia?
When did the British Empire exist?
These cards are designed for intermediate levels and above, but are suitable for most levels depending on language goals and careful selection of questions. The choice of appropriate cards depends entirely on what you know of your students’ interests!
They are appropriate for all ages of learners from early teens onwards, regardless of if they are currently at school or graduated some time ago. However, we recommend selecting as appropriate with reference to maturity and cultural sensitivities.
These cards ensure your students learn naturally, increasing the fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary while discussing their own knowledge and understanding of history.
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their ideas.
Check out more of our products on Foreign Language Teachers to find materials for all levels and ages of learner.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards! With this set of 90 conversation prompts, help your students practise patterns of grammar used commonly to discuss frequency, routine, and habits.
This set is divided into three parts:
1)** Discussing personal habits and recommending routines**
Example Language:
How often do you…
How often should you…
…exercise?
…clean your room?
…study English?
…brush your teeth?
Discussing frequency of experiences and predicting future frequency
Example Language:
How many times have you…
How many times will you…
…laughed today? …laugh today?
…drunk today? …drink today?
…looked at your phone? …look at your phone?
…used a computer? …use a computer?
3)** Adverbs of frequency**
Example Language:
always usually sometimes occasionally rarely never
What time do you usually…?
Do you occasionally…?
Are you always…?
Do you often…?
Do you rarely…?
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common patterns in English grammar in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
Each set comes with prompts matched into pairs, to allow conversation to continue and encourage recycling of language. These pairs can be printed and folded to make a single, double-sided card. For example:
*How often do you exercise? – How often should you exercise?
How many times have you looked at your phone today? – How many times will you look at your phone today?*
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Discuss the world of work with your students, from teens to adults! In this set you will find 40 conversation prompts designed to:
a) demonstrate the usage of common English vocabulary to describe work and working conditions.
b) elicit the usage of these words and phrases.
The prompts elicit a number of common words, phrases, and collocations that are used in daily conversation to talk about work.
Vocabulary and phrases included in this set:
dream job
good/bad boss
good/bad coworker
salary
vacation time
work better (alone/under pressure etc.)
working hours
Pension
Health benefits
High/low stress
Stressful
International travel
Overseas work
Retire
Require
Job interview
Working environment
Skills
Full-time
Part-time
These prompts are suitable for all learners of English of pre-intermediate level and above. They are designed to elicit discussion from students whether they have worked before or not, and regardless of if they are currently working. In contrast to the “Business English: Conversation prompts using English business vocabulary” prompts also available from TEFL Teachers, the prompts in this set are designed to elicit opinions rather than facts, and require less background knowledge of business and business terms.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Example questions: What makes a good working environment? Which would you prefer, a full-time job or a part-time job? What characteristics make a good coworker? What skills do you need to get a good job?
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards designed to elicit critical discussion about all things related to the news and news media. With this set of 130 conversation prompts, help your students encounter, notice, and practise language patterns and collocations commonly used to form and answer questions in English.
Each card has key collocations highlighted, with repetition of question forms designed to encourage language uptake as students share their answers.
This set uses colour-coded guides to separate questions into common topics, though there are multiple variations of how the cards can be used. Target language repeats across topics, encouraging noticing and learner uptake.
Example language:
What kinds of news are you interested in?
Has your** news consumption** changed over time?
Do you approach the news with a critical eye?
Do you fact-check news that you see on social media?
Do you think science is over-reported or under-reported?
What reasons are there for censorship?
Example topics:
Forms of news media
News and social media
Categories of news (Science/Sports/Politics/Tech/Business/Economic etc)
The purpose of journalism
These cards are designed for above intermediate level to advanced learners of English, but are suitable for lower-ability learners depending on language goals and careful selection of language by patterns/sets. They are appropriate for mature learners developing critical thinking skills, from mid-teens onwards to adults.
These cards ensure your students learn naturally, increasing the fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary while discussing their own understanding of and feelings about the news.
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
Check out more of our products on Foreign Language Teachers to find materials for all levels and ages of learner.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards designed to elicit understanding and discussion of some of William Shakespeare’s most famous sayings – sayings that are still in common use today!
With this set of 15 conversation prompts, your students can have in depth discussions about the meaning and relevance to themselves of these most powerful of idioms.
Each card also comes with the saying in its original context, with the Shakespeare play, act, and scene noted on the right-hand card.
Is love blind? Is all that glitters really not gold? Are you born great, or can greatness be thrust upon you? Find out what your students think, and help them improve their English communicative and idiomatic skills.
These cards are suitable for intermediate level learners and above. These cards ensure your students learn naturally, increasing fluency and grasp of idiomatic language.
Check out more of our products on Foreign Language Teachers to find materials for all levels and ages of learner.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Talk about English: 100 questions for EFL to stimulate thinking about English and English language learning!
What do all English learners have in common? English!
Stimulate discussion in English, about English, with these conversation prompt cards designed to elicit discussion about all things related to English language learning. With this set of 100 conversation prompts, help your students encounter, notice, and practise language patterns commonly used to form and answer questions in English. At the same time, they will also come to understand the language, and the reasons behind studying it, in more depth.
Cards are grouped into colour-coded sets to separate and demonstrate common patterns of grammar in the English language, including forming Wh-questions, using conditionals, understanding word forms, and identifying English tenses.
Included topics:
Wh-questions
e.g. Where do you usually study English?
How often do you study English?
Identifying word types
e.g. What is an adjective?
What is the difference between the articles a/an and the?
English tenses
e.g. Can you make a sentence in the present continuous tense?
Is there a future tense in English?
**Discussing preferences **
e.g. Which do you prefer, listening to English podcasts or watching English movies?
English accents
e.g. How many English accents can you name?
Offering advice
e.g. What advice can you give for improving your English listening skill?
English as a global language
e.g. In which countries do people speak English?
Conditionals and hypothesizing
e.g. If you could study another language instead of English, would you?
English-language media
e.g. What English-language writers do you know?
These cards are designed for intermediate levels and above, but are suitable for pre-intermediate learners depending on language goals and careful selection of language by patterns/sets. They are appropriate for all mature learners, including adults.
These cards ensure your students learn naturally, increasing the fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary while discussing their own experiences, preferences, and feelings about English language learning.
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
Check out more of our products on Foreign Language Teachers to find materials for all levels and ages of learner.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards designed to elicit discussion using a variety of prepositions related to location, place and time. With this set of 60 conversation prompts, help your students encounter, notice, and practise the correct prepositions and patterns commonly used to talk about directions and time in English.
Questions are colour-coded and grouped into patterns, with repetition of question forms designed to encourage language uptake as students share their answers.
Example questions:
Do you live by a river?
Where is your nearest train station?
What is on your kitchen counter?
What do you do on your commute?
What do you do in the evening?
Can you describe your favourite restaurant?
These cards are designed for pre-intermediate levels and above, but are suitable for most levels depending on language goals and appropriate monitoring by the teacher.
They are appropriate for all ages of learners, regardless of if they are currently at school or graduated some time ago. However, some cards refer to work and employment, so younger students may need to explain (in English!) that these questions are not relevant to them.
These cards ensure your students learn naturally, increasing the fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary while discussing their own lives, opinions, and giving their own recommendations.
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their ideas.
Check out more of our products on Foreign Language Teachers to find materials for all levels and ages of learner.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
220 questions for EFL to stimulate discussion about movies, TV, and gaming!
Stimulate discussion in English about movies, TV, and gaming with these conversation prompt cards designed to elicit discussion about all things related to electronic media. With this set of 220 conversation prompts, help your students encounter, notice, and practise language patterns commonly used to form and answer questions in English. At the same time, they will also learn to express their opinions and converse with other confidently in English.
Cards are grouped into colour-coded sets to separate the topics of movies, TV, and gaming, and also grouped to demonstrate common patterns. Key vocabulary is highlighted to draw attention to form and function, and used in repetition throughout the set to encourage language uptake.
Included topics:
Movies:
e.g. What is your favorite movie series?
Who is an up-and-coming movie star today?
Do you like martial arts films?
TV:
e.g. Which popular TV show is overrated?
How often do you channel surf?
What is your favorite reality TV show?
Gaming:
e.g. Do you like role-playing games (RPGs)?
How often do you play multiplayer games?
What is the best games console?
Examples of key vocabulary:
underrated
stream a movie
biopics
audience participation
binge
all-time favorite
…. and many more natural English words and phrases !
These cards are designed for intermediate levels and above, but are suitable for pre-intermediate learners depending on language goals and careful selection of language by patterns/sets. They are appropriate for all learners, including adults.
These cards ensure your students learn naturally, increasing the fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary while discussing their own preferences and opinions about media entertainment.
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common English patterns in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
Check out more of our products on Foreign Language Teachers to find materials for all levels and ages of learner.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Talk about space: 90 conversation prompts for intermediate to advanced English learners
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards all about space, space travel, and life off Earth!
With this set of 90 conversation prompts, help your students practise language patterns commonly used to discuss our universe, and the future of humanity within it.
This set allows your students to use vocabulary and language they might be interested in, but have little chance to discuss. From scientific language to predictions and hopes, example questions include:
What are the chances of extraterrestrial life in our solar system?
Will humanity ever colonize other planets?
How do stars form?
What causes an eclipse?
What is a black hole?
Will humanity ever find another habitable planet?
What is a light year?
What are the characteristics of Jupiter?
What causes seasons on a planet?
Can you explain the Big Bang theory?
How many people have walked on the moon?
… and many more!
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common patterns in English grammar in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their interests. Question forms are repeated a number of times, to allow for natural but efficient uptake of language.
Each set comes with prompts colour coded by topic, but they can be mixed in many ways to elicit natural conversations.
These cards are suitable for intermediate to advanced learners.
Enliven your language classroom with engaging discussions!
Stimulate discussion in English with these conversation prompt cards! With this set of 60 conversation prompts, help your students practise using want and would like to discuss desires, and naturally note the common grammar patterns and nuances of these terms.
This set is divided into two parts:
Prompts using want
What do you want to…?
What <noun> do you want to …?
What do you want to do for <event>?
Where/When/Why/Who do you want to …?
What do you want to do this <time period>?
Prompts using would like
Would you like to …?
What would you like to …?
What would you like to do for <event>?
Where/What/Who would you like to …?
These conversation prompts allow you students to identify and learn common patterns in English grammar in a natural, communicative way, while making the class personal to them and their lives.
Each set comes with prompts colour-coded into similar patterns, however they can be used in other groupings or mixed.
Stimulate your students’ learning with lively, natural conversations in English!
A collection of 224 conversation starters to stimulate discussion amongst students of the English language. Each colour-coded set is based around a single grammar point using a certain tense or conditional, with grammar explanations to aid a teacher in preparing for the activity.