English Conversation Topic 61 Talking about marijuana in English

Conversation Starters
Marijuana is a drug, illegal (against the law) in most countries of the world. Smoking marijuana can make you feel "high" – it can make you feel happier. Discuss the use of marijuana with your partner, starting with the questions below.

1. What are some reasons that people start using drugs such as marijuana? 2. Why do you think marijuana is illegal?
3. Have you ever tried marijuana or would you like to try it?
4. Do you know anyone who smokes marijuana sometimes?
5. Are there any benefits to smoking marijuana?

 
Discussion Questions Here are more challenging English questions about marijuana. Try to keep the conversation going. If you don't have a conversation partner, think of your own answers using complete English sentences.

1. What are some of the dangers of using marijuana? 2. What are some of the most dangerous drugs?
3. Do you think that marijuana should be legal for medical uses with a prescription from a doctor?
4. Is there any difference between "soft" drugs such as marijuana and "hard" drugs like crack, heroin or cocaine?
5. What would you do if someone in your family were addicted to drugs?

English Conversation Topic 60 Talking about love and marriage in English

Conversation Starters
This is probably the most popular topic to talk about, so take your time. Start with the questions below and then ask follow-up questions for great English conversations.

1. Do you believe in "love at first sight"? 2. At what age do people usually get married in your country?
3. At what age do you plan to get married? (Or at what age did you get married?)
4. Do you want a spouse (husband or wife) who is exactly the same age as you, or a bit younger or older? Why?
5. What qualities are important in a spouse?
6. Do you think it's possible to find love on the Internet?
7. What kind of wedding do you want? (Describe it in detail.)
8. Would you consider marrying someone from another country? What about someone with a different religion?
9. Do you know anyone who has gotten divorced? Do you know why they got divorced?

 
Discussion Questions Here are more challenging English questions about the difficulties of love and marriage. Try to keep the conversation going. If you don't have a conversation partner, think of your own answers using complete English sentences.

1. In your opinion, how long should a couple know each other before they get married? 2. In your opinion, is it helpful for a couple to live together before they get married?
3. Can you give any advice on how to get along with your in-laws? (Your spouse's parents.)
4. What are some reasons that divorce has increased over the years? (Try to think of several reasons.)
5. Do you think marriage changes people? In what ways?
6. What do you think of men who have more than one wife?
7. Should women be allowed to have more than one husband?
8. If you had to marry either a poor man you really loved, or a rich man you did not love, which would you choose?
9. If you had to live with someone who truly loves you but who you don't love, or to love someone who doesn't love you, which would you choose?
10. Would you marry someone ten years older than you? How about ten years younger than you?

English Conversation Topic 59 Talking about laughing in English

Conversation Starters
Laughing is a funny topic! Enjoy having English conversations starting with some of the sentences below.

1. How many times do you laugh in an ordinary day? 2. Do you usually laugh quietly or do you laugh out loud?
3. What kind of things make you laugh? People arguing loudly? Someone slipping on a banana peel and falling? Plays on words (also called 'puns')? Cartoons? Funny movies?
4. Have you or anyone you know ever laughed out of control at something quite serious?
5. What kind of jokes do people in your country often laugh at?

 
Discussion Questions Now try to have longer conversations about laughing and laughter learning using the open-ended questions below. If you do not have a conversation partner, think of your own answers in English, using complete sentences.

1. There's a saying in English that "laughter is the best medicine". Do you agree or disagree? 2. In English we say that people ‘roar’ or ‘howl' with laughter, or ‘burst into’ or ‘break into’ laughter. What are the differences between these?
3. What do you think might be the deeper purpose of laughter? Explain.

English Conversation Topic 58 Talking about languages in English

Conversation Starters
As a language learner, this topic will be very interesting! Talk about languages in English using the questions below to get started.

1. How many languages are spoken in your country? 2. Are there some parts of your country where people speak a language different from the main language?
3. How many languages can you speak well?
4. Are there any words in your language that come from other languages?
5. What languages do people speak in the following countries: Mexico, Australia, Austria, Canada, Brazil, Switzerland?

 
Discussion Questions Now try to have longer conversations about languages and language learning using the open-ended questions below. If you do not have a conversation partner, think of your own answers in English, using complete sentences.

1. Do you know anyone who is very good at learning languages? Why do you think he or she is good at it? 2. What are the reasons that English is the "international language" today?
3. What were some international languages in the past?
4. Do you think another language will replace English as the international language in the future? Why or why not?

English Conversation Topic 57 Talking about honesty in English

Conversation Starters
Nobody likes to be lied to, so honesty is always best, right? Let's discuss the topic of honesty in English. Use the questions below to start your conversation.

1. Have you ever lied before? 2. Would you ever tell a "white lie"? (A lie told to make someone feel better.)
3. In your opinion, why is honesty important?
4. When have you been lied to? How did you feel then?
5. Is there anyone you know who is completely honest all of the time?

 
Discussion Questions Now try to have longer conversations about honesty using the open-ended questions below. If you do not have a conversation partner, think of your own answers in English, using complete sentences.

1. Is there any way we can know for sure when somebody is lying to us? 2. If honesty is so important, why is it sometimes difficult to be honest?
3. When is it all right to just tell a "half truth"?
4. Do you think a good worker should be fired if it is discovered he lied during his job interview? Why or why not?

English Conversation Topic 56 Talking about homes in English

Conversation Starters
We sometime say in English that "home is where the heart is". Talk from your heart about the topic of homes, using the questions below as a starting point. If you do not have a conversation partner, try to answer each question yourself, using complete English sentences.

1. What kind of home do you live in? 2. Do you like your current home? Why or why not?
3. How long have you lived in your current home?
4. How many different homes have you lived in so far in your life?
5. Which has been your favorite place to live? Which home did you like the least?
6. Is your current home in a convenient location? Why or why not?
7. Do you have a favorite room in your home? If yes, which room and why?

 
Discussion Questions Now try to have longer conversations about homes using the open-ended questions below. If you do not have a conversation partner, think of your own answers in English, using complete sentences.

1. If you had a choice, would you rather have a home in the country or in the city? How would those two homes be different? 2. Someone once said, "Any place I lay my hat is home". Do you feel this way? Can you easily go to a new house or do you prefer to always live in one place?
3. What would be your "dream home"? Try to describe it in detail.
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages to living in an apartment rather than a detached house.
5. Can you imagine an "environmentally friendly" house? What would it be like?

English Conversation Topic 55 Talking about holidays in English

Conversation Starters
Let's talk about a fun topic – holidays! Start interesting English conversations using the holiday-related questions below. If you do not have a conversation partner, try to answer each question yourself, using complete English sentences.

1. What is the biggest holiday of the year in your country? 2. Do you have a favorite holiday? What is it?
3. Does your country have an autumn "harvest festival" of some kind?
4. Does your country have any holidays related to lovers, like Valentine's Day?
5. Does your country have any funny holidays like April Fool's Day?
6. Are there any special foods connected with holidays in your country?
7. Are holidays approved by the government in your country or are they based on traditions?
8. Who do you like to spend holidays with? What do you do together?

 
Discussion Questions Now try to have longer conversations about holidays using the open-ended questions below. If you do not have a conversation partner, think of your own answers in English, using complete sentences.

1. What is the main purpose of holidays? (Try to think of general reasons as well as specific reasons.) 2. What are your favorite things to do during holidays and why do you enjoy doing them?
3. Are there any special things we can do for poor people, or for those who are less fortunate than us, during the holidays?
4. Can you describe some gift-giving rituals in your country? Who gives gifts to whom? Why?