This is a guide to using Roadtogrammar.com’s conversation questions, which are available here.
Each set of conversations contains six questions on a particular topic. The online version is formatted so that it can be used on a smartboard or can be viewed on a mobile device. Most topics are suitable for pre-intermediate through intermediate level classes (B1/B2). The topics can be discussed in pairs, small groups or large groups. You should set aside 5-10 minutes for the activity.
A good strategy for using these sorts of questions is as follows:
1 Run through the questions quickly to make sure the class understands them.
2 Model one or two answers yourself.
3 Tell the class how long you expect them to work on the activity.
4 Split the class into groups and let them begin.
5 Monitor the groups to:
6 After their time is up, ask each group to share an answer briefly with the class.
Notes on question sets:
1 Favorites
Target language:
My favorite ___ is ____ because ____
2 Learning English
How is English different from your language?
Understanding how English differs from their mother tongue can help learners to understand and reduce common errors. For instance, Chinese has no tense system so Chinese speakers will struggle with tenses.
4 Family
Vocab: relatives, squabble
6 Daily routines
Target language: present tense
9 Free time
Vocab: sleep in
11 Scary things
Target language:
I am sacred of ____
I am afraid of ____
13 Have you ever…?
Target language:
I have never ____
I have ____ before
Once, I…
15 Would you like to…
Target language:
I would like to…
I’d like to…
I would…
19 What makes you…?
Target language:
It makes me ____ when ____
I feel ___ when ___
Watch out for this common mistake:
I feel sad when my cat died. (mixing tenses and meanings)
22 Are you good at…?
Target language:
I am good at ____
I am not good at ___
33 The Uneplained
I believe in ____
I don’t believe in ____
34 Charity
Vocab: chunk, donate, welfare
35 A time when…
Target language:
Once, …
I remember when…
38 Changes
Target language: present perfect tense
39 The Future
Target language: future forms, especially WILL
42 Hopes for the future
Vocab: bucket list
43 If you could…
Target language: second conditionals
47 & 48 Lateral Thinking Questions
These questions can be answered simply and directly or they can be ‘unpacked’ for a longer and more sophisticated conversation.
49 Debate Questions
These questions can be answered simply and directly or they can be ‘unpacked’ for a longer and more sophisticated conversation.
50 Interview Questions
For more practice with interview questions, try the activity here