Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Aliens” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Basic Concepts of Aliens
1. What do you think aliens look like?
2. Do you believe aliens exist?
3. How do you think aliens communicate?
4. If aliens visited Earth, why do you think they would come?
5. Do you think aliens are friendly or dangerous?

II. Aliens in Popular Culture
6. What is your favorite movie about aliens?
7. How are aliens usually portrayed in movies and TV shows?
8. Do you think these portrayals are accurate?
9. Can you name a book about aliens?
10. How do aliens in stories differ from what you imagine real aliens to be like?

III. Historical and Modern UFO Sightings
11. Have you ever seen a UFO or something you couldn’t explain in the sky?
12. What is the most famous UFO sighting you know of?
13. Do you think UFO sightings are proof of alien life?
14. How do governments respond to UFO sightings?
15. Why do you think most UFO sightings remain unexplained?

IV. The Search for Extraterrestrial Life
16. What is SETI, and what do they do?
17. Do you think we should try to contact aliens?
18. How do scientists search for alien life?
19. What would happen if we discovered alien life?
20. Do you think there are other planets with life in our solar system?

V. Alien Abductions
21. Do you believe in alien abductions?
22. Why do you think people claim to have been abducted by aliens?
23. What are common elements in alien abduction stories?
24. How would you react if you met someone who said they were abducted by aliens?
25. Do governments hide information about aliens and abductions?

VI. Aliens and Technology
26. Do you think aliens have advanced technology?
27. How might alien technology be different from ours?
28. Could humans use alien technology if we found it?
29. Do you think aliens use spaceships to travel?
30. How could alien technology change our world?

VII. The Impact of Discovering Alien Life
31. How would discovering alien life change science?
32. Would discovering aliens change your beliefs or worldview?
33. How do you think religions would react to the discovery of alien life?
34. Would you be afraid if we discovered aliens?
35. How could aliens impact our understanding of the universe?

VIII. Ethics and Aliens
36. Is it ethical to try to contact aliens?
37. Should we share our technology with aliens?
38. How should humans treat aliens if they come to Earth?
39. Do you think aliens have rights?
40. How would laws change if we discovered aliens?

IX. Aliens and Conspiracy Theories
41. Why do you think people believe in alien conspiracy theories?
42. Do you know any alien conspiracy theories?
43. How do conspiracy theories affect our view of aliens?
44. Do you think governments are hiding evidence of aliens?
45. How do you feel about conspiracy theories involving aliens?

X. Preparing for Alien Contact
46. How should we prepare for potential alien contact?
47. What would you do if you encountered an alien?
48. Should there be an international plan for alien contact?
49. What language do you think we should use to communicate with aliens?
50. How can we ensure that alien contact is peaceful?

XI. Aliens and the Future
51. Do you think we will discover alien life in your lifetime?
52. How do you think our relationship with aliens will change in the future?
53. What advancements are needed to find alien life?
54. Do you think humans will ever live on other planets with aliens?
55. What do you hope we learn from aliens?

XII. Personal Beliefs and Experiences
56. Would you like to go to space to meet aliens?
57. How has your opinion about aliens changed over time?
58. Do you know anyone who is very interested in aliens?
59. Have you ever had a dream about aliens?
60. What is the most interesting thing you have learned about aliens?