Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Motivation” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Understanding Motivation

1. What is motivation?
2. Why is being motivated important?
3. Can you name some things that motivate you?
4. Do you think motivation is the same for everyone?
5. How can lack of motivation affect your life?

II. Personal Goals

6. How does setting goals help with motivation?
7. What personal goals do you have this year?
8. Do you find it easy or hard to stay motivated to reach your goals?
9. How do you celebrate when you achieve a goal?
10. Who in your life helps you stay focused on your goals?

III. Overcoming Challenges

11. How do you find motivation when something is difficult?
12. Can you share a time when you overcame a big challenge?
13. What do you do when you fail at something?
14. How important is it to take breaks when you are working hard?
15. Who do you look up to as an example of someone who doesn’t give up?

IV. Daily Motivation

16. What motivates you to get up in the morning?
17. How do you prepare for a new day?
18. What daily habits help you stay motivated?
19. Do you use any apps or tools to keep you motivated?
20. What’s a good way to end the day feeling motivated for tomorrow?

V. Inspiration from Others

21. Who is the most motivational person you know?
22. How do others’ successes inspire you?
23. Do you like to read or watch stories about people who have done great things?
24. What have you learned from someone else’s life story?
25. How can sharing your own successes motivate others?

VI. Motivation at Work and School

26. What motivates you to do well at work or school?
27. How do you handle tasks you don’t enjoy?
28. What role do teachers or bosses have in your motivation?
29. How do you balance work/school and relaxation?
30. How can group projects help with motivation?

VII. Health and Well-Being

31. How does staying healthy help with motivation?
32. What kind of exercise do you find motivational?
33. Does eating certain foods affect your energy and motivation?
34. How does sleep affect your motivation?
35. Can you tell when you need to take care of your mental health to stay motivated?

VIII. Motivation in Sports and Hobbies

36. How does being involved in sports or hobbies affect your motivation in other areas?
37. What hobby gives you the most energy?
38. How does being part of a team help you stay motivated?
39. Have you ever lost interest in a hobby, and how did you get it back?
40. How do you find new hobbies or sports that motivate you?

IX. Learning and Growth

41. How does learning new things keep you motivated?
42. What new skills are you motivated to learn?
43. How does getting better at something affect your motivation?
44. Do you prefer to learn alone or with others, and why?
45. How does teaching someone else something motivate you?

X. Facing Failure

46. How can failure be a motivational experience?
47. What’s the best lesson you’ve learned from a failure?
48. How do you pick yourself back up after getting demotivated?
49. What’s your advice to someone who is struggling to stay motivated?
50. Can you think of a famous person who failed before they succeeded?

XI. Time Management

51. How do you manage your time to stay motivated?
52. Do you use any techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or to-do lists?
53. How do deadlines affect your motivation?
54. What’s your strategy for handling distractions?
55. How important is having a routine to your motivational success?

XII. Future Aspirations

56. Where do you see yourself in five years, and how does that motivate you?
57. How do you stay motivated to make long-term plans?
58. What big dream do you have for your future?
59. How do you balance being motivated by the future but also living in the present?
60. What would you tell your future self about staying motivated?