Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Prejudice” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Understanding Prejudice
1. What is prejudice?
2. Can you think of any examples of prejudice?
3. How does prejudice affect individuals?
4. Why do people have prejudices?
5. Is it possible to live without any prejudices?

II. Types of Prejudice
6. What are some common types of prejudice?
7. Can prejudice be positive?
8. How does racial prejudice differ from gender prejudice?
9. Is ageism a form of prejudice? Why or why not?
10. Can prejudice be found in professional environments?

III. Prejudice in Society
11. How does prejudice impact society?
12. Can laws change people’s prejudices?
13. How do media and entertainment contribute to prejudice?
14. What role does education play in combating prejudice?
15. Can prejudice lead to discrimination? How?

IV. Personal Experiences with Prejudice
16. Have you ever experienced or witnessed prejudice?
17. How did it make you feel?
18. Did you do anything about it? Why or why not?
19. Can sharing personal stories reduce prejudice?
20. How can individuals stand up against prejudice?

V. Prejudice and Culture
21. How does culture influence prejudice?
22. Can traveling reduce prejudice?
23. How do different cultures perceive prejudice?
24. Can cultural events help bridge gaps between different groups?
25. How does language play a role in prejudice?

VI. Prejudice and Education
26. Should schools teach about prejudice?
27. How can teachers address prejudice in the classroom?
28. What role do children’s books play in shaping attitudes about prejudice?
29. Can education at home combat prejudice? How?
30. How important is it to learn about the history of prejudice?

VII. Prejudice in the Workplace
31. What are some examples of prejudice in the workplace?
32. How can companies combat prejudice among employees?
33. Does diversity training work? Why or why not?
34. Can prejudice affect someone’s career? How?
35. What is the role of leadership in addressing workplace prejudice?

VIII. Prejudice and the Law
36. How do laws address prejudice and discrimination?
37. Can legal actions change societal attitudes?
38. What are the challenges of legislating against prejudice?
39. How do hate crime laws help combat prejudice?
40. Is affirmative action a solution to prejudice? Why or why not?

IX. Overcoming Prejudice
41. Can people change their prejudiced beliefs?
42. What steps can someone take to overcome their own prejudices?
43. How can communities work together to combat prejudice?
44. What role does forgiveness play in overcoming prejudice?
45. Can technology help in reducing prejudice? How?

X. The Future of Prejudice
46. Do you think prejudice will ever be completely eliminated?
47. How might future generations view prejudice?
48. What can we do now to create a less prejudiced future?
49. How will globalization affect prejudice?
50. What role does empathy play in the future of overcoming prejudice?

XI. Prejudice and Identity
51. How does prejudice affect someone’s identity?
52. Can prejudice lead to a sense of belonging?
53. How do people balance their identities in the face of prejudice?
54. Can overcoming prejudice strengthen one’s identity?
55. How does prejudice shape group identities?

XII. Global Perspectives on Prejudice
56. How is prejudice addressed differently around the world?
57. Can international cooperation help combat global prejudice?
58. How do global events influence local prejudices?
59. What can we learn from other cultures about dealing with prejudice?
60. How does globalization impact the spread or reduction of prejudice?