Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Dreams and Ambitions” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Dreams and Goals
1. What is your biggest dream in life?
2. How did you choose your dream?
3. What steps have you taken to reach your dream?
4. Who or what inspires you to achieve your dream?
5. Do you think your dream will change as you grow older?
6. How do you stay motivated to pursue your dreams?
7. Are your dreams realistic or fantastical?

II. Career Ambitions
8. What is your dream job?
9. How did you choose your career ambition?
10. What skills do you need for your dream job?
11. What challenges have you faced in pursuing your career ambition?
12. Do your family and friends support your career ambition?
13. How important is your career ambition to your overall happiness?
14. Do you have a backup plan if your career ambition doesn’t work out?

III. Personal Development
15. What skills or talents would you like to develop?
16. How do you plan to develop those skills or talents?
17. Have you set any personal goals for yourself?
18. What are some obstacles in achieving your personal goals?
19. How do you stay committed to your personal goals?
20. Do you have any role models for personal development?

IV. Travel and Adventure
21. What is your dream travel destination?
22. Why do you want to visit that destination?
23. What would you do while you’re there?
24. Have you traveled to any places that inspired you?
25. How does traveling help you achieve your dreams?
26. What new experiences do you want to try?
27. How do you balance travel and adventure with other responsibilities?

V. Relationships and Family
28. What are your dreams for your family life?
29. How do you envision your ideal relationship?
30. How do you plan to achieve those relationship dreams?
31. What qualities do you look for in a partner?
32. How do you balance your dreams and your partner’s dreams?
33. How important are family and relationships in achieving your dreams?

VI. Education and Learning
34. What is your dream educational achievement?
35. How does education contribute to your dreams?
36. What subjects or skills do you want to learn more about?
37. How do you make time for learning in your life?
38. How do you stay motivated to continue learning?
39. Have you ever considered going back to school?

VII. Success and Failure
40. How do you define success in your dreams?
41. What would you consider a failure in your ambitions?
42. How do you handle setbacks in achieving your dreams?
43. What have you learned from your past failures?
44. How do you stay positive when facing challenges?
45. How important is it to have a growth mindset?

VIII. Hobbies and Passions
46. What hobbies or passions do you have?
47. How do your hobbies or passions contribute to your dreams?
48. How do you make time for your hobbies or passions?
49. Have you ever considered turning a hobby into a career?
50. How do your hobbies or passions make you feel fulfilled?

IX. Financial Goals
51. What are your financial goals in life?
52. How do your financial goals support your dreams?
53. What steps have you taken to achieve financial stability?
54. How important is financial success in achieving your dreams?
55. What sacrifices are you willing to make for financial success?

X. Helping Others and Giving Back
56. How do you want to help others with your dreams?
57. What causes or issues are important to you?
58. How do you make a difference in your community?
59. What are your dreams for the world?
60. How can you use your ambitions to create a better future?