Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Fear” ESL Discussion Questions

I. General Fear Questions
1. What is fear?
2. How do you feel when you are afraid?
3. What are some common fears?

II. Personal Fears
4. What are you most afraid of?
5. When was the last time you felt scared?
6. Has your fear ever stopped you from doing something?
7. How do you handle your fears?

III. Types of Fears
8. What is a phobia?
9. Can you name some common phobias?
10. Do you know anyone with a phobia?

IV. Fear and Emotions
11. How is fear different from anxiety?
12. How is fear related to anger?
13. How can fear affect decision-making?

V. Fear and Experiences
14. Have you ever had a nightmare? What happened?
15. What is the scariest movie you have seen?
16. Do you enjoy watching scary movies? Why or why not?
17. Have you ever been in a dangerous situation?

VI. Overcoming Fears
18. Can you share a story about facing your fear?
19. How can people overcome their fears?
20. Do you think facing fears is important? Why?
21. Have you ever tried to help someone face their fear?

VII. Fear in Society
22. How does fear influence society?
23. Do you think fear is used in politics?
24. How do you think fear affects the economy?

VIII. Fear and Animals
25. Are there any animals you are afraid of?
26. Why do you think people fear certain animals?
27. How do animals show fear?

IX. Fear and Travel
28. Have you ever been afraid while traveling?
29. What are some travel-related fears?
30. How can people overcome travel fears?

X. Fear and Public Speaking
31. Are you afraid of public speaking?
32. How does fear affect public speaking?
33. How can people overcome the fear of public speaking?

XI. Fear and Health
34. How can fear affect your health?
35. How does stress relate to fear?
36. Can fear be good for you?

XII. Fear and Relationships
37. How does fear affect relationships?
38. Can fear cause trust issues?
39. How can people overcome fear in relationships?

XIII. Fear and Work
40. Have you ever been afraid at work?
41. How can fear affect job performance?
42. How can people overcome work-related fears?

XIV. Fear and Education
43. Were you ever afraid in school?
44. How can fear affect learning?
45. How can students overcome school-related fears?

XV. Fear and Sports
46. Do you think fear plays a role in sports?
47. How can athletes overcome their fears?
48. Can fear be a motivator in sports?

XVI. Fear and Hobbies
49. Are there any hobbies that scare you?
50. Have you ever tried a scary hobby?
51. How can people overcome fear in hobbies?

XVII. Fear and Technology
52. Are you afraid of technology?
53. How can technology cause fear?
54. How can people overcome technology-related fears?

XVIII. Fear and Change
55. Are you afraid of change?
56. How does fear relate to change?
57. How can people overcome the fear of change?

XIX. Fear and the Unknown
58. Are you afraid of the unknown?
59. How can people deal with the fear of the unknown?
60. How can people gain confidence when facing the unknown?