Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Foreign languages” ESL Discussion Questions

1. What do you think is the most difficult part about learning a new language?
2. What is your favorite word in a foreign language?
3. How do you learn the grammar in a new language?
4. What is the purpose of learning a foreign language?
5. Do you think that being multilingual is an advantage or disadvantage in today’s world? Why?
6. How do you practice speaking when you’re trying to learn another language?
7. What is your favorite foreign language?
8. What’s your most embarrassing mispronunciation of a foreign word?
9. Why do people learn foreign languages?
10. Why is it important to learn a foreign language?
11. Do you think it’s important to be bilingual? Why or why not?
12. What are some of the common words that we use in our daily lives that come from other languages?
13. What kinds of materials can help you learn another language better?
14. Do you think it’s important for everyone to learn at least one other language besides their native tongue (even if it’s just basic phrases)? Why or why not?
15. Do you think it is important to learn other languages besides English? Why or why not?
16. How many languages are there in the world?
17. What do you like about learning languages?
18. Why do you want to learn another language?
19. What are some of your favorite books or movies that are set in another country?
20. Do you like to learn foreign languages?
21. What are some of the benefits of knowing more than one language?
22. What would you like to learn first in another language?
23. What was your favorite subject in school, and why was it your favorite?
24. What are some simple ways to learn a new language quickly?
25. Can you speak another language? Which one? How well do you speak it?
26. Are there any shortcuts that you can take when learning another language? If so, what are they?
27. What are some advantages of learning a foreign language?
28. Have you ever tried to learn a new language on your own? How did it go?
29. Do you have any interesting experiences with languages?
30. Is there any country or culture you’re dying to visit, but you don’t speak their language?
31. How can we make learning another language easier for students around the world?
32. Is it easier to learn your first or second language? Why?
33. What is the most difficult language to learn?
34. What is a foreign language?
35. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
36. Have you ever visited another country? If so, which country did you visit?
37. How does learning a foreign language help us understand each other better as people?
38. How many languages do you know?
39. What are some disadvantages of learning a foreign language?

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