Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Mothers” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Mothers

1. What do you like about your mother?
2. What are some ways that mothers can help their children feel safe in the world?
3. How do you think mothers influence their children’s lives?
4. Do you think mothers are important in our lives? Why or why not?
5. What are some of the most important qualities of a mother?

II. Motherhood

6. What does your mother do for a living?
7. How often do you call or text your mom?
8. What is your mom’s favorite color?
9. What is your favorite thing to do with your mom?
10. Why do you think mothers are so important?

III. Advice and Influence

11. What’s the best advice your mother has ever given you?
12. What does your mom like to do when she’s not working or taking care of her family?
13. What do you think of your mother’s cooking?
14. What is your favorite thing about being a mother?
15. What do you think makes a good mother?

IV. Relationships

16. What is the best advice your mother has ever given you?
17. What kind of things do you like to do with your mother?
18. What is your relationship like with your mother?
19. Who is the most important person in your life?
20. What advice would you give to other mothers?

V. Being a Mother

21. What do you like most about being a mother?
22. What is the best job a mother can do?
23. Do you think that mothers have more influence on their children than fathers? Why or why not?
24. What is something that makes you feel guilty about how much time you spend with your mom?
25. How did your mother influence your life?

VI. Cooking and Food

26. Is your mom a good cook? Why or why not?
27. What is the best gift you can give your mother?
28. What is your mom’s favorite food?
29. Why do you think mothers love their children so much?
30. How do you feel when your mother asks for advice?

VII. Working Mothers

31. Do you think that mothers should work outside of the home if they want to support their families financially? Why or why not?
32. What’s the best way to deal with sibling rivalry?
33. How do you feel about your mother?
34. Who is your favorite person in the whole world? Why?
35. What is your role as a mother?

VIII. Expressions of Love

36. What are some ways mothers can show their kids they love them without saying “I love you”?
37. What is one thing that makes your mom different from all of the other moms at school or work?
38. What does it mean to be a mother?
39. What is your mom’s favorite movie or show?
40. How do you celebrate Mother’s Day?

IX. Memories with Mom

41. What is your favorite memory with your mom?
42. What is something funny that happened with your mom?
43. What is a lesson you learned from your mom?
44. What is your mom’s favorite holiday?
45. How do you feel when you see your mom happy?

X. Challenges of Motherhood

46. What challenges do mothers face today?
47. How can families support mothers better?
48. What do you think is the hardest part of being a mother?
49. How do you think mothers can balance work and family life?
50. What advice would you give to new mothers?

XI. Cultural Views on Motherhood

51. How do different cultures view motherhood?
52. What are some traditions related to mothers in your culture?
53. How do you think media influences our views on mothers?
54. What is a famous mother figure in your culture?
55. How do you think motherhood has changed over the years?

XII. Future of Motherhood

56. What do you think motherhood will look like in the future?
57. How can society better support mothers in the future?
58. What changes would you like to see for mothers in the workplace?
59. How do you think technology will impact motherhood?
60. What is your hope for future generations of mothers?
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