Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Online games” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Online Games Preferences

1. Do you prefer playing online or offline games?
2. Do you like online games?
3. What’s your favorite genre of game to play in an online setting?
4. How do you feel about playing online games with people from other countries?
5. Is there an online game that you think would be fun to play with your friends or family?

II. Online Gaming Experience

6. What would happen if we didn’t have any computers or phones in our lives?
7. Do you watch people playing games on YouTube or Twitch?
8. If someone wanted to get into gaming but didn’t know where to start, what would be some good places for them to look at first?
9. How do you feel about playing games with strangers?
10. Are there any games that are too hard for you to play, even though other people enjoy them?

III. Favorite Online Games

11. Have you ever played an online game?
12. Which is your favorite online game, and why?
13. What is the most interesting thing you have learned about online games?
14. What do you think the most popular online game in your country is?
15. Do you have any friends who play online games with you?

IV. Multiplayer and Social Gaming

16. What’s the best online game you’ve ever played?
17. Have you ever played a multiplayer game online?
18. Do you prefer to play with friends or strangers?
19. What are the advantages of playing online games?
20. Have you ever played an RPG (role playing game) before? If so, which one was it and what did you think about it?

V. Gaming Habits

21. How often do you play online games?
22. What are some of your favorite online games that you’ve played recently? Why do you like them so much?
23. Are you a gamer?
24. What are your favorite online games?
25. Is playing online games a good way to practice English?

VI. Solo vs Group Play

26. Do you only play online games with other people, or do you play by yourself sometimes too?
27. Do you play the same game over and over again, or do you try different kinds of games each time?
28. Do you prefer to play with strangers or friends?
29. What do you like about playing online games? What don’t you like about them?
30. What is your favorite online game?

VII. Game Genres and Preferences

31. What’s your favorite video game genre?
32. Which online game do you play most often?
33. Are you good at playing online games?
34. How do you feel about the idea of playing an online game by yourself, without other people?
35. Which type of games do you like to play more: action-oriented ones or strategy-based? Why is that?

VIII. Device Preferences

36. Do you play on your computer, phone, or tablet?
37. Do you prefer to play alone or with others? Why?
38. Why do you think there are so many different types of games for people to play together as a group rather than playing alone?
39. Are there specific genres of games that interest you more than others? If so, which ones and why?
40. Do you think that playing an online game is better or worse than playing an offline game? Why?

IX. Future of Gaming

41. What do you think the future of online gaming looks like?
42. How do you think technology will change online gaming?
43. Do you think virtual reality will become popular in online gaming?
44. What new features would you like to see in online games?
45. How do you feel about the idea of playing games in the cloud?

X. Gaming Communities

46. Are you part of any online gaming communities?
47. How do you connect with other gamers online?
48. What do you like most about being part of a gaming community?
49. Have you made any friends through online gaming?
50. What is your favorite memory from playing online games with others?

XI. Gaming and Learning

51. Do you think online games can help you learn new skills?
52. Have you ever used online games to practice a language?
53. What skills do you think you can improve by playing online games?
54. Do you think that educational games are effective?
55. How can online games be used in schools?

XII. Personal Reflections on Gaming

56. How has playing online games changed your life?
57. What do your family and friends think about your online gaming?
58. Would you recommend online gaming to others? Why or why not?
59. What is the most important lesson you have learned from gaming?
60. If you could create your own online game, what would it be like?
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