Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Racism” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Understanding Racism
1. What is racism?
2. Can you give an example of racism?
3. How does racism affect individuals?
4. Do you think racism is a problem in your country?
5. Why do you think people are racist?

II. Racism in History
6. Can you name a historical event where racism was a key factor?
7. How has racism changed over time?
8. Do you know of any leaders who fought against racism?
9. How did racism affect laws and policies in the past?
10. Why is it important to learn about the history of racism?

III. Racism Around the World
11. How does racism differ from one country to another?
12. Can you think of a country that is often in the news for racism issues?
13. How do global events influence racism?
14. Do you think racism is more prevalent in certain parts of the world?
15. How can international cooperation help fight racism?

IV. Personal Experiences with Racism
16. Have you or someone you know ever experienced racism?
17. How did it make you or them feel?
18. What did you or they do about it?
19. Do you think people are aware of their racist behavior?
20. How can someone support a friend who is experiencing racism?

V. Racism in Society
21. How does racism affect society as a whole?
22. Can racism impact the economy?
23. What role does the media play in racism?
24. How does education influence racism?
25. Do you think racism can ever be completely eliminated from society?

VI. Racism and Culture
26. How do cultural differences contribute to racism?
27. Can cultural celebrations help reduce racism?
28. How important is cultural representation in fighting racism?
29. Do you think some cultures are more prone to racism than others?
30. How can we celebrate cultural differences without fostering racism?

VII. The Role of Government and Laws
31. What laws exist in your country to combat racism?
32. How effective do you think these laws are?
33. Should governments do more to fight racism?
34. How can laws change people’s racist attitudes?
35. What role do international organizations play in combating racism?

VIII. Racism and Education
36. How can education help fight racism?
37. Should schools teach more about the history of racism?
38. How can teachers address racism in the classroom?
39. What role do students play in combating racism at school?
40. Can education alone eliminate racism?

IX. The Impact of Social Media on Racism
41. How does social media influence racism?
42. Can social media be used to fight racism?
43. Have you seen racist content on social media? What did you do?
44. How should social media platforms deal with racism?
45. Do you think social media does more harm or good in terms of racism?

X. Strategies to Combat Racism
46. What can individuals do to fight racism?
47. How can communities work together to combat racism?
48. What role do celebrities and public figures have in fighting racism?
49. Can art and music be powerful tools against racism?
50. What is the most effective way to combat racism, in your opinion?

XI. The Future of Racism
51. Do you think racism will increase or decrease in the future?
52. How can younger generations contribute to a less racist world?
53. What technological advances could help combat racism?
54. How do you envision a world without racism?
55. What steps should be taken now to ensure a future without racism?

XII. Reflecting on Racism
56. How has your understanding of racism changed over time?
57. What is the most surprising thing you have learned about racism?
58. How can we encourage more open discussions about racism?
59. What is the biggest challenge in fighting racism today?
60. How can we measure progress in the fight against racism?

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