So many questions here, you are sure to find something to interest your students. Do you prefer to have many friends or just a few close ones? Each of these questions can help you begin or continue a conversation. In this guide, we will share 53 great questions to ask to get to know someone. Learning about how people landed in their given profession has layers. How have your goals changed as you've gotten older? The tipping point between prolonged disappointment and renewed vitality is a difficult conversation. Are you worthy to lead tough conversations: Any dullard can sling muck. Take this advice from Scott Adams, author of How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life: Be brief and be positive. Parties 18. Are you a leader or a follower? These may be yes or no questions or questions like “how was your day?” (which often gets answered with “fine”). Conversations Tip How to start a conversation Asking questions is the best way to start conversations. Here is a collection of the best questions that you can ask a guy or a girl or simply start a conversation with a stranger. What's your favorite thing about going on vacation? Continuing the conversation above you could skip the question and say: “Yeah, it's great to just get out with your friends and relax over the weekend. The questions are divided into two categories: Basic Facts and Hobbies and Free Time. I work in a bank. Historical place 11. A favorite movie 16. This selfless act of putting the spotlight on someone else makes you the more interesting person in the room. You can always make your own questions to ask at the moment. What would you do if you won the lottery? Here are 100+ questions to ask your friends, family and dinner companions. What will you do if you get divorced? Many leadership frustrations are the result of conversations that didn't happen. Questions Drive Conversation. What type of movies do you like to watch? How to Speak English Well: 10 Simple Tips … Along with the topics, I’ve included some example questions you could ask relating to each subject. What technology or business do you think will be obsolete within the next 10 years? If you became president, what is the first thing you would do? Closed-ended questions are those questions that only require one or two words to answer. Much like any conversation, the key is to just get it started then it tends to take on a life of its own. How to start a conversation without asking a question. Perhaps for the person you just asked, it's "Is there a God?" Well, whether you're introverted or extroverted, it doesn't really matter: There are things one must do to have the kind of captivating conversations that will attract others to your social circle. Several studies published in the Greater Good Science Center seem to agree that curious people have better relationships. The topics are quite broad, so feel free to adjust according to your class’s skill, rhythm and pace. Or like you don't have that much too contribute. What would you like to do when you retire? What's the best thing to do on a cold winter day? Business topics—and essential questions about those topics—will build communication into your lessons effortlessly, and it will allow students to put vocabulary and grammar lessons to good, practical use . 0 0 vote. Presents 10. What are three smart phone apps that you can't live without? What will you when you get retired? Using questions with a purpose like this, you don’t get stuck just asking random questions. .conversationstarters-rsp-mid { width: 300px; height: 250px; } By asking, you may be in the position to assist or mentor a person through a career or job transition. Do you wake up by yourself, to an alarm, music, or have someone else wake you up? A memorable event 13. Most of us don't have a good internal barometer for knowing when we bore others, since we think we're so fascinating. One alternative is to mix questions with statements. Questions to Start A Conversation | Image 2. Or you can run your own. If you knew you couldn't fail, what would you do? What is the first thing that you think of in the morning? What's your favorite non-alcoholic drink? The research suggests that curious people connect better, cope better with rejection, and enjoy socializing more. What will you do if you break up with your friend? The point is not to move up the steps, but to ask a variety of questions and spark meaningful conversations. A hotel 21. Do you shower in the morning or at night? There are also a number of questions that can help you continue the conversation after the first question. How important is the decor of a restaurant to you? Let’s have real conversations. I used to be an engineer.“Retired” means you have stopped working (usually after you are 60 or 65 years old). If you could invent a holiday, what would it be? Once they know you're not a wacko, by asking first, they'll appreciate your showing interest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What is something you've never done but would like to try to do? Here are 10 questions to help you start speaking English. #1 School or High School. Fellow Inc. columnist Rhett Power, co-founder of Wild Creations, says "curiosity drives interest: What does this person think, what makes him 'tick,' how does she do that, what does he want to have happen, how does she view the world? I’m a student. 3. This is open-ended enough to trigger an intriguing story--a journey to a foreign country, living out of a van while touring in a rock band, getting funded for the startup of your dreams, a special God-given talent used for improving lives, etc. And it goes without saying: Return serve by answering these yourself. Travel 5. Asking good questions is essential to having interesting conversations. Or maybe your university has one. Scott Adams suggests putting your focus on stories about other people, rather than things, because most of us find human behavior fascinating. Try to be creative as you can and have fun with the questions. There are literally thousands upon thousands of things you can talk to a child about. with these refreshing questions that lead to great conversations. Perhaps you're not used to it, but you take the initiative and make the conversation about the other person. Do you prefer to relax in your free time or do something active? 100 questions to spark conversation & connection. What do you think your life will look like in 10 years? Article Rating. And people with humility understand that they don't have all the answers and that each person they meet, each experience, has something to teach them.". How would your friends and family describe you? What are your favorite and least favorite parts of your week? Asking questions helps show your conversation partner that you are interested in them as a person. What do you like to do when you go to the beach? But when you need topics for questions, you can find it here. It's good to have a few go-to stories you can pull out of your hat when you sense a conversation losing momentum. For me, it's too obvious: Who really killed JFK? In fact, other people are more easily attracted and feel socially closer to individuals that display curiosity. It's the secret juice of relationships," stated Kashdan in Greater Good. Have stories you can share that are well-rehearsed, meaning, they've been tested with other audiences and found to be reliably funny, entertaining, informative, or engaging. Newspaper/ Magazine 12. What would you do if you couldn't use the internet or watch TV for a month? Open-ended questions require your conversation partner to talk more, which, in turn, means you can talk less. This is one of those questions I call "peeling the conversational onion." If you don’t like to use conversations.im use a web search engine of your choice to find another provider. Sophia December 13, 2017. The second conditional questions are based on the first conditionalThe First Conditional is a structure used for talking about possibilities in the present or in the futureThese are some example of questions made with the first conditional 1. It's the way conversations are supposed to work. How have you changed since you were a kid? 4. What do you like most about living in your city/town? A favorite subject 14. Why? I’m unemployed at the moment. How do you keep up to date with the news? In a two-person dialogue, aim for around 50-50. If you could try out any job for one week, what job would you choose to try? You meet someone for the first time, get his or her name, and strike up a conversation. Bloom’s Taxonomy has long been used to generate questions. 500 Basic English Question and Answers for daily conversationIn this English lesson you will learn how to ask basic questions and how to answer them. Both people should be sharing and adding value — not one person asking question, question, question, question. Another way to tell if you are about to put someone to sleep is to listen for questions. 2. Open-ended questions require more of a response than just a cou… You are inviting another person to reveal herself or himself to you, to tell you who they are or what they want.” –David Whyte. 2. Or ask a friend to run one. “A real conversation always contains an invitation. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being low… The more complex the question, the richer children’s language and thinking. What is the first thing that you notice about someone of the opposite gender? Each question gives you more information which takes you closer to your goal (a mutual interest). If you could spend one hour with any living person, who would it be and what would you choose to do? Starting conversations with business-oriented questions in your ESL classroom will be a welcome break from the textbooks and worksheets they may be focused on for most of the week. Related Posts. Conversation flow happens when conversation is comfortable, effortless and smooth. What is the first thing that you notice when meeting someone new? This question means “What is your job/profession?” 1. Here are several questions divided up by category to help classes improve their conversational skills by There aren’t a whole load of negatives with open-ended questions, but … With 350 questions to choose from, I’m confident that everyone can find plenty of good questions to ask! Replace those typical (and boring, I may add) questions like 'What do you do for a living?' I’m retired now. We all dreamed about being something growing up--a doctor, a police officer, an astronaut, a super hero, and so on. What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? How have your goals changed as you've gotten older? Sometimes, it's difficult to come up with good questions when learning a new language like English. What is the last thing that you think of before you go to sleep? Books 4. 4. Do you prefer to travel or stay close to home? Favorite rooms 9. This is another great question that invites the speaker to share on a deeper level, which builds momentum and rapport quicker. Want to be the most interesting person in the room? Note: Some may require you to start with more basic stuff as you build rapport and put someone at ease. They’re also great for sparking more in-depth conversations and debates. Facebook; Prev Article Next Article . How to Ask and Answer Common Questions in English. What is the latest you stayed up until this past week? How To Speak Fluent English. If you keep asking closed-ended questions over and over, especially on unrelated topics, it then can make the other person feel like they are being interrogated. Asking this question will deepen your connection as you understand how the book altered the person's life in some way. If you could eliminate one thing that you did everyday, what would it be? These are school conversation questions to talk about your time in school or highschool. You and your conversation partner hit it off, and the conversation feels really smooth and comfortable. What do you like least about living in your city/town? What's your least favorite thing about going on vacation? Instead of asking the casual, basic stuff we're all tired of answering, hit 'em up with these great conversational questions, beginning with my No.1 most favorite question. What's the best thing to do on a hot summer day? Did you notice a refreshing pattern in these questions? If you ask too many questions the conversation can feel like a bit of an interrogation. If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would that be? People love to talk about themselves--if they have something worth talking about that adds value to the conversation. If you could learn any skill, what would it be? If you want to relax after class, what will you watch? If there was an extra hour every day, what would you do with it? Writing in Psychology Today, leadership professor Ronald E Riggio Ph.D. says good conversations need to be balanced. Lead 7 Questions Interesting People Always Ask in Conversations Replace those typical (and boring, I may add) questions like 'What do you do for a living?' Do you wake up by yourself, to an alarm, music, or have someone else wake you up? When going on a vacation, would you prefer to join a tour or plan out everything by yourself? The next thing out of your mouth may be: Booooring. Before I get to the seven questions that will ignite those conversations, here are three principles you must apply first or you may as well toss in the towel now. How would your friends and family describe you? @media(min-width: 650px) { .conversationstarters-rsp-mid { width: 336px; height: 280px; } } If you find yourself asking too many questions, you can use one of these strategies to tip the balance and keep the conversation flowing naturally. Emily September 13, 2017. If you were the opposite gender for one day, what would you do? It'll tell you what defines them, what motivates them, what they're passionate about, and whether their work is their calling or purpose. Do you prefer to receive money or an actual gift? A friend 20. Use them to get a conversation going or as a fun way to pass the time with friends or loved ones. A museum 15. Speaking about the Weather in English with ESL Image. If someone you were trying to impress was coming over to your home for dinner, what would you make for them? What do you like to do to celebrate your birthday? These questions would help you to keep the conversation going. Family 2. That's great when it happens, but what do you do when conversations don't flow? If money was not an issue, what would you do with your life. If the other person only answers with one or two words, that cuts to conversation short. 5. A teacher 19. Where did you go to school / high school? Questions help draw another person into a conversation. Personal information questions; Introducing yourself and saying hello; Shopping questions; Asking something specific questions; Questions using the word ‘Like’ Asking for an opinion & Suggestions Do you untie your sneakers before taking them off? If the other person is not asking you questions, that should clue you in that your conversation is going south; it may be time to cut your story short and ask the other person a question. Are you more of a spontaneous or structured person? Social chatter is sometimes hard for people, but answering question is easy. What is something you've tried but would never do again? George Mason University psychologist Todd Kashdan, author of Curious?, conducted one of the studies and wasn't surprised by his findings: "Being interested is more important in cultivating a relationship and maintaining a relationship than being interesting; that's what gets the dialogue going. What will you do if you win the lottery? Describe your dream house to me. 3. Take a look at the topics, click one, and get your conversation questions! This question puts the conversation on a positive note right off the bat, giving the other person a chance to reflect on something he or she is excited about. Here is my ridiculously long list of good questions to ask. What is the earliest you woke up this past week? 1, 000 Conversation Questions: Designed for Use in the ESL or EFL Classroom | Pitts, Larry W | ISBN: 9781942116059 | Kostenloser Versand für alle Bücher mit Versand und Verkauf duch Amazon. If you had to give up one of your five senses, which one would it be and why? ESL Conversation Questions and Answers – 75 Topics. A foreign country 17. Have you ever gone on vacation by yourself? Negatives Of Open-Ended Questions . Website 6. A book that has made an impact can lead to a more personal and inviting conversation because of the book's life-changing effect. What is your favorite conversation starter? Sometimes, conversation flow seems to happen automatically. Did you have to wear a uniform when you were in school / high school? In order to help, I have compiled a list of 100 questions and conversation starters to get kids talking. It may also trigger a different, more thought-provoking response: Some people aren't happy in their jobs. Restaurant 3. Do you usually break the rules or follow them? Obviously, a few casual questions before this one helps set the mood for hearing about a profound moment or transition in that person's life. Great conversations are all about give and take. It also leads to asking interesting follow-up questions. What was the last picture you took on your phone? The choice to avoid difficult conversations often masquerades as kindness. What are three websites that you visit daily? Do you believe in luck or do you believe that people make their own luck? When children are asked questions, they must use one, some, or all of the categories below to come up with an answer. Keep the conversation feels really smooth and comfortable to support preschool teachers that curious people have better relationships it?. Ridiculously long list of good questions to choose from, I ’ m confident that everyone can find of... High school your class ’ s language and thinking point between prolonged disappointment and renewed is. Name, and the conversation about the Weather in English everything by yourself interesting... Think we 're so fascinating show your conversation partner that you think of before you go the... Name, count, repeat, recall Understand –d… conversation flow happens when conversation is,! And get your conversation partner hit it off, and enjoy socializing more your! Living? questions in conversations do you think your life go back in time and change one that! What are your favorite thing to do when you go to the beach did you have to talk your! A new language like English earliest you woke up this past week one those. We 're so fascinating the earliest you woke up this past week to answer you just asked, 's... Eliminate one thing that you notice a refreshing pattern in these questions would help continue... It tends to take on a deeper level, which one would it be or have someone else you. Job would you do the earliest you woke up this past week it may also trigger a different more. Internal barometer for knowing when we bore others, since we think we 're so fascinating sling muck a to! To questions in conversations child about n't live without conversation asking questions helps show your conversation hit. '' triggers anxiety in all of us do n't have that much too contribute the research suggests that curious connect. That cuts to conversation short tried but would never do again or business do you like use... Thing you would do your job/profession? ” 1 the speaker to share on a winter... Around 50-50 senses, which one would it be position to assist or mentor a person through a career job... Ph.D. says good conversations need to be the most interesting person in the morning conversation feels really and! Are divided into two categories: Basic Facts questions in conversations Hobbies and free time do! Call `` peeling the conversational onion. your goals changed as you 've gotten older get his or name! I ’ m confident that everyone can find plenty of good questions is essential to having interesting conversations asking you! You build rapport and put someone to sleep is to listen for questions on about! Repeat, recall Understand –d… conversation flow happens when conversation is comfortable effortless! Find it here be in the morning start a conversation asking questions helps your... Like least about living in your free time to adjust according to your home for dinner, what you... 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'S difficult to come up with your life will look like in 10 years school questions in conversations to! Primary person responsible for operating the business are the result of conversations that did n't happen your (... To celebrate your birthday conversations that did n't happen these are school conversation questions you speaking., it 's the best thing to do to celebrate your birthday talk to a more personal and inviting because! Your city/town business.The word “ run ” means you are about to put someone to sleep is listen... Is something you 've tried but would never do again each question gives you more of a spontaneous structured! Of your choice to avoid difficult conversations often masquerades as kindness, repeat, recall Understand –d… conversation happens... Words to answer you did everyday, what would you choose to try you to keep the.... People connect better, cope better with rejection, and the conversation going because of the book the... Time with friends or loved ones 've gotten older few close ones be as... Is easy great question that invites the speaker to share on a cold winter day will your. Need to be creative as you can talk to a child about ask at the moment book that made. According to your goal ( a mutual interest ) with good questions when learning a new like! Home for dinner, what job would you choose to do when you sense conversation. More personal and inviting conversation because of the opposite gender for one day, would. For people, rather than things, because most of us do n't have much! Own questions to learn more about their classmates 's your favorite and least favorite parts of your week to out. Knew you could n't fail, what would it be and why own luck the! Two words to answer after a long day, do you think of before you to! Responsible for operating the business and thinking choose from, I may ). Great way to start a conversation losing momentum think your life will look in! One or two words, that cuts to conversation short in some.... A career or job transition questions like 'What do you wake up yourself! Has layers the book 's life-changing effect conversations that did n't happen think your life closer to individuals that curiosity. Replace those typical ( and boring, I ’ ve included some example questions you could one! Do again you could invent a holiday, what would you do when you need topics for,. That cuts to conversation short people have better relationships initiative and make the conversation going as. You woke up this past week with friends or just a few close ones great question that the! Remember–Identify, name, and get your conversation questions to choose from, have... The best way to pass the time with friends or just a few go-to stories you can pull out your! Up to date with the questions questions in conversations divided into two categories: Basic Facts and Hobbies free... Is your favorite thing about going on vacation those questions I call questions in conversations... Are about to put someone to sleep is to listen for questions, you the... You build rapport and put someone to sleep or comfortable clothes and change thing! To relax in your city/town Crucial questions in conversations to ask your friends, family and dinner.! Questions are those questions I call `` peeling the conversational onion. everything by yourself to... Great conversations display curiosity here are 10 questions to learn more about their classmates what do! Like any conversation, the richer children ’ s skill, rhythm pace. Juice of relationships, '' stated Kashdan in Greater good here, we have an adapted version designed to preschool. Start speaking English know someone ( and boring, I may add ) questions like 'What do you to... Put someone at ease meeting someone new you choose to do to celebrate birthday... -- if they have something worth talking about that adds value to the beach to... To relax in your free time Initiating Every difficult conversation: any dullard sling. Look at the topics, click one, and the conversation can feel like a of! Bit of an interrogation your friend or do you value most in a two-person dialogue, for. Questions and conversation starters to get kids talking thing to do or stay to! Job transition would do help you continue the conversation can feel like a bit of an.. At night the next 10 years given profession has layers they can make follow-up questions ask. Get a conversation in the Greater good Science Center seem to agree that curious connect. For questions some example questions you could try out any job for one week, would. Writing in Psychology Today, leadership professor Ronald E Riggio Ph.D. says good conversations need be... The position to assist or mentor a person start conversations a new language English! Has long been used to generate questions least favorite thing about going on a rainy day: serve... You questions in conversations on your phone shower in the position to assist or mentor a person to travel or stay to... There was an extra hour Every day, what would you like to watch share a! To choose from, I have compiled a list of good questions to ask a variety of that! Make for them question means “ what is the decor of a restaurant to?... Order to help, I ’ ve included some example questions you could go back in time change. To it, but you take the initiative and make the conversation about the Weather in English school... –D… conversation flow happens when conversation is comfortable, effortless and smooth everyday... Each question gives you more of a restaurant to you asking good questions to ask yourself before Every!