Using discussion questions in the classroom is a great way to get students talking, but it is not uncommon for them to be less engaged than we would like. Some seem to have nothing to say, while others give only short, simple answers. Either way, presenting a list of questions and asking students to discuss them in pairs does not have to be the only way to practise conversation in ESL classes. So, grab a cup of coffee and check out these three tips on how to make the most of your discussion questions.
1) Onion Rings
Whether you love this delicious snack or prefer something sweet, try this engaging and active approach whenever you need a WAKE-UP moment at the beginning of the lesson. It involves movement, music, and – most importantly – highly engaging conversation. All you need is a list of discussion questions, your students’ favourite song, and some space.
How it works:
Have your students form an onion ring by creating an inner and outer circle with the same number of people. Play the music and let students walk (or dance) in their circles – each circle moving in a different direction. When you stop the music, students find a partner from the opposite circle. Read out your question and tell them they ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE to answer. This sense of urgency encourages them to say as much as they can in limited time.
When the minute is up, start the music again to signal that students should move on to a new partner and discuss the next question.
2) Speed Friending
Sounds familiar? Yes – just like speed dating! During speed friending, students switch speaking partners every few minutes, which lets them talk to as many classmates as possible within the activity.
How it works:
Place two chairs opposite each other, ideally with a desk in between. If your desks are arranged in rows, a U shape, or a large circle, even better. Divide students into A’s and B’s, and seat each pair (A+B) at a desk. State your question, set the timer, and let them chat. When the time is up, all A’s move one desk in the same direction, pairing up with new partners. Then give the next question and repeat.
Want to make it more mysterious? Place a different list or deck of question cards on each desk. Have all A’s move in one direction and all B’s in the other. This way, every round brings a new partner and a completely new set of questions.
3) Question Swap
Need to stretch your legs after a long day at school or work? Get everyone up and moving! All you need is a list of questions cut into individual cards.
How it works:
Give each student a card with one question and explain the procedure: students walk around the classroom (a great moment to teach the verb ‘to mingle’, by the way), find a partner, and answer each other’s questions. Before they move on, they swap cards, so each student leaves with the other person’s question. They continue to mingle, talk to new partners, and keep swapping cards.
These fun, communicative activities keep students talking from start to finish – and you can reuse them endlessly. After all, there can never be too much speaking practice in a language classroom, right?