Conversation in English for Students: 100+ Topics, Questions & Practice Guide

ESL English learners face certain unique problems with grammar exercises and textbooks: the reading and writing exercises don't exactly build your speaking fluency and you really can't learn to understand natural, spontaneous English from a textbook.

On top of all that, grammar textbooks don't offer easy explanations for the freeze-ups they sometimes get when trying to answer a quick, simple question at the library or the coffee shop.

Not that you'd expect them to, since grammar exercises generally only show you the "what" of the English language. The confident and effective delivery of those phrases and conversation starters comes down to how well you practice, and with an AI tutor model like Loora, you get the best chance at that practice.

Loora works alongside your grammar studies to develop what textbooks can't: communicative competence. While other language apps focus on vocabulary lists and grammar rules, Loora helps you actually use English in real situations.

That’s all thanks to features that help you simulate real-life conversations and get instant, judgment-free feedback. This article covers conversation topics and questions you’d expect among intermediate-to-advanced English students. It shows you how to use these topics best to maintain natural dialogue without awkward silences, all with the unobtrusive assistance of Loora.

Key takeaways

In this guide, you’ll find the following key takeaways:

• How having some prepped topics in mind reduces cognitive load when speaking.
• Learn the "Conversation Cycle" (Opening, Sustaining, Closing) to navigate chats like a pro.
• Tips for using different questions for "small talk" with strangers versus "deep talk" with friends or colleagues.
• How to use AI tools to bridge the gap between studying and real-world interactions without the fear of embarrassment.

The "Conversation Cycle": how to structure a chat

Every day, informal conversations might seem random and spontaneous, but on closer look, you'll find they're not. Based on research from linguists, conversations follow an opening-body-closing structure, with chats and interactions following predictable phases, phrases, and a structured skill that allows you to deliver confidently.

Typically, successful conversations move through three distinct phases:

• Opening: the icebreaker that hooks attention
• Sustaining: follow-up questions and active listening that build connection
• Closing: the graceful exit that leaves a positive impression

Native speakers transition between these phases unconsciously, but as a learner, you can master them consciously first. This learning process comes with the anxiety of "doing it wrong," but with constant practice, it gradually becomes less of an issue.

In fact, what truly transforms awkward speakers into confident conversationalists is the use of "bridge phrases". Research shows that native speakers do not speak "word-by-word" but rather in "chunks.” That means you can catch native speakers saying things like, "That's interesting, tell me more about..." or "Well, it's been great talking to you" and "I should let you go, but..." When preparing to close the conversation.

Thankfully, Loora AI helps you isolate these types of phrases and practice them in a simulated role-play scenario to gain mastery. Throughout the practice, you'd get instant, judgment-free feedback so you know precisely what's left to work on with your prompts and responses.

Top 10 essential questions for English students

Some questions work in almost any context for university students: university orientations, professional networking events, casual encounters at cafes, and so on. It helps when you memorize them, as you can always use them to invite conversations while remaining safe and culturally appropriate confidently:

1. "So, where are you from?" This question opens conversations about geography, culture, and travel.
2. "What do you do?" This is suitable for a professional or academic context.
3. "What brings you here today?" Another context-agnostic question that works anywhere.
4. "How are you going to spend the weekend?" This question drives the conversation towards hobbies and aspects of the other person’s lifestyle they’re comfortable sharing.
5. "Have you watched anything good lately?" This is a safe and ever-current question around movie-watching culture.
6. "What are you working on these days?" This open-ended question directs the conversation towards little life updates.
7. "Do you have any trips coming up?" This is a more future-focused, positive question.
8. "What got you interested in [a topic they previously mentioned]?" This question demonstrates your active listening in the conversation.
9. "How long have you been in [city/country]?" Location-based connection.
10. "What do you like to do to unwind?" Personal interests, relaxation.

Loora can help you practice these phrases with an instant feedback feature that lets you adjust the cadence, tone, and overall delivery for a more confident performance.

Conversation starters by topic & level

Having a mental "menu" of topics in a conversation dramatically reduces the cognitive load you have to worry about. When learners don't have to generate both content and language simultaneously, they can focus more on how they're speaking.

However, to achieve that level of organization, you have to match topics to your proficiency level. For instance, beginners should focus on concrete, factual exchanges, while advanced students can explore abstract concepts and nuanced opinions.

This section explores this categorization with over 100 questions:

Beginner vs. Advanced Topics: Where to Start?

You might think that complex vocabulary is what separates beginner conversations from advanced ones, but it’s actually the depth of thought. Beginners tend to stick to observable facts and personal experiences because these require less abstract reasoning in a second language.

Advanced students can handle hypotheticals, opinions, and complex narratives. The beauty is that you can discuss the same topic at different levels of complexity, depending on how you frame the question. Below are some examples:

Beginner/Basic vs. Intermediate/Advanced:

• "Do you like movies?" vs. "What did you think of the cinematography in that film?"
• "Where do you work?" vs. "How has your industry changed in the past few years?"
• "What's your favorite food?" vs. "How do food traditions reflect cultural values?"
• "Do you have brothers or sisters?" vs. "How did your family dynamic shape who you are?"
• "What do you do on weekends?" vs. "How do you balance work and personal fulfillment?"

Small Talk & Icebreakers

Small talk isn't useless. They help in building trust before both parties consider deeper conversations. Typically, small talk topics are deliberately light and low-risk to work for the first five minutes of any interaction. You can make small talk with strangers, acquaintances, and anyone else.

Below are some common small talk conversation starters and ice breakers, categorized into the settings they work best in:

• Social Settings: "Do you know the host/organizer?" / "Have you been to one of these before?" / "What's been the highlight of your week?"
• Professional Settings: "What brings you to this event?" / "What industry are you in?" / "Are you currently working on anything exciting?"
• General Settings: "This weather has been crazy, right?" / "Have you tried the coffee here?" / "Any plans for the weekend?" / "How's your day going so far?"

You can also make up more icebreakers for everyday situations from the immediate environment (E.g., "This place has great atmosphere, have you been here before?"), current local events (E.g., "Did you hear about the festival happening downtown?"), and shared experiences (E.g., "Long line today, huh?").

Personal Life, Hobbies & Interests

This category offers a "safe zone" for many students, with topics that are personal enough to be interesting but not so intimate as to cause discomfort. Once you've broken the ice with small talk, these questions help you actually get to know someone. They reveal personality, values, and shared interests that can form the foundation of a genuine connection.

Travel & Adventure

• “What's the most interesting place you've ever visited?”
• "Where would you travel if money weren't an issue?"
• “Do you prefer beach vacations or city exploration?”
• “What's one place on your bucket list?”
• “Have you ever traveled solo?”
• “What was your favorite trip as a child?”
• “Would you rather take a road trip or fly somewhere far?”
• “What's the best food you've eaten while traveling?”
• “Do you collect anything from the places you visit?”
• “How do you usually plan your trips? Detailed itinerary or spontaneous?”
• “What's the longest flight you've ever taken?”
• “Have you ever gotten completely lost while traveling?”
• “Do you prefer staying in hotels or local accommodations like Airbnbs?”

Entertainment & Media

• “What kind of movies do you usually watch?”
• “Are you more of a Netflix person or do you still watch regular TV?”
• “What's the last book you read?”
• “Do you prefer reading physical books or e-books?”
• “What podcasts do you listen to?”
• “Are you into any YouTube channels?”
• “Do you have a playlist for when you're stressed?”
• “Do you play any video games?”
• “What's a show you've rewatched multiple times?”
• “Are you following any sports teams?”
• “Do you prefer documentaries or fictional stories?”
• “What's the best concert or live performance you've been to?”
• “Do you pay attention to movie reviews before watching?”
• “Have you been to any good museums lately?”

Food & Cooking

• “What's comfort food to you?”
• “Do you like cooking or do you prefer eating out?”
• “What cuisine do you eat most often?”
• “Are you adventurous with trying new foods?”
• “What's something you absolutely won't eat?”
• “Do you have any dietary restrictions?”
• “What's the best meal you've ever had?”
• “Can you make any dishes from your home country?”
• “Do you meal-prep or cook fresh every day?”
• “What's your go-to late-night snack?”
• "Are you a coffee person or a tea person?"
• “Do you follow any food bloggers or chefs?”
• “What's your opinion on pineapple on pizza?”
• “Have you ever taken a cooking class?”

Hobbies & Skills

• “What do you do in your free time?”
• “Have you picked up any new hobbies recently?”
• “Is there a skill you've always wanted to learn?”
• “Do you play any musical instruments?”
• “Are you into any sports or fitness activities?”
• “Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?”
• “What did you love doing as a kid that you still do now?”
• “Do you collect anything?”
• “How do you usually spend a lazy Sunday?”
• “Do you volunteer for anything?”
• “Are you part of any clubs or groups?”
• “What's something you're surprisingly good at?”
• “Do you prefer doing things alone or with other people?”

Technology & Future

• “Do you consider yourself an early adopter of new technology?”
• “What app do you use most on your phone?”
• “Do you think AI will change your job in the next five years?”
• “What's your opinion on social media?”
• “Do you prefer Android or iPhone?”
• “What's the most useful gadget you own?”
• “Are you worried about privacy online?”
• “Do you play around with any tech hobbies like coding or building things?”
• “What's one technology you wish existed?”
• “How many hours a day would you say you're on your phone?”
• “Do you think technology makes us more or less connected?”
• “What's your stance on cryptocurrency?”
• “Do you use smart home devices?”

Business English & Professional Topics

Professional settings demand a different register than casual conversations. Here, you're being evaluated on your ideas, professionalism, and cultural fluency. You'd want to be direct, formal, and adept at knowing when to be collegial and when to maintain the distance.

Formal vs. Informal Comparisons

• Greetings: "Hey, what's up?" vs. "Good morning, how are you?"
• Disagreeing: "No way, that's not right" vs. "I see it differently. May I share my perspective?"
• Requesting: "Can you send that to me?" vs. "Would you mind forwarding that document when you have a moment?"
• Apologizing: "My bad!" vs. "I apologize for the oversight."
• Leaving: "I gotta run" vs. "I should let you get back to your work. Thank you for your time."

Networking & Industry

• “What sector do you work in?”
• “How did you get started in your field?”
• “What are the biggest challenges facing your industry right now?”
• “What trends are you seeing in your area?”
• “How has remote work affected your role?”
• “What skills do you think are most valuable in today's job market?”
• “Do you attend many industry conferences?”
• “What's the most interesting project you've worked on recently?”
• “How do you stay updated on industry developments?”
• “What advice would you give someone entering your field?”
• “Are you involved in any professional organizations?”

Career Development

• “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
• “What made you choose this career path?”
• “Have you had any mentors who influenced your direction?”
• “What's been your biggest professional achievement?”
• “What skills are you currently trying to develop?”
• “Do you prefer working independently or collaboratively?”
• “What's your approach to work-life balance?”
• “Have you considered any career pivots?”
• “What qualities do you look for in a good manager?”
• “How do you handle workplace stress?”
• “What's the best professional advice you've ever received?”

Office & Workplace

• “Do you work from home or go into an office?”
• “What does a typical day look like for you?”
• “How does your team handle collaboration?”
• “What tools or software do you use most?”
• “How do you prioritize your tasks?”
• “What's your meeting philosophy? Do you think it’s a necessary evil or valuable collaboration?”
• “How do you handle tight deadlines?”
• “What makes a workplace culture positive in your view?"
• “Do you prefer structured schedules or flexibility?”
• “How do you approach giving and receiving feedback?”
• “What's something you wish your workplace did differently?”

Real-life scenarios: what to say when...

While a list of questions is helpful, knowing when and where to use them is what helps you progress from freezing up to becoming a more confident speaker. This section addresses the gap that most competitor content misses: the actual contexts in which these conversations occur.

When you understand these scenarios, you choose appropriate topics, adjust your formality level, and predict what kind of responses you'll receive. Consider some of them below:

Coffee shop / casual meeting

You're waiting in line, sitting at a shared table, or bumping into someone you vaguely know. The goal is a brief, pleasant exchange without pressure.

• Openers: "This line is always crazy during lunch, right?" / "Have you tried their cold brew?”
• Sustainers: "Do you come here often?" / "Are you working on something or just relaxing?" / "Have you found any other good cafes in the area?"
• Closers: "Well, enjoy your coffee!" / "Nice chatting with you!" / "Maybe I'll see you around here again."

A common mistake many students make is trying too hard in such casual settings. It doesn't have to stretch into a fifteen-minute conversation every time you meet someone in line.

A smile, a quick comment about the environment, and a natural fade-out is all it takes. Remember that in Western cultures, particularly in American and British cultures, acknowledging someone's presence without demanding their full attention is considered polite and socially aware.

Loora AI helps you practice this scenario with its role-play feature. It plays the other person at the coffee shop while you practice your phrases. The system gives you instant feedback on delivery, cadence, and tone, so you know precisely what still needs work.

University campus / academic settings

You're in class, at a study group, or attending a campus event. The context is inherently intellectual, so discussions around it can be more substantive even with new acquaintances.

• Openers: "What's your major?" / "How are you finding this class so far?" / "Are you doing the reading for tomorrow?"
• Sustainers: "What made you interested in this subject?" / "Have you taken any other classes with this professor?" / "Are you planning to go into research or industry?" / "What's your thesis topic?"
• Closers: "We should study together sometime" / "Good luck on the exam!" / "See you in class."

There's a unique advantage for non-native speakers in academic environments. Everyone expects complex language, so mistakes are normalized in learning contexts, and there's often a shared struggle that creates camaraderie.

However, the key cultural note here is that most university conversations quickly pivot to plans and career ambitions, so having a few sentences prepared about your academic goals prevents the dreaded blank stare when someone asks you, "What do you want to do after graduation?"

When you practice these phrases regularly with Loora AI, you become more aware of these sticking points and learn how to work around them confidently.

Job interview / professional networking

This is the highest-stakes scenario for most students, where you're being evaluated and every word counts. The twist here is that interviewers actually want you to succeed, as awkward interviews are painful for both parties.

• Openers (when you arrive): "Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me" / "I really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the role."
• During the interview (when answering questions), use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions, but frame it conversationally rather than robotically. "That's a great question. In my last internship, we actually faced something similar..."
• Your questions for them: "What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?" / "How would you describe the team culture?" / "What are the biggest challenges facing the department right now?" / "What opportunities for professional development does the company offer?"
• Closers: "Thank you again for your time. I'm very excited about this opportunity, and I hope to hear from you soon" / "Is there anything else you need from me at this point?"

In an interview, avoid answering questions correctly without building rapport first. Interviews are more than interrogations and are conversations about mutual fit.

You can acknowledge good questions with phrases like "That's an interesting question" or "I'm glad you asked that," which gives you time to think while showing engagement.

You should also read the interviewer's energy: if they're formal and structured, match that tone. If they're relaxed and conversational, you can be more casual while maintaining professionalism. Loora AI lets you know which tone works best for the precise scenario you're preparing for. You can tell Loora you want to practice an informal conversation, and it adjusts the replies for the appropriate casual phrases.

Travel / airport / hotel

You're in transit or staying somewhere temporarily. Conversations here are time-bound and focused on logistics or shared experiences.

• Openers: "Where are you headed?" / "Is this your first time in [city]?" / "How long is your layover?"
• Sustainers: "Have you been to [destination] before?" / "Any recommendations for things to do?" / "What brings you there, work or vacation?" / "Where's home for you?"
• Closers: "Safe travels!" / "Enjoy your trip!" / "Hope you have a great time in [city]!"
  

Travel contexts are often the easiest place to practice English because there's a built-in excuse for the conversation to be temporary. Here, nobody expects a deep connection, and cultural mistakes are forgiven more readily because you're obviously foreign. There's also a common ground in the shared experience of travel.

Still, you’d want to avoid the mistake of being too hesitant. People stuck in airports or staying in hostels are often bored and genuinely welcoming to casual conversation.

How to keep a conversation flowing (without getting stuck)

Say you've memorized the conversation starters and you open with them beautifully. Then, after three exchanges, silence.

Sustaining the conversation is as important as starting one, and it is as straightforward as using the same techniques to extend the ones you've already started.

The follow-up question technique

Every answer contains multiple threads you can pull on, so when someone says "I'm from California," it really isn't a complete answer. Here, beginners sometimes panic about what to ask next, while skilled conversationalists hear so many potential follow-ups like: location ("Which part? I've heard San Francisco is beautiful"), duration ("Have you lived there your whole life?"), comparison ("How does it compare to living here?"), or personal connection ("I've always wanted to visit. What should I see?").

More importantly, the follow-up technique works because it shows genuine interest rather than interrogation. The difference is always in the tone and personalization: "Where in California?" would sound like a checklist, but "Oh, California! I've always been curious about the lifestyle there compared to the East Coast" invites them to share more of their personal perspectives.

Active listening

Active listening means absorbing what the other person says and responding to it specifically. For instance, when someone mentions they're stressed about a project, a generic response might be "Oh, that's tough." On the other hand, an active listening response is "Project deadlines are the worst. What's the timeline you're working with?" The second version proves you heard them and invites elaboration.

Open-ended vs. closed-ended questions: the conversation killer

This is the single most important distinction for maintaining flow. Closed questions invite yes/no answers that create dead ends. Open questions invite stories, opinions, and elaboration that naturally lead to more topics.

The pattern here is simple: closed questions start with "Do/Did/Have/Are/Is" and open questions start with "What/How/Why/Tell me about." When you catch yourself about to ask a yes/no question, pause and rephrase it as an invitation to elaborate.

How to give answers that keep conversations alive

Most conversation guides focus exclusively on asking questions, but what happens when you're on the receiving end?

When someone asks "Where are you from?" and you respond with just "Chicago," it creates an awkward silence and the other person now has to work harder to keep the conversation going. Over time, these dead-end responses make you seem disengaged or difficult to talk to.

The solution is to go beyond bare-minimum responses and give your conversation partner something to work with.

The "conversational bait" technique

Instead of answering with a single word or phrase, add a detail that invites follow-up. Compare these responses:

Bare minimum: "I'm from Chicago."

With conversational bait: "I'm from Chicago. I actually grew up near the lake, so I spent a lot of time at the beach."

The second version gives the other person multiple threads they can pull on: the city itself, lakeside living, or beach activities. You've done half the work for them by offering natural entry points for their next question.

The general formula for keeping conversations alive through your answers is straightforward: Answer the question, add one relevant detail and optionally hint at your feeling or opinion

For example:

Question: "What do you do?"

Basic answer: "I'm a graphic designer."

Enhanced answer: "I'm a graphic designer. I mostly work on branding projects, which I love because every client is so different."

Here are other examples from different topics:

Question: "How was your weekend?"

• Basic: "It was good."
• Enhanced: "It was good! I finally tried that new Thai restaurant downtown. The curry was incredible, way better than I expected."

Question: "What are you studying?"

• Basic: "Computer science."
• Enhanced: "Computer science, with a focus on machine learning. I'm really interested in how AI can be applied to healthcare problems."

Question: "Do you have any hobbies?"

• Basic: "I like reading."
• Enhanced: "I like reading, especially science fiction. I just finished a book about time travel that completely messed with my head in the best way."

Question: "How long have you been here?"

• Basic: "Three months."
• Enhanced: "Three months now. I'm still getting used to how early everything closes compared to back home, but I love how walkable the city is."

The ideal response length is two to three sentences. This gives enough information to be interesting without turning into a monologue that overwhelms the other person. Think of it as a conversation, not a presentation.

The "yes, and..." technique

This technique, borrowed from improvisational theater, helps you break the habit of one-word answers. Here's how it works:

1. Give your instinctive short response
2. Add "and" (mentally or out loud)
3. Follow with relevant context, a detail, or your perspective

Practice examples:

• "Do you like living here?" → "Yes" → "Yes, and the public transportation makes it really easy to explore different neighborhoods."
• "Have you traveled much?" → "Not really" → "Not really, but I'm planning a trip to Japan next year, which I'm really excited about."
• "Do you play any sports?" → "I used to" → "I used to play soccer in high school. I don't play competitively anymore, but I still kick the ball around with friends sometimes."

The word "and" acts as a mental trigger that reminds you to elaborate. With practice, this becomes automatic.

Start by practicing alone. Take common questions and answer them out loud, forcing yourself to add at least one detail each time. Record yourself or use Loora AI to get feedback on whether your responses sound natural and conversational rather than rehearsed.

Over time, offering conversational bait becomes second nature. You'll find yourself automatically adding details, sharing relevant context, and giving the other person material to work with.

How to Practice Speaking Without a Partner

English students sometimes find themselves in a catch-22: needing to speak to improve their speaking, yet too afraid to speak until they do.

You've already read through dozens of conversation starters and techniques, but the idea of testing them on a real person isn’t the most welcoming. What if you freeze? What if they judge your accent?

Practice is key, but finding someone who has time for regular practice, who won't judge your mistakes, and who will actually give you useful feedback is incredibly difficult. Native speakers might be too polite to correct you, and other learners can't provide expert feedback.

This is where AI-powered speaking practice fundamentally changes the game. Tools like Loora act as judgment-free, 24/7 speaking partners specifically designed for English learners. Unlike human conversations, where mistakes feel permanent and embarrassing, practicing with AI allows you to make errors privately, get instant feedback on pronunciation and grammar, and retry the same scenario as many times as needed until you feel confident.

Loora lets you simulate coffee shop conversations, job interviews, networking events, and casual chats dozens of times before facing the real thing.