Family conversation questions for ESL
Here we have 75 discussion questions about family on 3 separate worksheets. The handouts have a wide range of family-related questions and also have pictures to describe.
Difficult words and expressions in the first speaking activity include – siblings, reunion, extended family, special, argue, argument, keep in touch, appearance, character, chore, and allowed.
The family conversation questions on worksheet 1 above are –
How many people are there in your family? Who is the oldest?
What do you and your family like to do together? How often do you do it?
What is the best thing about having a family?
Does your family always eat dinner together? What do you usually eat?
Where did your family go on the last vacation? What did you do there?
Who is the hardest working person in your family? What do they do?
Do you have any siblings? Would you like to have more?
What do you think is the best size for a family?
How often do you have family reunions with extended family members?
Where were your parents born? Is it far from where you live now?
Are there any special days of the year when your family has fun together?
What did your grandparents do when they were younger?
Does your family have a pet? Who looks after it the most?
Does everyone in your family have their own room or do you share?
Who would you say is the boss of your family?
Do you get on well with all your family members?
Does your family ever have arguments? What do you argue about?
Who is the noisiest person in your family? What makes them so noisy?
Would you like to live with your parents or in another house? Why?
Describe your parents. What are their appearances and character like?
Do you keep in touch with family members you don’t live with? How often?
Who does most of the household chores in your family? Do you help?
What things are not allowed in your family home?
Do you hope to have children one day? Would you prefer boys or girls?
Family conversation questions 2
Before starting this discussion worksheet, check your students are familiar with these terms – close (relationship), a living (job), raise a family, location, strict, react, adopted, resemble, curfew, distant ancestors, and tradition.
On worksheet 2 the family conversation questions are –
Has your family ever done any work together? What did you do?
Who would you say you are closest to in your family?
Which is most important to you, friends or family? Why?
What do your parents do for a living? Do they like their jobs?
Where do you think is the best location to raise a family in your country?
Are your parents strict? How do they react if you do something wrong?
Will you take care of your parents when they get old and frail? How?
What is the happiest family memory you can think of?
When you have children, will you do anything differently to your parents?
Do you know anybody who is adopted? Would you ever adopt a child?
How do you think families in other countries are different to yours?
Who do you resemble most, your mother or your father?
Which of your parents do you take after most?
Do you think that mothers should stay home to raise their children?
What things have your parents taught you not to do?
Did or have your parents ever set a curfew to be home at night?
Do you know much about your great grandparents? What did they do?
What do you know about your distant ancestors? Where were they from?
Have you ever kept a secret or hidden something from your parents?
Do you ever feel like you need time away from your family?
Has your father ever done something that made you laugh a lot?
Do you know how your parents met? What is the story?
Does your family have any special traditions? What are they?
In what ways is family life changing in your country?
Family conversation questions 3
A third worksheet of family conversation questions. This discussion activity has the idiom “bring home the bacon” and the phrasal verbs – look up to, pass down, and name after. Other challenging terms include – greet, surname, discipline, expectations, achieve, heirloom, in-laws, and maid.
How do you greet family members when you haven’t seen them in a long time?
What is the longest amount of time you have spent away from your parents?
What animals do you know of that live in families?
At what age do you think children should leave home?
Which family member do you usually talk to when you have problems?
Do you have any favorite aunts or uncles? Why do you like them?
Where do your grandparents live? How often do you see them?
What do you think makes a happy family? Is money important?
How old were your parents when they had children?
Are you named after anyone in your family? What does your surname mean?
How did your parents discipline you when you were naughty?
Who is the person you look up most to in your family?
Do your parents have any expectations or things they want you to achieve?
How many times has your family moved home? Why did you move?
Are there any objects or heirlooms that are passed down in your family?
What is the most useful thing that your mother has taught you?
Do you have any in-laws? What are they like?
Who “brings home the bacon” in your family?
Have you ever had a nanny or a maid? What were they like?
Which person in your family gives the best gifts? What did they last give you?
Who is the best cook in your family? What is their best dish?
If your family was a TV show or a movie, what would it be called?
What do you think is the best age to start a family?
What will be the most important thing that you teach your children?
