Speaking questions

Cultural Differences for Kids

• High schools (Do students wear special school attire like uniforms? Can students drive to their high school? Can students drink water in class?)
• Country work ethic (How long are typical work hours? Do students work after graduating?)
• School clubs (What unique school clubs are there? Which club are you in? Why did you choose that club?)
• Holidays (What is your favorite holiday? What type of food do you eat on specific holidays?)
• Jobs (What jobs exist? Is it easy to get a job after graduation? Is it easy to find a job now?)
• Pop culture (Who are pop culture icons in your home country?)
• Video games (Do you play video games? What types of video games are popular?)
• Parenting and punishment (What kind of punishment have you received at school or home? Do you believe in physical punishment?)

Culture Differences for Adults

• Restaurant tips (Are tips at restaurants common? How much is a reasonable tip?)
• Work dinner parties (Do wives and husbands attend work parties?)
• Gestures (What are some unique gestures (thumbs up, middle finger, etc) in your country?)
• Gift exchange (When you travel, is it common to exchange gifts? How about Christmas or any other holidays?)
• Living with parents (How old do kids live with their parents?)
• Greetings (How do you greet in your country? Do you bow or do handshakes?)
• Safety and crime (Do you think your neighborhood is safe? What kind of crimes happen in your area?)
• Punctuality (How often are friends late? How about buses and trains? Is it rude being late?)
• Food and health (What is a typical meal? How healthy is it? Are gyms becoming more popular?)
• Sports (How do sports players show respect after a game? Are there any unique sports in your country?)
• Multiculturalism (Is your country multicultural? Is multiculturalism a good thing?)
• Gender discrimination (Do women and men make the same amount of money for doing the same job? Is there much gender discrimination in your home country?)

If you…

• If you had one wish, what would it be?
• If you were rich, what would you do?
• If you could be a celebrity for a day, which celebrity would you be?
• If you were the principal at school, what would you change?
• If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
• If you were on a deserted island, what would you bring and why?
• If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be and why?
• If you could have any superpower, what would you pick and why?
• If you could pack only 3 items for your next trip, what would they be?
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
• If you could travel to the moon, would you like to go?
• If you win the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
• If you owned an island to yourself, what rules would you implement?
• If they could pick a Halloween costume to dress up as on Halloween, what would it be?
• If you could be born at a different time period, when would it be?
• If you could change the past, would you do it?
• If you could make a movie, which celebrity would you pick as yourself?
• If you found a large amount of money, what would you do?
• If you could change anything about your country, what would you change?
• If you could be born in another country, which one would you pick?
• If you could do your dream job 10 years from now, which job would you choose?

Have you ever…

• Have you ever traveled out of your home country?
• Have you ever cried when watching a movie? If yes, which one?
• Have you ever experienced culture shock?
• Have you ever wanted to get a tattoo or piercing?
• Have you ever laughed so much that it made you cry?
• Have you ever been lost and couldn’t find directions?
• Have you ever fallen in love? If no, do you want to find love?
• Have you ever won a trophy? If yes, which competition did you win?
• Have you ever read a book that changed your life?
• Have you ever been to Disneyland or an amazing theme park?
• Have you ever had a dream that felt like it was real?
• Have you ever seen something supernatural or paranormal?
• Have you ever ridden a horse?
• Have you ever had imaginary friends when you were young?
• Have you ever had to go to the hospital?
• Have you ever been outside your home country?
• Have you ever experienced a natural disaster?
• Have you ever owned a pet?
• Have you ever donated anything to the poor?
• Have you ever seen a car accident?

Would you rather…

• Would rather be very intelligent or very good-looking?
• Would you rather have a pet dog or cat?
• Would you rather grow up going to school in your home country or another one?
• Would you rather be a professional athlete or celebrity actor?
• Would you rather live forever or until 100 years old?
• Would you rather live in the mountains or on the beach?
• Would you rather bungee jump or skydive?
• Would you rather be rich or find true love?
• Would you rather walk backward or talk backward for the rest of your life?
• Would you rather explore the oceans or outer space?
• Would you rather live in an apartment or a house?
• Would you rather be invisible or super fast?
• Would you rather live in a country that is always cold or hot?
• Would you rather live in the city or a small town?
• Would you rather be a jack-of-all-trades or master one?
• Would you rather ride an elephant or swim with dolphins?
• Would you rather be rich and depressed or broke and happy?
• In the past or future, when would you rather travel?
• Would you rather eat rice or bread with every meal?
• Would you rather use the internet or books as your main source of information?

Controversial

• How do you deal with stress?
• What is the best advice you have ever received?
• Do you think aliens exist?
• Is climate change real?
• What age is best to start dating?
• What personality traits do you want in your boyfriend or girlfriend?
• Have you ever had a problem with bullying?
• Are girls smarter than boys?
• In the future, how many children do you want to have?
• What makes a good teacher?
• Who was your hero when you were a child?
• What is the worst purchase you have made?
• Would you rather know how you die or when you die?
• What was the best holiday you’ve been on?
• Is there any strange food in your country?
• What are some inventions you hope to see in the future?
• What is the most embarrassing moment of your life?
• Would you ever try online dating?
• What is on your bucket list?
• Do you believe in any religions?
• When was the last time you cried?