Conversation starters for summer lessons

In the height of summer, most of the students get into a happy and relaxed state of mind. They dream of going on a well-deserved vacation or want to chill out at home. Discussions on summer topics will create a pleasant and lively atmosphere in your lessons. In the article, we share ready-to-use conversation openers which can be used as warm-ups or fillers for learners of different ages.

A conversation opener is a phrase or a question that is used to begin a talk. They also work really well for breaking the ice and for reserved learners one-on-one. Some of the questions can appear naturally during the lesson. In group classes, the questions are discussed in pairs or mini groups.

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 Open-ended questions

• What would be your ideal summer?
• Do you have any plans for summer?
• How do you feel when summer arrives/ finishes?
• What was the most memorable summer vacation that you’ve ever had? What made it so special?
• What is your favourite summer treat?
• What outdoor activities do you prefer in summer? What was your favourite outdoor activity when you were a child?
• What memories of summer from your childhood do you have?
• Do you enjoy having picnics? Do you have any nice picnic spots? 
• Do you observe any summer traditions? Could you share some of them?
• What are the 3 things that you like and dislike about the summer?
• Are there any interesting summer festivals or events in your country?
• What summery clothes do you prefer?
• Are there any films that you like watching in summer?
• What TV shows do you plan to see this summer?
• What things can you do only in summer?
• Is this summer different for you because of COVID-19?
• Have you met any new people this summer?
• What would your perfect summer weekend be like?
• Could you recommend some interesting places for spending time at the weekend in your town/city?
• What things inspire you in summer?
• What new experiences would you like to take on this summer?
• Has summer been a busy time for you?
• Do you have a favourite summertime restaurant?
• Do you like watching sunsets in summer? Can you think of any special places to watch sunsets? (e.g. Santorini — Greece, The Maldives, The Grand Canyon — Arizona)

Fun facts discussion

• The smell of freshly cut grass is said to elicit happy memories. Is it true about you?
• Watermelon, tomatoes and peaches outsell all other fruits during the summer in America. Is it true about your country?
• 1816 was the year without a summer in the northern states due to a volcano eruption in 1815. How would you feel if the same happened in your country?
• The most visible meteor shower takes place in August. Do you like stargazing?
• Mosquitoes, summer’s pests, have been around for more than 30 million years. How do you combat these annoying insects?

If-sentences 

• If I could travel anywhere in the world in summer, I would go…
• If I had more free time in summer, I’d …
• If it weren’t so hot,…
• If I had more money in summer, I’d…
• If I’m bored in summer, I will…
• If I could make a new ice-cream flavour, it would be…

‘Would you rather’ questions for children/teens 

• …go to a summer camp or visit your grandparents in the village?
• …spend summer with your family at the campsite or in a fancy hotel?
• …go river rafting or go water skiing?
• …live on a boat for the summer or live in a treehouse?
• …spend summer on a farm or in the big city?
• …go to a crowded beach or a deserted island?
• …ride a rollercoaster or a waterslide?
• …eat only hamburgers or only watermelons all summer?
• …have a bouncy castle in your backyard or a movie theatre?
• …go to the mountains for the summer or go to the beach?