ESL Conversation Questions – Human Rights

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. What does the word “rights” mean to you?
2. Can you name a human right that you think is important?
3. How do you feel when you hear about people helping others?
4. Do you know what “equality” means? Can you explain it?
5. Why is it important for everyone to have rights?
6. Have you ever seen someone help another person? What happened?
7. What does “freedom of speech” mean?
8. Can you think of a time when you felt free to make your own choice?
9. How do children in your country learn about their rights?
10. What can we do to make sure everyone is treated fairly?
11. Is education a human right? Why or why not?
12. How do you feel when you are treated fairly?
13. What is one right that children have in your country?
14. How can we help people who don’t have basic rights?
15. Why is it important to respect other people’s rights?
16. Can you think of a leader who fights for human rights?
17. What happens if someone’s rights are taken away?
18. Do you think animals have rights? Why or why not?
19. How do you show respect to others?
20. What is one way to make the world a better place for everyone?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. What are human rights and why are they important?
2. Can you describe a human rights issue in your country?
3. How does the media in your country report on human rights?
4. What role do governments play in protecting human rights?
5. How can education help in promoting human rights?
6. Are there any organizations in your country that work for human rights? What do they do?
7. How do cultural differences affect the perception of human rights?
8. What is the difference between rights and responsibilities?
9. Can you think of a historical figure who fought for human rights?
10. How do international laws protect human rights?
11. What is your opinion on censorship and freedom of speech?
12. Should economic rights be considered as human rights?
13. How does technology impact human rights?
14. What can individuals do to support human rights?
15. What is the importance of having a right to privacy?
16. How can art and music be used to promote human rights?
17. What are the consequences of violating human rights?
18. How does poverty affect human rights?
19. Can you think of a book or movie that deals with human rights issues?
20. What does it mean to have equal rights?

B2 Level (Upper-Intermediate)

1. How do different cultures interpret human rights?
2. Discuss the impact of globalization on human rights.
3. How effective are international organizations in enforcing human rights?
4. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in humanitarian interventions?
5. How do you think technology is changing the landscape of human rights?
6. Discuss the relationship between human rights and environmental issues.
7. What challenges do refugees face in terms of human rights?
8. How can we balance national security with the protection of human rights?
9. Discuss the concept of universal human rights versus cultural relativism.
10. How do social movements contribute to the advancement of human rights?
11. What is the role of education in preventing human rights abuses?
12. How do economic inequalities impact human rights?
13. What are the pros and cons of whistleblowing on human rights violations?
14. Discuss the role of media in shaping public opinion about human rights.
15. How do conflicts and wars affect human rights?
16. What is your opinion on the death penalty in the context of human rights?
17. How can international trade affect human rights?
18. What are the human rights implications of climate change?
19. Discuss the role of gender in human rights issues.
20. How do corporate practices impact human rights?

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Analyze the evolution of human rights since the 20th century.
2. Discuss the intersection of human rights and digital privacy.
3. How do international relations affect the enforcement of human rights?
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations in promoting human rights.
5. Discuss the concept of “human rights as a Western construct.”
6. How do economic sanctions impact human rights in targeted countries?
7. What is the role of non-governmental organizations in human rights advocacy?
8. Analyze the relationship between human rights and corporate responsibility.
9. Discuss the challenges in implementing human rights laws globally.
10. How does cultural imperialism affect the perception of human rights?

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Critically evaluate the concept of universal human rights.
2. Analyze the impact of post-colonialism on human rights discourse.
3. Discuss the ethical implications of humanitarian intervention for human rights.
4. Evaluate the role of international treaties in upholding human rights.
5. How can we reconcile cultural practices with international human rights standards?
6. Analyze the role of national identity in shaping a country’s human rights policies.
7. Discuss the implications of surveillance technologies on human rights.
8. Evaluate the impact of global capitalism on the distribution of human rights.
9. How does the concept of human rights evolve during times of crisis?
10. Analyze the role of media and propaganda in human rights issues.