ESL Conversation Questions – Jokes

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. What is a joke?
2. Can you tell a simple joke in English?
3. How do you know if something is funny?
4. What makes you laugh?
5. Are jokes the same in all countries?
6. How do you react when you don’t understand a joke?
7. What is your favorite funny movie?
8. Do you like to make people laugh?
9. How do you say “funny” in your language?
10. What are some funny words in English?
11. Who is your favorite comedian?
12. How do jokes help in learning English?
13. What is a funny story from your country?
14. How do you tell a joke?
15. What is a punchline?
16. Are there jokes in your school books?
17. How do you feel when people laugh at your jokes?
18. What is a prank?
19. Do you like cartoons? Which is your favorite?
20. How do animals make us laugh?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. Why do people tell jokes?
2. How do jokes differ from culture to culture?
3. Can jokes sometimes be offensive?
4. How do you tell a joke in a group?
5. What is “sarcasm”?
6. How do jokes change with language?
7. What is “slapstick” comedy?
8. How can jokes help in social situations?
9. What is a “dad joke”?
10. How do you respond to jokes in a different language?
11. Can jokes be a form of art?
12. How do TV shows use jokes?
13. What is “stand-up comedy”?
14. How do jokes reflect culture?
15. What are some English idioms that are funny?
16. How do you tell if a joke is friendly or mean?
17. What is “physical comedy”?
18. How do jokes help in stressful times?
19. What is a “knock-knock” joke?
20. How can you use jokes to make friends?

B2 Level (Upper Intermediate)

1. Discuss the role of humor in communication.
2. How can humor be lost in translation?
3. Analyze the use of satire in media.
4. What are the boundaries of humor?
5. How does humor differ in formal and informal contexts?
6. Discuss the impact of cultural differences on humor.
7. How can jokes influence public opinion?
8. What is the role of humor in politics?
9. Analyze the psychology behind humor.
10. How do comedians influence society?
11. Discuss the ethics of making jokes about sensitive topics.
12. How has humor evolved with technology?
13. What is “dark humor”?
14. How do jokes build or break stereotypes?
15. Discuss the role of humor in literature.
16. How do jokes vary across age groups?
17. What is the impact of humor on mental health?
18. How does humor play a role in advertising?
19. What is the history of comedy?
20. How do humor styles differ around the world?

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Critically analyze the use of irony in humor.
2. Evaluate the role of humor in conflict resolution.
3. Discuss the impact of humor on social dynamics.
4. Analyze the intersection of humor and cultural identity.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of humor in education.
6. Discuss the use of humor in professional settings.
7. Analyze the role of humor in building relationships.
8. Discuss the power dynamics in humor.
9. Evaluate the societal impact of comedy shows.
10. Discuss the balance between humor and sensitivity.

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Examine the philosophical aspects of humor.
2. Debate the role of humor in societal change.
3. Analyze the linguistic intricacies of humor.
4. Evaluate the impact of humor on cultural narratives.
5. Discuss the use of humor in diplomatic contexts.
6. Analyze the role of humor in media representation.
7. Debate the ethics of humor in journalism.
8. Examine the role of humor in health and wellness.
9. Analyze the global diversity of comedic styles.
10. Discuss the future of humor in a digital age.