ESL Conversation Questions – News

A2 Level (Elementary)

1. How often do you watch or read the news?
2. What is your favorite way to get news?
3. Do you prefer local or international news? Why?
4. Can you name three different types of news?
5. What was the last news story you remember?
6. Do you talk about the news with your friends or family?
7. How do you feel when you watch the news?
8. What kind of news is most interesting to you?
9. Do you think it’s important to follow the news? Why?
10. Have you ever seen news being reported live?
11. Do you use an app for news on your phone?
12. What’s the biggest news story you remember from last year?
13. Do you read newspapers or watch TV for news?
14. Have you ever read a news story in English?
15. What do you think of news reporters?
16. Is there a news channel you like best? Why?
17. Have you ever seen news that wasn’t true?
18. Do you think news is different in other countries?
19. What sports news do you follow?
20. How do you feel about weather reports?

B1 Level (Intermediate)

1. Discuss the importance of unbiased news reporting.
2. Share your thoughts on the role of social media in news distribution.
3. What are the challenges of being a news reporter?
4. How has news reporting changed in the last 20 years?
5. Discuss the impact of fake news on society.
6. How do you verify if a news story is true or not?
7. What role does photography play in news reporting?
8. Discuss the importance of international news in understanding global issues.
9. How do live broadcasts differ from recorded news?
10. What are the effects of sensationalism in news reporting?
11. Discuss the role of editorials and opinion pieces in newspapers.
12. How do 24-hour news channels impact the way we receive news?
13. Discuss the ethical responsibilities of journalists.
14. Share your thoughts on citizen journalism.
15. How do environmental news stories affect public awareness?
16. Discuss the influence of political bias in news media.
17. What are the challenges of reporting news during a crisis?
18. How do news agencies decide what stories to report?
19. Discuss the impact of news on public opinion.
20. How has the internet changed the landscape of news reporting?

B2 Level (Upper Intermediate)

1. Debate the effects of media consolidation on news diversity.
2. Analyze the role of investigative journalism in a democratic society.
3. Discuss the influence of corporate ownership on news content.
4. How do news media shape public perception of major events?
5. Explore the ethical implications of undercover reporting.
6. Debate the role of government regulation in news broadcasting.
7. Analyze the impact of real-time news updates on society.
8. Discuss the challenges of maintaining objectivity in news reporting.
9. Explore the role of press freedom in maintaining an informed society.
10. Analyze the influence of public relations on news stories.
11. Discuss the impact of news on cultural understanding.
12. Explore the challenges of reporting in war zones.
13. Analyze the role of news in shaping political campaigns.
14. Discuss the implications of censorship in news media.
15. How does news coverage vary across different countries?
16. Explore the relationship between news and social change.
17. Discuss the challenges of environmental journalism.
18. Analyze the role of news in crisis management and response.
19. Debate the impact of sensationalism versus factual reporting.
20. Explore the future of news media in the digital age.

C1 Level (Advanced)

1. Critically analyze the concept of ‘infotainment’ in modern news media.
2. Explore the implications of data journalism in shaping news narratives.
3. Discuss the role of news in perpetuating stereotypes.
4. Analyze the challenges of reporting on scientific and technological advancements.
5. Evaluate the impact of global news networks on local journalism.
6. Discuss the role of news in shaping societal values.
7. Explore the ethical implications of anonymous sourcing in news stories.
8. Analyze the balance between national security and press freedom.
9. Discuss the influence of audience analytics on news production.
10. Evaluate the role of alternative media in the news ecosystem.

C2 Level (Proficiency)

1. Critique the notion of objectivity in journalistic practice.
2. Explore the dialectical relationship between news media and political power.
3. Debate the impact of digital algorithms on news consumption and perception.
4. Analyze the representation of minority groups in mainstream news media.
5. Discuss the paradoxes in global versus local perspectives in news reporting.
6. Explore the implications of ‘echo chambers’ and ‘filter bubbles’ in digital news consumption.
7. Critically assess the role of news in shaping collective memory.
8. Debate the ethical implications of crisis reporting and victim privacy.
9. Analyze the convergence of news media platforms and its impact on journalism.
10. Explore the role of advocacy journalism in societal change.