Teaching conversation to ESL students requires good materials that can give students something to talk about. The printable ESL dialogues below all include highlighted vocabulary words, discussion questions, and a sentence pattern. Scroll down for some more useful ESL conversation activities. Great for both one-on-one classes and larger ESL classes of all levels!
ESL Dialogues: Beginner
(Taken from “All in All – Book 1”)
Have Some Candy! – Sentence patterns: I am going to the _____. / I want some _____.
So Cute! – Sentence pattern: Your _____ is very _____.
Ugghh – Sentence pattern: I want to _____ right now.
Tennis Joe – Sentence pattern: I like to _____ every day.
Camping Trip – Sentence pattern: You will have to _____ first.
Save or Spend – Sentence pattern: I am _____ing my _____.
Woof! – Sentence pattern: I’m not afraid of _____.
Unit 1 Vocabulary Review – Review of vocabulary words from the above dialogues
UNIT 2
Money, Money, Money – Sentence pattern: Next time don’t _____.
Let’s Go Fly a Kite! – Sentence pattern: I probably won’t have time to _____.
I’m Bored! – Sentence pattern: I like to play catch with my _____.
Just Kidding – Sentence pattern: It looks like a _____ and it smells like a _____.
My Secret – Sentence pattern: I promise not to _____ if you promise to _____.
Paper Airplanes! – Sentence pattern: I will bring my _____. We can _____.
ESL Dialogues: Low-Intermediate
(Taken from “All in All – Book 2”)
UNIT 1
What’s That Noise? – Sentence pattern: That noise sounds like a _____.
Dreams – Sentence pattern: I wish I could _____ like a _____.
Arrogant Aaron – Sentence pattern: I’m ___er and more _____ than you.
Europe – Sentence pattern: There are many _____ in _____.
Whining Wendy – Sentence pattern: Can I at least _____?
Slingshot – Sentence pattern: If you _____, you will probably _____.
Hurry Up and Finish! – Sentence pattern: If you _____, you will _____.
UNIT 2
Interests – Sentence pattern: We should get together and _____, and maybe we can _____ too!
The Bottom of the World – Sentence pattern: I’m wearing _____ because _____.
Brrrr! – Sentence pattern: I think _____ is OK, but I prefer _____.
Bird-Watching – Sentence pattern: These are _____. I need my _____ when I am _____.
Earthquake! – Sentence pattern: [Use vocabulary words in a sentence.]
Black and White – Sentence patterns: I have an extra _____. / The _____ is _____ years old.
Field Trip – There are no _____ in a _____.
On the Roof – Sentence pattern: Go ask _____ to _____.
ESL Dialogues: High-Intermediate
(Taken from “All in All – Book 3”)
UNIT 1
Get a Job – Sentence patterns: I am old enough to _____. / If you _____, you’ll be _____.
The Poet – Activity: Think of rhyming words, and write a poem!
The Compromise – Features a map activity and vocabulary review exercise.
Graduation! – Sentence patterns: I am not a ____ anymore. / Your teachers expect you to _____.
It’s a Deal! – Sentence pattern: Would you please _____?
Second-Hand Smoke: Sentence pattern: Thousands of people _____ every year.
Tattoo Tad – Sentence pattern: I use a _____ to _____.
Studying Abroad – My _____ isn’t good enough to _____.
Cancer – Sentence patterns: I might _____ tomorrow. / I’m just a little _____.
UNIT 2
Cough – Sentence pattern: You should _____ instead of _____.
Gambling Gabe – Sentence pattern: By the way, _____.
Go Fly a Kite! – Speaking activity: Practice asking questions.
Two Muffins – Class activity: Tell a joke!
Shane’s Stain – Features a vocabulary review exercise.
Wanna Bet? – Sentence pattern: _____ as [adjective] as _____.
Bully! – Sentence pattern: You shouldn’t have _____.
Excuses, Excuses – Sentence pattern: I’m not as _____ as you think I am.
Bag of Rocks – Sentence patterns: I’m not as _____ as you think. / Either _____, or _____.
Additional Resources for Teaching ESL Conversation and Speaking:
Our printable ESL lessons for adults include reading passages along with discussion and conversation questions. Great for adult students of all levels!
There are also many useful speaking/conversation activities on our ESL games page. Below is a sampling of some of the best activities involving speaking:
Cardhead – Guess the name on your card using Yes/No questions. All Levels.
The Symbol Game – A great icebreaker game for new classes! All Levels.
Circle Memory Sentences – Students must remember all of the sentences said before his/her turn. Great for killing time at the end of class or reviewing vocabulary words at the beginning of class. All Levels.
The Question Game – You read the answer, and students must come up with the correct question! All Levels.
Tag Question Game – Fun and simple review activity to practice using tag questions like “…do you?” or “…can we?”. All Levels.
I’ve Never – A great game for practicing the Present Perfect Tense. Think of things that you have never done, but everyone else has done! Intermediate / Advanced.
The Lying Game – Students take turns coming up with lies about themselves, and their classmates must guess which statements are true, and which are the lies! Intermediate / Advanced.
Conversation Cards – Students answer the questions on the cards, or they can take turns saying one word each until the question is answered. Intermediate / Advanced