Blog · Topic banks
Conversation topics and questions to get anyone talking
Coaches who have competed and won at a high level of speech and debate
Why everyday talk builds a confident speaker
Standing up to give a speech uses the same skills as a good chat: listening, finding the words, and thinking on your feet. The difference is just the size of the audience. A student who talks easily with people has already done most of the work. Treat these questions as low-stakes reps. The more a student talks, the smaller a speech starts to feel.
Easy icebreakers
- What is the best thing that happened to you this week?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- What is your favorite meal of all time?
- What is something you are really good at?
- If you could visit anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
- What is the best film or show you have watched lately?
- What is a small thing that always makes you happy?
- If you had a whole free day, how would you spend it?
- What is your favorite season and why?
- What is the best gift you have ever been given?
Would you rather
- Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
- Would you rather never have homework or never have chores?
- Would you rather live in the past or the future?
- Would you rather have unlimited money or unlimited time?
- Would you rather be famous or be an expert at something?
- Would you rather explore space or the deep ocean?
- Would you rather always be ten minutes early or ten minutes late?
- Would you rather read minds or predict the future?
- Would you rather have a pause button or a rewind button for life?
- Would you rather be the funniest or the smartest person in the room?
School, friends, and everyday life
- What subject would you add to school if you could?
- What is the best advice a friend ever gave you?
- What makes someone a good friend?
- What is a rule you think should change?
- What is something new you learned recently?
- What is your favorite way to spend a weekend?
- What is a hobby you would love to start?
- What is the most useful thing school has taught you?
- Who is someone you look up to, and why?
- What is a small habit that makes your day better?
Dreams and goals
- What do you want to be really good at one day?
- If you could solve one problem in the world, which would it be?
- What is a goal you are working toward right now?
- Where do you hope to be in five years?
- What is something you want to try but have not yet?
- If you could start any business, what would it be?
- What does success look like to you?
- What is one thing you would like to change about the world?
- What is a skill you wish everyone had?
- What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Deeper questions
- What is a mistake that taught you something important?
- When do you feel most like yourself?
- What is something you have changed your mind about?
- What does being brave mean to you?
- Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
- What is a moment you are proud of?
- What do you think makes a person kind?
- What is something you are afraid of, and why?
- What would you tell your younger self?
- What matters most to you, and how do you know?
From talking to speaking
Everyday conversation is the gentlest on-ramp to public speaking. When a student is ready to take the next step, the leap is smaller than it looks. If nerves are the sticking point, start with how to overcome the fear of public speaking, then work through our public speaking tips.
Common questions
How do conversation skills help with public speaking?+
Public speaking is built on the same muscles as everyday conversation: listening, thinking on your feet, and putting an idea into words clearly. A student who talks comfortably with people finds it far easier to talk in front of them. Good conversation is low-stakes speaking practice.
What is a good conversation starter for a shy student?+
Start with easy, low-pressure questions that are fun to answer, like a would-you-rather or a favorite. They take the spotlight off the student and put it on the answer, which makes talking feel natural rather than like a test.
How do I keep a conversation going?+
Ask a follow-up. When someone answers, ask "why" or "what happened next" instead of jumping to your own turn. Most good conversations are one interesting question followed by genuine curiosity about the answer.
Keep reading
Confidence starts with talking, and grows from there.
The students who speak well in front of a room first learned to talk comfortably to people. Our small classes build both, one friendly session at a time.